The *New* Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Frequently Asked Questions (FEB2004)

[Lives4Disney]

I am just checking the DIS while waiting for my daughter's bus to come.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I am ALMOST bouncing in my seat - but my younger daughter stayed home SICK yesterday - and I hear her hacking and coughing now......My other one left the house sucking on a coldeeze......We need some FL heat and sunshine!

I totally spaced out and forgot to print our SWA boarding passes last night so we are in B group.....always had A before......Ugh. Lucy said she has her white cane and that's it - it's done - we can preboard. No worries. She is funny.

I have so much luggage it's pretty embarrassing. I think about 9 items when all is said and done. At least no stroller this trip.

It just seems like a lot left to do before we go, but hopefully everything will go smoothly and be great when we get to the NIck hotel about midnight. If they don't give my room away!!

Take care everybody!! See ya soon (well I hope time doesn't go too fast!)

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to hear all about it! My DD went with a bad cold to Disney on our trip last March and I was worried she would get worse, but between the sunshine,the lack of pollen down there at that time, and the pool, she cleared up quickly! Have fun!

 

[poohluvrs]

When do they send the welcome pack/letter? We never got for RPC...

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

When do they send the welcome pack/letter? We never got for RPC...

We received ours when we checked in SL. It was in our welcome folder.

lori

 

[poohluvrs]

We received ours when we checked in SL. It was in our welcome folder.

lori

Thanks for the info! I thought we missed something in the mail! We are looking to go to GF in Oct maybe? We were booked last Oct for a dream vacay, had all our ADR's & everything but had to cancel last minute hoping not too late to book for this fall, we booked early March last year...anyone know any good room requests for RPC? Is the suite worth it? (2 adults/2 young kids) Thanks

 

[GreatBarrier86]

We stayed in SL in December. It was wonderful. Here's the welcome letter.

Thanks!

I really wanted to see that!

Jason

 

[jlawall]

I booked using DVC points, should I upgrade to Concierge??

 

[hearingaidmom]

We are scheduled for RPC in Sept. I emailed my ADR requests to the concierge staff last weekend. I received a reply that they received them and would make them when my 180 days rolled around. I had specifically requested that they email me an itinerary after the ADR's had been made. Their reply indicated that they would. Our 180 day cutoff was yesterday. I have not received anything yet. I am on pins and needles waiting to see if we were able to get all of our requests!

How long should I wait before I email them? I guess I don't want to seem impatient! (Even thought I am! )

 

[Janet2k]

I booked using DVC points, should I upgrade to Concierge?? :

Jlawall, that is a difficult question to answer. The point difference between a Garden or Lagoon View room and a Royal Palm Club (Concierge) room is noticeable.

For example, the DVC point chart states the following for this year’s Value Season:

40 points per night for GF Garden View (Sunday – Thursday)
48 points per night for GF Lagoon View (Sunday – Thursday)
70 points per night for GF Royal Palm Club (Sunday – Thursday)

72 points per night for GF Garden View (Friday – Saturday)
86 points per night for GF Lagoon View (Friday – Saturday)
126 points per night for GF Royal Palm Club (Friday – Saturday)

I do not know the date of your reservation or its length, but the point usage does add up for an extended stay. I am a DVC member and I always pay cash for my Grand Floridian reservations. However, I have read of other DVC members who have booked Royal Palm Club reservations with their DVC points and they have been satisfied.

No matter what category of room you stay in, I hope you have a wonderful vacation. The Grand Floridian is a lovely resort.

 

[Janet2k]

We want to try EACH resort before staying twice at the same one, so we won't do the GF both times.

My family’s first couple of WDW vacations were spent at the Grand Floridian. We never wanted to stay anywhere else. But as time moved forward, our opinion changed. We have now stayed in 20 of the on-site resorts. However, the Grand Floridian has been one of those resorts that has kept calling us back. We find ourselves staying there frequently.

I understand your desire not to duplicate a resort until you have tried a few more. But don’t be surprised if your heart makes your head react differently.

Have a wonderful vacation regardless of the resort.

(3/25/06: Edited post to correct # of on-site resorts I've stayed in so far.)

 

[poohluvrs]

We are scheduled for RPC in Sept. I emailed my ADR requests to the concierge staff last weekend. I received a reply that they received them and would make them when my 180 days rolled around. I had specifically requested that they email me an itinerary after the ADR's had been made. Their reply indicated that they would. Our 180 day cutoff was yesterday. I have not received anything yet. I am on pins and needles waiting to see if we were able to get all of our requests!

How long should I wait before I email them? I guess I don't want to seem impatient! (Even thought I am! )

We contacted them right when our 180 days was up, they got back to me every time I emailed almost immediately, w/in 24hrs! They were great, I wouldn't worry!

 

[jlawall]

Thx, Janet!! We will be leaving in TWO weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[poohluvrs]

Ok, I cant rack my brain any longer so Im asking the experts, where is the best approx location/room for us - I want RPC, it will be me, DH, & two toddlers, I want easy access to snacks & a pretty room/view! Thanks

 

[Janet2k]

We will be leaving in TWO weeks!!!!!!

Oh, I am so jealous! Let us know what you decide to do (stick with your current reservation or change it to concierge).

By the way, can you do something for me? Please stand in the lobby and yell out, "Janet2k says she wishes she were here!" And then duck. You never know what Cast Members might throw something at you when they hear my name.

Again, have a great time on vacation.

 

[Janet2k]

...where is the best approx location/room for us - I want RPC, it will be me, DH, & two toddlers, I want easy access to snacks & a pretty room/view!

With kids, I would definitely request a Cinderella Castle view. There is just something about falling asleep with your little ones and a fairy tale castle that is changing colors in the background. Life just does not get any better than that -- children and a future full of promise.

Except in my case, one of my “little” ones is a 6’ 8” tall college kid and the other one is a 5’ tall elementary student: click here. But I still remember the days when the two of them were full of innocence: click here. Have I mentioned lately just how much of a fairy tale life I lead?

No matter where your room is located, Poohluvrs, I hope your family has a ~magical~ vacation.

 

[Janet2k]

We are scheduled for RPC in Sept. I emailed my ADR requests to the concierge staff last weekend. I received a reply that they received them and would make them when my 180 days rolled around. I had specifically requested that they email me an itinerary after the ADR's had been made. Their reply indicated that they would. Our 180 day cutoff was yesterday. I have not received anything yet. I am on pins and needles waiting to see if we were able to get all of our requests!

Hearingaidmom, if there is one particular ADR that you are concerned about, I don’t think it is unreasonable to e-mail or phone in order to inquire about it. Peace of mind is something that the concierge should instill in you. Since your vacation is far enough in advance, my hope is that they’ll be able to secure your ADRs without too much difficulty. My fingers are crossed that you’ll get everything that you want.

 

[Janet2k]

Has anyone staying at the GF CL booked and gone on the Kilimanjaro Safari tour that goes out before the Ak opens? I see this is an option now at CL level other than just in the AKL.

Docsknotinn, to this day I chuckle every time I say your Dis name aloud – I love it!

Last year, Disney began offering a new tour at the Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The tour is limited to concierge guests of any of the Disney-owned deluxe resorts, of which the Grand Floridian is one.

On the Grand Floridian webpage, it states the following:

- - - - - - -
Club Concierge-level Guests also receive these special amenities:

* Staff available prior to and during your visit for reservations and vacation planning

* Access to the exclusive Royal Palm Club or Sugar Loaf Club Concierge Lounge (depending on room location) featuring Continental breakfast, snacks and evening wine and cheese reception (wine not offered at Sugar Loaf location)

* Ability to participate in the Wildlife Discovery Excursion — an exclusive guided tour of Kilimanjaro Safaris® at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park — offered only to a limited number of Club Concierge-level Guests for an additional fee
- - - - - - -

On the AllEarsNet website, it gives more details:

- - - - - - -
Disney's Concierge Level Guests Take a Walk on the Wild Side
At Disney's Animal Kingdom With New Wildlife Discovery Excursions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort concierge-level guests can venture off the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney's Animal Kingdom for a unique wildlife discovery excursion. Led by a seasoned safari guide and an animal expert, the adventure takes guests beyond the safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve.

Small groups (no more than 14 guests) travel in a custom-designed, climate-controlled vehicle for the one-hour excursion, offered daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $45 per guest with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.

For more information and to book an excursion, concierge-level guests may contact their Walt Disney World Resort concierge or resort itinerary planning office. Advance reservations are required. For more information on the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, visit www.disneywildlifefund.com.
- - - - - - -

I attended the Wildlife Discovery Excursion last summer. My family was guests of Nutz4dzny’s family, and both of our families had a great time on the tour. I highly recommend it.

Upon my return home, I put a couple of photos into an on-line album. I primarily did so because there had been a discussion on the disABILITIES board regarding the tour vehicle and its accessibility to those with physical limitations. I wanted to share photos of the tour vehicle's interior with them.

I never got around to finishing my photo album and honestly hadn’t looked at it since last year. That is, until I read your post the other day. I was going to post a link to my album until I realized how unorganized it was. Yikes! I attempted to rearrange my photos and add more captions to them, but I have been having a bear of a time with it (Yahoo’s photo system has been uncooperative). Here’s the link to my album anyway: click here. I apologize in advance for its present state but hopefully it will give you a small glimpse into the tour, the tour vehicle, etc.

By the way, I have attended the Animal Kingdom Lodge's "Sunrise Safari" tour. I have photos of that tour in another on-line album: click here. As has already been mentioned, you must be a concierge guest of the Animal Kingdom Lodge to attend the Sunrise Safari. It is a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it.

I hope this helped.

 

[Janet2k]

Where exactly is the Pine Key building? Is that the one that overlooks the pool with the slide or is that still part of the main building. I have looked at the map but can't get a mental picture from when we were there.

I thought it would be helpful to add a few photos to what TammiMcMan said. Click here for a map of the Grand Floridian that is found on the Dis website, and click here for an aerial image of the Grand Floridian from Google Earth.

Click here for a photo that I took of Big Pine Key from the beach area next to the Summerhouse. Click here for another photo of Big Pine Key. Finally, click here for an aerial image of the main building (on the left) and Big Pine Key (on the right) courtesy of Google Earth.

I hope that helped.

 

[Janet2k]

Docsknotinn, I just found further information regarding the Wildlife Discovery Excursion on the AllEarsNet website: click here. They have photos on that webpage.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Thanks for all the help. We are still thinking about upgrading to CL. It's about $500 more for the week over the LV room we have now. This looks like a very nice perk. Did the tour go on the same road as the regular park attraction or on a different route?