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

[MickeyMac]

Lynr, thank you. I just had the funniest PM from someone complaining that because of me, they are now mortgaging their house and selling their first born because she went through the photos and just had to stay at the Grand. LOL!

Tonyspad, no, I'm sorry, I don't have those photos, however, I do have some of the other 1-bedroom suites. Guess I'll have to go back and get more. LOL!

 

[scanne]

MickeyMac,

Is there a link to your pictures? Just would love to see them. Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Scanne - on page 129, post 1926 MickeyMac has links to her photo albums. Her pics are WONDERFUL!! You will want to hop a plane and get to the Grand Floridian ASAP!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[Janet2k]

...one bedroom in sugar loaf... Does any one have photos to share from this suite?

Tonyspad, I haven't stayed in Sugar Loaf but I have stayed in two different two-bedroom suites in Conch Key. I have photos of one of the suites in my on-line album. I'll post links to them here so that you can get a feel for what your suite ~might~ look like. Please remember that some of the suites are similar, while others are different. But they all should come with at least a Parlor Room and a Master Bedroom.

Cypress Suite Parlor Room
Cypress Suite Master Bedroom
Cypress Suite 2nd Bedroom

One of these days I'll try to dig up more photos and post them (I know I have video of the suite, too, that I could always post on Google; maybe one day I'll get around to that). For now, I hope what I have shared at least helped a little bit.

The Grand Floridian's suites are truly lovely. I'm sure you'll be happy in the one that you have booked.

 

[Janet2k]

Treating my mom to a weekend at GF, and some wording in the UG concerns me. It says most GV rooms have balcony's. Am I missing something? I was believing all rooms at GV have balcony's (or patio's).

Rozzie, I agree with DisneyDoogie that almost every Grand Floridian room has either a balcony or a patio. It is very rare that a room doesn't. If a balcony or patio is very important to you, please have it noted on your reservation.

Have a wonderful vacation (and I hope you get that patio/balcony).

 

[poohluvrs]

Private Lounges or Beach Cabanas? Do any of you experts recommend either for a family w/ toddlers, & can they be rented through concierge? THanks

 

[poohluvrs]

wheres the best spot for firework watching ?

 

[scanne]

Lives4Disney,

Thank you for the page #.

MickeyMac,

WOW WOW WOW! I want to be at the GF now! Your pictures are amazing and really make me feel like I'm there...almost.

I wish my DH shared my love of the GF. He likes it - it's his 3rd favorite behind the WL and the Polynesian. I'm glad we're staying there this fall. I know for sure we're staying there in 2009 - when my DD turns 5. I think I'm going to start saving now for RPC for that trip. There is no other way to spoil a princess as nicely as a stay at the GF!!!

Thanks for the pics. I love them!

Anne

 

[Janet2k]

Private Lounges or Beach Cabanas? Do any of you experts recommend either for a family w/ toddlers, & can they be rented through concierge?

wheres the best spot for firework watching ?

Poohluvrs, the concierge should be able to reserve a cabana for you. The private loungers on the beach are first come, first served.

I haven’t enjoyed the new cabanas yet but will be doing so on my upcoming vacation. One of the people in my group has already reserved one so I am looking forward to checking it out in person. But since I prefer to spend all my time in the water, I probably won’t get much cabana action that day.

As to watching fireworks, my favorite place to watch them from is the Water Taxi Dock. There is a wonderful view from there, and you’ll oftentimes find other resort guests watching the fireworks from the exact same location. That makes it more fun, in my humble opinion.

 

[Janet2k]

Even though we had 12 onboard, it was intimate, not overwhelming… One thing I did not expect, was the need for bug spray… I didn't think about it at all, but they were everywhere.

Janet, the jockeying was very interesting. I find the stuff CM's go through to make our trips seemless and effortless truly amazing.

MickeyMac, thank you for letting me know how the Grand 1 will feel with 12 people aboard. And thank you for passing along the bug spray warning. I will definitely let my friends know about that.

As to your comment about the magic that goes on in the background, I know exactly what you’re talking about. One of my favorite photos showcases that perfectly: click here. Creating magic is hard work.

 

[Janet2k]

I am so excited about my upcoming, not soon enough, GF stay at the main house! My question is this..., what is the difference between Lodge Concierge and Main house Concierge?? IS it the same?

Litlpixie, I see that your question was overlooked. I’m sorry for that.

Basically, there isn't much difference between Lodge Concierge and Main Building Concierge outside of the fact that the lounges are located in two different places (Sugar Loaf for Lodge Concierge and Main Building for Royal Palm Club Concierge). The evening offerings are pretty much the same now (that wasn’t true in the past).

I hope you enjoy your Grand Floridian stay. It’s a beautiful resort no matter which building you stay in.

 

[MickeyMac]

Janet, that is a wonderful picture. Thank you for sharing.

We were recently down for a wedding for friends of ours. It amazed me the sheer number of Cast Members there were for our group. Every time I turned around, there was a different coordinator, and they orchestrated everything perfectly.

Scanne, I'm very sorry I let you down on the photos. I tried to have warm breezes blowing from the computer screen, with lovely period music running in the background and Richard the Greeter pop out with one of his trademark hugs, but my computer kept kicking and screaming and insisting that they weren't going to work until I booked there again.

Janet & Poohluvrs, we liked our cabana. I used it quite a bit, but it was too short of a length of time for me, and too long for my husband. the cabana steward was overly attentive, but it was nice to be able to take a nap out of the sun in. NOt that I had PLANNED on taking a nap. LOL!

Oh, and I have photos of the cabanas in that folder, too. Let me know if you can't find them. I know I need to split the GF photos (and BWI ones, too) into more manageable folders.

 

[Tonyspad]

How does someone go about reserving a cabana? What is the cost and how far in advance can it be done??

 

[Tinks]

Just wanted to update you guys on my August girlfriends trip. Because of all of you I have upgraded us from lagoon view to SL concierge.

I visited the GF last week and walked around the grounds extensively. I've stayed here briefly several years ago in Conch Key. Anyway, I had requested Boca Chica for our girls trip (LV) and when I checked the building out I became pretty concerned about the actual view we would get. There are quite a few large trees placed in front of Boca Chica that might obstruct lagoon views. It was enough trees to make me worry! I would hate to pay for lagoon view and have it even partially obstructed by a tree. I know I'm picky! Please don't let my opinion worry you!

I'm not thrilled that SL doesn't offer views of the lagoon, but it will be a fun experience for my friends and I'm really excited now! Thanks for all the great photos and information. It made my decision easier!

By the way, I requested a lodge tower room. Maybe we'll get lucky.

 

[kaysmommie]

Mickeymac,
Loved looking at your photos of GF. How much is it to reserve a cabana? Is it for concierge guests only? We can only stay LV or GV at GF because it's not in the budget. I would love to have a cabana with the little ones though. Thanks

 

[lynr]

Mickeymac,
Loved looking at your photos of GF. How much is it to reserve a cabana? Is it for concierge guests only? We can only stay LV or GV at GF because it's not in the budget. I would love to have a cabana with the little ones though. Thanks

Cabana's can be reserved 90 days in advance. I just reserved a cabana for August and it was $60 for 4 hours. They did require a credit card number.

Lyn

 

[mickekmania]

I am booking GF for Dec. 17-27 tomorrow and would like to stay concierge, but was told today that Concierge is booked THis will be our first time staying at the GF, it's myself, DH, DS13, DD7, and Grandma78. Could someone please tell me what bldg and view I should request? Is there a possibility that a Concierge room could still open between now and when we go? Also, I know there is the Character meal at the 1900, but are any other the characters or Santa in the lobby during this time. 3 years ago we were at POR for Christmas and on Christmas Eve Santa was there with Mickey, Minnie and Pluto for a couple of hours. Okay, just one more thing.....Does GF have any special kids crafts or special extras going on for Xmas.

Thanks for allowing to ask so many questions, I'm really in a pickle over all of this. We actually currently have ressies at the Poly Concierge and just deceided this weekend to switch over.

Julie

 

[lynr]

Just wanted to update you guys on my August girlfriends trip. Because of all of you I have upgraded us from lagoon view to SL concierge.

One year I stayed in Boca Chica and had those big trees right in front our balcony. The view was obstructed. You made a great choice for a girlfriends trip.

I am going to hopefully add another person to our reservation tomorrow. My son's new girlfriend will be joining us. We are on the original free dining so I am praying my AAA agent can add her.

That is going to make 5 people in our room but one person isn't arriving until after 12 AM on our second day so really there will only be 5 for one full day. I hope it's not too crowded in our room. I did request an upgrade to a deluxe room if one opens up. Of course I am willing to pay the difference.

Lyn

 

[disneyfan62]

I was Disney dreaming today of a really nice 25th anniversary trip! since Disney is where we celebrated our honeymoon in 1984 at the Poly, it would be awesome to invite our best man & maid of honor to come down to Disney to celebrate our 25th ..... has anyone chartered the Grand One? if so can you please tell me some details of your experience?

 

[Lives4Disney]

I was Disney dreaming today of a really nice 25th anniversary trip! since Disney is where we celebrated our honeymoon in 1984 at the Poly, it would be awesome to invite our best man & maid of honor to come down to Disney to celebrate our 25th ..... has anyone chartered the Grand One? if so can you please tell me some details of your experience?

Hi, there are a couple of us GF fans that were interested in this. MickeyMac posted some great info a couple pages back and links to her fabulous pics of the Grand 1.

Here are the pages and post numbers: pg 128 posts 1914 and 1919, pg 129 post 1926.

Happy planning! I have the Grand 1 booked for my 40th bday in July. Have never done a Wishes cruise before, but this looked like a fun thing to do in the evening.

Lives4Disney