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

[lynr]

The family who rented the one next to us was very nice and had a couple of toddlers and a baby, as well as grandfather there (they maxed out the limit of 6) The mom said she really liked having a place for the kids to sleep out of the sun, while she was able to stay in the pool close by.

MickeyMac: Thank you so much for posting this information. I must have missed that there was a maximum limit for the Cabana of 6. I booked one and with the baby there are 8 of us. So I emailed the conicerge to see if we can reserve two cabana's. I would have been so embarassed if we got there with my friends and they said we were over the limit.

Lyn

 

[TammiMcMan]

The family who rented the one next to us was very nice and had a couple of toddlers and a baby, as well as grandfather there (they maxed out the limit of 6) The mom said she really liked having a place for the kids to sleep out of the sun, while she was able to stay in the pool close by.

So they have more than 1 for rent now? I think when Lives4Disney went, it was just the one rental and the other three were set up still as first come, first serve (and without the added amenities).

 

[MickeyMac]

Tammi, yes, there are two now. the one in the corner, that I took pictures of, and the one right next to it. The two on the end towards the water fall are still open for walk ups, but it was about 4pm before someone sat there - folks would walk over, see the rental sign and think it was for all of them, and would leave. The second cabana isn't as detailed as the first, but they said they were 'getting there.' This was the first of May. It had the television, stocked refrigerator, luxe towels, etc, but the standard lounges, instead of the wooden ones, and I htink they were missing the rug, too.

Lynr - I would find it pretty cramped with 8. I'm sure IPO will recommend according to your family size. Enjoy!!!

 

[magical4us4]

We just returned from GF last night (6/15). There are two cabanas for rent. They are the same ones that they always had, they just added one more from the previous three, four altogether.

We had the one without the rental and it was nice. Enjoyed the privacy very much. We stayed in concierge and didn't need the extra amenities that they offered with the rental. We would go upstairs for tea time and return, and if we wanted a cool drink, such as pina colodas, we would just go to the bar at the pool. The kids would get drinks from upstairs and bring them down to the tent if they were thirsty.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We just returned from GF last night (6/15). There are two cabanas for rent. They are the same ones that they always had, they just added one more from the previous three, four altogether.

We had the one without the rental and it was nice. Enjoyed the privacy very much. We stayed in concierge and didn't need the extra amenities that they offered with the rental. We would go upstairs for tea time and return, and if we wanted a cool drink, such as pina colodas, we would just go to the bar at the pool. The kids would get drinks from upstairs and bring them down to the tent if they were thirsty.

That is brand new info. When we went the end of March, there were just 3 cabanas and one was the deluxe one for rent. I am surprised they could squeeze another in. Weren't there sodas and water bottles and juice boxes in the fridge in the cabana?? We stayed concierge also, but my girls drank the water from the fridge & I had diet coke because it was there and convenient and was included in the price of the cabana rental. I went up to the pool bar and ordered a pina colada. There wasn't any special cabana attendant/steward when we were there like Mickeymac mentioned. Things sound like they are moving along for a more permanent set up.

Hi, Tyler. Hope all is good.

Happy planning everybody! I am getting excited. Close to two weeks til YC/GF split.

Lives4Disney

 

[MickeyMac]

The kid who was with us said they had *just* set up the second cabana right before we got there at the end of April. I have a picture of the four of them, it if helps, with two of the cabanas stocked as if for rental. Lives, it is a tight fit.

Magical, do you know if they had upgraded the lounge chairs at the second cabana yet?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Magical, do you know if they had upgraded the lounge chairs at the second cabana yet?

Yeah!! I want the original cabana with the teak furniture, LOL, in 3 weeks!!

Another great pic, MickeyMac.

Lives4Disney

 

[MickeyMac]

Dahnke, Lives

Seeing the photo makes me want to go back so bad.

 

[magical4us4]

I didn't pay close attention to the furniture, but I did notice one of them being different.

I was a little dissapointed with the pool's water slide. It needed some cleaning, and so did the pool where the filters were on the floor.

I have been to the GF 9 times, all in concierge, and was just a little shocked of the upkeep of the hotel. When we arrived we were supposed to be upgraded to a delux and instead the man at the desk gave us a standard room in RPC. When we saw the concierge staff the next day, they asked how we liked our delux. When they found out that the man at the desk never mentioned it to us, they moved on right away and moved us to delux.

We have found some very helpful people and some who just don't care. But it was a late arrival for us and the staff of concierge had gone home, so we checked in downstairs, that explains the non-caring staff.

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I have a question regarding checkin at the Sugar Loaf. Last November, it was too late to check in with concierge, so we just checked in at the Main Desk.

This time, we will be arriving in the morning, so how do we check in with the Sugar Loaf concierge??

Thanks ladies!!

 

[MickeyMac]

When you arrive, let the security guard at the gate know you are checking in. He or she should know that you are staying concierge, and place a tag in your window. If he does not, ask him if there's any special check-in process for concierge Guests. He will radio ahead to let the Curbside Team know you've arrived, and they should greet you at the curb and bring you to the concierge check-in, if they are available.

 

[Cinderella Fan]

When you arrive, let the security guard at the gate know you are checking in. He or she should know that you are staying concierge, and place a tag in your window. If he does not, ask him if there's any special check-in process for concierge Guests. He will radio ahead to let the Curbside Team know you've arrived, and they should greet you at the curb and bring you to the concierge check-in, if they are available.

We are arriving via ME. Do I just mention to the curbside team that we are checking into Concierge??

Thanks MickeyMac!!

 

[NDAMomX2]

Hi everyone!

We're leaving for our very first visit to the Grand Floridian in 4 days. I've loved reading this thread, and thanks to all of you for the wealth of information you've provided for this Grand Floridian novice! I do have one question for you experts though. Our first day we're taking a 6:50 am flight our of Boston, and so we'll be arriving at the resort fairly early. We have already made an AR at the Grand Floridian Cafe for lunch, but I was wondering if you had any suggestions of activities around the resort we could take advantage of? My family consists of 2DDs 19 and 16, My DH and myself.

Thanks so much!

 

[triplefigs]

We are arriving via ME. Do I just mention to the curbside team that we are checking into Concierge??

Thanks MickeyMac!!

We arrived via ME in December. Just checked in at the desk at MCO, rode the bus to the GF. Got off and Juanita from Concierge was at the curb to greet us, gave us a tour, walked us to SL, and checked in. Very nice!

 

[stauncie]

We arrived via ME in December. Just checked in at the desk at MCO, rode the bus to the GF. Got off and Juanita from Concierge was at the curb to greet us, gave us a tour, walked us to SL, and checked in. Very nice!

Ditto for us. We used ME in May, and we were greeted by someone from concierge even before the driver could get our carryon's out from under the bus. It was wonderful and easy.

 

[MickeyMac]

Duh, what an idiot. I forgot about DME arrivals since I like to have a car. Thanks, Triple!

NDA, why not pack your swimsuits in a carry-on and hit the pool after lunch? There are very nice showers over by the themed pool behind the cabana stand, so you can shower off before heading up to your room?

If you have tickets for that day, you can also just pop onto the monorail and head to the MK?

Or, rent some mouseboats - but wear sunscreen! LOL!

You can also take the monorail around and tour the different resorts, too. My suggestion would be doing a Dessert Tour. (totally made up; just hop the monorail to Contemporary, go grab a dessert and nosh while you tour, then hop back onto the Poly, dessert and wander, and finish back up at the Grand. You could even fit in the Wilderness Lodge, too! LOL!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Thanks ladies!! I knew you all would be able to help!!

 

[cattrix]

I have a quick question for all of you Grand Floridian experts, I'm sorry if this was covered but I couldn't get the Search function to work all weekend

Do they sell resort mugs at the GF, and if they do how much are they? Where would you fill them up at?

Again sorry if this was covered and it is a repeat question.

Thanks

 

[magical4us4]

GF does sell resort refillable mugs. I am pretty sure you fill them up in Gaspirilla Grill. It's downstairs, outside in the Main Bld. I think the cost was between $15-18 dollars, but really not sure. I remember reading the price but I can't seem to recall the exact amount. Sorry.

 

[lynr]

Does anyone know if the IPO office closes for the weekend. I sent them an email on Friday morning and have not heard back from them. So I was wondering if they didn't have hours on the weekend.

Thanks,
Lyn