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

[lynr]

UPDATE: I just received the email below stating that they do indeed have two cabana's for rent but one is not listed with IPO. So if you need two make sure you have them check with the recreation department.

"I'm so sorry. I called the recreation at The Grand Floridian (they are in charge of the cabanas) and they have the 2nd cabana; they booked it for you. They don't put it in our system us to book. That is way I saw no availability. I'm sorry for the confusion. But you have two cabanas booked"

I love the people at IPO

Lyn

 

[rotary2808]

We're planning on staying concierge at GF for our 5th anniversary in '08. Still so far away.

What advice can anyone give about concierge and GF without me having to go through all these pages of information?

I've never stayed at GF so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[irisbud]

I finally heard back from IPO today, and they sound wonderful as well (didn't get a signature, so unfortunatly I don't know who "they" is.) I have never stayed CL before, and am so happy we are doing it for this trip. It's nice to feel special once in a while!

 

[MickeyMac]

Lynr,

Thank you for updating us - I was beginning to doubt my experience. I'm not surprised IPO wasn't informed. I feel bad for them - they are often informed of changes by the Guests, and not from Disney themselves. As you experienced, it makes their job much more difficult. I'll never forget when the 180 day dining rule broke - that was horrendous! Now you know why they have a longer response time - they not only have to check their facts, they have to double check them.

Irisbud,

Some of the IPO teams don't send signatures on the emails, since everyone works as a team and cover each other. Other departments are much smaller, and there are only one or two individuals on a team, so it's easier to get more personalized. All of them have wonderful individuals on them, and I'm sure you're going to have a great experience. I came home quite addicted to afternoon tea.

 

[Allison]

This is my first post on this thread. I have read pages 120 to the last page and find it really interesting so far.

We just returned from a stay at Poly concierge and during that time wandered around the Grand Floridian. My husband also talked to someone at the pool at the Poly one day who absolutely raved about the GF. So, we are now interested in staying here on our next visit. It just looks wonderful.

My question is one that I am sure has been asked before but I have not seen yet so I thought I would get a brand new answer.

What accounts for the $160 difference (using 2007 rates) between the Sugar Loaf concierge and the RPC concierge? Is there that much difference between the 2?

Thanks so much for the help.

 

[TammiMcMan]

What accounts for the $160 difference (using 2007 rates) between the Sugar Loaf concierge and the RPC concierge? Is there that much difference between the 2?

There used to be quite a difference. At one time, Sugar Loaf only offered a limited concierge service. The staff was on duty for limited hours, there was limited food offerings and no alcohol. That's all changed though and personally, I think much of the difference is really intangibles.

For example:

View, Sugar Loaf - choices of garden or marina (no castle view)
View, RPC - choice of MK, Courtyard pool/garden, lagoon

Lounge, Sugar Loaf - cozy, ground floor lobby location, no TV's
Lounge, RPC - spacious, bright, 2 TV's, lots of seating, overlooks the main lobby, in the evening the GF Orchestra plays on the balcony below you

Rooms, Sugar Loaf - mainly standards, but for the same price, you can request a larger tower room (only 3 available and not guaranteed, you won't know until check-in if you were assigned to a tower room)
Rooms, RPC - standards, deluxe, honeymoon and suites (all different price categories)

Both are very nice. I always describe Sugar Loaf as feeling like a bed & breakfast. You have the staff, seating, food and drink station all located in the same general area. RPC has more of a romantic ambience I think (although we're usually there with our 3 kids anyway). The staff is on the 3rd floor, the lounge/seating is on the 4th and some limited seating up on the 5th. The area is joined by an elevator and a very cute staircase.

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Allison,

The question you need to ask yourself is whether ambience are view are worth the $160 difference A DAY. Like Tammi wrote, the offerings in the lounges are the same. The RPC lounge has great views and you can see the fireworks from it and you can use the 3rd floor balcony which has a first-rate view of Wishes. I have not stayed in SL since it went concierge but I'd guess that some of the rooms might be noisy since they look onto the lounge. The rooms in RPC are away from the lounge and so the noise from the lounge can't be heard in the rooms. The RPC is more convenient to the monorail - don't have to worry about getting wet if it's raining outside! And RPC guests can sit in the lounge and listen to the orchestra without having to worry about going down to the lobby and finding a seat there when it's crowded.

Good luck with your decision - let us know what you decide.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Allison - I just love the atmosphere of the main building. The lounge is so airy and bright & sunny with wonderful outside views - I just love sitting in a wicker chair having my tea in the morning and gazing out at the gorgeous gardens and palm trees, MK resorts and monorails & boats. The live music throughout the afternoon and evening is charming. The possible MK views from certain rooms is another plus. I love watching Wishes from the foot of our beds or our balcony. It is just so special to stay in the main building.

Sugar Loaf is nice, but the feel is nothing like you get when you stay in the main building. You will have the same food service and wonderful CM concierge staff, but there is no view and no wonderful atmosphere to the "lounge" in SL. It is dark - maybe that's too harsh, it is dim and not bright and sunny - no windows or sky lights, no chance of a room with a view of the MK. We had a tower room in SL and the view was very pretty of the garden pool, but......just something missing from the main building.

The main building is just kind of over the top. I just love it there.

Good luck with your decision. Either way, I am sure you will just fall in love with the GF.

Lives4Disney

 

[Allison]

Thanks for all the great replies. I have plenty of time to think about it and read about the GF as it will probably be 2 years before we go back. Plenty of time to save up!

 

[TammiMcMan]

The RPC lounge has great views and you can see the fireworks from it and you can use the 3rd floor balcony which has a first-rate view of Wishes.

In all the times that I've been there, I've never watched the fireworks from the lounge or the balcony. Nice to know that they both offer a good view.

 

[poohluvrs]

If we get a castle view room, can you see Wishes, & what time does it run? I know we wont see it otherwise w/ 2 small kids in tow!

 

[TammiMcMan]

If we get a castle view room, can you see Wishes, & what time does it run?

Yes, with a castle view room you'll be able to see Wishes. As to what time, it varies. Just check the park calendar for the dates that you'll be there. They'll have the fireworks times listed.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

How long is the waterslide at the GF? Any photos of it? All I can find is the end of it! Thanks.

 

[traci]

Tammi

I just emailed IPO for our adr's (going late October). I am sitting here second guessing myself...it is okay to email them with requests to help with reservations, right? I hope I didn't just assume that...

I am such a GF novice

 

[TammiMcMan]

I just emailed IPO for our adr's (going late October). I am sitting here second guessing myself...it is okay to email them with requests to help with reservations, right? I hope I didn't just assume that...

If you booked a concierge room, then yes, you can absolutely contact IPO for ADR assistance. You can call or e-mail, but I think they prefer e-mail.

 

[traci]

Tammi,
Oh yes we booked concierge! We are staying RPC!!! After reading all of your rave reviews how could we not!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I feel a bit frustrated with IPO service this time.

I got a response several days ago to my original inquiry that I made over a week ago about a cake and two things I wanted purchased for my girls (one for each), but it wasn't what I wanted to hear.... What I wanted was the big, plushy stuffed pajama bags. My girls had eyed them last time, but luggage space was limited as it was about a 2 week trip. Eyeore (my oldest just loves him) and a dalmation (my youngest has a dalmation puppy she has slept with since 6 mo old and just adores dalmations). I was told no dalmation available. I SAW them on our end of March trip. They are suddenly no more? Just didn't sound right and I know my Jojo would love anything, but I would feel bad if she walked into the Emporium and there was the dalmation she would have rather had.

I emailed them back to PLEASE double check as I did see them in several stores no long ago - no response for 4 days now. Also in the same email, I did request the cake. Just would really appreciate it if they would have replied to the dalmation and cake and at least let me know if the cake was ordered (WHAT exactly was ordered....as my cake issue was kind of an inquiry/suggestion request/wish to order in one, LOL.

I am just bummed about the IPO situation at this point. Hope you have better luck, Traci.

I haven't phoned to order my cake directly because I can just see IPO put an order in (or will) and I make mine, and I will wind up with two huge expensive cakes that this dieter does not need!!!

Anybody having better IPO luck???

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinks]

The only thing I can tell you about IPO is that I have reservations for SL concierge starting August 11th and I haven't heard from them at all yet. Good thing I made my own ADRS. So far it has been disappointing.


The Polynesian IPO so far has really outshined GF.

We shall see......

 

[Lives4Disney]

The only thing I can tell you about IPO is that I have reservations for SL concierge starting August 11th and I haven't heard from them at all yet. Good thing I made my own ADRS. So far it has been disappointing.


The Polynesian IPO so far has really outshined GF.

We shall see......

Well, I had a March reservation in concierge at the Poly and the IPO "seemed" great, but then, when it was time to check in and have the items delivered to the room that I phoned LONG distance to order and give my CC number.....I found out they LOST my CC number, didn't have anything prepared or ready, despite the fact that before I left on my vacation I emailed the Poly IPO and double checked that everything was ready - specifically the items I had preordered and was told in a very curt, short email that it was. They dropped the ball big time and that will be my last attempt at Poly concierge. (having stayed previously and didn't experience any service from the concierge staff) I emailed their manager about the situation. Maybe you are benefiting. I have seen certain names mentioned and they are the ones that screwed up for me.

I would contact the GF IPO dept yourself if you have not already. I always had to initiate the contact - with every IPO dept at WDW. For some reason, and I never went thru a TA before, they just never contacted me. Probably too busy with folks emailing and calling.

It is just a shame that the GF IPO dept is lacking because it just doesn't give a good first impression. I KNOW the CMs at the GF are great and I love the GF, but it is discouraging experiencing this kind of pretrip let down and frustration while trying to tie up the loose ends. We leave in just over a week.

I also made ALL my ADRs myself. Didn't really need IPO a whole lot, but now that I do I am feeling underwhelmed with the service.

Lives4Disney

 

[2pirates&2tinks]

LIVES4DISNEY Not the solution you are looking for, but have you tried calling M. Merchantile directly to see if they still have the item you are looking for. They were very helpful when I called them once to check on an item. Maybe they could get it over to IPO for you? Hope you have a great 40th Birthday in Disney!