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

[Janet2k]

I wanted to share with you all a grand floridian map.

Thanks, Tigger113. I'll share this one right back at ya: click here. If you go to that webpage, you'll find all sorts of maps of WDW resorts & theme parks. The Dis has quite a collection and I use them frequently when planning my vacation. Again, thank you for sharing your map of the GF with everyone here!

 

[Janet2k]

For those of you who are interested in ordering specialty cakes while vacationing at the resort, there is an extremely knowledgeable Cast Member who posts periodically on the Dis. This person has mentioned more than once that Disney changed their cake ordering policy late last year / early this year. Here is a post from the end of May that you might find helpful:

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The GF bakery no longer makes cakes "to go". The increased work load and the difficulty with guest satisfaction when they pick up their own cakes has made this decision necessary. Any cake (birthday, anniversary, etc) ordered thru the GF bakery must be served on site. Either at one of their restaurants, or Private Dining.

Cake orders for the GF bakery are handled thru the Private Dining office, as there is no direct line from the outside to the bakery.
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So, for those of you with cake needs (birthday, anniversary, etc.), please contact the Grand Floridian’s Private Dining folks. They should be able to handle your order and set up delivery of your cake.

 

[Janet2k]

For those of you who are interested in ordering specialty cakes, you might find this information useful, too (it came from the same Cast Member and it was shared just the other day). It was regarding the mini-cakes that may be ordered at the Grand Floridian:

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Flavor choices are:

chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse
yellow cake with white chocolate mousse
cheesecake

styles are either a 2 tier mini decorated in a traditional fashion, or a 1 tier mini with a small white chocolate castle on top.

call Private dining at the Grand to order.
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Pricing wasn't mentioned so you'll have to call Private Dining in order to secure that information (drats!).

 

[Clare D]

Hi everybody
Thank you for posting all this great information and pictures. My DH and our DS aged nearly 4 when we arrive are booked into the GF. I asked our TA to change from the Ritz-Carlton to the GF as I wanted to be on site and IMO there was no other hotel to choose from but the GF.
Janet2k I have had a great time reading your posts and thank you for the information relating to the mini bar, I was quite surprised how cheap it was.
Re the cakes from private dining are these able to be delivered to your room?
Thanks Clare

 

[BCV23]

Those are the two mugs that have been sold by the resort for the past several years. I'll be at the Grand Floridian this year and will post photos if I find that the mugs have changed.

We stayed at the GF in January of this year and the mugs were the same.

Have a great stay Janet and everyone else going back soon.

 

[Janet2k]

We stayed at the GF in January of this year and the mugs were the same.

Thank you for the information, BCV23. That will be one less thing that I ask my daughter to take a photo of during our upcoming vacation. She's threatening to charge me for each photo that she takes. Maybe I'll get even and threaten to charge her for her portion of the 5+ week vacation, eh?

 

[lynr]

I need some suggestions from my DIS friends. My friends who are traveling with us to Disney in August did some work for my mother today at her house. My girl friend's husband hung a new front door and storm door and he even cleaned up his mess.

Now here is the dilema my mom wanted to give him $300 for doing the work for her and they wouldn't allow her to pay anything. No matter what we said or did they wouldn't take the money. But we really want to do something to repay them for there time and work.

So here is my choices of what I was thinking that what we could do:

A. Give them an AMEX gift card
B. Up grade their room at the GF from GV to Lodge Tower View
C. Upgrade their room to Lagoon View
D. Give them a Disney gift card

I don't know anything about the Lodge Tower View. Does this include concierge? I asked CRO and got two different answers.

I control all the reservations so changing the room view wouldn't be a problem.

So which idea do you think is best?

Lyn

 

[Janet2k]

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?

Rotary2808, I hate to break it to you but you are going to have to read all of the pages in the GF’s FAQ thread. It is truly the only way to pick up on some of the subtle nuances of the resort. How’s that for my taking the coward’s way out?!

Since your vacation is so far away, concentrate on the major things that you hope to accomplish during it. Let’s say that you want to visit all of the theme parks at least once. That’s a reasonable goal for most vacationers. Build upon that goal by researching restaurants that are located in each of the theme parks. For example, the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park has a restaurant that is called the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (click here). It is a most unusual restaurant and one that I feel every guest should experience at least once. You would make a note in your vacation planning notebook of that restaurant. As your research continues, you would do the same for each restaurant that appeals to you. When the time comes to “officially” begin planning your vacation, you would turn over a list of your dining requests to the Grand Floridian’s Itinerary Planning Office (IPO). They would make those dining reservations for you. It’s a very straightforward process.

Dining reservations are probably the number one item that the IPO staff handles for their guests. They can also arrange for fishing excursions, golf outings, parasailing expeditions, horseback riding lessons, and so on. My guess is that recreation reservations probably fall into the top five things that the IPO handles for their guests.

As a concierge guest, having IPO book your dining and recreation reservations is really a wonderful thing. I personally feel that it is the number one benefit of being a concierge guest. My number two benefit would probably be the simple fact that there is a lounge that I can kick-back and relax in when I’ve had just about all the fun that I can handle during my family’s vacation. There’s something to be said for peace and quiet.

I won’t mention any further concierge benefits. I’ll leave it up to you to do your homework. Now get reading. And have fun planning your vacation!

 

[BCV23]

Lynn, Lodge Tower isn't a view per se. They are slightly larger rooms in the rounded tower portions of the outer lodges. They have a small sitting area and extra TV. With the exception of Sugar Loaf, they do cost more but don't include concierge.

There is also Lodge concierge which is in Sugar Loaf. All rooms in that building cost more and do have concierge service. There are several Lodge Tower rooms in that building as well and only in that building there is no extra charge for the tower rooms.

Would your friends enjoy a night at V&A?

 

[Janet2k]

Re the cakes from private dining are these able to be delivered to your room?

Clare D, yes, Private Dining will deliver a cake to your resort room. We've celebrated quite a few birthdays at the resort. Here is a photo of a cake that was delivered for my son's birthday a few years ago: click here. His name was actually written on the cake but I removed it before I posted the photo (I don't share my children's names on the Internet for safety reasons).

For my upcoming vacation, I actually have a request in for specialty cake information at both the Polynesian and the Beach Club. I am curious to see what can be done at those resorts. But then I stumbled into the post about the mini-cakes at the Grand Floridian (the information that I shared earlier). Now I am having to re-think my thnking! Shame on me for doing a little vacation planning research, eh?

I hope you enjoy your Grand Floridian stay. It is such a gorgeous resort. I get all wistful whenever I think of it, ~sigh.~ I can’t wait to walk into the lobby and feel like I’m home again (okay, not really home since I live in a very small townhouse, but I think you understand what I’m talking about).

 

[Janet2k]

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

Allison, welcome to the GF FAQ thread. I thought I'd check in to see if you've read ALL of the pages by now. By the way, don't try to pull the wool over our eyes. We'll be giving you a quiz to see if you really & truly have read this entire thread.

 

[Janet2k]

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

Lollipop’s Mom, I don’t know how to answer your question. I’ve been down the waterslide lots of times so I know that it loops at least once around (if not more). I’ll have to verify how many times it loops with my children (who presently aren’t at home right now).

In the meantime, last summer I took a few photos as I went down the waterslide. I have a digital underwater camera and it comes in very handy at the swimming pool. I went through my waterslide photos from last summer’s vacation and put a couple of them into an on-line album. Hopefully, they’ll give you an idea of what the Grand Floridian’s waterslide actually looks like.

Waterslide Photo # 1
Waterslide Photo # 2
Waterslide Photo # 3
Waterslide Photo # 4
Waterslide Photo # 5
Waterslide Photo # 6
Waterslide Photo # 7
Waterslide Photo # 8
Waterslide Photo # 9

I might have some video footage of myself going down the waterslide since my underwater camera also shoots video. If I can find a video clip, I'll post a link to it here. (It’s not stored on my laptop so I’m not sure where it is right now.)

The Grand Floridian’s waterslide is really quite fun (and fast). It took me completely by surprise the first time I went down it. To this day, I laugh my head off each time I slip slide away.

 

[Janet2k]

Just booked for our august stay at GF anyone have any info on tea i believe they mentioned something about seating being tables of 2 we are a party of 3 just wondering what the seating arangement was thanks so much!

Soxnation, there are various-sized tables in the Garden View Lounge. Last summer I attended tea with quite a few of my friends (I believe there were more than ten of us). We wound up pushing two large tables together (with permission, of course) so that we could all be seated together. Everyone had a marvelous time.

I have also attended afternoon tea in the lounge with my daughter. Just the two of us, and it was lovely. On another occasion I attended the My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party (click here) with my daughter and my husband. I was in a wheelchair at the time so they seated us at a large table in the back. It worked out well. (Click here for photos of the event.)

As you can see, the Garden View Lounge can handle parties of all sizes. I hope the three of you have a lovely time.

 

[Janet2k]

I read the corner rooms have 2 balconies. So, if you are on the first floor in a corner room, do you have 2 patios?

Allison, not all corner rooms in the lodge buildings come with two balconies. Just thought I’d mention that.

For example, if you look at this photo of Conch Key, only the rooms on the right-hand side of the photo come with two balconies: click here. That photo is misleading, however, because those corner rooms on the second and third floor are parts of suites (the corner rooms are the suites’ Parlor rooms). I have stayed in two-bedroom suites on both the second and the third floor of that building (you’ll see them marked by yellow X’s in the photo). As to the first floor, I’m not sure if the corner room is part of a suite. I know that there is a beautiful suite on that floor, but I’m just not sure if the corner room goes with it like it does on the second and third floors.

As to the fourth floor of Conch Key, that is a dormer room that has two balconies. My family stayed in it two years ago. Click here to view my photos. We did not request that room. It was given to us by Tinker Belle.

 

[Janet2k]

WE are planning our first trip to GF (our 5th to Disney). I was all set to release the apron strings a bit to sign our DD (7) up for the GRAND Adventures in Cooking. But now, she has caught wind of the Pirate Adventure, and wants to do that… For those of you, who have children who have done this, can you describe it more than the standard disney copy?

NovDis, I have posted the following information in other threads on the Dis, but thought I would post it here too. If you follow my links, you'll find write-ups and photos of each of the Grand Floridian’s children’s events. If you read those posts and view those photos, a majority of your questions will be answered.

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My daughter has attended the Grand Floridian's Children's Activities numerous times over the years, most recently during last Summer's vacation (she also attended the Yacht Club / Beach Club's Albatross Cruise for the first time). My daughter loves all of the kids’ activities at WDW, but her favorite is the Grand Adventures In Cooking Class (I find that very amusing since I don't cook).

In a trip report a few years ago, I wrote about my daughter's experiences with each of the GF's Children's Activities. I'll give links to those posts below. Please note that in those posts you'll find links to photos of the events, and you'll also find my daughter's descriptions of the events.

Pirates Cruise: Click here
Wonderland Tea Party: Click here
Grand Adventures In Cooking Class: Click here
My Disney Girl Princess Grand Tea Party: Click here

I haven't done a write-up yet on the Yacht Club / Beach Club's Albatross Cruise, but I do have photos (sadly, rather unorganized) in an on-line photo album: click here.

Here is my write-up for the Family Magic Tour that my family attended in 2004: click here. In that post you'll find lots (and lots) of links to photos of the event.
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During our upcoming vacation, my daughter will be attending the cooking class, tea party, and pirates cruise at the Grand Floridian. She'll also be attending the Albatross Cruise at the Yacht Club and the Jesters Cruise at Port Orleans – Riverside. She attends everything alone (her big brother is in college and thus is too old to attend the kids’ events, drats!). My daughter has been doing this for years, and even though she can recite the Cast Member spiels by heart, she still loves attending the events. I know that not all children are like this (as it should be).

If you have specific questions, feel free to post them or PM me with them.

 

[Janet2k]

I just admired your pix of the Princess Tea party - did GF IPO make the ressie for you, & is that why your daughters Princess name card is blank? Im just worried that they never took my girls names when we booked & everyone has reported that the dining line took their names & had cards w/ their kids names to be called out upon arrival - I hate to miss out!

Poohluvrs, I had asked the IPO to book the event for me, but I discovered while I was on the phone with Event Services (I was checking another event that my family was attending), that my reservation hadn't been made. Event Services was kind enough to take care of things for me. So, my convoluted answer to you is, "No, the IPO didn't book it. I booked it."

I know you’ve viewed my photos, but I’m not sure if you’ve read my small write-up about the event: click here. We attended it during its “pilot” program. I have toyed with the idea of attending it again during our upcoming vacation. From what I saw of the event last summer, it hasn’t changed much (if at all). Still, it might be something fun to do with my daughter again and thus I am toying with the idea.

As to the reason why my daughter’s name wasn’t shown on the place card, well, it was due to a little bit of photo-editing magic on my part: click here. I do not share my children’s names on the Internet for safety reasons (and after going through my recent stalking scare, I’m glad I took that stance years ago). I can assure you that my daughter’s name was on that place card, just as your child’s name will be on her place card.

Have a wonderful time at the event. It really is quite lovely.

 

[Janet2k]

We just booked a lodge building lagoon view. Which building is that when looking at the picture of GF on Disney's web site.

DisneyEG, here is the map of the Grand Floridian: click here. And here is an aerial view of the resort (Google Earth): click here. I don’t know about you, but I have a better time visualizing things in a photograph.

The answer to your question has already been given by BCV23 (that Sugar Loaf is the only building without a lagoon view room category). Since Disney doesn’t assign rooms until shortly before you check in, there is no way of knowing which building your room will be in (except that you already know you won’t be in Sugar Loaf for two reasons: 1) it is a concierge building, and 2) it has no lagoon view rooms).

I know this isn’t much help, but all of the lodge buildings are lovely. The Grand Floridian is such a beautiful resort, that I’m sure you’ll have a lovely vacation regardless of where your resort room is located (at least that’s my wish for you). Have a wonderful vacation.

 

[Janet2k]

Well, it appears that I am pretty much all caught up with this thread, ~phew!~ If I’ve missed any questions that haven’t already been addressed, please re-post them so that others may answer them for you. I’ll try to keep an eye on this thread, too, but my track record hasn’t been the greatest lately.

For those of you who are heading to Walt Disney World soon, travel safely and have ~magical~ vacations.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Janet - I just got done reading all your answers to everybody!!! Wow!

Lyn - that is so nice of you! And so nice of your friends, too. I am thinking about it.....don't have an answer yet. I don't necessarily think it's worth it to change their view. The garden views at the GF are all really pretty. The palms and flowers are gorgeous in the daytime, & in the evening the lamplight reflects off the large garden pool and it is just so lovely and peaceful. The lodge tower rooms are also nice but I don't know that that's the thing to do. We had one in Sugar Loaf. Maybe you could do a Wishes or Illuminations cruise with them?? That may be a fun splurge and something to enjoy together. It's just off the top of my head because it costs about $300. An Amex gift card is always nice but they sound like the type of people that wouldn't want to take a monetary gift so I am thinking something upgraded or special event would be better.

I have been up since 2 am worrying about forgetting things and the heat and crowds so my mind is kind of mushy. I am a last minute packer, so I think tomorrow night will be nuts for me! (we leave EARLY Monday) Here I am doing more procrastinating.

Take care & happy planning!!

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

Wow is right, Janet! Great to have you back helping all of us.

Lives, try not to stress (easy for me to say ) and have a very magical trip.