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

[Tinkaroo]

first off, I need to say that you guys are a GREAT wealth of information and I love, love , love to read each and every post! yet again, I do need your guidance though....

my fiance and I have decided that the GF concierge is the place for us. we are DVC members and will be booking 2 nights for next December using our points. my question is this: I called DVC member services and was told the first day I can book my room is January 16th at 9am ...no problem. I was also told that a number of rooms are held back for DVC members so I would have no problem with availability....

so do I sit back and wait for DVC to book or do I jump the gun - book with a cash deposit now and then transfer or cancel once I rebook in January?? anyone ever book with points? as long as I know they will have rooms available, I can wait ( although not patiently)!! I don't really want to put the deposit on my card if I don't have to!

Hi, Glorydaz - looks like we're SSR neighbors!

Just based upon the limited availability I'm seeing for my trip next late November/December, I would probably do the ultra-conservative thing, and go ahead and hold my own reservation. I have no idea how Member Services handles what rooms are set aside for DVC trades, but I would tend to worry that the room/view type I want won't be available in another 5 months. Now, if they could then take an existing reservation and turn it into a DVC reservation, I have no idea. I would call MS back and ask, or maybe someone over on the DVC board has had this experience. Good luck!!!

 

[cobbler]

Tinkaroo-
I was able to book Sugar Loaf today with an AAA discount. My dates are 11/25 - 12/1 2007.

I would check back.

 

[cobbler]

PS -
Are there pictures of the cabanas? Which page is it on if there are? I can't find it.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I want to clarify - I'm assuming given the 2 different styles that the turret room is a request only, and we could be put in the other style room, correct?

That's correct, either style is a request only.

Do you have any idea of the room numbers (or what side of the main building) the turret rooms are that provide the view with the castle?

Yes I do:

4321 = 3rd floor (convenient to the onsite staff and large concierge balcony)
4421 = 4th floor (convenient to the lounge)
4021 = 5th floor (quiet, windows are actually palladium, so it seems a bit bigger)

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Wow I am so excited! I am in the process of booking GF right now! Just waiting for a quote from AAA.
We are going to request a non-dormer room at Big Pine Key? Do you think that is a good choice?

 

[TammiMcMan]

We are going to request a non-dormer room at Big Pine Key? Do you think that is a good choice?

Big Pine Key is very convenient to the beach, pools and main building. Just an FYI though, it's the only building that offers a smoking optional floor (#4 I think).

Which view are you booking, MK, lagoon or garden? Based on that, I think we all have our personal favorites.

 

[Lives4Disney]

PS -
Are there pictures of the cabanas? Which page is it on if there are? I can't find it.

Cobbler - I posted some pics of the cabanas on pg 117, it is post number 1754. I took these pics while we were there in March.

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

Tinkaroo-
I was able to book Sugar Loaf today with an AAA discount. My dates are 11/25 - 12/1 2007.

I would check back.

That is good to know. I've been playing with the regular Disney site, and have had SL come up for 11/28 - 12/2, but haven't been able to get RPC to come up yet. I hate to bother my TA, but I'll e-mail and see if she can't do some checking around for dates surrounding mine (and then knock off a day or two down the road - I know I've had luck doing this with AP rates before). I do have the honeymoon room held right now, though. (And I'm now afraid I won't be able to give it up - I'm just hopeless! )

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, my fellow enablers .....I have a question. Be HONEST!!!!

I have done SL and RPC (which you know I just love ) many times. I have never stayed in a GV room at GF. If I switch my current Xmas reservation from RPC to GV will I be super disappointed?? I know I will check in at the front desk, not have the great lounge, the great concierge CMs and sweet lounge ladies, etc., but it is just not fitting into our budget to do a third RPC trip this year - and at Xmas no less. I just don't know...... Is service at the GF still great?? Housekeeping leave 6 towels? Front desk helpful? Rooms nice? Turndown service?

At this point I am feeling very blue about having to cancel altogether or just step it down to GV and just enjoy the parks more than the resort this trip. We could do the Candlelite processional, carriage ride, etc.. I could have done Poly GVC for a great AAA rate, but I think that's gone. Not even sure if I can get a AAA discount on GV at GF.

What would you do??

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

That's correct, either style is a request only.
Yes I do:

4321 = 3rd floor (convenient to the onsite staff and large concierge balcony)
4421 = 4th floor (convenient to the lounge)
4021 = 5th floor (quiet, windows are actually palladium, so it seems a bit bigger)

Thanks again, Tammi!

 

[triplefigs]

Channing, keep RPC. You'll change to GV, then change to LV. Then the regret of not staying RPC will kick in since you always have such a good time and you'll try to rebook it. It'll be full, you'll stress out, and regret changing. SugarLoaf will open up, so you'll compromise and book it. You'll call CRO 3 times a day praying that RPC comes available. And just before you leave it'll be there, just where you left it and you'll have a great time!

You and I are exactly the same! Started with CR Concierge, switched to GV, then completely changed to ASMo to save money... REGRET! So back to the CR. Got the Tower MK view and kept calling CRO. Now we're right back where we started in CR Concierge.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hi, my fellow enablers .....I have a question. Be HONEST!!!!

I have done SL and RPC (which you know I just love ) many times. I have never stayed in a GV room at GF. If I switch my current Xmas reservation from RPC to GV will I be super disappointed?? I know I will check in at the front desk, not have the great lounge, the great concierge CMs and sweet lounge ladies, etc., but it is just not fitting into our budget to do a third RPC trip this year - and at Xmas no less. I just don't know...... Is service at the GF still great?? Housekeeping leave 6 towels? Front desk helpful? Rooms nice? Turndown service?

At this point I am feeling very blue about having to cancel altogether or just step it down to GV and just enjoy the parks more than the resort this trip. We could do the Candlelite processional, carriage ride, etc.. I could have done Poly GVC for a great AAA rate, but I think that's gone. Not even sure if I can get a AAA discount on GV at GF.

What would you do??

Lives4Disney

I stayed in a GV room (and at the GF) for the first time last August. Even with the lowly GV room , we fell in love with this resort! The front desk staff was great (and I got exactly the dormer room and building I'd requested), I have very fond memories of our great bellman, and housekeeping was also attentive. It was a girls' trip to celebrate both mine and my mom's birthdays, and they sent me a huge cake and card from Mickey on my actual date, and then balloons and a card from Mickey for my mom on our last night. Our room was immaculate - I remember just sinking into such a good sleep there! We had turndown service and the usual chocolates every night. My mom also had an ankle injury that worsened during our trip, requiring her to use a ECV in the parks, and when one of the CM's saw us struggling to get her from the monorail back to Conch Key, they gave us a regular wheelchair to use around the resort, free of charge. The front desk also helped me get a Mickey autograph for a sick child once I ran out of time to do so, and packaged the signed card and a gift to him for me, and mailed it with no problems. It was a truly magical stay!

Now, I can't comment on staying concierge as I've never done it there, but I can attest that the regular service at the GF is pretty excellent in it's own right.

If you want to see pics of our room, go to this thread (post #355): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1114611&page=24&pp=15

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, keep RPC. You'll change to GV, then change to LV. Then the regret of not staying RPC will kick in since you always have such a good time and you'll try to rebook it. It'll be full, you'll stress out, and regret changing. SugarLoaf will open up, so you'll compromise and book it. You'll call CRO 3 times a day praying that RPC comes available. And just before you leave it'll be there, just where you left it and you'll have a great time! You and I are exactly the same!

DENISE - YOU ARE NO HELP AT ALL!!!!!

Seriously!! I am just (as always) having so many second thoughts about the money. I just don't think it would be feasable (SP?) at this time. Have you done just a GV room at GF??? I don't know how much we would miss the perks of RPC. I am kind of thinking of doing a split Swan/RPC stay. ??? I just need to bring the budget down a bit (a lot!) Our APs expire in Nov, so that is an added expense, too. I just cannot part with my RPC ressie, though - you're right! I can see myself doing just what you say and being determined to get it back!!

S.O.S.!!

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Maybe a shorter trip? I think you'll regret not staying RPC too much. And I do think you'd miss the perks after all of the times you've been.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Tinkaroo - Wow!! That is awesome service. I thank you for your reply. I am just sooooo torn. Everytime I try a different resort I wonder why I did that to myself!!?? The GF is just so wonderful. I just think - if I did change to GV, would I be looking out across the pool to the main building and wishing I was there??? That would be awful. I just really cannot afford the main building for our planned 8 nt trip. Just can't work it out. (BIG BUMMER, but that's life) I am thinking either GV the whole way or a Swan/RPC split. We would check into RPC on Xmas eve.

THANKS for letting me know how great your GV experience was.

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lives4Disney - would you consider holding 2 reservations for a time, just while you make up your mind?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Maybe a shorter trip? I think you'll regret not staying RPC too much. And I do think you'd miss the perks after all of the times you've been.

Yes....maybe do that Swan RPC split. By the way - Your kids pics are adorable!! I can't believe they started school already. Ugh.....I register Zack on Fri and from then on it's a month of Sundays.

THANKS for the reply!

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney - would you consider holding 2 reservations for a time, just while you make up your mind?

OOOHHH!! Flameworthy, LOL!!! OF course I would! I just don't think CRO would let me. I wish I knew how to go about that!! (Sneaky )

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

Tinkaroo - Wow!! That is awesome service. I thank you for your reply. I am just sooooo torn. Everytime I try a different resort I wonder why I did that to myself!!?? The GF is just so wonderful. I just think - if I did change to GV, would I be looking out across the pool to the main building and wishing I was there??? That would be awful. I just really cannot afford the main building for our planned 8 nt trip. Just can't work it out. (BIG BUMMER, but that's life) I am thinking either GV the whole way or a Swan/RPC split. We would check into RPC on Xmas eve.

THANKS for letting me know how great your GV experience was.

Lives4Disney

I can certainly understand. That is why I am almost (but only almost!) scared to try concierge at the GF, because I'm afraid that I just won't ever want to go back!!! I admit it - I am a resort snob!!!

 

[BrianD]

Channing, if it becomes too much for the budget, just remember Garden View at the GF is better than NO GF, especially at Christmas time. As someone who has stayed GV twice at the GF, let me just say that I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the room. Now I've never stayed concierge before, but based on everything that I've read, the non-concierge rooms are just as nice as the regular RPC rooms. Of all the deluxe resorts I've stayed at, I think the GF rooms are kicked up a notch compared to the others. The turndown service does make a difference. We get 6 towels, the upgraded toiletries, & the mousekeeping is always excellent. Plus the minibars (I love real minibars!).

We keep going back and forth between whether or not we should go concierge to the GF in 2007. There's a balance I have to keep between how nice of accomodations vs. my wife starting to feel guilty about how much we're spending. We suddenly decided this weekend that we couldn't wait until late 2007 to get back to the GF, so I was able to snag a Lodge Tower room over Thanksgiving weekend (all they had left), so it will be interesting to try a different room type.

Good luck with your decision, but just remember, if all I could ever afford was garden view, I would still LOVE going to the GF!