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

[Cinderella Fan]

Channing,

I know how you feel about the price. While I SOOO enjoyed the RPC this summer, I am now kind of having buyer's remorse since the credit card bill came in the mail yesterday...

But, this is Christmas time, would to terribly miss the atmosphere of the GF during the holidays? Like Brian said, GV at the GF is better than not being there at all... Would switching to the SL make it easier on you?

But don't forget, you have to be at the GF on the 21st...

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lindsay,

I say go for RPC before you have kids if you can afford it. RPC may not be in your budget once little ones come along. The 2 week trip to Europe we took in 1999 (9 months before their due date )wouldn't be happening now!

Understood!

My mother would love nothing better than to send me to the poor house!

 

[TiaMaria]

I think I may start a thread and ask others what their confirmations say, but in the meantime, I am sure one of you GF experts can shed some light or at least give me an educated opinion.

2 weeks ago (before pkgs were listed) I booked 2 nights (post cruise - booked separately from cruise) in a Magic Kingdom view regular room at the GF. Rqst was for Sago Cay or Conch Key bldgs. I booked the basic pkg rate and paid a deposit. When I looked later at the website with my confirmation number, it showed confirmed for hotel the following:

Grand Floridian - 2 bedroom - BU.

Hmmm. I thought this was strange and looked at the first post on this thread which lists BU as a 2 bedroom lodge suite in either Sago or Conch. I thought this might be because no package rates were out yet and bookable on the internet for 2007 so maybe the CM had to use a temporary booking code to indicate guaranteed MK view. My written confirmation that came in the mail only says "Magic Kingdom view".

Then, on Sunday, I called and booked our package for those dates and the CM quoted the price (which I looked up on the internet before calling to make sure) and again reconfirmed Magic Kingdom view. He reconfirmed my other requests - Sago or Conch bldgs. I didn't ask about what was previously on the website - I wanted to see what it looked like once the package showed up.

Well, lo and behold - it still says "Grand Floridian - 2 bedroom BU"!

What do you all think? Did I get some unbelieveable Pixie Dust or is it just the way Disney needs to code MK views for now? I am afraid to call them and ask - because if they HAVE booked us in a suite I don't want to ruin it!

Anybody see this kind of booking before? Anybody else confirmed in a guaranteed MK view for 2007 yet - and what does your confirmation on the website look like?

Thanks for any input you have ahead of time!

 

[Tinkaroo]

TiaMaria - have you tried calling CRO, and asking them to read off the room types/corresponding codes for the GF rooms? I spoke with a very helpful CM last night, and as she was checking availability for me, she would read off the room type, as well as give me the booking code, so I could be certain of what I was getting.

It's just a hunch, but I think some of the room codes have changed since this thread was started in 2004. If you go to Tammi's website, she has the various GF rooms/layouts on there, and I didn't see a BU listed (which would make sense, if it's the brand new MK view).

Hope you get the answer you're looking for - a 2BR would be some wonderful pixie dust, wouldn't it?!

 

[TiaMaria]

TiaMaria - have you tried calling CRO, and asking them to read off the room types/corresponding codes for the GF rooms? I spoke with a very helpful CM last night, and as she was checking availability for me, she would read off the room type, as well as give me the booking code, so I could be certain of what I was getting.

It's just a hunch, but I think some of the room codes have changed since this thread was started in 2004. If you go to Tammi's website, she has the various GF rooms/layouts on there, and I didn't see a BU listed (which would make sense, if it's the brand new MK view).

Hope you get the answer you're looking for - a 2BR would be some wonderful pixie dust, wouldn't it?!

Thanks for the feedback, I think I will just call. My curiousity is getting the better of me anyhow! I can totally see them having new codes - but the part that spells out "2 bedroom" really opened up my eyes as you can imagine. Anyhow, once I get a definate answer, I will update you all.

Thanks again!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Grand Floridian - 2 bedroom - BU. My written confirmation that came in the mail only says "Magic Kingdom view".

Unfortunately, I think your written confirmation is correct. My guess is that they've updated code "BU" in the system that CRO uses, but have not completed the new descriptions with their website. In fact, you can see that they are currently going through that process as some of their pop-up windows for the new views are still blank.

So, I need to decide - go SL, or do the RPC Honeymoon Room. Cost difference is pretty substantial between the two - about $153/night!!

First of all, I think pictures are worth a thousand words and nobody does it better than Janet2K. Just head on over to her picture site and scroll down until you see GF-RPC. She has about 6 folders. StephH has also put together a really impressive site for SL.

I have talked to many guests over the years and everyone has their personal favorites. I know quite a few, that would never stay at the RPC because it feels stuffy and cool to them. They love the coziness of SL. I always use the term "bed & breakfast" when I describe it. With RPC, everything is spread out with the staff being on the 3rd floor, lounge on the 4th, rooms scattered over 3 floors, but SL is contained all in one big living room area and that can make it feel much more personalized. You literally see the on-site CM's everyday in SL and at RPC, you can go your entire vacation with only seeing them for a few minutes at check-in. I wouldn't hesitate to stay in any room at the GF and you'll find something unique about each different area.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing,

I know how you feel about the price. While I SOOO enjoyed the RPC this summer, I am now kind of having buyer's remorse since the credit card bill came in the mail yesterday...

But, this is Christmas time, would to terribly miss the atmosphere of the GF during the holidays? Like Brian said, GV at the GF is better than not being there at all... Would switching to the SL make it easier on you?

But don't forget, you have to be at the GF on the 21st...

Angela - I still have that 12/19 8 nt RPC reservation. I am keeping it until I KNOW for a fact there is NO WAY I can do it. December is a long way away I have time to save and scheme. I would be happier if it wasn't a split stay for us, but my DH would rather have a few days of RPC than none so I am also hanging on to that Swan/RPC split. I think for Xmas, I was going to get a little tree, the girls wanted to buy/make Disney ornaments and with some little gifts etc it will be a pain to transfer to another resort. I am still really crossing my fingers that our original plan for Xmas RPC works out. I have time.

Tinkaroo - I agree with Denise. I was kind of thinking the same thing about how you should go and get that honeymoon room and enjoy RPC before you have kids. That would be a dream trip for me!! Just DH and myself at the GF! I just love the RPC lounge so much more than the one at SL. I could sit for hours listening to the live music and daydreaming out the windows watching the palm trees sway, the boats go b/forth to the MK and Poly, the people walking the GF paths.....I just love that place. Good luck with your decision.

TiaMaria - Wow!! Hope you got real lucky and received some big magic!

Lives4Disney

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! Just returned from a lovely but brief trip to WDW for our 4th anniversary. We stayed GF RPC in "our" honeymoon room, the one we've been in every year since our wedding, except for last year, when we were magically upgraded to the Victorian Suite.

Everything was beautiful and fantastic, EXCEPT for Mousekeeping. Our first night there, we didn't get turndown service! Call me spoiled rotten, but when I'm paying rack rate for a honeymoon room, and turndown service is one of those perks I'm paying for, I expect to get it. That has NEVER happened to us, in all our years at the GF, that Mousekeeping simply skipped our turndown service. After that, we called every night to request turndown service.

Is this a new thing, where turndown service is by request only? It definitely made our stay less magical, to have to call in advance & schedule the service that used to just appear while we were out at dinner. It was always so nice to return to a freshly turned down bed, chocolates, and a note from Mousekeeping. Just wondering whether it's now by request only, or whether we just had an unfortunate Mousekeeping experience.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[scanne]

Everything was beautiful and fantastic, EXCEPT for Mousekeeping. Our first night there, we didn't get turndown service! Call me spoiled rotten, but when I'm paying rack rate for a honeymoon room, and turndown service is one of those perks I'm paying for, I expect to get it. That has NEVER happened to us, in all our years at the GF, that Mousekeeping simply skipped our turndown service. After that, we called every night to request turndown service.

I would be very upset with this as well. The GF - especially RPC - is supposed to have turndown service as standard practice! Did you speak with a concierge staff member about this? You are absolutely right about paying top dollar - you should get top service!

I hope you contact someone at the GF and make them aware. As far as I know the standard is still turndown for EVERY guest room. I hope this hasn't changed.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I may be able to shed some light on the turndown service, or lack thereof. It's my understanding that Disney is currently severely understaffed in their housekeeping department. They're down something like 900 employees and are actually offering sign-on bonuses as an incentive. My guess is that this is greatly affecting service and the reason why turndown is not automatic right now. A rumor I had heard was that it would no longer be offered to anyone unless they were staying on the club level and even then, it was best to request it.

Sorry to hear that you were disappointed Heather, but my guess is that it was simply an oversight the first night, or they just didn't have anyone available to perform the service.

 

[wideeyes]

Hi, I am thinking of staying at the GF during the Christmas season, Is it a good hotel to stay at during this time? Do they have Christmas decorations?

We were planning on staying at the poly however thought we would like something more christmassy!

 

[BrianD]

I certainly hope your experience with turndown service was a fluke, Heather. I wonder if it was just a one time oversight. If this is, in fact, something that is going away permanently, then I would be very disappointed with this. I've always thought that this is a small but nice touch that helps separate the GF from the rest of the deluxes.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Does any one have the email for the lodge concierge at the GF? I've looked but I can't seem to find it. Only Three weeks to go!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Does any one have the email for the lodge concierge at the GF? I've looked but I can't seem to find it. Only Three weeks to go!

Here is the IPO email address. <WDWGFPlanning@disney.com> Hope that's what you're asking about!!??

 

[hmp2z]

It's my understanding that Disney is currently severely understaffed in their housekeeping department. They're down something like 900 employees and are actually offering sign-on bonuses as an incentive. My guess is that this is greatly affecting service and the reason why turndown is not automatic right now. A rumor I had heard was that it would no longer be offered to anyone unless they were staying on the club level and even then, it was best to request it.

That could explain it! We were definitely club level (RPC honeymoon room), and I couldn't figure out why they didn't turn down the bed.

Believe it or not, this is one of the things my husband looks forward to most on the trip, though I'm not sure why, as neither of us eats the chocolates. We were actually walking up to our room that first night, after dinner at V&A's, and my husband was saying, "And now to our turned down bed!" When we opened the door, his face just fell; I felt bad for him. So from then on, I'd call every evening & specifically request it, though it diminished the magic somewhat to have to request what before would just magically happen while we were at dinner.
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[hmp2z]

OK, here is another weird question, and from my questions, you're going to think we had a bad trip, which isn't at all the case. We actually had a fantastic time, but I always like to see what we can do differently next time.

Has anyone else had trouble with the itinerary planning office computers not "talking" to the dining reservation computers? For the past 2 years, we've used the itinerary planning office to make our ADR's, but we've had a problem each year. Last year, we had Le Cellier priority seatings on 8/5. The concierge printed out our itinerary, which had the confirmation number, date, time, etc. on it, and it said 8/5.

However, when we got to Le Cellier, the CM's there swore up & down that our PS's were for 8/6, and that they were booked solid & couldn't seat us for 8/5. I had the CM there call up the concierge & argue with him, but the end result was that they wouldn't seat us. I then called WDW-Dine to see what date their system was pulling up for our confirmation number, and they also had 8/6 as the date. Back at the hotel, the concierge staff member swore it was for 8/5, and, indeed, that was how it printed out on our itinerary.

Then this year, we had PS for Boma at 8:10. The concierge & the itinerary planners had the time as 8:10. However, the restaurant and WDW-Dine (we tried both, once again) had the time as 6:10, and had no availability to seat us until very late that evening. We ended up just going somewhere else, but I was disappointed that we didn't get to eat at Boma (it was our last day of the trip). Now that we're home, I've contacted the itinerary planning office about this discrepancy, and they swear that the time is 8:10 in their computer and that both Boma CM's and WDW-Dine CM's must have made a mistake.

I am thinking next time that I will just book the ADR's myself, through WDW-Dine, and then have the concierge staff print out the itinerary when we arrive. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen, and whether there was something you did to avoid this. Obviously the CM's at the various restaurants are NOT honoring our printed itineraries, since they refuse to seat us. And in case you're wondering, we aren't those people who show up in cut-off shorts & bikini top My husband in fact always wears a collared polo shirt to even the most casual restaurants.

The problem is that it's been twice in 2 trips now, and I am wary of using their services again.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks for the heads up about the ADRs. We had no problems in Nov/Dec at the GF with the ADRs (IPO made them all). We're staying at the CR next month and IPO made them again (GF and CR share an IPO staff). I think I'll call WDW dining and double check them all, just in case. I'm glad you had a great trip even with the little glitches.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We had some ADR weirdness but it was a bit different - still odd, though.

I had the concierge staff print out our ADRs and it showed EVERYTHING including all the ADRs I had cancelled myself with CRO and it was a mega mess. Either somebody at CRO didn't actually cancel them when I requested it or something strange is going on. ( I do admit I make a mess of it - I mean having to (feeling pressure to) book dinner reservations 6 months out is kind of ridiculous. I change them around a lot thru the months, but I always write my conf. numbers down and cancel what I don't need). I had the concierge CM go thru the list with me and straighten it out, she reprinted the revised list and guess what??!! Other peoples' ADRs came up on my list. ???? We had to try about 4 times to get it all corrected. I don't remember all the details, but it was weird.

About the turndown - I know from speaking to CMs that WDW is WAY short of help, to the point of desperate. I agree, though it would bum me out to come back expecting fresh towels & toiletries, chocolates, and a cozy, straightened room only to have it still as we left it. I have come to expect fabulous service when we stay at the GF. That has been the norm, hope things don't change!!!!

happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[elaine88]

i've done it. i have contacted a ta about a GF RPC room for dec 2007. i have been reading this thread and you guys have convinced me that i just need to stay there and see for myself. i'm a Boardwalk and Contemporary gal. i've only stayed at the Gf once and that was a loooooooong time ago when i was a kid in one of the outer buildings. so 3 nights at the RPC and then 4 nights at the BWI. i am excited.

one question. what is a deluxe room? any experience? pictures?

 

[elaine88]

looks like i jumped the gun. reread some posts and even found some pictures. wow. pretty large.

i'm doing this just to make a reluctant husband like WDW. he thinks it must be just like a cedar point or 6 flags. he has no idea. he keeps saying he'll hate it and blah blah. i just know the GF will shut him up quick. plus he grazes like a cow. concierge will provide for his constant grazing needs and i won't have to hear a peep about his hypoglycemia.