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

[soxnation]

Turn Down Service

Quiet Pool

Path to Conch Key

Conch Key

View from Main Building towards Conch Key on a very wet afternoon

Towel creations left by mousekeeping

View from the boat launch/Narccoossee's

 

[mlill]

Hi! We will be staying at the Grand Floridian for the first time, Dec. 14th-17th, before we go home to the Boardwalk for Christmas. I've always wanted to stay there and am really looking forward to it! We'll also be eating at Victoria & Albert's during our stay. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for sharing all of the great information on this thread!

-Michelle

 

[steffali]

I have a silly but scary question. Has anyone ever seen any kind of snake or other "critter' around the GF? It seems that there are a lot of posts about this that people are seeing snakes, rats, roaches etc.... and it is kind of freaking me out! Especially since we have to get a first floor room, I would hate to open up the patio door and see something looking to come in!!!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have a silly but scary question. Has anyone ever seen any kind of snake or other "critter' around the GF? It seems that there are a lot of posts about this that people are seeing snakes, rats, roaches etc.... and it is kind of freaking me out! Especially since we have to get a first floor room, I would hate to open up the patio door and see something looking to come in!!!!!

I have been to WDW so many many times and only seen bunnies! Maybe I just don't notice the other, more nasty critters, but it's bunnies for me. I wouldn't stress out about it at all. I am really surprised at all those threads. I mean we have stayed at almost all the deluxes and never seen anything gross or creepy. I would just freak if I ever saw a snake. I can handle anything else, but snakes

Lives4Disney

 

[soxnation]

I have a silly but scary question. Has anyone ever seen any kind of snake or other "critter' around the GF? It seems that there are a lot of posts about this that people are seeing snakes, rats, roaches etc.... and it is kind of freaking me out! Especially since we have to get a first floor room, I would hate to open up the patio door and see something looking to come in!!!!!

Last month there were alot of ducks and birds and lots and lots of little lizards! they were harmless and were more afraid of us not to worry no scary critters!

 

[steffali]

I am just getting nervous from what everyone has been saying. Someone even said that a water moccasin was coming at them when they were trying to get in their van. Another person wrote that there was a snake that slithered into someones room something about housekeeping opening up the doors when they clean.
I am scared that I will be spending my vacation doing a search every time we get into our room as well as walking around the grounds. This is going to make my DH

 

[marcij]

I have a silly but scary question. Has anyone ever seen any kind of snake or other "critter' around the GF? It seems that there are a lot of posts about this that people are seeing snakes, rats, roaches etc.... and it is kind of freaking me out! Especially since we have to get a first floor room, I would hate to open up the patio door and see something looking to come in!!!!!

Yes -- a couple of years ago I was out late -- had been over to the gift shops in the main building. I was walking back over to our room, and right at the entrance to Conch Key was a snake. I looked around for help, but didn't see any staff around. I waited until it went in to the flower bed, and ran in the front of the building. I asked the staff about it the next day, and they said that you can see them occasionally on the grounds, but when they find them they transfer them to a safe habitat.

In over 8 stays, that is the one time I have seen anything other than rabbits, ducks or lizards. The grounds crews work very hard at keeping "critters" out of sight, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[thumpersfriend]

Can anyone comment on the noise level of the MKV? Is it extremely noisey in the morning to wake people up before say 7am? My dgd is a light sleeper and just wondered if this will be a problem? Thanks alot.

 

[welovedis]

I wanted to say thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. Although we are only staying at the GF for our quick weekend trip, we're looking forward to relaxing there and getting to "know" the resort.

I am wondering if anyone thinks we have a shot at getting into our room early? We arrive tomorrow morning, garden view room and I have a guaranteed non-smoking room. I had asked for a quiet room, top floor because of my DS and his needs, but since we are getting up so early to catch our flight, we are hoping to crash for a couple of hours before MNSSHP.

Do you think if I arrive (around 11am) and let them know we'll pretty much take any NS garden view room that we'd be able to get into something at that point?

Just wondering what the GF pros think?

 

[soxnation]

We arrived around 12:30 and they had a room ready for us was no the right room because our requests were not noted but i am sure they will try to have a room ready as soon as possiable

 

[steffali]

Yes -- a couple of years ago I was out late -- had been over to the gift shops in the main building. I was walking back over to our room, and right at the entrance to Conch Key was a snake. I looked around for help, but didn't see any staff around. I waited until it went in to the flower bed, and ran in the front of the building. I asked the staff about it the next day, and they said that you can see them occasionally on the grounds, but when they find them they transfer them to a safe habitat.

In over 8 stays, that is the one time I have seen anything other than rabbits, ducks or lizards. The grounds crews work very hard at keeping "critters" out of sight, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Well hopefully in January the snakes all hide in the woods somewhere
This is how I will be walking around the grounds now

 

[welovedis]

We arrived around 12:30 and they had a room ready for us was no the right room because our requests were not noted but i am sure they will try to have a room ready as soon as possiable

I'm really hoping that we can get into a room quickly. DS will be up from 4:30am, and we have the party to get to at the MK, dinner @ 4:45, so I'm wishing for some pixie dust tomorrow.

I'll be sure to post when we get back with our experience/impressions.

 

[2pirates&2tinks]

[B]Thumpersfriend[/B] We stayed in a MKV room with our young children and it was never noisy in the morning. With the room darkening curtains my kids had no problem sleeping in. At night you could hear the fireworks and water parade. My kids do not like fireworks at all so we tried to have them in bed an hour before they were to go off and this worked most nights. We have photos of my son sound asleep with this fingers in his ears! This room catagory was so wonderful that we plan to stay there again -- looking out our window at the castle was so magical. Have a great trip.

 

[poohluvrs]

I cant remember if I asked this already, but, we're staying RPC next month & have yet to buy our park tickets, can concierge do this upon arrival, or will we have to buy at the MK gate or front desk? thanks
Also, will it be warm enough to swim the 1st/2nd week in Oct?

 

[thumpersfriend]

Thank you 2pirates and 2 tinks! That is exactly what I wanted to hear. I am so excited to have this room booked and know it will be magical now. Thanks again.

 

[theostwalts]

I cant remember if I asked this already, but, we're staying RPC next month & have yet to buy our park tickets, can concierge do this upon arrival, or will we have to buy at the MK gate or front desk? thanks
Also, will it be warm enough to swim the 1st/2nd week in Oct?

I don't know about park tickets, but we ordered our MVMCP tickets through the concierges at RPC. They said they could print them out at the desk before we leave. I would think they could get park tickets. At the CR last year our park tickets were on our room keys.

 

[Janet2k]

Soxnation, that was very kind of you to share your vacation photos. If you have any more to share, please do so.

 

[Janet2k]

We will be staying at the Grand Floridian for the first time... I've always wanted to stay there and am really looking forward to it! We'll also be eating at Victoria & Albert's during our stay.

Mlill, I hope you have a wonderful stay at the Grand Floridian. The resort is always beautifully decorated for the holidays.

I also hope you enjoy your meal at Victoria & Albert's. I dined there with my daughter last month. It was her first visit to the restaurant and she really enjoyed it. I hope to share a few photos of our meal soon. If I do, I will post a link to them here.

 

[Janet2k]

I'll be sure to post when we get back with our experience/impressions.

Welovedis, have a wonderful vacation. Make sure to take photos of your room to share so that you can make all of us jealous that you were in WDW while we weren't.

 

[Janet2k]

Pronunciations ..... is Sago Cay pronounced Say-go Key?

Maciec, I just read your post from July. I'm not sure how the folks at the Grand Floridian pronounce it, but I do know how the folks at Merriam-Webster pronounce it:

- - - - - - -
Main Entry: sa•go
Pronunciation: 'sA-(")gO
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural sagos
Etymology: Malay sagu sago palm
: a dry granulated or powdered starch prepared from the pith of a sago palm and used in foods and as textile stiffening
Click here to hear "sago" pronounced.

Main Entry: cay
Pronunciation: 'kE, 'kA
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish cayo -- more at KEY
: a low island or reef of sand or coral
Click here to hear primary pronunciation of "cay," or click here to hear secondary pronunciation of "cay."
- - - - - - - - - -

I hope that helped.