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

[Janet2k]

Everyone, thanks for the kind words. My friends here on the Dis are the greatest.

I thought I would share the following with you. I made a slight change in my upcoming vacation plans and now my family will find themselves at the GF for a few nights. We’re really looking forward to our stay. We actually have a little something special planned at the resort, and I hope to share it with you folks upon my return. Two other Dis'ers and their families will be joining my family for this event, so you'll get to hear their comments too (and hopefully we'll have a photo or two to share).

 

[wildviper]

Originally posted by Janet2k
...



There is no way that my husband and I will ever be able to top that wedding anniversary. We’re not even going to try. But this year we will be in WDW again for our anniversary and we have finally booked a Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal ceremony. We have an appointment at Franck's Bridal Studio during our upcoming vacation, and at that time we will get to see the inside of the Wedding Pavilion for the first time. I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’m sure it will take my breath away and leave me wistful for my Fall vacation when I finally get to say “I do” all over again to my husband....

Janket2k thanks for the welcome message. As you can tell I didn't get on much over the last two months. I have been busy with my business. We work out of the home so I try to stay as focused as possible. I read about your vow renewals and wanted to share with my fellow DISers my 90 day goal. (You are the first to hear it.) "It is July 15 and I fell so much joy, love, and confidence because I have just given Julie an engagement ring, planned our Disney Wedding, and earned $15,000 this month."
So, I am excited to hear about your vow renewals as it is my goal to get married at Disney World! My girlfriend, she prefers "partner", and I have been together for 14 years as of April 3. We have two DD ages 12 & 13. So I think she deserves the dream wedding of a lifetime. One dilemma; when to have it? That is a question she will help me answer because at this point she doesn't know about the ring or the Disney Wedding. I am sure that it will take place in 2005, possibly the end of March. We have a vacation planned for Dec. 25-Jan. 1 this year but I can't see planning a wedding that quickly.

One dilemma we are having with our Dec. trip. Do we stay at GF? Or, since this is our first on-site stay, do we stay at BDW or another resort so we are not spoiled by GF? I imagine it will tough to stay elsewhere after GF.

Well, congratulations to you Janet2k. I wish you a magical vacation and vow renewal.

 

[Janet2k]

Wildviper, congratulations! And it was awfully sweet of you to share your news with us here on the Dis. Everyone loves to hear about fairy tales and happily-ever-after's! It sounds like you are well on your way to both of those. Please feel free to PM me with your questions. I am a Fairy Tale Weddings novice, too, but hope to be more knowledgeable after my upcoming meeting at Franck's Bridal Studio.

So, should you stay at the GF in December or wait until your wedding? What a tough question. The GF will spoil you, that is true, and it will be tough to stay elsewhere for awhile (I speak from experience – my first several WDW vacations were spent at the GF). But Disney has so many wonderful resorts, that you really can’t go wrong no matter where you stay.

Are you thinking about a concierge room at the GF, or will a Garden View or Lagoon View room suffice? Do you have a specific goal in mind for your December trip? If it will be laid-back and you plan on a lot of resort time, then definitely consider the GF. Or if you will be spending a majority of your time at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park, then definitely consider the GF. Or if you just love the idea of a gorgeous resort that stately sits along the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, again, definitely consider the GF. I am beginning to sound like a broken record, aren’t I? But I think you catch my drift. If the Grand Floridian is the resort that you are craving, then you’ll find a myriad of reasons to stay there.

My wish is for everyone to stay at their dream resort at least once in their lives. Presently, I am playing "Goldilocks" – I’m trying every single Disney resort. So far I have stayed in 14 of them and will be adding 3 more to my list shortly. But even though I’ve stayed in 14 of them, there are favorites that I keep going back to time and time again. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is one, and the Grand Floridian is another. Some resorts you just can’t get out of your heart – and I have found that to be a good thing.

 

[wildviper]

Thank you, Janet2k. I am very excited and review my goal twice a day. When we stay at GF we would like a view of Cinderella's Castle, if that's possible. Funny, but prior to our visit to DW in 2003, we never heard of GF or any of the DW resorts by name. Thankfully we stopped at a DVC kiosk at MGM otherwise we may never learned about them. Perhaps after a few more trips off-site(forbid!) we would. Now that we are hooked on Disney World we plan to make it a family vacation tradition and try a stay at each resort.

Last month, Julie and I were in Anaheim for a business conference. We literally walked by Disneyland on the way to the conference at another hotel. It was torture not visiting the park. We really didn't have enough time and our daughters would have been upset. Well, at least our oldest would have been; her sister visited Disneyland two years ago with a school friend. My goal is to visit all the the Disney theme parks, staying on site at each one. We travel for our business about every 60 days to first class resorts so our Disney trips will be more family oriented.

 

[mirlow]

I posted this on the restaurant board and thought someone over here might be able to answer.
We will be staying at the GF for our 10 yr anniversary. Our kids will be with us, since our youngest is to young for the kids club. We would like to have a nice meal and we thought about doing the private dining. Has anyone done this? Where did you have your meal? I thought it might be nice to have it on the beach.

Thanks

 

[TammiMcMan]

There is also a balcony located on the 2nd floor of the main building, which is very private and offers a nice view. It's located just beyond the Mickey Mercantile shop and for all the times we've been there, I've only seen it occupied once. It's pretty hidden and unless you knew it was there, you'd walk right by it.

Tammi

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by wildviper
When we stay at GF we would like a view of Cinderella's Castle, if that's possible.

Wildviper, there are a few buildings that give you a Magic Kingdom (a.k.a., Cinderella's Castle) view. When you make your GF reservation, make sure your first request is a "Magic Kingdom/Cinderella's Castle view." As you have learned here on the Dis, a request is only that; however, Disney does try to honor requests whenever possible. I should note that a Magic Kingdom/Cinderella's Castle view is available in limited number of quantities from the Main Building (full concierge), Sago Cay, and Conch Key. Click here for GF map.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that when you book your GF stay, you'll get the Magic Kingdom/Cinderella's Castle view. It is lovely and I have had it a few times.

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by TammiMcMan
There is also a balcony located on the 2nd floor of the main building, which is very private and offers a nice view.

Hi, TammiMcMan. Sadly, the second floor balcony is not available for private dining (I know this for a fact since I asked about it recently). It is used, however, by the Fairy Tale Weddings "imtimate" brides & grooms for their cake cutting ceremonies.

Mirlow, if you are a concierge guest of the resort, there is a third floor balcony that is available for private dining. However, you must be a concierge guest (I know this for a fact since I asked about it recently). The third through fifth floors of the main building are off-limits to anyone but concierge guests (you can only reach these floors via cardkey access).

I hope this helps. Read my next post for the rest of the answers to your questions.

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by mirlow
We will be staying at the GF for our 10 yr anniversary. Our kids will be with us, since our youngest is to young for the kids club. We would like to have a nice meal and we thought about doing the private dining. Has anyone done this? Where did you have your meal? I thought it might be nice to have it on the beach.

If your child is too young for the kids' club, please consider using Disney's in-room babysitting service. My family has used it a few times over the years while we were guests of the Grand Floridian Resort and it worked out beautifully.

If you don't want to go that route, then by all means include your child in your dinner plans. If you want to dine informally, you can make arrangments with Private Dining to deliver your meal outdoors. However, if you want something a little more elaborate, then I can answer your questions for you. Read on.

Last Fall, I was a concierge guest of the Grand Floridian. I was also in a wheelchair and wanted to celebrate my wedding anniversary. Due to my temporarily being disabled, I felt I needed to do something a little out of the ordinary as a "thank you" to both my husband and daughter for having stuck with me through thick & thin and through better & worse. With the concierge's help, I was able to plan a lovely little dinner party on the grounds of the resort. I wrote about that dinner party in my trip report -- click here for my trip report. I should note that I think the Water Taxi Dock is no longer an option for a dinner party, so please bear that in mind. However, there are other outdoor locations at the resort. Read on yet again.

I will be in WDW soon. Again, I am staying at the Grand Floridian. This time, however, I am going through their Convention Services folks for my next dinner party. This dinner party will be held at the Summerhouse and Patio area (it borders the beach). It will be more elaborate than my prior dinner party. I don’t want to share any details yet because two Dis’ers and their families have been invited to join my family for the party, but I promise to share all about it upon my return from vacation. I’m sure it will be wonderful. The Grand Floridian does such a wonderful job with everything.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Janet,

Sorry to hear that the 2nd floor balcony is no longer available. I wonder why they stopped using it? When we were there in January, we were going to plan something there, but it was already being used for a family dinner. It's a beautiful spot anyway and so many people don't even know it's there.

Sounds like you are well on your way to planning another memorable trip.

I'll be visiting "home" in just a little over 2 weeks and I can't wait to see her again. We'll be with the kids this time though, so right now they're planning on spending most of time in the parks. We'll be coming off a relaxing 3 night cruise and I'm guessing they will be full of energy. DH plans on planting himself inside the GF spa and healthclub for the day and only visiting the MK in the evening to see Wishes and Spectro. Never thought we'd be back again so soon.

Good luck with all your plans.

Tammi

 

[Janet2k]

TammiMcMan, it's a shame that you and I will just miss each other -- I'll be at the Grand Floridian before you. Drats! It would have been fun to have met. I hope you have another ~magical~ stay there.

 

[mirlow]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm afraid a babysitting service won't work with my kids They would not do well with a sitter they don't know, which in turn would not make an enjoyable evening out with my dh.
Janet all I can say is WOW
It sounds like you had an amazing time on your last trip.
Do you happen to know the number for Private Dining? How far in advance should I contact them? Our anniversary is August 6th, one day after we arrive at the GF. Will they give you suggestions? I have never stayed at the GF so I would be clueless.

Kelli

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by mirlow
How far in advance should I contact them? Our anniversary is August 6th, one day after we arrive at the GF. Will they give you suggestions?

Mirlow, thanks for the kind words. My last WDW vacation was wonderful. I was very fortunate that my disability did not dampen the vacation at all. I somehow managed much better than I ever thought I could or would.

If you are not a concierge guest at the GF but will be a GF resort guest, you might consider contacting Private Dining within the next month or two in order to get a feel for what locations might be available for dining during your GF stay. They should be able to offer you at least one or two suggestions. I know they can also FAX or e-mail you their Private Dining menu. That menu would help you determine what sort of meal(s) you want to incorporate into your dinner. I should reiterate that some areas of the GF are off-limits to anyone but the Convention Services folks so don't be too disappointed if you can't dine wherever you want. However, you can always do like I'm doing - contact the GF’s Convention Services folks and plan your own special event. I have had a lot of fun working with the Convention Services folks lately. I can’t wait to see what they have planned for my Summerhouse dinner. I’m sure it will be wonderful.

By the way, have a wonderful anniversary and a wonderful stay at the GF. I'll be there soon and am counting the days until I arrive.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Janet2K,

Thank you for your kind words prior to our vacation. I decided to come back and let you know that our first trip to the GF was wonderful! I called the resort 3 days prior to our arrival and told them that it was my anniversary and requested a castle view and we got one!!!

Let me just say to the TF: If someday I ever get a tag, I would love it to say:

Wants to live at the Grand Floridian-Room 5341

That was our room, an end room facing the lagoon in Sago Cay. It was so lovely, my dd and I thought everything was so magical. Let me tell you, our room would be perfect for honeymooners. Sago Cay is nice and quiet, yet close to the boat dock and Gasparillas. I took about 40 pictures from our balcony of the castle, SM, the CR and Conch Key. Could see the fireworks during Grad Nights and the night McDonald's had their party at MK. We even saw Tinkerbell from our balcony! Cool!

Being on the monorail was great. Every night we could, my daughter and I went back to MK for some late night rides. It was so convenient.

My hubby is totally spoiled. Only wants to stay there now...ha!

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by AuroraluvsPhillip
...I decided to come back and let you know that our first trip to the GF was wonderful! ...I took about 40 pictures from our balcony of the castle, SM, the CR and Conch Key...

AuroraluvsPhillip, I'm so happy to hear that you had a magical stay at the GF. Please post your photos. I'm sure everyone here would love to view them.

 

[DisneyHoneymooner84]

Is the private dining offered through the gold package? I was reading what all of you were saying about it and I think that it would be nice for me and my FH to have a dinner on the beach while the fireworks are going off. That would be so romantic. If anyone knows let me in on the secret. Thanks!!

 

[Dbaker]

Cali-D (or anyone)-
Any update on the lobby refurbishment? Pictures?

 

[BrianD]

Allright, question for you RPC experts! I've decided to go for the gold and book GF RPC. My "dillema" is which room type do I try to book, a regular Main Building concierge room, or a concierge deluxe room for only $10 more per night? The advantage of a regular room is that I might be able to get a castle view. The advantage of getting a deluxe room is an extra 300 sqft. We will have our 5 year old DS & 1.5 year old DD with us so I'm thinking the extra space might be worth it. On the other hand we'd love to have a view of Cinderella Castle and the fireworks. But still might not get that with a regular room. Which way would you all recommend we go?

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[DisneyHoneymooner84]

From my experiences at Disney I don't remember spending a lot of time in the rooms. Especially with you having 2 young kids they are going to want to be out playing and having fun in the parks not spending time playing in the room. Plus I this that you and your wife would like that romantic view of the lagoon and the fireworks while your kids are asleep. It gives the 2 of you the time that you need to unwind and have something beautiful to look at while you are doing that.

My fiance and I are going to the Grand Floridian for the first time this summer. He has never even been to Disney before and we chose to take our chances and try to get a lagoon view room outside of the main building. It will make our honeymoon all the more memorable.

My opinion go for either the lagoon view room or the concierge rooms. Those snacks offered in the concierge may help hold the kids over with a sugar rush at times.

Good Luck!! And I hope you don't mind me putting in my 2 cents

 

[Frances999]

Are there any deluxe main building concierge rooms next door to or near to the main building 2 bedroom suites?

Thanks if you can help.