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

[mma800]

Thanks, Tammi!

Hey- we're in Mass, too (Wayland)

This will be my 3rd stay at GF (2nd main concierge)- but our first time bringing our kids (well the girls, ages 5 and 4 in August)

I found on another sit (allears) that BJ is a standard main concierge room, and BO is a deluxe main concierge room. Does that sound right to you?

I was on the phone w/ CRO for almost 1 hour, and the CM was great. I explained that my oldest is autistic, and she was so helpful with our room requests. I never even asked for a particular view, she gently nudged me to request a Lagoon view, but ther was no difference in price from what I saw online.

What I really am dreaming of is an upgrade to a 1 BR suite, so we can put the kids down easier at night. Amelia is just brutal---we all end up in one room, her in the other!! But I know how lucky I am to be able to get the room I have, but a gal can dream, right??
I am armed w/ my Disney Visa, Annual Pass, AAA, Amex, Entertainment Book and every other thing I can find!

We were in a Turret Room for a pre wedding trip, and it was HEAVEN!!

Do you have any specific room #s (or links to room descriptions and/or #s) that I could request?

I really don't mind if we don't have a castle view, but would prefer to not look at a parking lot.

Is it worth it to get a deluxe main concierge room? What numbers are those?

And finally, if you are still with me- what are the room 3s (or codes) for 1 BR main bldg concierge suites?

Thanks Tammi (or anyone with the info in advance!

I'm sure I'll be back w/ plenty more ??? as I've been lurking for 2 wks now (ever since we decided to stay at GF rather than Nick suites)

Marlene

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Marlene,

What a small world. I'm a paraprofessional and I work with autistic children aged 5-7. One of the little boys in our classroom took a trip to WDW with his family a few months ago. They were able to utilize Disney's guest assistance card and they had a wonderful time. Not sure if you've seen this, but here's a link to some great information http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/dis_aut2.htm. Also the "disabilities" forum on these boards are very helpful.

Not sure about that 1 bedroom suite upgrade, but that would be very nice. If you're interested in a beautiful castle view, those room numbers are 4401-4409 or 4301-4309. These are the furthest from the main elevator and lounge, but they are in a quiet area and there's a service elevator right there that will bring you at Gasparilla's Grille. Another option is to ask about having a room across from the lounge. You won't see the castle from your balcony, but you'll have a nice view of the lagoon, beach and Epcot in the distance. Not sure if you're comfortable with this, but you could always bring a baby monitor and utilize the lounge when the kids go down for naps or bedtime and your room is within view. A deluxe room is much more spacious, but it's still very open, there's really no separation between the sleeping areas. Here's a link to the room layouts http://www.the-grahams.net/gf/rooms.html. There is not one bad view from any room at the GF, so don't worry about that.

My DH and I stayed in a honeymoon turret room last year and it was absolutely beautiful.

The very first page of this thread talks about the room codes. I'm not very familiar with the suites, so I don't know what is offered in the main building. If you go to this site, http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/ASP/costcalc.asp?resId=GF&pageFunction=researcher and click on the 360 degree views, they have a virtual tour of the Royal Poinciana 1-bedroom suite in the main building.

Tammi

 

[Steph H]

Oh my, Lisa! I'm over here swooning in delight! Thank you SO MUCH for all the pictures. I especially loved the towel animals, and Pluto hanging from the bed post. And the RPC offerings and location look LOVELY.

Thanks for sharing and getting me hyped up for my trip. Sigh, only 193 days 11 hrs. 38 mins. 33 secs. to go.

 

[jjohnson]

I just came across a great web site of GF & thought I would share it:

http://www.ladymarganne.com/gf_001.htm

 

[MinnieM21]

I just came across a great web site of GF & thought I would share it:

http://www.ladymarganne.com/gf_001.htm

Wow, thanks!

 

[Steph H]

Wow, those were great pictures and lots of great information. Thanks for sharing! October can't come soon enough!

 

[ead79]

I'm still working my way through this thread, so forgive me if this has been asked before.

Can anyone list the items that were offered in the RPC lounge during your visit? I stayed RPC for part of my honeymoon, but we were so exhausted (we call in post-wedding exhaustion, LOL) that we didn't sample any of the lounge offerings except the desserts (which were great!).

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Elisabeth,

I'll try to help you out and feel free to anyone who can add something that I may have forgotten.

Serving times do change, but basically it looks like this:

7am-10am deluxe continental breakfast with assorted sliced fruit, bananas and apples, a few different types of yogurt, cold cereals, oatmeal packets, danish, croissants, bread and bagels for toasting, jams, peanut butter, cream cheese, juices, coffee & flavor shots, tea, hot cocoa packets

11am-1pm appetizer spread with assorted hummus and crackers, light salad, sliced vegetables, nachos and dip, slices of cold stuffed chicken breast, lemonade, iced tea, water

2-4pm afternoon tea with warm scones, trifle, brownies, assorted cookies

5-7pm eveing offering with 2 hot appetizers (spring rolls, honey mustard chicken skewers) cheese & crackers, sliced vegetables, mini hot dogs & cupcakes for the kids, assortment of wines/beers

8-10pm desserts including the ever popular chocolate covered strawberries and other yummy pastries, Kahlua, Baileys and something else that I can't remember

Tammi

 

[ead79]

Thanks, Tammi! We just didn’t have much of an appetite after the wedding (nobody ever tells you how exhausted you’ll be after all that stress, LOL), so we hardly ever ate in the lounge. All I could remember was the pumpkin dessert squares they had at night (which were outstanding by the way).

 

[jjohnson]

Does anyone have a list of what can be ordered from the bakery?

We're eating dinner at GF Cafe one night & I want to have something delivered.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I know of the dog bones, Cinderella's slipper, mini castle cake and some sort of dome pastry, but I don't know the name. Hopefully someone else can add to my short list.

 

[Janet2k]

Jjohnson, I don't have a list but I have definitely experienced some very unique desserts while being a guest of the Grand Floridian Resort.

I think my all-time favorite dessert has got to be the Dirt Pots (click here). You just have to love a stately resort that has such a wonderful sense of humor that it can offer Dirt Pot desserts at a private dinner party while acting as if they were the most natural desserts in the World (which they were). Those same desserts are also whipped up by its littlest guests during the Grand Adventures In Cooking Class. My daughter has created them on a couple of occasions (click here).

My family has also experienced the Cinderella Slipper, the Mickey Mousse Bombe, the Mickey JELL-O, and the Mickey Krispy Treats desserts. Each of those desserts were scrumptious. (I should note that I'm not exactly sure how to order them since they were served during my family's private party.)

No matter what dessert you choose to order, I hope you have a wonderful stay at the Grand.

 

[jjohnson]

How much advance notice do they need? We're arriving on a Saturday and as of now plan on having dinner at GF on Thursday. Is the bakery set up where you can walk in, look at what they have & then set up the time/place to deliver?

 

[Janet2k]

How much advance notice do they need? We're arriving on a Saturday and as of now plan on having dinner at GF on Thursday. Is the bakery set up where you can walk in, look at what they have & then set up the time/place to deliver?

Jjohnson, I'm not sure how to answer your question since my Event Manager handled all the ordering details for my events. I would think that a simple phone call to the bakery would answer all your questions (telephone (407)-824-3000 and ask to be transferred to the resort's bakery). If they have any ordering deadlines, they'll inform you of them. They'll also tell you when you need to give them your credit card information.

 

[jjohnson]

Jjohnson, I'm not sure how to answer your question since my Event Manager handled all the ordering details for my events. I would think that a simple phone call to the bakery would answer all your questions (telephone (407)-824-3000 and ask to be transferred to the resort's bakery). If they have any ordering deadlines, they'll inform you of them. They'll also tell you when you need to give them your credit card information.

Thank you.

 

[poohluvrs]

Anyone have any info on this, need to book or can just show up, and any age limits? TIA

 

[TammiMcMan]

In all the times we've gone to the GF, I have never seen the ladybug release done. I even looked back through my resort newsletters and can't find anything about it. You might want to call them directly and see if this is still taking place and when.

 

[halfway there]

I am wondering if it would be possible to post the room codes for the non-suite rooms on the front page as well. I have been having a hard time figuring out the different layouts for the main bldg and I think this would help. Also, the link for the floorplans would be useful on the first page so we don't have to go digging around to compare what the room codes mean. Last of all, could the concierge schedule and offerings that TammiMcMan posted back on pg 30 or 31 be included on the front page too??

I can contribute some room codes from my lengthy discussion with Eva Marie who was very helpful in trying to sort out room desricptions for me. She was just as confused about how they came up with some of these as we all probably are!

BA - garden view
BG - lagoon view
BO - main concierge deluxe (2 queens)
BP - concierge deluxe king (which used to refer to the honeymoon rooms)

Not sure what any other codes might be but I know of at least 4 floorplans in the main bldg: one regular, three deluxe - turret (#21,30), triangle shaped (#22,29), and one a little larger than the regular with a corner cut off (possibly #20). I believe these special size rooms to be located in the main bldg as noted in the parenthesis above. I welcome anyone to confirm or deny.

Just thought I'd share what little I've learned so far!

 

[TammiMcMan]

You might want to drop a private message or e-mail to CaliforniaDreaming. That DIS'er is the thread originator and the only one who can make the updates and fix the broken links. I'm pretty sure that this person is still posting on the DIS boards.

Tammi

 

[busytxmom]

Wow! I am so overwhelmed right now! My family is taking our first trip to WDW in December and staying at GF. We decided that if we were going to go that we would do it right! DH has been several times as a child and stayed at GF, but this is my first!!!! I am so excited about going. The time will not pass fast enough. I guess my biggest question right now is what specific room numbers and in what lodge should I request? We are planning on only booking garden views as the views are not that important to us. I would like to have a nice view. I will request upon check-in an upgrade, but not expecting it. What other advice can y'all give me for a first timer?

Thanks in advance!!