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

[spectrum-turbo]

We just booked at the GF Tuesday Sept 27-Sunday, Oct 2. We are staying in Boca Chica. The travel planner said this was a good local to view the castle. Experienced GF stayers what is your opinion?

We are also going to be at GF 9/28- 10/2 and have requested the Boca Chica Bldg. Maybe we will see you there..........

 

[triplefigs]

You seem to be really comfortable with your choice and that's what matters. I hope something opens up in RPC for you. I know that you would really love it. If you don't mind passing along your dates, I'd be happy to keep checking on them too. Sometimes it's strange how something will just open up.

If you're anything like me, once you're happy and over the resort anxiety complex, you can start obsessing about dining arrangements and park hours .

Happy planning,
Tammi

Tammy, we'd be looking for RPC for Dec 2- Dec 6. We have the CR Tower for Nov 29- Dec 2. Thought it would be a great way to end our trip!!! Thanks for checking too. How often should I call CRO to see if anything has opened up?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Okay, I just did a quick check using the Disney website and this is what I found based on the overall vacation dates you gave me:

I moved them around a little bit and checked on a day by day basis:

11/29 - GF main building concierge available
11/30 - GF main building concierge available
12/1 - GF main building concierge available

12/2 - GF concierge unavailable (either book another room here or move to the Epcot resorts area)

12/3 - BC/YC water view rooms available for $395 per night rack rate
12/4 - BC/YC water view rooms available for $395 per night rack rate
12/5 - BC/YC water view rooms available for $395 per night rack rate

You'll notice that I also looked at Epcot resorts as an option. I wasn't sure if you were picking 2 monorail resorts because you were planning on spending 100% of your time at the MK. If you have an interest in going to Epcot and MGM, I highly recommend considering an Epcot resort. The BC and YC are literally a 5 minute walk to the back entrance of Epcot and to the boat launch that will bring you to either park in 10 minutes. Plus at the BC/YC you have that big added bonus of Storm Along Bay. Every child's dream pool. The area is so different from the MK resorts. It's very lively and lots of fun. They even offer their own version of the GF Pirate cruise, it's called the Albatrose Treasure Hunt.

The reason why I moved the resort dates around a little bit, was to get you a reservation in concierge ASAP. My guess is that even with Merrie and you calling each week, the GF is not going to have anything open up until closer to when you actually go. I'd hate to see you lose out on one of the best features (IMO) of concierge and that's the pre-planning assistance. The sooner you can get on board with a staff member in that department, the sooner they can get going on your requests and any special needs. Even if you are splitting your stay between concierge and non-concierge, they will typically extend their pre-planning services to cover your entire vacation, as a courtesy.

And if you are still with me, I used a room budget of $3900 for the trip. That was based on the rack rates that I had shown for your original dates of 11/29-12/2 at the CR Tower ($385 x 3 nights) and 12/2-12/6 at the GF main building ($675 x 4 nights). If you were interested in moving some dates around and spreading out more, you can do 11/29-12/2 at GF main building ($675 x 3 nights) and 12/2-12/6 at the BC concierge level ($485 x 4 nights) and be within $100 of that original $3900 budget amount.

I'm guessing right about now, you look like this , like this , like this or maybe you've grabbed the bottle of wine and are doing this .

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Tammi, you're the best! When are you going to start getting paid for all of the great help that you give us?

triplefigs,

You could also move to a LV room at the GF and still have access to the RPC lounge until the end of 12/2 your check out day.

My children do swim the first 2 weeks of Dec. We do use the heated pools. The Epcot area has a lot of great restaurants also.

Looks like a great plan!

Lori

 

[triplefigs]

Okay, I just did a quick check using the Disney website and this is what I found based on the overall vacation dates you gave me:

I moved them around a little bit and checked on a day by day basis:

11/29 - GF main building concierge available
11/30 - GF main building concierge available
12/1 - GF main building concierge available

12/2 - GF concierge unavailable (either book another room here or move to the Epcot resorts area)

12/3 - BC/YC water view rooms available for $395 per night rack rate
12/4 - BC/YC water view rooms available for $395 per night rack rate
12/5 - BC/YC water view rooms available for $395 per night rack rate

You'll notice that I also looked at Epcot resorts as an option. I wasn't sure if you were picking 2 monorail resorts because you were planning on spending 100% of your time at the MK. If you have an interest in going to Epcot and MGM, I highly recommend considering an Epcot resort. The BC and YC are literally a 5 minute walk to the back entrance of Epcot and to the boat launch that will bring you to either park in 10 minutes. Plus at the BC/YC you have that big added bonus of Storm Along Bay. Every child's dream pool. The area is so different from the MK resorts. It's very lively and lots of fun. They even offer their own version of the GF Pirate cruise, it's called the Albatrose Treasure Hunt.

The reason why I moved the resort dates around a little bit, was to get you a reservation in concierge ASAP. My guess is that even with Merrie and you calling each week, the GF is not going to have anything open up until closer to when you actually go. I'd hate to see you lose out on one of the best features (IMO) of concierge and that's the pre-planning assistance. The sooner you can get on board with a staff member in that department, the sooner they can get going on your requests and any special needs. Even if you are splitting your stay between concierge and non-concierge, they will typically extend their pre-planning services to cover your entire vacation, as a courtesy.

And if you are still with me, I used a room budget of $3900 for the trip. That was based on the rack rates that I had shown for your original dates of 11/29-12/2 at the CR Tower ($385 x 3 nights) and 12/2-12/6 at the GF main building ($675 x 4 nights). If you were interested in moving some dates around and spreading out more, you can do 11/29-12/2 at GF main building ($675 x 3 nights) and 12/2-12/6 at the BC concierge level ($485 x 4 nights) and be within $100 of that original $3900 budget amount.

I'm guessing right about now, you look like this , like this , like this or maybe you've grabbed the bottle of wine and are doing this .

Tammy, when are you going to succumb to your true calling and become a professional Disney TA? You ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, here's the scenario a little further. DH only wants monorail hotels. We are doing MK and MVMCP our 1st 2 days, so that's why we picked the CR Tower (monorail and can walk to MK at the end of a long day- pushing strollers).

As far as GF, I *really* don't want to do RPC at the beginning and then switch anywhere else. I'm afraid it will be so lovely that I would be crushed staying anywhere else. I'd almost rather miss it completely and save it for a later trip than to get a taste of it at the beginning of our trip and then be wishing the rest of the vacation that we were still there. Does that make any sense?

So, I checked by dates for the end of our trip and Dec 4 and Dec 5 are available in RPC. That would entail 3 moves (CR tower, GF LV, GF RPC). Is RPC really worth 2 days, or should I save it for a later time? The kids are really looking forward to the CR and watching the monorail zip through. I think that will be their favorite. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say (it's hard to explain over the internet!).

Thanks again for ALL your help. I hope I get to meet you at the GF sometime!

 

[Lives4Disney]

triplefigs- Tammi is great, isn't she??!!

I just have to say that as much as my husband and I LOVE RPC, the CR remains my kids' absolute favorite of all the deluxes at WDW. I am sure your kids will be crazy about it, too. Seeing the kids be thrilled is fun!

I agree, I would do my favorite last, also. The only problem with that is that I find myself kind of rushing through the first part of the trip and just looking toward the latter!! It is so hard to decide what to do....

It is still a bit in the future, so you can make your preliminary plans and be happy with those and still try to keep getting what you REALLY want. People really do cancel all the time.

Good luck!

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

triplefigs- Tammi is great, isn't she??!!

I just have to say that as much as my husband and I LOVE RPC, the CR remains my kids' absolute favorite of all the deluxes at WDW. I am sure your kids will be crazy about it, too. Seeing the kids be thrilled is fun!

I agree, I would do my favorite last, also. The only problem with that is that I find myself kind of rushing through the first part of the trip and just looking toward the latter!! It is so hard to decide what to do....

It is still a bit in the future, so you can make your preliminary plans and be happy with those and still try to keep getting what you REALLY want. People really do cancel all the time.

Good luck!

Lives4Disney

Yes, she is, but YOU'VE been wonderful too!!!!

I will keep checking for RPC. I have a feeling it will all work out and someone will cancel a room.

The kids saw a clip of the Monorail going through CR, and I told them they can watch it from the walkway outside our room. Enough said! They're hooked! And we're planning on doing CM our 1st night and then taking the boat to FW to watch the movie/campfire. Also want to take the boat to WL to see the lobby. My DH is afraid they won't want to leave the CR at all to go to the GF. In fact, if the Tower opened up for the rest of our trip I might have to reconsider just staying there the entire time! We are planning on doing 1900 Park Fare for b'fast while at the GF and eating there again for our last night (with my DD's good friends who will be there too).

Thanks again for all the help. I'm very happy with our current reservation, so if nothing else happens we'll still be thrilled!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tammy, when are you going to succumb to your true calling and become a professional Disney TA? You ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

I just love helping and pointing out that there are lots of options. Too many as a matter of fact.

As far as GF, I *really* don't want to do RPC at the beginning and then switch anywhere else. I'm afraid it will be so lovely that I would be crushed staying anywhere else. Does that make any sense?

Makes complete sense to me, we love saving the best for last.

So, I checked by dates for the end of our trip and Dec 4 and Dec 5 are available in RPC. That would entail 3 moves (CR tower, GF LV, GF RPC). Is RPC really worth 2 days, or should I save it for a later time?

Chances are that's exactly how the RPC rooms will open up, day by day. Honestly, I would book them as they come. If the 4th and 5th are open now, go ahead and grab them. That will get you into the concierge computer and as I said, the pre-planning staff will be able to assist you with all aspects of your vacation. You would also have full use of the lounge from first thing in the morning on the 4th, until you physically leave the hotel for home on the 6th. If that's all you end up with, I think it would still be well worth it and a wonderful way to end your vacation in total relaxation.

Tammi

 

[traci]

GF will be on Travel Channel at 10am CST (where I live) Tuesday. I haven't seen it, although I'm sure it's a re-run. Still I'm excited to see anything DW/GF related!!

 

[triplefigs]

I contacted IPO via email yesterday evening for our upcoming trip. I still haven't heard back from them. How long should I wait before resending the email?

ETA: they just contacted me!
Thanks!

 

[poohangel]

I have never been to GF before but we are thinking of staying there for our 8th anniversary in dec.

My question is what is RPC and SL rooms? Also what is IPO?

sorry if these questions have been anwered but I just couldnt read all 34 pages.

 

[triplefigs]

Hi. We're staying at the GF for the 1st time in Dec too! All of these terms refer to Concierge. RPC is the Royal Palm Club which is Main Building Concierge. It is on floors 3 and 4 in the main building. SL is Sugar Loaf Concierge (it's in a lodge building and doesn't have alcohol or the cordial/desserts at night but has all the planning, service, and rest of the food offerings). IPO is the Itinerary Planning Office. They handle making PS, special requests, arrangements, etc for Concierge guests.

Here's a map of the GF. GF map

Hope this helps!

 

[Janet2k]

...does the GF offer shampoo and conditioner or should I bring my own.

Traci, like Poohluvrs has already mentioned, the GF does provide toiletries in their rooms (and they are pretty cute):
Photo # 1
Photo # 2
Photo # 3

Because the toiletries come in small sizes, my family always brings our own shampoo & conditioner with us on vacation. That way we don't have to worry about running out of something in the middle of a bath or shower.

I hope you enjoy your stay at the GF. It's a lovely resort.

 

[traci]

Thank you Janet

 

[garada3]

Dh said that when we go back to Disney he thinks that the GF would be nice because that is where we stayed on our honeymoon. We are now a family of 5 and interested in RPC. I know that I recently saw a post that had links to room layouts for RPC. Can someone help me find these again? I guess I should ask first if RPC rooms can sleep 5?

I might really get to plan a trip!

Thanks for your help!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Quite a few of the rooms at the GF do in fact sleep 5. They are set up with 2 queen beds a very comfortable day bed. Here's the layout,

We're a family of 5 and there seems to be plenty of room for us when we vacation there.

Please let us know if there's anymore information that you need.

Tammi

 

[garada3]

I believe that I read that there are standard size room in RPC and deluxe sized rooms too. How much of a size differance is there between the two? Any other amenity differences, extra TV, sleeper sofa instead of daybed?

Our sons will be 11, 9 and 7. Just not sure if the extra cost of a deluxe room is worth it.

Thanks and I will be back with TONS of questions!

Lisa

 

[triplefigs]

I believe that I read that there are standard size room in RPC and deluxe sized rooms too. How much of a size differance is there between the two? Any other amenity differences, extra TV, sleeper sofa instead of daybed?

Our sons will be 11, 9 and 7. Just not sure if the extra cost of a deluxe room is worth it.

Thanks and I will be back with TONS of questions!

Lisa

You are right. The Deluxe Concierge RPC rooms are bigger than the standard RPC Rooms. However, the Deluxe rooms only hold 4 people (go figure!). We are in the same situation. Have triplets who turn 5 this week. We would have gotten the Deluxe room too, but are sure we'll be comfortable in the Standard RPC.

 

[traci]

Questions regarding cribs:

**Do they provide crib bedding or do I need to bring my own?
**Is it a full size crib?

 

[traci]

anyone know about the crib bedding?