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

[Elk34]

Grand Floridian help needed ASAP

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We just booked a last minute stay at the Grand Floridian for July 8-12. it was the only MK resort available during that time. I booked a Garden View room but a lagoon view room was available but I couldn't really justify the $75 per night difference. Did I make a mistake?

If we keep a Garden View room, is there any particular building that is better than others?

Is there a way to make a fax room request for any specific type of room or building? The last time that we stayed at WL we were able to fax in a request for non smoking, bunk beds etc a week or so before the stay. Can we do anything like that for GF. I realized that when I made my reservation they didn't ask me about smoking/non smoking and my wife and both daughters have asthma so we really need a non smoking room.

Thanks for any help.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Garden views at the GF are lovely. Don't be concerned that you'll be overlooking a parking lot or the roof of a building. A lagoon view can have you overlooking the beach area and Poly, or you could luck out and get a castle view. It's really personal choice whether or not to spend the extra money.

The buildings are not that far apart on the property, so probably the longest walk you'd have is about 5 minutes. Here's a basic description of each building:

Sago Cay - can request Marina view here and pay for garden, very convenient to the main building and transportation, close to Gasparillas Grille, very quiet, 2-3 minute walk to the beach and pools.

Conch Key - closest to the boat dock, very quiet, pretty garden views, 5 minute walk to the main building, beach & pools

Boca Chica & Big Pine Key - steps from the pool, close to the main building

Requests should be noted on your reservation and you can have your TA or Disney CM add those on for you. You can certainly request a specific view (within the confines of what you paid for) and building. FYI, corner rooms at the GF are slightly larger and come with 2 balconies. Sometimes giving you both a garden and lagoon view. If you require non-smoking for medical issues, I believe you want to go through special services for a guaranteed request. The only problem that I've heard with that, is they will lock off a room for you to guarantee non-smoking, but it might not have any of your other requests. Once a room has been locked for you, I don't think anyone can change it. At one time, the GF did allow fax requests, but it doesn't appear those are being honored at any of the resorts any longer. They look at what's been specified on your reservation. If you don't go through special services, you can also have the CM at the registration desk take a look through available inventory for you. Depending on capacity, there is a likelihood of a view upgrade and sometimes if you're willing to wait a little longer, a room that's due to be vacated during that day may be perfect for you.

Tammi

 

[bamagoofy]

A slight twist on this question. I will be taking my grandmother in dec-3-7 so she can enjoy the xmas decorations. She will be using a ecv (motorized wheelchair). Would it be better to pay the extra money for the sl and miss the mk view? My grandmother loves any type of firework display.

 

[triplefigs]

A slight twist on this question. I will be taking my grandmother in dec-3-7 so she can enjoy the xmas decorations. She will be using a ecv (motorized wheelchair). Would it be better to pay the extra money for the sl and miss the mk view? My grandmother loves any type of firework display.

OT, we'll be there while you are! We'll look for you and and say Roll Tide!

I've never been to the GF, but Tammi and others should be able to answer your question.

 

[TammiMcMan]

A slight twist on this question. I will be taking my grandmother in dec-3-7 so she can enjoy the xmas decorations. She will be using a ecv (motorized wheelchair). Would it be better to pay the extra money for the sl and miss the mk view? My grandmother loves any type of firework display.

A lagoon view room does not guarantee you a view of the fireworks either. There are a number of rooms that will have you overlooking the beach area and Poly. With SugarLoaf, you can go right out the back entrance, go about 50 feet to the end of the marina and have a wonderful view. The price difference is for the concierge service. I'm not sure if that was something that you were considering for this trip.

Denise, Happy Birthday to your little ones. My DD's turning 9 in a few more days. Hope their day is extra special

Tammi

 

[Hollymom1229]

I will be staying at the GF for the first time this September with my mother, sister and MIL. That's 4 adults and we'll be sharing a room. It looks like due to some overtime I may have a little extra cash to upgrade us from GV. Should I just go up to LV or should I go for a Lodge Tower. Are they that much larger than a normal room? Also, do they have the day bed coach? Thanks for the help. I'd love to stay concierge, but it's doubtful I'll get that much overtime.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Here's a link to check out the tower lodge room versus a standard room, http://www.the-grahams.net/gf/rooms.html . I'm sorry, but I don't know what the square footage difference is. I do know that all tower rooms have a garden view and those located on the top floor don't have balconies. There is a couch in the sitting room area, it is not a daybed and it doesn't open up. Sleeping arrangements are 2 queen size beds.

If you wanted to take the chance and save some of your overtime money for an afternoon tea, or some spa treatments, you could keep the garden view and put in a request for a corner room. These rooms are slightly larger and offer 2 balconies. In some of the rooms, that would mean both a lagoon and garden view. In either case, the garden view rooms are lovely.

Tammi

 

[Hollymom1229]

Tammi, thanks for the link, the lodge tower is not what I'm looking for. Seeing as we've already budgeted for all the special extras like tea and dinner at V&A's I'm thinking we can upgrade to a lagoon view. I'm just trying to figure out which theme is the pink that I'm seeing in some pictures. I don't really like the blue so much. That will actually help me decide on which to request, Conch Key or Sago Cay.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm just trying to figure out which theme is the pink that I'm seeing in some pictures. I don't really like the blue so much. That will actually help me decide on which to request, Conch Key or Sago Cay.

"Alice" is the blue theme and the "Cameo" is the yellow with pink roses. The "Floral" is the white bedspread with pink ribbons and yellow flowers. If you want to take a look at this site, GF Pictures and click on the picture link located on the right hand side of the page, you'll see photos of all the decorating styles. Maybe that will help you identify the one you're looking for.

Tammi

 

[Davids-Coco]

An update, the category code for honeymoon rooms is h-moon

 

[Hollymom1229]

Thanks for the help, I'll be upgrading to LV and requesting Sago Cay. If we get a MK view that would be pure magic as this is a very special trip for my mother's 60th birthday and my MIL's first ever trip.

 

[traci]

Just checking in to see if anyone knows anything about cribs at GF. Do I need to bring my own crib sheets? Are they full size cribs?

 

[Janet2k]

Just checking in to see if anyone knows anything about cribs at GF. Do I need to bring my own crib sheets? Are they full size cribs?

Traci, I can only share with you my past experience with cribs at the Grand Floridian. When my nephew was an infant, I arranged for a crib to be delivered to our suite via the concierge. The crib wasn't a full-size one, but it was roomy. Sheets were provided with the crib -- that made my sister (my nephew's mom) very happy.

Since I'm not sure what the current crib situation is, you should probably place a call to the resort to check out their latest policy. Disney's official website for the Grand Floridian Resort states that "Cribs, refrigerators and microwaves available upon request." If those cribs are the standard Pack 'N Play portable cribs that Disney provides in their other resorts, they will come equipped with a sheet. (Click here to see what was inside the closet of my room at Disney's Old Key West DVC resort.)

 

[traci]

many thanks janet

 

[MtnViewer]

Hi, I will be staying at the GF LV for the 1st time and I understand that the dormer rooms have private balconies. What about the other standard LV rooms? Are the balconies shared? And if so, what exactly does that mean? Is it just like a long corridor or is there some kind of separation between the balcony of each room? Thanx for your help.

 

[triplefigs]

Denise, Happy Birthday to your little ones. My DD's turning 9 in a few more days. Hope their day is extra specialTammi

Thanks, Tammi. And happy b'day to your DD! Off to the party in a few minutes (40 kids coming!)

 

[asta]

MtnViewer,

The balconies are constructed as one unit between two rooms but are divided by a wood partition between the two. There is about 10 inches or so between the bottom of the partition and the floor of the balcony, a small gap between the building and the side of the partition, and it is too tall to see over. You can see around the partition if you really try but I always felt that it was somewhat private. You can hear conversations from the other balcony.

Hope this helps.

 

[MtnViewer]

Thanx for the helpful info, Asta

 

[Janet2k]

MtnViewer, welcome to the Dis website.

To help you visualize what Asta has stated, this is what the "privacy" divider looks like: click here. If someone is small (for example, a child), they can probably squeeze underneath the privacy divider. Try not to let that worry you too much. I have stayed at the resort many times and have never had anyone squeeze under the divider to my balcony. And if you look at this photo, it gives you a sideways view of a few balconies sitting in a row: click here. You should be able to make out the fact that the privacy divider is slightly taller than the sliding glass door to the room (the average person could not see over it).

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hello to all!

I am taking my first trip to the GF in late August with my mom - my b-day will be during our trip and hers is the week following. We've never stayed at the GF, and are both very excited, and look forward to really enjoying the resort.

I've read through a lot of the beginning and the end of this thread, but still have some questions. Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated!

1. What does the "Swan" decorating theme look like? I understand from the main page that all rooms in Sago Cay are in that style, and would like to see a picture.

2. In Boca Chica, what does the "obstructed view of the SSL and MK" really look like? From it's placement on the map, I would think it's VERY obstructed.

We'll be staying in a GV room using the AP discount, and just want to get the best view/room for our stay to make it extra special.

It seems like the general consensus is that there isn't a "bad view" at the GF, but if anyone has favorite GV locations let me know! We're both able-bodied adults, and don't mind walking...