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

[MinnieM21]

I just got back last night from the GF, and there was no beverage service in at least our building (Conch Key). HTH!

I will be posting a more complete review of the GF to my earlier thread - have to finish unpacking first, though. I'm pacing myself!

I wonder why there weren't any beverages in the lobby. We stayed in Conch Key in December and there were beverages in the lobby early in the morning. I think it was just coffee though, maybe tea also but I don't remember.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

They do take the beverage service down very quickly. Around 8:00 or 8:30? I haven't been there since Dec. so it may have changed.

Lori

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Now that they put the coffee makes in the rooms they seem to have done away with the coffee in the individual building lobbies. At least it was gone when we went there in July.

 

[Chicago526]

I am hesitant about "dumping" them while on vacation anyway - but I would so love to enjoy our dinner (5:45 seating) and maybe even walk around the resort, listen to the music in the main lobby, or even just sit out on the grounds and hold hands with my hubby ( ) for a bit afterwards!

I can't comment about the club, but I did want to reassure you about "dumping" the kids. My parents took my brothers and me to WDW (we stayed at the Contemporary) when we were 13, 11, and 7 and EVERY NIGHT they'd give us a couple of $$$ and drop us off at the arcade in the evenings (we went in the fall and the parks closed at 6 PM or something like that, too cold to swim and DTD was years from being built). Beleive me, we LOVED the time away from the parental units! While we were playing Pac Man, Poll Position, and shoting at the shooting range, they were having a cup of coffee and getting some much needed "adult time" up at whatever used to be where California Grill is now.

So DON'T feel guilty about leaving them. They have a fine old time without you, and you'll get the adult time you need!

 

[Janet2k]

I was just reviewing Disney’s PhotoPass photographs from my vacation. I noticed that Disney has a section that is devoted to a few stock photographs of the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts. One photo in particular caught my eye. I took the liberty of making a screen capture of that photo and placing it into an on-line album. I did that because this photo shows the layout of the resort better than any other photo that I have come across. I think many of you who are concerned with the layout of the Grand Floridian Resort will find that photo useful. (Don’t forget that a map of the Grand Floridian is found on the Dis website.)

Please click the following link to see the photograph that I am talking about: Disney's Aerial Photo of the Grand Floridian Resort.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I did that because this photo shows the layout of the resort better than any other photo that I have come across.

You're absolutely right Janet. This is an excellent view. Thanks!

 

[Frankiesmom]

Hi to all! New to the Disboards..Just booked GF for a New Years trip 2006/2007... We will be there 12/27/06-1/2/07. A little background-! trip to WDW we stayed @ AKL in Oct.04,2nd trip we stayed 1 nite post disney cruise @ AllStar movies just last week. we are doing an extended family land/sea in 1/06 and we are going to try POFQ for 4 nites. I have always wanted to stay @ GF-we booked a standard garden view room. we are 2 adults,18 yr. old step-son,14 yr. old dear dau. and 5 yr. old dear son,and our 1 yr. old dear son will be celebrating his bday-2 yrs.-while we are there. we also booked the dining package. should i have booked conceirge-what are the benefits? any help/advice would be greatly appreciated! thanks,angel(having a hard time typing-feeding baby-please excuse!)

 

[MinnieM21]

They do take the beverage service down very quickly. Around 8:00 or 8:30? I haven't been there since Dec. so it may have changed.

Lori

I think you're right about the time, around 8am. When we were there in Dec. it was taken do very quickly as well.

 

[MommieMommie!]

Thanks for the info - we (DH & I) are usually up and about by 6:00 am, so if coffee is there, we shall have some; if not, he can walk to Gaspirilla's to get some - it is such a nice walk that early in the am, anyway.

As far as the kid's club - we do deserve couple time and I have resigned myself to not feel guilty any longer - it's not like we are leaving them unchaperoned or anything.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I have an oddball question for you guys...

does anyone happen to have a laundry price list? Not for the machines, for sending laundry out. The more I think about things, the more I want to pack light. We are splitting our stay between GF and AKLC and I am thinking I may want to pack light and send our dirties out to be washed on our next to the last night at the GF so we move to AKL with clean things again. I did laundry during our WL stay last year and while DH and the boys got to take a nice nap, I couldn't b/c of doing laundry. I don't want to do that again if I can avoid it so I am thinking sending laundry out may just be one of those expenses that is worth it for the convenience.

I called today to ask if they could fax me a one but was on hold for a while and my kids were being a bit too quiet so I figured I'd ask here instead.

 

[Janet2k]

I do want to note that when I dropped my daughter off at the Mouseketeer Clubhouse this morning, I noticed a large flat panel screen on the wall, and also four smaller flat panel screens (for Sony Playstation 2's, no doubt).

I've never quoted myself before (it sure feels strange), but I finally got a chance to post a photo of the high-tech gear that is found inside the Mouseketeer Clubhouse. I wish I would have taken more photos inside the kids' club, but I never found the time. (I do believe I've just given myself an excuse to stay at the resort during my Christmas vacation.)

Click here to view the photo. In the photo's background, you will see several flat panel displays mounted on the wall. (Note: That photo was taken during the Grand Adventures In Cooking Class, my daughter's favorite activity at the resort.)

 

[Janet2k]

New to the Disboards..Just booked GF for a New Years trip 2006/2007... I have always wanted to stay @ GF-we booked a standard garden view room. we are 2 adults,18 yr. old step-son,14 yr. old dear dau. and 5 yr. old dear son,and our 1 yr. old dear son will be celebrating his bday-2 yrs.-while we are there. we also booked the dining package. should i have booked conceirge...

Frankiesmom, welcome to the Dis.

You have quite a few folks in your party (5 plus an infant). Will one room be large enough for your family? Just thought I'd ask since I know that not all siblings like to share beds with other siblings (something about ~dog germs~ and other ~icky stuff~ that my kids complain about ). Also, having only one bathroom can sometimes be a bit inconvenient. The suites at the Grand Floridian are truly lovely so do consider booking one if space will be an issue.

For a party of your size, your GF room should have two queen beds and one daybed. Two of your children will sleep in one of the queen-sized beds while the other sleeps on the daybed. Your youngest child will either sleep by himself in a crib (available upon request) or with your husband and yourself in a queen-size bed. Speaking of the daybed, I thought I'd share a photo of my daughter relaxing on it: click here. I hope that helps give you an idea as to the size of it (she was just about 5 feet tall when that photo was taken).

As to whether or not you should book a concierge room, that is entirely up to your needs. If you would like the help of the Itinerary Planning Office (IPO) or the Concierge Staff for the booking of any dining or recreational reservations either before or during your vacation, then booking a concierge room makes sense. Take a moment to decide what sort of vacation experience you want for your family and then book your room accordingly.

I hope you enjoy your Grand Floridian vacation. The 2006 holiday season will be here before you know it.

 

[Janet2k]

...does anyone happen to have a laundry price list?

Lollipop Mom, I'm trying to find my list from the GF. If I can find it, I'll let you know.

 

[Janet2k]

...we are meeting up with 3 other families there... we will be doing a private dining "event" at the GF our first night. As of now we are set up for dinner out on the 3rd floor balcony but we may consider other locations that would give us a little more room... Anyone have any suggestions on some special little touches for private dining?

Lollipop Mom, your vacation plans sound wonderful. I'm sure everything will turn out beautifully. I do have a few photos that I took on the 3rd floor balcony during my recent stay at the Grand Floridian. If I can find them, I'll put them into an on-line album and post a link to them in this thread. The balcony was much larger than I had remembered it was (it had been years since I stood on it last). I'm not sure of your party's size, but if your Private Dining Cast Member recommended it, I'm sure it will be suitable for your party (their judgment is usually right-on).

As to little touches to add to your dinner party, definitely consider some fun desserts. The Cinderella's Slipper dessert is always a big hit with everyone. The Mickey Mousse Bombe is, too. For the younger kids, consider ordering Mickey JELL-O, Mickey Krispy Treats, and dirt pots. Fun desserts will be a wonderful way to cap your lovely dinner party.

 

[Janet2k]

I took a few photos of the third floor balcony of the main building. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Grand Floridian, you need to be a concierge guest of the resort in order to visit this balcony because floors 3 through 5 of the main building are only accessible via a concierge card key.

The third floor balcony was larger than I remembered it was (I hadn’t visited it in years). I hope these photos give you a feel for the balcony’s layout and size:

3rd Floor Balcony Photo # 1
3rd Floor Balcony Photo # 2
3rd Floor Balcony Photo # 3
3rd Floor Balcony Photo # 4
3rd Floor Balcony Photo # 5
3rd Floor Balcony Photo # 6
3rd Floor Balcony Photo # 7

The balcony is very private. It is a lovely place to enjoy some quiet time or even a meal that has been setup via the resort's Private Dining staff.

 

[triplefigs]

There are 17 of us now eating at 1900 Park Fare for dinner together (4 families). Any ideas on how to make it super special?

 

[Janet2k]

There are 17 of us now eating at 1900 Park Fare for dinner together (4 families). Any ideas on how to make it super special?

Consider contacting the restaurant ahead of time to see if they have any special desserts that may be pre-ordered. Also, consider pre-ordering a customized cake from the resort's bakery.

If your group is set up as a Magical (or Grand) Gatherings (click here), you can book one of their Grand Gatherings' events (click here). I attended the Safari Celebration Dinner last year and it was wonderful.

 

[Janet2k]

I found several more photos of the main building’s third floor balcony. A few of those photos were taken by my daughter (note: she took a couple of the photos from the perspective of a child). I went ahead and moved all of the balcony photos into their own on-line photo album: click here to view it.

 

[Janet2k]

I have a question for you folks. When I’m staying in the main building, I receive the following welcome packet upon check-in: click here. Is this same packet (minus the “Royal Palm Club” label) given to guests who are staying in the lodge buildings (be it Sugarloaf concierge or otherwise)?

 

[Lollipop Mom]

OH JANET THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!

The only photo I've found to show anyone was taken from the grounds looking at the building and it was at a pretty good distance. It was tough to gauge the actual size. I think that will be perfect for us. The dining coordinator that I have been speaking with (who has just been fabulous!) said she was not sure if it would be too small for us or not. We are a party of 9 adults and 7 kids (8, 5, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3...can you tell we know each other from a parenting group for kids born in the year 2000? ). She spoke with a concierge manager who told her that they thought we would be fine. They are going to set up an adult table and a kids table for us...with the kids table being "kid sized" which I think they will love.

I can't wait to show the photos to everyone! Thank you so much!

What we came up with for desert for the kids is that we are doing the mickey krispy treats and each child will have a "palate" of icing and paint brushes to paint their own desert.

There are 17 of us now eating at 1900 Park Fare for dinner together (4 families). Any ideas on how to make it super special?

If you aren't dead set on a character meal, give private dining a call! They've been fabulous! When I called I anticipated being told that the price tag was going to be too high for us but it was not the case. There is not an additional charge for use of the 3rd floor balcony. Each family can easily control their own budget based on what they are ordering. You do not have to be guests of main bldg concierge to dine there. If you are not, your party is met by a concierge manager in the lobby and led to the balcony. If you are not a main bldg concierge guest you must have butler service but that is just $50 for 3 hours of service. Other than that, it is menu price plus 18% service charge and tax. We are doing a few extra touches to make it special but you can do just dinner. We started off planning to do a big group dinner at Ohana and after posting menu options for several restaurants to chose from at MK area resorts or in the MK I had noticed a private dining menu and thought "it can't hurt to ask, right?" I'm so glad I did! We will have a much more magical, special dinner this way and having a private meal allows us to have a better chance to chat as well as not having to worry that the kids are bothering others if they are antsy. This way we can have stuff for them to play with and do and if they get up and move around a bit, that's fine and it won't bother anyone! I just can not wait to see how the evening turns out!