The **NEW** Grand Floridian FAQ!(MAY 2011)

[KCmike]

Have really been enjoying your photos, KCmike - please keep 'em coming!

Thanks. We had a great time and I love (to my kids fury) taking shots of the places I am privileged to go. More shots are on the way! Stay tuned.

 

[thehighprincess44]

THANKS K&A&C mom!!! I appreciate the tip on the non-dormer room!
It is all a surprise, my mom nor my daughter know. I will need to tell my mom a day or two before, so she can pack, but I am going to try and wait for arrival at the airport to tell my daughter! Here's hoping I can keep my mouth shut!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

stitchlet - I don't blame you for being excited, I'm excited for you!

thehighprincess44 - best of luck keeping it quiet. I'm the worst at keeping vacation secrets, I can't help myself, I always spill the beans.

 

[MattMatts-Momma]

Please keep the posts coming...We are staying at the Grand Floridian Sugar Loaf for the first time this year. For years we have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and this year I thought we would try something different. For some reason, I am a nervous wreck about trying the Grand Floridian.

I have already requested marina view, but I would also like to be on an upper floor, preferably on the end. I think I should probably call them and add that request. Has anyone ever stayed on the top floor of Sugar Loaf? Does the top floor have enclosed balconies?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

MattMatts-Momma - Welcome! I'm glad you are enjoying the thread. Try not to let the GF info overwhelm you, if you have any questions, just ask.

Yes, all the balconies on the top floor of SL are enclosed (dormer) balconies - other than maybe the suites. If you look at the photos in post #214 above, you can see in the first photo the pool side of SL (it is the building in the center of the photo). You can also see the marina side in the 4th & 6th photos, through the trees, across the marina - the dormer rooms have little pointed roofs on them.

Some of the balconies on the 3rd floor are also enclosed, and they are on the ends, so if you want a regular balcony and an end room, I would request 2nd floor. Unfortunately, that could mean you will end up on the pool side, as the number of end rooms on any floor are limited (to 4, of course, lol). I think pool side is the most-requested, though, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

You might like the dormer rooms, some guests do. Here is a link to page 45 of the previous FAQ - gilsan posted some lovely photos of a dormer room in Big Pine Key (scroll down to post #669): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2427062&highlight=sl+room+numbers&page=45

Definitely call IPO and add your request through them!

 

[pas130]

I think it's so cute that out of 4 ADRs for your girls-only trip (GOT!), two are for character breakfasts

Don't forget that you'll have full use of the CL lounge up to midnight of your check-out day

I'm counting on that lounge, we don't fly home til 7pm And we have to do the character breakfasts for my friend's first visit

pas130 - I know what you mean about staring longingly at the GF, but it is very easy to hop over there on the monorail for some time in the lobby. And I'll bet you will enjoy your visit to the Poly - I've forgotten, have you stayed there before? We love it there, always visit for lunch and shopping when we are at the GF.

Which Universal hotel will you be staying in? We've stayed at the Hard Rock and Royal Pacific, and loved them. My DD and her friend thought the WW of Harry Potter was AWESOME, btw!

WDWKOOK - good point about the lounge.

I've never stayed at the Poly, but the kids love it when we go to eat there...and I've never visited the GF, I'm saving my visit for check-in in November. All 3 of us have NEVER been. We are staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel, DS 10 is a big HP fan thanks to his older brother

pas130, now THAT'S a fine weekend! Well done.

Thanks! I'm SUPER excited!

 

[katieandrob]

Hello again, I need some more help. Now my parents are talking about upgrading to club level. As of now we are booked in a standard room with a GV. I'm just curious if most people feel the upgrade is worth it? Also is their a difference between staying club level in the main building versus Sugar Loaf, other then location? I've read on other boards the love that people have for SL. I'm leaning a little more towards SL just for the pure fact of getting away from the busyness of the main building. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are a family that loves to have a nice room. I've never had the attitude of not needing a nice room just because we aren't in the room that much. I love me nice accommodations. We really are trying to make this trip as special as possible. Most likely this will be my parents last trip to the World. Thank you so much.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - How nice that your first visit to the GF will be when you check in for your November trip. Very special.

katieandrob - The differences between SL and the main bldg. (RPC) are mostly about location, which affects the ambiance.

SL is in an outer building, so you are away from the action in the main bldg. The lounge is not as spread out, so it feels a little more closed in, but not claustrophobic. We love SL, it has a clubby feel to it, and you receive the same IPO service, onsite assistance, and food offerings.

RPC is located in the main building, and the lounge is spread out around the atrium. It is more spacious, and there are numerous nooks and crannies for seating. Very nice to listen to the music in the afternoon and evenings while you sip your wine or beer, and have a few snacks. We love RPC, too.

If money is no object, I'd choose RPC! If, on the other hand, you would like the amenities of club level at a better price, SL is a great choice and very well worth it, IMO.

 

[skibum25]

Hello again, I need some more help. Now my parents are talking about upgrading to club level. As of now we are booked in a standard room with a GV. I'm just curious if most people feel the upgrade is worth it? Also is their a difference between staying club level in the main building versus Sugar Loaf, other then location? I've read on other boards the love that people have for SL. I'm leaning a little more towards SL just for the pure fact of getting away from the busyness of the main building. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are a family that loves to have a nice room. I've never had the attitude of not needing a nice room just because we aren't in the room that much. I love me nice accommodations. We really are trying to make this trip as special as possible. Most likely this will be my parents last trip to the World. Thank you so much.

The upgrade is worth it if you use the extra services provided. If you're initial thought is to get away from busyness of the main building then SL would likely suit you better. From what I understand some people who choose RPC do so because they like the busyness.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Hello again, I need some more help. Now my parents are talking about upgrading to club level. As of now we are booked in a standard room with a GV. I'm just curious if most people feel the upgrade is worth it? Also is their a difference between staying club level in the main building versus Sugar Loaf, other then location? I've read on other boards the love that people have for SL. I'm leaning a little more towards SL just for the pure fact of getting away from the busyness of the main building. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are a family that loves to have a nice room. I've never had the attitude of not needing a nice room just because we aren't in the room that much. I love me nice accommodations. We really are trying to make this trip as special as possible. Most likely this will be my parents last trip to the World. Thank you so much.

I've stayed in both SugarLoaf and the main building. If cost is no object, I would stay in the Main Building. Even though the basic rooms and lounge offerings are exactly the same, it was just so much more magical in the main building. I loved being able to sit in the RPC lounge and listen to the piano player in the afternoon. Once you pass through the lobby of the Main blding and go up to the 3rd floor, it is very peaceful. The lounge is much bigger here than in Sugarloaf so it doesn't feel as cramped or busy. I loved both locations though and would have no problems returning to either one.

 

[baler31]

Only two more days until we are back. My children are very excited and I am curious about the Keurig. We had one in our RPC room in Oct. but I have seen no reports of anyone else with one so I am anxious to see if we will have one on this visit.

This will be our first summer visit in a number of years as we usually do Oct. and first week of May. Hope we adjust to the larger crowds.

We have not been able to get the Deluxe Queen room booked that we really enjoy, I have tried nearly every day but the main building in general has been booked so I am grateful that we were able to get RPC in the first place. My husband will be the only one who will truly miss the extra space and he is only there for the first 4 nights so I hope he will not feel overly crowded.

We are planning our first Thanksgiving trip so we can do MVMCP, we usually do the Halloween festivities but have decided to brave the crowds this year. My children are getting older and it is much more difficult to remove them from school for a week now.

Will report back and investigate any questions anyone would like me to ask.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

baler31- I am so looking forward to your trip report!


Have a fabulous time!!!

 

[Lisa S.]

Does anyone know how far of a walk it is from the main building to the spa? We've got massages booked and I wanted to get an idea of how long it would take to get there. Thanks!

 

[KCmike]

Looking Towards the 7 Seas

 

[k&a&c'smom]

baler31 - two more days, woohoo! I will be interested to hear about the Keurig, too. Sorry you weren't able to grab a deluxe queen room, but hopefully it won't be much of an issue.

I know exactly what you mean regarding the kids and school, DD hasn't been able to take off since she started HS. It makes scheduling more than a 3-4 day trip much harder.

Enjoy your time at the Grand. If you can get any of the CMs to talk about the possible construction near the Wedding Pavilion, we would all love to hear the scoop.

Lisa S. - I would allow at least 10 minutes, though it probably won't take that long. I have some photos of the walk there, but they are on DD's computer - which is with her at college!

KCMike - Lovin' the photos!

 

[Lisa S.]

k&a&c'smom - Thanks! Good to know - it's going to be our very first stay at the GF and I'm beyond excited!

KCmike - love your photos!

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Oh, Lisa S. !!! -you are in for a TREAT!!!


KCmike-love 'em and keep 'em coming please!

 

[followthatmouse]

KCmike, we had a room overlooking the beach. It was rather relaxing watching the sand being raked each morning. I am in that photo spiritually, if not physically. I'll take that little beach cabana on the left. Thank you.


Does anyone recall the price of the small bathbombs at Basin? I only have a shower at home. So, this trip, I am determined to enjoy as many fragrant baths as I can.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Does anyone recall the price of the small bathbombs at Basin? I only have a shower at home. So, this trip, I am determined to enjoy as many fragrant baths as I can.

Here you go! CLICK HERE for BASIN WHITE !

Those fabulous bath bombs are $3.99 each.

 

[followthatmouse]

Here you go! CLICK HERE for BASIN WHITE !

Those fabulous bath bombs are $3.99 each.

Ooh, thank you so much, Lulu'sMom! Soaking suds here we come.