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

[Invisable89]

I'm not sure if anyone else has asked this (probably have, knowing my luck!) it's just my computer is being VERY slow today & i haven't got the patience to read through all 10 pages. So i apologise in advance.

If you were to book CL would it say which CL you're booking? Either Royal Palm or Sugar Loaf?


Thanks.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well we are back from our trip too. We LOVED the Grand Floridian!!

It was hard to understand our check in cm due to her accent. We were assigned to the 2nd floor of Boca Chica with a view of the courtyard pool. I dont know if this was an upgrade. I think we just booked a standard room through the travel co. The room was free anyway because of dh ff miles. I think the cm said happy anniversary and that was it. Fine with me.

I ordered a wheelchair from an off site company and it was there waiting for me.

Hmm, KC Mike, if you saw 2 big people and sometimes I was sitting in the wheelchair and sometimes pushing it like a walker, that was dh and I.

We did go in the beach pool but did not go into the courtyard pool. It was just too small in depth for dh who is really tall.

At the feature pool we saw them play 2 games with the kids. One was pretty, um, unchallenging, I think they called it buried treasure. It consisted of 2 cm's throwing small toys in the shallow end for the kids to get. The other game was getting wet sponges and filling a bottle/jug.

Other pool observations. Dh said the pool slide was really crowded. One little boy kept cutting everyone constantly, unsupervised by his parents.

The lifeguards seemed to be checking on people who were coming in with big beach bags. I saw them having to show ids.

Saw all the full cabanas and one guy getting a massage. I am sure some people love this sort of thing but its just not our cup of tea.

and speaking of tea, I went to the tea with my friend Snappy/Laurie from the Breast Cancer Thread on the Community Board. We had such an amazing time. Some great Mad Hatter tea, got the Buckingham and substituted the trifle and our server was Patricia. She was excellent.

Went to Gasparillas about 11 pm one night and had some sand. (roast beef and turkey) which were good and ice cream.

For our anniversary dinner we went to Citricos. Our server was Wade and he was fantastic. We had such a great meal there and I think its one of our new favorite restraunts.

We did the breakfast at Park Faire. I only picked it because I love Mary Poppins and wanted a picture with her. The food was ok. I did like that they had the tropical fruit juice as an option with your meal. It tastes the same as the juice at the Polynesian and there for breakfast its like $4.50 a glass, here its free with the meal.

The buses were the higher type and we had to ask the driver to lower the back so dh could fold the wheelchair and get it on. That was not the best but manageable.

Loved the smell when I kept walking by the Basin store.

Loved listening to the band.

Funniest/strangest thing. I didnt know that they had turn down service at the resort each night in the regular rooms. So I had left $20 on my bed as we were going back to the room later and I was going to change and go to the park. Well when we came back, the bed was turned down with the chocolates and the money was gone. I didnt mean that for the tip, I cant say anything as the cm did not steal the money, she probably thought I was a big tipper.Oh well, lesson learned.

We would love to go to the resort again, maybe next year for our anniv. We booked the bc for december, but maybe I can get dh to change his mind? We shall see. I love the GF in December with the tree, gingerbread house etc. Well I am definetely making a reservation at some of the restraunts then and maybe the tea too.

 

[nrpofp]

We'll we're back. We did a split stay between our old favorite Riverside and Grand Floridian. Riverside was beautiful like always but GF was amazing. We were upgraded to a Lagoon View in Boca Chica and it was everything I could ever dream of. We could see mainstreet station, Cindy's Castle, Astro Orbiter, Contemporary, Bay Lake Towers, Wildnerness Lodge, Poly and so much more. For all those wondering about if its worth it to stay at a Deluxe the answer is YES! We had such a good time. The resort is beautiful. So off the top of my head here is what we loved so much...
1. The beauty of the resort. So much of it reminded us of the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego (which is where they got the idea). The rooms, the hallways...
2. Restaurants were fantastic!
3. Pools were great. Parents loved the big quiet pool while the kids loved the zero entry pool with slide.
4. Hammocks and hooded lounge chairs. Oh my.
5. Boats and monorails.
6. The bus stop had many woodens benches, fans, tv to pass the time, and an attendant.
7. Loved the one stop to Magic Kingdom.
8. Music in the lobby. I loved coming back to the resort and hearing someone playing the piano or the band playing up above. Grand Californian only had a piano player. I really enjoyed the band.
9. Electric water pageant.
10. Movies on the beach. Yes I did it!

Other notes.
1. This vacation was more about the resorts for us. We relaxed and did more extra stuff. (sea raycers, parasailing, girls did spa)
2. The parks seem tired. We have been to Disneyland the past many years after taking a break from WDW and the parks have much to be desired in my opinion. Magic Kingdom lacks the magic, ambiance, and feel of Disneyland. My wife even commented that it felt big and empty lacking of emotion. Epcot (I probably feeling a little nostalgic here) was missing something in future world. I didn't like Spaceship Earth's new ending (missing Tomorrow's Child), Living Sea's just isn't the same for me. Journey into imagination is just plain bad. They really need to bring back the former.
3. Wishes is third rate compared to Disneyland's Remember Dreams Come True and their summer Magical show.
4. With all the negatives being said WDW has the patent down on Resorts and Food! We never had a bad meal.

Alright now with my first picture.

I could't agree with you more. The parks don't live up to dl. We loved the poly and the other resorts. Thee signature resturants were all awesome. We will return for that reason. Were hoping to try the gf next year.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

OK so perhaps this review sounded negative, but I am sure you can identify the "service opportunities" here. All in all, my stay was great, and I am coming back again in November, because I just love this place and how it makes me feel. It's early in the season and I hope they can tighten and polish their service a bit, it would truly make this the shining example of hospitality that Disney is known for.

Hi there -

Sorry to hear about the service issues you encountered. I was at the GF a couple weeks ago (didn't stay there this time), and had another not so great experience at Mizner's. It was the same challenges we faced in October, the place was understaffed causing long waits for a drink and for the check. I noticed at one point there was quite a line up near the register, people actually got up and went to pay because it took so long for the server to come back to the table to get the checks. We used our TIW card, and the server had to call 3 times for a manager to come over to apply the discount, which ended up taking over a half hour. I did follow the manager out and speak with her, as these service issues seem to occur more often. She was understanding and seemed appreciative for the comments, so hopefully they get addressed. Unfortunately I didn't have too much time to speak, we had to hurry off to our ADR at Narcoossee's.

Like you said, there are definitely a few service opportunities for the GF to improve upon. I think in general the same decline in service in the parks is apparent in the resorts. I have my fingers crossed that at some point in the future there will be a change in upper management and we'll see service levels and quality return to what it was notably pre-2000.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Good afternoon, everyone! My internet has not been cooperating the last few days, it has been down as much as up. I promise that I've got more photos to add to the first page, and I intend to get the pages I've missed read soon.

Just wanted to say, you've done a great job!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm not sure if anyone else has asked this (probably have, knowing my luck!) it's just my computer is being VERY slow today & i haven't got the patience to read through all 10 pages. So i apologise in advance.

If you were to book CL would it say which CL you're booking? Either Royal Palm or Sugar Loaf?


Thanks.

No worries, ask anything you like. Your confirmation should say either "main building - club level" and the room category, or "outer building - club level" and the room category. If it does not, I would call and check that you have been booked in the room you desire.

luvmarypoppins - Welcome back, and thank you for the review.

The room location you describe is a garden view, so you got what you booked. If you enjoyed the location, congrats!

Is the beach pool deeper than the courtyard pool's deep end? I hadn't noticed, DD and I are always over our head when we go into the courtyard pool. We head to the end closest to Big Pine Key, to avoid the kids and their splashing on the shallow end. Glad to hear the lifeguards were checking IDs, the pools at the GF are rarely crowded, but it is nice to know they are making an effort.

Sorry about your $20, we always leave the tip on the bed. I'm assuming others do the same, so it is an honest mistake, I think. DISers have posted that they sometimes tip once for the whole trip, so if that is common, the maid probably thought you were doing that very thing.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the resort, and the restaurants. Isn't the tea wonderful?!

CaliD - thank you so much for your kind words, and thanks for the suite info.

Sorry to hear about your (and mouseturtle's, I'll have to go read her review) service issues. DD and I spent a rainy evening in Mizner's in March, and while it was crowded and a little slow, we did not have the problems you describe. How annoying for you!

I agree, the service is not what it was in the late 90s (or even the early 2000s), I hope things move back the other direction soon. We were treated so well on our recent beach vacation, everyone acted as though they were tickled to death to have us and our money. It would be nice if Disney acted the same, wouldn't it? I remember when that was the norm, and Disney was the standard that I measured other vacations against.

 

[pas130]

KCMike and luvmarypoppins Welcome back, glad you both had a great GRAND stay luvmarypoppins Sorry about your $20, Mousekeeping must have loved you!

 

[KCmike]

I could't agree with you more. The parks don't live up to dl. We loved the poly and the other resorts. Thee signature resturants were all awesome. We will return for that reason. Were hoping to try the gf next year.

I don't want to come across as negative towards WDW's parks because we did have a good time. Disneyland though will always be my favorite park after visiting all of them. Epcot will probably still be #2 but California Adventure will probably be a close second after the renovations are done. I can't tell you how much a dislike the bus system. My wait times weren't horrible but I don't like the time wasted getting to and from the parks and couple that with the wait time at the bus depots (sometimes we could hop right on and other times the bus would never come) I just didn't like the inconsistency.

 

[KCmike]

KCMike and luvmarypoppins Welcome back, glad you both had a great GRAND stay luvmarypoppins Sorry about your $20, Mousekeeping must have loved you!

Thanks!!!

 

[KCmike]

Hmm, KC Mike, if you saw 2 big people and sometimes I was sitting in the wheelchair and sometimes pushing it like a walker, that was dh and I.

No I can't say I recall seeing you guys. Sorry!

The courtyard pool does go to 6 feet deep but the beach pool only went to 4 feet deep. The slide was a lot of fun though. It was very smooth and fast. The kids and I loved it.

Glad you had a good time!!! How exciting that your going back to the Beach Club. We went over there and the Boardwalk to walk around and the kids were begging us to add an extra day and go to the BC. They loved the pool area.

 

[KCmike]

Took some B&W shots of the GF as well. Love seeing the contrast in styles. Here is one for today.

 

[dragonfly57005]

sweet pic! You make me want to be there right now!

 

[jenndla]

Hi all!

We are currently booked at the Contemporary, but thinking very hard about changing over to Grand Floridian...the in-laws are coming now, and my MIL in particular has always dreamed of staying at GF.

Just wanted to check - are the lobby renovations done? I am sure they will be done by the time we go in November, but I want to be doubly sure.

TIA!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hi all!

We are currently booked at the Contemporary, but thinking very hard about changing over to Grand Floridian...the in-laws are coming now, and my MIL in particular has always dreamed of staying at GF.

Just wanted to check - are the lobby renovations done? I am sure they will be done by the time we go in November, but I want to be doubly sure.

TIA!

Hi- I didn't see any work being done a couple weeks ago when I was there. I actually think all of the interior renovations were done sometime last year. The new marble tile floor is beautiful!

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Loving those pictures, KCMike!

 

[Lulu'sMom]

jenndla, last year they were doing alot of outdoor rehabs with the scaffolding and all, right outside our RPC deluxe queen room! It turned out to be a wonderful time anyways and we enjoyed the GF as always!

But, that's another reason we're returning, LOL!
We know there's no rehab! They did it last year!

And Cali's right, all the interior was done before even our arrival last year!

 

[jenndla]

Hi- I didn't see any work being done a couple weeks ago when I was there. I actually think all of the interior renovations were done sometime last year. The new marble tile floor is beautiful!

jenndla, last year they were doing alot of outdoor rehabs with the scaffolding and all, right outside our RPC deluxe queen room! It turned out to be a wonderful time anyways and we enjoyed the GF as always!

But, that's another reason we're returning, LOL!
We know there's no rehab! They did it last year!

And Cali's right, all the interior was done before even our arrival last year!

Thanks to both of you!! I saw pictures of the tile floor, and I can't wait to see it in person!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

jenndla - welcome! I hope your decision is easier than my resort decisions are - very tough to choose.

The tile floors at the GF are beautiful!

KCMike - thanks for the photos, love the black and white.

Thanks, too, for the info regarding the depth of the pools. I thought I remembered 6 feet in the deep end of the courtyard pool, but wasn't positive. I'm bad with that kind of detail, I often remember it in the wrong place, lol.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well thanks for the pool info tool. We actually didnt stare/walk around the whole pool, just the area by our room and all we saw was about 4 feet etc. Good to know for the next time.

Another question. When exactly is the gingerbread house and tree put up? Well I am more interested in the finished product versus the construction phases etc. We will be there the monday after thanksgiving, just to visit sadly this time, not to stay and I would like to take some pics.

 

[s&k'smom]

Wait until you see the tiles they are amazing. I too saw scaffolding last November but really not much noise at all. Have a great time.