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

[Scarlett81]

Hi, newbie here!
We're booked for the GF in November, after a great stay last year at the BC. We have a 1 BR suite in an outer building reserved.(this is a very special trip for us, celebrating our new miracle baby who'll be 6 months in Nov and a surprise to our new big sister who is 4!)
The downside (if there can be one!) is that I really wanted a theme park view to enjoy the fireworks in the evening with our 2 little ones. My 'happy place' vaca wise is sitting out on a balcony before the kids are up, drinking my coffee, so at least a nice water type view would be awesome.
So am I making too much of the view thing? Is there any way to know ahead of time which building our room is in? The other option that a cast member suggested is to book 2 adjoining standard theme park or water view rooms. I don't know which I'd rather do.
Thoughts??? Please? This is a very special occasion for us and we just want to make the most of it.
Oh, and thoughts about outer building vs. main building?? pros/cons?

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Sometimes, the Theme Park view is over-rated. I have found in 20+ stays at GF, that there really isn't a bad room. The Theme park view (in my opinion) isn't really worth the x-tra money. You can see the castle, but it is miniscule. I enjoy lagoon view as much as theme park view. When I took the niece and nephews, when they were little ones, I would take them down to the marina to see fireworks, then be able to hustle them back to the room for bedtime. They never seemed content to watch from the balcony, they wanted to be closer. I never mind spending the x-tra bucks on vacation, but I think theme-park view rooms are a tad over-rated.

 

[micknme]

So very excited...just received an email from the GF Itinerary Planning Office welcomming me to the GF for our November trip!!! We just made the change to the GF last week and already they have contacted us so I am really impressed Have still to hear from the BC CL though which is the other resort during our split stay vacation...funny because we booked the BC a while ago. Oh well, with all our ADR's previously made, we really don't have anything to ask them to do for us at this point anyway.

The GF IPO sure makes the trip seem all the more real.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Scarlett81 - Glad you've joined us, congrats on the new baby.

I rarely disagree with janeapplemeadow, but in your specific case I do have a slightly different opinion (sorry jane! ). In general, I agree that there are so few bad views at the GF the extra money for an upgraded view doesn't add much value. We always book either garden view or club level, rather than pay extra for the view.

For you, I think a TPV would be nice, due to the age of the baby when you are there. Having a view of the castle would be convenient, if the baby is sleeping during the fireworks. There are a couple of options, which would be cheaper than the 1-BR suite. You can either book two TPV rooms and request connecting rooms; you could book one main building TPV, and have access to the main building as well (both of these options, btw, are eligible for any discounts, suites are not). I'd choose the latter, the convenience alone would be great, not to mention the savings. If you prefer more space, you could book two main building TPV rooms, but that would add to the cost, as it is half again as much as the 1-BR. If you were able to snag a discount, the costs would be close to the same.

If, on the other hand, having quiet time on the balcony, sipping a drink while the children are sleeping is your only doubt regarding the suite, I would say your worries are unfounded. I think most (if not all) of the suite views are quite beautiful.

Good luck with your decision! I think either way, you will have a magical, Grand vacation.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Just wanted to pop in to add I have posted one of KC Mike's GF photos in the Nurses' station, and everytime I pass by it I mention how many days left til our Girls' trip.Helps me get through a tough shift.

I feel the same way! I love checking in daily to the beautiful photos and count the days until our trip (89!)

Glad I could help. The countdown is always fun at our house as well.

Sort of OT but I'm thinking of switching from my Nikon to a Canon. Anything special I should know before making the jump?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

kaffinito - good luck with your cabana decision! We rarely spend a whole day at the pool, so the half would be plenty for us, but I know many people prefer the whole day.

pas130 - Nice! anything to help the days go by faster.

micknme - Glad to hear the GF IPO has contacted you, and set you at ease regarding your reservation. If it were me, I would contact BC IPO just to touch base. They may not have gotten the updated reservation info. As your dining reservations are already made, it's not imperative, but I like getting that initial contact made.

 

[Scarlett81]

Scarlett81 - Glad you've joined us, congrats on the new baby.

You can either book two TPV rooms and request connecting rooms; you could book one main building TPV, and have access to the main building as well (both of these options, btw, are eligible for any discounts, suites are not). I'd choose the latter, the convenience alone would be great, not to mention the savings.

If, on the other hand, having quiet time on the balcony, sipping a drink while the children are sleeping is your only doubt regarding the suite, I would say your worries are unfounded. I think most (if not all) of the suite views are quite beautiful.

Good luck with your decision! I think either way, you will have a magical, Grand vacation.

Thank you so much! What are the pluses of being in the main building?(besides like you said, the discount which hey, I'm happy to save $)

 

[micknme]

Good idea k&a&c'smom. I will contact them today.

Thanks for answering.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thank you so much! What are the pluses of being in the main building?(besides like you said, the discount which hey, I'm happy to save $)

You're welcome! We love being in the main building for the access to the lounge around the atrium, and the convenience. All of the shops and most of the restaurants are located in the main bldg. You are within the same building as the monorail station, so no going outdoors, very nice at the end of the day or when it is raining.

Love the ambiance. Having your afternoon/evening snacks while listening to the pianist and orchestra is a big plus.

Of course, having a suite booked means you have access to the RPC lounge - but you have to walk to the main bldg. if in an outer building suite.

Good idea k&a&c'smom. I will contact them today.

Thanks for answering.

You're welcome.

 

[Scarlett81]

ok, That gives me good food for thought!
Forgive me, is the RPC lounge different from the club level lounge? I didnt realize we'd have walk all the way back to the main building for that! That might be pretty inconvenient with the little one. There arent club level lounges in the outer buildings?

 

[pas130]

ok, That gives me good food for thought!
Forgive me, is the RPC lounge different from the club level lounge? I didnt realize we'd have walk all the way back to the main building for that! That might be pretty inconvenient with the little one. There arent club level lounges in the outer buildings?

You can specifically book a Sugarloaf Suite. The upside is you won't have to leave the building for snacks. You will get a pool view (from what the experts on this thread have told me), but you cannot get a TPV with that suite.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

There are two club levels at the GF - Royal Palm Club (main building) and Sugar Loaf Club (Sugar Loaf outer building).

If you have an outer building suite booked, it will be in one of the regular outer buildings, rather than the SL CL building. With any of the suites, you can access both club levels, but with an "outer bldg. suite" you will have to walk over to either the SL bldg. or to the main bldg. (I see, btw, that you CAN book an outer building TPV 1-BR, which might be something you are interested in.)

If you book a Sugar Loaf suite, you will be located within the Sugar Loaf CL building. This building has views of either the marina or pool, but no theme park view rooms. If you book a main building suite, your rooms will be located in the main bldg.

There is a map on the first page of this thread, to help with the location of the buildings. There is also a nice description of the various suites in post #2, provided by CaliforniaDreaming.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Thank you so much! What are the pluses of being in the main building?(besides like you said, the discount which hey, I'm happy to save $)

The main building is so relaxing. It just is so much easier. You can just run down to grab a quick beverage or snack and be back in your room in no time. The RPC lounge is so much bigger than SL. It seems you can always find a place to sit. I love being able to sit in the lounge and listen to the piano player in the afternoon or the band in the evening. The CMs are just as helpfull as those in SL and the food is the same. There is just something special about RPC.

 

[lrab1126]

Hi ALL!

Heading to GF in just 14 days to celebrate our 10th wedding anniv. sans kids ! So excited We LOVE the GF ! So my question.... we are staying in a "theme park view" room - which I know can be one of any number of rooms/bldgs. I was hoping for a king size bed, not sure if this is even an option and I was also wondering which building you would recommend ? Any recommendations would be great. So wished we could have stayed club level again but it wasn't in the budget this trip...

Thanks all !
Lisa
Boston, MA

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Irab1126 - Welcome, and congrats on your anniversary! How nice that you will be at the GF, just the two of you. Don't feel bad about club level, it's a nice perk, but we book garden view almost as often as club and have a wonderful time.

I've never been sure how many king beds there are at the GF, but they do have them. Just add it to your reservation now, and ask again at check in. (if anyone has more info about king beds, jump in!)

Most posters agree that the Sago Cay and Conch Key theme park views are the best. There are TPV rooms in Boca Chica, but many of them are blocked by trees. Several nice rooms in Big Pine Key, so if you are looking to be closer to the pools, you might like its location. Still, if it were me, I'd probably request Sago or Conch.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Hi ALL!

Heading to GF in just 14 days to celebrate our 10th wedding anniv. sans kids ! So excited We LOVE the GF ! So my question.... we are staying in a "theme park view" room - which I know can be one of any number of rooms/bldgs. I was hoping for a king size bed, not sure if this is even an option and I was also wondering which building you would recommend ? Any recommendations would be great. So wished we could have stayed club level again but it wasn't in the budget this trip...

Thanks all !
Lisa
Boston, MA

Theme park views in Sago Cay Bldng are not too bad. However, sometimes the early morning activity can be a liitle noisy. I would probably see if the room assigner could come up with a better room. I've stayed many times without CL and I've enjoyed those trips just as much. Just to be vacationing at the GF is a treat. Given how compact the resort is most rooms are in a good location to the main lobby and Gasparilla's snack bar.

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm loving those GF pics!!! Certainly brings a smile to my face after a long day at work!

Amanda

 

[k&a&c'smom]

janeapplemeadow - thanks for the info on the Sago Cay rooms. I've only had one designated TPV in Boca Chica (which had the aforementioned tree, lol) and one in Big Pine Key before they made the TPV category.

About the room assigner - are you saying you usually go without a request, and see if the assigned room has a good view? I know a lot of people let the pixie dust work for them.

 

[Lyons Family]

Well todays is the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We leave for Pittsburgh and spend the night and fly out early tomorrow.

Since not everyone here in the house can travel........we have to wait till my cousin gets here to house sit.
The aquariums, turtle tank (yeah, we have an 8 pound turtle) and cats are hard to place so we have someone come in to stay with them.
And plus it is a little side money for him when he goes back to college.

So have to go to the store and stock the refrigerator with a lot of good people food, so he will house sit for us in the future.

But, on another side note.............cannot wait till I see the GF......it will be HAPPY TEARS, and I hope the weather cooperates, for this could be the last time we as a family do Disney as our daughter is only two years away from college.

Safe travels to all..........

I will add to the picture montage when we come back.........
Keep the thread alive.

All my love

Safe travels to all

 

[k&a&c'smom]

How exciting! Safe travels, and have a magical vacation.