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

[MommyGina]

Lyons Family - have a fantastic time!!!! Have a safe trip and let us know how your trip was when you come back home.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

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.[/QUOTE]

I guess I'm really easy, because I usually only request Big Pine Key, but never a specific room. I'm usually just so happy to get a vacation at the GF that most rooms are fine by me. The only time I might request a change of room would be if I was in Sago Cay. I really didn't like that location. It seems to work out for me. This spring I got upgraded at check-in from Big Pine Key to SugarLoaf. Now, that was totally unexpected.

 

[pas130]

Lyons family Have a great trip!!!!

 

[zad's mom]

Hello. I was just wandering how far the GF self-park lot is from the hotel. We've stayed at the BC and the distance to the self-park was not too bad.
Thank you.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I guess I'm really easy, because I usually only request Big Pine Key, but never a specific room. I'm usually just so happy to get a vacation at the GF that most rooms are fine by me. The only time I might request a change of room would be if I was in Sago Cay. I really didn't like that location. It seems to work out for me. This spring I got upgraded at check-in from Big Pine Key to SugarLoaf. Now, that was totally unexpected.

Upgraded to SL - yay! We usually make fairly generic requests, like non-dormer, and maybe a building. The last few GV trips, I've left the building request off, and gotten BPK twice, Sago Cay once (my first stay in Sago, and it was not my favorite, either).

Hello. I was just wandering how far the GF self-park lot is from the hotel. We've stayed at the BC and the distance to the self-park was not too bad.
Thank you.

The self-park at the GF is quite a distance from the main entrance, much further than that of the BC. You have to cross Floridian Way, though there is a stoplight there. Here is a link to virtual bird's eye, scroll to the left to see the valet parking in front (black asphalt) - then, across the roadway, the self park (grey concrete). http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5219444

 

[zad's mom]

The self-park at the GF is quite a distance from the main entrance, much further than that of the BC. You have to cross Floridian Way, though there is a stoplight there. Here is a link to virtual bird's eye, scroll to the left to see the valet parking in front (black asphalt) - then, across the roadway, the self park (grey concrete). http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5219444

Thanks k&a&c'smom. Wow, that is quite a walk! : I guess they want people to use valet.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks k&a&c'smom. Wow, that is quite a walk! : I guess they want people to use valet.

Yes, I think that's exactly right. Very frustrating, as the self-park used to be where valet is now located. Much easier.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I have a kind of weird question...

I have been told that there are locker/changing rooms by the pool? Which pool? My first guess is the beach pool because that is where they rent the cabanas.

Are there outlets? Could one blow dry hair in there? Are there showers? How are the mirrors? And is it air-conditioned?

Thank you!

 

[KCmike]

 

[Scarlett81]

So-I can call ahead and request a particular building? (didn't realize that)
Of course since I have an outer building 1 br suite booked, I can't request a main building room, (right?) but I can request another building?
Since the CL is in sugarloaf that would be the one to ask for, right? thoughts?

 

[bethclayton]

I have a kind of weird question...

I have been told that there are locker/changing rooms by the pool? Which pool? My first guess is the beach pool because that is where they rent the cabanas.

Are there outlets? Could one blow dry hair in there? Are there showers? How are the mirrors? And is it air-conditioned?

Thank you!

We used them about a year ago. They were off the beach pool. They were much nicer than I expected. They had hair dryers in there, and yes, outlets for them (actually I think they were hooked to the wall). There were showers and to my delight, the sowers had soap/ shampoo dispensers. There were mirrors. It was not hot in there at all, but it was March, so I cannot say for sure whether there was air conditioning. I would definitely use them again, they were great.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

So-I can call ahead and request a particular building? (didn't realize that)
Of course since I have an outer building 1 br suite booked, I can't request a main building room, (right?) but I can request another building?
Since the CL is in sugarloaf that would be the one to ask for, right? thoughts?

Well, yes and no. A request is only a request, not a guarantee - the particular room you want may be occupied at the time you check in.

The Sugar Loaf suites are a specific, bookable category - so if you want a suite IN the SL building, you need to book that suite. Looking at rack rate, it seems to be about $100/night more for the SL 1-BR suites than the other outer building 1-BR suites.

To get a main building 1-BR, you have to book a main building 1-BR suite - which is around $210/night more than an outer building 1-BR suite (depending on season).

What you CAN request, with an outer building 1-BR suite booking, is to be in one of the OTHER outer buildings (Sago Cay, Boca Chica, Conch Key, Big Pine Key). I am not sure there are 1-BR suites in all of the outer buildings, maybe Cali-D will pop in and answer that question. Your best bet is to contact IPO and ask which buildings are an option for the room category you have booked.

LittleMissMagic - Welcome! Your question isn't weird at all, I'm sure many people have wondered about the changing rooms at the pool!

Since I've never entered that area at the beach pool, I'm glad bethclayton was able to answer your question!

 

[dragonfly57005]

Again KCMike, your pictures blow me away!

 

[threebeesatdisney]

What do the balconies look like in a non-dormer garden view room? I read somewhere that they weren't private so is it a long balcony that extends along the whole side of the building? Or do you share with the room adjoining yours? Also, do the garden view rooms have double beds or queen sized beds? Thanks in advance!

 

[elleinad16]

Hi all! I just wanted to join in and say we've officially booked 4 wonderful nights at the Grand Floridian for our wedding!!! It'll be our first time staying here and I couldn't be more excited!

Only 137 more days to go until check-in!

 

[threebeesatdisney]

So now I have found that you get 2 Queen Beds or a King bed. I am still confused about the balconies in a Standard Garden View room. If I have a balcony outside and it isn't a dormer room would it be private?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi all! I just wanted to join in and say we've officially booked 4 wonderful nights at the Grand Floridian for our wedding!!! It'll be our first time staying here and I couldn't be more excited!

Only 137 more days to go until check-in!

Welcome, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I think you will love the Grand.

What do the balconies look like in a non-dormer garden view room? I read somewhere that they weren't private so is it a long balcony that extends along the whole side of the building? Or do you share with the room adjoining yours? Also, do the garden view rooms have double beds or queen sized beds? Thanks in advance!

So now I have found that you get 2 Queen Beds or a King bed. I am still confused about the balconies in a Standard Garden View room. If I have a balcony outside and it isn't a dormer room would it be private?

Welcome! The garden view, lagoon view and theme park view balconies are all the same, discounting the dormer type. When describing them as "non private" I think the writer means that the balcony is not a stand alone type, like for the dormer rooms. There is a divider between balconies. I have a photo to help illustrate - do you see the dividers between the rooms? They do not go all the way from the ceiling to the ground, so technically you are connected to the balconies on each side. The dormer rooms are the ones with the little peaked roofs over them. Those balconies are entirely enclosed. HTH!

 

[threebeesatdisney]

THANK YOU! Yeah, I was a little confused there because I had seen the pics like the one you posted but they looked "private" to me.
So thanks for clearing that up! I think I will be happy with either balcony!
The picture you posted is beautiful by the way. It makes me feel like I am there.
We are going to try to stay there next summer as a last hurrah before my daughter heads off to college and all the bills start coming in. HA-HA!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

threebeesatdisney - LOL - I can relate, I have two kids in college at the moment.

Yes, I've always considered the balconies to be private, and hadn't even noticed that the dividers don't go all the way up or down. Like you, it only dawned on me when I read a review, and I had to look on our next trip to see what they meant.

Thanks about the photo, btw. I think that is the marina side of Sugar Loaf.

 

[KCmike]

Again KCMike, your pictures blow me away!

Thanks again. This one is heading into the TTC on the monorail. Zoomed in.