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

[rcraw45425]

Well, after rescheduling twice we are back to GF for December! First booked Veterans Day weekend, then discovered that DH couldn't get the days off from the ER. Thought we'd be safe booking December 8th, couldn't get a GF room with my PIN though, had to take the Poly, one of our least favorite resorts. Finally getting used to that when I attend a a band booster meeting (both girls are in high school marching band and symphony band). Discovered that our Winter Concert is scheduled for Dec 8th (arrival day) and District Honor Band and First Round All State auditions are on December 10. One daughter is 3rd chair clarinet and the other 1st chair oboe (she made district 6th, 7th and 8th grade and sat 1st chair 7th and 8th grade), so it would be really bad if both were too "sick" to audition! Off to the phone I went that night. FIrst CM was a PITA, looked up my PIN told me waht was available but wouldn't let me book since I had another reservation for different dates with a TA. TA lives on west coast and I could not get her on the phone right then so I called back the next morning and could take GF (for less money!) or TPV CL at Poly for over $500 a night with the PIN. No brainer since GF is DHs favorite (along with CR) and Poly his least fave. Then TA calls an says that my rate dropped too! Good times coming! This will be our first Decemebr visit there although we have stayed during November before and experienced the Gingerbread house. I can't remember though, does the band still play in the evenings or do they pipe in Christmas music? We love to sit and listen to the band!

 

[pas130]

I was super excited to book an outer lodge suite for DDs birthday trip next year. One reason I am thrilled is that we can use both RPC and SL. I also debated on 2 rooms RPC. We were talking about our trip and DD (who is only 6) told me to change to 2 rooms at SL She wants to be in SL, and she loved walking around and lounging in the main building, but she wants to stay at SL. I'm not ready to give up the suite just yet.....

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I was super excited to book an outer lodge suite for DDs birthday trip next year. One reason I am thrilled is that we can use both RPC and SL. I also debated on 2 rooms RPC. We were talking about our trip and DD (who is only 6) told me to change to 2 rooms at SL She wants to be in SL, and she loved walking around and lounging in the main building, but she wants to stay at SL. I'm not ready to give up the suite just yet.....

I am intrigued about the outer lodge suite. Where is it and do I understand correctly that although it is not in a CL area you have CL privledges?

As for your dilemma about rooms, what a great choice to have to make. Sounds like no matter what you choose, you can't go wrong since you will be at the GF

I agree with k&a&c'smom about paying extra for the views. We don't book TPV rooms, we can always go outside and see the view. We would rather spend a bit more and stay CL level. That being said we have AP which allow us to get good discounts on rooms....thus multiple trips to the GF this year!

 

[disneydreamin247]

I posted this on the Poly board, but I'm going to ask here also. What kind of filters do the coffee pots use? I have never touched the coffee pot, not even once in all my trips. My dad is a huge coffee drinker and it would be terrible to have to push him off the balcony if he couldn't have his morning cup.

 

[penlanspice]

We arrive next Wednesday and haven't made any room requests, we've only ever stayed in the main building but this time we have a standard view, my question is should I request a building or leave it to chance? we are thinking of requesting a pool view.

 

[pas130]

I am intrigued about the outer lodge suite. Where is it and do I understand correctly that although it is not in a CL area you have CL privledges?

As for your dilemma about rooms, what a great choice to have to make. Sounds like no matter what you choose, you can't go wrong since you will be at the GF

I was told on outer building, water view (could be pool, or marina, or lagoon) but we can use SL or RPC Yes, I great choice right? Can't go wrong.....And, How jazzed are you...so close,so close...single digits

I posted this on the Poly board, but I'm going to ask here also. What kind of filters do the coffee pots use? I have never touched the coffee pot, not even once in all my trips. My dad is a huge coffee drinker and it would be terrible to have to push him off the balcony if he couldn't have his morning cup.

Grab him a cup from the lounge They are the small 4 cup machines. I grab those maxwell house drop in "thingies" The premade coffee packs. We gifted the rest of ours (bought them at our condo, no use at Universal since we had a Keurig, and coffee always available in SL) Or you can get a small round filter

 

[mickeynut1]

we can always go outside and see the view. We would rather spend a bit more and stay CL level.

If I switched, it would be CL (RPC). I was just wondering what some opinions were on TPV in the main building, not an outer lodge TPV.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mickeynut1 - Oops, I didn't catch that you've stayed RPC already! So, you know whether you like the main building, and are now debating whether the extra cost to upgrade from the Poly will be worth it?

We have stayed in garden view CL and lagoon view CL (before they made the TPV category) at the Poly. We loved the lounge area, and the food choices were good - some better, some worse than those offered now, I think. Hard to beat that castle view in the lounge! Personally, I much prefer the food offerings at the GF.

As far as the rooms - we prefer the look and feel of the rooms in the GF. The Poly used to be one of our favorite resorts, but after the renovations in 2006(?), we haven't liked the rooms as well. Too dark for us, and I hate the bedspreads, they just don't seem to coordinate with the rest of the room at all. Love the chairs and throw pillows, though!

Cast members - that's a tough one. We haven't had great experiences with CMs at the Poly CL. Nothing major, just not a lot of warm feeling or the "above and beyond" you might expect in CL. We have had wonderful interaction with the GF CMs, so I have to give the nod to them. I know many people stay at the Poly CL and have a wonderful experience, so our impressions aren't the norm, I'm sure.

We have been in the GF main building in December, and it is very Christmas-y! Tough decision.

rcraw45425 - Congrats! Sounds like you've had a tough time scheduling, but have finally found dates that will work. Congrats to your kids on their band accomplishments, and good luck on the auditions.

pas130 - Don't you love it when the kids throw a wrench in your plans?! Way to go on the suite, we've never booked one, but I'll bet the room is heavenly.

Jungle Cruiser - all of the suites have CL access, wherever they are located around the resort. There are one and two bedroom suites in all the outer buildings, there is a post from CaliD in the thread somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

penlanspice - Where would you like to be located? With a garden view, it will help to make a request if you know how the buildings are situated. Check out the map on page 1 of this thread. If you'd like to be near the beach pool and main building, ask for Big Pine Key; would you like to be near the courtyard pool and boat dock? request Conch Key or Boca Chica; the building furthest from the pools is Sago Cay, but it is nearer the bus stop and Gasparilla's.

If you want to add a request to your reservation, you probably need to call in the next day or so. Are you checking in this coming Wednesday (in 3 days) or next Wednesday (in 10 days)? If in 3 days, I'd probably wait until I got to check in and ask where we've been assigned; if it is not where you prefer, you can always ask to change. What time of day are you checking in? That will make a difference in how many rooms they have from which to choose.

disneydreamin247 - here is a photo of the in-room coffee makers, to help you see what they are like. Unfortunately, we've never made coffee in the room, so I can't say what type of filters they provide, but I'm guessing just the normal type.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Grab him a cup from the lounge They are the small 4 cup machines. I grab those maxwell house drop in "thingies" The premade coffee packs. We gifted the rest of ours (bought them at our condo, no use at Universal since we had a Keurig, and coffee always available in SL) Or you can get a small round filter

I see you responded while I was "composing"! Thanks for the info regarding the premade coffee packs, I'm sure many posters will find it helpful. I'm a non-coffee person, and DD only have an occasional cup from GF Cafe or Kona, so I'm no help at all.

 

[penlanspice]

penlanspice - Where would you like to be located? With a garden view, it will help to make a request if you know how the buildings are situated. Check out the map on page 1 of this thread. If you'd like to be near the beach pool and main building, ask for Big Pine Key; would you like to be near the courtyard pool and boat dock? request Conch Key or Boca Chica; the building furthest from the pools is Sago Cay, but it is nearer the bus stop and Gasparilla's.

If you want to add a request to your reservation, you probably need to call in the next day or so. Are you checking in this coming Wednesday (in 3 days) or next Wednesday (in 10 days)? If in 3 days, I'd probably wait until I got to check in and ask where we've been assigned; if it is not where you prefer, you can always ask to change. What time of day are you checking in? That will make a difference in how many rooms they have from which to choose.

We're arriving a week Wednesday, we're not to bothered about which building to be honest, just wandered if we should bother requesting at all?
I just called to add a request for a pool view, high floor and king bed, got a pretty useless CM so think I will call back, she said there wasn't no pool views available only garden view! and I couldn't request a king bed as I would need to pay extra for that.

 

[mickeynut1]

mickeynut1 - Oops, I didn't catch that you've stayed RPC already! So, you know whether you like the main building, and are now debating whether the extra cost to upgrade from the Poly will be worth it?

We have stayed in garden view CL and lagoon view CL (before they made the TPV category) at the Poly. We loved the lounge area, and the food choices were good - some better, some worse than those offered now, I think. Hard to beat that castle view in the lounge! Personally, I much prefer the food offerings at the GF.

As far as the rooms - we prefer the look and feel of the rooms in the GF. The Poly used to be one of our favorite resorts, but after the renovations in 2006(?), we haven't liked the rooms as well. Too dark for us, and I hate the bedspreads, they just don't seem to coordinate with the rest of the room at all. Love the chairs and throw pillows, though!

Cast members - that's a tough one. We haven't had great experiences with CMs at the Poly CL. Nothing major, just not a lot of warm feeling or the "above and beyond" you might expect in CL. We have had wonderful interaction with the GF CMs, so I have to give the nod to them. I know many people stay at the Poly CL and have a wonderful experience, so our impressions aren't the norm, I'm sure.

We have been in the GF main building in December, and it is very Christmas-y! Tough decision.

No problem......sometimes I miss things in a post and find that out after I've posted . I am excited to try Poly CL, but RPC is sticking in the back of my mind. I have heard that the view from the Poly lounge is hard to beat (as you mentioned) and that is one of the reasons it appeals to me . We've stayed at the Poly before and loved it, so we know what to expect from the resort overall......it's just CL there that we are new to. I think the food offerings in RPC are great and I just didn't know if the Poly was similar or totally different. And I agree about the RPC CMs......they are hard to beat. Having no availability in RPC with my pin code would make the decision of switching real easy.....but then again with my luck, it would be available and I wouldn't know what to do . But your input has helped......thanks so much .

 

[disneydreamin247]

Thanks! Adding small coffee filters to our Target list for today.

 

[pas130]

k&a&c'smom DD talked me into a BC split stay. It's all good. We did BCV which DH didn't like. But the kids like the pool, CL pics,etc...Tell me how I got my 6 year old hooked on the DIS I am trying to talk her into GF last, but she wants GF first-5 days GF, 3 days BC. Not booking BC yet....

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

I know what you mean...DVC there would be perfect for us!!!

Sounds like a win win situation for all. I just saw your GF ticker and I see you have added the BC. Boy your DD sounds head strong and knows what she wants. Good for her. GF and BC is really the best of both worlds also.

CoachBagFanatic - I'm one of those that isn't excited by DVC at the GF, as I'm afraid it will change the feel of the resort. But I have friends who own DVC, so I am happy for them, and I'll just have to get used to the changes. I hate change to something I love - I've never recovered from the decor switch in 2007.

Oh I completely understand how you feel. When we first heard about the DVC we weren't all that thrilled either but after staying at BLT we are definitely looking forward to it. For us it's the best of both. The GF RPC was my very first Disney resort that I have ever stayed at and I just truly love it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We're arriving a week Wednesday, we're not to bothered about which building to be honest, just wandered if we should bother requesting at all?
I just called to add a request for a pool view, high floor and king bed, got a pretty useless CM so think I will call back, she said there wasn't no pool views available only garden view! and I couldn't request a king bed as I would need to pay extra for that.

I think your CM was confused! You should definitely call back and speak to someone else (tough from the UK, I know); there isn't a "pool view" booking category, but you can add a "pool view" to the request line.

Same thing with the king bed. I'm not sure how many king beds are possible in garden view, but there are a few. Here is the Garden View category description from the WDW website:

Garden View Rooms offer views of the Courtyard, Marina, or Pool areas
Additional adult charge of $25 per adult per night for more than 2 adults, except in Suites and rooms with King beds.

Good luck! I think you will enjoy any of the outer buildings, we have now stayed in all of them, and enjoyed each one for different reasons.

.... I think the food offerings in RPC are great and I just didn't know if the Poly was similar or totally different.

....Having no availability in RPC with my pin code would make the decision of switching real easy.....but then again with my luck, it would be available and I wouldn't know what to do . But your input has helped......thanks so much .

Glad I could help, I hope you are able to make a decision and have a fabulous vacation. I don't think you can make a bad choice here.

Regarding the food: I definitely think the GF CL food is better, and more abundant, than that at the Poly. Just my opinion, of course, but we enjoy the meats and cheeses at breakfast (which they didn't have at the Poly last time we were there), and the mid-day offerings are more substantial as well. Most of the Poly food seems to revolve around an Asian theme, so it is different in that way as well.

k&a&c'smom DD talked me into a BC split stay. It's all good. We did BCV which DH didn't like. But the kids like the pool, CL pics,etc...Tell me how I got my 6 year old hooked on the DIS I am trying to talk her into GF last, but she wants GF first-5 days GF, 3 days BC. Not booking BC yet....

We very much enjoy the BC, too! So much so that DD wanted to stay there this past trip, so we skipped our beloved GF. We've gotten to the point we hate to move for a stay of only 5-6 nights.

Good luck with your planning!

Oh I completely understand how you feel. When we first heard about the DVC we weren't all that thrilled either but after staying at BLT we are definitely looking forward to it. For us it's the best of both. The GF RPC was my very first Disney resort that I have ever stayed at and I just truly love it.

I have friends who love BLT, so I can see why you are hooked. I have to say, having a w/d in the room would be a huge bonus.

GF RPC for your first stay - tough act to follow!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser and pas130, here is the info that CaliforniaDreaming posted on page 31, post #464:

With the outer building one bedroom suite (2 queens in the bedroom), you can be in any of the outer lodge buildings. The suite in Sago Cay faces the marina, Conch Key faces toward the pool and Narcoossee's, and the Boca Chica and Big Pine Key suites face the courtyard pool. All of them are on the fifth floor.

The other type of outer building one bedroom suite (1 king in the bedroom) are only in Sago Cay, third and fourth floors with nice park views.

As we have been discussing outer building suites, I thought re-posting this info might be warranted.

 

[mickeynut1]

Glad I could help, I hope you are able to make a decision and have a fabulous vacation. I don't think you can make a bad choice here.

Regarding the food: I definitely think the GF CL food is better, and more abundant, than that at the Poly. Just my opinion, of course, but we enjoy the meats and cheeses at breakfast (which they didn't have at the Poly last time we were there), and the mid-day offerings are more substantial as well. Most of the Poly food seems to revolve around an Asian theme, so it is different in that way as well.

That's the problem....there are so many great choices that it's hard to choose .

I do remember the meats and cheeses being a big part of GF CL at breakfast, along with mozzerella cheese balls that were awesome. Did the Poly have any type of spinach dip for crackers/bread? That was one of my favorites that I just had to have every day when I was in RPC in May . Are there some things that aren't so much Asian themed at Poly CL?

Sorry for all the questions. We always go into a new resort (although in this case, not new to the Poly but new to their CL) with an open mind knowing we have to try it for ourselves to see if it's worth it for us, but it is nice to hear other people's opinions and experiences. So, thanks again for answering my questions .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mickeynut1 - when we were at the Poly CL, they didn't have any dips during mid-day. It was things like pretzels, gummies, dried banana chips and cookies. But it has been several years since we've tried their CL, so I don't have current info.

Your best bet is to ask for the details on the Poly thread. There is some info on their first page, in the Club Level section, post #10: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2762154

Good luck!

 

[pas130]

Sounds like a win win situation for all. I just saw your GF ticker and I see you have added the BC. Boy your DD sounds head strong and knows what she wants. Good for her. GF and BC is really the best of both worlds also.

She is TOO much. But she DOES get what she wants

Jungle Cruiser and pas130, here is the info that CaliforniaDreaming posted on page 31, post #464:

With the outer building one bedroom suite (2 queens in the bedroom), you can be in any of the outer lodge buildings. The suite in Sago Cay faces the marina, Conch Key faces toward the pool and Narcoossee's, and the Boca Chica and Big Pine Key suites face the courtyard pool. All of them are on the fifth floor.

The other type of outer building one bedroom suite (1 king in the bedroom) are only in Sago Cay, third and fourth floors with nice park views.

As we have been discussing outer building suites, I thought re-posting this info might be warranted.

Thank you! I knew I saw info on the thread before (last time I booked a suite) I called this morning to add BC, AND my CM said he was able to book a 2 bedroom Sugarloaf suite-which will made DD soooooo pleased. AND if a discount/FD comes out we can switch to 2 connecting SL rooms no problem! I have to start working OT NOW to pay for this trip......but it's worth it IMHO I'm glad your family enjoys BC too, because some of the reviews had me nervous....but I trust DDs judgement

 

[mickeynut1]

mickeynut1 - when we were at the Poly CL, they didn't have any dips during mid-day. It was things like pretzels, gummies, dried banana chips and cookies. But it has been several years since we've tried their CL, so I don't have current info.

Your best bet is to ask for the details on the Poly thread. There is some info on their first page, in the Club Level section, post #10: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2762154

Good luck!

Thanks .