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

[Jungle Cruiser]

Just finalized our trip plans... split stay GV/BC the week of April 16th. Can't wait! I've never stayed at the GF so we are very excited. This thread has been a wealth of information. Thank you!!
We will be staying in Sugarloaf. Are there any suggestions about the type of room to request? Floor room or higher up room?

We will be at SL the same time as you! We are arriving on 4/13. We personally like the first floor, no stairs or elevator . As k&a&c'smom said the view options are marina and courtyard pool, both wonderful but again it personal preference.

pas, waiting and watching to see if you change to a TPV Just think, no chance of a construction view then...

WDWKOOK, no word from Lulu'smom that I know about. I am sure she is having a wonderful time and between her return and your upcoming trip, we anxiously await updates!!! Are you excited yet?!!!

 

[pas130]

Just finalized our trip plans... split stay GV/BC the week of April 16th. Can't wait! I've never stayed at the GF so we are very excited. This thread has been a wealth of information. Thank you!!
We will be staying in Sugarloaf. Are there any suggestions about the type of room to request? Floor room or higher up room?

This will probably echo k&a&c'smom & junglecruiser....we stayed at SL once...had a 2nd floor pool view....perfect for us. Several fellow guests who go frequently get 1st floor to be close to the lounge. It's not a huge building...so it's all personal preference...Our kids took midday naps so IMO it was quieter being higher..congrats on your Split stay!!!

Jeanette just HAS to book TPV, right?

In one week we'll be checking in to BWI and then WL. I'm going to try and check on the DVC construction and possibly ask to see an RPC Deluxe room (if they're not too busy).

What to do...what to do.....ONE WEEK KOOK!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!

pas130 - I know many people love the TPV rooms in RPC, but to be honest, I like being closer to the lounge. Of course, you would be guaranteed not to overlook the construction, so there's that...

WDWKOOK - You are such an enabler.

One week away, so exciting! Do you stay CL at the WL? We enjoyed the cast members there, but I'm not a fan of the enclosed balconies, so we haven't booked it again. Love the Lodge, though.

You will be interested to hear (you, too, pas!) my friends who have recently returned from AKL are swaying me to switch our May trip to WDW/AKL from US/HRH. Sooo tempted!

OOOOOHHHHH AKL You know I like that....but US hotels are super nice too!!! That is tough....and KOOK is WL CL all the way....she was upgraded last year, check out her pics from pg1 on her thread....AMAZING

I am really nervous about RPC, I really don't want to disturb my neighbors.... My kids are good, but little guy has been throwing some major tantrums

But HRH and I were discussing seeing the castle from the room.....I know it's FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR away...but still........ what to do......

My Sister and I (plus the kids) have a short 3 nite trip booked in just a few weeks staying at ASMu. We are hoping for a bounceback offer of at least 35% off on deluxe resorts so we can book our fantasy dream GF vacation of a lifetime. NO KIDS!! We have been to Disney many times and have stayed at several deluxe resorts but never at the GF. If given a choice....

Which option would you choose and why?

1. Stay in a standard garden view room with the DxDp. (we love to eat!)

Or

2. Stay Sugarloaf Club level with regular DDP.

Or

3. Stay RPC Club level with no dining plan. (it's absolute heaven and worth every $ and who needs food anyway!)

We need your help deciding... TIA!!

You will NOT need much food if you stay CL......we ate one meal a day if that

gasp, you forgot to mention the afternoon tea! they have an amazing tea with the best scones i have ever had (i really dislike scones, except theirs). also, the evening assortment is so awesome, with an assortment of both hot and cold. and at breakfast, i think i remember them having oatmeal and toppings, too. check out the earlier part of this thread. CL food is awesome!

It really is...and GF has the best...esp. according to my DH

totally... cross over to the dark side... you'll never go back!

So true...so true

All for the unlimited tea and scones.

Do it!!!!!!

We will be at SL the same time as you! We are arriving on 4/13. We personally like the first floor, no stairs or elevator . As k&a&c'smom said the view options are marina and courtyard pool, both wonderful but again it personal preference.

pas, waiting and watching to see if you change to a TPV Just think, no chance of a construction view then...

Guess it's time to call CRO

 

[BC1836]

Hmm. This GF sounds like a good place to stay.

We'll be checking in on Sunday.

All the best.

 

[pas130]

Hmm. This GF sounds like a good place to stay.

We'll be checking in on Sunday.

All the best.

Safe drive down...ENJOY

 

[k&a&c'smom]

bethclayton - LOL! I can't believe I forgot the tea! I do love their scones and Devonshire cream....mmmmm.

sfmarine - Well, it is very good tea and scones.

Seriously, I hope it doesn't sound like we are saying you must do CL to have a great stay at the GF. Nothing could be further from the truth, DD and I often book garden view and have a fabulous time!

pas130 - I know, we love HRH and DD is a big fan of WWofHP! But...AKL. Pretty tough decision, I know you can relate.

Oops, meant to say - don't worry about your little guy, he'll be fine! There are other children in RPC, you won't be the only parents wrangling young ones.

BC1836 - Two more sleeps, and you will be at the Grand! Safe travels, and have a magical vacation.

 

[pas130]

pas130 - I know, we love HRH and DD is a big fan of WWofHP! But...AKL. Pretty tough decision, I know you can relate.

Oops, meant to say - don't worry about your little guy, he'll be fine! There are other children in RPC, you won't be the only parents wrangling young ones.

I know...I know...there was one night when someone banged on the wall at Sugarloaf as I was putting the kiddos to bed. It was early (for us) well before 10pm...I was mortified!!! They weren't overly loud, but we got finished with baths and they were excited. I really felt bad. That said, they were all VERY well behaved in the lounge and pools, walking etc...I guess we will see. They are kids, they are good kids, so I just have to hope DS will be too tired for screaming

I DID upgrade us to TPV Not 100% sure if it was worth it, but I am too happy t care

That is a tough choice....what does DD think??? Ugh! But nevertheless...either resort would be FABULOUS!!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - Oh my goodness! I can't believe they banged on your wall, that wasn't very nice. We've had a few episodes of noisy neighbors, but it was in the wee hours of the morning - and we didn't bang on the wall! We just hoped it would go away, lol, and did move to another room for the one instance that involved children (baby cried all night long two nights in a row, poor thing, and I think they had the crib next to the connecting door).

I'm sure everything will be fine, people should be used to excited children at WDW and at least you are considerate. One of our moments was at HRH, coincidentally, and it was ADULTS partying and watching the movie "300" with the sound cranked.

Congrats on upgrading, btw, I'm sure you'll love the view!

Still can't decide for our trip, but DD says she's been looking forward to butter beer.

 

[pas130]

Still can't decide for our trip, but DD says she's been looking forward to butter beer.

Thank you my friend I'm so excited!!! I will shamelessly resort to bribery and possibly sharing a bed to keep the kiddos on their best behavior

It sounds like DDs mind is made up

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thank you my friend I'm so excited!!! I will shamelessly resort to bribery and possibly sharing a bed to keep the kiddos on their best behavior

It sounds like DDs mind is made up

Yes, I think DD has made up her mind - it's Mom who is waffling.

 

[Lyons Family]

Been a while since I posted but, update myself daily on this thread by reading all the news.
Oh.....to think it was almost a year ago since we visited the GF.
I want so badly this year to visit in Dec. but, the Prices???
We can only get time off between Christmas and New Years.
If we booked do you think that it is worth it with the crowds and the weather?
Any thoughts about this appreciated.

Thanks ahead.
Safe travels.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello, Sue! It has been a year since our last GF stay, too, although we were at the BC last August.

I haven't been during the week between Christmas and NYE - we have been there until Christmas Eve, and for Easter week, which is similar. I can tell you I'll never book Easter week again! O. M. G. What a sea of humanity, the MK was wall-to-wall people, we brushed against others as we walked down Main Street. Reminded me of Mardis Gras weekend in the French Quarter, minus the booze.

Weather-wise, mid- to late December has been quite mild for us.

Only you can decide if the costs are worth it, but I have never booked that week due to the crowds. And the exorbitant resort rates, lol.

 

[Sfmarine]

Missed another one! This place is hoppin' today.



Either way. I like to call DRC and add it to my reservation in advance, then add it again if I do online check in (which I usually do not) and ask yet again at check in if our request was met. Nothing like being proactive!

So I will definitely be requesting Boca Chica, but will I be in view of the fireworks each night or do you need a "theme park view" for a guaranteed vantage point?

I also forgot to take into consideration of my Aunt and the handicapped room I requested for her. That was the reason I had to upgrade to a lagoon view. They had no garden view rooms left. Gf only has a limited number of those rooms available so I may be stuck and just have to go with the flow on which building they choose for us.

Maybe I can talk my way into a few free scones and admission to the infamous afternoon tea. I will definitely need to pack my bowler hat now!

 

[KCmike]

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KCmike - love the photo! Did you make a decision regarding the band trip?

Sfmarine - LOL! Well, I've not seen any bowler hats at tea, in the club lounge or the Garden View Tea Room. Plenty of red hats, but no bowlers.

The lagoon view rooms in Boca Chica will face the lagoon (heh), with most having an angled view of the MK (you look to your left, in other words). Those that have a good, unobstructed view will be sold as theme park view. Any that are still considered lagoon view may have some view of the fireworks, but it will likely be obstructed - by a tree, in most cases.

I wish I had some insight about the accessible rooms. BCV23 is our resident expert, but she hasn't been on as much lately. If she is still reading, perhaps she can give you an idea how many of these rooms are available in BC.

 

[KCmike]

KCmike - love the photo! Did you make a decision regarding the band trip?

Not yet. Have until the end of the month. If we had to decide right now the kids really don't want to go. I hope they don't just hear us parents talking about the cost.

 

[lulu0506]

Can anyone tell me how far away the self parking lot is? I have read in a few places that it is a really far walk to the main building. What is the charge per night for valet?
As always... thank you all!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Hi KCMike! It's been awhile, and as always the picture is wonderful. I can just feel my bare feet in the soft white sand! Good luck with your decision about the band trip, hopefully the answer will just easily present itself!

lulu0506, the self parking lot at the GF is a bit of a walk. It wouldn't seem so bad, except it is far in comparison to the self parking at other resorts we have stayed at. Sorry, I can't help you with the cost of valet parking, I am sure someone else will chime in.

 

[Sfmarine]

I think the valet is about $15 per day or so plus gratuity.

Speaking of parking, are there handicapped locations close to GF or if you plan to self park is it in the same lot but just a bit closer?

 

[bethclayton]

should i be freaking out? we still have not received anything in the mail (coupon book, luggage tags, etc.). we are over a week past the 30 day mark and live in a suburb of a major metro area where mail delivery is definitely not slow.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KCmike - aww, I hope so, too, I'm sure you don't want to dampen their enthusiasm. Good luck with your decision.

lulu0506 - As Jungle Cruiser posted, the walk is a bit of a hike but the sore point is the closer proximity of nearly every other WDW resort self park! I have a link for an aerial view that may help you with the distance; if you scroll slightly to the left you can see the self park (grey lot) across the road from the larger valet lot (blacktop) near the entrance and monorail line. http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5219444 The last time we used it a couple years ago, the grey lot was divided by concrete parking curbs; the half nearer the bottom of the screen was for employee parking, for guest parking you had to go to the entrance further up the road.

Valet parking was still $12/night when we used it last year. It could have gone up, but I haven't heard about an increase.

HTH!

Sfmarine - there is accessible parking closer to the entrance, but I think you are given valet free if one of your party is in a wheelchair. I'll see if I can find that info and get back to you. (or, if BCV23 pops in, she can answer that, too )