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

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I'm planning to post my thoughts/review on our stay but in the meantime, here are some pictures! Overall we had a great trip and really enjoyed the GF. Our only regret is that we didn't stay longer, but isn't that always the case?!

View from our room, 5th floor of Boca Chica:

Our room:

(my favorite spot in the room)

View of construction the day we got there:

Walking path to the Poly. For a construction barrier, I thought it looked pretty good! It was obvious they put alot into the landscaping around it:

Birthday card and truffles:

Boca Chica (we were the middle of those three dormers on the 5th floor):

cont'd in next post

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Flowers outside 1900 PF:

Night views from Commander's Terrace:

Pool barriers:

Construction view on the day we left - you can see something now rising up above the barriers - the framing maybe?

Richard sending us off on the DME:

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello GF lovers!

We are excited to try out the GF on our upcoming June multi-split stay trip. We are currently booked in SL but are considering upgrading to RPC. I am really interested in TPV but unfortunately it isn't available, so I am wondering if there is anywhere in the lounge area that offers a view of Wishes.

Also, if I do upgrade what should I request to hopefully dodge a construction view.

TIA!

Hello back!! You might be able to see some of the fireworks from the far side of the atrium, there are chairs along those windows. I'll add a photo so you can see what I mean. Not a good view, but some.

If you have a standard RPC room booked, just ask IPO for a courtyard view room. I posted a photo a page or so back of this view.

Thanks so much to those who helped answer my questions. I think I have decided to stay in the Lodge Twer room we are booked. 15 days until our first GF stay !! I cant wait

OMG Im such a pain just when I think I have made a decision I root through a few more posts and then change my mind and rethink it again !! One more question from a King Deluxe Main Bldg can we see fireworks ? What about Sugar Loaf can you see fireworks from your room ?

You are in good company, many of us are indecisive. (pas, I'm lookin' at you!)

There are 9 king deluxe rooms that are on the 2nd floor over Gasparilla's, the same area as the TPV rooms on the 3rd and 4th floor. You should have a decent view of the fireworks from any of these rooms (one or two may have a tree partially blocking, not sure). There are 6 turret king deluxe rooms on the other end of the building, 3 of which are located over the courtyard/themed pool area. These 3 will have a good fireworks view, the upper 2 having the best. The 3 turret rooms that overlook the monorail (above the check in desk and M. Mouse Mercantile) will not have a fireworks view.

So - pretty good chance you'll get some sort of Wishes view in a king deluxe. Good luck with your choice!

They did replenish and we had plenty, although we didn't get any body wash while we were there, just shampoo, conditioner and lotion. I was wishing there was body wash because I didn't bring any.

This won't help you now, but I'm pretty sure you can request the body wash. It is usually only supplied in the CL rooms, but there are other CL amenities we have asked for and gotten from mousekeeping. (toothbrush/paste)

If there is any sundry item you forget, or would like in your room, it never hurts to call and ask mousekeeping to send it up. For instance, we always call for more hangers, as we hang most of our clothes. The drawer space at GF is pitiful.

LOVED your photos, I see you got a shot of our favorite greeter.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

i_heart_the_mouse - Here is the photo I promised. These windows are on the 4th floor with the lounge, overlooking the courtyard. If you sit near these windows you will likely see some of Wishes.

Next is a photo of the balcony off the 3rd floor (just under those windows), which may give a decent view; we haven't been out there during the fireworks, so I can't be sure how good it is. (lower floor, so maybe only the higher fireworks)

HTH!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Thank you so much for your help! Those photos are gorgeous!!! Wishes or not, I want that.

Off to phone CRO to upgrade.

Oh, one more quick question. When you stay RPC you have access to the SL lounge, right? It would be nice to be able to pop in for a drink or snack when we are hanging by the pool (fully clothed and dry of course,... I've seen some reports of some not so tactful people but I usually stay out with my DD1)

Thanks again

 

[bethclayton]

Awesome pics, little stinkerbelle!

We are having a lazy day at the lounge after a morning at HS. I took some lounge pics and thought I would post.

View of lounge, from a table

View of lobby from 4th floor

View from window in lounge near tables off to the side

View from 4th floor

View from 4th floor, castle in background

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Great pictures LittleStinkerbell and Bethclayton! I am supposed to be on my way home to today buy, but because of the really crummy weather all the way up the east coast my husband suggested I stay an extra day and fly home tomorrow. No need to twist my arm!

I had to change rooms in SL, which was fine. I am happy to say they gave me the AP rate for the extra night, without even asking, since the rest of my stay was booked on the AP rate.

Since it's Sunday night, Christian, my favorite piano player is playing. I plan enjoying some Twilight Refreshers and then relaxing in the lobby

I am sorry we didn't meet littlestinkerbelle, but I agree the weather cut down on the pool time. Hope you had a safe trip home!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Great pics LittleStinkerbell and bethclayton!

Officially upgraded to RPC and I can not wait to try out this beautiful resort

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

This won't help you now, but I'm pretty sure you can request the body wash. It is usually only supplied in the CL rooms, but there are other CL amenities we have asked for and gotten from mousekeeping. (toothbrush/paste)

If there is any sundry item you forget, or would like in your room, it never hurts to call and ask mousekeeping to send it up. For instance, we always call for more hangers, as we hang most of our clothes. The drawer space at GF is pitiful.

LOVED your photos, I see you got a shot of our favorite greeter.

Oh shoot, I wish I'd known!! Good to know for next time, thanks for the tip! Glad you liked the pictures. Richard is the sweetest, I'm glad we got to see him.

Great pictures LittleStinkerbell and Bethclayton! I am supposed to be on my way home to today buy, but because of the really crummy weather all the way up the east coast my husband suggested I stay an extra day and fly home tomorrow. No need to twist my arm!

I had to change rooms in SL, which was fine. I am happy to say they gave me the AP rate for the extra night, without even asking, since the rest of my stay was booked on the AP rate.

Since it's Sunday night, Christian, my favorite piano player is playing. I plan enjoying some Twilight Refreshers and then relaxing in the lobby

I am sorry we didn't meet littlestinkerbelle, but I agree the weather cut down on the pool time. Hope you had a safe trip home!

Congrats on the extra night - fun!!! How is the weather been down there since yesterday? It's a rainy mess up here today, which makes re-entry even worse! Doing laundry now and playing with my PhotoPass pics.

Sorry our paths didn't cross this time around but I enjoyed reading your updates. We probably could've almost waved across to each other from our balconies! Have a safe trip home tomorrow.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Great pics LittleStinkerbell and bethclayton!

Officially upgraded to RPC and I can not wait to try out this beautiful resort

I'm glad you liked the pictures. Congrats on RPC!!! Awesome!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I heart the mouse, I forgot to answer you question. I understand if you are staying in the RPC you can come into SL, but not the reverse. The SL lounge is very convenient to the pool, you should definitely take advantage of it.

 

[ukintheus]

Thanks to everyone for all the info in this thread and for all the recent trip updates on construction and state of the monorail. Question for all of you GF experts as this will be our first stay. We are currently booked in SL. They still have AP discounts for a standard CL room in RPC but it didn't look by the description that any standard rooms have a king bed. Thinking of switching, but if a king isn't even an option then I'll probably leave our ressie as it is. BWI is our fav up til now but I have a feeling that we'll love GF too. It's just DH and I, so any preferences for a couple for RPC over SL would be interesting to hear too. TIA

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

I'm glad you liked the pictures. Congrats on RPC!!! Awesome!

Thanks! Now if only June would get here!

I heart the mouse, I forgot to answer you question. I understand if you are staying in the RPC you can come into SL, but not the reverse. The SL lounge is very convenient to the pool, you should definitely take advantage of it.

Thanks for your help! Lucky you to get an extra Disney (and GF!) day!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I'm glad you liked the pictures. Congrats on RPC!!! Awesome!

LittleStinkerbelle ~ was that Boca Chicago room considered GV? I don't know much about the views at GF...

And, did I see somewhere in this thread that you can't access the zero entry part of the pool now, because of the construction walls?

And does GF not have a bus to Epcot because it has the monorail??

Sorry, obviously I'm not too knowledgable about GF...

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

LittleStinkerbelle,you are so right, we could have waved from our balconies! The weather here has finally cleared and the humidity gone. It's more like the weather at the beginning of the week.

Mousemommy1, it's good to see you over on this thread! A lot of the GV rooms overlook the courtyard pool at the GF. K&a&c'smom posted a map on the first page of this thread which shows the layout. Sago Cay's GV rooms do not overlook the pool, nor does one side of Sugar Loaf. As for the zero entry pool, you can either swim to the zero entry end or there is a small pathway and a small area of concrete between the pool and the walls. Finally, no EPCOT bus, unless the monorail is down .

Sitting out on the balcony relaxing, having just gotten a call from my DH we have lost power at home.

 

[Mousemommy1]

LittleStinkerbelle,you are so right, we could have waved from our balconies! The weather here has finally cleared and the humidity gone. It's more like the weather at the beginning of the week.

Mousemommy1, it's good to see you over on this thread! A lot of the GV rooms overlook the courtyard pool at the GF. K&a&c'smom posted a map on the first page of this thread which shows the layout. Sago Cay's GV rooms do not overlook the pool, nor does one side of Sugar Loaf. As for the zero entry pool, you can either swim to the zero entry end or there is a small pathway and a small area of concrete between the pool and the walls. Finally, no EPCOT bus, unless the monorail is down .

Sitting out on the balcony relaxing, having just gotten a call from my DH we have lost power at home.

Thanks JC!!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - how awesome you were able to extend your stay, woohoo! Sorry for the bad weather back home, and the power outage, but you reap the benefits. Way to go on the continued AP rate, they are very good about that in my experience.

i_heart_the_mouse - LOL! Many posters make the decision after seeing photos of the lovely areas in RPC! Kudos on your RPC booking, you are going to love the CL and the resort, so beautiful.

bethclayton - Thanks for the photos, very nice. I especially love the one of the sofas and TV, as you can see the mini-atrium above on the 5th floor! DD and I love to look over those railings to see what's being served before popping down the stairs.

LittleStinkerbelle - sorry for the nasty weather, always a bummer when you are trying to get back in the swing. Definitely keep the toiletries in mind for next trip - we love the body wash!

I forgot to say what a beautiful view you had in Boca Chica!! As I posted to Jungle Cruiser, that view would almost make a dormer balcony worth it!

Mousemommy1 - Welcome! No worries, we're here to help. Ask away!

I wanted to add to Jungle Cruiser's great info and say there are very few bad views at the GF. A garden view room is the lowest category, and it includes garden, pool and marina views. The worst view, IMO, is of the courtyard pool buildings, but even those rooms are not as bad as, say, a parking lot view.

There are some rooms that overlook the grassy, landscaped area behind Sago Cay, and these rooms, though further away from the action, can be interesting for the view of the monorail line.

Due to the majority of pretty views in this category, I do not consider a lagoon view room to be a good value. You get a view of the SSL, but don't get the expansive view of the gorgeous resort!

Thanks to everyone for all the info in this thread and for all the recent trip updates on construction and state of the monorail. Question for all of you GF experts as this will be our first stay. We are currently booked in SL. They still have AP discounts for a standard CL room in RPC but it didn't look by the description that any standard rooms have a king bed. Thinking of switching, but if a king isn't even an option then I'll probably leave our ressie as it is. BWI is our fav up til now but I have a feeling that we'll love GF too. It's just DH and I, so any preferences for a couple for RPC over SL would be interesting to hear too. TIA

Welcome! Congrats on your first GF stay, I think you will love the resort.

Not positive, but I'm pretty sure we have seen king beds in standard RPC rooms as we pass by in the hallway. I think someone even posted a photo of one in the thread somewhere, I'll try to search for it. If bethclayton is still there, she might be able to ask an RPC CM, to be sure.

SL is very nice, and we wouldn't hesitate to book it again if the budget allowed. You get everything the same as RPC (even some of the same cast members), the only real difference is the building and ambiance. SL is more of a laid back, homey vibe and it can get busy at breakfast. The lounge in SL is smaller, and closer together than in RPC. RPC tends to be more quiet, in my experience, and you get the extra benefit of listening to the music in the evening as you sip your wine and nosh.

We adore RPC, and if we could, we would book it every trip! As it is, we have to be content with a visit now and then, when there's a good discount and/or we plan to spend most of our time at the resort.

 

[pas130]

You are in good company, many of us are indecisive. (pas, I'm lookin' at you!)

Shocker I wish there was a RPC TPV available with the discount....those RPC King rooms make me nervous...

Officially upgraded to RPC and I can not wait to try out this beautiful resort

And tell us all about it......

Great pictures LittleStinkerbell and Bethclayton! I am supposed to be on my way home to today buy, but because of the really crummy weather all the way up the east coast my husband suggested I stay an extra day and fly home tomorrow. No need to twist my arm!

I had to change rooms in SL, which was fine. I am happy to say they gave me the AP rate for the extra night, without even asking, since the rest of my stay was booked on the AP rate.

Since it's Sunday night, Christian, my favorite piano player is playing. I plan enjoying some Twilight Refreshers and then relaxing in the lobby

I am sorry we didn't meet littlestinkerbelle, but I agree the weather cut down on the pool time. Hope you had a safe trip home!

YAY for an extra GF day Safe travels home today!

bethclayton & littlestinkerbell Great pics


Speaking of pics...where's KCMike been?

hi candace nice to see you

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - aww, I'm sorry one bad experience has made you so anxious. I don't blame you, though, we refuse to book the last flight anywhere, after a bad situation on a flight to Chicago a few years ago.

ukintheus - I did a search, and the discussion I remembered is going on for 3 pages (interspersed with other discussion) on pages 172, 173 & 174!

Jungle Cruiser posted a photo of her 4th floor TPV king room, we had some discussion about it and the deluxe kings, and finally Lulu'sMom posted her chat with cast members about the standard kings. Here is what she had to say:

"OK, there IS some of the STANDARD main building RPC rooms that are king, two that are in the old "deluxe queen" layout and they took out the queens and put a king into them. These are on floors 3/4 and by the king turrets by the monorail. You can request these as a KING BED when booking a standard room MAIN building."

Keep in mind, the rooms she describes will be overlooking the monorail AND the beach pool, so some construction may be in sight. Most likely, they are too far toward the front of the resort, though, and only the screening around the beach pool and beach will be visible.

HTH!

 

[ukintheus]

Welcome! Congrats on your first GF stay, I think you will love the resort.

Not positive, but I'm pretty sure we have seen king beds in standard RPC rooms as we pass by in the hallway. I think someone even posted a photo of one in the thread somewhere, I'll try to search for it. If bethclayton is still there, she might be able to ask an RPC CM, to be sure.

SL is very nice, and we wouldn't hesitate to book it again if the budget allowed. You get everything the same as RPC (even some of the same cast members), the only real difference is the building and ambiance. SL is more of a laid back, homey vibe and it can get busy at breakfast. The lounge in SL is smaller, and closer together than in RPC. RPC tends to be more quiet, in my experience, and you get the extra benefit of listening to the music in the evening as you sip your wine and nosh.

We adore RPC, and if we could, we would book it every trip! As it is, we have to be content with a visit now and then, when there's a good discount and/or we plan to spend most of our time at the resort.

ukintheus - I did a search, and the discussion I remembered is going on for 3 pages (interspersed with other discussion) on pages 172, 173 & 174!

Jungle Cruiser posted a photo of her 4th floor TPV king room, we had some discussion about it and the deluxe kings, and finally Lulu'sMom posted her chat with cast members about the standard kings. Here is what she had to say:

"OK, there IS some of the STANDARD main building RPC rooms that are king, two that are in the old "deluxe queen" layout and they took out the queens and put a king into them. These are on floors 3/4 and by the king turrets by the monorail. You can request these as a KING BED when booking a standard room MAIN building."

Keep in mind, the rooms she describes will be overlooking the monorail AND the beach pool, so some construction may be in sight. Most likely, they are too far toward the front of the resort, though, and only the screening around the beach pool and beach will be visible.

HTH!

Thank you so much for the info. I will go back and look through the entire conversation, but from your highlights above, I think I might just leave us in SL for now. You know how it is when you haven't stayed at a particular resort before - I keep second guessing what I "think" we will want. Thanks again for taking the time & remembering the previous posts.