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

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks so much, that's exactly the info I was hoping to find! Now I just have to pick the right weekend, and hope I can find a way to get my dad to take off work without giving it away. Her 50th is next month, and I was hoping to do a Keys to the Kingdom tour as a surprise, which I can't keep my mouth shut and have told her about it, haha ... so hopefully I can actually keep my mouth shut until Christmas with this!

I'm back again for another clarification! I don't think I made it clear that the dates for removal of the Christmas decorations can vary each year. This was my experience, but I have friends who have seen them up through (and even past) the first week of January. No way to know in advance what day they will come down, just like when they go up in November. Each year is slightly different.

I hope any other DISers with early January experience can post about their trips.

bluejasmine - High five on the savings!

 

[mickeynut1]

That's why I'm glad I'm room only....I have up to 5 days...

would it surprise you t know I switched from AoA to RPC

I have to announce on the RC thread, but a discount is a discount...and it'd HRHs birthday wish

Having up to 5 days can be a good thing......or a very bad thing ......the 45 days for a package usually keeps my changing within reason (somewhat ).....so if I booked room only I would definitely be in trouble .

Congrats on booking RPC......you're gonna love it .

Just called and I had a pin so my reservation just dropped $200! Using that towards sept trip with 30% at BC hoping I'll get my annual 40% for sept too!

 

[quandrea]

Do you have any pictures of the third floor balcony?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Do you have any pictures of the third floor balcony?

Welcome! Yes, I do. I posted it a few pages back, but can't remember the page number - I'll post it again now.
This was taken from the 5th floor hallway, or maybe from our fifth floor deluxe room, can't remember which

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

What can I say, i'm trendy like that.....speaking of teary eyed....see my announcement

They are going fast. I called to see if I could book one for HRHs surprise trip in Sept...there's a 20% off code(30% at Epcot resorts ) but the closet was booked until 2014.....JK......would it surprise you t know I switched from AoA to RPC

All I have to say is:

CoachBagFanatic - Awww, I'm glad you are returning to your favorite resort.

Me too. It's a long time overdue.

 

[quandrea]

Welcome! Yes, I do. I posted it a few pages back, but can't remember the page number - I'll post it again now.
This was taken from the 5th floor hallway, or maybe from our fifth floor deluxe room, can't remember which

thanks for the quick reply. I'm thinking of having a intimate dining experience there with my dh and three kids, 8, 3, and 3. Do you know anything about that experience and would you recommend it? It looks like a lovely spot.

 

[followthatmouse]

Hey, all!

Last year we made a room only booking for the GF for December 2012. We attempted to pay the whole amount but something was jamming the works and they would only accept the deposit amount. We made a subsequent booking to extend our stay a week and managed to pay the full amount on that booking. So, we attempted to pay the remaining amount on the original booking. Again, no joy. The CM asked her manager. The manager couldn't put a finger on any reason for the problem. But, the system was not accepting payment for that particular booking.

We even asked our card company if there was any reason or problem connected with our card. The company couldn't find any reason for it. So, we left it for a while. A week ago I called again. Apparently, there was a problem with the system and the CM said she couldn't pull up the booking. Before you ask, yes, we have a confirmed booking. She suggested that we call in a couple of days. We did. This time they found the booking, but their credit card machine was down. We will try again tonight. I have never had so many problems in trying to give somebody money. Has anyone experienced anything similar? End of rant. Sorry.

It's a cold, rainy Autumn day down here. This is always a wonderful thread for drying off and warming up.

 

[reginaastralis]

a&k&c'smom - I completely understand that it tends to vary with removal. I was pretty sure it was around the 2nd, which is my daughter's birthday and we've been to Disney on that day and it's almost disappointing that Christmas is over.

I'm leaning towards 12/29-12/31 if I do it so my mom can see the decorations and it's actually their anniversary, or waiting until the second week of Jan (my dad only has a seasonal pass, so he'd be blocked out from actually going to the parks, which is kinda lame.) I guess I should have worked harder to convince my mom to get my dad a year round pass, because I managed to convince her to get one so we can go over the summer together. lol.

Thanks again! This thread is very informational!

 

[PrincessShanShan]

I was in WDW Marathon weekend 2010. I'm pretty sure it was Jan. 7-10. Some Christmas decorations were still up. I remember the trees still being up at EPCOT and MK. I don't know about the studios or AK. Some of the resorts still had trees up to, but it was hit and miss. I know they were in the process of taking everything down, but I still got to see a few decorations and enjoy them.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

We were there this past holiday season and the Gingerbread House came down overnight between the 1st and the 2nd. Honestly, I don't remeber but I believe the tree did also. We moved over to the BC on the 2nd and their decorations were still up when we left on the 7th. I am guessing they take down the decorations at one resort each night. However nothing came down before NYE.

One fun thing the afternoon before they took down the Gingerbread house, they were giving away free cookies and treats from the house to everyone in the lobby. We even saw the manager give a family with small children one of the gingerbread houses they sell! It was a very festive afternoon in the lobby!

 

[mindy20]

I can hardly wait only 4 more sleeps until we arrive at GF !! This is my dream hotel and Im so excited to be staying here. Thanks so much to all the wonderful people on this board who have answered a zillion questions from me over the last 6 months on the GF, it is greatly appreciated !!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Mindy20 - You are welcome, we're here to help! Your trip is nearly here, so exciting.

PrincessShanShan - a friend related the same experience, the tree up on the 8th, gone by the 9th. I'm always amazed at how that works! Disney elves strike again.

Jungle Cruiser - that does sound festive, what a nice thing for guests who made the trip after the holidays. They still got a taste of Christmas cheer.

reginaastralis - I'm so glad I didn't muddle the issue. Lately I've been a bit off when putting my thoughts in writing, I blame sleep deprivation (not old age or anything). My poor doggie has storm phobia, and we've had a lot of storms the past couple weeks.

I think your dad can upgrade to the regular AP from his restricted AP, if you decide to choose the later weekend. I'm not familiar with the FL resident passes, but I know you can upgrade multi-day to an AP, and APs to Premium APs.

thanks for the quick reply. I'm thinking of having a intimate dining experience there with my dh and three kids, 8, 3, and 3. Do you know anything about that experience and would you recommend it? It looks like a lovely spot.

I have not done it, but have a few friends who in past years have booked various private events for the 3rd floor balcony - dinner, tea, etc. They have all enjoyed it very much.

Hey, all!

....It's a cold, rainy Autumn day down here. This is always a wonderful thread for drying off and warming up.

Sorry for the cold and rain, glad up here we are heading into summer rather than winter!

No need to apologize, your struggle with paying the balance must be frustrating! I'm not sure what they've got going on lately, but so many people have been reporting billing issues, and not just at the WDW resorts. I've been reading on the US/IOA forums (I'm defecting to the darkside next week, keep it under your hat! ) and they have been experiencing odd billing issues, too. Not what anyone wants to deal with on vacation.

I hope they get your problem straightened out, and you are able to make your long journey without that headache to look forward to.

 

[pas130]

All I have to say is:

Hey, all!

Last year we made a room only booking for the GF for December 2012. We attempted to pay the whole amount but something was jamming the works and they would only accept the deposit amount. We made a subsequent booking to extend our stay a week and managed to pay the full amount on that booking. So, we attempted to pay the remaining amount on the original booking. Again, no joy. The CM asked her manager. The manager couldn't put a finger on any reason for the problem. But, the system was not accepting payment for that particular booking.

We even asked our card company if there was any reason or problem connected with our card. The company couldn't find any reason for it. So, we left it for a while. A week ago I called again. Apparently, there was a problem with the system and the CM said she couldn't pull up the booking. Before you ask, yes, we have a confirmed booking. She suggested that we call in a couple of days. We did. This time they found the booking, but their credit card machine was down. We will try again tonight. I have never had so many problems in trying to give somebody money. Has anyone experienced anything similar? End of rant. Sorry.

It's a cold, rainy Autumn day down here. This is always a wonderful thread for drying off and warming up.

I had a hard time paying my US hotel last summer...glad your reservation is at least still intact...cold rainy here too. Not like May at all

I can hardly wait only 4 more sleeps until we arrive at GF !! This is my dream hotel and Im so excited to be staying here. Thanks so much to all the wonderful people on this board who have answered a zillion questions from me over the last 6 months on the GF, it is greatly appreciated !!

AWESOME!!!

I've been reading on the US/IOA forums (I'm defecting to the darkside next week, keep it under your hat! )

Next week!! WOW!

 

[pas130]

Forgot to announce that the discounted RPC TPV room was available yesterda, so I upgraded!! No construction view for HRH

 

[k&a&c'smom]

....Next week!! WOW!

I know! Can't wait! We are 3 nights Hard Rock and then 3 nights Portofino Bay, we've never stayed at PBH so it will be fun trying a new resort.

Forgot to announce that the discounted RPC TPV room was available yesterda, so I upgraded!! No construction view for HRH

 

[bethclayton]

Forgot to announce that the discounted RPC TPV room was available yesterda, so I upgraded!! No construction view for HRH

sounds great! it doesn't get any better than that!

I can hardly wait only 4 more sleeps until we arrive at GF !! This is my dream hotel and Im so excited to be staying here. Thanks so much to all the wonderful people on this board who have answered a zillion questions from me over the last 6 months on the GF, it is greatly appreciated !!

only one more day! so excited for you! have a fabulous trip and be sure to let us know how you liked it there!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Forgot to announce that the discounted RPC TPV room was available yesterda, so I upgraded!! No construction view for HRH

Happy for you all on the TPV RPC. That's cause for:

I know! Can't wait! We are 3 nights Hard Rock and then 3 nights Portofino Bay, we've never stayed at PBH so it will be fun trying a new resort.

We have stayed at both the HRH & the PBH and PBH is our favorite. We've had several different room types at the PBH and they are great. I do have to say that my favorite room is the 1 bdrm villa with Harbor View. The standard and deluxe rooms are very nice as well. I love the bathrooms as they are very spacious. The pool is nice and my DH and DS like the slide. We really liked the pizza at Sal's Market but I have to say that no matter what we order at Sal's the food was always good. There's the Gelateria which is connected to Sal's and they have the best Gelato we have ever had.

They only reason why we stayed at the HRH was for our DS so we gave it a try. The HRH was nice and it was very busy. We really liked our room (King Suite) but I didn't like our shower. There was no tub just a shower stall (not very big) which made it very difficult to shave my legs. The pool is great but gets crowded so this is why we rented a cabana. The cabana's at the HRH are nice and you can rent them from 10:00 AM to midnight. The pool and cabana attendants are great as well and the food was delish. I wouldn't mind staying at the HRH again.

Did you start packing yet? pas130 and I have talked about this before, Right pas.

 

[pas130]

Happy for you all on the TPV RPC. That's cause for:



We have stayed at both the HRH & the PBH and PBH is our favorite. We've had several different room types at the PBH and they are great. I do have to say that my favorite room is the 1 bdrm villa with Harbor View. The standard and deluxe rooms are very nice as well. I love the bathrooms as they are very spacious. The pool is nice and my DH and DS like the slide. We really liked the pizza at Sal's Market but I have to say that no matter what we order at Sal's the food was always good. There's the Gelateria which is connected to Sal's and they have the best Gelato we have ever had.

They only reason why we stayed at the HRH was for our DS so we gave it a try. The HRH was nice and it was very busy. We really liked our room (King Suite) but I didn't like our shower. There was no tub just a shower stall (not very big) which made it very difficult to shave my legs. The pool is great but gets crowded so this is why we rented a cabana. The cabana's at the HRH are nice and you can rent them from 10:00 AM to midnight. The pool and cabana attendants are great as well and the food was delish. I wouldn't mind staying at the HRH again.

Thanks!I really liked Sal's when we stayed at PBH

sounds great! it doesn't get any better than that!

I know!!!!! The best for me & my baby girl

I know! Can't wait! We are 3 nights Hard Rock and then 3 nights Portofino Bay, we've never stayed at PBH so it will be fun trying a new resort.

It will be fantastic!!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks, pas, we can't wait!! Your trip is right around the corner.

CoachBagFanatic - thanks for the PBH info, very helpful! We have a garden view booked, but are LoewsFirst members, so maybe we'll end up with an upgrade. We love HRH, and RPR was great, too, so I'm hoping we love PBH even more.

LOL about the shower stall, reminds me of DD when she was in the college dorm - her biggest complaint was she couldn't shave her legs.

I have not started packing, you have hit on my dirty little secret - I'm a last minute packer! I try to start early, but usually have favorite items that need to be washed and packed the day before. If I start too soon, I forget what's in the suitcase and have to take it all out to be sure I have what I need. It's a problem, I know.

To keep this (somewhat) on topic - have you noticed how much shallower the US hotel pools are compared to WDW? I did not remember it at HRH, but noticed on US threads that they are rarely over 4 ft. deep - some are 3-1/2! I love the 6 ft. section in the GF courtyard pool, we often hang out there until we are pruney.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

We are booking a standard room and saw a note that not all rooms have full balconies? How can I tell what location to request to insure I get one? I apologize in advance because I'm sure it's already referenced in this thread but I have not been able to find anything. Thanks!