The *NEW* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa FAQ thread (Nov 2007)

[suzi2]

Vbarry,

I know this doesn't answer your question about storing gifts; however, my family just stayed GF RPL 12/16-12/23. When we were leaving on the 23rd, we saw many families checking in and saw quite a few artificial trees coming in. I just thought it was a nice idea since they were going to be there for the holiday that they brought a 4 foot artificial tree w/ them. Some other nice "holiday" touches were some of our neighbors hung Christmas cards on their door and we saw some people who hooked battery operated string lights on either their stroller or balcony. Although, it's not as though Disney lacks for decorations. - hope you enjoy your holiday trip -

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney, you mentioned (and I don't know how to do the quote thing--sorry) about if you're not happy with a room assignment, to ask for another. I would be prone to do this, and am wondering if you've done it, and how you went about it. Did you walk to your room and see it and then go back down and ask, or were you educated prior to check-in to be able to look at a map and know you would like to move? I'd probably want to walk to the room and check it out, but then that means DH has to lug all the luggage up and then he would not be too happy with me for making him move, even though we'd not unpacked. Do you know what I mean? Just wondering the best way to handle the situation. We've booked GV for our first-time GF October stay.

The way check in goes, is that they will hand you a resort map and X off where your room is located. So make sure you have an idea of where you'd prefer to be before you arrive. I did this at our last YC stay. I booked a GV and requested a gazebo view so as not to face the parking lot.(I've stayed there plenty of times so I knew the options)CM handed me the map and said our view is of the Admiral Pool. I just nicely asked if I could please have a gazebo view - I really don't think they look at CRO requsts! - so he did some typing and got me an even better view than I asked for. I have also found myself in rooms I was not happy with due to something specific to that room....dirty, tiny balcony (at BC), double beds (BC)... I spoke up right away before bell services unloaded all our stuff. They've even assisted me by calling the front desk for me and getting me a diff room assignment....I've done it at WDW and elsewhere. It's never been any problem and I"ve always been nice about it, but I'd rather spend my vacation happy with what I am getting for the money than feeling down about it.


Sheli, sure I'll try and take pics. There are some fun boats there that you can rent for about $45/ per 1/2 hour....the Boston Whalers and Pontoon boats. ...edited to add...hmmm that woudl be expensive for 2 hrs though...they could hang out in the arcade for a bit, too....?? Enjoy! Oooppsss edited again because now that i think about it, maybe it's $45/hr. ??? I will find out for ya.

Vbarry, yes they can store your presents and they also will mail them back home for you. I UPSed a box down and then used that same box to send it all back home. You just fill out a form and they take it from there. I ordered the Xmas tree from WDW florist...it is expensive and I was leary about the cost, but it is BEAUTIFUL. I brought it out again this year and will for years to come. It was MY souvenier. I also bougth a Mickey Mouse wreath and hung it on our door, some Mickey/Minnie Xmas lights and strung them over the sliders, and we hung our Disney stockings up, too. I would do it again but my kids say NO. They enjoy our home Christmas.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Thanks for the great and helpful answers to my question!

 

[mickey2]

I am looking for information on where the Magic Kingdom view is

 

[goofygal531]

Lives4Disney: Channing, thank you so much for mentioning that you locked your Ipod and HOW to unlock it!!!

My DH's Ipod was not working just now and I asked him is it locked? Try holding down two buttons (I forgot which two you said) and in a few seconds, his Ipod was back on. He was shocked that I knew how to unlock it!! I no nothing about gadgets!

I explained to him, remember the other night at 1am you asked why I was still on the computer? I was reading the entire GF thread (still haven't finished, made it to pg 133) well that's where I learned how to unlock the Ipod!

Thank you so much!

I LOVE the personal chit-chat in addition to the GF info!

Mare

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney: Channing, thank you so much for mentioning that you locked your Ipod and HOW to unlock it!!!

My DH's Ipod was not working just now and I asked him is it locked? Try holding down two buttons (I forgot which two you said) and in a few seconds, his Ipod was back on. He was shocked that I knew how to unlock it!! I no nothing about gadgets!

I explained to him, remember the other night at 1am you asked why I was still on the computer? I was reading the entire GF thread (still haven't finished, made it to pg 133) well that's where I learned how to unlock the Ipod!

Thank you so much!

I LOVE the personal chit-chat in addition to the GF info!

Mare

Yay! Glad that could help!!! I was SO MAD!!! Here I was, on a rare trip without DH and DS17 and I have gadget troubles!!!!! That's the one thing I need them for!!

Channing

 

[padisneylover]

OK ignore the banners at the bottom since they are wrong

As of yesterday I am changing resorts. DH and I stayed RPC level last year at the GF and fell in love with it and were spoiled rotten by housekeeping. So after much thought I have moved my reservations to the GF with a MK view for May. We will have to spend our first two night at the Poly since the GF is sold out.

In December it will be our 35th wedding anniversary and I really wanted to stay RPC but it is sold out already for our dates. Would you recommend
A. Sugar Loaf or B. Magic Kingdom View with the deluxe package. My DH has dementia and a lot of noise increases his symptoms so I was hoping that someone here could help me decide which is a better choice. He had no problems with the RPC level last year or the parks. Basically it is at night when he is trying to sleep that noise is a factor.

By the way I am on page 35 of this new thread and it is wonderful and full of information.

 

[goofygal531]

I have ADR for breakfast (which I didn't love 3 years ago, thought the food was a little lacking, the selection wasn't as grand as Crystal Palace or Chef Mickeys). I'm only doing the breakfast for convenience, my DH has his Richard Petty Driving thing that afternoon and I figured right after breakfast the kids and I could go to the pool while DH finds his way to the track.

I've been reading how much fun dinner is and you guys got me thinking, Would it look funny going here with my two sons? My DS4 loves the princesses, he has such a crush on Cinderella. But truthfully, DH and I want to see the step sisters and step mom!! We saw them in Nov outside the castle and WOW did they have scary looks on their faces!!

Also, how's the dinner selection? As grand as the other places???

Off GF topic, we're going to spend one morning at DTD to shop (I have a DH who loves to shop! ) I have ADR for lunch at Fulton's Crab House, but saw the food picture thread with photos from Raglan Road and the fish and chips looked delish! Has anyone been to either restaurants and could give me a recommendation?

Thanks!
Mare

 

[Lives4Disney]

OK ignore the banners at the bottom since they are wrong

As of yesterday I am changing resorts. DH and I stayed RPC level last year at the GF and fell in love with it and were spoiled rotten by housekeeping. So after much thought I have moved my reservations to the GF with a MK view for May. We will have to spend our first two night at the Poly since the GF is sold out.

In December it will be our 35th wedding anniversary and I really wanted to stay RPC but it is sold out already for our dates. Would you recommend
A. Sugar Loaf or B. Magic Kingdom View with the deluxe package. My DH has dementia and a lot of noise increases his symptoms so I was hoping that someone here could help me decide which is a better choice. He had no problems with the RPC level last year or the parks. Basically it is at night when he is trying to sleep that noise is a factor.

By the way I am on page 35 of this new thread and it is wonderful and full of information.

Hi! Well, the main thing that hits me about your post is that you seem to be worried about noise....did you see the pic of the lounge in SL at the front of this thread??? I don't like SL because it is CROWDED and the lounge is not nearly like the RPC lounge - all open and peaceful. The SL lounge stresses me out. I have not experienced anything like that in RPC. I don't know about MK view rooms although I have read people complaining how they can hear the noise of the ferry boats and trains & the wolves howling from HM. I don't know if that would be disturbing to your DH.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[padisneylover]

Channing,
Thanks for the input. I was afraid of exactly that same thing is Sugar Loaf that is why I have hesitated to book it. I think I will stick with the Magic Kingdom View for now. We have that same view booked for our May trip and if it doesn't work out I will call our AAA agent from the resort and change my room location at the GF but I am not moving resorts again. I could shoot myself for trying to be frugle and not booking the RP when they had openings a month ago. I have come to the conclusion that as long as it is the GF we will be happy. I think my flag needs to be changed to past AKL lover to GF fan

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing,
Thanks for the input. I was afraid of exactly that same thing is Sugar Loaf that is why I have hesitated to book it. I think I will stick with the Magic Kingdom View for now. We have that same view booked for our May trip and if it doesn't work out I will call our AAA agent from the resort and change my room location at the GF but I am not moving resorts again. I could shoot myself for trying to be frugle and not booking the RP when they had openings a month ago. I have come to the conclusion that as long as it is the GF we will be happy. I think my flag needs to be changed to past AKL lover to GF fan

You're welcome. You could always keep trying for RPC. I have been SUPER lucky with last minute bookings....in the past I got in for Thanksgiving in Oct. July 4th week booked in June and Christmas stay booked in August - all with AAA rates. It could happen. I just got in for an Easter stay last month. You have a while to go so I would keep up with the calling. I always book room only and use AAA thru CRO.

SL is nice, but it can be really packed and lots of commotion. That stuff makes me tense so it might make your DH a bit, too. Good luck!!! Hope something opens up for you.

Enjoy,
Channing

 

[DisneyLisa]

Sorry if this has been asked already (I've read most of this thread but just can't read it all right now...sorry) but can anyone tell me if they're using the new YOMD mugs at the GF now? I assume they are but just thought I'd ask. We were there last April when most of the other resorts had started using the new ones (and we were hoping the GF & Poly would be too) but they weren't so we bought another set of the big ones for each resort.

I much prefer the thin mugs so I'm hoping we get to buy the new YOMD ones this year. I love relaxing on the balcony with my coffee every morning.

TIA

 

[Alicnwondrln]

The GF is using the dreams mugs.

 

[DisneyLisa]

Thanks Kelly.

 

[vbarry]

I was reading Praline's trip report this morning and saw that she booked the safari at AK since she is staying conceirge...I did not know you could do this. Do you book through IPO??

Any other special things we can do since we are staying conceirge?? (paying over $700 a night...so I want to get something out of this...my husband is on the couch sleeping so I have to finish this up quick! If he sees $700 a night he is just going to freak )

Also- should you use IPO for your ADR's, have your TA do this or make your own? We are going for X-mas so I was not sure when you are contacted by IPO or can you contact them anytime for requests?

This is our first time at GF and SL so I hope we love it!! If so...I am switching all my DVC points and taking my DD4 back for her 5th Birthday!

 

[padisneylover]

I got it As of about 8:30 this morning I am officially going back to RPC Now I have to figure out where to stay my first two nights since they are booked solid. What do you think the chances are if I book GV at GF I will get bumped up if they have an opening.

Channing,
I see you use AAA now vs AP. The CM I talked to this morning suggested since I am going twice this year and there is no AAA discounts for December at the GF I buy an AP and wait for the discounts to come out. Since it seems to be a problem getting tickets for my May trip with the split stay maybe I would be better off with the AP. Any thoughts?
Also, do you find the dining card a benefit to you or is it not really worth the money. I see you can add the dining plan to the AP now and maybe that is an option. So many questions and my AAA person is not strong with Disney so I have to rely on other sources to guide her.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I got it As of about 8:30 this morning I am officially going back to RPC Now I have to figure out where to stay my first two nights since they are booked solid. What do you think the chances are if I book GV at GF I will get bumped up if they have an opening.

Channing,
I see you use AAA now vs AP. The CM I talked to this morning suggested since I am going twice this year and there is no AAA discounts for December at the GF I buy an AP and wait for the discounts to come out. Since it seems to be a problem getting tickets for my May trip with the split stay maybe I would be better off with the AP. Any thoughts?
Also, do you find the dining card a benefit to you or is it not really worth the money. I see you can add the dining plan to the AP now and maybe that is an option. So many questions and my AAA person is not strong with Disney so I have to rely on other sources to guide her.

Yay!! I am so glad you got RPC.

Well, I have had an AP for several years. My family still does, but mine expired and honestly I just am not sure I am going to renew for this upcoming trip or just buy myself a hopper. It used to be that AP discounts were given much more often and the past year or so they have become VERY skimpy and limited. Last summer NO AP rates given out on GF RPC, however there were AAA discounts. So that's what I booked AAA. The discount is almost the same with AAA as with AP when AP is offered and there seems to be much more availablitiy with the AAA.

We do like the DDE, though. We are a family of 5, and four are considered adults so it makes a big difference to save that 20% and then just add the 20% on for the tip - so it is a 20% savings. We do mostly table service so that DDE comes in very handy for us.

If you are going to be going to WDW a couple times a year I would check out the prices of the hoppers for your trips vs the AP & DDE. But really you can't count on that AP for any hotel discounts. I don't consider that a perk of the AP anymore. I have been much more lucky with booking AAA rates where AP rates haven't even been out. They usually release AAA rates for the whole year at one time - I think the end of August or so and then slowly add more availability.

I don't do the DDP or any packages ever. I don't care for the limitations or their strict cancellation policy with packages. If you add the DDP to your AP rate, you will be considered on a package.

ugh...I said so much it's probably a confusing mess and didn't come out the way I planned...sorry if it's confusing.

Hi Kelly!!!!! Hope you're having some fun!

Have a great day!

Channing

 

[Golfing Goofy]

This is a great thread. Thanks for all the information.

I cannot remember (I have been reading so much info, I am starting to confuse myself ) but is there a slide at the GF? What is it like??

Thanks!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

There is a slide at the Beach Pool. I didn't go down it but DS and DH did. It is on top of the rocks and curves down. It seems fun...

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Thank you!

One more question, is it warm enough in Feb/Mar to swim? Does it get crowded during that time at the pools? Thanks again.