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

[Alicnwondrln]

Here ya go

Turn any occasion into a floating party! Take an evening Specialty Cruise around sparkling Disney waterways with brilliantly lit Theme Parks as your backdrop, then anchor just in time for one of our world-famous Disney fireworks shows. You can even turn a Specialty Cruise into a Celebration Cruise complete with cake and ice cream! Plus private dining delivered to the cruise is also available upon request.


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Sun Tracker Pontoon Specialty Cruise

Board a pontoon boat from the Magic Kingdom Resorts Marinas and take a day or evening Specialty Cruise around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, or from the Yacht Club Bayside Marina and view Crescent Lake and Lake Hollywood. Private Dining also available upon request.

Basic $225.00 USD, eight guest maximum - Premium $275.00 USD, ten guest maximum: available at the following Disney Resorts: Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.


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"Breathless II" Fireworks Cruise

This solid mahogany Hacker Craft "Runabout Triple" is a 1920's style boat. Breathless II was commissioned into service at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts in 2007. This boat is handcrafted exactly as built in the 1920's using modern technologies and materials unavailable at that time. The "Runabout" measures 26 feet in length and is powered by an 8.1 liter Mercury marine engine.

$95.00 USD per 1/2 hour day excursion - $275.00 USD for evening Specialty Cruises: six guest maximum, available at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort.


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VIP Cruise on Grand 1 Yacht

Disney's "Grand 1" 52-foot Sea Ray Yacht is the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Whether a romantic evening for two with Cinderella Castle as the backdrop, or an exclusive outing for a private group, your Captain and Deckhand will make your cruise an unforgettable experience. Private Dining also available upon request.

$450.00 USD per hour, 18 guest maximum, available at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

All recreational equipment, activities and prices are subject to change without notice. Please call 407-WDW-PLAY for reservations or to get more information.

 

[vbarry]

Thank you very much Kelly!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

jenfur, I just went on the AAA site and the rates are cheaper than the call to Disney last night. Can I apply the 40% off pin code with AAA? It would be nice if I can. Thanks!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

usually you cant have 2 discounts

 

[heatherlynn444]

jenfur, I just went on the AAA site and the rates are cheaper than the call to Disney last night. Can I apply the 40% off pin code with AAA? It would be nice if I can. Thanks!

yeah i tried that, you have to do either or. stinks huh?

 

[vbarry]

Has anyone done any private dining on the specialty cruises?? I do not want to pay for the Grand 1 but cannot imagine dinner on a pontoon boat either.

Any ideas? Maybe I could just have drinks and snacks for the kids.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Has anyone done any private dining on the specialty cruises?? I do not want to pay for the Grand 1 but cannot imagine dinner on a pontoon boat either.

Any ideas? Maybe I could just have drinks and snacks for the kids.

we did illumination last year and they gave us soda and snacks
I have also done them where private dining set up a cake for us
I know Chan has done some that way to

 

[heatherlynn444]

Has anyone done any private dining on the specialty cruises?? I do not want to pay for the Grand 1 but cannot imagine dinner on a pontoon boat either.

Any ideas? Maybe I could just have drinks and snacks for the kids.

i knwo someone who did the pontoon boat and they just did drinks and snacks and watched wishes from the boat

 

[allisonswonderland]

Kelly, you mentioned avioding Sago, what is your reasoning? Just curious as I am trying to absorb everything about this resort and become an expert...hahaha

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Kelly, you mentioned avioding Sago, what is your reasoning? Just curious as I am trying to absorb everything about this resort and become an expert...hahaha

Well certain rooms there are great but they also have some of the convention room/dumpster rooms on one side. Another reason why I like to stay concierge.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I We really don't care all that much as long as the view is not a service area or parking lot. Are there any specific buildings you would request for either views?

There are no parking lot, service views at the GF, even in the standard room category (known as Garden View)

There are some rooms on the back side of Sago that look towards the convention center, and have the least desirable of the GV views. I always stay garden view and we request a marina view.

 

[Corryn]

Hi everyone
I've been checking over some past posts regarding reservations, but I'm getting confused with all the information.

Normally, me and DH stay in an off-site timeshare with our two girls. Our last visit we stayed at AKL (which I didn't think was all that - but it was nice) and we've stayed in OKW and CB resorts before, but now we wanna stay in the Mac-Daddy Resort - Grand Floridian.

Since it's my 40th birthday, I want to attend MNSSHP, F&W & HHN's. We've only got four nights to spare and I want our stay to be something real nice. This will be our first vacation alone, without our girls, since they were 2 & 3 - now they're 14 & 15 !!!! They think I'm cruel, but me and DH need time to have fun together and they're spoiled as far as vacations go, anyway.

I'm in charge of everything and I'm always running the show, looking up this and that, but this time I would really appreciate some direction with what to do. I am a member of AAA and I want to stay in a room with a view of the Castle.
You all seem to be so saavy, so if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate it

 

[padisneylover]

Does the RPC offer enough food that you could make a meal out of the amenitites offered? Is it basically like a buffet where you can take as much or as little as you want? I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to book concierge instead of the DP with a garden view room.

I would agree with the other poster that you can do breakfast with no trouble. Keep in mind though that there is no hot food for breakfast. Cold cereal, danish, muffins, stuff like that. Fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese, and if I remember right some kind of cold meat but not sure on that one. About 10 if my memory is right there was snacks. Pretzels, chips, vegies, cheese, crackers. Around 2 there was stuff like bannana bread, scones, yummy cookies. At 5 there was light foods. I rembember seeing chicken on skewers, fancy salads, different hot meats each night. We didn't have any but I do remember thinking if I was a light eater I could probably make a meal out of what was there and also if I wasn't a picky eater. Since I am a big eater and DH is picky it wouldn't work for us to plan on it for our main meal of the day. About 7 or so there was cookies, cake usually and candies out with alcoholic beverages. We were on the deluxe dining plan last year and found that it worked well since some morning I wanted more than what was offered and we would go to Gaspies and get a plate of eggs and such and bring it back to our wonderful patio and have that along with the morning offerings. I plan on doing the same thing this year since I really don't think for 12 days I can live on just the same offerings for breakfast and the light offerings at night.

 

[WishesQueen]

Hi everyone
I've been checking over some past posts regarding reservations, but I'm getting confused with all the information.

Normally, me and DH stay in an off-site timeshare with our two girls. Our last visit we stayed at AKL (which I didn't think was all that - but it was nice) and we've stayed in OKW and CB resorts before, but now we wanna stay in the Mac-Daddy Resort - Grand Floridian.

Since it's my 40th birthday, I want to attend MNSSHP, F&W & HHN's. We've only got four nights to spare and I want our stay to be something real nice. This will be our first vacation alone, without our girls, since they were 2 & 3 - now they're 14 & 15 !!!! They think I'm cruel, but me and DH need time to have fun together and they're spoiled as far as vacations go, anyway.

I'm in charge of everything and I'm always running the show, looking up this and that, but this time I would really appreciate some direction with what to do. I am a member of AAA and I want to stay in a room with a view of the Castle.
You all seem to be so saavy, so if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate it

Welcome!!

I am not by any means one of the experts on this thread, but I am learning. They will definitely give you complete directions on how to request what your looking for.

I will tell you this, you will not have the same comment about the GF that you had about the AKL. You will LOVE it!!!

I never stayed at the AKL and I have friends that love the AKL. We used to stay at the WL and its a great hotel, I have to admit I still love visiting!! But the GF is just AWESOME!!!

 

[kytiam]

Kytiam,

I'm happy to report that I do have another postcard! Just need your mailing address and I'll send it out tomorrow. I'm sure it'll make your mom happy!

Janie

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!! My mom will be sooooo happy! I guess I should have you PM me rather than posting my address on the internet.
Thanks again!!

 

[allisonswonderland]

Have fun in your trip planning...I am a semi first timer...I stayed there as a kid (well I was in high school and early college) let me say I was with my parents and did not have a choice where to stay. So I am the same!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hi everyone
I've been checking over some past posts regarding reservations, but I'm getting confused with all the information.

Normally, me and DH stay in an off-site timeshare with our two girls. Our last visit we stayed at AKL (which I didn't think was all that - but it was nice) and we've stayed in OKW and CB resorts before, but now we wanna stay in the Mac-Daddy Resort - Grand Floridian.

Since it's my 40th birthday, I want to attend MNSSHP, F&W & HHN's. We've only got four nights to spare and I want our stay to be something real nice. This will be our first vacation alone, without our girls, since they were 2 & 3 - now they're 14 & 15 !!!! They think I'm cruel, but me and DH need time to have fun together and they're spoiled as far as vacations go, anyway.

I'm in charge of everything and I'm always running the show, looking up this and that, but this time I would really appreciate some direction with what to do. I am a member of AAA and I want to stay in a room with a view of the Castle.
You all seem to be so saavy, so if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate it

It sounds like you know exactly what you want! If you want a room with a view of the Castle, then you'll need to book a "theme park view" room in one of the outer lodges (and make sure you add to your requests that you want to see the Castle - TPV only guarantees that you'll see some part of the MK - like Space Mountain).

If you really wanted to go all out and make the trip super special for you and your DH, you could book one of the deluxe king/honeymoon rooms in the Main Building, where all rooms are concierge (called Royal Palm Club or RPC for short). These deluxe king rooms come in 2 different layouts - a spacious "regular" room with a jacuzzi tub and guaranteed view of the Castle; or a turret suite, which is an octagonal room with a sitting area, wet bar, windows all around, etc. There are 6 of the turret suites, and 3 of them do offer a view of the Castle. If you went this route, you would be working with the Itinerary Planning Office for concierge guests (IPO for short), and you would want to tell them seeing the Castle is the most important thing to you.

AAA discounts are possible on both of these type of rooms. If you want to book a room only reservation, you can call CRO (or any travel agent) and have them check availability for you. If you want to book a package with a AAA discount, you'll need to go through a AAA travel agent to be able to do so.

Hope this helps! I think you will love the GF! Make sure you take some time to enjoy the resort!

 

[SleepingUgly]

Well, I did it. I booked a standard room at the RPC, for August 23-31. And I got a AAA discount for the room. The CM was actually surprised I was able to get a AAA discount for a concierge-level room. Is it true these are difficult to get?

I wanted to get a concierge-level deluxe room in the main building, but there was none available. Are there only a limited number of these rooms? Should I continue to call and try to get one of these rooms?

I also requested a lagoon-view room, but the CM assured me that no view from the main building is bad. Is that correct?

Thanks for everyone's help so far. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions as our dates get closer and closer ...

Linda

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Well, I did it. I booked a standard room at the RPC, for August 23-31. And I got a AAA discount for the room. The CM was actually surprised I was able to get a AAA discount for a concierge-level room. Is it true these are difficult to get?

I wanted to get a concierge-level deluxe room in the main building, but there was none available. Are there only a limited number of these rooms? Should I continue to call and try to get one of these rooms?

I also requested a lagoon-view room, but the CM assured me that no view from the main building is bad. Is that correct?

Thanks for everyone's help so far. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions as our dates get closer and closer ...

Linda

Congrats!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

You can get AP and AAA discounts for conceirge rooms I get it all the time.