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

[Lives4Disney]

We are on the third floor - right above those honeymoon rooms - and find ourselves using that corner elevator often to get to the lounge on the 4th. it's not a problem at all. Very convenient for when you come back from the pool and the boats from the MK, too....and of course to get to Gaspies.

I just sat out on the balcony and heard the MK opening ceremonies. SO cute & I could hear it perfectly...the same with Christmas music from the MK during the day. I wish I could get my family motivated. They are still sleeping!!!! We stayed at MK til closing at midnite last nt and it was great. Too bad that's what it takes to get on rides easy....go after Wishes, but they like to sleep in and party late anyway so it works for us.

We ordered room service and it was quick and mostly pretty good, but the grilled cheese was icky compared to before. They told us it would take 45 minutes, but they arrived in about 20! I have had the chicken strips/fries at Gaspies and it was good. DS had the reuben hotdog and liked it, too. I am sad that our stay is coming to and end. We are going to swim and pack up today and go to the Xmas party tonight and check out tomorrow.....It was a really nice GF stay (again!) but the parks had a different vibe and we do miss our Newfie and home so we are ready to leave this time. That is different from prior stays.

Sago...I haven't even seen a CM to ask, but there are definitely people staying in Sago...checking in and out and it's Nov 25. I sat and watched luggage go in and out this morning. It's not closed as reported on another thread and it doesn't appear that there is even work being done on it now. I will TRY and find out for sure what's up with it. Same with the manager's name, but I know you don't even need a name to write. Just address it to the GF GM and he doesn't even read or respond....I have always only heard from the executive offices. The are the ones that follow up wth a phone call. Not sure if the manager here even reads letters...probably no time and just passes them on.


From what I have seen, for an MK view I would want a room on the end of Conch. That area looks like it has a very direct head on castle view. There are 28, but I know the Everglades suite is on the first floor, so that takes up a few so maybe 25 rooms on the end of Conch.

A couple things....there is a castle lighting show at 5:45 and the lights are supposed to go on at about 6 pm every night. Not sure why some nts they haven't been lit until 7 or so, but for Never say Never, that is the deal...6 pm.

Also they are showing the "Twas the Night Before Xmas" show at the Tomorrow land Galaxy Theater several times daily. I don't think they've done this in previous years until right before Xmas. This show was only performed during the parties.

Well, FYI there was something I did edit out because I had a person here approach me and ask if I was ME lol from what she's seen and read here on the good old GF thread....and it was an eye opener that it's not just our little group, haha, reading this stuff. Have to watch myself.

Hope GrannieMinnie and Tenbelow get some magic and have a great time during their stays. Suzanne, too!

PS...Dingo, I would have no qualms about booking the Swan...I wanted to for our one nt stay, but it was sold out. I did not have good previous Dolphin stays and this one just cinched it for me. I don't like that hotel. Something might have just been "off" for our stay, they were VERY full with conventioneers, but we did not feel good about being there & service was lame.

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Glad you're still having a great time- have a wonderful day today and fun at the Christmas party!
I wonder if they're holding off on Sago now till after the new year? Makes sense - they've got to be booked solid.
Travel safe - let us know how SE back to MCO is for you when you get back ,if you don't mind! Still haven't booked them just yet!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Glad you're still having a great time- have a wonderful day today and fun at the Christmas party!
I wonder if they're holding off on Sago now till after the new year? Makes sense - they've got to be booked solid.
Travel safe - let us know how SE back to MCO is for you when you get back ,if you don't mind! Still haven't booked them just yet!

Hi! tHANKS...I am going to straight out ask if **** is not the owner anymore and what happened. SE just seems different to me and service down a notch. Something changed and I bet **** sold which would be awful because he was over the top great w/service all around.

Oh, and we did not see Enchanted dresses anywhere. I asked my girls to look out for them, too, and it was a bust. We were hoping for more Disney Fairies merchandise and so far it's still just Tink everywhere.....Tinks good, but my girls read all the books and really have certain other fairies they like.

Lives4Disney

 

[Cmbar]

HI Guys! Channing,please don't worry about getting a name for a manager. You are right,they probably don't read them anyway.

Interesting enough, I just got a Post Card from the Grand Floridian asking for us to complete a survey. Do they send this to everyone. They say we were selected but I just want to know if you regulars get one every trip! I of course am going to do the survey and just tell them of the not so magical stuff as well as the great Mousekeeping and great Gasspie's CM!

Channing I hope you have a great time at the Christmas Party tonight! It will probably be awesome. We went on our last night and it was a perfect way to end the trip! Hope you have a safe trip home!

Hope all you going soon enjoy a magical stay at the GF, it really is a lovely resort!

 

[smwf71]

A question about the coffee pot in the room. My gma and her friend - both 83 - are staying there in march. They have a garden view room. Will there be a coffee pot with coffee in the room to brew yourself - do they restock the coffee each day or will I have to send some with them? I want them to have a great trip and I'm trying to get all bases covered.

Thanks!

 

[wdhinn89]

A question about the coffee pot in the room. My gma and her friend - both 83 - are staying there in march. They have a garden view room. Will there be a coffee pot with coffee in the room to brew yourself - do they restock the coffee each day or will I have to send some with them? I want them to have a great trip and I'm trying to get all bases covered.

Thanks!

They do have a coffee pot in the GV rooms along with mugs, powdered creamer and tea bags. We didn't use it but I would imagine the restock like they would the soap and shampoos.

 

[dingoballs]

HI Guys! Channing,please don't worry about getting a name for a manager. You are right,they probably don't read them anyway.

Interesting enough, I just got a Post Card from the Grand Floridian asking for us to complete a survey. Do they send this to everyone. They say we were selected but I just want to know if you regulars get one every trip! I of course am going to do the survey and just tell them of the not so magical stuff as well as the great Mousekeeping and great Gasspie's CM!

Channing I hope you have a great time at the Christmas Party tonight! It will probably be awesome. We went on our last night and it was a perfect way to end the trip! Hope you have a safe trip home!

Hope all you going soon enjoy a magical stay at the GF, it really is a lovely resort!

Yes, we get a postcard after every trip also, and I always complete the survey...

 

[dingoballs]

We are on the third floor - right above those honeymoon rooms - and find ourselves using that corner elevator often to get to the lounge on the 4th. it's not a problem at all. Very convenient for when you come back from the pool and the boats from the MK, too....and of course to get to Gaspies.

I just sat out on the balcony and heard the MK opening ceremonies. SO cute & I could hear it perfectly...the same with Christmas music from the MK during the day. I wish I could get my family motivated. They are still sleeping!!!! We stayed at MK til closing at midnite last nt and it was great. Too bad that's what it takes to get on rides easy....go after Wishes, but they like to sleep in and party late anyway so it works for us.

We ordered room service and it was quick and mostly pretty good, but the grilled cheese was icky compared to before. They told us it would take 45 minutes, but they arrived in about 20! I have had the chicken strips/fries at Gaspies and it was good. DS had the reuben hotdog and liked it, too. I am sad that our stay is coming to and end. We are going to swim and pack up today and go to the Xmas party tonight and check out tomorrow.....It was a really nice GF stay (again!) but the parks had a different vibe and we do miss our Newfie and home so we are ready to leave this time. That is different from prior stays.

Sago...I haven't even seen a CM to ask, but there are definitely people staying in Sago...checking in and out and it's Nov 25. I sat and watched luggage go in and out this morning. It's not closed as reported on another thread and it doesn't appear that there is even work being done on it now. I will TRY and find out for sure what's up with it. Same with the manager's name, but I know you don't even need a name to write. Just address it to the GF GM and he doesn't even read or respond....I have always only heard from the executive offices. The are the ones that follow up wth a phone call. Not sure if the manager here even reads letters...probably no time and just passes them on.


From what I have seen, for an MK view I would want a room on the end of Conch. That area looks like it has a very direct head on castle view. There are 28, but I know the Everglades suite is on the first floor, so that takes up a few so maybe 25 rooms on the end of Conch.

A couple things....there is a castle lighting show at 5:45 and the lights are supposed to go on at about 6 pm every night. Not sure why some nts they haven't been lit until 7 or so, but for Never say Never, that is the deal...6 pm.

Also they are showing the "Twas the Night Before Xmas" show at the Tomorrow land Galaxy Theater several times daily. I don't think they've done this in previous years until right before Xmas. This show was only performed during the parties.

Well, FYI there was something I did edit out because I had a person here approach me and ask if I was ME lol from what she's seen and read here on the good old GF thread....and it was an eye opener that it's not just our little group, haha, reading this stuff. Have to watch myself.

Hope GrannieMinnie and Tenbelow get some magic and have a great time during their stays. Suzanne, too!

PS...Dingo, I would have no qualms about booking the Swan...I wanted to for our one nt stay, but it was sold out. I did not have good previous Dolphin stays and this one just cinched it for me. I don't like that hotel. Something might have just been "off" for our stay, they were VERY full with conventioneers, but we did not feel good about being there & service was lame.

Lives4Disney

Hi Channing,

Thanks for your updates! It's always sad when you realize that the last day is coming up soon... so where/how did this person approach you and what did she ask you??

Yes, I'm glad that I rebooked us into the Swan, thanks for your insight.

 

[smwf71]

They do have a coffee pot in the GV rooms along with mugs, powdered creamer and tea bags. We didn't use it but I would imagine the restock like they would the soap and shampoos.

Thank you for your quick reply - I really appreciate it. They are excited to go in March - too bad my grandma just broke her leg - she hopes to be recovered by then! I there a one TS credit restaurant at the Contemporary that will be open in March? I'm trying to book them at dinners that will be easy to get to from the GF on the monorail - can't do CM's because of the buffet and my Gma's friend has a cane.

Thanks!

 

[Tink rules]

Thanks for posting those great pics!

You're very welcome...wish I had more... Gee... I guess I must go back huh???


And about the coffee... I hear it's Nescafe and you might want to pack some better coffee for them to enjoy and if they like it... some nicer creamer...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

For fun I was checking the WDW website to see if Sugar Loaf would be available for my families dates next August and the only thing for Club Level that came up was the rates for Royal Palm. Can Sugar Loaf already be sold out, or has the whole WDW site not been updated since it finally came back online?

 

[lisa221]

For fun I was checking the WDW website to see if Sugar Loaf would be available for my families dates next August and the only thing for Club Level that came up was the rates for Royal Palm. Can Sugar Loaf already be sold out, or has the whole WDW site not been updated since it finally came back online?

Sugar Loaf shows up for all weeks in August except for 8/3-10, so it could be possible. However I would keep checking just in case they didn't update everything correctly after being down.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just saw that it's available from 8/7-15, however we wanted to check-in on the 5th. I even tried checking in one day earlier on the 4th which is not available and it's the same thing when I put in the 6th. The other option I saw we could also do is checking in on the 7th and checking out one day later on the 16th.

 

[Katesdad]

Cmbar:

We also received a post card with the web address and we went on line and completed that. We also received an email asking for us to complete a survey. Some different questions, but it was sent by the same survey company. We completed that one. It didn't stop me from writing the letter though to the general manager of the GF complementing the staff and letting him know of our room disappointment. I encourage anyone who gets those surveys to complete them honestly and be sure to fill in the comments boxes as that is where you can do the most good in getting things tweaked that you were otherwise disappointed in.

Channing, welcome home. Can't wait to see the pictures.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Well I just paid off our trip this morning - GF here we come, 45 more days.

THis is the first time I haven't made a room request. Usually, whether we book garden or lagoon (MK) view, I always requested Sago Cay.

THis time, since it's a short trip, for DH to run the marathon, I'm going to leave it up to the room assigning Gods and see where we end up.

Channing - welcome home!

 

[Floridian1989]

Katesdad -

Do you happen to have the name/address of the manger of the Floridian? We just returned from a Thanksgiving trip and I would like to send a note to the manager - I had some great experiences I would like to share as well as a not so pleasant one.

Thanks!

 

[krbq]

From what I have seen, for an MK view I would want a room on the end of Conch. That area looks like it has a very direct head on castle view. There are 28, but I know the Everglades suite is on the first floor, so that takes up a few so maybe 25 rooms on the end of Conch.

Lives4Disney

What is the Everglades suite?

 

[lisa221]

What is the Everglades suite?

It's a Two Bedroom Suite. It has a living area, dining room, two bedrooms, three bath and a huge patio. Not sure which building its in but it's on the first floor.

 

[phyllis1966]

Since this is the official GF thread, I thought I'd pop in to say that my in-laws, DH, DD(8) and I returned from another wonderful stay at the GF late on the 17th (checked in early on the 10th). Just walking into the lobby and taking that first breath with all it's familiar scents is always the best start to a WDW vacation for us!

We were placed in 4th floor connecting rooms in Big Pine Key (requested Conch Key, but it and Boca Chica were both booked up for a convention). This is the third time in a row that we requested Conch Key (it has our favorite GV views) and ended up in Big Pine - our refurbed rooms and views were lovely, but I wonder if we'll ever get into Conch Key again!? The rooms are pretty beige - not totally bland, but I missed the blue and yellow of the Alice motif. DH and DD had no complaints - they were just happy to be back at our favorite WDW resort!

The new TV's are really nice, but we had trouble changing channels with those old remotes - so did FIL in the other room. Plus, the TV defaults to Channel 18 with that irritating girl who yells about the Top 7 WDW attractions, so every time you turn on the TV, there she is, and LOUD. Having a fridge was great and we didn't miss the mini-bar, which we never use anyway.

The new lights on the castle are beautiful - I couldn't get enough...here's a pic that's the best of what we snapped:

MVMCP on the 15th was not too crowded, not too chilly, and lots of fun...DH teases me because of how much I love that "snow" on Main Street! This trip we also saw the Osborne Lights for the first time and they were amazing!

I've spent the past week pining away for the GF, as I always do after I return from a WDW vacation - slowly but surely, I'm getting over it! DD says she wants to skip a year before returning to WDW - is she my kid? What could she possibly be thinking?

Well, thanks for letting me share and for all of you who are going soon, have a great time!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My Dad just got off the phone with a very friendly Cast Member from CRO and I am happy to say we have our reservations for next August in Sugar Loaf. We are going there from August 11 - 22 and we are looking forward to our very 1st stay at the Grand Floridian.