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

[Alicnwondrln]

Kelly,

With this in mind, how far in advance would you now recommend we call PD and the cake hotline. I was going to wait until next week (we arrive on 2/7) but I'm wondering if this is a good strategy now.

In the past I've waiting to order cakes until 2 weeks prior, but never ordered from private dining before.

Thoughts???

they wont even take a cake order now if its 30 days before arrival
I think this is why they are having issues so many orders that could be made closer to the travel date
ETA to add if you are going in Nov and calling August they are probably gonna get you to wait to place the order

 

[Lives4Disney]

they wont even take a cake order now if its past 30 days

Kelly??!!?!? You have to order over 30 days in advance??? I always ordered a couple days before we were to arrive.

 

[arbonnette]

they wont even take a cake order now if its past 30 days

So much for me ordering the slipper then. I called this morning and had to leave a message, but I have not spoken to anyone yet. We are arriving in two weeks. I don't really need to order it, and DD will be just as excited with a cupcake/placemat/a little attention.

Disney is getting too complicated for me. The more I learn, the worse it gets!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

So much for me ordering the slipper then. I called this morning and had to leave a message, but I have not spoken to anyone yet. We are arriving in two weeks.

If that 30 days is the case now, it's a new deal. I always order just a couple days out. I was told that was best. Maybe there's some miscommunication here?

Maybe it's the cake hotline Kelly is talking about?? I know with PD they take orders the day before. Don't worry yet.

Channing

 

[Alicnwondrln]

no they want it ordered within 30 days oaf arrival
they dont want to take order now that are months in advance
i think they would if you pushed it but i keep getting told to call back adound 3 to 4 weeks before travel

 

[Alicnwondrln]

private dining will take something 24 hours before hand but will need more time if its a special cake
i would do it 48 hours though
i did a cake for Lives4 disney over turkey day and set it and it was late and missing stuff I ordered for it so...be safe and give at least 48 hrs if you can

 

[tidblgrrer]

I don't really know about the cupcake -- there were no other birthdays close to us. I think you just need to tell the hostess when you check in about the birthday. I know it was noted on our ADR's because that was the whole reason for our Grand Gathering ---- but I do not believe it is mandatory.

I bet they thought we had shipped our entire home to WDW before we left. In addition to the stroller, I shipped all of our medicine and extra toiletries so I could check online before we left and see that they had arrived. I had visions of all of arriving and having lost luggage so no asthma meds or stuff to make us smell better (I have a teenage son --- so better is all I can hope for I felt much safer when I could take that stuff as carry-on. We also shipped the giant Princess dresses and other gifts ahead of our trip --- my Mom purchased the Cinderella one as a birthday gift so it was huge packaged as a present. Later my husband broke his camera so we had a new camera lens shipped to us too. On the return trip we just placed the luggage information on the two boxes we still needed and took them back as luggage. I actually think the stroller traveled better in the box instead of gate checking -- they always seems to get damaged or strange stains on them when I gate check my strollers. (But maybe that's just me)

Have a great trip!

 

[angelkk]

No...it's just that one side is closest to the monorail like. The monorail isn't noisy... not at all... It's not like a train...it runs on rubber wheels... it's just that one side faces the marina and the other the monorail...

Thank you I always had an impression that monorails are noisy - possibly based on my breakfast experience @ Chef Mickey (CR) years ago.

I picked (requested) Sago mainly because it looks closest to Main Building, Food Court from the GF map - see what they will assign us

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i also notice things on my stroller after i gate check it

 

[wilda]

Hi All,
I was fortunate enough to receive a 40% code attached to my name when I called last week, so I promptly booked a GV at GF in September!

After reading (most) of this thread, I'm wondering if I should book theme view instead. Is it that much better

I will probably have several more questions, but geography and location are on the top of my list right now!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hi All,
I was fortunate enough to receive a 40% code attached to my name when I called last week, so I promptly booked a GV at GF in September!

After reading (most) of this thread, I'm wondering if I should book theme view instead. Is it that much better

I will probably have several more questions, but geography and location are on the top of my list right now!

I think it all depends on what is most important to you. For me, view is not a huge deal, so I when booking GF, I'm perfectly happy with a GV room (unless I can swing concierge! ).

I should caution you that a "theme park view" does not necessarily mean it will be of the Castle, so if that's particularly important to you, make sure you have that noted on your reservation.

The room amenities are all the same. Both theme park and garden view rooms are somewhat spread out throughout the resort.

 

[tinklvr64]

Help!! Is only outer lodge Sugar Loaf? and is standard room, club level the main building? what is deluxe club level? Thanks!

 

[NeverSayNever]

HI Everyone!

Just wanted to say HI, hope everyone is great and a couple of quick questions...

Trying to get in the trip mode... but with sick kids (again) and busy work it has been hard.... ANyway, I was wondering since we are there a couple of weeks before Valentines day I is there anything special or different done or around or somethign we should do or perhaps order from pirvate dining etc for Valentine Day...

Love all the recent food pictures and thoughts on Narcosees and Citrocos(Sp?)... We do have Narcosees booked but am wondering if we should try Citrocos instead.... Is Citrocos also signature dining (and hence 2 credits on the DDP?). Still trying to get 1900 for dinner... not expecting much form the food but Ithink the kids would like to see new characters.

Thanks and best to everyone and sorry I don't have the time tonight to acknowledge everyone individually...

Best,

 

[NeverSayNever]

YIKES!!! I just saw my own ticker and realized it is only 12 DAYS until we leave....

I better get my act together!!!

 

[Tink rules]

It depends on what you like...

Look here to see what you might like...

Citricos

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_cit.htm

Narcoosees

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_nar.htm

 

[Tinkaroo]

Help!! Is only outer lodge Sugar Loaf? and is standard room, club level the main building? what is deluxe club level? Thanks!

Outer Lodge Concierge = Sugar Loaf building

Standard Club Level = Royal Palm Club concierge (Main Bldg.)

Deluxe Club Level = larger rooms in the Royal Palm Club (only hold 4 people)

Deluxe Club Level - King = honeymoon rooms/suites in the Royal Palm Club

 

[Tinkaroo]

HI Everyone!

Just wanted to say HI, hope everyone is great and a couple of quick questions...

Trying to get in the trip mode... but with sick kids (again) and busy work it has been hard.... ANyway, I was wondering since we are there a couple of weeks before Valentines day I is there anything special or different done or around or somethign we should do or perhaps order from pirvate dining etc for Valentine Day...

Love all the recent food pictures and thoughts on Narcosees and Citrocos(Sp?)... We do have Narcosees booked but am wondering if we should try Citrocos instead.... Is Citrocos also signature dining (and hence 2 credits on the DDP?). Still trying to get 1900 for dinner... not expecting much form the food but Ithink the kids would like to see new characters.

Thanks and best to everyone and sorry I don't have the time tonight to acknowledge everyone individually...

Best,

I haven't been at V-Day before, but I don't think there is much done in the parks, except maybe some themed merchandise here and there.

It seems like in past years they have done something special at Pleasure Island, but I haven't noticed anything mentioned yet (but I'm not looking for it either).

Both Narcoossee's and Citricos are signature dining experiences, so 2 table credits per person. We personally prefer Narcoossee's (just liked the food and ambiance better), but Citricos is good, too. As Tink Rules indicated, I think it all depends on what menu appeals most to you.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[hobbester]

DH and I leave in two weeks for our first time staying at the GF. We have been talking about returning in December to see the Christmas decorations. What do you think are our changes of getting the 30% or 40% off discounts if we book before we leave? Should we ask to speak to a manager or special person to try to get the discount? Thanks for the advice.

 

[Tinkaroo]

DH and I leave in two weeks for our first time staying at the GF. We have been talking about returning in December to see the Christmas decorations. What do you think are our changes of getting the 30% or 40% off discounts if we book before we leave? Should we ask to speak to a manager or special person to try to get the discount? Thanks for the advice.

You could certainly try, but if you've called to speak with CRO and no discount/pin code is linked to your name, I doubt any GF manager will be able to assist you. All they can say is "no", though!

The discounts that are generally being discussed right now on the Codes board applicable to December are the 40% off pin codes. There was a bounce back offer (not sure if it's still running or not) for 30% off that you had to book before checking out of your resorts, but the dates only went through Sept. '08 - December was not an option.

Good luck, though! Definitely let us know if you have any success!

 

[tinklvr64]

Outer Lodge Concierge = Sugar Loaf building

Standard Club Level = Royal Palm Club concierge (Main Bldg.)

Deluxe Club Level = larger rooms in the Royal Palm Club (only hold 4 people)

Deluxe Club Level - King = honeymoon rooms/suites in the Royal Palm Club

Thanks...just what I needed