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

[Kona*Queen]

Thanks for the great pics Kona Queen! Those are hard to come by & lots of people ask for pics of a deluxe room. Hope you had a great time.

You're welcome! I got so much help from the GF threads before I went, I hope the pics will help someone else.

We had an okay stay thanks. They messed up a few special things i'd planned, but they did comp us, so I don't feel it's right to say bad things.

 

[Lives4Disney]

You're welcome! I got so much help from the GF threads before I went, I hope the pics will help someone else.

We had an okay stay thanks. They messed up a few special things i'd planned, but they did comp us, so I don't feel it's right to say bad things.

Oooh. That's a bummer. I understand though. Never had GF mess up, but the BWI and Poly sure did. Sorry to hear it wasn't the best.


Bama.....hmmm .....here's the thing, Sago and Conch are across the marina from eachother & parallel so both probably have the same type view but I think Conch is better...it seems more centered....Sago is way left. Can I ask which CM told you Sago?? Was it a GF CM or a CRO CM?? Also....Conch is finished, Sago is in the works with the rehab - not sure when it'll be completed. I wouldn't want to be in it while any work is going on due to noise, fumes, etc. I still am sticking to my Conch as #1.

I am interested in any other opinions, too. Always learning new stuff on the Dis.

Lives4Disney

 

[BamaTigger]

Oooh. That's a bummer. I understand though. Never had GF mess up, but the BWI and Poly sure did. Sorry to hear it wasn't the best.


Bama.....hmmm .....here's the thing, Sago and Conch are across the marina from eachother & parallel so both probably have the same type view but I think Conch is better...it seems more centered....Sago is way left. Can I ask which CM told you Sago?? Was it a GF CM or a CRO CM?? Also....Conch is finished, Sago is in the works with the rehab - not sure when it'll be completed. I wouldn't want to be in it while any work is going on due to noise, fumes, etc. I still am sticking to my Conch as #1.

I am interested in any other opinions, too. Always learning new stuff on the Dis.

Lives4Disney

See, thats the kicker...it was a CRO CM...( i called to confirm my ressies....Im paranoid like that.. ) and I asked her to put Conch building request on my ressie and she said that Sugar Loaf and Sago Key were the best MK views...which I told her I couldnt do SL cause that was concierge and I have been reading the Dis... and Conch was said to be the best. SO I figured it wasnt a reliable opinion!

Im just gonna request Conch like you said...we will arrive at the GF around 9am Saturday morning...so I should get a good pick of rooms maybe ! LOL(Thats what you told me!!!) Early Diser gets the best room!!!

I would be there earlier, but we arrive in Orlando Friday night and have to stay at Motel 6 in Kissimmee with my furbabies, and we are boarding my boys that Saturday morning when the TTC kennels open at 8am. Then haul tail to the GF.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

4 weeks from today we'll back at the GF! We haven't been back since January 2006 so I'm really starting to get excited. This is the first time I haven't made a room request. I always requested Sago Cay, whether we had gv or lv rooms, but since that's being refurbished I'm leaving it up to the room assigning Gods this time!

 

[Lives4Disney]

See, thats the kicker...it was a CRO CM...( i called to confirm my ressies....Im paranoid like that.. ) and I asked her to put Conch building request on my ressie and she said that Sugar Loaf and Sago Key were the best MK views...which I told her I couldnt do SL cause that was concierge and I have been reading the Dis... and Conch was said to be the best. SO I figured it wasnt a reliable opinion!

Im just gonna request Conch like you said...we will arrive at the GF around 9am Saturday morning...so I should get a good pick of rooms maybe ! LOL(Thats what you told me!!!) Early Diser gets the best room!!!

I would be there earlier, but we arrive in Orlando Friday night and have to stay at Motel 6 in Kissimmee with my furbabies, and we are boarding my boys that Saturday morning when the TTC kennels open at 8am. Then haul tail to the GF.

Well....there ya go. Sugar Loaf has really no MK views at all with the exception of MAYBE a little side view on an end room.

Ya, when you check in early the thing is you can see your room and
if you don't like it (hopefully) there will be more flexibility due to people checking out etc and others that are checking in haven't yet. Just don't accept a crummy room..nothing is set in stone...it always pays to ask nicely to switch if you're not satisfied.

Have a WONDERFUL time.

Lives4Disney

 

[SLDL]

Hello everyone! We have been back for a few days but have been so busy w/ holiday parties, etc. that I haven't even had time to unpack.

We were at the GF from last Wed. until Sun. & it was the best DW vacation we have ever had. Our company paid for this vacation & I said this would be the only time ever staying at the GF b/c it's so expensive but my DS5 declared on Sat. that he wanted to stay there again when we came back. And I have decided that I would forgo going to MGM & AK if I had to so that I could stay here for MK & Epcot & the convenience. We stayed in Conch Key, had b'fast w/ Alice & friends at 1900...my DD2 was dressed as Alice & it was so cute to see her with "Alice". Then that evening we went back for dinner w/ Cinderella, etc. Our family members danced w/ the stepsisters & my cousins DD danced with Prince Charming himself. Needless to say I was the hero of the trip for deciding where to stay & planning meals etc.

I was so glad that I learned so much from all of you. The resort was just wonderful! The crowds were a little overwhelming at the GF on the weekend due to everyone seeing the decorations but I overheard so many kids & parents talking about how they wished they were staying there. I thought I AM staying here!! I just felt so blessed!

As far as the room, it was super nice & clean & I asked twice for extra lotion, shampoo, etc. & the CM were glad to give me extras. Everyone was so friendly & wonderful! Thanks again for all the great advice & info...it was a trip we will never forget!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Hi!

Kona... Great pictures, thanx! I have to admit though I got a little sad looking at them wishing we were there.

SLDL... Glad to hear you had a great time and that everything went well.

Bama... No expert here... not like Lives4, but in my limited knowledge I would request Conch over Sago, for the view but also I like the overall location.

TInk... Congrats on your purchase... Things like that, IMO, are so cool!

Well... the update from my front, just couldn't make it work.... GF didn't have any availability wehn we tried on Sat (maybbe I should have pushed harder) and then DP boss was being a royal pain. So no GF at XMAS for us

On the upside though, we did rebook... for the next possible date that we could... which was the beg. of February and added a day. SO I guess that is good and I know in a day or two I will feel better...

Lives4 and Grannie... thatnks for the encouragement... at least I know we tried and for whatever reason it wasn't meant to be. So tell me what should I expect the 1st week of February?

Oh, and and extra thank you to a special someone for the pins... I can't not tell you how much more they mean to me now since we had to canx. out trip.

Ok.. I guess I need to change my ticker and get back in the swing of it.

Best,

 

[Tink rules]

a CM cast member told me today to request a room in Sago Key for the best MK view....but Lives4Disney told me Conch Key would be the best....

so Im more inclined to take Channing's word...because well, she LIVES4DISNEY.

Any other opinions???

SINGLE DIGITS!!!!

Glad you had a good time...

And about the other subject... I've only ever stayed in Conch Key - I'm sure that other buildings are really nice, but I love Conch and I feel at home - it's also close to the boat and Gaspies and the main building for me. Go for Conch if you can...

Aren't one of the larger buildings also considdered MK view? I have to go and look at the map...

 

[marcij]

a CM cast member told me today to request a room in Sago Key for the best MK view....but Lives4Disney told me Conch Key would be the best....

so Im more inclined to take Channing's word...because well, she LIVES4DISNEY.

Any other opinions???

SINGLE DIGITS!!!!

I've stayed in both buildings, and I agree with Channing -- something about Conch (maybe because it was our first two trips) is a little more special. It just seems a little more convenient -- to the launch, the pool etc. I don't think you could go wrong with either one! Have a great stay!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Just an FYI when talking to a CM tonight about our resv I was informed that the pool at GF would be closed from Jan 14 to mid Feb. We were trying to figure out if it was both pools or just one. The CM seemed to think that it was only the "Beach Pool" (I guess that is the themed one) but just wasn't sure from the advisory she was reading. She also mentioned that guest woudl have access to the Volcano ( I think that's it ... sorry) at the Poly at this time.


Sorry not perfect info, but thought I would mention it.

Best,

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hello everyone! We have been back for a few days but have been so busy w/ holiday parties, etc. that I haven't even had time to unpack.

We were at the GF from last Wed. until Sun. & it was the best DW vacation we have ever had. Our company paid for this vacation & I said this would be the only time ever staying at the GF b/c it's so expensive but my DS5 declared on Sat. that he wanted to stay there again when we came back. And I have decided that I would forgo going to MGM & AK if I had to so that I could stay here for MK & Epcot & the convenience. We stayed in Conch Key, had b'fast w/ Alice & friends at 1900...my DD2 was dressed as Alice & it was so cute to see her with "Alice". Then that evening we went back for dinner w/ Cinderella, etc. Our family members danced w/ the stepsisters & my cousins DD danced with Prince Charming himself. Needless to say I was the hero of the trip for deciding where to stay & planning meals etc.

I was so glad that I learned so much from all of you. The resort was just wonderful! The crowds were a little overwhelming at the GF on the weekend due to everyone seeing the decorations but I overheard so many kids & parents talking about how they wished they were staying there. I thought I AM staying here!! I just felt so blessed!

As far as the room, it was super nice & clean & I asked twice for extra lotion, shampoo, etc. & the CM were glad to give me extras. Everyone was so friendly & wonderful! Thanks again for all the great advice & info...it was a trip we will never forget!

Thanks for posting about you're stay, I enjoyed reading it.

 

[grannyminnie]

Neversaynever, glad to see you rebooked. That's exactly when I rebooked from my cancellation last Dec.! To answer your question, our weather was a little dreary...drizzling and what I consider cold for Disney. We needed coats in the morning, but if you're from the north, it might not feel as cold to you. The crowds were great. We didn't have much of a wait for the things we rode, however, I will say we don't do the "coasters". The longest wait in MK is always Peter Pan for us....go figure!
Re: the pools, we were at the Poly, and I thought it was CRAZY for people to be swimming when it was so cold, especially since the lifeguards had on a wintery looking get-up! To each his own..
Edited to add that the weather for you might be awesome. Ya never know!!
I mean, we didn't expect temps to be in the 80s when we were there the Sunday after Thanksgiving!!!

 

[2pirates&2tinks]

a CM cast member told me today to request a room in Sago Key for the best MK view....but Lives4Disney told me Conch Key would be the best....

so Im more inclined to take Channing's word...because well, she LIVES4DISNEY.

Any other opinions???

SINGLE DIGITS!!!!

Hi! Have you resevered a Theme Park View?? If so here are my two cents. I am a castle girl and feel looking out at that castle is pure magic. I have stayed in Sago and had a direct head on castle view from 2 different rooms. This last trip, Sago was down for rehad and I requested Conch. Was not happening. We need 2 connecting rooms so that is hard. We were put in Big Pine. I thought for sure I was going to be bummed. My husband said "why are we taking out luggage over as you will want to move?" We got to our rooms and it was the BEST view I have ever had at the GF! My kids were thrilled and I was too. We looked from the castle (front view, not side that you get from sago), to the train station, to space mountain, to The Contemporary, to the Poly. The view was unbelievable at night, much better than the Sago view I had loved. So keep please keep this in mind. Also, there are several large trees in front of Conch and those will obstruct the view in several of those rooms so that is another factor. Sago has no big trees in front of it. Also, I bet Sago will be done anyday since I am sure Disney does not want to be without those rooms during the busiest week of the year at Disney.

 

[BamaTigger]

Hi! Have you resevered a Theme Park View?? If so here are my two cents. I am a castle girl and feel looking out at that castle is pure magic. I have stayed in Sago and had a direct head on castle view from 2 different rooms. This last trip, Sago was down for rehad and I requested Conch. Was not happening. We need 2 connecting rooms so that is hard. We were put in Big Pine. I thought for sure I was going to be bummed. My husband said "why are we taking out luggage over as you will want to move?" We got to our rooms and it was the BEST view I have ever had at the GF! My kids were thrilled and I was too. We looked from the castle (front view, not side that you get from sago), to the train station, to space mountain, to The Contemporary, to the Poly. The view was unbelievable at night, much better than the Sago view I had loved. So keep please keep this in mind. Also, there are several large trees in front of Conch and those will obstruct the view in several of those rooms so that is another factor. Sago has no big trees in front of it. Also, I bet Sago will be done anyday since I am sure Disney does not want to be without those rooms during the busiest week of the year at Disney.

Thanks for the tip!

Yep, I am paying for a MK view...the last trip we stayed in Big Pine Key with a view of pavillion/Poly, so Im not sure about the other views that are offered.
But I know one thing I have learned from Lives4, and that if my view is not what I want, I will say something... I am paying like 700 a nite for this room and I feel like I should get what I pay for. LOL

 

[irisbud]

Hi! Have you resevered a Theme Park View?? If so here are my two cents. I am a castle girl and feel looking out at that castle is pure magic. I have stayed in Sago and had a direct head on castle view from 2 different rooms. This last trip, Sago was down for rehad and I requested Conch. Was not happening. We need 2 connecting rooms so that is hard. We were put in Big Pine. I thought for sure I was going to be bummed. My husband said "why are we taking out luggage over as you will want to move?" We got to our rooms and it was the BEST view I have ever had at the GF! My kids were thrilled and I was too. We looked from the castle (front view, not side that you get from sago), to the train station, to space mountain, to The Contemporary, to the Poly. The view was unbelievable at night, much better than the Sago view I had loved. So keep please keep this in mind. Also, there are several large trees in front of Conch and those will obstruct the view in several of those rooms so that is another factor. Sago has no big trees in front of it. Also, I bet Sago will be done anyday since I am sure Disney does not want to be without those rooms during the busiest week of the year at Disney.

I loved the view we had at Big Pine, too! We also had a corner room, so from the other balcony, I could see the wedding pavillion and the poly. It was great!

 

[Tinkaroo]

There are only 6 (I think) deluxe concierge rooms and they are about 600+ sq feet vs the approx 400sq ft standard room. The deluxe rooms only sleep 4 though. I peeked in one once when housekeeping was cleaining betwn guests and I thought for the extra $15/nt it was worth it for all that extra space. The only downfall is none of the deluxe rooms do not have a MK castle view. We value that view too much to give it up.

Thanks for the great pics Kona Queen! Those are hard to come by & lots of people ask for pics of a deluxe room. Hope you had a great time.

Mickeywatch - Congratulations!! Glad it went as planned. We were there the same time - checked in Nov 16 and also decided to go to the party that night. Did you stay in SL or RPC??? Sounds like you are a GF fan now.

All you North Easters, stay safe and warm!

Lives4Disney

Those pics of the deluxe room were great! I wonder why they don't allow 5 people to stay in there. That couch looked exactly like the one that was in our honeymoon room, and (unless my eyes were deceiving me), it appeared to have a sofa bed. Odd.

Mickeywatch - congratulations on your engagement! Would love to hear details when you have time!

And, just my 2 cents, but I sometimes wouldn't even trust a GF CM to know what they're talking about re: rooms, let alone a CRO CM! The concierge CM that did my check-in a couple of weeks ago was trying to tell me that only one of the RPC turret rooms had a king bed! (And we all know that's not true, since they're specifically honeymoon rooms with king beds!) I tried to gently suggest that she had her information incorrect, but she just wasn't believing me. So, I certainly took everything she said from that point forward with a grain of salt! (How can you not know the room types when your only job is to check people into those rooms???)

 

[pooh98378]

Hi everyone! I have a question. DF and I originally booked a honeymoon room in the main building for our honeymoon. We were really looking forward to it, especially the view of the castle and because we've never stayed in the main building before. I just got a call that they are refurbing that room and they have upgraded us to a one bedroom marina view suite. Does anyone know anything about these suites? Will we still be able to see the castle (I'm assuming not)? Is that something I should ask for or is what I have ok? I don't want to seem pushy, especially since we got the upgrade, but I don't know exactly what we are getting...

TIA!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Hi everyone! I have a question. DF and I originally booked a honeymoon room in the main building for our honeymoon. We were really looking forward to it, especially the view of the castle and because we've never stayed in the main building before. I just got a call that they are refurbing that room and they have upgraded us to a one bedroom marina view suite. Does anyone know anything about these suites? Will we still be able to see the castle (I'm assuming not)? Is that something I should ask for or is what I have ok? I don't want to seem pushy, especially since we got the upgrade, but I don't know exactly what we are getting...

TIA!

are you still in the main building? if not,
the marina has a building on each side of it, balconies facing it, but the castle is striaght up through teh maria so you may be bale to see it. a suite will be much bigger than your honeymoon room though!

 

[pooh98378]

are you still in the main building? if not,
the marina has a building on each side of it, balconies facing it, but the castle is striaght up through teh maria so you may be bale to see it. a suite will be much bigger than your honeymoon room though!

No - we're not in the main building, but I'm not sure which building we are in. DF had called concierge yesterday because they sent us a questionnaire to fill out and the CM told DF that we were not in the main building. Then today, a CM called me and left a message about the upgrade, so all I know is it is a one bedroom suite with a marina view.

 

[heatherlynn444]

No - we're not in the main building, but I'm not sure which building we are in. DF had called concierge yesterday because they sent us a questionnaire to fill out and the CM told DF that we were not in the main building. Then today, a CM called me and left a message about the upgrade, so all I know is it is a one bedroom suite with a marina view.

if you go to the first page of this thread the 2nd and third pics are airel views and maps of teh GF and you will see the two buildigns that face each other with the rectangular looking marina in the middle