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

[heatherlynn444]

Thanks Heather, I am actually already reading your honeymoon trip report! I'm just at the point where poor "sickly" might be starting to feel better!! I will continue reading in a moment! (Beautiful pictures and excellent writing, by the way, thank you so much for taking the time to share that all with us!).

I have a few more questions if you don't mind! Ok, regarding the honeymoon rooms; do they all have king sized beds, or do some have the 2 queen beds?? Also, what are the views from the 2 different types?? In other words, do ALL of the jacuzzi rooms have the same view since they're all in about the same location, and do ALL of the turret rooms have the same view too?? You mentioned that the jacuzzi rooms are all on the 2nd floor; where are the turret rooms located?? Thanks so much for any info on this! I'm not totally discounting booking a regular RPC room, but I'd love to find out as much info about the honeymoon rooms as I can, so I can make an informed decision! Not sure which way to go; what advantage (if any) do the honeymoon rooms have over a regular RPC room? I see that the prices are about the same.

glad you like the TR! thanks for reading!
ok, someone corect me if i am wrong, but this is MY understanding. all the "regular jacuzzi rooms" are on the second floor above gaspys and all have castel views i *think* so its kind of a guarantee view. teh turret rooms are the rooms up in those tower looking spire things on teh main building with teh pointy roofs. 2-3 face the MK and there are 2-3 on teh backside that face the monoraila and the poly etc. my view was from the monorail, to the poly, to teh caslte, thats the great thing about teh panoramic view, you see soo much! i know all the turret rooms have king sized beds, and i am pretty sure the 2nd floor rooms do too. our room was in the perfect location. one floor above the lounge, so we just walked down the short flight of stairs to eat if you are standing at the courtyard pool in the middle (not the one with the slide) and look up at the GF, our room was the turret up and kid of to your left, top floor. it was amazing (room 4021) I loved all the space we had in our room. I know the turret rooms is not a guarantee or at that, a guarantee you would get one with a castle view, but it was a chance i was willing to take, and I am so glad I did! any other questions, fire away!

 

[traci]

Hi
Sorry to bug about room requests...which do you suggest for Garden View? I was thinking Conch....I would rather not take a chance on having to look at the roof of another building or a dumpster!

AS for ease...which is easiest to get to the main building?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

sugar loaf in pretty close the main building but its concierge
sago is also close

 

[SeaSpray]

glad you like the TR! thanks for reading!
ok, someone corect me if i am wrong, but this is MY understanding. all the "regular jacuzzi rooms" are on the second floor above gaspys and all have castel views i *think* so its kind of a guarantee view. teh turret rooms are the rooms up in those tower looking spire things on teh main building with teh pointy roofs. 2-3 face the MK and there are 2-3 on teh backside that face the monoraila and the poly etc. my view was from the monorail, to the poly, to teh caslte, thats the great thing about teh panoramic view, you see soo much! i know all the turret rooms have king sized beds, and i am pretty sure the 2nd floor rooms do too. our room was in the perfect location. one floor above the lounge, so we just walked down the short flight of stairs to eat if you are standing at the courtyard pool in the middle (not the one with the slide) and look up at the GF, our room was the turret up and kid of to your left, top floor. it was amazing (room 4021) I loved all the space we had in our room. I know the turret rooms is not a guarantee or at that, a guarantee you would get one with a castle view, but it was a chance i was willing to take, and I am so glad I did! any other questions, fire away!

Thanks Heather! So basically when you book a honeymoon room, there is no further specific type to book; you end up with one of the types of rooms that you just decribed at the discretion of the resort, correct?

Also, with the regular rooms in RPC, it's the same thing, right?? From what I understand, when you book RPC, that's the extent of what you get to choose, the rest is up to where you end up getting placed within RPC. Also, which floors is the RPC located on? Which floor has the lounge?? Not all of the rooms in the main building are concierge? Or they are?? Sorry, I'm a little confused and just want to get the facts straight!

I have mentioned staying RPC at the GF for our 10th anniversary to my DH and he is all for it! In fact, he just asked me if I wanted HIM to plan part of the trip, or would *I* rather do all the planning?? He KNOWS how much I love to plan our WDW trips, but then again I do like the idea of some surprises too. Maybe I'll just send him a link to this thread so he can see all of the cool treats that some of you have had! Those tuxedo strawberries look good. LOL

How far out can I book for 2010???

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks Heather! So basically when you book a honeymoon room, there is no further specific type to book; you end up with one of the types of rooms that you just decribed at the discretion of the resort, correct?

Also, with the regular rooms in RPC, it's the same thing, right?? From what I understand, when you book RPC, that's the extent of what you get to choose, the rest is up to where you end up getting placed within RPC. Also, which floors is the RPC located on? Which floor has the lounge?? Not all of the rooms in the main building are concierge? Or they are?? Sorry, I'm a little confused and just want to get the facts straight!

I have mentioned staying RPC at the GF for our 10th anniversary to my DH and he is all for it! In fact, he just asked me if I wanted HIM to plan part of the trip, or would *I* rather do all the planning?? He KNOWS how much I love to plan our WDW trips, but then again I do like the idea of some surprises too. Maybe I'll just send him a link to this thread so he can see all of the cool treats that some of you have had! Those tuxedo strawberries look good. LOL

How far out can I book for 2010???

Hi, Terry! Welcome to the GF thread!

All main building rooms are concierge and it is the BEST!

I think there are 6 or 8 honeymoon rooms on the 2nd floor that have the guaranteed castle view and then there are those 6 turrets rooms(ALL HM rooms have king beds) and they are all called deluxe king room when you book. A lot of people actually request the turret rooms because they are larger and have the gorgeous panaramic views but they do not have balconies. I think there are some pics on this thread or the old thread of a turret room view of the front - monorail type view. I think the views from all are great.

RPC CMs desks are on the 3rd floor. The lounge is directly above them on the 4th. There are convenient elevators right there and also a nice staircase that leads directly to/from the concierge CM desks to the lounge. The honeymoon rooms over Gaspies are the only RPC rooms on the 2nd floor. I think the turret rooms are 3 and 4th. Most RPC rooms are on the 3-5th. For the little diff in price I would book the deluxe king room. I don't think you'd go wrong on that one. You'd either have the castle view from the 2nd floor or you'd have a gorgeous large turret room.

The RPC CMs are the BEST and they'd help you with any room location requests you'd have I'm sure.

PS.....Heather's TR is awesome!! I really enjoyed going on your honeymoon with ya, Heather!!! Oh, except the poor sick part!!!

Happy planning,

Lives4disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi
Sorry to bug about room requests...which do you suggest for Garden View? I was thinking Conch....I would rather not take a chance on having to look at the roof of another building or a dumpster!

AS for ease...which is easiest to get to the main building?

Hi, Traci....well lots of people like Big Pine for GV and it's near the main building. Somehow Conch has never appealed to me due to it's location. I know it's near the boat launch, but is just seems way out there to me. I would take Sago any day with a marina view. It's closest to Gaspies and near the main building too. Check out the map Kelly posted at the front of this thread. You can see the proximity of things and how the resort is laid out. Nothing is too far from anything. If I had to choose I'd say Sago - ONLY w/marina view, though. At check in if they tried to give me the backside of Sago I'd say no thanks....what else is available.

Lives4Disney

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Hi Channing,

We leave in 4 days and I'm hoping we get our favorite gv - Sago Cay with a marina view. Of course my kids even know the drill - don't touch anything until Mommy looks out the patio/balcony at the view!

 

[Babyboo]

I've finally got round to putting some photos on Photobucket.

Here are some photo's of Lodge Tower Room 6220.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

great pics baby! I stayed in 6220 in July 2007
its looks so different since the remodel
i will add this page number back at the beginning

 

[praline3001]

Hey guys! A "few" pages back I was looking for cute outfits for my little princess to wear at Disney. Some of you pointed me to Boutique Ebay and I did find the most adorable outfit. Kelly told me I should post it as its so cute. The lady who did it also monogrammed my daughter's name on the top of the shirt in red =)
I bought 2 cute minnie mouse BIG bows to put her hair in pony tails for the outfit. The lady also has a website so if you can't find the outfit on Ebay you can always order it direct from her site. She will make them in long or short sleeves. I saw she had a little jean skirt instead of jeans also but not sure if she does shorts. I worked with her on this outfit and she was a wonderful lady, highly recommended!

here is the link to her site:
http://peanutbearys.com/catalog.php?category=5

 

[Lives4Disney]

Robyn, have a great time!!!!

Babyboo - cute pics! I stayed ni 6420? I think ....the one at the top w/out a balcony. It was cute with the high ceilings, though.


OK...you guys need to hold me back. I called and RPC is available for a few of my dates during spring break I just called to make ADRs and I couldn't bite my tongue.... I had to at least ASK . I am so torn because the Swan is a GREAT deal, I enjoy that location - esp w/the flower fest going on, and RPC is not a great deal at this "Peak season" and I like that location,too. Now I am thinking split stay. Hold me back. P L E A S E. No really. I am not kidding. I don't want to do it but I do but I know I really should not but I want to but it doesn't make sense I think it's overpriced but I love it there but the Swan is nice too and also has new rooms but I love the GF.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[praline3001]

Ps.... I have to say the outfit is actually cuter than one the pic shows!
My first comment when I pulled it out of the box was
I WONDER IF SHE MAKES THIS IN BIG GIRL SIZES

 

[tidblgrrer]

Channing: We stayed at the Boardwalk during the Flower Festival one year and absolutely loved the location. The flower exhibits were incredible and the crowds were minimal, but we were not there during Easter or Spring Break. (Homeschool perk --- we try to always visit when most schools are in session) Maybe you can just squeeze a short split stay to satisfy your GF needs. We didn't really miss the monorail area and we really thought we would since it was our first stay off of the monorail.

Conch -- we stayed there in December and actually loved the location. It only took a minute to walk to the main building, but it seemed much more relaxed and less hectic. I'm sure part of that was the huge crowds in the main building looking at all of the decorations. The crowds were a bit overwhelming to say the least. Our room overlooked the Grand 1 --- since we had reserved GV -- we were thrilled. I'm sure I would enjoy being closer to the main building if it wasn't Christmas.


I've finally gathered the majority of the photo's onto one drive... we are over 4000 (EEEK) Can someone point me in the correct direction for photo posting instructions???? I've never posted a photo here so I'm certainly floating in the clue-free zone in this area.

I am really trying to resist the urge to start planning again..... of course it might help if I stopped reading the boards.


Vikki

 

[LostRosetta]

Hi guys! I’m new this thread and have never actually been to the Grand Floridian. My first time there will be in December 2008 when I go for about ten days, still have not decided the exact days I just have the period from 12-23 booked. So the point of my post is that I have three questions I need to ask you all.

The first being how often do you get towel animals there? Do you have to have children booked in your room? I will be 18 when we go but I love stuffed animals and towel animals like the average five year old. Do you have to request them or anything?

My second question is how large are the mirrors there? Are there full length mirrors or are they very short? Is there anyway, like by standing far back from one, to make it full length? For example in the Contemporary, in the bathroom the mirrors were not full length but by standing against the wall at the back of the bathroom you could pretty much see all the way down to your feet.

My last question is about the products sold in the gingerbread house. Do they have any gingerbread Mickeys for sale or is it just shingles and things?

Thanks for all your help,
--M.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I love that outfit!! It is sooo cute.

 

[Tink rules]

Channing: We stayed at the Boardwalk during the Flower Festival one year and absolutely loved the location. The flower exhibits were incredible and the crowds were minimal, but we were not there during Easter or Spring Break. (Homeschool perk --- we try to always visit when most schools are in session) Maybe you can just squeeze a short split stay to satisfy your GF needs. We didn't really miss the monorail area and we really thought we would since it was our first stay off of the monorail.

Conch -- we stayed there in December and actually loved the location. It only took a minute to walk to the main building, but it seemed much more relaxed and less hectic. I'm sure part of that was the huge crowds in the main building looking at all of the decorations. The crowds were a bit overwhelming to say the least. Our room overlooked the Grand 1 --- since we had reserved GV -- we were thrilled. I'm sure I would enjoy being closer to the main building if it wasn't Christmas.


I've finally gathered the majority of the photo's onto one drive... we are over 4000 (EEEK) Can someone point me in the correct direction for photo posting instructions???? I've never posted a photo here so I'm certainly floating in the clue-free zone in this area.

I am really trying to resist the urge to start planning again..... of course it might help if I stopped reading the boards.


Vikki

Here you go for the pictures... good luck!!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17030652&postcount=3

Hi guys! I’m new this thread and have never actually been to the Grand Floridian. My first time there will be in December 2008 when I go for about ten days, still have not decided the exact days I just have the period from 12-23 booked. So the point of my post is that I have three questions I need to ask you all.

The first being how often do you get towel animals there? Do you have to have children booked in your room? I will be 18 when we go but I love stuffed animals and towel animals like the average five year old. Do you have to request them or anything?

My second question is how large are the mirrors there? Are there full length mirrors or are they very short? Is there anyway, like by standing far back from one, to make it full length? For example in the Contemporary, in the bathroom the mirrors were not full length but by standing against the wall at the back of the bathroom you could pretty much see all the way down to your feet.

My last question is about the products sold in the gingerbread house. Do they have any gingerbread Mickeys for sale or is it just shingles and things?

Thanks for all your help,
--M.

I think that there is a full sized mirror on in the bathroom - but I haven't been there since the rehab...

I didn't get any towel animals when I was there 2 years ago... I think it depends on the mousekeeper you have.

I'll see if I can find Lindsey's post on the Xmas decorations (she's Fairy Tale Bride here on the boards...)

 

[vtwep]

what is RPC?

OK...about to break down and make our reservations. I want the Theme Park view and will request upper floor with Castle view. I will also request either Conch Key or Sago Cay...does Sugar Loaf also have good views of the castle from upper floors? Or are CK and SC the best options?

THANKS!

 

[tete01830]

Channing, where we seperated at birth???
Here is some info to help you convince Jojo!
The Easter Bunny surely visits Disney! Here is Mr and Mrs Bunny at Epcot!

Here is some of the activites that they did last yeat at the GF. Becky is the woman that used to run the activities at SAB and now she is at GF so expect better activities at the GF this year!

Grand Floridian

Easter activities are for guests registered at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

All activities are located in the Main Courtyard

Coffee, juice and pastries available - 8:30am
Easter Egg Hunt - Divided into the following age groups: 4 years and under, 5-7 years, 8-11years - 9:00am
Activities including Cookie Decorating, Photos, Character Meet & Greet and pool activities will be available after the Easter Egg Hunt

----------------------------------
Yacht and Beach Club

Easter activities are available only to registered guests at the Yacht Club, Beach Club and Beach Club Villas

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Make a bracelet or keychain at the Storm-along Bay Activity Table - 11am
Make your own ice cream at Storm-along Bay. $3:00 for DVC members; $4.00 for guests - 12pm - 1pm
Design your own magnets at the Storm-along Bay Activity Table - 1:30pm
Pool Party at Storm-along Bay - 3pm - 4:30pm
Sunday, April 8, 2007

Candy Scramble - next to the volleyball court at the Beach Club - 9am
Kite Making - meet at the playground at Storm-along Bay - 10:30am
Pool Party at Storm-along Bay - 11:30am - 1:30pm
Scavenger Hunt - meet at the Storm-along Bay Activity Table - 2:00pm
Relay Races - on the grass next to the Beach Club's volleyball court - 3pm
Water Balloon Toss -- on the grass next to the Beach Club's volleyball court - 4pm

 

[Tink rules]

Not sure if you can make out the prices...but here's the menu board for the Gingerbread house...

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21948156&postcount=426

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi guys! I’m new this thread and have never actually been to the Grand Floridian. My first time there will be in December 2008 when I go for about ten days, still have not decided the exact days I just have the period from 12-23 booked. So the point of my post is that I have three questions I need to ask you all.

The first being how often do you get towel animals there? Do you have to have children booked in your room? I will be 18 when we go but I love stuffed animals and towel animals like the average five year old. Do you have to request them or anything?

My second question is how large are the mirrors there? Are there full length mirrors or are they very short? Is there anyway, like by standing far back from one, to make it full length? For example in the Contemporary, in the bathroom the mirrors were not full length but by standing against the wall at the back of the bathroom you could pretty much see all the way down to your feet.

My last question is about the products sold in the gingerbread house. Do they have any gingerbread Mickeys for sale or is it just shingles and things?

Thanks for all your help,
--M.

Hi, welcome to the GF thread!

Towel animals....not too common. Sorry to say we have had maybe 3 in a lot of stays. Not a big deal to us. DDs always buy stuffed animals anyway -you will find lots of choices for sale to satisfy that issue.

Full length mirrors are on the closet doors. They are totally full length - the whole door is a mirror. Toward the end of our stays I hate to even peek at them because I am feeling like I gained 10 lbs on vacation.

I do not remember gingerbread Mickeys. They used to have those at the candy/treat store in Germany in Epcot. They had chocolate dipped Mickey ears. I bought the cookie cutters at the Confectionary on Main St. this past trip. Very cute & came w/matching kitchen hand towels.

You'll love that GF. It's a nice escape from the nasty crowds in the parks.

Vtwep - RPC is "Royal Palm Club"....it's the concierge (club level) in the main building at the Grand. Sugar Loaf has no real castle views. It faces the courtyard, garden pool or the marina on the opposite side.

Tete, thanks for that. I am just so leary to book the air. I have a hold on Swan and GF and maybe I will do a split stay. Most likely just stick w/Swan though.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney