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

[DeborahB]

Well we couldn't decide between the two, so we finally decided to split our upcoming stay. We will be at the Poly LVC for our first 3 nights, then moving over to GF RPC for our remaining 6 nights!!!!!!! I'm on Cloud 10!!!!!!
I've stayed at the GF and Poly twice each but never CL. I've learned so much from reading this thread (and the old one). You all are a wealth of info!

We are booked in a standard room. Can anyone tell me where in the main building these rooms are located? My CRO CM told me I couldn't get a castle view from a standard room in the main building

Also I was notified by both IPOs within 24 hours. Cool.
Can't wait to go!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Well we couldn't decide between the two, so we finally decided to split our upcoming stay. We will be at the Poly LVC for our first 3 nights, then moving over to GF RPC for our remaining 6 nights!!!!!!! I'm on Cloud 10!!!!!!
I've stayed at the GF and Poly twice each but never CL. I've learned so much from reading this thread (and the old one). You all are a wealth of info!

We are booked in a standard room. Can anyone tell me where in the main building these rooms are located? My CRO CM told me I couldn't get a castle view from a standard room in the main building

Also I was notified by both IPOs within 24 hours. Cool.
Can't wait to go!

Cool! We were booked the same way one spring break only we started with our 6 nights in RPC and the day before we were supposed to move to Poly LVC we asked if we could continue our RPC stay instead!! They were great and even though they were booked up they found us room!!!

The CRO people don't know much apparently. You definitely have the option of a castle view from the main building. I have always had that view. It's rooms 4301-4309 on the 3rd floor (same floor as the concierge CMs) and also 4401-4409 on the 4th floor (same floor as the lounge)...these rooms overlook the marina with the castle in the distance. They are directly over Gasparilla's Grill. These are the castle view rooms...the others have courtyard type garden views. All nice. Check out the map on the front of this thread and you'll see the location.

Poly LVC...eh....It's OK, but not like RPC.

Happy planning,
Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hi everyone

lives4 post says it all there are catle views the CRO people are well I wont say anything....
I did poly lvc and the view was STUNNING but i still like the gf better.

 

[DeborahB]

Channing--Thanks so much for the info. Ya, I definitely thought she was incorrect but she was adamant about it. I had her put the request in anyway.
Also, when I send my itinerary back to IPO, should I tell them too? A castle view would be perfect.
Form what you've experienced, I'm glad I'm doing Poly first. I love the GF.

I see you have a new ticker! Too funny! Are you staying at the GF? Too bad you're not going in May, I'd love to meet up!


Kelly--They try at CRO but most of us know more than them. I've heard so many good things about Poly LVC I hope I won't be disappointed.
BTW (totally off topic) My husband and #2 son are going to the Pats game on Saturday. It's Hubby's birthday! What a nice present, huh? Go PATS!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing--Thanks so much for the info. Ya, I definitely thought she was incorrect but she was adamant about it. I had her put the request in anyway.
Also, when I send my itinerary back to IPO, should I tell them too? A castle view would be perfect.
Form what you've experienced, I'm glad I'm doing Poly first. I love the GF.

I see you have a new ticker! Too funny! Are you staying at the GF? Too bad you're not going in May, I'd love to meet up!


Kelly--They try at CRO but most of us know more than them. I've heard so many good things about Poly LVC I hope I won't be disappointed.
BTW (totally off topic) My husband and #2 son are going to the Pats game on Saturday. It's Hubby's birthday! What a nice present, huh? Go PATS!

Deborah, ya it is kind of sad that we know more than many CRO CMs..I am finding that more and more regarding WDW CMs, too. I would DEFINITELY request castle view thru IPO. The concierge level has their own room assigners - different from the standard non concierge level assigner and IPO will have their ear.

We are NOT staying GF during our March trip. I have to keep telling myself that, lol. NOnononononono Bad GF. Bad! The peak season rates are out of hand IMO....although I have it on hold while I decide for sure.... I can't see paying $1000/nt when I can pay a lot less any other time of year for the same thing. Reality check here. Also, my son and DH aren't going and I don't want to be sad missing them, remembering family trips and feeling guilty at the GF. I have the Swan reserved (that seems to be our hotel of choice for partial family trips) and then we will move to the CR MK View! The GF wasn't available for our last few nts but the Poly, WL, and CR were so I asked my DDs where they wanted to stay and they both chose CR. We haven't stayed there since the remodel, so it will be interesting. We fell in love with the GF and the rest is history. We will be at the GF over the summer.

Enjoy your planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[pooh98378]

This is interesting info. (and sounds like a mess!). Thanks for providing. So, they're going to tile the main building lobby floor? I don't know that I like that idea very much. Seems like it could contribute greatly to noise in there, and just doesn't seem as "deluxe" to me.

Actually, we couldn't figure out quite what they were doing. DH talked to the concierge and all he could figure out is that it has something to do with marble. So, we're not sure if they are going to put in marble floors or what. There is actually already tile in the GF - it goes around the outer circle of the lobby (i.e. where people normally walk) and then stretches all the way out the back where the entrance to the GF Cafe is. We paid attention to it this time after we learned they were going to redo the floors apparently. So, we'll see...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We are NOT staying GF during our March trip. I have to keep telling myself that, lol. NOnononononono Bad GF. Bad! The peak season rates are out of hand IMO....although I have it on hold while I decide for sure.... I can't see paying $1000/nt when I can pay a lot less any other time of year for the same thing. Reality check here. Also, my son and DH aren't going and I don't want to be sad missing them, remembering family trips and feeling guilty at the GF. I have the Swan reserved (that seems to be our hotel of choice for partial family trips) and then we will move to the CR MK View! The GF wasn't available for our last few nts but the Poly, WL, and CR were so I asked my DDs where they wanted to stay and they both chose CR. We haven't stayed there since the remodel, so it will be interesting. We fell in love with the GF and the rest is history. We will be at the GF over the summer.

Enjoy your planning,

Lives4Disney

I maybe biased here since the Contemporary is my favorite WDW Resort, however I can say their renovated rooms look amazing and are a lot better then their old design. Of course only you can make that decision for yourself, so I hope you have a great time staying there. Also with the Magic Kingdom view you will have a direct view of the Grand Floridian, so hopefully that can also be a good thing for you.

 

[dingoballs]

I maybe biased here since the Contemporary is my favorite WDW Resort, however I can say their renovated rooms look amazing and are a lot better then their old design. Of course only you can make that decision for yourself, so I hope you have a great time staying there. Also with the Magic Kingdom view you will have a direct view of the Grand Floridian, so hopefully that can also be a good thing for you.

Or maybe not... Lives4Disney will probably get homesick looking at the GF every day.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Or maybe not... Lives4Disney will probably get homesick looking at the GF every day.

That's true because I know after a few days of seeing the Contemporary from my room at the Polynesian I started to miss staying there.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Totally amazes me how much I miss when I am not here for a few days...

So, trying to catch up... glad to see some folks have had really nice trips lately and love the NY eve pictures (thanks Marc)... amazing gingerbread pictures too.

And what's this about all this work and rehab in the main building... YIKES... does anyone know whe4n it is going to be completed? I have to say I think I will be annoyed if it is like that in a few weeks when we are there. Anyone have additional info?

Oh.. and what's this Channing has a new ticker... Glad you are back in Disney mode!

I have some ADR;s made but need to get a few more in and am worried about crowd levels... I don't do well with crowds! I have a ressie for Narcossee's (SP?) but am wondering if I should keep it... tell me is it worth 2DDP or out of pocket? Also, debating if we should upgrade to the next level of dining package if we do Narcossee's so we are covered...we seem to liek table service meals, especially breakfest. Any thoughts? Still can not get into 1900PF for dinner. Anyone actually try once they arrive and actual get table?

Hope everyone is well... Really need to get my act together and think about this trip... it is sneaking up very quickly and I am so unprepared!

Best,

 

[Lives4Disney]

Oh man. Dingoballs is right. I am already thinking that way.....I want to do a Swan/GF split. My son would not be happy if we stayed at the CR without him. I am unsure - so kind of playing it by ear for now. This thread is killing me. Seeing the GF pictures.....geez. I am so wishy washy. Swan for sure - it's a great deal on a great room and location. Just not sure where to spend a couple MK nights and i have a feeling I know what will happen as much as I slap myself I can't help it.

Hello, NeversayNever! I did like Narcoosees but I thought OOP it was costly. That's just me and maybe I am in the minority but with a dd11 that had to buy a $45 meal on the adult menu but only ate a smidge of it and then DD7 that I am not sure enjoyed the place much....mine was fine but I thought it was expensive for our family - came to over $250. Maybe I am wrong & that's just average but it seems steep to me. For just DH and I - ok no problem...it's the 3 expensive, wasteful kids that get me. That is crummy you can't ge into 1900 PF. You could sure try a walk up but have another ADR for a bit later as a back up. Have you been to Ohana for bfast with Lilo & Stitch?? We are doing that one = its been a while since we did it and it's cute. How about the new Tusker House Donald bfast? Did you get 1900 for bfast?? Crystal Palace?? Those are our faves....going to try the Tusker one for the first time.

I don't know a thing about the DDP...sorry. Hope somebody can help.

Channing

 

[GFFAN]

Totally amazes me how much I miss when I am not here for a few days...

So, trying to catch up... glad to see some folks have had really nice trips lately and love the NY eve pictures (thanks Marc)... amazing gingerbread pictures too.

And what's this about all this work and rehab in the main building... YIKES... does anyone know whe4n it is going to be completed? I have to say I think I will be annoyed if it is like that in a few weeks when we are there. Anyone have additional info?

Oh.. and what's this Channing has a new ticker... Glad you are back in Disney mode!

I have some ADR;s made but need to get a few more in and am worried about crowd levels... I don't do well with crowds! I have a ressie for Narcossee's (SP?) but am wondering if I should keep it... tell me is it worth 2DDP or out of pocket? Also, debating if we should upgrade to the next level of dining package if we do Narcossee's so we are covered...we seem to liek table service meals, especially breakfest. Any thoughts? Still can not get into 1900PF for dinner. Anyone actually try once they arrive and actual get table?

Hope everyone is well... Really need to get my act together and think about this trip... it is sneaking up very quickly and I am so unprepared!

Best,

I was told that we would be moved back to RPC on the moring of January 15th, so you should be safe.

 

[dingoballs]

Oh man. Dingoballs is right. I am already thinking that way.....I want to do a Swan/GF split. My son would not be happy if we stayed at the CR without him. I am unsure - so kind of playing it by ear for now. This thread is killing me. Seeing the GF pictures.....geez. I am so wishy washy. Swan for sure - it's a great deal on a great room and location. Just not sure where to spend a couple MK nights and i have a feeling I know what will happen as much as I slap myself I can't help it.

Hello, NeversayNever! I did like Narcoosees but I thought OOP it was costly. That's just me and maybe I am in the minority but with a dd11 that had to buy a $45 meal on the adult menu but only ate a smidge of it and then DD7 that I am not sure enjoyed the place much....mine was fine but I thought it was expensive for our family - came to over $250. Maybe I am wrong & that's just average but it seems steep to me. For just DH and I - ok no problem...it's the 3 expensive, wasteful kids that get me. That is crummy you can't ge into 1900 PF. You could sure try a walk up but have another ADR for a bit later as a back up. Have you been to Ohana for bfast with Lilo & Stitch?? We are doing that one = its been a while since we did it and it's cute. How about the new Tusker House Donald bfast? Did you get 1900 for bfast?? Crystal Palace?? Those are our faves....going to try the Tusker one for the first time.

I don't know a thing about the DDP...sorry. Hope somebody can help.

Channing

Hi Channing

Your post made me laugh... you sound like an addict in withdrawal.

Does that mean you're thinking of doing a Swan/GF split stay? Do you think RPC may already be sold out for Easter break?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi Channing

Your post made me laugh... you sound like an addict in withdrawal.

Does that mean you're thinking of doing a Swan/GF split stay? Do you think RPC may already be sold out for Easter break?

Hi, Dingo...OMG I sure feel like a crazy addict. I am pathetic. I am definitely doing the Swan and have been holding that room since August actually. I was set to stay there teh whole duration of our stay but then I was thinking we'd really enjoy a MK stay for a few nts., too. We have not ever spent a whole trip on the Epcot side before and MK is our favorite. So I also have an RPC room on hold now - thinking about checking in Easter afternoon for a few nts and then home. Sometimes I feel like when it comes up available during these crazy busy times kind of last minute for me, it was meant to be, haha. That's how I talk myself into it. This thread is like crack and it's KILLING me. I need to stay off the Dis for a while and detox.

 

[Fishy&2guppies]

I know exactly how you feel. We are going to have to be in Tampa for a few days, but I can't be that close to Disney without going, so we are going up just for the night and then spend just one day. I figured since it was just for the night we might try staying at a value and save some money and even had one booked. I was so sad and my DH was not happy at all when he found out we were not going back to GF. So 2 days later I called and switched us back to GF. Now I am much more happy and excited to be going back. We are spoiled now.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Here's a couple of minutes after the balloon drop. The quality isn't that great -- we were having problems with our camera. You can tell that it was only a little crowded....

Wow - that is some crowd! But I'm sure it was less than was in the parks!

Actually, we couldn't figure out quite what they were doing. DH talked to the concierge and all he could figure out is that it has something to do with marble. So, we're not sure if they are going to put in marble floors or what. There is actually already tile in the GF - it goes around the outer circle of the lobby (i.e. where people normally walk) and then stretches all the way out the back where the entrance to the GF Cafe is. We paid attention to it this time after we learned they were going to redo the floors apparently. So, we'll see...

That is interesting - I'll be interested to hear the reports next week once people are allowed back into the main building. Yes, I know that there is tile around the perimeter of the old carpeted area now. I can understand having it there since it's so highly trafficed, but do wonder about how wise it would be to put hard-surfaced floors throughout that entire area. That carpet not only softens things from a visual perspective, but it soaks up some of the noise, too. It could get pretty loud in there as noise just ricochets between those high ceilings and hard floors.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Oh man. Dingoballs is right. I am already thinking that way.....I want to do a Swan/GF split. My son would not be happy if we stayed at the CR without him. I am unsure - so kind of playing it by ear for now. This thread is killing me. Seeing the GF pictures.....geez. I am so wishy washy. Swan for sure - it's a great deal on a great room and location. Just not sure where to spend a couple MK nights and i have a feeling I know what will happen as much as I slap myself I can't help it.

I will be interested to see what happens here...

I think we can all understand, though. As you know, I'm struggling with even going in May, and if we do go, do we stay at the Poly (my DH's resort choice when it's warm outside), or spend almost half the room rate and stay at the Swan? I'm all over the place on it! Something about the Swan doesn't excite me - I guess because it's technically not a Disney resort! I find that pathetic - hello, Disney has me right where they want me! I remember we were thrilled to stay there for the first time in '01, moving up from a moderate, but once we started to stay Disney deluxe or DVC, we've never looked back.

And now DH tells me that when we do go for our long trip in December, he wants to stay RPC again. Never in a million years would I have thought he'd say that, as I thought he was going to have a heart attack over the $$ when I booked us there for last December. Now, I've created a monster!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

my dh does the same thing. He acts like he doesnt care where we stay but then will say thats concierge right?
LOL

 

[irisbud]

Hi all,

Just back from a week at WDW, though we did not get to stay at the GF this time due to no avalibility and I must say that I especially missed it while we were at the Poly, though we did visit the Grand twice, once for breakfast at Gaspies (where my sausage was stolen from right in front of me be a very agressive gull ) and on our last day for lunch at the GF Cafe which was outstanding and which I highly reccomend.

As was reported earlier, there is a perimiter wall up around the lobby made of both wood and large sheets of plastic. If you rode the cage elevator from the second floor to the first, you could see inside of this barrier. All of the furniture within and much of the floor is covered in plastic sheeting. As of yesterday, only a small portion of the carpet had been torn up within. There were several spots such as the area coming off of the elevator and a place near the check in desk where the tile has been torn up. There was also wet paint on the woodwork around the elevator.

I was sad not to be able to enjoy the lobby of the Grand even though we were not staying there, though yesterday they did put a very learge picture of the lobby up on the sheeting as you come into the main building from the monorail.

All of the stores and restauraunts were still open, it seemed, though I did notice that the Gardenview Tea Lounge had a sign that stated that it had been relocated to Citrico's for the duration of the construction.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I will be interested to see what happens here...

I think we can all understand, though. As you know, I'm struggling with even going in May, and if we do go, do we stay at the Poly (my DH's resort choice when it's warm outside), or spend almost half the room rate and stay at the Swan? I'm all over the place on it! Something about the Swan doesn't excite me - I guess because it's technically not a Disney resort! I find that pathetic - hello, Disney has me right where they want me! I remember we were thrilled to stay there for the first time in '01, moving up from a moderate, but once we started to stay Disney deluxe or DVC, we've never looked back.

And now DH tells me that when we do go for our long trip in December, he wants to stay RPC again. Never in a million years would I have thought he'd say that, as I thought he was going to have a heart attack over the $$ when I booked us there for last December. Now, I've created a monster!

I hear ya.


Thanks for understanding. I feel like a loser.

About the Swan.....DH and I went ONCE to WDW by ourselves and we stayed there. OMG it was a BLAST. I enjoy the walk b/f between the parks. The lack of little Disney touches does not bug me at all - but I know it does others and I understand...we all have our quirks. I feel like you look outside and all you see is Disney, so it just oozes into the room. I guess what does bug me is how they skimp on towels and toiletries and sometimes turndown, other times not, sometimes robes sometimes not....I am bringing some GF toiletries just to have extra and I will just have to bother myself to call daily for turndown and extra towels. Just little things but I love not having to deal w/that stuff at all at the GF. I will let you know how the new rooms are. Dingoballs is going the week before me & hopefully his stay will be great & we can both feel like we got a great deal and enjoyed our time at the Swan.