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

[Lives4Disney]

Praline, Have a great time.
I will be looking for you in the lobby and I will say "Hi" if I see you. Those pics of Savannah and the pony are adorable!!! How exciting to see your niece and newphew. That makes the trip even more special!

We are leaving Monday morning and I am just staring at my packing lists and piles of clothes. I am checking one large suitcase and bringing my DD's small Pottery Barn Kids one and my large purse on the plane. I am avoiding packing as I know I am going to run into space issues ...

I have a question for those of you who are RPC experts ... I want to bring small gift baskets for the concierge CMs. We are from New Orleans, so I was planning on bringing nice Mardi Gras beads, pralines, and beignet mix. How many would I need to bring? Also, how would I go about sending something to the person who I have been in contact with from IPO? TIA!

I can't believe after 6 months of planning, we are leaving in 3 days!
- Andrea

Andrea, I didn't realize you are staying RPC. Well, give a HELLO to Vonnie and Joe for me. I am not going to tell you how many gifts to bring, but there are 2 concierge CMs at the desks from 6 - 2 pm, and then Vonnie and Joe from 2 - 10 pm. I like them all but we've gotten to know the 2-10pm CMs a bit more than the earlier. (so 4 total concierge desk cms)

The IPO person is actually usually working in the back room. Or so I think because I have been introduced to Calvin and other IPO staff and that's where they've come out of. I usually don't get stuff for all the concierge CMs. I don't think it's really customary - although from these boards you'd think it was, but that's just not so. We give something if we know them or they've gone out of their way, but not just casually. DH usually does tip certain lounge CMs that we like a lot and see every trip. Have a wonderful time!!!

You guys with your pet pictures!!! They are ADORABLE! I have to post mine, too, haha. I am CRAZY about my Newfie. She is just AWESOME in every way. 130 lbs of fluff & sugar.

Happy traveling all!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[praline3001]

Like I said, Newfie's are my favorite ... I wish it wasn't so humid here or I would have 10 of them
They don't do very well this far south =(

Great pics Channing!

Anyone else have any pet pics while we are OT and I am bored as I have been ready to go for hours now

I will be looking for you in the lobby and I will say "Hi" if I see you.

Please do!!! I will be the one guarding my CC from the rest of the resort
I will be like the Soup Nazi in Sienfield

 

[arbonnette]

Andrea, I didn't realize you are staying RPC. Well, give a HELLO to Vonnie and Joe for me. I am not going to tell you how many gifts to bring, but there are 2 concierge CMs at the desks from 6 - 2 pm, and then Vonnie and Joe from 2 - 10 pm. I like them all but we've gotten to know the 2-10pm CMs a bit more than the earlier. (so 4 total concierge desk cms)

The IPO person is actually usually working in the back room. Or so I think because I have been introduced to Calvin and other IPO staff and that's where they've come out of. I usually don't get stuff for all the concierge CMs. I don't think it's really customary - although from these boards you'd think it was, but that's just not so. We give something if we know them or they've gone out of their way, but not just casually. DH usually does tip certain lounge CMs that we like a lot and see every trip. Have a wonderful time!!!

Thanks for the advice. I did see on here that some people do give gifts to the concierge CMs, but that is not why we are doing it. It was my mom's idea, actually, and since it is actually Mardi Gras time at home, we thought it would be fun! I won't do it though if it would be awkward for the CMs to take a gift ...

I am enjoying everyone's pet pictures. We used to have a Sharpei family: mother, father, and son.

Have a great evening, everyone.
- Andrea

 

[Tink rules]

I
Well, you get the credit for motivating me to try. I saw your larger, colored font and thought I NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT (and I am totally computer challened, haha) My DS17 shows me a lot of stuff, too.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Channing it's really easy... when you type out a reply...just highlight it and at the top, change the font and the size and where it has the A with the line under it, you can even change the color!!! Let your creative size show!!!

& please entertain us with the story behind your new pic in your siggy!!! What's the plaque all about???

 

[arbonnette]

please entertain us with the story behind your new pic in your siggy!!! What's the plaque all about???

I am wondering about it too!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I am wondering about it too!!!

that was in the old thread

 

[shoppgirl]

Hello Everyone
I am new to DISboards and this thread. I love reading it and getting a lot of great info about the GF! I have just reserved my family's first WDW trip for August and we are staying at the GF (sadly, the only available room the week we're going is GV)!!!! I am so excited! My girls are 4 and 6 and can't wait to meet all their favourite princesses.

I just had a question that I'm hoping someone can help me with...I understand all rooms come with a mini fridge. I also understand that you can get a microwave! Does anyone know how much it costs to "rent" one for the stay? I was told that you can get one for a fee, but the reservationist could not tell me how much. Thanks for any info you can provide!

 

[Tink rules]

Come on Channing... Spill it!!! I need dirt on the plaque!!! (or what dirt did you dig it out of??? )

 

[triplefigs]

Oh, Channing stole that plaque when she was upgraded to the Walt Suite for her 40th birthday last year...

 

[irisbud]

My puppies:

The one in the front is my "son", Petey. He is a three year old Feist.

In the back is Buster. He belongs to my mom and dad. He is a nine year old bassett that they rescued.

 

[Tink rules]

Oh, Channing stole that plaque when she was upgraded to the Walt Suite for her 40th birthday last year...

TrippleFigs...

Has anyone ever told you your DH looks like Phil Mickelson???

 

[Lives4Disney]

Arbonnette, yes do what you're comfortable with. I just didn't want you to think it was something everybody does and feel obligated. I don't feel comfortable myself doing it unless it's for somebody I already have a relationship with. I think it's great you are bringing them some cool stuff. They will love it I'm sure.

Michelle, how is this?? I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That plaque is THE plaque that Roy Disney held and used to read the dedication for MK on it's opening day. It was a fabulous Ebay buy & a treasure. There is a bronze "copy" (haha) in the MK town square by the Roy & Minnie statue. I love it. NO! I didn't steal it from the Walt Suite, haha!! Although there sure were some neato things in there I would have wanted! I could have been tempted but didn't want to get anybody in trouble. I wanted Tatum as my avatar, but I can't get her small enough. OH bummer. THat's what she's doing in my siggy pic.

Hi, Shopgirl!! You will love the GF. I am not sure if they still have the microwaves. They are (or were) free, request only from housekeeping - they only had a few. You can just ask when you get there by calling housekeeping or the front desk.

Praline - Newfies are the best, although I know Jojo would love a pony!!! wow!! How cool is that?!?!?! We actually call Tatum our pony girl. I've said it before and I will say it again - HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!! Safe travels!!!!

Channing

 

[Tink rules]

Well, you know at my brothers wedding one of the groomsmen snuck a picture out of the cocktail hour that my SIL had admired... (looks great on their dining room wall...) Of course next time we went to a wedding there... the pictures were SCREWED to the walls...

What a find... Why do I have a feeling we'll be dueling Ebayers for GF stuff... Just please don't take all my powder blue wall paper... I have to wait until next pay period to get them!!

 

[praline3001]

Hello Everyone
I am new to DISboards and this thread. I love reading it and getting a lot of great info about the GF! I have just reserved my family's first WDW trip for August and we are staying at the GF (sadly, the only available room the week we're going is GV)!!!! I am so excited! My girls are 4 and 6 and can't wait to meet all their favourite princesses.

I just had a question that I'm hoping someone can help me with...I understand all rooms come with a mini fridge. I also understand that you can get a microwave! Does anyone know how much it costs to "rent" one for the stay? I was told that you can get one for a fee, but the reservationist could not tell me how much. Thanks for any info you can provide!

Welcome Shopgirl! i haven't heard anything about renting a microwave but all rooms are supposed to come with the fridge. I will be there tomorrow and can ask for you if nobody else knows the answer by then....

 

[irisbud]

Have a great trip, Praline!

 

[triplefigs]

Shopgirl, we had a microwave for our Dec 2005 trip. There was no charge. We just requested it when we checked in, and Mousekeeping delivered it to the room. It was great!

 

[praline3001]

Dh is making his backpack up.... sometimes its great being married to an Eagle scout...sometimes not so much. He has packed travel size TP in case we need it. I asked him, "DO YOU REALLY THINK DISNEY WILL BE OUT OF TP?"
he said you just never know.....you should see the stuff he has packed tonight. I guess a screwdriver COULD come in handy if we were building our own house... ow like the other poster said snatching artwork off the wall

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

1. Can we get turn down service if we aren't staying concierge?

Denise,
Even though my family and I have not stayed at the Grand Floridian, I read that guests in every room get turn down service and not just those staying in Royal Palm and Sugar Loaf.

 

[shoppgirl]

Thank you very much for the responses on the microwave! Also thank you Praline for offering to look into it on your upcoming trip! Have fun! I can't wait to hear all about it and see your photos.

I hope that we can get our hands on one as it would really be handy for the family. We're not going with the Disney Dining Plan as I have 2 very picky and light eaters. I'll be packing some extra munchies that they are familiar with and enjoy. Like I said before, this is their very first vacation, and will probably appreciate some comforts from home (they've never spent more than 1 night away from home, and now we'll be away for 5 nights!!!).

 

[princessesrule4]

1. Can we get turn down service if we aren't staying concierge?
2. How do I list "Hammerhead room" request? Should that be first (Hammerhead room, Sago or Conch) or should it be bldg first (Sago or Conch, Hammerhead room)?
3. In order, which bldg do you think has the best view of the MK? We have the TPV booked.

Everyone gets turn down at the GF!

I would request whichever is more important to you- hammerhead room or specific building. I don't know if there are hammerheads in every building!? I don't know if a lot of people know to request hammerheads so you may have a good chance of getting one!

We liked Big Pine for MK views and its proximity to the Main Building. Next choice is Boca Chica - great views , further walk to MB but close to courtyard pool. Sago is third because the MK view is off to the left a bit. Still a castle view, but Big Pine and Boca have more panoramic MK views. But I know you said that your DS is a monorail fan and the monorail goes right by Sago! Sago is close to Gasparillas as well. We've never stayed in Conch so not sure about that one.

Hope this helps!