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

[BamaTigger]

Almost time to go!! Can today move any slowerrrrrr????

Im so ready to see the GF!!!!

 

[WishesQueen]

WOW!!! So exciting!!!

So many people from this thread are just back, just going or there!!!!

Have a great time, can't wait to hear how much you love the GF and anything new you can share!!!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Hi Everyone!

DVC Mary... Hoping today is brighter for you all and that you were able to get on an earlier flight...

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures... thought I would try to post somemore this afternoon... Here we go!

Here are more from the view from our room...

Off to our left was Sago Cay:

Off to our right was Conch Key (the furthest) and Sugar Loaf :

and looking straight out:

Immediately to our right and down below was Gaspies... here are the top of some of the umbrellas and the entrance to the Main Building:

Here's a shot of quiet pool while under renovation (I have to say it was not invasive our an eyesore at all... I was pleased...when I heard it was going to be closed I thought it would be a mess all around):

...and one from our room looking over the construction wall...

One of the grounds... it is so lovely just to walk around or to and from the buildings and the marina...

Oh, and I found the other picture of our second towel surprise:

I will see what else I may have and bore you all with more pictures hopefully later....

Forgive me, I know someone asked if we would stay RPC again... Well yes... but it would depend on the pricing... if it was full price.. probably not with a code most likely. Ther view was splendid, but ofcourse not guaranteed with RPC, the room from what I have seen was the same as all the other basic rooms regardless of building... what made it for us... was some of the food offerings, convenience and honestly the staff at the Conceirge where extremely helpful and really made this work for us. We had some hiccups were we had to change our plans pretty quickly and the Concierge was efficient and able to juggle and unbook and rebook ADR's for us. We probably would have not gotten 1900 PF for dinner without them... especially since we had to change it once.

Enjoy the pictures....


Best,

 

[WishesQueen]

Your not boring me at all!!!

 

[werfamily]

Your not boring me at all!!!

I agree! For those of us who have never been before, it's nice to get some idea of how things are laid out at the GF. It will certainly reduce the time it takes to get my bearings once we arrive (in 9 days!).

 

[NeverSayNever]

Oh... speaking of the pools, here are a couple of the theme pool...

Did I mention we had unseasonably warm weather? It was beautiful...

Best

 

[WishesQueen]

I agree! For those of us who have never been before, it's nice to get some idea of how things are laid out at the GF. It will certainly reduce the time it takes to get my bearings once we arrive (in 9 days!).

I have to tell you, I thought that we were going to be lost for awhile, but the GF is so easy to get your bearings!!! Another thing I love!!!

 

[WishesQueen]

Ok... I have maybe a an odd question for everyone... If you are in Disney, well anywhere for that matter and realize that you are standing next to someone from the DisBoards... what would you do? Would you not invade their privacy so to speak or would you say "Hi"...? I am curious?

Best

I remembered you said something I wanted to get more info. on and just found it!!

Well, who did you think was there?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi! we are traveling with a gg in Dec and staying for the first time concierge at SL. We were looking for some advice on how to use the IPO to pre-plan our trip. Should we make our own ADR's? We were also wondering if there are rooms on the first floor and do they have closed in balconies and are things loud there due to the lounge?

Thanks for any help!

I don't usually use IPO for our dining ( I enjoy making my own ressies) but more for Segway tours and other extras for the kids - including kids activities, and shopping for little surprises in the room, cabana rentals, and the Grand 1 (well I did once haha - not like I do it every trip), etc....BUT since you are doing a GG and have more people than our little family, I would definitely have them help with your ADRs. Quick question, though...I thought with a GG you were assigned your own "personal planner" type person??? Not sure if it would be better to go thru one than the other or if it doesn't matter. You can email IPO your requests and follow up on them & hopefully they will come thru for you. Also include your room requests to IPO. The room assigners are different for concierge rooms than standard. There are first floor SL rooms down the hallways. The balconies are not closed in. We stayed in SL once only and it was on the 4th floor ABOVE the lounge area and we really didn't hear any noise once the door was closed. I think you'd be fine down a hallway.

Never - I LOVE your pictures. Just beautiful. I am so looking forward to our March trip & even more when I see pics!!! Isn't the concierge staff great? Oh ya....like Wishes said....so who do you think you saw????

Bama! You going back already???!? Is this your birthday trip?!?!?!? Have a wonderful time! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Never Say Never- GF pics never bore us! More!! More!!! Thanks for the shot of the pool reno, I'm sure those who are going soon had the same concerns you did about how it would look...

Bama- HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[whogirl'smom]

I have now spent all my spare time the last few days reading and reading about all of your wonderful trips to the Grand Floridian--and I'm only on page 27! I love looking at all of your pictures of the different rooms, buildings and views especially! We always plan at least one meal at the GF during our trips, but this will be the first time we get to actually stay there, so I'm doubly excited. Three nights first at Pop, staring Dec. 7, then three nights at the Grand Floridian, booked garden view.

Here is my question--when I was on the phone with CRO making our reservation, I asked about room requests, and she said that "they didn't take them there" (meaning at the GF), so I just thought, ok, I'll call back about that again. I mean, I was able to request 50's lakeside at Pop Century, and I thought you could request your building at any of the resorts (I know, not a guarantee). So, can I call back now and request a marina view in a certain building? Is marina view a sub-part of garden view? I am just so afraid of Sago after seeing what some of the views and stays have been like there.
It is supposed to be one of WDW reported "less" crowded weeks, Dec. 7-12, so I'm hoping that it would be easier to get our requests?

 

[WishesQueen]

Hi & Welcome!!!

I am not one of the official pros!!! I am sure they'll answer soon, but I have always asked for a specific building knowing no guarantees. The only thing is a Marina view is a Marina view and Garden View is a Garden View as far as I know!!!

You will Love it!! Thats for sure!!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Welcome WhoGirl'sMom!!

When I made our GV ressie I requested Marina view, dormer room. The lady tried to argue with me that the marina view is actually lagoon view (which I politely disagreed with her on) but she put it in the system anyway. And last year I requested Conch since it was the only building rehabbed at the time. So they definitely take requests!! I wouldn't call back just to do it- the next time you need to modify something on the ressie just ask them to add it.

Kristin

ETA: We will be there 12/6 to 12/14!

 

[WishesQueen]

I am just so afraid of Sago after seeing what some of the views and stays have been like there.

Ok, pros!! I don't feel like reading back all these pages. But I don't remember reading anything negative about the GF or Sago. I can imagine the views but what about the stays!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I think someone had a dumpster view once( ) but I can't remember if it was Sago or one of the other buildings. Channing, do you remember??

Other than that, the garden view rooms (GV) are still lovely!! Marina views fall into the GV category!! We were in Conch and just had to step outside our door to see the MK fireworks. If we had a room a bit farther down the hall, we probably would have been anble to just stand on our balcony and turn right to see them...

 

[princessesrule4]

I think someone had a dumpster view once( ) but I can't remember if it was Sago or one of the other buildings. Channing, do you remember??

Other than that, the garden view rooms (GV) are still lovely!! Marina views fall into the GV category!! We were in Conch and just had to step outside our door to see the MK fireworks. If we had a room a bit farther down the hall, we probably would have been anble to just stand on our balcony and turn right to see them...

Some lagoon views have a marina view as well as some TPV rooms. That might be what the CRO CM meant. I think with the new room categories,there aren't as many marina GV's. (Just a thought!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I think someone had a dumpster view once( ) but I can't remember if it was Sago or one of the other buildings. Channing, do you remember??

Other than that, the garden view rooms (GV) are still lovely!! Marina views fall into the GV category!! We were in Conch and just had to step outside our door to see the MK fireworks. If we had a room a bit farther down the hall, we probably would have been anble to just stand on our balcony and turn right to see them...

OK, it was almost ME! I booked the GV room but got that magical upgrade. I found out our room was right near the back door and view of the dumpster and convention center. NICE!! Also, there was a person new to the GF(and we had talked the GF up so much) that stayed the week before we checked in at Thanksgiving.....but the place was full of Disney execs....the poor thing wound up with a tractor view and a swampy view in Sago. I felt horrid about that after how we all said how great all the GVs are.....I had no idea! There are pics posted toward the middle of November if you go by the dates. If you request Sago, DEFINITELY request MARINA VIEW!!!! Those back of Sago room views (well some anyway) are not great.

Lives4Disney

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

CABANAS??? Somebody had pics of their cabana ...are these located by the pool? Do you have to reserve a cabana or are they first come/first serve??? Thanks!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

cabana info is in posts 13 and 21
the number is there also to call and book

 

[Lives4Disney]

CABANAS??? Somebody had pics of their cabana ...are these located by the pool? Do you have to reserve a cabana or are they first come/first serve??? Thanks!

All the cabana info and more pics are at the front of this thread. They rent for $60 for 4 hrs or $120 or $110 (forgot - the info is up there at the beginning) for 8 hrs.

Enjoy,

Lives4disney