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

[irisbud]

I don’t remember if I told you all, but I ended up not making a specific room location request. (Instead we’re ordering some extra services during the visit to evaluate the hotel response to special requests.) I’m interested to see how well a ‘new-to-WDW’ guest coming in with no previous knowledge is treated. (They don't need to know that I've been reading Disboards for months!) This was apparently one of the main reasons I was hired. My editor thinks that frequent travelers tend to get better service, for obvious reasons, but that the real measure of a good resort is how they treat the first-timers.

All of this to say that I’m very anxious to see how the “room roulette” turns out!

werfamily,

Your trip is getting so close! I hope you have a great time!

As for room requests: My experience is different from a lot of people on the boards as a whole, and I have been VERY lucky and am very greatful when it comes to room assignments. I never make any room requests, and these are the rooms we have recieved on trips I have booked:

Booked GF RPC standard. Recieved upgrade to Roy Disney Suite
Booked AKL 1 BR suite. Recieved only 1 BR suite with large round balcony
Booked GF TP view: recived great view with first floor hammerhead room
Book BC standard: recieved upgrade to BC water view
Booked BWI standard: recieved upgrade to BWI concierge
Booked Poly GV: recieved good GV on 1st floor

So you can get VERY lucky when you make no requests! I know my experiences are not typical, however, and am very greatful for all of the PD I have received. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Thanks Lives4Disney, Cinderumbrella, and NeversayNever for all the responses. I don't want to get caught up in worrying about my view, b/c this trip is going to be RELAXING ! But I did read about the poor Disser on here in November who got the loading truck/tractor view, and I just wanted to cry with her, I felt so bad. So, I will wait till I have to call about something else, and ask for our building choice then (when I figure out what that will be).

One good thing, we will be leaving Pop early the morning of the 10th, and can be right at GF early in case that would help with a room request. This is a dream come true to stay here, and for my DD6, too, who kept saying the last trip, "The Grand Floridian is the best hotel at Disney, isn't it Mama?" "Can we stay here next time?" I'm afraid we'll never want to stay anywhere else after the GF, but I'll take my chances!

Ok, back to reading 100 pages ago to see what I can learn....

 

[whogirl'smom]

Wow, irisbud, can I borrow your rabbit's foot?

 

[triplefigs]

Well, the kids just HAD to stay at the CR again. We're doing 4 nights in the Tower MK view and 4 nights Standard room at the Beach Club. The kids are happy to try the BC and swim at SAB. DH is happy to try an Epcot area hotel too. So, I guess I'm still waiting for my elusive return to the GF one day...

 

[werfamily]

Booked GF RPC standard. Recieved upgrade to Roy Disney Suite
Booked AKL 1 BR suite. Recieved only 1 BR suite with large round balcony
Booked GF TP view: recived great view with first floor hammerhead room
Book BC standard: recieved upgrade to BC water view
Booked BWI standard: recieved upgrade to BWI concierge
Booked Poly GV: recieved good GV on 1st floor

Amazing! I'm curious what time of year these trips occurred. We're checking in next Saturday (the President's Day Weekend), so I'm assuming that it will be a full house.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Well, the kids just HAD to stay at the CR again. We're doing 4 nights in the Tower MK view and 4 nights Standard room at the Beach Club. The kids are happy to try the BC and swim at SAB. DH is happy to try an Epcot area hotel too. So, I guess I'm still waiting for my elusive return to the GF one day...

Your kids will love BC - SAB is just the best for kids. Don't forget to try Beaches and Cream!

 

[moljammom]

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



Thanks for the advice! I will look into these options!

 

[WishesQueen]

Neversaynever - I think if I am following this thread well, I know who you saw!! I won't mind if anyone introduces themselves to me, but thats me.

Bama - Have a great time!!!

Werfamily - I can't believe your trip is almost hear already!!!

 

[tidblgrrer]

We did the GG thing in December -- and the planners were of no help at all. The room assigners do seem to get your rooms together -- so that was beneficial.

But for dining, it's just a different number to call -- sometimes we had so many we had to do group dining. (Different restaurants have different numbers as to when you are bumped up to Group Dining) Our only official GG offering -- the Wishes cruise, they called and canceled so late that we couldn't book another cruise for our group. So it's good to know you can't count on them.

The one thing we noticed was that some places like Boma try to make you take the earliest or the latest ADR. I think they offered us 4:30 and 8:30. We were able to get around this by booking a smaller group at the time we wanted and then later revising it to add extra people. Group dining only has certain times available for some places. Perhaps IPO would be able to make those type of reservations for you so you wouldn't have to play the "game"

We had a great time --- I just don't understand why they act like the Grand Gathering team is a "special" perk.

Have Fun!!!

 

[NEWireless]

FYI - for anyone planning a GF stay for a family of 6; according to GF IPO, 1BR suites at GF in the outer lodges ONLY have garden view available.

If you want MK or lagoon view, you need either a 2BR suite or separate rooms (which they can't guarantee to be adjacent).

 

[Lives4Disney]

FYI - for anyone planning a GF stay for a family of 6; according to GF IPO, 1BR suites at GF in the outer lodges ONLY have garden view available.

If you want MK or lagoon view, you need either a 2BR suite or separate rooms (which they can't guarantee to be adjacent).

THanks for that info. I know the SL views are all considered garden, but I thought there might have been a suite option for you in other lodges might have some MK views. FWIW, the GF garden views are lovely.....with the exception of maybe 2% or so of the rooms - and I think all the SL garden or marina views are great.

Denise, I am glad you got into the CR like you originally wanted for your kids. We REALLY like the YC....(kind of the same as BC ) I would have to say it's our second favorite resort. You'll make it back to the GF one of these days! Maybe you and Mr. Triplefigs should take a trip and stay there - just the two of you.

That is kind of a bummer about the GG. I only know one other person that planned one and I thought it was a fluke, but their planner or whatever, was super unhelpful and unavailable.

Hi, Robyn!

Amy, I know you have been super lucky in the past w/your room assignments. Maybe also because you usually just travel with one other person? King bed situation?? One of our upgrades was when we were travelling w/out DS - so we were a family of 4 and upgraded to that Walt Suite. It only sleeps 4.....not sure that we would have been eligable for that suite with 5 people. We have stayed SO MANY times and only been upgraded twice. They were fabulous, though!

Werfamily, the countdown it on!! I hope you can post while you're at the GF....maybe not due to your assignment.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[NEWireless]

Just changed the 1BR suite to 2MK view connecting rooms.

Thank you for helping me fix my rookie mistake!

-Bryan

 

[irisbud]

I have been really lucky! And yes, usually it is just me and one other person.

We also usually do a split stay. When BF and I did RPC/AKL in early December we only did 2 nights in each

My dad and I did GF TP View and BC in October. We stayed 4 nights at GF and only 1 night at BC

BF and I did BWI / Poly in early January and stayed 3 nights each.

So maybe a low number of nights helps? BF says we get upgradede when he is there because he is so charming...

All I know is we have been VERY lucky and I am very greatful

 

[CPer'sMom]

....I am so sorry.. ....I guess I misinterpreted your point. I thought your whole original point was to correct me...

Lives4Disney

No, not at all ~ I'm sorry that's what you thought That wasn't my intent. And I enjoy reading the tips and insights you all share ..... in between all the chit chat of course!!

 

[mr.mike]

FYI - for anyone planning a GF stay for a family of 6; according to GF IPO, 1BR suites at GF in the outer lodges ONLY have garden view available.

If you want MK or lagoon view, you need either a 2BR suite or separate rooms (which they can't guarantee to be adjacent).

I was just coming on here to ask this question....perfect timing.


Now I need some advice from everyone.
Would you rather stay in the main building in a regular room or a 1 bedroom suite in the outer lodges?

If you are in an outer lodge suite do you have access to the Royal Palm clubs offerings?

Thanks

 

[princessesrule4]

I was just coming on here to ask this question....perfect timing.


Now I need some advice from everyone.
Would you rather stay in the main building in a regular room or a 1 bedroom suite in the outer lodges?

If you are in an outer lodge suite do you have access to the Royal Palm clubs offerings?

Thanks

We would rather be in the Main Building so we're close to the lounge! We really take advantage of the food and drinks because we spend a lot of time at the resort, in the lounges, and at the pool. Truthfully, I would miss the ambience of RPC,too!

What about a Deluxe room in RPC? We stayed in one twice and they are nice and roomy!

We've chatted on here about whether or not all suites have access to both lounges or some only have access to SL or RPC! Not sure if we ever figured that out but mabye someone else can give a definitive answer! Otherwise, I'd confirm with CRO and/or IPO!

 

[mr.mike]

We would rather be in the Main Building so we're close to the lounge! We really take advantage of the food and drinks because we spend a lot of time at the resort, in the lounges, and at the pool. Truthfully, I would miss the ambience of RPC,too!

What about a Deluxe room in RPC? We stayed in one twice and they are nice and roomy!

We have a regular room RPC room booked and we stayed in those rooms last year and loved it.
If I could enjoy the RPC lounge while listenting to the band playing i might do the suite.
If you don't have access I would miss that very relaxing lounge.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We have a regular room RPC room booked and we stayed in those rooms last year and loved it.
If I could enjoy the RPC lounge while listenting to the band playing i might do the suite.
If you don't have access I would miss that very relaxing lounge.

I think you should email IPO and find out the facts about the suites. Inquiring minds want to know. I was giving mixed messages once about the lounge issue a while back. I THOUGHT from past info that suites were granted access to both lounges, but I don't think that's the case any more.

I haven't stayed outside the main building except SL once and I learned from that that I really REALLY like being in the main building.....BUT if I could book a fabulous suite in an outer lodge I just don't know. I don't know if I could turn a suite down.....for a one bedroom I think I could pass. For a two bedroom.... It's a tough call!! Convenience or space and a little extra luxury......

Happy planning - if you find out about the lounge access let us know.

Lives4Disney

 

[mr.mike]

I don't know if I could turn a suite down.....for a one bedroom I think I could pass. For a two bedroom.... It's a tough call!! Convenience or space and a little extra luxury......

Lives4Disney

It would definately be a 1 bedroom and not a two... i think for a two bedroom i'd go for it.

 

[JPN4265]

Please some help here. I am taking my wife on a surprise trip to WDW in the next two weeks. Is the lobby under construction or not. Did they take the marble out and replace it with something else. We are going to be at the GF the week of the 18th, and don't want to spend this kind of money if we can't use the lobby. Please someone, anyone......