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

[triplefigs]

Are any of you AP holders??? What is all the hubbub about AP holfers getting dining now??? This may solve my date dilemma by getting AP's and having 2 ressies (1 room only for the first night at full price with dining and a second starting the next day with the code and dining....)

You can get the Dining plans (regular or Deluxe and add the wine pkg) with an AP for dates thru 5/22. You do not have to buy tickets. We have AP rate and Deluxe DDP for the 1st part of our trip at the CR. Just got AP rate for the BC and we'll use the DDE (comes out cheaper). But it solves the problem of split stays and the Dining plan where you don't have to buy 1 day base tickets for each portion.

 

[PolyAddict]

You can get the Dining plans (regular or Deluxe and add the wine pkg) with an AP for dates thru 5/22. You do not have to buy tickets. We have AP rate and Deluxe DDP for the 1st part of our trip at the CR. Just got AP rate for the BC and we'll use the DDE (comes out cheaper). But it solves the problem of split stays and the Dining plan where you don't have to buy 1 day base tickets for each portion.

Wanted to first say that I hope you guys enjoy your trip and hope that your son is doing well. Not that it compares but DD7 has pretty much had throat infections every month since Sept 07 and we are finally getting her tonsils out during the Easter holidays. She was also diagnosed with ADD and we had to start her on meds, so this has been a trying school year for us even though she is still on the honor roll. GO figure that is with a lot of work on her part, bless her heart.

On to my question, you have the AP dates till May22, I thought they ended on May 21, have they extended it? If so I may be able to swing it.

thanks

 

[tinklvr64]

the GF is Nordstoms

I LOVE Nordstrom ..guess thats why I love GF!

 

[triplefigs]

Wanted to first say that I hope you guys enjoy your trip and hope that your son is doing well. Not that it compares but DD7 has pretty much had throat infections every month since Sept 07 and we are finally getting her tonsils out during the Easter holidays. She was also diagnosed with ADD and we had to start her on meds, so this has been a trying school year for us even though she is still on the honor roll. GO figure that is with a lot of work on her part, bless her heart.

On to my question, you have the AP dates till May22, I thought they ended on May 21, have they extended it? If so I may be able to swing it.

thanks

sorry, that was a goof on my part. It is May 21. I hope her surgery goes well! Stock up on ice cream now.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

You can get the Dining plans (regular or Deluxe and add the wine pkg) with an AP for dates thru 5/22. You do not have to buy tickets. We have AP rate and Deluxe DDP for the 1st part of our trip at the CR. Just got AP rate for the BC and we'll use the DDE (comes out cheaper). But it solves the problem of split stays and the Dining plan where you don't have to buy 1 day base tickets for each portion.

So I have to wait for AP rates to be released to get this?? Crud, what are the odds that there will be an AP rate on parade taping night at the GF

I called CRO to try and re-work the dates and the CM had me on hold FOREVER and came back and said there was no way to do it. We would have to do a room only for that night (or a 1 day package for that night to get the tix and dining) Not worth it!!

 

[shoppgirl]

I have 3 questions I hope someone can help me with....

1) I read somewhere the balconies in the standard rooms were "shared"....is this true and what exactly does that mean? Some rooms have private balconies...I thought all the balconies were "private"? Please help me clarify this.

2) Do many people use the beach area during the summer months? Do people go into the water along the beach area? Some of the photos I have seen of people on the beach shows a very deserted beach area!

3) If I would like to have a microwave for my room, would you recommend that I call ahead of time and put that request on my reservation, or wait until we check in to request one?

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide. Much appreciated!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have 3 questions I hope someone can help me with....

1) I read somewhere the balconies in the standard rooms were "shared"....is this true and what exactly does that mean? Some rooms have private balconies...I thought all the balconies were "private"? Please help me clarify this.

2) Do many people use the beach area during the summer months? Do people go into the water along the beach area? Some of the photos I have seen of people on the beach shows a very deserted beach area!

3) If I would like to have a microwave for my room, would you recommend that I call ahead of time and put that request on my reservation, or wait until we check in to request one?

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide. Much appreciated!

Every balcony we have had has been what I would consider private, but if there are people out on the balcony next to yours you know they are there - you can't SEE them, but you can HEAR them pretty clearly. There are these dividing "walls' betwn the balconies but they leave about a foot or so below and I think space way up above. Seems to me I remember the same type of thing at the YC, too. The dormer balconies are more private as they are walled in and separated from all other balconies around them.

No....nobody goes in that water unless they're nuts. There are critters in there and it is murky. The sand is nice and soft and fine, but the water is nasty.

Not sure about the microwaves. The GF has a very limited supply and I thought you were just supposed to phone housekeeping when you check in. I don't think a request with CRO would get you one. Those requests don't get too far too often.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Good morning ladies!!

Another question: We are still considering taking the room only ressie for Sat 12/6 and forgoing dining and tix for that day. We would hang by the pool that day and go to DTD. Since I have never done a split stay before (much less a split stay at my own hotel ), how would that work? Would we have to check out the next day and go through check in again? Would we get to keep our room? Can we still use ME on a room only rate? (I can't bear the thought of lugging ALL our luggage on our own )

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!!

Kristin

 

[distherapy]

Good morning ladies!!

Another question: We are still considering taking the room only ressie for Sat 12/6 and forgoing dining and tix for that day. We would hang by the pool that day and go to DTD. Since I have never done a split stay before (much less a split stay at my own hotel ), how would that work? Would we have to check out the next day and go through check in again? Would we get to keep our room? Can we still use ME on a room only rate? (I can't bear the thought of lugging ALL our luggage on our own )

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!!

Kristin

We just did that - we had a room only night and then a package that started the next day. We checked in regularly the first day. The next morning I just went down to the front desk to check in for the package. They gave me my new keys, brochures on dining etc. I didn't have to change rooms, but I do know they say they can't guarantee it. It was all pretty hassle-free, which was nice.

We did use ME with room only and had no problems. When we checked in for ME, the woman asked to see our vouchers for our return trip to make sure they were tagged in the computer properly. They were, but I appreciated her extra help.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Good morning ladies!!

Another question: We are still considering taking the room only ressie for Sat 12/6 and forgoing dining and tix for that day. We would hang by the pool that day and go to DTD. Since I have never done a split stay before (much less a split stay at my own hotel ), how would that work? Would we have to check out the next day and go through check in again? Would we get to keep our room? Can we still use ME on a room only rate? (I can't bear the thought of lugging ALL our luggage on our own )

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!!

Kristin

Kristin, just make sure CRO notes on your reservations that they are "continuing" reservations - this clues the room assigner and resort that you are the same guest, and it generally means you get to keep your same room. As the PP said, you'll still need to go to the front desk your 2nd morning, and check-out/check-in, but you shouldn't have to move rooms.

Anyone staying at a Disney resort gets access to ME if they so choose - has nothing to do with packages.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thanks girls!!

I think this may be the route we take. I suggested taking a later flight down, but DH still wants the 7:30 am we always take
faint: that means a 4:30 am limo pick up!!) to get to the GF around noon to hang out by the pool for a couple of hours, maybe rent a speed boat from the marina, go play some mini golf and then head to DTD for the evening and try a restaurant we have never eaten at since we never seem to go to the ones off the DDP!! (Recommendations welcome! )

As for checking in and checking out, what is the earliest we (meaning DH ) can go do this?? We would need to be at MK by 8:05 to start our day with our beloved Winnie the Pooh friends for breakfast...

Kristin

 

[princessesrule4]

I have 3 questions I hope someone can help me with....

1) I read somewhere the balconies in the standard rooms were "shared"....is this true and what exactly does that mean? Some rooms have private balconies...I thought all the balconies were "private"? Please help me clarify this.

2) Do many people use the beach area during the summer months? Do people go into the water along the beach area? Some of the photos I have seen of people on the beach shows a very deserted beach area!

3) If I would like to have a microwave for my room, would you recommend that I call ahead of time and put that request on my reservation, or wait until we check in to request one?

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide. Much appreciated!

Definitely don't go into the water! There are even signs up asking people not to go in!

 

[mr.mike]

We couldn't believe it when we were shown to our room. There was no name on the suite, just the room number, 4002. I just realized when looking at our pictures that the domed balcony next to us is probably a suite too, do you know what that is? No one seemed to be staying there while we were. It was a little odd that our master bedroom balcony and their balcony sort of faced each other. We'd be looking at our neighbors if we were ever out there together!

Not sure if this was answered or not but I've been trying to research suites for when my youngest turns 3 and we can't stay in a regular room anymore
And for the RPC we would need a 2 bedroom since the one bedroom suites (and some 2 bedrooms) sleep only four.

That room looks like either the Presidential or vice presidential suite.
Its hard to tell unless we could see the other side of the building because both have balconies on the side we can see.
The Presidential has 5 balconies while the VP suite has 4.

From the floor plan, if its not outdated, that balcony would be that suite's master bedroom.

Here is the floor plan to the presidential suite which sleeps 4 that is in tammy's link.

The vice presidential sleeps only 2

The rooms below the presidential are probably the 2 bedroom suites that only sleep four although they are almost 1700 square feet.

Look at all the room in this suite and our family of six can't stay in it.

My choices then for RPC are 2 standard rooms or the 2 bedroom suite which looks like 3 rooms together.

But there is a much bigger 2 bedroom (seems like almost the size of 4 rooms) on the first floor of Sago and Conch which is less money and has the MK view.

From what I can tell the RPC 2 bedroom is $80 more a night and 700 square feet less!

I'm getting more and more confused on what to book.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks girls!!

I think this may be the route we take. I suggested taking a later flight down, but DH still wants the 7:30 am we always take
faint: that means a 4:30 am limo pick up!!) to get to the GF around noon to hang out by the pool for a couple of hours, maybe rent a speed boat from the marina, go play some mini golf and then head to DTD for the evening and try a restaurant we have never eaten at since we never seem to go to the ones off the DDP!! (Recommendations welcome! )

As for checking in and checking out, what is the earliest we (meaning DH ) can go do this?? We would need to be at MK by 8:05 to start our day with our beloved Winnie the Pooh friends for breakfast...

Kristin

I think there are people down at the desk 24-hours. It seems like I heard somewhere once that the day "turns over" at Disney around 4 or 5 a.m. So, any time after that, and I'd think you'd be fine. Plenty of time to get to breakfast at CP!

 

[mr.mike]

I almost forgot;

I asked a while back if suites in the outer lodges can use the RPC lounge.

I asked IPO and my answer was that all suites have concirge lounge access.

I'm going to assume that means access to RPC and not sugarloaf.

Or does it mean you have access to both? That would be nice.
There are suites in sugarloaf...does that mean they have RPC access?


Either way I don't know how convienent it would be to be in a suite so far from the RPC lounge.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I almost forgot;

I asked a while back if suites in the outer lodges can use the RPC lounge.

I asked IPO and my answer was that all suites have concirge lounge access.

I'm going to assume that means access to RPC and not sugarloaf.

Or does it mean you have access to both? That would be nice.
There are suites in sugarloaf...does that mean they have RPC access?


Either way I don't know how convienent it would be to be in a suite so far from the RPC lounge.

Wow....what a confusion! I was told by IPO that the SL suites only have SL access. I do know that all suites do have concierge access. Personally, as a repeat guest I would just ask the concierge CM for RPC access. I agree...I am not sure I'd want to be in any other building other than the main one if I was doing concierge because I really like RPC and being in the main building as it sounds like you do, too.

I agree, too - for as large as those suites are it is a bummer they don't sleep more people. I did find out there is a main building suite that sleeps 7 B2 and it has 2 queens, king, and a daybed. Oops I see you have that listed. From the plans it looks like it would sleep 8, but I heard from GF CMs that it sleeps 7. Those Sago and Conch suites are great with a huge outer patio that wraps around & they have outdoor tables and chairs and lounge chairs, too. Minnie My My was looking at those. I posted a link to some pics a few pages back. They are called the Cape Coral(Sago) and the Everglades (Conch) suites. THey are very hard to book because conventions get first access at them.

Happy planning & good luck! I'd love to stay in one of the main building suites.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I think if you are in a suite in he DL building then thats where you get access.
I dont think you would get RPC access if you reallly want that then I would ask for that.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I think if you are in a suite in he DL building then thats where you get access.
I dont think you would get RPC access if you reallly want that then I would ask for that.

Can you tell I am bored?!?! DH took DD to the movies.

I was doing more Ebay shopping and just popped in here. Got this AWESOME lady to applique tees with Mickey Peeps and the girls names in Disney font.

Happy day,

Lives4Disney

 

[mr.mike]

I did find out there is a main building suite that sleeps 7 B2 and it has 2 queens, king, and a daybed. Oops I see you have that listed. From the plans it looks like it would sleep 8, but I heard from GF CMs that it sleeps 7.

They did tell me the B2 would sleep seven.

Those Sago and Conch suites are great with a huge outer patio that wraps around & they have outdoor tables and chairs and lounge chairs, too. Minnie My My was looking at those. I posted a link to some pics a few pages back. They are called the Cape Coral(Sago) and the Everglades (Conch) suites. THey are very hard to book because conventions get first access at them.
Happy planning & good luck! I'd love to stay in one of the main building suites.

I'm very behind on my reading. Im up to Jan 8th of this thread. Hopefully I will see those pics and I didn't miss them.

I also know there are some one bedrooms in the outer lodges that can fit 6 but i have no idea where these are or the views they have.

We have garden view booked for the end of april. We are acting as 'guides' to friends who are going on their first trip.
Then we head to Poly in July with other friends making their first trip
Then we will back to RPC in August and are trying to decide where to stay for our first Christmas trip in we work it out.
With Christmas so crowded Im thinking the crazy RPC prices would be worth it to have a place to hang out away from the crowds.



And your right Lives4Disney, I really really love the RPC.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Mr. Mike, here's the link again of the suites in Conch and Sago - the huge ones wiht the MK view and pretty patios....it is of one of the older Dis pic threads...scroll down and you'll see Johnsonet posted them and there are moreon the next page of that thread. These are in the old decor but you get the idea.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1114611&page=2

Lives4Disney