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

[mr.mike]

Booked today!! August 19-26 I am too excited for words!

Sheli

Congrats on Booking! We wil be there from the 18th to 25th. We know how you feel. We are too excited!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Kristin, haha....that is how I feel. I would do RPC or GV. I just don't think the categories of lagoon or theme park are worth the extra...SL is nice, but as somebody said it gets crowded in the lounge and it is still an outer lodge building....part of the fun of rpc is that you are in the main building and the lounge is up above the lobby for all the music etc. I think there are some SL lounge pics at the front of this thread and it looks crowded to me.

You can request a tower room in SL...the top room has the sloped high ceiling and no balcony though. I had that room once. It was pretty and I like the dormer ceilings & it was a cold Feb, so it didn't matter about no balcony.

Happy planning!!!

TWO WEEKS FOR ME!!!!

 

[mr.mike]

RPC is $950 per night YIKES!

I wish you had put a price spolier on this post!

Mike

 

[Lives4Disney]

I wish you had put a price spolier on this post!

Mike

Ya, isn't that sick. ...I am paying about that over spring break but splitting with the Swan 4 nts at each. I just love GF and RPC but the cost is getting out of control.....it is a lot of foreign guests lately booking. They can pay it w/out flinching. I wish we could go in "value season"....I looked at the August rates and they are about 2/3 the peak season rates & you can usually get AAA discount too.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Ya, isn't that sick. ...I am paying about that over spring break but splitting with the Swan 4 nts at each. I just love GF and RPC but the cost is getting out of control.....it is a lot of foreign guests lately booking. They can pay it w/out flinching. I wish we could go in "value season"....I looked at the August rates and they are about 2/3 the peak season rates & you can usually get AAA discount too.

Channing, I was super excited to see that value season starts at the deluxes July 21 (+/- a day). I know we won't be pulling DS out of school anymore once he gets a little older which means we are stuck travelling in the peak seasons (which we have NEVER done ) We may still have to deal with the crowds, but at least I won't have to deal with those prices!

 

[mr.mike]

Late August is when we have been going the last few years. Its not too crowded and I don't mind the heat.

We did get a AAA discount on our RPC room last year. The discount comes out to be a little bit more than the tax on the room which isn't bad.

Channing, why can't you go during Value season?
Also, how does the Swan compare to the GF? I've never stayed there.

Cinderumbrella, I remember that value for the deluxes used to begin on July 5th. It seems to be creeping slowly towards August...

 

[NEWireless]

Make at least 1 ADR for GF Cafe and go and enjoy breakfast

Do you need an ADR for GF Cafe?

I thought you could just "walk-in" for breakfast.

Please let me know, this will be my first stay at the GF.

Thank you.

 

[Mbg98]

This information is from the Stitch Kingdom website (very good resource for PhotoPass stuff - www.stitchkingdom.com):

Grand Floridian Photo Shoot - You can arrange for a private photo session with a Disney PhotoPass photographer at the Grand Floridian Resort. The session includes around 40 photos taken around the picturesque resort and its beach. Pricing is as follows: $49.95 for a Disney's PhotoPass card containing your photos which can then be added to your disneyphotopass.com account; $124.95 (or save 20% by pre-ordering - see details below) which will get you a PhotoCD with your images. If you choose to get the PhotoCD, you can save your receipt and CD and exchange it later on during your vacation for a new PhotoCD containing all of your Disney's PhotoPass images. The only catch is you won't be able to make enhancements to any of the photos; or bring the required proof that you pre-ordered the PhotoCD and the cost is only $25. Reports from guests who have participated in the photo sessions are overwhelmingly positive. Call 407-824-1700 to make reservations up to 30 days in advance or for additional information. These sessions may be extended to other deluxe level resorts in the future.

That number is the same # I used to book the session my family did in December. You can book at the 30-day mark.

We were already planning on getting the PhotoPass CD, so all in all, we were only out about another $25 to do the shoot. However, I was incredibly underwhelmed by the quality (and quantity) of pictures they took. We were a group of 10 (8 adults and 2 children), and we got better pictures the next day by having my DH set up his tripod at the resort. The CM who was our photographer cut off people's heads, didn't center the photos, etc., and put us in some areas that were questionable as far as desirability in photos.

I have seen other photos that were quite good from these sessions, but it truly is luck of the draw (as it is with all the PhotoPass CM's). In hindsight, since it was a special family trip, I should have hired one of the Disney professional photographers. Definitely more pricey, but we would have had some photos we could use! Live and learn.



Congrats on booking!

I was going to say that having a lounge and a quiet respite from the parks will be a nice reprieve for your busy dates. However, the SL lounge is considerably smaller than RPC, and I hear it does get a bit crowded/hectic in there.

That's already a pretty hefty price tag for SL. Unless you were truly going to use a lot of the concierge offerings (food, planning assistance, etc.), I'd probably just stay GV. Like Kristin, when I'm looking at booking at the GF, it's either GV or RPC.

Good luck with your decision! Either way, the GF is beautiful at the holidays!

(I do believe there are some lodge tower rooms in SL that might have a balcony - hopefully somone that has stayed in one can come along and confirm.)

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! That helps alot!!!!

 

[mr.mike]

Do you need an ADR for GF Cafe?

I thought you could just "walk-in" for breakfast.

Please let me know, this will be my first stay at the GF.

Thank you.

Once we tried to walk up for lunch and were turned away. It was February and crowded. In Value season I've walked up and been seated immediately.

Mike

 

[Lives4Disney]

Late August is when we have been going the last few years. Its not too crowded and I don't mind the heat.

We did get a AAA discount on our RPC room last year. The discount comes out to be a little bit more than the tax on the room which isn't bad.

Channing, why can't you go during Value season?
Also, how does the Swan compare to the GF? I've never stayed there.

Cinderumbrella, I remember that value for the deluxes used to begin on July 5th. It seems to be creeping slowly towards August...

Mr. Mike I suppose we could squeeze an August trip in sometime, but we did a couple mid to late Augusts and the humiditiy made it really unpleasant for us....we have gone the past few July 4th weeks instead and to us, the weather was much better and lots less humid and I didn't notice a whole lot of difference in the crowd levels AND we have three bdays that week.....maybe we were just lucky with that. I have a 17.5 yr old, 11 and 8 yr old.....so basically kid's schedules keep us going in peak or holiday seasons...my favorite "value season" was late Janurary early Feb. We used to stay 2 wks. That's when we'd drive! We'd stay at WDW for almost 2 wks, head to Vero to visit gparents and also visit Inlaws in Clearwater, and then stop at WDW again before heading north. Those were the days.

The Swan is nice - it is a Westin. When we stay at an Epcot resort it is either YC in summer for SAB and if the pool isn't a biggie for us, we like the Swan better than BC and BWI. (I DO NOT LIKE THE DOLPHIN) The Swan rooms are all newly remodeled and they ahve all the same electronic stuff the GF rooms have and they also have a minibar! The rooms are not quite as large, though....probably about 350 + sq ft. I have for the most part had pretty good service & if not their response is good and that counts for something. PLUS it's a lot easier to stomach soso service at $250 than at $600...although I have always had outstanding RPC service, but really bad service at BWI for $600/nt and BAD at Poly for the same. The Swan's rates are fantastic & I am an SPG member w/an SPG AMEX that I easily earn points with. They have AAA and AP rates year round. It is a deluxe resort but you can get AAA rates just over $200 at certain times of the year. The good Swan rate helps balance out the hideous RPC rate.

Happy plannnig...you have me longing to book a Christmas GF stay.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, I was super excited to see that value season starts at the deluxes July 21 (+/- a day). I know we won't be pulling DS out of school anymore once he gets a little older which means we are stuck travelling in the peak seasons (which we have NEVER done ) We may still have to deal with the crowds, but at least I won't have to deal with those prices!

oooh....I was under the wrong impression than that value season started Aug 3....wonder where I got that from.

We pulled DS and the girls out until DS started 6th grade. We would go for LONG trips and it was heavenly.

DS started school mid August and the girls have stuff going on July into August...I loved when value season started July 5. We'd do a YC/GF split and move to the GF on the 5th.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Do you need an ADR for GF Cafe?

I thought you could just "walk-in" for breakfast.

Please let me know, this will be my first stay at the GF.

Thank you.

I would make an ADR

 

[clownfish1452]

Does anyone have a copy or can tell me what the room service breakfast menu is like?

We will be there for 7 days in July for our 10 year anniversary and hubby is playing golf 4 mornings so we will be doing alot of room service breakfasts so i don't have to eat alone.

Thanks in advance!

Breakfast room service is wonderful at GF. My sister and I get it almost everyday when we stay.


Grand Floridian Private Dining Breakfast Menu


Served daily from 6:00 am – 11:00 am



FRUITS & JUICES

Assorted Fruit Juices 2.99
Orange , Grapefruit, Apple, Cranberry, Tomato, V-8 or Pineapple

Fresh Half Grapefruit 3.99

Fresh Strawberries & Cream 4.99

Fresh Fruit Plate 6.99

Natural Yogurt (with Strawberries or Bananas) 3.99



BREADS & CEREALS
Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat 4.50
with Brown Sugar & Raisins
with Fruit 5.50

Assorted Cold Cereals 4.50
with Fruit 5.50

English Muffin 3.50

Danish or Croissant (2 each) 3.99

Toasted Bagel & Cream Cheese 3.99

Toast (White, Wheat, Rye or Raisin) 2.99

Banana Bread $3.99



BEVERAGES
Regular Coffee or Decaffeinated Coffee 4.99

Hot Tea or Hot Chocolate 3.99

Milk or Chocolate Milk 2.99

Low-fat Smoothies 6.99

Assorted Soft Drinks or Bottled Water 3.29

Iced Tea small carafe 3.99
large carafe 7.99

Espresso or Cappuccino 3.99
flavored 4.99



SIDE ORDERS
Bacon, Sausage Links or Cured Ham Steak 3.79

Canadian Bacon or Turkey Sausage 4.29

Southern-style Grits 2.29



CHILDREN’S MENU

*Entrees include your choice of beverage (milk, chocolate milk or orange juice) 8.99
Daisy’s Eggceptional Morning
One scrambled egg with Bacon and a Biscuit

Lumiere’s French Toast French
Toast with one scrambled egg

Mickey’s Ears to You
Two fun Mickey Shaped Waffles

Chip ‘N Dale Chippy Cakes
Pancakes with one topping of your choice
(bananas, berries or chocolate chips)

Mickey's Morning Surprise 13.99
For the child in all of us, our large Mickey Mouse Waffle, served with lots of Mickey Surprises



THE CONTINENTAL APPROACH
Our Grand Floridian Pastry Basket. Served with Butter and Preserves, Fresh Seasonal Fruit Coffee, Tea or Decaf Coffee and your choice of Juice
12.99

THE GRAND AMERICAN BREAKFAST
Two Eggs, prepared any style, served with Buttermilk Biscuits, Bacon, Sausage or Ham Steak, Grits or Hash Brown Potatoes Coffee, Tea or Decaf Coffee, and your choice of Juice
16.99

The Grand Breakfizz $46.00
(Romantic breakfast for two)
Traditional eggs benedict served with pastries, fresh fruit and berries, your choice of two cold and two hot beverages and a split of champagne.



OTHER BREAKFAST SPECIALTIES
We gladly substitute Eggs with “Egg Beaters” or Egg Whites in any of the following dishes

Three Egg Omelet 10.99
Ham and Cheese, Western or Spanish
Served with Hash Brown Potatoes or Grits

Corned Beef Hash & Poached Eggs 10.99
Homemade Hash with Potatoes, Onions and Green Peppers

Spa Vegetable Frittata 9.99
Open-faced Egg White Omelet with Tomato, Zucchini, Onion, Mushrooms, Chives, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese

Smoked Salmon 12.99
With flavored Cream Cheeses, Onions, Tomatoes and a Bagel

Eggs Benedict 12.99
Two Poached Eggs on Toasted English Muffin with Canadian Bacon and Hollandaise Sauce

Steak & Eggs 20.99
Two Eggs any style, an 8 oz. Top Sirloin Steak, served with Hash Brown Potatoes or Grits



FROM THE GRIDDLE
Belgian Waffle 9.99

Old Fashioned Pancakes 9.99
(Add Strawberries, Blueberries, Bananas or Pecans) 1.00



Private Dining $3.00 delivery, 6.5% Sales Tax and 18% Service Charge will be added to all orders.

Enjoy! I got the fresh strawberrys and cream everyday and pancakes. Oh and the best part they give you real maple syrup. My favorite. Im from upstate New York so that is real important.

Sarah

 

[Tink rules]

Do you need an ADR for GF Cafe?

I thought you could just "walk-in" for breakfast.

Please let me know, this will be my first stay at the GF.

Thank you.

I got turned away once in '05... it was for breakfast and it wasn't crowded... I think especially if you are staying at the GF you should be able to get in, seeing as the GF cafe, is essentially, their "coffee shop".... (a very nice one indeed!!!)

 

[DisneyMomx7]

oooh....I was under the wrong impression than that value season started Aug 3....wonder where I got that from.

We pulled DS and the girls out until DS started 6th grade. We would go for LONG trips and it was heavenly.

DS started school mid August and the girls have stuff going on July into August...I loved when value season started July 5. We'd do a YC/GF split and move to the GF on the 5th.

Channing - value season definitely starts July 20. I know because that's the first day of our Grand Gathering. Since we're paying for all 4 rooms in had to be value season! I remember when value season started on July 5 too, then they moved it to July 8 and now we're at the 20th!

I wanted to ask you a quick question about the Swan - why did they stop allowing 5 to a room? I can't understand the Dolphin sleeping 5 (with double beds) and the Swan changing to only accomodating 4 (with queen beds)?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing - value season definitely starts July 20. I know because that's the first day of our Grand Gathering. Since we're paying for all 4 rooms in had to be value season! I remember when value season started on July 5 too, then they moved it to July 8 and now we're at the 20th!

I wanted to ask you a quick question about the Swan - why did they stop allowing 5 to a room? I can't understand the Dolphin sleeping 5 (with double beds) and the Swan changing to only accomodating 4 (with queen beds)?

Robyn....I stayed at the Swan with all 5 of us one year and then the next time called to book it and I was "advised" that they no longer accommodate 5 in a room. I told the rep that I did stay w/5 in the room prior and I want to again so they let me. It wasn't an issue. He just said he was supposed to notify me and what I chose to do was up to me. This was right after they made the change over so not sure if they'd allow it today. The girls and I stayed one nt at teh Dolphin before we moved to the GF last Nov....I hate the Dolphin rooms. We took one look at those dinky beds and freaked. They thought they'd sleep crosswise but even Jojo at 7 yrs old was too tall haha....it was uncomfortable. I am sooo glad I got my own bed there. I hate doubles. For this upcoming trip it's just the girls and I and then DH joins us for the last part so no issue with all 5 of us. I should ask somebody about the 5 to 4 situation if I get the chance while I'm there.

 

[sjaakie]

There are pics of SL at the front of this thread & also a map so you can see the view options/building location etc.

View is marina or courtyard pool. The rooms are the same as all others. Worth the money? That is just opinion. I love staying concierge at the GF. I have stayed concierge at almost all the other WDW resorts and GF is the best of all for what I enjoy about it. I have gotten to the point where I don't even book concierge at any other WDW hotels. They are not worth it IMO. Worth is just subjective, though.

Happy planning!

Lives4disney

Thank you. Id seems we made a good choice than.

Is there also a wifi connection in the Sugar Loaf?

 

[Islandfamily]

Hi,

We are going on a land and sea trip in Nov/Dec. We're staying at the Poly first, then going on the Disney Wonder for a a few days. We were supposed to disembark and catch a flight home on Dec 7 but we decided..what the heck, let's go back to Disneyworld for a few days and then fly home. So, we decided to stay at the Grand Floridian. We are sooooo excited!

We've been to Disney many times but never stayed at the GF. Any tips or advice.

Thanks

 

[Mbg98]

Breakfast room service is wonderful at GF. My sister and I get it almost everyday when we stay.


Grand Floridian Private Dining Breakfast Menu


Served daily from 6:00 am – 11:00 am



FRUITS & JUICES

Assorted Fruit Juices 2.99
Orange , Grapefruit, Apple, Cranberry, Tomato, V-8 or Pineapple

Fresh Half Grapefruit 3.99

Fresh Strawberries & Cream 4.99

Fresh Fruit Plate 6.99

Natural Yogurt (with Strawberries or Bananas) 3.99



BREADS & CEREALS
Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat 4.50
with Brown Sugar & Raisins
with Fruit 5.50

Assorted Cold Cereals 4.50
with Fruit 5.50

English Muffin 3.50

Danish or Croissant (2 each) 3.99

Toasted Bagel & Cream Cheese 3.99

Toast (White, Wheat, Rye or Raisin) 2.99

Banana Bread $3.99



BEVERAGES
Regular Coffee or Decaffeinated Coffee 4.99

Hot Tea or Hot Chocolate 3.99

Milk or Chocolate Milk 2.99

Low-fat Smoothies 6.99

Assorted Soft Drinks or Bottled Water 3.29

Iced Tea small carafe 3.99
large carafe 7.99

Espresso or Cappuccino 3.99
flavored 4.99



SIDE ORDERS
Bacon, Sausage Links or Cured Ham Steak 3.79

Canadian Bacon or Turkey Sausage 4.29

Southern-style Grits 2.29



CHILDREN’S MENU

*Entrees include your choice of beverage (milk, chocolate milk or orange juice) 8.99
Daisy’s Eggceptional Morning
One scrambled egg with Bacon and a Biscuit

Lumiere’s French Toast French
Toast with one scrambled egg

Mickey’s Ears to You
Two fun Mickey Shaped Waffles

Chip ‘N Dale Chippy Cakes
Pancakes with one topping of your choice
(bananas, berries or chocolate chips)

Mickey's Morning Surprise 13.99
For the child in all of us, our large Mickey Mouse Waffle, served with lots of Mickey Surprises



THE CONTINENTAL APPROACH
Our Grand Floridian Pastry Basket. Served with Butter and Preserves, Fresh Seasonal Fruit Coffee, Tea or Decaf Coffee and your choice of Juice
12.99

THE GRAND AMERICAN BREAKFAST
Two Eggs, prepared any style, served with Buttermilk Biscuits, Bacon, Sausage or Ham Steak, Grits or Hash Brown Potatoes Coffee, Tea or Decaf Coffee, and your choice of Juice
16.99

The Grand Breakfizz $46.00
(Romantic breakfast for two)
Traditional eggs benedict served with pastries, fresh fruit and berries, your choice of two cold and two hot beverages and a split of champagne.



OTHER BREAKFAST SPECIALTIES
We gladly substitute Eggs with “Egg Beaters” or Egg Whites in any of the following dishes

Three Egg Omelet 10.99
Ham and Cheese, Western or Spanish
Served with Hash Brown Potatoes or Grits

Corned Beef Hash & Poached Eggs 10.99
Homemade Hash with Potatoes, Onions and Green Peppers

Spa Vegetable Frittata 9.99
Open-faced Egg White Omelet with Tomato, Zucchini, Onion, Mushrooms, Chives, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese

Smoked Salmon 12.99
With flavored Cream Cheeses, Onions, Tomatoes and a Bagel

Eggs Benedict 12.99
Two Poached Eggs on Toasted English Muffin with Canadian Bacon and Hollandaise Sauce

Steak & Eggs 20.99
Two Eggs any style, an 8 oz. Top Sirloin Steak, served with Hash Brown Potatoes or Grits



FROM THE GRIDDLE
Belgian Waffle 9.99

Old Fashioned Pancakes 9.99
(Add Strawberries, Blueberries, Bananas or Pecans) 1.00



Private Dining $3.00 delivery, 6.5% Sales Tax and 18% Service Charge will be added to all orders.

Enjoy! I got the fresh strawberrys and cream everyday and pancakes. Oh and the best part they give you real maple syrup. My favorite. Im from upstate New York so that is real important.

Sarah

Thank you for posting this!!

It was making me hungry already!

We were hoping to be able to have hubby's breakfast delivered early (before golf) and then have mine delivered a little later after hitting the gym (i am a gym junkie!) We are on the premium plan, which included room service so i am hoping this can be done.

I know that they are great everywhere w/accomodating food allergies but I can honestly say that in all our disney visits we have never done room service, so i am hoping getting Gluten free pancakes through them won't be an issue.

Thanks again for posting that!!

MGG

 

[Mbg98]

Got another GF question....

Has anyone used the fitness center? How is it? Much to choose from, crowded?

Since we have always stayed at the WL or WLV i am only familiar with theres and it's not much, I was hoping this (GF) would be better.

Thanks....

MGG