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

[Lives4Disney]

Hi all~do you think I should let SL make my ADR's or should I do it on my own? I really want a 3pm res on Thanksgiving, so should i leave it to chance with them or call??? Help
Thanks, Dawn

YOU CALL!!!

I always make my own ADRS.....I just don't trust the IPO 100%. They have been known to have spotty service. If it's important to you - and I know it is - make your ADRs.

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[tinklvr64]

YOU CALL!!!

I always make my own ADRS.....I just don't trust the IPO 100%. They have been known to have spotty service. If it's important to you - and I know it is - make your ADRs.

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

Ok I knew I could count on you to know what to do I have the day marked and will make all of my own ADR's! Especially cause of the Thanksgiving day one~Thanks, Dawn

 

[lrab1126]

can anyone fill me in on the differences between the standard and deluxe rooms in RPC ? and how much more $$ are they? thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

can anyone fill me in on the differences between the standard and deluxe rooms in RPC ? and how much more $$ are they? thanks!

The deluxe rooms are 600 - 650 sq feet vs. the approx 400+ sq feet of standard. The deluxe rooms do not have any castle views. They are a deal of only about $15 extra/nt - last time I checked.....There are only 6 and they book up far in advance. I don't know that we are ready to give up a beautiful castle/fireworks view for the extra room just yet, but they are neat rooms....one of these days I would love to book one.

Lives4Disney

 

[lrab1126]

thanks I just found a site showing a layout, definitley nicely sized but I agree on the loss of the view. Anyone have room numbers they like for having decent views towards the castle ?

 

[Claud26]

Attention all GF experts. I have a GV room booked for 4 days in June. Can anyone suggest a good building to request? Thanks.

Another Vote for Bocca Chica, we stayed there in December and LOVED the Location. It's pretty much the middle of everything.
We actually booked GV room and where upgraded (not sure what the view would be called ie. Park view or magic Kingdom view) BUT it was a corner room over Narccossee on the 4th and we could see the Castle Clearly.

 

[DeborahB]

Attention all GF experts. I have a GV room booked for 4 days in June. Can anyone suggest a good building to request? Thanks.

I've had rooms in both Sago Cay (our first visit) and Boca Chica. At Sago we had a back view of the monorail which my sons, who were young at the time, really enjoyed. It was also very close to Gasparilla's and that was convenient.

Our room in Boca Chica was on the end overlooking Narcoossee's with a view of the castle that was a little bit obscured by a palm tree but still visible. If we looked to the right, we could see the Contemporary and the EWP at night. It was just lovely. I initially thought we had been upgraded from a garden view but I found out at the time this was a garden view. I'm not sure where this room falls now in the booking categories.

We enjoyed both of these buildings for different reasons but if I had to pick a favorite, it's Boca Chica.


lrab1126, According to your ticker, looks like we'll see you there!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

I am so happy to hear that, I requested Boca Chica for our August trip.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Another annoying obsessive question from Sheli:

Is there room in a standard GV room for a small (toddler size) air bed? It is about the size of a pack and play...

I don't have to bring it, she could sleep with us, but it would be convenient for her to have her own place (if she won't get stepped on.)

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Another annoying obsessive question from Sheli:

Is there room in a standard GV room for a small (toddler size) air bed? It is about the size of a pack and play...

I don't have to bring it, she could sleep with us, but it would be convenient for her to have her own place (if she won't get stepped on.)

Thanks for your thoughts!

Are you aware that there are daybeds that make into beds at the GF?

There would probably be room for an air mattress as well (you could just lean it against the wall during the day).

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Thanks Tinkaroo...
There are 6 of us with the little one...so the beds get full pretty fast. No one wants to sleep with her...she is a teeny 30 lb bed-hog.

This is her travel bed (catalog child not my dd) It inflates fast, includes the blanket and is under 5 lbs in its bag (closer to 4 lbs) It is nice and small and keeps her out of my bed (where she would rather be...)

Thanks again!
Sheli

 

[Cinderumbrella]

It would probably fit between the bed and the patio doors, but it is going to be tight!!

 

[mandymommy4]

Hey GF Girls!

DH is on his way home so I need to run soon but I was wondering if anyone knew when the lobby floor rehab is going to take place? I figured since I live close I could be the rehab photog! I can go over weekly and take pics for as long as I have to, so is anyone interested? I figured Channing or Kelly knew some approximate dates on the rehab, or could use their handy dandy contacts and GF fame to find out!

Mandy

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey GF Girls!

DH is on his way home so I need to run soon but I was wondering if anyone knew when the lobby floor rehab is going to take place? I figured since I live close I could be the rehab photog! I can go over weekly and take pics for as long as I have to, so is anyone interested? I figured Channing or Kelly knew some approximate dates on the rehab, or could use their handy dandy contacts and GF fame to find out!

Mandy

Mandy, I asked while I was there and no date is scheduled for the completion as of yet. However, I was told that the floor is all ready and they would just do the tiling in small sections. The lobby wouldn't be all torn up and hopefully it won't be an inconvenience to anybody.

SHeli, I was thinking the same as Kristen...put it between the bed and the sliders. I think it should be fine there. We moved the small ottoman out of the way & my girls had all their Easter stuff set up in that area and it was a pretty decent little size.

Lives4Disney

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks Tinkaroo...

This is her travel bed (catalog child not my dd) It inflates fast, includes the blanket and is under 5 lbs in its bag (closer to 4 lbs) It is nice and small and keeps her out of my bed (where she would rather be...)

Thanks again!
Sheli

Sheli: My DS4 has the same bed, in Thomas the Train, of course! It would fit, however, I would be concerned with drafts near the sliding doors. You might want to put a towel on the floor near the door.

My son uses his bed when his cousin sleeps over, they "camp out" in the living room atour weekend house. I never thought to travel with that bed, that's a great idea. I have given it out as gifts and everyone has loved it. I just have to make sure to purchase the ones that come with the auto pump!

Have a great trip!
Mare

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Hey GF Girls!

DH is on his way home so I need to run soon but I was wondering if anyone knew when the lobby floor rehab is going to take place? I figured since I live close I could be the rehab photog! I can go over weekly and take pics for as long as I have to, so is anyone interested? I figured Channing or Kelly knew some approximate dates on the rehab, or could use their handy dandy contacts and GF fame to find out!

Mandy

Thanks for the offer. That would be great.

 

[jenfur]

I just thought if two questions ( and both have probably already been asked ) 1. Do all of the rooms have the flat panel tv? and 2. I have never gotten an upgrade, but I have also never asked either. I would hate for there to be one right there for the taking if only I were to ask. I am a little shy about things like that so, exactly how do you go about asking? We arrive pretty early if that helps. Also, if you ask what the charge would be to upgrade once you are there, is it usually the same as if you'd paid rack rate or a little less? (okay 3 questions...)

 

[kim929]

I have a question and I'm sorry if you guys have answered it to death, but I'm going to ask anyway. Tower rooms. what are they considered? are they premium rooms? how many do they sleep? and if I were to request one are they only in certain buildings?

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just thought if two questions ( and both have probably already been asked ) 1. Do all of the rooms have the flat panel tv? and 2. I have never gotten an upgrade, but I have also never asked either. I would hate for there to be one right there for the taking if only I were to ask. I am a little shy about things like that so, exactly how do you go about asking? We arrive pretty early if that helps. Also, if you ask what the charge would be to upgrade once you are there, is it usually the same as if you'd paid rack rate or a little less? (okay 3 questions...)

Hi
1. Yes. All room shave the flat panel TV.

2. Most rooms are assigned prior to guest's arrival. You can always ask for an upgrade, but Disney hotels are not like real world hotels in that they don't usually grant complimentary upgrade requests. I haven't even tried to ask at a Disney hotel, but at other hotels I just ask nicely if there are any complimentary upgrades available.

3. Be prepared to pay rack rate for any upgrade you're granted unless you get some magic and a free upgrade (or deal) comes your way. They will tell you they have ---view available for ----$ and you'll have the choice of it or keep what you booked. MANY years ago, WDW used to hold back rooms for walk ins and we did get rooms cheaper that way once in a while, but these days I wouldn't dare count on it. Deals are harder and harder to come by at WDW. I just book what I want.

Kim, - Do you mean Lodge Tower Rooms? They are a separate bookable category. You will see them listed as an option when you go to the WDW website. They sleep four with two queens. They are in the turrets of the lodge buildings and have an extra bit of square footage with a seating area and second tv. If you book Sugar Loaf - Outer Lodge Concierge - you can request a tower room, but there are only three and they aren't guaranteed. There are some pics of lodge tower rooms at the front of this thread.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[kim929]

Thank you, that is exactly what I was talking about.