The *New* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa FAQ thread (NOV 2008)

[minniesota]

This thread is fantastic! I just booked DH's dream trip, a few nights at the GF for Dec 09, I just added another night too because thanks to the 40% AP code we can do it! Because of our schedules we have to go Monday to Thursday but I think that might be better crowd wise.

I booked a deluxe king RPC room and I have a few questions.

What type of view would it be?

Do the 2 CL lounges share or can you just use the lounge to the building you are staying in?

In the main building what floor is the lounge on and what floor are the CL rooms on?

I'm going to direct you to a helpful link regarding deluxe cl rooms at the GF. There is good info about room layouts, views and some photos. The RPC lounge is on the 4th floor! Here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1835556

 

[MickeyNicki]

Many thanks minniesota...I wonder what the record is for researching on the DIs....I have been at this since about 9 this morning

 

[grannyminnie]

Channing, I don't have an AP, so no good my calling to ask where my code is; but thanks for the suggestion! Guess I'll just have to wait for a 40% offer for the general public. We are already booked on bounceback for the end of Sept. Right now we are at the WL, but I am very eager to move "up" to the GF...thus the wish for a 405 code....

 

[minniesota]

Many thanks minniesota...I wonder what the record is for researching on the DIs....I have been at this since about 9 this morning

LOL - I think we have all been there before! Enjoy the planning - it adds to the excitement of your trip. And I just noticed how many trips you have in the works! Lucky you!

 

[BlueSkies]

MickeyNicki Saw that you were finally able to get your room category straightened out...congratulations!! Is there something wrong with being on the Dis all day long...

Lots of trips coming up...lucky you!! enjoy

 

[BeccaGrace]

Hi everyone! Our last trip to WDW was back in 12/05 (split stay btwn. WL and the Poly) and I didn't anticipate that we were getting back any time soon. But my friend was talking to dh and I about how her girls are getting bored going to WDW every year (which I can't even begin to understand) and she wished that we could go with them. DH shockingly said it sounded like a great idea and we are getting ready to book a stay at the GF from 11/4-11/11. The idea of staying for part of Jersey week is a bit daunting but at least we will still be there after the rest of our state heads back home

I haven't stayed at the GF since I stayed with a friend in high school but we stopped through when we ate at 1900 Park Fare our last trip. It's not really DH's style but he wants a monorail resort and he knows his princesses will love it

I do have a few questions:

--If we book separately from our friends, can we put on our reservation that we want rooms next to each other or would we have to book on the same ressie?

--When do they put up the Christmas decorations? Any chance they might be going up towards the end of our stay?

--Is there a limit to how many people can share a pool cabana?...I was thinking of renting one as a surprise during our resort day but there are 8 of us total.

I think that's it for now...the thrill is still sinking in (I haven't even updated my siggie yet)...I went from nearly having to cancel our Disney Cruise this month due to dd's health to (God-willing) us still being able to go on the cruise and then heading to WDW in November!

 

[puzzles]

Thanks Live4Disney!

DW has another question but she is too lazy to type

Our DD1 has some allergies - DW's friend claimed that we may request a "deep clean" in our room at check-in? I'm not sure but just wonder if anyone has requested similar service before?

We have had the 'deep clean' before at Disneyland (Grand Californian Resort). Just call ahead and request it. If you tell them about the allergies, they will guarantee to have it done. Your room may be ready later than regular check in time, and there will be a 'bleach' smell, but the room will be very clean. We also asked for non-scented cleaning products, and they also obliged on that. My cousin who has some severe allergies was with us on that trip, and the room was no problem for her. The cost was suppose to be like $50, but they didnt charge us a thing.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi everyone! Our last trip to WDW was back in 12/05 (split stay btwn. WL and the Poly) and I didn't anticipate that we were getting back any time soon. But my friend was talking to dh and I about how her girls are getting bored going to WDW every year (which I can't even begin to understand) and she wished that we could go with them. DH shockingly said it sounded like a great idea and we are getting ready to book a stay at the GF from 11/4-11/11. The idea of staying for part of Jersey week is a bit daunting but at least we will still be there after the rest of our state heads back home

I haven't stayed at the GF since I stayed with a friend in high school but we stopped through when we ate at 1900 Park Fare our last trip. It's not really DH's style but he wants a monorail resort and he knows his princesses will love it

They WILL love it! Ours do.

I do have a few questions:

--If we book separately from our friends, can we put on our reservation that we want rooms next to each other or would we have to book on the same ressie?

You can definitely request to be near each other. If you book online, there is a space for notes and to mention the other party you are vacationing with. Or have a good TA do it for you.

--When do they put up the Christmas decorations? Any chance they might be going up towards the end of our stay?

hm....it will probably be cutting it close...but you might see the gingerbread house going up. It went up 11/17 this year....but THanksgiving is earlier next year....(I think)

--Is there a limit to how many people can share a pool cabana?...I was thinking of renting one as a surprise during our resort day but there are 8 of us total.

THey limit it to 6 per cabana. You'd need two.

I think that's it for now...the thrill is still sinking in (I haven't even updated my siggie yet)...I went from nearly having to cancel our Disney Cruise this month due to dd's health to (God-willing) us still being able to go on the cruise and then heading to WDW in November!

Happy travels!

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

This thread is fantastic! I just booked DH's dream trip, a few nights at the GF for Dec 09, I just added another night too because thanks to the 40% AP code we can do it! Because of our schedules we have to go Monday to Thursday but I think that might be better crowd wise.

I booked a deluxe king RPC room and I have a few questions.

What type of view would it be?

It could be a castle view or garden view, or Beach Pool view. There are two types of these king rooms in the main building....the first are on the 2nd floor directly above Gaspies with a direct castle view. The other type - there are six of these...are turret rooms. Three face the courtyard pool and three face the beach pool/monorail.

Do the 2 CL lounges share or can you just use the lounge to the building you are staying in?

RPC uses the lounge in the main building and SL has it's own lounge in the lobby of SL. RPC is much nicer IMO.

In the main building what floor is the lounge on and what floor are the CL rooms on?

The lounge is on the 4th floor...the concierge CMs sit directly below it on the 3rd. King deluxe rooms are on the 2nd floor, or the turret king rooms are on 3, 4, and 5. Glad you got it worked out.....hard to believe you had such a hassle.

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

I don't have time to catch up with this thread but wanted to give an update on the decorations. We flew down on 1/1 and checked into the Polynesian which is great as always. Didn't make it over to the GF until 1/2 but the tree was down by then.

The gingerbread house was still up although not open as of the third. So as always, the dates for decorations vary...I think it's more magical that way. You just never know.

We had great dinners at Narcoossee's and Victoria and Alberts. We took our whole family to V&A which was a first for two of them. We also had lunch at GF Cafe which we never miss. I don't have any more meals scheduled at the GF this trip.

Off to Epcot today. Hope to catch up with GF news later...minniesota can't wait to hear about the pillows. Oh, we're in a newly refurbished 2BR here at BCV and the pillows are not the gel type....they seem to be the same comfy ones as the GF and Polynesian.

Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Glorydaz]

I got one today Denise. It must be for ALL passholders ....EXCEPT this one has DH's name on it NOT MINE!!! We had different last names.

It says "Passholders save 40% off a Disney stay!"...... I AM a passholder.

I am very happy to have it here....but I don't like that dates .....probably not going to do us much good.

Channing

oh what a shame Channing
wait, I know, I'll make believe I'm you and go in your place!!! after all, what are friends for?!

on the bright side, at least we're going back! I used to be a passholder, haven't gone enough in the last year or so to make it worthwhile - maybe it's time to join up again?!

wishing you and yours a very very happy 2009

Michelle

 

[minniesota]

IHope to catch up with GF news later...minniesota can't wait to hear about the pillows. Oh, we're in a newly refurbished 2BR here at BCV and the pillows are not the gel type....they seem to be the same comfy ones as the GF and Polynesian.

Happy New Year everyone.

Hi BCV!
Glad you are having such a great stay and what a treat for all of you to dine at V&A. I posted about the pillows earlier - probably about the time you were leaving. DD LOVES them and said they are just like the GF's. DS liked them, too, but didn't gush over them. He thinks we need to return to the GF so he can confirm the pillows are the same!

Look forward to hearing the details of your trip!

 

[Maxie86]

Hi BCV!
Glad you are having such a great stay and what a treat for all of you to dine at V&A. I posted about the pillows earlier - probably about the time you were leaving. DD LOVES them and said they are just like the GF's. DS liked them, too, but didn't gush over them. He thinks we need to return to the GF so he can confirm the pillows are the same!

Look forward to hearing the details of your trip!

Smart boy you have there.

 

[Lives4Disney]

oh what a shame Channing
wait, I know, I'll make believe I'm you and go in your place!!! after all, what are friends for?!

on the bright side, at least we're going back! I used to be a passholder, haven't gone enough in the last year or so to make it worthwhile - maybe it's time to join up again?!

wishing you and yours a very very happy 2009

Michelle

Hi, Michelle! Happy New Year to you, too!! I hope 2009 brings you all good things!

That is terrific you already have plans to return.

I know we will too...I just have to figure it out with the kids. I am kind of leaning toward a Christmas WDW trip.

I am going on a FUN mom only trip next month and then have June booked, but June isn't my first choice so that might change.

I don't understand these postcards. I hope Maxie gets hers today. They might be going out alphabetically.

Happy planning & Happy 2009,

Channing

 

[Soccer Princess]

Hi everyone! We had booked the GF in a Garden View room for May, but got one of the 40% off discounts so now we are switching our trip to December! I am so excited because I know the Grand Floridian is going to be beautiful with all of the Christmas decorations!!!

We now have the option of booking a Garden View, Theme Park View, or Sugar Loaf Concierge room. It will just be DH and I and we want to have a magical, relaxing trip. We have never stayed at the GF before. Would you recommend a Theme Park View or a Sugar Loaf Concierge room? Can you see the Castle from any of the SL rooms? If we go with a MK View, which buildings would have the best view? Can you also see the EWP from the MK view rooms? Thanks so much!

 

[Maxie86]

Hi everyone! We had booked the GF in a Garden View room for May, but got one of the 40% off discounts so now we are switching our trip to December! I am so excited because I know the Grand Floridian is going to be beautiful with all of the Christmas decorations!!!

We now have the option of booking a Garden View, Theme Park View, or Sugar Loaf Concierge room. It will just be DH and I and we want to have a magical, relaxing trip. We have never stayed at the GF before. Would you recommend a Theme Park View or a Sugar Loaf Concierge room? Can you see the Castle from any of the SL rooms? If we go with a MK View, which buildings would have the best view? Can you also see the EWP from the MK view rooms? Thanks so much!

Welcome to the GF thread. You can not see the castle from any room in Sugar Loaf, but you can see the fireworks from some of the marina view rooms. They are considered garden views. I would pick SL over a theme park view, but that is just me. With a theme park view you are not guaranteed a view of the castle. Will you be spending a lot of time in your room looking out of the window or sitting on the balcony? Would the services of IPO be helpful to you, and having the food offerings throughout the day? To me having the cappuccino machine in the lounge is worth the price, I'll take that over a view any day.

 

[snicklefrytz]

Hello all-

I have been lurking away and gathering fantastic information for our upcoming trip. We leave this coming Saturday, and we are very excited. Thank you for all of the wonderful information that you have provided over the past year. I have learned so much from these boards, they have been instrumental in our plans.

I have a brief question re: the IPO. I have been emailing back and forth with them fairly actively. I had recently requested some help with purchasing some stuffed characters and leaving a card to surprise my kids with upon arrival. I have not heard anything back. I sent the request on last Thursday but have not heard anything back. Normally it would not matter, but we are getting down to the 11th hour here and I want to make sure it happens. However, I don't want to become *that* guest, kwim? Should I give them another day or two even though it makes my anal heart beat a bit faster? Or should I nudge them again?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hello all-

I have been lurking away and gathering fantastic information for our upcoming trip. We leave this coming Saturday, and we are very excited. Thank you for all of the wonderful information that you have provided over the past year. I have learned so much from these boards, they have been instrumental in our plans.

I have a brief question re: the IPO. I have been emailing back and forth with them fairly actively. I had recently requested some help with purchasing some stuffed characters and leaving a card to surprise my kids with upon arrival. I have not heard anything back. I sent the request on last Thursday but have not heard anything back. Normally it would not matter, but we are getting down to the 11th hour here and I want to make sure it happens. However, I don't want to become *that* guest, kwim? Should I give them another day or two even though it makes my anal heart beat a bit faster? Or should I nudge them again?

I am not surprised. I LOVE the Grand Floridian and the CMs....but IPO is lacking. It's a shame because it is often a guest's first impression of the GF. I would keep on it. I've had some issues too. I don't think we're alone. I stopped using them for the most part a couple years ago & also stopped ordering anything from the GF bakery or any special items. They are also unreliable.

Good luck & I hope it works out and you have a fabulous stay. The onsite concierge staff if terrific.

Soccer Princess....I like Maxie's answer! Ditto to what she said. Although I am not a fan of SL. I would do RPC or GV....JMO. Welcome to the GF thread. Happy planning.

Happy travels,
Lives4Disney

 

[Soccer Princess]

Thanks for the comments! I tried to get RPC, but the CM said it was not available for my dates. I actually thought about pushing our trip back a couple weeks just to be able to stay RPC lol. Why are you not a fan of SL? This thread is so informative! Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks for the comments! I tried to get RPC, but the CM said it was not available for my dates. I actually thought about pushing our trip back a couple weeks just to be able to stay RPC lol. Why are you not a fan of SL? This thread is so informative! Thanks!

Well.....we only stayed SL once. We had stayed RPC once or twice before that SL stay. LOVED RPC but planned a spontaneous trip and it wasn't available...so figured we'd try SL. It is ok to nice....they have the same food/drink etc. as RPC. We had a pretty lodge tower room in SL. The CMs are fine. It just didn't have the same WOW factor as RPC and we really enjoy the atmosphere of being in the main building. The SL lounge is kinda tight and it is not all cheery and airy and bright and sunny like the RPC lounge is. Seating is sometimes an issue in SL lounge. It gets CROWDED in there. We've never had any trouble getting tables in RPC. We've often been the only ones up there for bfast or taking an afternoon break and hanging out. My daughter loves the kids' area and makes friends each time. I love listening to the band from the lounge or the pianist...and people watching.

There is just something that feels special about RPC. The RPC CMs are THE BEST IMO....the room views from the main building are BEAUTIFUL - the views from the lounge are beautiful.....I don't know...SL just didn't do it for us...nothing BAD...but the feel of it just wasn't WOW. If RPC isn't in the budget we would just book GV because we love the GF & enjoy staying there.

I don't NEED club level...I do without it at many other WDW hotels because there is no WOW for us...been there done that at almost all the other resorts and the worth is nil.....but we LOVE and enjoy RPC for so many reasons....so it's worth it to us. If you want club level and RPC isn't available the SL is nice. I don't mean to talk you out of it.

Gosh...does that make any sense?
Lives4Disney