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

[Alicnwondrln]

What Chan is really saying is none of the conicerges are as great as GF.

lol

 

[Lives4Disney]

What Chan is really saying is none of the conicerges are as great as GF.

lol

Short and sweet....but none are as great as RPC! have to be more specific.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

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?

Welcome to the GF thread! I would contact them again. I have to agree with Chan that they can make some mistakes. Have you been dealing with a certain CM?

 

[goofygal531]

Anyone hear yet if they're changing the resort mugs this year? I have SIX with the "never ending years of magic" design! I'd love something new! Perhaps Alice in Wonderland??? Wonder if they'll go back to resort mugs or generic again??? A fun celebration design would be nice!

 

[allisonswonderland]

That is a great question about the resort mugs, we did not stay at the Gf during the time when they had their own, only the BC, so LOL I have a ton of those. And now a ton of the YOAMD....

 

[MickeyNicki]

Lives4Disney, your comments about RPC just made me so happy! I cannot wait to go now!

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi all, I just booked my GF vacation and I'm still in a fog that I'm actually going to be staying at the GF! I had the usual questions about rooms. I was hoping you could help me with the best garden view rooms. I'll be traveling alone with my DD4 so a central location to Gasparilla's, pool, and the monorail would be good. Is there a location that fits that description, or close to it? I prefer to be on the top floor, which I believe are called the dormer rooms and had some questions on those. They look so cute, but the balcony looks a little blah. I was curious about your view when you're sitting down...can you see over the top of the balcony, or only when you're standing up? Does anyone have any pics of a dormer room? I saw a few on the GF photo thread, but was looking for some more angles to give me a better idea. I am so excited about this, and really don't know anything about the GF. I had never even considered it because it is so out of my price range, but with the 4/3 deal, I couldn't resist Could you all tell me must see things or must do things around the resort, best place to view the fireworks/EWP (what time does it go by?), transportation advice, How are the character breakfasts, and are there any activities for children? I know, a lot of questions but I am a total newbie on this site and am looking to soak up all the info I can Thanks in advance, and I look forward to chatting with all of you!

 

[goofygal531]

Lives4Disney, your comments about RPC just made me so happy! I cannot wait to go now!

Hi Nicki, glad you found us here!

You'll have a wonderful time at the GF!

By the way, how did you chestnut stuffing turn out!

Will you be doing live food reviews this next trip? I LOVE your food reviews!!!

Mare

 

[MickeyNicki]

Hi Nicki, glad you found us here!

You'll have a wonderful time at the GF!

By the way, how did you chestnut stuffing turn out!

Will you be doing live food reviews this next trip? I LOVE your food reviews!!!

Mare

Oh man what a pain that was! I call William Sonoma and they are $17.50 a jar...my mom says no way I will ship them to you they are $2 a bag in Boston(already roasted and shelled) So here it is a few days before Turkey day and no package from my mom yet and I am getting freaked out...all the WS stores close by are sold out and not getting anymore...so one clerk tells me to go to the Fresh Market and they are only $5 a jar, they had a huge shelf just full of them! So I get back home there is the package from my mom with over a dozen bags of chestnuts...so I loaded with them now!

I am hoping to do a live review in January but with having 2 nieces coming with us I dont know if that will be possible. Def doing one for my other trips tho! I need something to do while DH is snoring away!

 

[snicklefrytz]

Welcome to the GF thread! I would contact them again. I have to agree with Chan that they can make some mistakes. Have you been dealing with a certain CM?

Nobody has identified themselves in particular within the communications. I emailed them again early this afternoon regarding the request for help. I still have not heard anything back. Hopefully I will tomorrow.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Nobody has identified themselves in particular within the communications. I emailed them again early this afternoon regarding the request for help. I still have not heard anything back. Hopefully I will tomorrow.

I would call them.

 

[snicklefrytz]

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!

We ran into the exact same issue a year ago when we booked this trip. My dates were not too flexible so we booked Sugar Loaf. I wanted RPC, but it was not available. We really wanted to stay at the GF and to stay Club level, so I booked SL. I promise to come back and give a solid review of it when we return on the 17th.

 

[Soccer Princess]

We ran into the exact same issue a year ago when we booked this trip. My dates were not too flexible so we booked Sugar Loaf. I wanted RPC, but it was not available. We really wanted to stay at the GF and to stay Club level, so I booked SL. I promise to come back and give a solid review of it when we return on the 17th.

I will be anxiously awaiting your review! Thanks and have a great trip!

 

[goofygal531]

Oh man what a pain that was! I call William Sonoma and they are $17.50 a jar...my mom says no way I will ship them to you they are $2 a bag in Boston(already roasted and shelled) So here it is a few days before Turkey day and no package from my mom yet and I am getting freaked out...all the WS stores close by are sold out and not getting anymore...so one clerk tells me to go to the Fresh Market and they are only $5 a jar, they had a huge shelf just full of them! So I get back home there is the package from my mom with over a dozen bags of chestnuts...so I loaded with them now!

I am hoping to do a live review in January but with having 2 nieces coming with us I dont know if that will be possible. Def doing one for my other trips tho! I need something to do while DH is snoring away!

Only GF chatting is allowed on this thread, but please join us to chat about anything here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2040707

I'm so looking forward to Tutto Italia based on your reviews!!

Mare

 

[loralie]

Hi, I will be at the GF in May and it is my first time staying on the monorail and it has been a few years so I am so excited and have a few questions. I know getting to MK and Epcot is easy via the monorail but how are the buses at GF to HS, AK, DD and Blizzard Beach? I think I read somewhere that they share with other resorts...is this right? Which resorts do they share with and how many bus stops are there at the GF?

We stayed at CBR in 2005 and I know they have so many bus stops but we paid preferred and were in a close area to the pool and food court and the bus stop was right near our room so even though it had a lot of stops it was not a problem. We booked a GV room at GF so is there a good area to request to be close to it all without paying for concierge level? I know it will be just a request but I figured you guys would know what to ask for.

I also want to know where is the best place to see wishes from the resort? Does it get crowded watching wishes and what kind of seating is there?

Thanks, I can't wait to get to Disney, my family thinks I am crazy for getting so excited this early on but I know you guys know how I feel.

Loralie

 

[BlueSkies]

Snicklefrytz and soccer princess We have stayed in SL many times over the years(and continue to choose SL now too)...I initially chose it because I liked its proximity to everything else on the property...particularly the court yard pool...I also really do enjoy the CL amenities...

I think having coffee and other beverages etc readily available makes things go even easier(especially in the morning)...the snacks are a nice bonus too...my kids would always run in from the pool grab a drink a few snacks...very nice...

As Lives4Disney said SL has all of the same offerings but definitely not the same ambiance as the RPC...

The lounge can get kind of crowded...lots of small bistro type tables close together...the food area is set up nicely and it does have some nice niches to sit away from the main dining area...also they do have some little talbles for the kiddies and and tv viewing area for them too..

Overall it is very nice...I dont think you'll be disappointed...

Hope you both enjoy your trips

 

[minniesota]

Hi, I will be at the GF in May and it is my first time staying on the monorail and it has been a few years so I am so excited and have a few questions. I know getting to MK and Epcot is easy via the monorail but how are the buses at GF to HS, AK, DD and Blizzard Beach? I think I read somewhere that they share with other resorts...is this right? Which resorts do they share with and how many bus stops are there at the GF?

We stayed at CBR in 2005 and I know they have so many bus stops but we paid preferred and were in a close area to the pool and food court and the bus stop was right near our room so even though it had a lot of stops it was not a problem. We booked a GV room at GF so is there a good area to request to be close to it all without paying for concierge level? I know it will be just a request but I figured you guys would know what to ask for.

I also want to know where is the best place to see wishes from the resort? Does it get crowded watching wishes and what kind of seating is there?

Thanks, I can't wait to get to Disney, my family thinks I am crazy for getting so excited this early on but I know you guys know how I feel.

Loralie

Congratulations on staying at the GF! When we stay GV, we request Sago marina view (which is a request in the garden view category) This puts you close to Gasparilla's, the main building and the bus stop. To get to the bus stop, you exit Sago and follow the walkway veering to the right. It looks like you are heading into a loading area (which it is!) but once across the street, the bus stop is right there. Easy!

As far as the bus schedule goes, it's been hit and miss for us. The bus is shared by Poly and WL guests. We always seem to get to HM without any problems but AK takes much longer since they usually stop at Blizzard Beach. I'm sure it depends on the time of year though. I have often seen a CM at the bus stop with a clipboard and radio monitoring the traffic flow so at least they are aware of any major problems.

We watch Wishes from either the patio in front of Gasparilla's or from the boat dock. Nice table and chair set-ups on the patio; a few benches on the boat dock. It has never been very crowded at either place when we have been there. Music is usually piped in at both these locations. People also watch in front of Narcoossee's but he have never gone over there.

Enjoy planning - it's half the fun!

 

[goofygal531]

During the summer months, do the water parks have their own bus??

It's been YEARS since we went to one and now DS4 wants to hit the waterparks several times this trip.

I vaguely remember our first waterpark experience. I think we had a bus going there directly, then on the return shared a bus from Downtown Disney.

This could be according to the time of day. Maybe Downtown Disney buses pick up in the evenings from the waterparks and AK buses during the day??

I really don't care about the routes I just need to know what to look for when I'm standing at the GF Bus stop! Will the bus say "AK/BB"??

 

[lala3291]

During the summer months, do the water parks have their own bus??

It's been YEARS since we went to one and now DS4 wants to hit the waterparks several times this trip.

I vaguely remember our first waterpark experience. I think we had a bus going there directly, then on the return shared a bus from Downtown Disney.

This could be according to the time of day. Maybe Downtown Disney buses pick up in the evenings from the waterparks and AK buses during the day??

I really don't care about the routes I just need to know what to look for when I'm standing at the GF Bus stop! Will the bus say "AK/BB"??

We went in August, and yes, BB shared a bus with AK. DD shared a bus with TL. Hope that helps!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We ran into the exact same issue a year ago when we booked this trip. My dates were not too flexible so we booked Sugar Loaf. I wanted RPC, but it was not available. We really wanted to stay at the GF and to stay Club level, so I booked SL. I promise to come back and give a solid review of it when we return on the 17th.

I'll be waiting for your review too. We booked SL for our June trip. Tried to get SL CL or TPV for February but no availability on the 7/4 offer.