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

[tete01830]

The new thread looks great, Kel!

 

[mom2princessj]

Love all the pictures...I'm getting excited now...my trip will be here before I know it with all the hussle and bustle of the holidays. I have to pay on Monday...I can't believe I'm about to hit the 45 day mark!

 

[WED]

Hi everyone

Wow this is a great thread.

I am heading over to WDW in 22 days from Sydney Australia, we are DVC members - we will be spending 21 days on land and 7 days at sea! We are spending Christmas at the Grand for three nights, a night at the Poly and then when we return from our cruise we are spending 4 nights (we booked two rooms....there are 4 adults, my mum and dad and my sister me), the rest of the time we are spending our time at our home resort which is SS.

We are considering not attending any park for Christmas day and just spending time at GF, any suggestions from anyone?

We are very excited.........i have so much work to do before I leave.......I am very tired and can't wait for a break!!!

Will anyone else be at the Grand for Christmas? We are staying conceirge.

 

[EAWildman]

First off....Thank you very much to everyone who has worked on this thread about the GF. It's outstanding!

My family has never stayed at the GF...my wife and I have only stayed at the All-Star Resorts. Now we have our new son, Alex, who will be about 18 months old when we go to WDW in January. We wanted to be on the monorail and the best discount without a splilt stay was at the GF...so we took it!

We wound up converting the reservation to the current buy 4 get 3 free deal. We also added the dinning plan for the first time. So this trip has alot of firsts! First time with new son...first time with dining plan...and first time at the GF.

So, we could only spring for a garden view room at the GF (not that we care...we are thrilled to death to be anywhere at the GF). I have read the UG and some web sites and can't find many recommendations for room requests for garden view. I see a PP mentioned that there were no "bad" garden view room, and I imagine that that's probably true.

But, there has to be some differences, right? Can anyone help with a good garden view room location tip if we wanted to be close to the monorail/bus station area at the GF? Any other, perhaps, more special garden view rooms that I should know about?

Just looking for any advice since the step up from only value resorts to a delux resort has our families' heads spinning. In a good way!

Again, thanks for the thread and all of the neat pics everyone!

Eric

 

[minniesota]

First off....Thank you very much to everyone who has worked on this thread about the GF. It's outstanding!

My family has never stayed at the GF...my wife and I have only stayed at the All-Star Resorts. Now we have our new son, Alex, who will be about 18 months old when we go to WDW in January. We wanted to be on the monorail and the best discount without a splilt stay was at the GF...so we took it!

We wound up converting the reservation to the current buy 4 get 3 free deal. We also added the dinning plan for the first time. So this trip has alot of firsts! First time with new son...first time with dining plan...and first time at the GF.

So, we could only spring for a garden view room at the GF (not that we care...we are thrilled to death to be anywhere at the GF). I have read the UG and some web sites and can't find many recommendations for room requests for garden view. I see a PP mentioned that there were no "bad" garden view room, and I imagine that that's probably true.

But, there has to be some differences, right? Can anyone help with a good garden view room location tip if we wanted to be close to the monorail/bus station area at the GF? Any other, perhaps, more special garden view rooms that I should know about?

Just looking for any advice since the step up from only value resorts to a delux resort has our families' heads spinning. In a good way!

Again, thanks for the thread and all of the neat pics everyone!

Eric

Hey Eric! How exciting that you will staying at the GF for the first time. It's our favorite resort.

As far as GV buildings, there are 4 options: Big Pine, Boca Chica, Conch and Sago. All of them afford really nice garden views and are all relatively close to the main building which houses the monorail station. Make sure you look at the map on the first page to orient yourself.

Big Pine is closest to the theme pool and your views would be of the courtyard/courtyard pool. You look across at the main building a couple of outer lodge buildings. There are some garden views In Big Pine that look at the back side of the pool building or at the roof tops of the pool building/bar but most views are great.

Boca Chica GVs also looks at the courtyard but from a different angle as you can see on the map. There may also be a few rooms that have that pool building/rooftop view as well. You are closest to the courtyard pool.

Conch is near the boat ramp which is convenient if you take the resort ferry back from MK. The views are of the courtyard, other lodges and some may even have a glimpse of the lagoon on the Poly side.

Sago is nearest Gasparillas, the counter service restaurant, which is housed in the main building. You can also easily get to the bus stop by walking between Sago and the main building near the convention building. Your views at Sago can be of the marina or the back waters of the lagoon and monorail. The only possible bad view in this building is on the back side near the convention end.

We have had GVs in every building except Conch and we prefer Sago. It seems quieter and we like the proximity to Gaspies, the main building (monorail, shops, eateries) and the bus stop. It is furthest from the theme pool but only a 5 minute stroll.

All of the buildings are relatively close to the main building so it's just a matter of whether you want to look at the courtyard and other buildings or the marina/lagoon/monorail. By the way, if you do request Sago, I'd request "Sago marina view" which is considered a GV. Good luck and hope you enjoy the Grand as much as we do!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

steffali - here is a description of the deluxe rooms:

What is the Concierge Deluxe Guestroom?
The Concierge Deluxe Guestroom is an oversized room in Royal Palm Club. These rooms are about 700 square feet, and have two different floorplans. All Concierge Deluxe Guestrooms feature two queen size beds, a sofa, TV with VCR, writing desk, wetbar, and balcony. They have all the same features as the regular concierge guestrooms. Some Concierge Deluxe Guestrooms also have a deep soaking tub. Views are of either the quiet pool/courtyard or the Seven Seas Lagoon/theme pool.

Here is a photo of my view in a deluxe room:

 

[Space Mountain Kid]

really nice pictures, for the new GRAND FLORIDIAN PICS

 

[steffali]

steffali - here is a description of the deluxe rooms:

What is the Concierge Deluxe Guestroom?
The Concierge Deluxe Guestroom is an oversized room in Royal Palm Club. These rooms are about 700 square feet, and have two different floorplans. All Concierge Deluxe Guestrooms feature two queen size beds, a sofa, TV with VCR, writing desk, wetbar, and balcony. They have all the same features as the regular concierge guestrooms. Some Concierge Deluxe Guestrooms also have a deep soaking tub. Views are of either the quiet pool/courtyard or the Seven Seas Lagoon/theme pool.

Here is a photo of my view in a deluxe room:

I CAN'T WAIT TO GO
Can you see the EWP from the lounge????

 

[Lives4Disney]

I CAN'T WAIT TO GO
Can you see the EWP from the lounge????

Hi, no I really don't think you can.

We've never even seen it from the GF......we used to watch it from the CR boat dock all the time years ago. That is an awesome very close up show!

I think from the GF you have to go out to the beach or boat dock. The lodges would block the view from the lounge.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[mmmears]

About the EWP:

We tried watching it from the beach one time, and missed it. And it was running that night, since we could see it out on the lagoon at the other resorts.

Our best view of it was our trips when we stayed in Boca Chica. We could see it perfectly from our balconies.

So it's oriented somewhere over on that side, but the beach didn't work for us.

It's a really cute "parade" and we always try to watch it at least once per trip when we're at the GF.

Hopefully, some nice CM in the RPC will know a prime spot to sit and watch it!

Have a great time!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Oddly enough, I think the only spot we've watched the EWP at the GF is Narcoossee's!

 

[mmmears]

Oddly enough, I think the only spot we've watched the EWP at the GF is Narcoossee's!

That makes sense since it's right next to Boca Chica. I think the lights were off by the time the floats got to the beach area by the feature pool.

 

[steffali]

Hi, no I really don't think you can.

We've never even seen it from the GF......we used to watch it from the CR boat dock all the time years ago. That is an awesome very close up show!

I think from the GF you have to go out to the beach or boat dock. The lodges would block the view from the lounge.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Oh well, It's ok I will just be sooo happy to be at GF RPC

 

[goofy4prez]

Awesome thread about the GF.

I visited WDW for the first time in August and stayed at the WL and loved it. We were even upgraded to the Concierge level, and have to admit that was one heck of an upgrade.

We were so addicted to our first visit to WDW that we took advantage of the 4 and 3 deal and will be staying at the GF for seven days starting on Jan 25th. We loved the look of the GF when we ate at Narcoosee's.

At the GF what are the chances of getting an upgrade like you here at so many of the other resorts ?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Awesome thread about the GF.

I visited WDW for the first time in August and stayed at the WL and loved it. We were even upgraded to the Concierge level, and have to admit that was one heck of an upgrade.

We were so addicted to our first visit to WDW that we took advantage of the 4 and 3 deal and will be staying at the GF for seven days starting on Jan 25th. We loved the look of the GF when we ate at Narcoosee's.

At the GF what are the chances of getting an upgrade like you here at so many of the other resorts ?

Hi!

On the upgrade question.....well actually from reading the DIS it sure sounds like upgrades are something very common but in reality they aren't. If you go during slower periods of the year, stay for shorter time periods, don't make as many requests...those things seems to effect your chance for an upgrade. Some people on the DIS will say DON"T DARE ASK for an upgrade....it will offend the CM checking you in. I cannot tell you how many times I've read that on the boards ....but there have been times I was not super happy with my room location and sweetly asked what else was available...and low and behold I was given a fabu upgrade. It just pays to be nice.

We've had a couple upgrades at the Grand, but mostly book concierge there anyway because we love it. We had one upgrade at the YC last summer. I just usually book what I want because in all our years going to WDW we've really RARELY been upgraded. I think we've had over 50 stays...and maybe 3 upgrades.

Have a wonderful time at the Grand. It's our absolute favorite Disney resort. I can't say enough great things about it & the people that work there.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Oh well, It's ok I will just be sooo happy to be at GF RPC

You will.

The CMs are awesome. It's wonderful.

The EWP is cute. It's neat to see. I've seen it for years though so we don't make a specific point to catch it each trip. We saw it from our GF balcony this past summer....we had a suite in the main buidling which faced the Beach Pool.....I will see if I can find a pic. The CMs will tell you the best viewing spot. Or just monorail over to the CR and get that front row spot at the end of their dock! It is incredible from there & super loud.

Enjoy!!

Channing

 

[goofy4prez]

Hi!

On the upgrade question.....well actually from reading the DIS it sure sounds like upgrades are something very common but in reality they aren't. If you go during slower periods of the year, stay for shorter time periods, don't make as many requests...those things seems to effect your chance for an upgrade. Some people on the DIS will say DON"T DARE ASK for an upgrade....it will offend the CM checking you in. I cannot tell you how many times I've read that on the boards ....but there have been times I was not super happy with my room location and sweetly asked what else was available...and low and behold I was given a fabu upgrade. It just pays to be nice.

We've had a couple upgrades at the Grand, but mostly book concierge there anyway because we love it. We had one upgrade at the YC last summer. I just usually book what I want because in all our years going to WDW we've really RARELY been upgraded. I think we've had over 50 stays...and maybe 3 upgrades.

Have a wonderful time at the Grand. It's our absolute favorite Disney resort. I can't say enough great things about it & the people that work there.

Lives4Disney

Thank you for the advice. I do agree it is a bit tacky to ask for an upgrade. When we were upgraded at the WL the CM asked us if we had a preference. I jokingly told her that since I can't afford the presidential suite then we really didn't have a preference. That is when she told us welcome to your first visit to WDW and gave us the concierge upgrade. I guess it's easy to get spoiled after our first visit.

 

[steffali]

You will.

The CMs are awesome. It's wonderful.

The EWP is cute. It's neat to see. I've seen it for years though so we don't make a specific point to catch it each trip. We saw it from our GF balcony this past summer....we had a suite in the main buidling which faced the Beach Pool.....I will see if I can find a pic. The CMs will tell you the best viewing spot. Or just monorail over to the CR and get that front row spot at the end of their dock! It is incredible from there & super loud.

Enjoy!!


Channing

I would love to see pics. from the suite How many bedrooms did you have? It must have been so nice

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you for the advice. I do agree it is a bit tacky to ask for an upgrade. When we were upgraded at the WL the CM asked us if we had a preference. I jokingly told her that since I can't afford the presidential suite then we really didn't have a preference. That is when she told us welcome to your first visit to WDW and gave us the concierge upgrade. I guess it's easy to get spoiled after our first visit.

You're welcome ....and NO! I don't think it's tacky to ask for an upgrade ....I didn't mean that....I just meant that people on the DIS will say it is...LOL..I really don't agree with that though.... Anytime we stay anywhere other than WDW it's basically expected to ask.....and it works! My best upgrade...my fabulous most fantastic one was at the Royal Hawaiian...we had some issues with the room they gave us....we wound up in a penthouse suite with a beautiful ocean view. So...despite my kids embarrassment..I speak up about issues or preferences at check in. I know somebody that just got back from a GF stay...they booked GV and nicely asked about an RPC upgrade....THEY GOT IT! It's all in the way you do it IMO. There is tacky...and there is charm. I guess I meant that you shouldn't expect the upgrade. They are rare. But no harm in asking.

I would love to see pics. from the suite How many bedrooms did you have? It must have been so nice

It was a one bedroom suite....on the 5th floor. Two balconies...one faced toward the front...the other the waterfall. It was lovely & nice to have the extra space...dormer ceilings...wet bar...1 1/2 baths. I posted pics on the other thread....I will post a few here in a bit. With updated cabana pics...because ......

WHERE IS KELLY!?!?!?! I thought she was going to spare me from that hassle.

Happy planning, guys...

Channing

 

[BCV23]

Hi everyone

Wow this is a great thread.

I am heading over to WDW in 22 days from Sydney Australia, we are DVC members - we will be spending 21 days on land and 7 days at sea! We are spending Christmas at the Grand for three nights, a night at the Poly and then when we return from our cruise we are spending 4 nights (we booked two rooms....there are 4 adults, my mum and dad and my sister me), the rest of the time we are spending our time at our home resort which is SS.

We are considering not attending any park for Christmas day and just spending time at GF, any suggestions from anyone?

We are very excited.........i have so much work to do before I leave.......I am very tired and can't wait for a break!!!

Will anyone else be at the Grand for Christmas? We are staying conceirge.

I would be excited too! What a wonderfully long holiday! Are there many DVC members in Australia? I bet you will love it when Ko 'Olina opens. And SSR is a lovely resort.

If you decide not to go to a park on Christmas Day, it would be fun to visit the resort monorails as well as WL which is awesome at Christmas in a different way than the GF. But consider the Candleight Processional at Epcot. It is so beautiful and if you do a dining package, you're guaranteed seating.

Have an absolutely Grand trip!

First off....Thank you very much to everyone who has worked on this thread about the GF. It's outstanding!

My family has never stayed at the GF...my wife and I have only stayed at the All-Star Resorts. Now we have our new son, Alex, who will be about 18 months old when we go to WDW in January. We wanted to be on the monorail and the best discount without a splilt stay was at the GF...so we took it!

We wound up converting the reservation to the current buy 4 get 3 free deal. We also added the dinning plan for the first time. So this trip has alot of firsts! First time with new son...first time with dining plan...and first time at the GF.

So, we could only spring for a garden view room at the GF (not that we care...we are thrilled to death to be anywhere at the GF). I have read the UG and some web sites and can't find many recommendations for room requests for garden view. I see a PP mentioned that there were no "bad" garden view room, and I imagine that that's probably true.

But, there has to be some differences, right? Can anyone help with a good garden view room location tip if we wanted to be close to the monorail/bus station area at the GF? Any other, perhaps, more special garden view rooms that I should know about?

Just looking for any advice since the step up from only value resorts to a delux resort has our families' heads spinning. In a good way!

Again, thanks for the thread and all of the neat pics everyone!

Eric

Eric, in addition to the great advice that minniesota gave you, I would add marina view in Conch Key as another good gardenview location.

With regard to the Electrical Water Pageant, we've had perfect views of it from Conch Key rooms (MK views, TPV or whatever term WDW uses next). Ditto from Narcoossee's and mmmears posted the same from Boca Chica. I noticed fairly recently that is seems to sort of curve around that area...I think I saw that from the monorail. From Conch Key or Narcoossee's I never would have guessed that. Anyway, the boat dock by Narcoosee's would be a fine spot to see it.

I would also guess that deluxe rooms that face the theme pool can probably see quite a bit of the EWP playing at the Polynesian. By tradition it starts at the Polynesian and ends at the CR as it did all those years ago. But to hear it well, you might want to go to the boat dock (not the marina).