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

[MelissaFromRI]

I just received an email from the GF's IPO ! I was just wondering how many of you leave all your planning to the Itinerary Planners at the IPO? I would love to just give them a list of all my restaurants and let them call in the ADRs...but how good are they about fulfilling the requests?? Do they do them at the 180/90 day mark on the dot? If I am the type of person that would make the calls at 7:00AM on the first available date to get the best time, would I be better off doing it myself? Do you think they get preferred times when calling in for guests? If you make your own ADRs, do you make an effort to send in that information for them to compile your itinerary? What is the best way to communicate with them? Phone? email?

One last question, has anyone gone on the AK Wildlife Discovery Excursion? Is it worth it? Would my 5 and 7 year old DDs enjoy this experience?

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions! Sorry for all these questions!!

The GF IPO is awesome. Use them for sure!
They have always gotten all my dates and times for me. I've never had a problem with them at all. They actually have tables set aside just for them so they will get what you want more easily than you will.
As for the AK Wildlife Discovery Excursion - it is beyond awesome!!! Well worth the time and money. Anyone who like animals even a little bit will love it! If you're considering the AK Wildlife Discovery Excursion - GO FOR IT

 

[zyezye]

Our boarding passes are printed...our suitcases are packed.
I have to work a full day and then off to GF!!!!

 

[loralie]

Our boarding passes are printed...our suitcases are packed.
I have to work a full day and then off to GF!!!!

Have a GRAND time. I can't wait to hear all about your trip. Take plenty of pics and soak up all the magic you can.

Loralie

 

[k&a&c'smom]

shoppgirl - I always let the IPO team do any reservations that I want, they are very good at it, and that is part of the reason to book CL! You can contact them by phone or email, it can sometimes be difficult to get through on the phone, but leave a message, they'll call back.

zyezye - Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Frankiesmom]

Hi! Thinking about booking RPC for the end of Sept. Can anyone tell me if the CL standard rooms have a MK view? I am torn between CL @ the Poly- LV so as to have the view; but have always wanted to try the GF or the Contemporary. No avail as of now at the Contemp. My one thing nagging me is will we be able to see the fireworks and the castle from the GF? Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

Hi! Thinking about booking RPC for the end of Sept. Can anyone tell me if the CL standard rooms have a MK view? I am torn between CL @ the Poly- LV so as to have the view; but have always wanted to try the GF or the Contemporary. No avail as of now at the Contemp. My one thing nagging me is will we be able to see the fireworks and the castle from the GF? Thanks!

Some do but more do not. There are some rooms on the 3rd and 4th floors above Gasparilla's that face down the marina with the castle beyond.

 

[Frankiesmom]

Thank you so much for the quick reply! Would you be able to point me in the area to find the list of the evening lounge offerings? Thanks again!

 

[dustyraye]

Does anyone have the current menu for In-Room Dining, or can you point me to a recent one online? I didn't see one in the first few pages of posts, and the one on allears.net is from 2005.

Thanks!

 

[Frankiesmom]

Well I took the plunge- we're booked for RPC 9/21-9/26!!! Yeah! I have never stayed RPC before- am sooo super excited! Can't wait to learn alot from all the experts here

 

[MelissaFromRI]

Hi! Thinking about booking RPC for the end of Sept. Can anyone tell me if the CL standard rooms have a MK view? I am torn between CL @ the Poly- LV so as to have the view; but have always wanted to try the GF or the Contemporary. No avail as of now at the Contemp. My one thing nagging me is will we be able to see the fireworks and the castle from the GF? Thanks!

Yes , there are rooms in the main building with a MK view. There aren't that many so make sure you make your request known. I've personally had room # 4406 on the 4th floor of the main building. The room was very pretty with a great view of Cinderella's Castle & the nightly fireworks

 

[Frankiesmom]

Thanks Melissa! That was exactly what I wanted to know!

 

[MelissaFromRI]

Thanks Melissa! That was exactly what I wanted to know!

Glad I could help
If you stay at the GF RPC you will love it! The atmosphere and the cast members can't be beat

 

[heatherlynn444]

Well I took the plunge- we're booked for RPC 9/21-9/26!!! Yeah! I have never stayed RPC before- am sooo super excited! Can't wait to learn alot from all the experts here

congrats! you will love it. we went mid september this year RPC and it was a great time of year to go! we didn't have a castle view but had a great view of the Poly, wedding pavillion, and waterfall pool. it was beautiful! you can't go wrong here!

 

[Frankiesmom]

Thanks Melissa, I will request that as soon as I hear from them. Thanks again!

 

[zyezye]

Hi all,
We have been at the Grand for two days. Arrived after midnight Friday evening. I'll do a more thorough trip report upon my return home. Here are some tidbits:
*Grounds are beautiful. It is also so nice to just hop the monorail to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot.
* Weather has been GREAT this week so we lucked out!
* We had a negative experience at their restaurant Citricos last night, but the manager was right on it and we ended up with free appetizers and a nice evening. When we arrived at our reservation time, we were immediately seated, but sat for the first 15 minutes with no water or waitress. We got up to leave and nicely explained the situation to the greeter. They immediately brought over the manager who was very apologetic and nice. She seated us in another server's section. Food was great and turned out to be a nice evening.
* There are multiple places to see the MK fireworks from the GF, so don't worry. Also, we could see the water parade (boats with lighted scenes) from the GF last night. That was fun!
* We are attending the tea this afternoon.
* One huge negative...when we booked the GF our one request was to be in a quiet section of any building as we are two adults..no kids. Our AAA agent assured us she was putting that in the info and would also fax a reminder two days before our arrival.
However, when we arrived they had NO NOTE and had put us NEXT TO THE ELEVATOR which can be one of the noisiest places to be.
We requested another room and we are now in one just about as bad. We are on a 2nd floor right above the lobby and all the noise comes right up to our room. I'm very displeased with this. We are in Conch Key. So just a warning if you care.
Parents can be quite inconsiderate with their kids. They think their little darlings can yell and scream (in happiness too) for minutes down in the lobby and are totally unaware or don't care that someone might still be sleeping at 7am.
We had a kid throwing a ball against the wall yesterday afternoon next to us. How sweet.
More later, Bobbi

 

[grannyminnie]

Interesting and helpful comments. A question, tho...Conch Key has a lobby?
I thought only the main building and Sugarloaf had a lobby. Not having stayed in any building other than Sugarloaf, this is useful to know as far as room requests go.

 

[BCV23]

Interesting and helpful comments. A question, tho...Conch Key has a lobby?
I thought only the main building and Sugarloaf had a lobby. Not having stayed in any building other than Sugarloaf, this is useful to know as far as room requests go.

Yes, Conch Key and Sago Cay have lobbies just like Sugar Loaf....minus the concierge stuff obviously. I imagine the other two buildings do as well although I've never been inside them.

 

[Frankiesmom]

Hi Bobbi Glad to hear that your trip is enjoyable for you-minus the the loud kiddies. Can't wait to hear more from you! Enjoy

 

[irisbud]

Yes, Conch Key and Raratonga have lobbies just like Sugar Loaf....minus the concierge stuff obviously. I imagine the other two buildings do as well although I've never been inside them.

I thought Raratonga was at the Poly, not at the GF?

I am still recovering from our trip though, so I could be wrong

 

[zyezye]

We just returned from the Afternoon Tea at the Grand and it will be one our highlights of the trip! We each chose our own tea. I had the blend of 3 black teas served as Ice Tea. Now I consider myself an ice tea snob and I LOVED this. I guess the Grand is the only place you can purchase this blend. We had afternoon sandwiches, scones with delicious jam and whipped devonshire cream and for dessert triffle and pastries. The tea came in a tea pot with a cozy to keep it warm and the china was Royal Daulton. Quite a treat!
Highly recommended.