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

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Another questions for those who have much more knowledge than I do. Does anyone have a menu for breakfast at Gaspies. I can not find one anywhere. Only the lunch menu. Or just give me an idea of what you have ordered for breakfast. Thanks in Advance. I love this thread so much great info!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, Brook...

There are 9 rooms on floors 3 and 4 that have castle views....4301 -4309 and 4401 to 4409. Request thru IPO. Hopefully you'll get one!

I Wish for Disney...I have the menu...I will pm you where to find it.

Channing
GF Invisigal

 

[praline3001]

Hi, Brook...

There are 9 rooms on floors 3 and 4 that have castle views....4301 -4309 and 4401 to 4409. Request thru IPO. Hopefully you'll get one!

I Wish for Disney...I have the menu...I will pm you where to find it.

Channing
GF Invisigal

9 rooms on each floor (for a total of 18 rooms) or 9 rooms total on both floors?
I know this is silly as I should be happy I am just in RPC
But I really am hoping for our first castle view. It would be nice to sit on my balcony with a glass of wine and watch the fireworks while music is being pumped in from Gaspies
That way I don't have to sit outside with all of the commoners to watch the fireworks
(for those who are sensitive that was a joke as I am usually outside with said commoners)

 

[LJD2143]

We are considering a Club-level stay at GF this September (me, DH, DS11, DS8 and DS8)......
Although the concierge lounge's evening food offerings are not meant to take the place of a regular meal, I'm wondering just how much of a "supplement" it will be to our dining plans? We are typically on the Basic Disney Dining Plan, and that alone is usually more-than-enough food for our family.

Can anyone provide specific examples of the evening food offerings from either RPC or SL? I'm looking for more detail than just "hot item samples, children's corner, crudites, cheese tray, beverages, wine & beer".

Thanks Much!

 

[BCV23]

I'd say give Sugar Loaf a try and judge for yourself, hopefully you'll have a great time

Great advice. I see you have a wonderful trip planned including a stay in Sugar Loaf! Enjoy! I'm sure you will.

Wow! This took an ugly turn. Yikes!

I hate for anyone reading to get the idea that any room category you choose is the wrong one, or not good enough, or that you have to book RPC or nothing!

RPC is very special, hence the extremely high cost, lol. If it were just another room, nobody would book at that rate! I love staying there, when I've got the money for the splurge. But, I enjoy my stay, no matter what room I book at the GF. It is a very special resort, and you get that atmosphere, no matter what room you lay your head in at the end of the night.

If you like club level access, but can't quite swing the cost of RPC, there is absolutely nothing wrong with SL. Yes, you get a courtyard or marina view - but you get those views in garden view, as well, so they aren't "crappy" by any means! Just not the castle.

It has a great location, near the main building and I love being able to head out the back door to the marina or Gasparilla's for a snack. You get the CL cast members; sure, you can use the lobby concierge in garden, lagoon and theme park view, but you are getting personalized service in CL, and that is important to some. You also get a restricted-access building, and that can provide a measure of security - that is one plus that I liked when my DD was young and we traveled alone. We have stayed CL in several of the WDW resorts, and the service and attention to detail was what made the stay for us, not simply the food offerings.

I think everyone is trying to say the same thing - essentially, you have to look at your options, determine what price range fits your budget and comfort level, and book what works for you and your family. There are no wrong choices, the Grand is just that - grand!

Have a wonderful day!

Wonderful post. Completely agree!

Well, I for one don't need this junk. I don't like conflict. I'm unsubscribing. I'll come back after my trip and share a report/review of my meager GV room... assuming this has blown over.


FWIW, I can see where TinkTatoo was coming from.
I KNOW the comments were not intended to be degrading of those who stay @ SL, but I can also see how they could be perceived that way. That is not said to be snarky at Channing or anyone else. Just agreeing that I can see where it could be misconstrued as such. Remember, it wasn't all that long ago that I posted about feeling less important because we could "only" afford a GV room. It does seem like all that is discussed here (outside all the personal chat topics) is the concierge level with a few tips on getting a better location GV room.

And, NO, I wasn't one of the people mentioned who were accused of "hiding" behind a PM.
I think offering agreement/support in a private way is not a bad thing. Turning it into bashing or gossiping is tacky, snarky and rude. But offering support or agreement is not, IMHO. Obviously some people agreed but would still like to maintain the friendships they've built here. Maybe they are afraid that if they posted publicly it would hurt a friends feelings or upset a friend so they are privatly agreeing with TinkTatoo.


Peace Out. Hope this is all blown over when I return in March.

I hope you have a fantastic trip too. Gradenview rooms are lovely.

Thank you for the info on the accessible TPV room and the boat. Do you by any chance have a picture of the view? My DH does not go to the park often. I usuallly take our daughter by myself, and he stays in the room and reads. I am hoping for a nice castle view so he can watch the fireworks if he does not feel like going out. I am so excited as we have never stayed at the GF before!
The boat was pretty much what I expected. My DH's wheelchair is quite large and heavy since he is 6'5" and 190 lbs. Also I am somewhat vertically challenged at 5'2", so not much help from me when he needs to transfer. So I guess we will stick to the monorail and the busses for the most part.
Thank you again for the info!
Rama

I'm sorry but I don't have a picture to post. I know johnsonet has stayed in a suite below the room we've had. It would be the same view really. Perhaps look in the GF photos thread in the photo forum. Conch Key is the building. I hope you have the same room we've enjoyed.

Don't forget the ferry. Since he won't be going to the parks too much, he can enjoy the resorts around the monorail circuit, the large ferry and the path between the Polynesian and GF. At the TTC, he can even hop the Epcot monorail for a ride around Epcot without entering the park.

Have a wonderful trip!

mickeyfan85, we always do the math before we choose too. But I do disagree with a couple things you said.

For one thing, we don't know the rate the poster has so no way to really compare. People get AP rates or Bounceback (which was 40% when we were at WDW last month). Some use DVC points. Some get airline rates or even TA rates. That makes a difference in the math of course.

Secondly, I disagree with you about the views. Don't want to quote your post but I love the marina view from Sugar Loaf. It's a personal preference but I much prefer it to the view we had of the courtyard from our RPC room. I know many enjoy them but the courtyard view to me is just not that appealing.

And a RPC room is $291 more than gardenview without any discount. As you noted in your SL comcparison, that's a lot for snacks, continental breakfast and itinerary planning.

Finally with regard to the poster who asked about SL....she had already stayed RPC and said she loved it but it would not work this trip. I think it was nice of the posters who explained to her what she could expect in Sugar Loaf since that it was she wanted to know.

 

[constanze]

I've been reading all the posts and am questioning my decision....A TPV is super important to my family, so we booked that instead of RPC, just to make sure. I'm in the Sago building...did I make a bad decision? We stayed at YC last time, and what made it special for us was the killer view and hanging on the balcony eating breakfast and such. We were surprised how much the view meant to us, so we wanted to ensure getting the best view we could this time, and I thought booking TPV would give us that best chance...

 

[sixthscents]

Hi, Brook...

There are 9 rooms on floors 3 and 4 that have castle views....4301 -4309 and 4401 to 4409. Request thru IPO. Hopefully you'll get one!

Channing
GF Invisigal

Hi Channing,

Do you know if any of these are wheelchair accessible? We have booked a TPV wheelchair accessible for our stay in March and I have been trying to guess which building we will be in. I would love, love, love to get upgraded to RPC!
Thanks,
Rama

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I've been reading all the posts and am questioning my decision....A TPV is super important to my family, so we booked that instead of RPC, just to make sure. I'm in the Sago building...did I make a bad decision? We stayed at YC last time, and what made it special for us was the killer view and hanging on the balcony eating breakfast and such. We were surprised how much the view meant to us, so we wanted to ensure getting the best view we could this time, and I thought booking TPV would give us that best chance...

DId you request Sago? Boca Chica is good to for a TPV.

 

[BCV23]

Rama, I found that johnsonet's picture:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24212201&postcount=61

The room we've had three of our stays is directly above that but it is MK view as far as I know.

 

[princessesrule4]

We are considering a Club-level stay at GF this September (me, DH, DS11, DS8 and DS8)......
Although the concierge lounge's evening food offerings are not meant to take the place of a regular meal, I'm wondering just how much of a "supplement" it will be to our dining plans? We are typically on the Basic Disney Dining Plan, and that alone is usually more-than-enough food for our family.

Can anyone provide specific examples of the evening food offerings from either RPC or SL? I'm looking for more detail than just "hot item samples, children's corner, crudites, cheese tray, beverages, wine & beer".

Thanks Much!

Breakfast - cheeses danishes, muffins, cinnamon rolls ( these vary daily pretty much but there are always at least 3 or 4 pastries, rolls or muffins )
cheese tray- usually 4 types a cheddar, babybel, gouda,etc.
crackers
meat tray- ham, turkey,etc.
cereals- usualyy Frosted Flakes, Froot loops, Cheerios and Raisin Bran but can vary
fruit cubes usually watermelon, pineapple, honeydew
bagels
cinnamon /raisin bread/ bread (there is a toaster)
cream cheeses
jellies
coffee, tea and the great cappucino/latte machine( is open for all offerings)

Mid Morning
Veggie tray - usually carrots, celery, squash, zucchini , broccoli, tomatoes
3 dips plus ranch dip
breadsticks
crackers
kettlecooked potato chips
They used to offer cookies, but they have cut back and didn't see them last week
I think cheeses are offered too ?
tea/lemonade/evian

Afternoon Tea
scones
banana bread
tea cookies assortment
choc. chip and sugar cookies, sometimes oatmeal raisin too
clotted cream, butter ,jam
tea
lemonade
evian

Evening

Hot appetizer, usually 2 and varies nightly such as guava empanadas, tandoori chicken kabobs, chicken wellington bites, etc.
veggie tray w/dip

cold appetizers such as broccoli salad, etc. usually 2 of these
Sometimes chips and salsa and guacomole, etc.

Usually 1 childrens item such as tuna salad, ham and cheese sandwich, fish or chicken nuggets or uncrustables
Cupcakes w/ mickey sprinkles
brownies
wine
beer
champagne
evian tea
lemonade

Evening desserts

chocolate covered strawberries
tea cookies
petit fours
usually 5 or 6 different desserts
cordials/liquers
evian

Please don't hold me to these. These are the usual offerings but I am going from memory and I am old!
They are cutting back and we noticed fewer items at each offering so who knows if they will continue to cut back and /or substitute!?
Also, soft drinks are offered all day.

Hope this helps and hope you have a great trip!

 

[praline3001]

My 7 year old daughter was quick to explain why she would rather stay RPC than SL...

"But mom we have to stay in the main building. That way, our room is closer to the Basin and we can run down every night and get a new bath bomb before bathtime"

Out of the mouth of babes

 

[sixthscents]

Rama, I found that johnsonet's picture:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24212201&postcount=61

The room we've had three of our stays is directly above that but it is MK view as far as I know.

Thank you! At least I now have an idea of where we might be. Thank you again!
Rama

 

[constanze]

DId you request Sago? Boca Chica is good to for a TPV.

We requested Sago, because a lot of the research I had done said that Boca Chica's views had many "tree" obstructions. Is that wrong too? Ugh.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

We requested Sago, because a lot of the research I had done said that Boca Chica's views had many "tree" obstructions. Is that wrong too? Ugh.

there is no wrong answer. Both have good and bad views. Let me look at my map.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I just asked chan and said sago is good near the end towards the MK

 

[constanze]

I just asked chan and said sago is good near the end towards the MK

Thanks so much for checking! Hopefully that's where we're at...

 

[Kelsie]

This is going to be the last warning on this thread! It ALL needs to stop right now.

If not, this thread will be closed and will be available for viewing only.

We are not giving any more warnings.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

My 7 year old daughter was quick to explain why she would rather stay RPC than SL...

"But mom we have to stay in the main building. That way, our room is closer to the Basin and we can run down every night and get a new bath bomb before bathtime"

Out of the mouth of babes

I am so addicted to those bath bombs. I bought so many that my suitcase was overweight at the airport. OMG heaven!!! Your daughter knows her stuff!!

 

[praline3001]

I am so addicted to those bath bombs. I bought so many that my suitcase was overweight at the airport. OMG heaven!!! Your daughter knows her stuff!!

Yup she is a pink sugar gal .. oh and the princess crown soap too!
She bought one of those foot lotion bars too and rubbed her feet with it every single night

I have no idea where she gets it from

Before she was introduced to Basin she spent all her money on stuffed animals.. now she scares me when she walks into the Basin!

She has already brought up the store 3 times this week when we were all talking about our Disney trip and plans we wanted to make... she keeps reminding me to save time for her to do her Basin shopping

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Sounds like my kind of girl

My 4 year old son gave me a fight for using one of his mickey head bath bombs. Mommy ran out of hers and hit his stash. I love the cocoa butter bombs. I will have to try the pink sugar ones. Everyone raves about that scent.