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

[gonzo76]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.

 

[TravelinGal]

OK - I'm back -- and I have a question.

I was printing up tip envelopes and wondered what the customary tip is at GF. I told DH $2 a person (per night) and he said "I'm sure they expect a lot more than that at the Grand Floridian" (in a snotty tone - but he's a guy and doesn't understand tipping "mousekeeping" in the first place)
I replied (in a sarcastic tone) "Well, do you want me to post on the boards and ask everyone what they do?" (figured it would cause him to chill out) and he surprised me and said yes.

So there you go.

How much do you tip for mousekeeping @ the GF?

(Garden View - if that makes any difference...)

 

[MelissaFromRI]

OK - I'm back -- and I have a question.

I was printing up tip envelopes and wondered what the customary tip is at GF. I told DH $2 a person (per night) and he said "I'm sure they expect a lot more than that at the Grand Floridian" (in a snotty tone - but he's a guy and doesn't understand tipping "mousekeeping" in the first place)
I replied (in a sarcastic tone) "Well, do you want me to post on the boards and ask everyone what they do?" (figured it would cause him to chill out) and he surprised me and said yes.

So there you go.

How much do you tip for mousekeeping @ the GF?

(Garden View - if that makes any difference...)

I leave $2-$3 per person everyday depending on how the service is.

 

[constanze]

Just booked my full-day cabana for our upcoming May trip

 

[Prisstina]

I'm getting married in June and my fiance and I are considering having our honeymoon at WDW, more specifically we want to stay at GF. I was reading somewhere that there are specific honeymoon suites at the GF and I'm just wondering what they're called?

Unlikely we'll be staying in one of them (probably a lagoon view room), but just interested to know.

Thanks.

 

[loralie]

I leave $2-$3 per person everyday depending on how the service is.

I never thought about tipping MORE at the GF than other WDW resorts. I have read many posts on the Dis boards regarding tipping mousekeeping and it seems like most people tip $1-$2 per person everyday. I am glad I read this because if most people tip more at the GF then I guess I will do the same...I don't want to look cheap. LOL.

Loralie

 

[johnsonet]

How much do you tip for mousekeeping @ the GF?

(Garden View - if that makes any difference...)

Wherever we stay I tip $3-$4 in the a.m. and $3-$4 for evening turndown. I usually travel with my daughter and we keep our room spotless. They are ALWAYS appreciative and at AKL, POly and GF we get notes from Housekeeping thanking us When my husband joins us, he does all the tipping and it's probably a lot more

I'm getting married in June and my fiance and I are considering having our honeymoon at WDW, more specifically we want to stay at GF. I was reading somewhere that there are specific honeymoon suites at the GF and I'm just wondering what they're called?

Unlikely we'll be staying in one of them (probably a lagoon view room), but just interested to know.

Thanks.

Whatever room view you decide on, you will LOVE the GF! My daughter and I stayed in one of the "turret suites" two summers ago. It was really wonderful. These are special room for sure. Getting one involves booking a King, Deluxe Club Level Royal Palm Club room and then requesting a turret suite. I'm sure for your honeymoon they would oblige But there are only 6 of these, so it's not guaranteed. Here are a few pics:

Good luck!

 

[tinklvr64]

You're welcome. I should have mentioned that you will need to take the pool elevator to access the second floor unless of course your room is on that floor. That elevator is down the hall from the desks or lounge.

Happy planning!

What is a pool elevator???? I just stayed in RPC and do not remember a pool elevator??

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Another newbie here to this GF thread.
This Sept will be our first stay at the GF and club level too!

Previously, we had been a Poly-kind-of-family, but we all agreed that we wanted to try something different this year. And since I'll be turning the big "four-oh" during our trip, my vote for the GF overruled DH's for the Beach Club.

Also wanted to add my two-cents on the H20+ products.... If they're the same ones that they provide on the cruise ships, they are absolutely AWWWWWWWSOME! All I wanted for Christmas last year was the Hydrating Body Butter. So between DH and DSis, I got 4 tubes!!!

welcome to the GF thread!

Just booked my full-day cabana for our upcoming May trip

The cabanas are seom great! When you are there look for Chris, he does a wonrderful job!

I'm getting married in June and my fiance and I are considering having our honeymoon at WDW, more specifically we want to stay at GF. I was reading somewhere that there are specific honeymoon suites at the GF and I'm just wondering what they're called?

Unlikely we'll be staying in one of them (probably a lagoon view room), but just interested to know.

Thanks.

check out this site for info about the gf and the suites there

www.wherethemagiclives.com

 

[BCV23]

TravelinGal, we tip the same at the GF as any other hotel.... WDW or not. These days there are either 3 or 4 of us and we leave $4-5 in the am. If there's turndown (like all rooms at the GF), we leave $2-3 in the evening depending on the number of beds to turn down.

Like johnsonet, we leave our room spotless. I figure they're housekeepers not personal maids.

Another huge fan of the mint foot rub. Love it!

Great pictures, johnsonet!

 

[Maxie86]

TravelinGal, We also tip the same at the GF as any other hotel. We leave $2.00 for turndown and $4 or $5 in the morning. A lot of times it just depends on what we have for cash at the time. Somethimes it is easier to just leave $5.00. We leave that on each bed, if DS is with us. He is an adult now, so he leaves a tip also. We didn't do that though when he was little. Anything you leave will be appreciated by the staff.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

What is a pool elevator???? I just stayed in RPC and do not remember a pool elevator??

I call in the back door. LOL
There is a door with before you get to gaspies if you are coming from the courtyard pool and you can take that up to floor 2 to get to the laundry. I used that laundry when I was there a few weeks ago and it was quick and easy.

 

[gonzo76]

I have a question. There are no rooms that have parking lot views,right? Are there really any bad views? We have a garden view.

 

[BCV23]

There are rooms that face a backstage parking lot....think vans and delivery trucks. These rooms are on the side of Sago Cay that faces the monorail. I would think they would be the last ones assigned.

 

[gonzo76]

There are rooms that face a backstage parking lot....think vans and delivery trucks. These rooms are on the side of Sago Cay that faces the monorail. I would think they would be the last ones assigned.

I didn't know that. Thank you.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I posted this on the dining thread too...but thought maybeyou guys could answer quicker. I'm staying at the GF in May. I went to book my ADR's for the Tusker House at around opening at 8:05 am, so we could be done with breakfast near opening time. The CM booking my ADR said the bus from GF would never get me there in time for our reservation. He recommended not booking before 9am...Does this sound right?

I have never done an 8:05am at AK, but I have done it at DHS without issue. We try to be to the bus stop about 45 minutes before the ADR in case we need to wait a little longer for a bus. The buses will be running that early, but if you just miss one, it might take a good 20-25 minutes for another. HTH!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Hi all - just wanted to let you know that I sent an email to wdw.guestcommunications regarding our February GF stay. I'll let you know when I hear something.

We decided to skip the GF this summer. I think DH needs a little time away from the GF (still smarting from the 7/4 remark). Instead we booked the whole two weeks at BC in the deluxe CL room. Hopefully the extra room will come in handy.

Hope everyone else has a magical GF stay. In all our stays there this was the only one that was less than magical. I'm sure it was just a fluke.

Channing - still hoping to meet up with you. Do you have your dates changes yet? We switched to June 28-July 12. Just love being at Disney over the 4th of July!

BTW - Totally off topic - I just found out that I'm going to be a grandmother again! DD (surprise) and her Dh thought they were done, my grandsons are 8 and 6. She is due in October and we are soooooo hoping for a little princess!

 

[TravelinGal]

Just for fun...
Here are the tip envelopes I designed for our stay:

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi all - just wanted to let you know that I sent an email to wdw.guestcommunications regarding our February GF stay. I'll let you know when I hear something.

We decided to skip the GF this summer. I think DH needs a little time away from the GF (still smarting from the 7/4 remark). Instead we booked the whole two weeks at BC in the deluxe CL room. Hopefully the extra room will come in handy.

Hope everyone else has a magical GF stay. In all our stays there this was the only one that was less than magical. I'm sure it was just a fluke.

Channing - still hoping to meet up with you. Do you have your dates changes yet? We switched to June 28-July 12. Just love being at Disney over the 4th of July!

BTW - Totally off topic - I just found out that I'm going to be a grandmother again! DD (surprise) and her Dh thought they were done, my grandsons are 8 and 6. She is due in October and we are soooooo hoping for a little princess!

Robyn, CONGRATULATIONS on the surprise!!!! OH!! I hope you get a little princess too!!! What fun to spoil her outrageously!!! Having MY OWN girls is bad enough....I cannot imagine being a grandma to a little girl!!! MEGA FUN!!

Well....I am so wishy washy with the dates....with this great deal I would LOVE to do another week YC and then week at GF split...but with DS not going...we really can't do a 2 week trip. I am LEANING toward checking into the YC for a night or two before we go to GF...and YES>..I am LEANING toward doing that first week in July.....RPC isn't available...but SL and GV are...I would book GV. I can get a much better deal on air for the July dates than the June....I am just so uncertain...I do have RPC booked now...and I am really having a hard time giving that up......

Good for you for writing to Guest Services....they really do need to know these things.

That's great you got the larger BC room! Sounds like it will be a fun time....and the extra room for that nice long stay will be wonderful to have.

Channing
2009 GF Gal

 

[BCV23]

Just for fun...
Here are the tip envelopes I designed for our stay:

Robin, those are beautiful!