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

[tinkerrn]

All the deluxe rooms are in the main building....

There are very few rooms at the GF without balconies....BUT some of the KING DELUXE rooms are in the turrets of the main building and they do not have balconies. If you book a deluxe king room you might be on the 2nd floor over Gaspies with a beautiful marina/castle view & a balcony....OR you might be in a turret suite - that is larger and has a lot of charm but no balcony.

The deluxe queen rooms do all have balconies. The thing we never cared for with those is that they have no castle views. They are about 650-700 square feet. Nice and roomy!

I am surprise the price is the same .....there is usually not much difference, but about $15/nt more for the deluxe rooms.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Thank you very much....I think a std. RPC room is what we need. I want a balcony!!! A place I can sit down and enjoy a nice glass ( or a few) of wine or champagne. The extra room is not a desire, its just the 2 of us!

The cost was exactly the same for some reason.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm glad you were able to get the necessary info to make your choice, tinkerrn! Have a great GF stay!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Thank you very much....I think a std. RPC room is what we need. I want a balcony!!! A place I can sit down and enjoy a nice glass ( or a few) of wine or champagne. The extra room is not a desire, its just the 2 of us!

The cost was exactly the same for some reason.

something to remember,it may be cold when you go! (I saw your ticker and it says February?) so you may no be able to enjoy the balcony a wholelot. just something to consider! we were in room 4021 for our honeymoon, a turret room with a castle view, and it was beautiful and we enjoyed the space and all teh windows so much. in sept. we were in room 4428, no castle view, but a pretty lagoon view and we had a balcony, and we sat out there once or twice but it was pretty warm out.

but, this may not bother you at all (I am from the south and can't stand the cold!) good luck!

 

[Lives4Disney]

something to remember,it may be cold when you go! (I saw your ticker and it says February?) so you may no be able to enjoy the balcony a wholelot. just something to consider! we were in room 4021 for our honeymoon, a turret room with a castle view, and it was beautiful and we enjoyed the space and all teh windows so much. in sept. we were in room 4428, no castle view, but a pretty lagoon view and we had a balcony, and we sat out there once or twice but it was pretty warm out.

but, this may not bother you at all (I am from the south and can't stand the cold!) good luck!

Good point. We had our only room without a balcony on a mid Feb trip, too. It was the top floor lodge tower room in Sugarloaf. We didn't miss the balcony on that trip.

I am counting on some heat for my next Feb trip though! I am from the NORTH and can't stand the cold!!!!

Channing

 

[tinkerrn]

I hope it isn't toooo cold!!! We were there the week of halloween and it was kinda chilly. I guess I can sit out on my balcony with some hot chocolate or some yummy warm boozy drink to keep me warm .

 

[Glorydaz]

oohh michelle so glad you are going to try and get a cabana again! you and JJ need to relax!

so thanksgiving day was my 180 day mark! woo hoo! GF here we come (again!)

don't laugh Heather, we're not even there yet and I'm trying to sort out the next trip!!! and silly me, the Grand now has to be a part each and every time - oh well, a new family tradition but so very richly deserved!

 

[Glorydaz]

something to remember,it may be cold when you go! (I saw your ticker and it says February?) so you may no be able to enjoy the balcony a wholelot. just something to consider! we were in room 4021 for our honeymoon, a turret room with a castle view, and it was beautiful and we enjoyed the space and all teh windows so much. in sept. we were in room 4428, no castle view, but a pretty lagoon view and we had a balcony, and we sat out there once or twice but it was pretty warm out.

but, this may not bother you at all (I am from the south and can't stand the cold!) good luck!

oh my gosh Heather - JJ and I had room 4429 for our honeymoon last year !!! we coulda almost kinda been neighbors

Michelle

 

[bcuinohio]

We just returned from our stay at the GF on Friday. We reserved a Garden View room. When I pulled up to the gate, the guard had my parking pass and sent me up to check in. We arrived early and I asked the CM for a room in our category that was close to the Monorail. She went over to the supervisor and came back and told us that she got us an upgrade to a water view room. It was in Big Pine Key and it was a great location to the main building and monorail line. Next the bellman picked up our luggage followed us out to the self parking lot in a golf cart. He picked us up and gave us a tour of the grounds. He showed us to our room and offered to get us ice. We were so impressed. I tipped him $20 since he was soooo helpful.
the room was very comfortable. We did not get any towel animals but the maid did a great job with our room every day. I left the maid $5 each day. I hope that was an appropriate amount.

We also had a photo session done there. Our photographer took about 60 pictures of us. We had pre-purchased a photo pass CD so the session including the CD was only $25.

While we found the monorail to be an excellent way to get to the MK, the boat was a better way back. It was much quicker. The other oddity about the transportation was that we caught the bus to Epcot at the bus stop in front of the GF. When we left Epcot we couldn't find our bus stop. When I asked at the information booth, they told me that there was not a return bus to the GF. We had to take the Monorail back.

I was a little disappointed in Gasparillas. It was smaller than I expected. The selection of snacks could have been bigger. I was also disappointed in the self serve parking lot. It was a fair distance from the resort.

The staff at the GF were friendly and helpful. I was able to utilize their air line check in service. I checked our luggage and received our boarding passes there. It was nice to drop off our rental car and head right to the gate.

All and all, it was a very pleasant stay.

 

[BlueSkies]

BCU Sounds like you had a nice vacation at the GF..thanks for the review! How nice of the bellman to give you a property tour...and you got an upgrade too...what a way to start your trip!

 

[tinkerrn]

I am sooo excited after a trillion ( it seems that way ) years I am finally going to stay at the Grand!! So, now I am thinking of little ways to suprise my hubby when we are there ( this is to ensure we get to go back and often ). I am planning on ordering the mini castle cake, hopefully to be delivered to our room, maybe even something like the choclate covered strawberries and some bubbly (nothing could be more decadent than chocolate, champagne and staying at the Grand ). I was also thinking of getting him a massage at the spa; do they do pedi ( he is a big burly kinda guy but does love to get a pedi, last time was for our wedding)? Of course he is a big golfer and will see if I can get him a time to play. Any thing that you have done that has made your trip special there would be very much appreciated.

I am going to go do my "I am gonna stay at the Grand Floridian" dance now ...lol. Can you tell I am just way too excited about staying there???!!!

Thanks to everyone here on this thread...you guys are soooo helpful and very nice ; the words of 'Disney' wisdom are very much appreciated!

 

[BCV23]

bcuinohio, I'm glad you had such a wonderful stay at the GF.

Interesting about the bus...I didn't know there was a bus to Epcot these days. A few years back we asked at Guest Services at Epcot and their transportation book indicated that there was a bus to/from Epcot and GF. But we ended up not trying...long story. But I've always wondered if that info was outdated.

tinkerrn, your DH can get a pedicure at the spa. If you get him a tee time, there is free transportation to and from the courses. He just needs to ask at the valet desk. They'll call for a cab and give him a voucher to pay for it. Same thing returning to the GF. Have fun!

 

[lucas]

We are staying at POP but have dinner ressies at the GF Cafe. We will be driving over. I've never parked there before. Can anyone give me info on the parking situation? Our ressies are on 12/28, that will be a very crowded time but I am hoping we can park at the hotel for our dinner ressies.

 

[Miss Mary Poppins]

Do they have pizza delivery?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

lucas - I don't think you will have any trouble parking in the GF lot for your dining reservation. The parking lot is across the road, so it is a little bit of a walk to the front doors. Not a public road, the GF road, but there will be buses, taxis, etc. driving through.

Miss Mary Poppins - I'm pretty sure there is pizza on the Private Dining menu, I do not know how much it costs, we've never ordered pizza at WDW. Oh, other than from Spoodle's at BWI!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We are staying at POP but have dinner ressies at the GF Cafe. We will be driving over. I've never parked there before. Can anyone give me info on the parking situation? Our ressies are on 12/28, that will be a very crowded time but I am hoping we can park at the hotel for our dinner ressies.

You can valet park VERY easily at the GF. Or use the self parking lot. Enjoy.

Do they have pizza delivery?

Pizza is on the private dining menu OR you can order a whole pizza cheaper at Gaspies. We've done both. With PD you will be charged a $3 service fee and then the 18 or 20% gratuity.

Served daily from 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m.
A 16-inch Cheese Pizza 21.59
Additional Toppings: 2.00 each
Sausage, Pepperoni, Onion, Tomato, Ham, Pineapple,
Green Peppers, Jalapeño, Chicken, Ground Beef, and Mushrooms


Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Just added a 4th night in RPC at the AP rate!!!! Now we're at the Poly (MK view) for 3 nights and then RPC for the last 4. Do you think that Concierge would help me out with activities for the kids' Christmas Elves (they are supposed to leave treats or pull pranks each day)? Thanks!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Denise -just wanted to say have a wonderful trip!

We did a "surprise trip" in October and the kids just loved it!

We're back at GF in February and June. We're staying in SL in June,
so give me any helpful hints!

 

[lucas]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Just added a 4th night in RPC at the AP rate!!!! Now we're at the Poly (MK view) for 3 nights and then RPC for the last 4. Do you think that Concierge would help me out with activities for the kids' Christmas Elves (they are supposed to leave treats or pull pranks each day)? Thanks!

Hi, Denise!!! You are getting close! I think some would...some might not. I can tell you who would. THat is AWESOME you switched it from 4/3 to 3/4!!! YAY! You will LOVE it at the GF!!!

Happy packing,

Channing

Denise -just wanted to say have a wonderful trip!

We did a "surprise trip" in October and the kids just loved it!

We're back at GF in February and June. We're staying in SL in June,
so give me any helpful hints!

Robyn!! When in Feb are you going to be at the GF??? I check in on the 5th.

Channing

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Hi, Denise!!! You are getting close! I think some would...some might not. I can tell you who would. THat is AWESOME you switched it from 4/3 to 3/4!!! YAY! You will LOVE it at the GF!!!

Happy packing,

Channing




Robyn!! When in Feb are you going to be at the GF??? I check in on the 5th.

Channing

We'll be there February 10-17. I'm laughing because this started as an "economy trip" for the girls to compete in Twirlmania. We went from CBR to WL to the Poly to the GF! It will be me, DH, 2 dds and ds and my in-laws. Our paths keep crossing - we've got to finally meet up! We just booked gv for Feb., hoping to get a nice marina view in Conch Key or Sago Cay. My kids love being close to Gasparilla's.