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

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Thanks for everyones replies. I cant wait to see the other pics. I think I am gonna be very happy the veiw looks pretty so far!!!

Johnsonet - Thanks for the pic!!

 

[MelissaFromRI]

good luck!

channing,

the standard RPC rooms that have castle views, where are they located? are the down that hall off the lobby past where there tabels and kids area stuff is in the lounge? We are not sure what to request for may, b/c we LOVE being off the lobby, but having a castle view again would be nice, too

We've 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
I'm sure the rooms next door have the same great view

 

[DeborahB]

Hello everyone!

I haven't been on here in a long time. Our last trip was in May 08 and we stayed Poly LVC and GF RPC. We had a truly incredible time and now we are spoiled for anything else!!

We LOVED staying in the main building. LOVED it. It was so convenient and special. It was a dream come true for me as I had stayed at GF before in Sago and Boca Chica and always longed to stay RPC. I can't say enough good things about the CM's...desk and lounge. Very friendly and helpful.
My morning cappucino...Mmmm.....cinnamon toast.....afternoon tea....those scones....petit fours and champagne at 8.... It was a lovely experience.

Part of why we had such a great vacation was all the fabulous people on this board and the info, tips and advice they provide. I'd like to give back a little by posting a few pics. I don't know why I didn't take more....I guess I was just having too much fun.

We moved over to the GF after 3 days at the Poly. It was just my DH and I. I had booked a standard room in RPC and mentioned we were celebrating an anniversary. My only request was a MK view. We were upgraded to a honeymoon room on the second floor with a king bed and jacuzzi tub. It was wonderful...but...the view...it was of two palm trees blocking the dead on castleview that would have been there. Room 4207. Everything else was practically perfect. Just a slight letdown after three nights watching MY castle change colors and to the point where I wouldn't allow the drapes to be closed at night. KWIM? My DH said he was actually glad to move over to the GF just to get a good night's sleep! (which is a lot to say for him as he LOVES the Poly!)

Anyway, here are some pics.

RPC elevators

The beautiful lobby

In our room

King bed- very comfy

My castle view

Mother's Day Brunch

That's my mimosa to the right

Mickey waffles

Mary Poppins

Turndown service

My sons surprised me with these beautiful flowers for Mother's Day since we were not together. I cried! They sent them to the resort.

Cinderella's Coach with a lucky Disney Bride

We dined at Narcoosee's and for the first time, Citrico's. They were both fabulous. Great meals and great service. At Narcoosee's they presented us with Personalized menus which they told us is a service they provide for GF guests with ADRs. The almond cheesecake was awesome! I enjoyed it last summer too, I think it was a Year of a Million Dreams dessert.

Hope you enjoy! Any questions, just ask!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for posting the photos, DeborahB! They are wonderful, and make me long to be at the GF!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Not Chan- but I know the answer. They are down that long side hall. When the hall turns at the back elevator (the service elevator beside Gaspies) the rest of the rooms at the end are the castle view rooms. The view is out over the length of the marina and strait on to the castle.

It is nice to be right above the lobby, but the castle view is beautiful too. It would be hard to decide which is better.

thats what i figured. such a hard decision!!! I don't know which to put down as a request!

 

[MelissaFromRI]

If anyone would like to see video of the Royal Palm Club Lounge or the view from room 4406 , you can visit my Youtube page at: http://www.youtube.com/mjc8579

I only have 2 videos but I know you GF fans will like them

 

[johnsonet]

Wonderful pics DeborahB. We were there over Mother's Day last year as well (in Big Pine Key)... Where was that Mother's Day Brunch??
We also did a Poly LVC/GF RPC split last summer (along w/ AKL CL) - isn't it a fun combination?
Nice Cinderella's Coach photo!!

 

[grannyminnie]

GrannyMinnie...Sounds good! I know Cinderumbrella *Kristin* stayed in Conch..that's her favorite...she has view pics from both sides. I kinda never thought I'd like Conch...but I think I would now after walking around and checking it out and now knowing that one side of Sago is really eh. Conch looks like it has some very pretty garden views. Good choice!

Liz...I have some pics of the Boca Chica views....I have to find them and get them into photobucket...I will post them in a bit.

Happy day,
Channing
GF Gal 2009 x2 or 3....

Channing, the reason I chose Conch was for the possibility of getting lucky and being placed in a room that had a good theme park view. I thought about Sago but remembered what others have said about the infamous dumpster view!!

 

[Maxie86]

DeborahB, Welcome back and thanks for posting your wonderful pictures. I'll be there on Mother's Day this year, can't wait.

I am not Alex, Welcome to the GF thread.

grannyminnie, We stayed in Conch twice. Once on the marina side and once on the courtyard side. Both were very nice views.

MattDisney, We have enjoyed all of our stays in SL. The lounge is small, but we never had a problem finding a place to sit. I love the cappuccino machine.

 

[oceanscape]

What's the chance of getting one of the MK view rooms if you book RPC? I don't really want to spend all those $$$ on RPC and not get the MK view. If you don't luck-in and get the view, can you see the fireworks/castle anyway from the RPC lounge?

Thanks! This thread is making me really excited for our trip!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, the reason I chose Conch was for the possibility of getting lucky and being placed in a room that had a good theme park view. I thought about Sago but remembered what others have said about the infamous dumpster view!!

OH ya...that's why I wouldn't request Sago anymore. It seems very convenient...but that one time I booked GV...where did they want to put us?? With that convention center view. Just my luck!! LOL....Of course we didn't stay there.... But for GV..I would request Conch or Boca Chica....

Which reminds me...LIZ...I will get those pics up...they aren't GREAT...but they're what I have of the Boca Chica view..it's kind of a sideways pool view.

What's the chance of getting one of the MK view rooms if you book RPC? I don't really want to spend all those $$$ on RPC and not get the MK view. If you don't luck-in and get the view, can you see the fireworks/castle anyway from the RPC lounge?

Thanks! This thread is making me really excited for our trip!

Hmm...we have been lucky each time with the request when we've had the standard club room booked. I had a suite last July that looked out at the Beach Pool and thought I would miss the castle view..but really I didn't! That beautiful pool & waterfall and the monorail and lights in the evneing made up for it. But...I know what it's like to really value a Castle view.....

YOu cannot see the fireworks or castle from the lounge. You CAN see them from the marina area...there are tables outside of Gaspies you can sit and watch. They sometimes pipe in the Wishes soundtrack there. There is also a large balcony off the 3rd floor near the concierge CM desks...we have watched the fireworks from that location several times...you don't get the full view, though. But we've been the only ones out there many times.

DeborahB - THANKS for sharing your photos!! Glad you had a nice GF stay!! That brunch looks lovely...and very similar to the one we enjoyed over there last Easter.

CHanning
A GF Gal

 

[Lives4Disney]

Here ya go, Liz.....

 

[Tinkaroo]

DeborahB - what great pics, and a wonderful recap of your trip. It makes me miss the GF so much! Glad you had a wonderful time.

oceanscape - in addition to the marina and the 3rd floor balcony as Channing suggested, you could also watch the fireworks from the resort launch dock. They pipe the fireworks music inside/outside Narcoosee's, and the boat dock is right there. When we stayed in a TPV room in Conch Key last May and watched the Pirate & Princess Party fireworks one night, I was thinking that you could get the same view from the resort launch area below (and hear the music even better from Narc's.)

One word of caution about the 3rd floor - it's very rare, but that is one of the locations where Private Dining can set up a dinner. I know because I had one there one evening, and I believe our butler would have restricted anyone else going out on that balcony while we were out there - although like Channing said, I think people rarely do use it since it doesn't have the full view.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Here ya go, Liz.....

Thank you sooooo much!!! You made my day after a sucky day at the hospital with crabby patients. LOL.

 

[Kanga1]

I have enjoyed reading this thread and am loving all the pics. Just wondering...does anyone have a pic of the castle from the TPV rooms in Sago? I have TPV booked and trying to decide what (if anything) to request.

 

[BlueSkies]

Deb B What nice pics! Glad that you had a good trip...so sweet of your kids to send the flowers...

Channing More great pics...I love that courtyard view something about it is soooo relaxing....well just being at the GF gives me that relaxed feeling....

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Channing More great pics...I love that courtyard view something about it is soooo relaxing....well just being at the GF gives me that relaxed feeling....

ITA those shots just scream Florida to me.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have enjoyed reading this thread and am loving all the pics. Just wondering...does anyone have a pic of the castle from the TPV rooms in Sago? I have TPV booked and trying to decide what (if anything) to request.

Hi...I might...have to do some digging... I did want to mention Sago has a more clear view than Conch - due to Conch having some trees here and there that might obstruct a castle view. Sago has GREAT castle views for TPV category. BUT....I think this needs to be reiterated....requests for lodges mean basically nothing....I really honestly don't think they play into room assignments. Too many people request too many things. You can get what you prefer at check in if it's available.

Channing More great pics...I love that courtyard view something about it is soooo relaxing....well just being at the GF gives me that relaxed feeling....

Hi, Blue Deb!!! YES...I think the courtyard GVs are sooo pretty. I particularly love in the evenings when the lanterns on the pathways are lit and the way they reflect on the pool at night and the water sparkles.

ITA those shots just scream Florida to me.

Me too!! I love the palm trees against the blue skies. I read your post re WL...oh..I feel the same. I need palm trees in FL!

Happy travels!
Channing
a gf gal missing the gf

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Me too!! I love the palm trees against the blue skies. I read your post re WL...oh..I feel the same. I need palm trees in FL!

Happy travels!
Channing
a gf gal missing the gf

Oh I could have you wetting yourself with my WL tales. Here is a snippet from my first day:

Up at 6am for whatever reason. Everyone is sleeping. I go get coffee and want to get in my morning walk before everyone wakes up. I find there is a trail from WL to FW. I start out on the trail. I am startled by this flock 100 little red birds that come out of a bush. Then this monkey/squirrell type animal knocks a pine cone the size of my head off a tree and it nearly kills me. OK Liz.. I am saying.. Get over it. Oh how cute a baby deer. Said baby deer wont move off the path. I get a stick to bang on the ground to shoo it away. What should appear the mama deer ready to kill me for going near the baby. Liz RUNS ALL THE WAY BACK with mama deer following (charging in my mind) her. Never ever again. I am not a woodsy person. I am sure someone saw me and is laughing to this day.

That is just the first morning of an 8 day trip. It kind of continued on that way........

Dont get me started on the smell of the horse barn when everyone insisted we go for pony rides. Oh My Gawd..........

OK rant over.

 

[DeborahB]

Thanks for posting the photos, DeborahB! They are wonderful, and make me long to be at the GF!

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed them. You know, they make me long to be back there too!

Wonderful pics DeborahB. We were there over Mother's Day last year as well (in Big Pine Key)... Where was that Mother's Day Brunch??
We also did a Poly LVC/GF RPC split last summer (along w/ AKL CL) - isn't it a fun combination?
Nice Cinderella's Coach photo!!

Hi Johnsonet! Glad you enjoyed the pics as well! Wow, I wish I had known you were at the GF at the same time. It would have been fun to say hello. The Mother's Day Brunch was over in Epcot in World ShowPlace where they have the Party for the Senses and as Channing mentioned, the Easter Brunch. It was wonderful! I think I read or heard they are not having it this year. Must be part of cutbacks.
Oh we loved the Poly LVC/GF RPC split! Wish we were doing it again this year.

DeborahB, Welcome back and thanks for posting your wonderful pictures. I'll be there on Mother's Day this year, can't wait.

Thanks, Maxie86! I love WDW in May, it is such a great time to go. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! Are you doing anything special on that day?

DeborahB - THANKS for sharing your photos!! Glad you had a nice GF stay!! That brunch looks lovely...and very similar to the one we enjoyed over there last Easter.

CHanning
A GF Gal

Hi Channing! Thank you, yes we had a fabulous stay. The brunch was lovely and I would definitely do it again.

DeborahB - what great pics, and a wonderful recap of your trip. It makes me miss the GF so much! Glad you had a wonderful time.

Lindsay! Thank you! Glad to see you back here too! You have the best countdown of all! Congrats!!!!!!

Deb B What nice pics! Glad that you had a good trip...so sweet of your kids to send the flowers...

Blue Skies Thank you! Yes, my kids made me cry with their sweet gesture. I'm not usually away from my family on Mother's Day and the only reason we went that particular week was BIL and SIL wanted to get together during their time share week and then ended up not going! It was too late to change our plans....but anyway....I really missed my family being together. My sons drove me crazy as teenagers, but they grew up to be fine, thoughtful young men!

BUT....I think this needs to be reiterated....requests for lodges mean basically nothing....I really honestly don't think they play into room assignments. Too many people request too many things. You can get what you prefer at check in if it's available

Me too!! I love the palm trees against the blue skies. I read your post re WL...oh..I feel the same. I need palm trees in FL!

Happy travels!
Channing
a gf gal missing the gf

I could not agree more about the requests and room assignments. And I need palm trees in FL too! One of my favorite things.