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

[TinkTatoo]

Welcome back and thank for the honest review of your GF stay

I don't know if it was because of all the hype here building up my expectations, but I just didn't feel the GF was all that. Yes, it is beautiful and peaceful, but the service was less than I expected.

I did wonder if the resort was over hyped and I'll be interested to see how it compares to the other resorts we've stayed.

I hope that the rest of your trip was great and that you all had a nice vacation

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for your detailed review of the GF. I agree with you that, service-wise, we didn't notice any difference between the GF and the YC in all of our stays there. We've always had good housekeeping, though, and never had to complain.

None of the WDW hotels can live up to the hype they get on the boards, IMO. If you are used to staying at 4 or 5 star hotels outside of WDW, you just wont get comparable service & amenities at a WDW hotel. I dont understand why, though.

 

[princessesrule4]

Don't forget in the afternoons they have fun activity's and even crafts by the pool! I bet your kids might want to get involved with those instead of watching a DVD! Here's a picture i took of the activity's one day!

Mandy - Thanks for the great photo!!

 

[princessesrule4]

I have a question regarding home made potato chips. I just read a review of the GF Cafe and the person reviewing the meal had lunch there and mentioned that they had home made potato chips with their sandwiches. I know my DH would love home made potato chips as a snack. Can we get home made potato chips from Gasparilla Grill? We do have an ADR for Grand Floridian Cafe for dinner one day but I don't know if he would want them with dinner...more of a snack. Anyone have an idea?

TIA,

Loralie

Do you mean the kettle cooked potato chips?

 

[Tinkaroo]

Do you mean the kettle cooked potato chips?

That was my thought - I'm guessing that is probably what they are. I know some local restaurants around here make their own, and that is how they're prepared.

I don't believe those potato chips are on sale at Gaspie's - just regular Lays, etc. You could call Private Dining, and ask if you could order some from them, if the ones they're serving are indeed those they also prepare at the GFC. They're listed as sides on the PD menu with the sandwiches, burgers, etc.: http://www.wherethemagiclives.com/private_dining.html

 

[princessesrule4]

That was my thought - I'm guessing that is probably what they are. I know some local restaurants around here make their own, and that is how they're prepared.

I don't believe those potato chips are on sale at Gaspie's - just regular Lays, etc. You could call Private Dining, and ask if you could order some from them, if the ones they're serving are indeed those they also prepare at the GFC. They're listed as sides on the PD menu with the sandwiches, burgers, etc.: http://www.wherethemagiclives.com/private_dining.html

That's a great idea Tinkaroo!

That is such an AWESOME website!

 

[Happy Camper 222]

Tinkaroo, thank you for that website link. I am going to go check it out as soon as possible after I finish posting here. I am a Grand Flo fan.

Travelin' Gal, I am sorry your were disappointed with your Grand Flo stay. I have stayed there before and always had stellar service. I am not sure what happened in your situation. We have stayed at many other Disney hotels and the Grand Flo has always been perfection during our stays. Maybe we have been lucky?? But we do always notice a difference in the level of service. The Grand Flo stands out as number one and keeps us coming back. I hope service isn't slipping. It was probably an isolated incident.

Thank you for posting the pool photo again on this page. I am looking forward to our stay. The Grand Flo is a family favorite. I am definitely going to book a cabana for us as soon as I can.

Can anybody direct me to instructions on posting photographs? I have several to share.

Happy Camper

 

[tinklvr64]

Hey GF Gals.....
I have been super busy so i have only time to post this one thing....

LOOK AT MY TICKER!!! OH YA IM A SHORT TIMER...

Thanks Mandy for the picture....

ttfn!

 

[tinklvr64]

That's a great idea Tinkaroo!

That is such an AWESOME website!

Wendo....i totally agree!!!! IT ROCKS!

 

[loralie]

That's a great idea Tinkaroo!

That is such an AWESOME website!

I also agree that the website is awesome. Thanks Princessesrule4 and Tinkaroo...I will see about the potato chips on the PD menu when I get there. You guys mentioned kettle cooked...how is that different from reg. potato chips? I have heard of kettle corn popcorn but I have never tried them. Does it taste different? My DH would want reg. potato chips but if they are home made he would LOVE them.

Loralie

 

[johnsonet]

We DID get a king room for the 3 of us. It was in Sago Cay

Glad you got a King room. I remember you were concerned about that.

I don't know if it was because of all the hype here building up my expectations, but I just didn't feel the GF was all that. Yes, it is beautiful and peaceful, but the service was less than I expected.

Housekeeping was not that stellar. I felt we had better housekeeping at ASMusic last Oct. After 3 days of not having the room vacuumed (evident by the small pieces of stuff that slowly collects on the floor - especially with a child in the room) I finally had to call and talk to the manager. I wasn't rude to her and stressed that I felt training was the key (didn't want the poor gal to lose her job, but she needs to step it up!) Each day we had left a nice tip ($6 for the 3 of us - and I keep the room VERY tidy...in the cute tip envelope too...LOL) and it seems all that was done was replace towels (including ones we hung up) and straighten the beds (didn't even replace the cover a few times! Just straightened the sheets). She didn't even fold up the sleeper sofa. Just left it open all the time. Oh well...
Everyone rants about how the customer service is SO much better at GF. I just didn't see it (housekeeping and throughout the resort). I felt as if I was treated just as well at the ASMu. While it wasn't bad, it just didn't live up to the hype - or the cost.

We got too much sun the day we went to the beach and I called housekeeping to see if they had any aloe vera/sun burn gel and the lady on the phone was flat out rude to me. Something along the lines of "spend your own money and go buy some at Sandy Cove".

I was disappointed to see how worn/stained the carpets looked. The comforter/cover on the bed was rough and 'pilly'

I remember someone was asking about the lobby areas in each building so I took a photo from the 3rd floor looking down. There was an identical set of table/chairs on the other side that didn't get in the photo. The picture was taken from the railing by the elevators:

I'm sorry about your stay. I can totally understand. I have had good housekeeping at the GF recently (May and August stays) but it does drive me nuts that daily vacuuming does not seem to be the norm Funny that you felt you had better housekeeping at ASMusic When you read certain posts on the Dis and then actually pay top dollar for a room at the GF, I'm sure it can be a letdown. This happened to some friends of mine recently. They took their little girls to the GF for their first ever trip to WDW. They liked the hotel and certainly appreciated its proximity to the MK but, considering what they're used to, they were very surprised by what it was for the price. My girlfriend thought the hotel was very pretty but likened the room/service to a Doubletree - for $600 per night! She was fine with it, and glad that they went once but wasn't dying to go back anytime soon... I told her I think theming and location are the big draws of the WDW resorts. It's just the way it is... VERY valuable real estate , so they can charge top dollar and people will pay. As MUCH as I love it and keep going back, the overall service at the GF is definitely different from Ritz Carltons, Auberge, Four Seasons, etc. properties. And within Disney, I have had great service at ALL the resorts we've tried - as well as a sprinkling of bad service at ALL of them.
I hope that you had a fun trip in spite of the housekeeping troubles
Thanks for the pics - your little boy is adorable

...None of the WDW hotels can live up to the hype they get on the boards, IMO. If you are used to staying at 4 or 5 star hotels outside of WDW, you just wont get comparable service & amenities at a WDW hotel. I dont understand why, though.

I don't understand why either

 

[3prettyprincesses]

You know, I was thinking over the post regarding the disappointing GF stay too. We've stayed at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for $250 per night. It is gorgeous, rooms are huge and the service is top notch. However, I don't think you can compare that kind of hotel with the GF because they're totally different. In Vegas, you're paying for an awesome hotel yes but at Disney it's seems more about location and convience. Personally I think it's one of the loveliest hotels we've ever stayed at with beautiful grounds, pools and an amazing lobby. I love the fact that it takes 1-2 minutes to get to MK too. I agree though that paying that much for a room for many nights (say the average of 7) would be disappointing if I didn't remember that I was in Disney Anyhoo, just my 2 cents worth! We love the Grand Floridian too and as a side note noticed our room's floors weren't vaccumed every day either. They should be better about that! Hopefully the next stay will be even better for you!!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Tinkaroo, thank you for that website link. I am going to go check it out as soon as possible after I finish posting here. I am a Grand Flo fan.

Can anybody direct me to instructions on posting photographs? I have several to share.

Happy Camper

That site is great! I hope you find it as useful as I do.

I believe there are instructions for posting photos on the Technical Forum - it's normally the last forum listed on the DIS main page.

Good luck! Would love to see your pics.

Hey GF Gals.....
I have been super busy so i have only time to post this one thing....

LOOK AT MY TICKER!!! OH YA IM A SHORT TIMER...

Woo hoo!

I also agree that the website is awesome. Thanks Princessesrule4 and Tinkaroo...I will see about the potato chips on the PD menu when I get there. You guys mentioned kettle cooked...how is that different from reg. potato chips? I have heard of kettle corn popcorn but I have never tried them. Does it taste different? My DH would want reg. potato chips but if they are home made he would LOVE them.

Loralie

Loralie - kettle-cooked indicates how they are prepared - I believe the chips are actually fried in a kettle of oil (certainly not for the super health conscious - but they are delicious!). I know Lays makes a couple of variety of kettle-cooked chips - and I hear there are now reduced fat versions, too. Kettle-cooked chips are my absolute favorite, but I have to eat them sparingly.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

TravelinGAl - so sorry to hear your stay wasn't as magical as you expected, that is a shame! I understand your feelings, as I've stayed in resorts where the service was much better than any WDW resort, for less money. As others have pointed out, I guess they feel they don't have to work too hard at it, if people are willing to pay for the level of service that currently exists.

As for the mousekeeping issues, I agree, we have had those problems at every resort we've visited - the GF less than most, but still had them. Unfortunately, it seems that daily vacuuming has gone out at most of the resorts, maybe since the mousekeeping was outsourced a few years ago. I was in my room at AKL several times last month when the mousekeeper made up our room, and not once did she vacuum. She did a wonderful job in the bathroom and made the beds, straightened the night stand and wiped down the telephone - but did not vacuum. Apparently, that is now the norm, as I've read this complaint posted on the DIS over and over again. But I didn't make an issue of it, as she was the sweetest lady, and we often came back to cute animals and little notes in the room.

However, I have no idea why your mousekeeper would leave the daybed open and the comforter off the beds when making up the room! That is not acceptable, IMO - unless someone requests the comforters be left in the closet, etc. (some guests don't like that the bedspreads are not changed between every guest, and ask them to be removed)

I hope your next trip to WDW is everything you hope for!

 

[princessesrule4]

Hey GF Gals.....
I have been super busy so i have only time to post this one thing....

LOOK AT MY TICKER!!! OH YA IM A SHORT TIMER...

Thanks Mandy for the picture....

ttfn!

Less than 3 weeks for you all !!

 

[princessesrule4]

oops - double posted!

 

[johnsonet]

You know, I was thinking over the post regarding the disappointing GF stay too. We've stayed at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for $250 per night. It is gorgeous, rooms are huge and the service is top notch. However, I don't think you can compare that kind of hotel with the GF because they're totally different. In Vegas, you're paying for an awesome hotel yes but at Disney it's seems more about location and convience. Personally I think it's one of the loveliest hotels we've ever stayed at with beautiful grounds, pools and an amazing lobby. I love the fact that it takes 1-2 minutes to get to MK too. I agree though that paying that much for a room for many nights (say the average of 7) would be disappointing if I didn't remember that I was in Disney Anyhoo, just my 2 cents worth! We love the Grand Floridian too and as a side note noticed our room's floors weren't vaccumed every day either. They should be better about that! Hopefully the next stay will be even better for you!!

No, you're right. You cannot compare casino resorts. When we go to Las Vegas/Atlantic City we stay in beautiful suites gratis b/c my DH gambles big, so they pay for the room. With butler service no less... and when we go to dinner or to the spa, we just sign for it - That's b/c my husband is a big gambler. That's the way it works. Too bad I don't benefit in the same way from being a Big Disney Spender But the GF is very, very lovely and right across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom, so what can you do??

... I was in my room at AKL several times last month when the mousekeeper made up our room, and not once did she vacuum. She did a wonderful job in the bathroom and made the beds, straightened the night stand and wiped down the telephone - but did not vacuum. Apparently, that is now the norm, as I've read this complaint posted on the DIS over and over again. But I didn't make an issue of it, as she was the sweetest lady, and we often came back to cute animals and little notes in the room.


I hope your next trip to WDW is everything you hope for!

k&a&c'smom you are so sweet... I guess vacuuming simply isn't part of the routine. Maybe just in between guests?

 

[Raidergx]

Do you think it is the low pay that CM's receive from disney, that attribute to the bad service?

 

[TravelinGal]

It wasn't bad enough to make us say that we'll never stay at the GF again. We'll give them another chance in the future... maybe we'll get a better mousekeeper that time.

If it had ONLY been the vacuuming we probably would have overlooked it. But it was dusting, debris on the floor, not making the beds (no, we did not request them to not replace the covers) etc.
Specific example: One night DH had eaten a crumb cake from Gaspies and the to go wrapper/sleeve didn't get thrown away (he was sitting at the desk using his computer and I didn't notice it - and heaven forbid a man throw away his own trash... ). It was on the floor in a noticeable place under the desk the next evening; having fallen off the desk and there were crumbs on the desk from the snack still.

In any case, we did speak with the floor manager, Holly, and stressed that we didn't want to cause problems for the housekeeper - just that she might need further training/refresher training. She offered a discount on a room night, but I said we were on a prepaid package and reiterated that it was about education and training not compensation to us.

The sleeper sofa was a trip... for some reason we couldn't get it to fold back up... but Holly walked over to it and lifted and in it went. I felt rather sheepish when that happened, but I know how to operate a sleeper sofa (not daybed) and this one just wouldn't budge for us! If we could have manipulated it ourselves (we tried quite a few times LOL) we would have just folded it up and not worried about it. As it was, DS decided it made GREAT tunnels... ugh. Just what every mom wants... their child crawling on the (un-vacuumed) floor of a hotel room.

Anyway - not trying to rant here. We'll try GF one more time and hope for the best. We don't go in expecting the worst (well, I admit I did with the ASMusic and was pleasantly surprised! LOL) and we won't go in with a bad attitude when we try it in the future.


Did I mention we LOVED LOVED LOVED our dinner at V&A?!!! Incredible food, relaxing environment and stellar service. When I returned from a visit to the ladies room the hostess was just a few steps behind me and apologized for not getting to my chair before I did (to pull it out for me).
If you go, I recommend getting coffee at the end of the meal. The presentation is amazing! (glad DH likes coffee so we could experience it!)


I got my hair done at the Ivy Trellis Salon (nice little pampering there) and then cheerfully waved bye bye to our son at the Mouseketeer Club. That club is quite a bit smaller than the one at the Beach Club, but DS had a great time. It was like pulling teeth getting him out of there! LOL The CM working in the club were great!

Here is a picture from V&A and a pic of us in the lobby after dinner:

 

[TinkTatoo]

Did I mention we LOVED LOVED LOVED our dinner at V&A?!!! Incredible food, relaxing environment and stellar service. When I returned from a visit to the ladies room the hostess was just a few steps behind me and apologized for not getting to my chair before I did (to pull it out for me).
If you go, I recommend getting coffee at the end of the meal. The presentation is amazing! (glad DH likes coffee so we could experience it!)


I got my hair done at the Ivy Trellis Salon (nice little pampering there) and then cheerfully waved bye bye to our son at the Mouseketeer Club. That club is quite a bit smaller than the one at the Beach Club, but DS had a great time. It was like pulling teeth getting him out of there! LOL The CM working in the club were great!

Here is a picture from V&A and a pic of us in the lobby after dinner:

Fab photos and I'm glad that you had a great dinner and that you DS enjoyed his club time