The *NEW* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Frequently Asked Questions -Updated 08/12/02

[Familyof6]

I talked to the concierge the other day and he indicated that we would be in the Sugarloaf building. I was really hoping to get the RPC. The cruiseline said they couldn't tell me which I would get but that I would have a concierge room. Apparently "with my package" there is "no chance" of getting a RPC room and especially not a MK view. I guess I'm just happy to be going at all and staying at the GF! (but yes, a little bummed)
Questions...
Should I just go ahead and pay the difference and try to book a RPC room and request MK view? I'm wondering how much that might be?
Should I ask to be upgraded when I check in? Does that ever work? Do they charge you when you ask for an upgrade? (as opposed to being Magically upgraded)

OK, so now I've gone on to being in Sugarloaf. What room should I request? Are there any in particular that are really great? I would prefer non-smoking for sure. Is higher up better or ground floor? I haven't really thought about requests until now. I sort of wanted to just let things happen...which I'll probably end up doing anyway. Just wondering with what you GF experts can enlighten me?

Thanks for your help!

Lisa

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

If available at check-in, they will let you upgrade to RPC for about $120 per night extra. You could also see if a MK view room would be available at that time.

All of Sugar Loaf is non-smoking. There are 4 floors, and the 3rd and 4th floors have dormer rooms. Floors 1, 2, and part of floor 3 have the regular rooms (2 queens and daybed). You have a choice of pool or marina view. Sugar Loaf is such a small building, it really doesn't matter too much where your room is (unless you prefer ground floor/upper floor or pool/marina view).

I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter where you stay!

 

[Familyof6]

Thanks Cali! I don't think I'll try to add $120/night to our bill. It'll be high enough without adding that. We're not big drinkers so the alcohol wouldn't be an addition...just the DESSERTS! I'm afraid we couldn't consume $120 worth of desserts each night even though there are 6 of us! And I just can't see paying for a view that we most likely won't see much anyway.
Speaking of 6 of us...we definitely won't fit in a dormer room so I guess we'll be on one of the first three floors. Is there any advantage to higher or lower? I know the patios are more like balconies so that isn't really any different no matter which floor you're on.
What are the views like? What do you see at the Marina? Is one view prettier than another? Is it better to be able to watch my family down at the pool...maybe I should rethink that...I may not want my dh watching the beautiful women at the pool!
Sorry to be so full of questions. This is all new to me and I'm just trying to make this the best trip I possibly can...without spending too much more!

Thanks for your great help!

Lisa

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Well, marina view rooms have a view of the marina. I've stayed in a marina view room before (Conch Key - right next to Sugar Loaf), and you see the boats, the marina, Sago Cay, part of the main building, and the monorail. Pool view is nice, too, with a view of the courtyard pool, Boca Chica, part of the main building, and Big Pine Key. First floor is nice to avoid elevators, but the view are better on the second or third floor.

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! I have a question about the GF buildings. I thought that the lodge concierge rooms were in the Sugar Loaf Key, but in our Passporter book, it talks about "the rooms with a lagoon view in the Sago Cay (which houses concierge rooms)" Is it Sago Cay, not Sugar Loaf Key, that has the concierge rooms? Or is this an error in the Passporter book?
Thanks!
Heather P

 

[BCV23]

In January lodge concierge was in Sugar Loaf Key.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I have noticed this error in the Passporter for some time. The lodge concierge is in Sugar Loaf Key. The lodge concierge category began in mid-1998, and has been in Sugar Loaf Key from the start.

 

[susy]

HI!!!! Just back from CBR and had a great time, although I thought it was a little too spread out for me. We were thinking of going back to WDW in November and I'm dreaming of staying at GF . Would probably only be able to (barely) afford a garden view room in value season with a FL Res rate (I usually book with AP and change when FL Res rates come out).


Anyway, my question-

What (garden view) building would you recommend?
I would like to be close to main pool, monorail and non-smoking (not asking too much!)

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

None of the buildings are too spread out, but it sounds as if Big Pine Key and Boca Chica would be the best choice for you.

 

[susy]

Thanks California Dreaming! Knew I could count on you! My DH will probably want to stay at ASMu (which I don't mind, but...), so you see I have my work cut out for me.

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

Just curious, does anyone happen to know what the views are like on the club level at the swan?

 

[Kinley'sMom]

We just booked a Lodge Tower room for our upcoming visit in July. Which lodges are these rooms located in? Do any of the rooms have MK views, and if not what other types of views are offered? Thanks for any help!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Lodge Towers are in all buildings. They have garden (Conch Key), pool (Boca Chica/Big Pine), or marina views (Sago Cay).

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Gail T AGAIN
Just curious, does anyone happen to know what the views are like on the club level at the swan?

You'd probably get a better response if this wasn't posted under the Grand Floridian title. Why not repost as a new thread on teh resorts board?

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
I have noticed this error in the Passporter for some time. The lodge concierge is in Sugar Loaf Key. The lodge concierge category began in mid-1998, and has been in Sugar Loaf Key from the start.

Um, Cali--wasn't it in Conch for awhile during the 2000 renovation, while Sugar Loaf took on the role of RPC concierge?

I stayed in Conch that year in a concierge room, and it was defintely NOT RPC concierge. In fact it was barely concirege, but we won't go there, that's another thread.

Anne

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

During renovations (pre-summer 2000) Conch Key housed the Sugar Loaf Key Concierge, and (July-late September or October 2000) Conch Key housed Royal Palm Club Concierge. When Sugar Loaf was open, it was lodge concierge. Conch Key did Sugar Loaf (during Sugar Loaf renovations) and Royal Palm (during Main Building renovations).

 

[domiii]

My sister her DD8, DD5 and her not so DH are booked in the GF arriving May 26th. Their reservation says 'standard room'. What kind of room is this and where would this catagory be available?
I would like to help her steering her to the right building.

Also as an aside she has breakfast at Cindys on her departure day at 9AM and her plane leaves at 12:55 will she make it? Her transfers were included in the package.

This is their first trip to Disney as a family and I want to help her make it special!!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Standard is a garden view. It could be the traditional style or a dormer room, with any non-lagoonfront view.

If her plane leaves at 12:55, she should be at the airport by 11:25 at the latest (90 minutes prior). The airport is 30 minutes from the GF (non-stop, but if she is on a shuttle then they'd pick her up and make stops along the way meaning she'd have to leave earlier), so she'd need to leave by 10:55. We always leave the GF 2 1/2 hours before our flight to go to the airport, and that always allows us enough time to curbside check the bags, return the car, go through security, and get to the gate.

 

[domiii]

Where are dormer rooms available? Are they just in the main building?


I have read that 'Alice' decorations are in Big Pine Key and Conch Key. Is there an advantage to staying in one over the other?


What is the proceedure for requesting a particular building or area at GF?

 

[OKSTATE99]

Not So DH? I see there is a story.