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

[minnie my my]

bat4less,

I don't believe their is a lv or mk view in Sugar Loaf. You either have a view of the marina or the gardens and quiet pool. If you want concierge and mk view you have to book Royal Palm Club. We are staying in Sugar Loaf soon. That was the only thing we didn't like about booking there. We just didn't want to pay the extra to be in the main building, however. We will save that money to get to take another trip sooner.

Myra

 

[minnie my my]

Hi,

I saw the special on Travel Channel about GF yesterday. Can I just say that I am way to excited about this trip now. I am counting down the days. Anyway, I saw the ladybug release off the front entrance. I was talking to my mother on the phone and didn't get the details about it. Does anyone know when and exactly where they do this. My son loves bugs and would be thrilled to get to take part in the release.

Thanks,
Myra

 

[bat4less]

thanks minny my my,

i guess all the rooms in the sugar loaf are basically the same then except for the garden or marina view.

thanks

 

[adisneynut]

Would please share your thought on this concierge?

Thanks

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by bat4less
what room would you suggest for the sugar loaf conc -lagoon view-obviously partial to the mk

thanks
ashton

For a full MK view, like the poster noted, you would need the Royal Palm Club in the main building. Even then though, many of the RPC rooms face the direction of the wedding pavillion/monorail/Polynesian. So, even then it would be by request. On the one side of Sugar Loaf building, all of the rooms face the marina with the Sago Cay building in the background. However, the rooms furthest from the Gasparilla end of Sugar Loaf would have a slight view of the MK/lagoon (by turning your head to the right). So, that may be worth a shot as a request.

Have a great trip!

 

[susy]

Hi all! well, we are FINALLY getting around to staying at GF, if my Dh doesn't talk me out of it. I told him that 3 times at the AS was my limit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Anyway, we are gathering info for a 2003 thanksgiving trip (4 nights) at the GF, hereare my questions:

I have yet to find a resort map with the new pool. Which location would be best for a standard garden view? I would like to be close to the monorail, food, main pool. I'm not asking TOO much!

How is the counter service area set up? Is it near the pool area for quick lunches?

We will probably eat at Park Fare on our morning of departure and maybe one night at one of the other restaurants.Which do you all prefer (Not V&A- don't want to be away from Ds for that long). We might take him with us to dinner or leave him at the clubhouse......

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by susy
We will probably eat at Park Fare on our morning of departure and maybe one night at one of the other restaurants.Which do you all prefer (Not V&A- don't want to be away from Ds for that long). We might take him with us to dinner or leave him at the clubhouse......

Narccoosee's is a great restaraunt at the GF, and it's practically right on the water, so you can see the evening fireworks or EWP if you time it right. I'd say it's pretty family friendly too, if you decide to bring along your son for dinner. The food is great, too. Mostly seafood, but they do have a lamb dish that is out of this world!

Enjoy the GF!!

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by susy
Hi all! well, we are FINALLY getting around to staying at GF, if my Dh doesn't talk me out of it. I told him that 3 times at the AS was my limit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Anyway, we are gathering info for a 2003 thanksgiving trip (4 nights) at the GF, hereare my questions:

I have yet to find a resort map with the new pool. Which location would be best for a standard garden view? I would like to be close to the monorail, food, main pool. I'm not asking TOO much!

How is the counter service area set up? Is it near the pool area for quick lunches?

We will probably eat at Park Fare on our morning of departure and maybe one night at one of the other restaurants.Which do you all prefer (Not V&A- don't want to be away from Ds for that long). We might take him with us to dinner or leave him at the clubhouse......

Hi susy!

The closest building to the main pool and main building would be Big Pine Key. The building closest to Gasparilla Grill and Games would be Sago Cay.

Gasparilla is et up with an arcade to your right as you enter and cashiers staight ahead. It is 24 hours a day. They have a "hot" food section where you walk up and order things like french fries, burgers, pizza, nachos. There is a refrigerated section with sandwiches, drinks, fresh fruit. There is also a self-service bakery section with krispie treats, cookies, muffins, brownies, bagels, etc. They also have a make your own ice cream cone section as well as an area for smoothies. I have pix of Gasparilla at:

GF pix

For a nice sit-down at the GF, Narcoossee's or Citrico's are each quite good. Narcoossee's has a more casual feel and is set along the lagoon in its building. Citrico's is in the main building and has a more formal feel. I also have pix of those. I'd check out the menus and see which appeals to you more.

Hope this helps!

Happy Planning!

 

[bat4less]

However, the rooms furthest from the Gasparilla end of Sugar Loaf would have a slight view of the MK/lagoon (by turning your head to the right). So, that may be worth a shot as a request.



which room would you suggest for the right handed view of mk and the marina?

thanks again

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by bat4less
However, the rooms furthest from the Gasparilla end of Sugar Loaf would have a slight view of the MK/lagoon (by turning your head to the right). So, that may be worth a shot as a request.



which room would you suggest for the right handed view of mk and the marina?

thanks again

I'm not sure about specific room numbers. If you look at this map:
http://wdwig.com/map_gf.jpg It would be a room as far down towards the Conch Key building as possible.
If you get a questionaire from the concierge, you could probably list it on your room requests. It will only be a limited view, if that; most of what you'll see is the marina. But, better than nothing at all I suppose.

The marina view rooms in Sugar Loaf will primarily have this view:

View from Sugar Loaf 1

Side angle view looking to the left from Sugar Loaf

 

[bat4less]

with or without the mk view- we vote for the conc and like the sugar loaf better than inside noise

thanks misti

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

Originally posted by adisneynut
Would please share your thought on this concierge?

Thanks

We were only there for one night, but this is what I remember:

Morning- muffins, pastries, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate.

Mid morning- fresh fruit, cookies, muffins

Lunch- sandwiches, fresh fruit, parma ham, cookies

Afternoon- Trifle, hot scones, cookies, sandwiches

Evening- cold meats, chicken appetizers.

I think the lounge closes at 10.30, but I may be wrong on that one.

Coffee, tea, bottled water (still and sparkling in big bottles) and pitchers of lemonade were available all day. The lounge staff also pointed out to me that if I wanted fresh milk for my kids' bottles to ask them and they would fill them directly from the fridge. There are also plenty of paper cups with lids so you can take your drinks to go.

DH just remarked this morning that he didn't notice any soda on offer, but I may be wrong- maybe someone else can clarify that one.

Hope this helps

Joanna

 

[DG-12]

I have several questions about rooms at the GF...
1)I am thinking of booking a lodge tower room- do any of these have MK views and/or King size beds?
2)Do the dormer rooms come with king size beds?
3)Should I book the lagoon view and just request a king bed
(basically I am interested in having the king bed as my dh hangs off the queen-which room would have the best chance of this?)
Thanks,
Dana

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by DG-12
I have several questions about rooms at the GF...
1)I am thinking of booking a lodge tower room- do any of these have MK views and/or King size beds?
2)Do the dormer rooms come with king size beds?
3)Should I book the lagoon view and just request a king bed
(basically I am interested in having the king bed as my dh hangs off the queen-which room would have the best chance of this?)
Thanks,
Dana

1) No lodge towers have king beds or Magic Kingdom Views.
2) Some dormer rooms have a king bed in them, but, there aren't very many king bed rooms in the resort.
3) King beds are scattered throughout the resort, in both the garden and lagoon catagory. There are more king beds in the garden catagory than the lagoon catagory. King beds can be in the regular rooms as well as the dormer rooms.

 

[Jeannine T.]

Hi Everyone! I just returned from the GF.

We were there for Thanksgiving. We stayed in a lagoon view room in the Conch Key w/ a view of the MK. Our room was decorated in the Alice in Wonderland motif. We got all of our requests met however I wanted the Big Pine Key but the Conch Key was just fine. House keeping made our wash cloths into turkeys on Thanksgiving day.

We ate at Chef Mickey's, the Yacht Club Galley & 1900 Pare Fare for dinner with the food at 1900 Park Fare being the best meal we had. We also ate a deliciuous breakfast at Cape May buffet at the BC.

We also stayed at the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal.

We had a great time. I want to thank everyone from this forum, especially CALI D., for all of their advice.

Please feel free to email me jtyrie@msn.com or post a reply with any questions you may have.

 

[floridalover]

Hi,
I am planning a trip to WDW and staying at the GF, garden view room. I really like the Swan theme rooms but need a non smoking room. Are there any non smoking rooms in Sago Cay ?
Also would I be closer to the new pool if I chose Conch Key or Big pine Key instead, and does Conch key have better views ?
Excactly where on the map is the new pool ?

 

[Jeannine T.]

Hi! I believe the beach pool is south of the summer house (hubby took the kids while I went shopping so I didn't actually see it). The Big Pine Key would be closer to the beach pool. The Conch Key had a great view of the MK-we had a room that faced north. It is a little bit of a walk from things but don't forget the resort is not that big. There are non-smoking rooms in Sago Cay & Conch Key. I would also send Cali D. a PM to get another opinion.

 

[disneydill]

Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[floridalover]

I still cant decide whether to request Sago Cay (I love the Swan Decor)
or Big Pine Key (not as keen on Alice decor ) to be close to main pool. Any suggestions ?

 

[s&k'smom]

Hey Florida lover just an FYI we loved Sago Cay last October. I had requested a first floor room (son in autistic) and they gave us first floor and it was facing the water. We were right at the corner of Bay Lake and the monorail went right by the room. Plus it is very convenient to the coffee shop and bus stop. Only a short walk to both pools. The kids absolutely loved it. How can you beat the monorail swishing by your room. Have a great trip.