The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[loralie]

Originally Posted by praline3001

My Favorite is the french onion soup!!! OMG this stuff is like a drug for me

I order it almost every night as a late night snack... OHHH its so gooy and cheesy and yummy!

They serve it at the GF cafe and through PD.
I swear I must eat a gallon of it a week

Hey Brooke, good to see you here and great to have this thread back. I would love to order the french onion soup but I was under the impression that there are so many extra fees with PD. Am I wrong about that. Not really sure how it works. I will be on the basic DP and I know they charge 2 TS credits but I don't know about how the fees work if you order separate things and pay with your credit card. Can you explain how it works? Thanks

Originally Posted by birthdaymom2009

We leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

Yahoo!

Have a wonderful trip. Give us a report when you come back.

Originally Posted by MelissaFromRI

I have to suffer through 22 more days until I head to the Grand

21 days for me over here. I feel like I have so much shopping to do to get ready. Do you have everything you need? It will be here before we know it.

[jkstewart1800]

what is RPC

what is PD

[praline3001]

Hey Brooke, good to see you here and great to have this thread back.

I have been around here a while but glad to see you made it over here at well!

There is an extra cost for PD (private dining)
The soup is $8.00 total and that includes the tip (tip is included in the price of PD)

To order a full meal and use your dining credits.. its 2TS for the meal (the same as a signature place) but it includes the tip unlike other dining so its *cheaper* than say Citricose =)

When I order my soup ~ I just order the soup, not a full meal. I like sipping it late in the evening.

what is RPC

what is PD

RPC= Royal Palm Club its the main building concierge
PD- private dining (its room service plus a whole lot more)
SL= sugar loaf is the outer lodge club level

[followthatmouse]

Every few years, my DM and I set out on an overseas trip, usually to the United States. This year, we are back. Two ladies giggling their way through a week of theatre and art and friends in New York, then it's off to WDW. We have been so fortunate over the years. My late father loved to travel and he loved WDW. We had been staying in CR since the 1970s. But, recently we have seen the light - the Grand Floridian.

We arrive in three weeks. This trip will be our second GF stay, but our first in RPC. Last time, we had a dormer room in Boca Chica which was nice, quiet and one that my DM found claustrophobic. So, this time we are splashing out for a deluxe RPC room.

I do have one, small query. My DM will be celebrating an occasion during our stay. I would love to send her some flowers. Is the concierge able to help with a florist order, or should I make arrangements before we arrive?

Each time I read a GF thread, I find myself positively giddy with excitement. So, thank you for continuing the tradition of fine information.

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by followthatmouse

Every few years, my DM and I set out on an overseas trip, usually to the United States. This year, we are back. Two ladies giggling their way through a week of theatre and art and friends in New York, then it's off to WDW. We have been so fortunate over the years. My late father loved to travel and he loved WDW. We had been staying in CR since the 1970s. But, recently we have seen the light - the Grand Floridian.

We arrive in three weeks. This trip will be our second GF stay, but our first in RPC. Last time, we had a dormer room in Boca Chica which was nice, quiet and one that my DM found claustrophobic. So, this time we are splashing out for a deluxe RPC room.

I do have one, small query. My DM will be celebrating an occasion during our stay. I would love to send her some flowers. Is the concierge able to help with a florist order, or should I make arrangements before we arrive?

Each time I read a GF thread, I find myself positively giddy with excitement. So, thank you for continuing the tradition of fine information.

They used to be able to help you but no longer
I tried to have them to help me have a few things in the room when we arrive, for my son's birthday and they explained that they are no longer allowed to place those type of orders for guest. They did send me to disney florist and they have been wonderful! Peggy (from the ex peggy sweets and more) answered the phone and helped me tons! As she did our room for my DD birthday last year ~ we knew each other and she was a huge help!
Here is the Disney Florist website ~ you will like this way better anyway as you can SEE what your buying!
http://www.disneyflorist.com/

[followthatmouse]

Thank you very much, Praline.

[loralie]

I have a few transportation questions. On one of our days we plan on getting to HS for EMH and then take the boat over to Beaches and Cream for lunch. After lunch we want to go back to the GF to rest before going to another park at night. What is the best way to get to the GF from Beaches and Cream?

Another transportation question. I know there is a boat from GF to MK...is there a boat from GF to the Wilderness Lodge? We plan on going to WCC from the GF one night for dinner so if there is not a boat from GF, which would be the best way to get there? I am thinking taking the monorail to MK and then take the boat to WL...is that the best way?

Thanks,

Loralie

[praline3001]

What is the best way to get to the GF from Beaches and Cream?
Take a cab ~ its the easiest way

Another transportation question. I know there is a boat from GF to MK...is there a boat from GF to the Wilderness Lodge? We plan on going to WCC from the GF one night for dinner so if there is not a boat from GF, which would be the best way to get there? I am thinking taking the monorail to MK and then take the boat to WL...is that the best way?

Again the fastest most reliable way is a cab. Whenever your going to another resort (except for the monorail resorts) the easiest more reliable way is to do the cab. The cab from GF to WL will only be a couple of bucks. The cab from Beaches and Cream to GF should be about $12

[praline3001]

If you want to use Disney's transportation and save the few bucks here is what you would do:

Using Disney Transportation:
Take Disney bus transportation to Downtown Disney, then switch to destination resort bus at Downtown Disney. Or take Magic Kingdom bus and take Grand Floridian resort Monorail or boat over to Grand Floridian.
Approximate Travel Time:
90 minutes

Make sure you see the 90 minutes

If you drive (or cab)
Driving/Walking:
Left on Epcot Resorts Blvd. take right on Buena Vista Drive. Proceed on Buena Vista Drive and Follow signs to Magic Kingdom and World Drive. Follow signs to Magic Kingdom. At toll plaza stay in far right lane and drive through Toll plaza Follow World Drive to first traffic light. Take a left onto Seven Seas Drive. At end take a right on Floridian Way. Follow signs to resort which will be on the right.
Approximate Travel Time:
15 minutes

To WL using Disney transportation:
Using Disney Transportation:
Take Magic Kingdom monorail and take Wilderness Lodge resort boat over to Wilderness Lodge Resort.
Approximate Travel Time:
40 minutes

[loralie]

Originally Posted by praline3001

If you want to use Disney's transportation and save the few bucks here is what you would do:

Using Disney Transportation:
Take Disney bus transportation to Downtown Disney, then switch to destination resort bus at Downtown Disney. Or take Magic Kingdom bus and take Grand Floridian resort Monorail or boat over to Grand Floridian.
Approximate Travel Time:
90 minutes

Make sure you see the 90 minutes

If you drive (or cab)
Driving/Walking:
Left on Epcot Resorts Blvd. take right on Buena Vista Drive. Proceed on Buena Vista Drive and Follow signs to Magic Kingdom and World Drive. Follow signs to Magic Kingdom. At toll plaza stay in far right lane and drive through Toll plaza Follow World Drive to first traffic light. Take a left onto Seven Seas Drive. At end take a right on Floridian Way. Follow signs to resort which will be on the right.
Approximate Travel Time:
15 minutes

To WL using Disney transportation:
Using Disney Transportation:
Take Magic Kingdom monorail and take Wilderness Lodge resort boat over to Wilderness Lodge Resort.
Approximate Travel Time:
40 minutes

WOW!!! I had no idea it would take 90 min. to get from Beaches and Cream to GF. I was thinking maybe the monorail from Epcot but I guess not. A cab sounds like a much better idea. I also did not think it would take so long to get to WL for WCC from the GF. I thought with the monorail and the boat it would be much faster. I am so glad I found this out now. Thanks so much!

Loralie

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by loralie

WOW!!! I had no idea it would take 90 min. to get from Beaches and Cream to GF. I was thinking maybe the monorail from Epcot but I guess not. A cab sounds like a much better idea. I also did not think it would take so long to get to WL for WCC from the GF. I thought with the monorail and the boat it would be much faster. I am so glad I found this out now. Thanks so much!

Loralie

Here is a good link for you when dealing with transportation:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/trans...portation1.cfm

By the time you walk to epcot, then from the international gateway to the front..get on the monorial ~ then change monorails at the TTC, get on the resort monorial .... nope its longer.

Many people don't realize there are 3 monorail routes. Staying at the GF you need to know at least 2 of them.

1. The monorail resort loop. It goes in a large circle loop
Stops are GF-MK-CR-TTC-Poly_ back to GF

2. The Epcot Monorial ~ this only goes from the TTC to Epcot. Its a long ride but a pretty one (maybe 15 minutes but I am guessing on that) To get to epcot you take the resort monorail to the TTC and transfer to this monorail.

3. The Express Monorail. You should NOT need to use this one but still good to know. It only goes to and from MK and the TTC. So if you see a monorail fly past the GF station and didn't stop ~ its the express.

The monorail is perfect if dining at any of the monorail resorts (poly, CR, GF) if you are going to any other resort ~ by far the cab is MUCH faster!

Transportation 101 says no bus goes from resort to resort. You have to transfer buses. This takes an extra 10-20 minutes to do as you have to wait

I also take a cab to and from AK. Its $20 one way but well worth it to me. The GF/AK bus route takes FOREVER and has several stops along the way. Its just not worth it for me to sit there for 90 minutes

[loralie]

Originally Posted by praline3001

Here is a good link for you when dealing with transportation:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/trans...portation1.cfm

By the time you walk to epcot, then from the international gateway to the front..get on the monorial ~ then change monorails at the TTC, get on the resort monorial .... nope its longer.

Many people don't realize there are 3 monorail routes. Staying at the GF you need to know at least 2 of them.

1. The monorail resort loop. It goes in a large circle loop
Stops are GF-MK-CR-TTC-Poly_ back to GF

2. The Epcot Monorial ~ this only goes from the TTC to Epcot. Its a long ride but a pretty one (maybe 15 minutes but I am guessing on that) To get to epcot you take the resort monorail to the TTC and transfer to this monorail.

3. The Express Monorail. You should NOT need to use this one but still good to know. It only goes to and from MK and the TTC. So if you see a monorail fly past the GF station and didn't stop ~ its the express.

The monorail is perfect if dining at any of the monorail resorts (poly, CR, GF) if you are going to any other resort ~ by far the cab is MUCH faster!

Transportation 101 says no bus goes from resort to resort. You have to transfer buses. This takes an extra 10-20 minutes to do as you have to wait

I also take a cab to and from AK. Its $20 one way but well worth it to me. The GF/AK bus route takes FOREVER and has several stops along the way. Its just not worth it for me to sit there for 90 minutes

Thanks Brook. I am learning so much from you. O.K...here is a cab question for you, how much do you you think a cab would be from MK to DisneyQuest? Also...how much would a cab be from AK to Blizzard Beach? I know you won't know exactly but if you know around about how much it would help me with my spending budget. Sounds like I am going to have to factor in cab fare for my trip. Oh well...we are spending so much already, whats a little more.

Thanks,

Loralie

[praline3001]

Here is the link to the Mears Cab fare estimator
http://www.mearstransportation.com/T...eEstimator.asp

They are the official cab at WDW. That should help you plan any and all cabs. Be aware the prices might be off by a $1 or 2 but for the most part they are accurate.

[minniesota]

Originally Posted by Mary T in PA

We are booked in SL... very excited as this is our first stay at GF.. it's a surprise trip for our daughter,, she turns 10 next week, but we can't take them out of school again (already took a week off this past Oct for a Disney trip ) so we had to wait until after school is out... how I wish we could go now, I am getting excited.

I am curious about the deluxe rooms in RPC - are they roomy? I have been looking at the floor plan and just wondering if anyone has stayed in one of those rooms how you liked it?

Mary, here is a link from last week about deluxe rooms in RPC - lots of good info! We stayed in a deluxe room (I included pics on the thread) and loved the room! Tons of space and a huge wrap-around balcony. Check it out!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2146279

Glad to see the new GF FAQ!

[BlueSkies]

followthatmouse What a great trip you have planned...hope that you and your DM enjoy it all! We are long time CR fans too...but once we stayed at the GF...you understand...

Brooke Thanks for all of that transportation information(even a cab estimator!!)....I may be in the minority here but I do like using the disney transportation...find it pretty easy to use...and usually (but not always!) not a long wait..

Loralie On our last trip we were at the BC went over to the GF to visit and we took the bus to the MK and then enjoyed the boat ride over to the GF( I didnt time it but it was a pleasent trip and every thing went very smoothly)...we are planning a meal at WCC too and based on info I got here(well on one of the previous threads..maybe it was BCV who recomended this...) I have decided to take the monorail over to the CR and then stroll down to the dock and take the launch from there to the WL (and on the return maybe stop at the CR for a little shopping etc...)...

I guess if you have time constraints a taxi might be the best option...but if not disney does offer so many choices too...I love the launches and the monorails ...we are in vacation mode and try to take things at a slower pace sometimes...and with the buses they do stop at a few other properties on the way...but we enjoy the kind of mini tour...and seeing the different properties we havent stayed at or gone too...

Hi Minniesota! I love that room.......hopefully we'll get to stay in it sometime....