The *New* Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Frequently Asked Questions (FEB2004)

[TammiMcMan]

This year I am trying to plan better - how can I find Voyage of the Little Mermaid show times, for example? I have found park times, but not attraction ones.

Here you go, http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/ . Just click on the link for "Studios" at the top of the web page.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I posted this in another forum, but I though some of you may know the answer...

Lives4, thanks for the response on my other thread there as well. Can you tell we leave in a few days

MY QUESTION:
We went to MGM last year and didn't realize that the attractions (mainly for little kids) were on a schedule. We missed everything!

This year I am trying to plan better - how can I find Voyage of the Little Mermaid show times, for example? I have found park times, but not attraction ones.

Please help this momma out

Traci - Did you check out that link I posted for you on the other board. I answered a second time on your post regarding your MGM show time question. I don't have the link here, but I posted it over there. If you use it, click on MGM at the top, the info you want is there. Just scroll down. I know what you mean about those scheduled shows. Sometimes it seems if you miss one, you just miss a bunch!

Take care & check that link I posted. I double checked that it has your info for you.

Lives4Disney

 

[Debbie6221]

Hi, I was wondering if you guys could help me out. I need a package sent Fed Ex to GF for me. Can you guys give me the address and tell me how to have her address the package?
Thanks!
Debbie

 

[traci]

awww thanks my GF amigas! I wub you guys
Lives4, I wasn't sure if you would have seen my second question - thank you again for following up. Tammi, as always I appreciate your help.

I just looked at my ticker...only 20 days!! I love this part! I love the anticipation of the trip. It's been a year - I can't wait to get back. This time our oldest (who will be 3 in December) actually knows characters now. Last year he was still too little. He was never scared, but I am looking forward to watching his little face when he sees Mickey this time! He keeps saying, "We going to Mickey's house mommy?"

okay now I have tears...already...they are already starting...I am such a sap

I can't wait. Oh, and we are staying RPC for the first time ~ thanks to all of the neat things I have have read from you GF maniacs!!!

Now tell me what day to email IPO and request that castle view again

 

[Misti]

Now tell me what day to email IPO and request that castle view again

Hi! I'd email the RPC about 5 days prior to arrival (the room assigner starts assigning rooms 4-5 days out). At check-in, I'd reiterate the request nicely.

 

[traci]

When I check in at the main front desk?
Thanks!

 

[Misti]

When I check in at the main front desk?
Thanks!

They'll escort you to the RPC on the third floor when you arrive (just tell the bellman you are RPC level). From the main entrance, a RPC CM will walk you up to the 3rd floor where you can check-in and get your room card keys.

Last year, we checked-in at the RPC and got to our room and our request wasn't met. I went back to the concierge desk and she said she saw my request noted but it wasn't available (we had a honeymoon room booked and requested a turret-style room). So, I think it's a good idea just to reiterate your requests nicely when you check-in. That way, if it isn't available for some reason, you can see what other options are available. For us, we actually ended up moving to a new room the next day so we could get our request.

Have a great trip!

 

[traci]

Thank you Misti

Let me get this straight though...we don't check in at the main lobby?

 

[mlill]

Hi everyone! I just looked on the AP site to check my dates and see if anything new has been put into the system and the GF RPC Main Building was listed for both October and December. I don't remember seeing AP rates for RPC before! So, if you have AP's, you might want to check it out...

-Michelle

Hi again! I looked up the AP rates again this morning, and I found the RPC room rates for you guys. I did a search for 2 adults and 3 kids, so these are for the regular rooms, not the king rooms. The December rates are better because it's value season. Here are the screen shots of the AP rates...

October AP rates

December AP Rates

I was just surprised to see Sugar Loaf and RPC available as an AP rate, but I'm not complaining!

-Michelle

 

[BCV23]

Thank you Misti

Let me get this straight though...we don't check in at the main lobby?

No, you will check in upstairs. The guard may have your name and alert them. If not, just let them know at the bell stand and they will call up and someone will be there to escort you up.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have been able to almost always get RPC for an AP rate. I got all excited when I saw Dec 19 available!! Went to check for my stay, checking in on 19th, but it seems to only be available for that first one night. I couldn't get any more than that night for the AP rate. At least it seems things are opening up because that wasn't even the case a few weeks ago. You've given me hope & I am going to keep checking back!

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you Misti

Let me get this straight though...we don't check in at the main lobby?

Oooh!! Less than 20 days!!

No, Misti's correct. Unless you arrive before concierge begins their day (not even sure when that is - maybe 7 am??) or after 10 pm, you will be escorted up to the 3rd floor to check in with a concierge CM. It is nice!! You sit at their desk, drink some lemonade or tea while they do the work. I do exactly what Misti recommends. When they tell you your room number, just ask if it's a castle view. If not, as Misti said, you can ask to change rooms asap, or HOPEFULLY they can find you a castle view room right there while you are still at their desk.

Happy planning!!! Can't wait to hear about your vacation when you get back.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i cant wait one month left here

 

[Debbie6221]

Hi...Yeah we leave VERY soon!
Just out of curiosity. We are going down there on a package. Do most of you go by way of DVC or something? With all your questions about RPC's and IPo's etc. I am always confused by what you guys are up to. Just wondering if I should be getting in on this.
Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

With all your questions about RPC's and IPo's etc. I am always confused by what you guys are up to. Just wondering if I should be getting in on this.

Debbie, we usually travel on a package or room only. We don't go enough to make AP's worthwhile, but that's a discount that some on here can take advantage of. There's also AAA discounts and sometimes you can get lucky with PIN codes that Disney makes available.

As to the RPC and IPO references, these are club level terms. It's basically a higher level of service that Disney offers in their deluxe resorts. You have the benefit of a pre-planning team that will make all your ADR's, book tours, cruises, entertainment, purchase gifts ahead of time, help plan celebrations, etc. When you arrive, you have a private check-in, the rooms are either on a separate floor or building with CM's there to assist with any last minute changes or plans. There are also club lounges which serve a continental breakfast, afternoon tea, snacks, evening wine, desserts, cordials and champagne. The downside is that the views are by request and not guaranteed. Some chooe to book a standard room with a guaranteed view as opposed to booking club level and taking a chance. It all depends on what exactly you're looking for during that particular vacation. Sometimes we go club, sometimes we stay standard.

 

[mlill]

I have been able to almost always get RPC for an AP rate. I got all excited when I saw Dec 19 available!! Went to check for my stay, checking in on 19th, but it seems to only be available for that first one night. I couldn't get any more than that night for the AP rate. At least it seems things are opening up because that wasn't even the case a few weeks ago. You've given me hope & I am going to keep checking back!

Lives4Disney

I guess I just haven't been as lucky as you to get AP rates for an RPC room! That's why it was a big deal to me. We're usually at the Boardwalk, so I don't have much experience with the GF! LOL! Hey, I've got a Grand 1 Wishes cruise booked for our Christmas vacation, and I'm trying to decide what to order from Private Dining. You did a Grand 1 cruise before, didn't you? If so, did you get something catered onto the yacht? Since it's in December and it will be chilly out, I was thinking about hot chocolate for the kids and maybe some champange for us. Any other suggestions from anyone who has done a Grand 1 cruise? Thanks in advance!

-Michelle

 

[Debbie6221]

Thank you. That was very helpful! When we go on this trip we are going to see if they will show us around in those kind of areas to see if we want to ever try anything different. We aren't really good at "change". We are always afraid we will be disappointed and always go back to our old stand by "Lagoon view, Boca Chica" request!
What is the view from the main building, anyway?
Thanks again!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I guess I just haven't been as lucky as you to get AP rates for an RPC room! That's why it was a big deal to me. We're usually at the Boardwalk, so I don't have much experience with the GF! LOL! Hey, I've got a Grand 1 Wishes cruise booked for our Christmas vacation, and I'm trying to decide what to order from Private Dining. You did a Grand 1 cruise before, didn't you? If so, did you get something catered onto the yacht? Since it's in December and it will be chilly out, I was thinking about hot chocolate for the kids and maybe some champange for us. Any other suggestions from anyone who has done a Grand 1 cruise? Thanks in advance!

-Michelle

Michelle - You guys will love the GF and the Grand 1!! Yes, I had a bday cake and lemonade and champagne from private dining. You should contact the IPO or even private dining directly as sometimes IPO can be closed mouthed with suggestions. I believe you need to order at least 48 hrs in advance, so it may even be possible to order your cruise food after you check into the GF, depending on the timing of your cruise. The concierge CMs at the GF are great and would help you order, I am sure.

The bakery does fantastic things - I bet they could do something wonderful for you for Xmas. The hot chocolate is a great idea, too. My main suggestion is not to overdo it with the food/drinks as the galley is in the back and for best viewing we were in front on the sundeck of the yacht. The time goes by quickly, too. The exhaust in the back of the yacht bugged me a bit so we ate down below vs. the little booth outside in back. I can't imagine being tied to food back there, it was most fun being out up front.

Enjoy!! I really appreciate you posting the AP rates are available. It gave me a second wind for checking daily, lol.....it just seems I may be out of luck with any discount for my time period. The resort seems booked up. I bet the GF is the place to be over Christmas.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you. That was very helpful! When we go on this trip we are going to see if they will show us around in those kind of areas to see if we want to ever try anything different. We aren't really good at "change". We are always afraid we will be disappointed and always go back to our old stand by "Lagoon view, Boca Chica" request!
What is the view from the main building, anyway?
Thanks again!

Debbie - There are a variety of views from the main building. I have had MK (castle, really) views on most stays. The views are request only, though. Nothing guaranteed in the main building. I also had a beautiful courtyard pool view. It was very pretty, too, and I didn't even miss the MK view too much.

Look out! Once you stay concierge at the GF you may be hooked and there will be no going back. It is so wonderful.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[fish4bills]

i was told xmas decortions go up 1st week of nov that is awesome
i cant wait to see the Gf all decked out

Is this true? I hope so because we will be there the second week of Nov. for our 1st GF experience and our first Disney trip since our children were born (now ages 5 & 3). I would love to see Christmas decorations to make it extra special.