The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - APRIL 2010

[parqueen]

Thank you for your imput. We are trying to avoid using our dining points for such a small quick breakfast and to try to use our snack credits. Our ADR's are mostly for lunch and dinner. We also are going to experience the Afternoon Tea. I think we will be at the GF around the same time as you. Hopefully the weather will be nice and clear.

 

[momatater]

momatater - Thanks for the compliment, that's very sweet of you to say.

LOL about the DH - I think that's fair!

To get to the second floor laundry room, just go down the pool elevator, take a left on the second floor and go nearly to the end of the hallway. The laundry is on the left side, it's written on the door, shouldn't be too hard to find it. Same room as the ice machine, btw.

Yes, unfortunately, there is only one washer/one dryer, I'm not sure why. There is room for another, if they removed the utility sink and stacked the dryers like in the other buildings. At any rate, good luck with your laundry chores!

ETA: Oh, and the washer/dryer was never busy when we went down, maybe that's why they only have the one.

Thank you so much! See, you're always helpful and quick to answer, so I speak the truth about how wonderful you are!

And I did talk to DH, he at least said he would help! lol I know what that means....he'll carry it down and tell me to call him after it's done! lol jk, he's not that bad! Actually, he would probably do it all if I really wanted him to! But I wouldn't do that, afterall, it's his vacation too!

Stephanie

 

[MommyGina]

Oh darn, I'm staying in SL with no laundry room in that building. I guess that I won't have to do laundry for ONE ENTIRE WEEK!!!!

 

[garada3]

If I remember correctly, the washing machine in the main building is a front loading machine. Can the 3-in-1 laundry detergent sheets be used in those machines?

I believe the machines in the outer lodges are top-loading machines.

 

[6264EVER]

We are considering changing from TPV to TPV at GF in the Main Building. My DH is not big on spending the entire day at the parks. In the Main Building are there seating areas (away from the food offerings) where he can sit inside or outside? I found pictures of the seating areas where the food is set out, but not couches or TV's (what I considered a lounge) that some of the other resorts offered. I understand that these rooms are above Gasparilla's - do these have private balconies or one large balcony that wraps around the building.

Called today and TPV was available (listened to my fellow Dis'ers and kept calling) for our March stay. Now I need to decide on RPC.....

I also posted on the Club Level thread....

 

[Scott MC]

We are considering changing from TPV to TPV at GF in the Main Building. My DH is not big on spending the entire day at the parks. In the Main Building are there seating areas (away from the food offerings) where he can sit inside or outside? I found pictures of the seating areas where the food is set out, but not couches or TV's (what I considered a lounge) that some of the other resorts offered. I understand that these rooms are above Gasparilla's - do these have private balconies or one large balcony that wraps around the building.

Called today and TPV was available (listened to my fellow Dis'ers and kept calling) for our March stay. Now I need to decide on RPC.....

I also posted on the Club Level thread....

Absolutely! There are many seating areas near the food but not in front of it, and in addition, there are several decks to sit out on and enjoy the Grand view!

Enjoy RPC!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

momatater - thanks again! Glad I could help. Cute about your DH, at least he's saying he'll help, that means a lot.

garada3 - you are correct, the machine in the main building is a front loader. The soap they sell there is the same as every other laundry room, though, not the HE stuff I have to use at home, so I assume the 3-in-1 sheets would work - don't you just throw them in like a dryer sheet? Or, do you mean because there is no agitator? Hmmm, good question! Although, in my front loader, the clothes tumble so hard they turn inside out, lol.

MommyGina - That is a shame, isn't it?

6264EVER - yes, there are numerous seating areas in the main building, far more than any of the other club levels, in my opinion. I'll post some photos. As Scott MC mentioned, there is also a large balcony on the third floor. I think it is now the designated smoking area, but we rarely saw anyone out there in 8 days in May, and we could see it very well from our room. I think I have some photos of that as well.

The TPV main building rooms have their own balconies, I'll post a photo that illustrates that point. Um, let's see, oh! So glad to hear you were able to get a TPV room, good luck on your RPC decision. It's a tough one, I know, the rates are pretty high. Hopefully, they'll still have those wonderful discounts next year, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Seating area with TV, next to food service area on fourth floor:

Same seating, from an angle, the food service area is on the other side of the half wall:

Tables behind the couches and TV, with children's area:

Tables that wrap around the lobby atrium, looking out to the courtyard:

Pretty seating area on the fifth floor, right above the lounge:

And if nothing else appeals, there are numerous comfy couches and chairs in the lobby, a short elevator ride away:

Third floor balcony:

Looking over the marina, directly at the RPC rooms over Gasparilla's, you can see individual balconies:

 

[MommyGina]

Did I do something wrong? Yesterday was our 10 day mark from checking in to the GF (still keeping our fingers crossed). As in the past, I did on-line check-in. I read over on the Concierge thread that if you are staying at CL, do NOT do on-line check-in. Last year we were upgraded to CL and I did check-in on-line (not knowing we were in CL). Why shouldn't I have done this? What can go wrong? Should I call the GF or my TA?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Don't worry about it, you didn't do anything wrong. You CAN do online checkin for CL, but since you get a personalized check in, it doesn't really gain you anything. Well, I know some guests who've done it even with CL, and they say that their room is always ready when they check in, so that's a plus.

I have asked IPO about this very thing several times, and this is what they have always responded - that you can do it, if you like, but it's really not necessary. No worries!

And, btw - 9 days!

 

[PrincessLilly]

Hi!
I was wondering if someone knows how much valet parking is at the GF?

Thank you!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Valet parking is now $12/day, plus tips. ETA: you are not required to tip, btw, but we like to give the kids $2 each time they fetch our car.

 

[PrincessLilly]

Valet parking is now $12/day, plus tips.

Thank you very much!

Would anyone know what the suggested tip amount is (i'm not sure if there is a certain percent, never used valet parking before)?

If we are checking in, i'm not sure we want to park our car in the self-serve parking lot 'across the street' and lug all of our luggage to the main lobby. It might just be easier to use valet parking.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

If you prefer to self-park, you can go up to the porte-cochere, drop your luggage and family members, go park and walk back to join them. You don't have to schlep your luggage from the parking lot, lol.

There is no requirement to tip for valet parking, and I'm not aware of a suggested percentage (% of what? that would be hard to determine). I give them a couple dollars every time we exchange keys; if I only have $1 in cash, then I only give $1, no biggie. They appreciate anything you give them.

 

[BamaTigger]

We just give 1.00 when we need it...when we check out we give 5.00...but that's when they put our luggage in....we have a lot of stuff to lug in the car when we leave! Poor guys have to figure out how to smoosh everything in the trunk! LOL!

 

[Iceman13]

Is there somewhere where I can see various pictures around the Sugar Loaf Club? This is our first stay at the GF and we are very excited.

 

[ohhaieeyore]

I was considering the GF for our first trip to WDW, and it's for our honeymoon.

However, one thing is putting me off - the rooms. They look nice, but I've stayed in nicer hotel rooms for that amount of money. Whilst the main building looks beautiful, how is it to stay in one of the other buildings?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Iceman13 - go to page 10 of this thread, scroll to post #142, minniesota has posted some photos of the SL building. There are more on the photo thread, I think, you'll have to scroll through the pages. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1768829

ohhaieeyore - Welcome! we've stayed in all of the outer buildings of the GF except Sago Cay, and found them all to be very convenient. The room decor is the same everywhere.

While it is true that there are more luxurious rooms in various resorts around the country and the world, the price structure is built more around the location. It's pretty hard to beat being 2 minutes away from the MK, or just a few more to the various other MK resorts for shopping, dining, recreation.

 

[BamaTigger]

I was considering the GF for our first trip to WDW, and it's for our honeymoon.

However, one thing is putting me off - the rooms. They look nice, but I've stayed in nicer hotel rooms for that amount of money. Whilst the main building looks beautiful, how is it to stay in one of the other buildings?

Iceman13 - go to page 10 of this thread, scroll to post #142, minniesota has posted some photos of the SL building. There are more on the photo thread, I think, you'll have to scroll through the pages. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1768829

ohhaieeyore - Welcome! we've stayed in all of the outer buildings of the GF except Sago Cay, and found them all to be very convenient. The room decor is the same everywhere.

While it is true that there are more luxurious rooms in various resorts around the country and the world, the price structure is built more around the location. It's pretty hard to beat being 2 minutes away from the MK, or just a few more to the various other MK resorts for shopping, dining, recreation.

We have stayed in SL, Big Pine Key, Sago Cay, Boca Chica and the main building. The rooms are the same depending on size of bed. They are beautiful rooms.
But k&a&c'smom said it best about being 2 minutes away from the MK! LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! As well as all of the GF's many amenities and its beautiful splendor! You will pay a higher price....but its all worth it! Hope you decide to give it a try....if you do you will be hooked!

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

We have stayed in SL, Big Pine Key, Sago Cay, Boca Chica and the main building. The rooms are the same depending on size of bed. They are beautiful rooms.
But k&a&c'smom said it best about being 2 minutes away from the MK! LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! As well as all of the GF's many amenities and its beautiful splendor! You will pay a higher price....but its all worth it! Hope you decide to give it a try....if you do you will be hooked!

I have to agree with you on this....we have stayed many, many places and at quite a few WDW resorts. We were reluctant to stay at the GF our first time since it was more money and I felt we may not fit in. Was I ever wrong!!! It is our favorite resort by far...even my two teenage children love it and say it's their favorite. It is just a wonderful experience. We had such a great time at the GF that we are taking my parents with us this trip so that they can enjoy it as much as we do. You know that saying "try it..you'll like it".....well "try it....you'll love it!"

 

[k&a&c'smom]

lulu - What a kind statement, I don't know what to say! I don't think I'm being humble at all, btw, everyone on the thread contributes, it's a group effort.

We had a lot of fun when we were in the World together, good times.

Three days to go - I'll bet you and your family are about to burst with excitement!:

BamaTigger and Donald & Daisy Duck, I couldn't agree more. The resort is simply gorgeous, beauty everywhere you look, it's hard not to fall in love with it.