Posts Tagged ‘Royal Palm Club’

Public Areas

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is probably best known for its magnificent lobby. Framed by more than 60 miles of fanciful, white-painted millwork, it soars five stories to a ceiling inset with intricate stained-glass domes.

It is a favorite destination of both resort guests and the visiting public who come to explore, take photographs, and pass the time.

Enormous floral arrangements lend their color and scent to the happy atmosphere.  Elaborate sofas with ornate cushions are an invitation to linger.  Bridal parties array themselves along the grand staircase for the photographs that will commemorate their magical Disney weddings.

Visitors can enjoy the shops and restaurants located on the first and second floors, commission a portrait, or relax and enjoy the sounds of the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.

Areas beyond the second floor of the Main Building are reserved for Concierge guests.  While not open to the general public, these floors do provide lovely shared spaces for those in Royal Palm accommodations.  The Royal Palm Club lounge on the fourth floor has wonderful views of the activity below and there are pleasant seating areas scattered throughout the top three floors, both inside, and on large exterior verandahs overlooking the grounds.  In Sugar Loaf Key, the small lobby of the ground floor has been transformed from the relatively open and empty area found in the other Keys to a pleasant, well-furnished lounge.

Guest Rooms

The Grand Floridian’s 867 guest rooms offer a variety of configurations and views; nearly twenty different categories are available.  Room types include the standard with two queen beds, many with a daybed which sleeps an additional guest; dormer rooms on the top floors of the lodge buildings which are slightly smaller with vaulted ceilings and enclosed balconies; lodge tower rooms with their semi-circular window bays and seating areas; several types of deluxe and king-bed rooms in the main building; and a variety of suites throughout the property.  Views may be of the gardens and manicured grounds, lagoon, pool or beach, marina, or the Magic Kingdom.  Garden, lagoon, and Magic Kingdom views can be reserved at varying rates.

Expect the usual amenities with the addition of robes, a keypad rather than keyed safe, upgraded bath amenities, turndown service, and numerous Private Dining options.

The “Garden View” can encompass anything from a view of the pool, a partial lagoon view, a room overlooking the marina, or a sweep of beautifully-manicured grounds.  For much less than the cost of the other rooms, you can still enjoy all the beauty that this lovely resort has to offer.

“Lagoon View” denotes a room that looks out over the Seven Seas Lagoon; choosing a “Theme Park View” guarantees that your lagoon vista also includes the Magic Kingdom with premier seating for the fireworks right from your own balcony.

It’s difficult to come by a bad view at the Grand Floridian but some views are only available from specific keys.  Sugar Loaf Key, for example, has both garden and marina views, while certain rooms at Sago and Conch Keys offer spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom.

Each newly-refurbished unit features soft pastel colors and light pine woodwork, with heavy draperies and padded cornices, lace undercurtains, comforters and bedskirts, daybed and accent pillows, all in crisp fabrics with floral motifs.   There are various combinations of tables and chairs, daybeds, sofas, benches and footstools, depending upon the room.  Most offer a split bathroom with marble-topped double sinks outside of a separate room containing the tub and toilet.

Some of the most interesting rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are the “deluxe” rooms.  Most are larger and inclusive of a sitting area and a wet bar; many also have interesting floor plans that depart from the typical hotel-room rectangle.  For a modest additional cost over a standard club-level room, they are a great value.

Guests have a choice of two different Concierge Level categories – Lodge and Royal Palm.  Many guests are unaware of this when selecting their rooms and are disappointed upon arrival to learn that they have booked a room that is located in Sugar Loaf Key rather than the Main Building.  Royal Palm is certainly the more indulgent of the two, with a substantially higher price.

There are also a range of suites.  All units on the fifth floor of the Main Building are suites, including some which can be combined to provide a large unit for bigger families and groups.  There are also suites located in the Keys including a number of “hospitality suites.”

As with all hotels around the world, there are more- and less-desirable rooms.  Turn to your Whimsical World Travel Concierge for guidance in choosing the best accommodations for your next visit.

#5 A Concierge Stay

Comparable to “club” in other deluxe hotels, and referred to as “concierge” for many years, this represents the elite level of accommodations at Disney resorts.  Having recently installed “concierge” desks in the lobbies of all the resorts to assist hotel guests, Disney is struggling with the nomenclature to set this service apart.  They have given names to all the concierge lounges and are attempting to make the transition from “concierge” to “club,” as in  Old Faithful Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.  Nonetheless, most guests still think of these rooms as concierge.  In each deluxe resort, most suites and a certain number of single rooms are designated concierge.  They may be located on certain floors, keyed sections of floors, or in specific buildings, and suites may be found throughout the properties, but they all share access to the concierge perks.

Those booking club-level rooms can anticipate certain extras:  food and beverage offerings several times each day in a private lounge area; separate check-in procedures; a dedicated concierge staff to assist with information, reservations, and myriad special requests.  Concierge guests may also take advantage of the pre-trip planning services available from the Itinerary Planning Office. An itinerary questionnaire is generally mailed a month or so before arrival.  They can be contacted by e-mail, phone or fax as soon as you have a confirmed reservation.

Although Disney is renowned for customer service, you can expect that to be taken to another level when you arrive as a concierge guest.  It is pampering, indulgent, and delightful.  All the lounges are extremely child-friendly and feature small furnishings, a separate television, and special food items especially for kids.  A family vacation at Walt Disney World is very demanding, and having the resources of concierge can be priceless.

Expect the benefits to be emotional rather than fiscal.  After a tiring arrival day, when most guests still face a wait in line to check in, concierge guests are greeted and whisked away to comfortable chairs and cool drinks, or sometimes escorted directly to their rooms, for a relaxed and hassle-free registration.  The push of a button from a room telephone will connect to a member of the concierge staff who will try his best to obtain tickets to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party, book a last-minute dining reservation, or give advice about park-closing hours or ordering a floral arrangement for a room.  Grabbing breakfast in the morning rather than spending the time in a restaurant offers the opportunity for the early start that’s so important in the parks.

Interestingly, each resort brings its own unique style to the concierge floor, and there are differences in service, food and beverages, extra amenities, and attitude.  Two resorts, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, have two different club levels and uninformed guests are sometimes disappointed upon arrival.  Your Whimsical World Travel Concierge is familiar with each and every program and can offer guidance in choosing the best one for your party.