Just back from the Grand Floridian, Sugar Loaf Concierge, and am exhausted, but can make a short post now and add to it later. Clarke and the others in planning were all that I could have asked before going, giving freely of their time (in Clarkes case about an hour and a quarter altogether through planning ressies and events, and with questions, and perhaps 20 minutes more with others). When we arrived we were met by one of the concierge who took us to the Sugar Loaf lounge area. At that time they were into the afternoon snacks (I know, everyone seems to want to know of these though they are only a small part of the service and the reason to come), I believe that a chicken slice with a red pepper stuffing as well as some duck dish that I was told by my travelling companion was quite good. And btw, no paper plates here, marble serving areas and tables, silver plate coffee, tea, and beverage containers (and I think silverware too) as well as simple white ceramic dishes and glassware. The SL building was only half full, and for that matter the parks were very uncrowded all week, which meant that we could arrive at the parks at 9 am, ride all there was to ride and be done often by 1 p.m. heading back to relax, my companion for a nap, me to settle in the lounge, a bit to read, and some lemonade, iced tea, hot tea, and snacks. BTW, the snacks, never ran out, were of high quality and none took advantage, they really are just snacks albeit very very nice ones (the hot fresh made cranberry scones were especially nice with jam and jellies). That said, even just snacking took its toll, I have never been so full, and that was with most days only one big meal usually dinner, I am just not used to that snacking after a big breakfast. But you will be tempted, the three humus dishes (black olive and red pepper were two) on the home made crackers were especially nice. And sitting in a lounge with classical music playing in the background, or Disney music, and more staff waiting for any need that you would have than there were guests in the lounge was very nice. The seating was mostly either small tables (green marble top, iron bottoms, like in a French café) or small seating areas with tapestry covered couches and a couple of highback chairs, a large patterned rug in the area. Very elegant, and much in line with what you see in the lobby of the GF proper.
Back to the half full SL building, and uncrowded overall Disney and GF in particular, we did enquire on how much it would be to upgrade to RPC, $121 a night, the rack difference, while we were hoping for the $70 a night we had once seen briefly while making reservations through expedia (and missed, gone by the time we decided on it), despite celebrating a birthday and an engagement, so do not expect an upgrade without paying full price though some of you may get lucky. That said, we did not regret a moment settling for SL, it was magical.
Now for some of the magic, one day My SO decided that she wished lunch at England (the Rose and Crown) . . .about 45 minutes from that decision time, we were in MGM, so called the GF, got connected to the concierge, and they looked, and got a ressie, when we arrived it was full people waiting . . .a small thing but impressed me none the less. More impressive, I planned dinner and Victoria and Alberts, and giving a ring there to My SO . . .but upon arriving I asked if the chefs table could be arranged, they said if there was a cancellation . . .sure enough there was and we had to have been moved way to the top of the list, so they actually did get us the chefs table at V&A . . . and the ring was presented as an extra desert under a silver dome with rose petals all about it . . . totally flooring the one I asked (she did say yes). . . .and then totally surprising me, when we got back to the room there were rose petals leading to the bed, hearts about and rose petals forming hearts on the bed with congratulations there . . . My fiancé was looking to see what would happen next, and it was an amazing evening . . . all planned without even me knowing by the concierges.
As an aside and our take on the various comparisons I have seen on the board here, we did eat at Konas in the Polynesian (very nice meal there and as expected wonderful coffee) and looked about the place. I know how many are fans, and we did not see the concierge area, but the hotel itself just seemed to need that updating that people are talking of, it was a bit dated to both of us, and much much less of the wow factor, and face it at $500 a night on up there should be more wow. I am not sure if we are in the minority here but we both agreed that we would have been much less happy had we chosen there when the costs were so similar.
I can give more thoughts, and we have pictures of all the above including pictures of the chefs table at V&A, and each meal that they prepared, including that ring one, if I can figure out how to download them to some webspace. That is a job for another night though.
Back to the half full SL building, and uncrowded overall Disney and GF in particular, we did enquire on how much it would be to upgrade to RPC, $121 a night, the rack difference, while we were hoping for the $70 a night we had once seen briefly while making reservations through expedia (and missed, gone by the time we decided on it), despite celebrating a birthday and an engagement, so do not expect an upgrade without paying full price though some of you may get lucky. That said, we did not regret a moment settling for SL, it was magical.
Now for some of the magic, one day My SO decided that she wished lunch at England (the Rose and Crown) . . .about 45 minutes from that decision time, we were in MGM, so called the GF, got connected to the concierge, and they looked, and got a ressie, when we arrived it was full people waiting . . .a small thing but impressed me none the less. More impressive, I planned dinner and Victoria and Alberts, and giving a ring there to My SO . . .but upon arriving I asked if the chefs table could be arranged, they said if there was a cancellation . . .sure enough there was and we had to have been moved way to the top of the list, so they actually did get us the chefs table at V&A . . . and the ring was presented as an extra desert under a silver dome with rose petals all about it . . . totally flooring the one I asked (she did say yes). . . .and then totally surprising me, when we got back to the room there were rose petals leading to the bed, hearts about and rose petals forming hearts on the bed with congratulations there . . . My fiancé was looking to see what would happen next, and it was an amazing evening . . . all planned without even me knowing by the concierges.
As an aside and our take on the various comparisons I have seen on the board here, we did eat at Konas in the Polynesian (very nice meal there and as expected wonderful coffee) and looked about the place. I know how many are fans, and we did not see the concierge area, but the hotel itself just seemed to need that updating that people are talking of, it was a bit dated to both of us, and much much less of the wow factor, and face it at $500 a night on up there should be more wow. I am not sure if we are in the minority here but we both agreed that we would have been much less happy had we chosen there when the costs were so similar.
I can give more thoughts, and we have pictures of all the above including pictures of the chefs table at V&A, and each meal that they prepared, including that ring one, if I can figure out how to download them to some webspace. That is a job for another night though.
