The Murphys are LIVE from the BC and GF!!! July 25-August 3, 2015

[francie]

hello, i was glad to see you mentioned your review of the boathouse coming up. did you notice if the "autoboats' or cruises from their dock operating yet? tia, francie

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

hello, i was glad to see you mentioned your review of the boathouse coming up. did you notice if the "autoboats' or cruises from their dock operating yet? tia, francie

Oops! I almost forgot! Yes, the amphicars are operating and they do offer a discount off the price if you have lunch at the Boathouse that's over $50. I took some photos.

Our reservation was for 8:00 pm but we arrived at 7:30 and they were able to seat us right away. As you first enter the restaurant you're in the bar, then you cross into the dining rooms.

Boat table!

We were in the first dining room and there was also outdoor seating available if we would have wanted it.

The other dining room behind ours seems a bit different in theme, we liked this one because of the boats on the ceiling.

Large menu, great for seafood lovers!


I had the crab stuffed lobster and I thought it was very good.

Nic had a NY strip steak with the whole lobster add-on:

We thought it was supposed to come with a side of asparagus, we don't know if they forgot to bring it or if the steak is served a la carte.

Connor had a burger which I didn't take a pic of. We all thought the food was good. I wouldn't say spectacular, but good. The restaurant has a nice theme and our waiter was very nice. I used my AP for a 10% discount.

I would return again because the lady sitting at the table next to us had a fantastic looking lobster roll.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

The bridge between Rainforest Cafe and Fulton's is now open:

Slowly making progress down there! I will be so glad when it's done!

Definitely excited for the Hangar!!!!

 

[wdwfan]

Honestly I don't like to complain, but when we arrived at the BC nobody greeted us. We went to the elevator and up to the club level... I approached the desk and told them we had just arrived and had received our room # through text. I was given no welcome, no packet, no drink, zip. The kids and I went into the lounge to grab some water and as we exited I overheard a castmember ask the desk CM if the Murphy party had arrived. I said "that's us". They all gave us the deer in the headlights look and couldn't explain why we hadn't been greeted downstairs or upstairs for that matter. Just a crappy way to arrive honestly. I was already annoyed because of our room assignment and this sure didn't make me feel any better.
This morning when we left we walked right past the desks with all our luggage (obviously leaving) and 3 castmembers standing there said nothing. Not a word. When we got to the elevator I turned back to them and said "Goodbye!!" Neil was the only one to respond and said goodbye. He's a nice guy but I got the feeling there's some ******* going on between the CMs. Some sort of tension that results in guests being ignored. I could tell ten more stories but we are headed to Peter Pan so I will have to write back more later.

I have to chime in my own arriving and departing experience last year at Yacht Club. Very similar indeed. Taken upstairs by CM with the ipad to find since the staff was busy with others checking in, I was checked in via Ipad and not, in my opinion, given a proper welcome since it was done sort of piece meal with an ipad, and of course no welcome drink..that was my check-in in club level. My stay was still good, but hindered with the Disney club-level cut-backs - and those of us who've stayed Disney club know what that is. My departure was just like yours...walk past the cm's working the desk, they're all talking to each other, and my family and I pass rolling our suitcases, and not one good-bye until I say good-bye first. At that point I knew I would give club level a rest for awhile. I don't like complaining either, but it's just my experience.

 

[francie]

thanks for the info and especially the great pics. so helpful!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Forgot to say how much I loved ur Four Seasons update!! Looks amazing!

Wonder if I could drag myself away from Disney owned to try it??

Are you going to stay there in the future?

We are staying in a suite this Sunday night! I'm so excited!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I have to chime in my own arriving and departing experience last year at Yacht Club. Very similar indeed. Taken upstairs by CM with the ipad to find since the staff was busy with others checking in, I was checked in via Ipad and not, in my opinion, given a proper welcome since it was done sort of piece meal with an ipad...that was my check-in in club level. My stay was still good, but hindered with the Disney club cut-backs - and those of us who've stayed Disney club know what that is. My departure was just like yours...walk past the cm's working the desk, they're all talking to each other, and my family and I pass rolling our suitcases, and not one good-bye until I say good-bye first. At that point I knew I would give club level a rest for awhile. I don't like complaining either, but it's just my experience.

I'm sure it was just an oversight, we were part of a large ME bus full of folks getting off at the BC. I did see one CM with an iPad greeting another family who got off the bus before us (we were sitting in the back). If we would have been first off the bus then I'm sure he would have greeted us. Maybe when they are expecting multiple club level families on the same bus they should have additional CMs with iPads to greet them all.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

After a short rest we headed to MK today we had fastpasses for Space Mountain, Peter Pan, and SDMT. I texted for a 4th fastpass and we did Under the Sea. We have definitely enjoyed the texting service this week, it's a great way to get additional fastpasses without needing to go to the kiosk. It's also nice because your 4th fastpass can be at a different park. One day we were at the Studios, used our 3 fastpasses, then texted for a 4th fastpass in Epcot. Very easy and a huge time saver!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

When we returned from MK we had a welcome gift and a birthday gift

Also turndown chocolates:

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We went down and looked over the evening appetizers quickly, but didn't have any because we have a big dinner at Teppen Edo tonight. They had two hot items (meatballs and spinach pastry) also several cold items, watermelon salad, tuna pickup and another salad. Also a kids area with uncrustables, goldfish, gummy bears, rice krispy treats, a couple of other things I can't recall. Beer and wine was being served from a cart and poured by a castmember. There seemed to be plenty of seating available, there were a few kids sitting at the TV. I'll try to get some pictures when we go back out.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

MK today:

A wild ride on SDMT sitting in the last car!

Caprese flatbread from Pinocchio's for lunch (really yummy!)

Back to Sugarloaf:

The main building just a short walk away:

Furnishings as you enter SL building:

 

[erinkristen04]

I'm getting nervous reading these posts. I'm staying club level for the service, I'm very sad to hear the service is not there

Me too!! Can't believe how inconsistent it seems to be... I'm fine with not getting checked in at a desk and via an ipad, but gosh darn I want to be greeted when we walk in to the lobby and I want to sip on some welcome drinks while I stand there with the CM thumbing through the ipad haha!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Gosh, sorry to hear about the CM's. We had 3 CM's that were outstanding over Easter week, but the rest were all business. One lady in particular was very grumpy and not friendly at all, i.e. very unapproachable, and she was working the desk and also the alcohol service (not great spots for her....).

As a side note, we did not originally get the welcome drink either. We were sitting in the lounge when I noticed a very bubbly/smiley CM (Jen) bringing out a tray of welcome drinks and she must've noticed my drool (lol) because she immediately approached our table afterward and asked if we received our welcome drinks and said she'd bring them right out. So...at least we did get them, but it still wasn't as special as when offered the drinks right when arriving.

Enjoy your GF stay -- I'll still be following along! And of course I'm mesmerized by your pictures and review of 4 Seasons, so I'll be following along for that stay as well! Happy bday to your son -- maybe GF will do a little something special. Hope the sick bug is gone!

Oh, did you use the texting/4th FP service? Just curious as to how it went.

He is feeling OK, he's got a cold But he's been a trooper so far today. I'm not sure how late we'll last at the EMH tonight at Epcot. We've got Teppen Edo for dinner first then we'll see how the night goes.

LOVE the texting service for 4th fastpass!

 

[wdwfan]

I'm sure it was just an oversight, we were part of a large ME bus full of folks getting off at the BC. I did see one CM with an iPad greeting another family who got off the bus before us (we were sitting in the back). If we would have been first off the bus then I'm sure he would have greeted us. Maybe when they are expecting multiple club level families on the same bus they should have additional CMs with iPads to greet them all.

I agree that it's an oversight, not something done purposely, however, it can leave an impression, and they're in the service business so it is their job to know this. I agree with your suggestion for solving this problem. Seems simple enough. No more griping from me. Promise!! Despite the setbacks in service, I still love Disney!! I've decided to cut back on staying Club until the service improves. So far I think Grand Floridian is doing very well! I hope you continue to enjoy your stay!! I'm keeping up with your report and thinking about splitting my next WDW stay between Beach Club, standard stay, and Grand Floridian Sugar Loaf.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Me too!! Can't believe how inconsistent it seems to be... I'm fine with not getting checked in at a desk and via an ipad, but gosh darn I want to be greeted when we walk in to the lobby and I want to sip on some welcome drinks while I stand there with the CM thumbing through the ipad haha!

The iPad is definitely what everyone is using now. These greeters/iPad castmembers are not club level staff. They greet you, check you in with the iPad, and then escort you to the club level CMs who then take over from there. That's when you'll get your packet, birthday buttons, and welcome drink. If you happen to arrive at the same time as multiple club level guests that's when you might run into a problem like we did. By the time we got off the bus the iPad guy was gone with another family. So that's why we were alone. Definitely not an ideal situation.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I agree that it's an oversight, not something done purposely, however, it can leave an impression, and they're in the service business so it is their job to know this. I agree with your suggestion for solving this problem. Seems simple enough. No more griping from me. Promise!! Despite the setbacks in service, I still love Disney!! I've decided to cut back on staying Club until the service improves. So far I think Grand Floridian is doing very well! I hope you continue to enjoy your stay!! I'm keeping up with your report and thinking about splitting my next WDW stay between Beach Club, standard stay, and Grand Floridian Sugar Loaf.

It seems we never get a club level that is firing on all cylinders. The BC CL lounge, food/beverage offerings, and decor is probably the best we've had in the last few years. But their staff is hit and miss. So far GF has had great staff interaction, we feel very welcome, and they've already brought a birthday item. But their lounge area isn't the best.

 

[wdwfan]

Quick questions about getting your 4th fast pass...Did the club CM's at both Beach Club and Grand Floridian make your 4th and beyond fast passes for you? Is this now a service at all clubs or just a few? Thanks!! I loved the welcome gifts and birthday gift to your son. First class! And very nice to be acknowledged.

 

[Disney before Sally]

MK and DTD did not look crowded at all. Did you ask your sons to block the masses while you took pictures?

Happy Birthday and two extra merry unbirthdays to you!

I hope the cold disappears for tonight at Epcot.

 

[2golftoday]

Wow, the GF room is gorgeous! Hope to stay there some day. . Hope your son is feeling better!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Quick questions about getting your 4th fast pass...Did the club CM's at both Beach Club and Grand Floridian make your 4th and beyond fast passes for you? Is this now a service at all clubs or just a few? Thanks!! I loved the welcome gifts and birthday gift to your son. First class! And very nice to be acknowledged.

Yes, the GF and BC are both offering the texting service. We have already used the service with both and it is very easy and convenient. However not all club levels are offering this.