Sorry...Very Long!
I usually write my trip reports on the plane on the way home but my houseguests arrived for the holidays the day after I got back from Disney so I have been a little busy. Anyway, my mom and I finally made it to Disney. I have been several times but she has only been once and she stayed offsite. I decided to treat her to a pre-xmas trip to Disney. We spent the first 2 nights at the BC and then the last 2 nights at GF. I have never stayed at either before nor have I been to Disney at xmas time so we were so excited. Here is my review.
Unfortunately, there were a few disappointments but we did have a good time. I think that the over planning has caught up with me as things just didnt live up to the expectations I had. We caught an early flight to Florida and arrived at the airport around 9:30 AM. We got to ME with no problem and they put us on a bus about to leave so we headed out after only 5-10 minutes. Got to BC and checked in. I didnt like the person that checked us in at all. At first I thought I was being picky and that I just got used to the care that they take of me over at Universal but then I remembered all of my other Disney trips and realized that it was this person. She gave us our room keys and a phone number to call later for our room number. AND THAT WAS IT???? I stood there probably with this dumb look on my face and eventually walked away. Minutes later I awoke and thought wait a minute! Where is my map of the resort, where is my park stuff, where is MY STUFF. I have always gotten things at check in so I guess that it bothered me. I chalked it up to that person not being good at her job and didnt let it spoil my day. We used the walkway to Epcot and toured all the countries in search of the storytellers. Most of them were really cute. We ate lunch in Morocco before heading back to the resort. We went to our room. I just got a standard room at BC as GF was costing so much. The room was nice and our luggage was waiting. We only had to call down for our carryons that we stored. We freshened up and headed back to Epcot where we had the CP dinner package booked. Lou Diamond Phillips was our narrator and besides looking gorgeous, he was amazing. The entire show was amazing. The only drawback was that we ended up in the back anyway. We headed to Epcot in what I thought was enough time but there were so many family members of the choir that we got pushed back. I guess that they booked the package too! We had dinner at Rose & Crown which was good and called it a night.
Day 2
We got up early and headed to MGM to catch a couple of rides and then back to Epcot to finish up the countries. We tried a third time to get on Soarin but no luck L. We had lunch in China this time. I think by the end of the trip we ended up eating in most of the countries J. We headed back to the room early to rest and our housekeeper left us a little towel animal on the vanity and lots and lots of coffee and washcloths. I guess that our tip and request for more coffee did the trick. We had MVMCP at 7:00 so we headed to MKG. My favorite part was the snow on main street. Unfortunately, the parade was built up so much in my mind from the television specials showing it that I was really disappointed. There were so many people there and it really was just a chore after awhile. They didnt have the photo places well marked and no one was directing traffic and it took us awhile to find someone who knew where it was. I have to admit the fireworks were spectacular but I dont think that I will attend the party again.
Day 3
We called down to bell services and told them that we were transferring over to GF and they came up to get our luggage. We had express checkout so we headed over to GF to check in before heading over to AK. The check in person at GF was terrific. It was 9:30 in the morning and she was so energetic. I got a huge welcome packet and the whole switching resort thing was a little confusing for her but she finally figured out what we were doing. I had requested Conch Key and she confirmed that I got it but the room wasnt ready. She sent us to guest services to have our remaining park days transferred to our new keys and then we hit the food court for breakfast. My mom had never been to AK before so she was excited about that. Unfortunately the weather got a little colder and rainy so the animals werent cooperating but we still had a fun day. I had called several times to find out our room number but couldnt get through. Finally, cold, tired, and wet, we headed back to GF. The lobby was packed with people and we got in line at guest services. It was now 4:30 and I was told that my room still wasnt ready. I kept my cool and patience while they called around to find out and the cast member that I was dealing with was very nice and apologetic. Finally after asking me to wait, we discovered that the person in our room had a late checkout and when they went to clean the room, the person was still there. She began stalling a bit and had the building manager check to see if the room had been cleaned so that they could release it. She asked me to come back. I gave them till 5:30 and you guessed it .THE ROOM STILL WASNT READY!. I informed her that we had dinner reservations at AKL and that we had to be leaving soon. I was definitely not happy about having to go to dinner with our packages and drenched clothing. I was also hoping that they didnt switch our rooms as I had a feeling that we had a good one. As I was thinking this, the cast member said, I am so sorry, we do have other rooms available now but you do not want me to move you. You have an amazing room and view and BELIEVE ME you do not want me to move you. I agreed and waited a little while longer. Finally, she discovered that they hadnt cleaned the room and was again very apologetic. They told me to check after dinner! The hotel offered to either pick up our dinner tab that evening or give me half off the nights rate. As we were eating a cheap dinner at Boma, I quickly took the discount on the room. We headed over to AKL for dinner which by the way was amazing. We got back to GF at 9:30 and finally got into our room around 10pm. To my disappointment and surprise, our bags were not waiting in the room. And the room reeked of smoke. I have bad allergies and had requested non-smoking. We were in a non-smoking room but unfortunately the previous guest smoked. Now that I think of it, that is probably what was taking so long to release the room. It was only really bad when the heat was up and I was tired so we dealt with it. Called bell services for our luggage and when he came, he too couldnt believe that we were just getting into our room. He offered to get ice and noted that we didnt even have an ice bag. Got us ice but we never did get a bag the whole trip. Opened the closet and we only had one robe so had to call down for another. I stepped out onto the balcony and the guest services cast member was right. THE VIEW WAS AMAZING. We had a dead on, clear center, unobstructed view of Cinderellas castle. Unfortunately it was so foggy that we never got to see any of the fireworks but it was still a pretty view in the mornings.
Day 4
We had breakfast at GF Café We love this place and had a leisure morning. The lobby was still packed with people. We headed to Epcot to try Soarin again but at 11 AM, then next fast pass was for 5:30 pm. We got them but never made it back there. We headed back to GF to drop some stuff off at 3:30 and our room still wasnt cleaned. Totally unacceptable to me. Nothing bothers me more than having to wait this long for clean towels and a made bed. Especially at these prices. Correct that, it bothers me no matter how much I am paying. Being the person that I am, I shrugged it off and headed back out to MKG to hit a few rides. My mom was exhausted by this point so we headed back to the hotel around 5:00. Thank goodness the room was cleaned. I guess you could call it that. The room wasnt really clean. We had only half of our washcloths, still no ice bag but and ice bucket full of water, trash on the table, candy (not ours) on the floor and no new toiletries. It was a big disappointment. We packed and went down to the food court and brought dinner and dessert back to the room to await the fireworks. When we returned, guest services had sent us the edible box of chocolate with GF painted on top with the chocolate crown and roses. It was really beautiful. I guess still part of their apology for the long wait on day 1.
Day 5
We checked out and took our bags ourselves to bell services. After our experience with housekeeping, I didnt trust that we would be waiting a long time for them to come so I just took them over. We wanted to get to MKG for opening so we grabbed a quick bite and headed to the monorail. My mom really enjoyed the welcome show by the characters. We hit a couple shows and then just finished our xmas shopping before heading back to GF to wait for our shuttle.
Recap
We had fun like I said but did have a few disappointments. While I loved the BC rooms, the hotel staff wasnt that friendly and the hotel was really deserted at this time of year unlike GF that was way too crowded. GF is a beautiful hotel but I will NEVER, NEVER go there at xmas time again! The crowds made it way too crowded. I never got anything from the gingerbread house. In fact, I had to get there really early one morning just to get a photo without people in it. People just flocked there for the tree, gingerbread house, bell performance, etc. and you just couldnt enjoy it. We avoided the lobby like the plague. I do believe after reading what amazing times others have had there that our experience must have been a result of them being at capacity and I will try them again at some other time of the year.
ANY QUESTIONS!
I usually write my trip reports on the plane on the way home but my houseguests arrived for the holidays the day after I got back from Disney so I have been a little busy. Anyway, my mom and I finally made it to Disney. I have been several times but she has only been once and she stayed offsite. I decided to treat her to a pre-xmas trip to Disney. We spent the first 2 nights at the BC and then the last 2 nights at GF. I have never stayed at either before nor have I been to Disney at xmas time so we were so excited. Here is my review.
Unfortunately, there were a few disappointments but we did have a good time. I think that the over planning has caught up with me as things just didnt live up to the expectations I had. We caught an early flight to Florida and arrived at the airport around 9:30 AM. We got to ME with no problem and they put us on a bus about to leave so we headed out after only 5-10 minutes. Got to BC and checked in. I didnt like the person that checked us in at all. At first I thought I was being picky and that I just got used to the care that they take of me over at Universal but then I remembered all of my other Disney trips and realized that it was this person. She gave us our room keys and a phone number to call later for our room number. AND THAT WAS IT???? I stood there probably with this dumb look on my face and eventually walked away. Minutes later I awoke and thought wait a minute! Where is my map of the resort, where is my park stuff, where is MY STUFF. I have always gotten things at check in so I guess that it bothered me. I chalked it up to that person not being good at her job and didnt let it spoil my day. We used the walkway to Epcot and toured all the countries in search of the storytellers. Most of them were really cute. We ate lunch in Morocco before heading back to the resort. We went to our room. I just got a standard room at BC as GF was costing so much. The room was nice and our luggage was waiting. We only had to call down for our carryons that we stored. We freshened up and headed back to Epcot where we had the CP dinner package booked. Lou Diamond Phillips was our narrator and besides looking gorgeous, he was amazing. The entire show was amazing. The only drawback was that we ended up in the back anyway. We headed to Epcot in what I thought was enough time but there were so many family members of the choir that we got pushed back. I guess that they booked the package too! We had dinner at Rose & Crown which was good and called it a night.
Day 2
We got up early and headed to MGM to catch a couple of rides and then back to Epcot to finish up the countries. We tried a third time to get on Soarin but no luck L. We had lunch in China this time. I think by the end of the trip we ended up eating in most of the countries J. We headed back to the room early to rest and our housekeeper left us a little towel animal on the vanity and lots and lots of coffee and washcloths. I guess that our tip and request for more coffee did the trick. We had MVMCP at 7:00 so we headed to MKG. My favorite part was the snow on main street. Unfortunately, the parade was built up so much in my mind from the television specials showing it that I was really disappointed. There were so many people there and it really was just a chore after awhile. They didnt have the photo places well marked and no one was directing traffic and it took us awhile to find someone who knew where it was. I have to admit the fireworks were spectacular but I dont think that I will attend the party again.
Day 3
We called down to bell services and told them that we were transferring over to GF and they came up to get our luggage. We had express checkout so we headed over to GF to check in before heading over to AK. The check in person at GF was terrific. It was 9:30 in the morning and she was so energetic. I got a huge welcome packet and the whole switching resort thing was a little confusing for her but she finally figured out what we were doing. I had requested Conch Key and she confirmed that I got it but the room wasnt ready. She sent us to guest services to have our remaining park days transferred to our new keys and then we hit the food court for breakfast. My mom had never been to AK before so she was excited about that. Unfortunately the weather got a little colder and rainy so the animals werent cooperating but we still had a fun day. I had called several times to find out our room number but couldnt get through. Finally, cold, tired, and wet, we headed back to GF. The lobby was packed with people and we got in line at guest services. It was now 4:30 and I was told that my room still wasnt ready. I kept my cool and patience while they called around to find out and the cast member that I was dealing with was very nice and apologetic. Finally after asking me to wait, we discovered that the person in our room had a late checkout and when they went to clean the room, the person was still there. She began stalling a bit and had the building manager check to see if the room had been cleaned so that they could release it. She asked me to come back. I gave them till 5:30 and you guessed it .THE ROOM STILL WASNT READY!. I informed her that we had dinner reservations at AKL and that we had to be leaving soon. I was definitely not happy about having to go to dinner with our packages and drenched clothing. I was also hoping that they didnt switch our rooms as I had a feeling that we had a good one. As I was thinking this, the cast member said, I am so sorry, we do have other rooms available now but you do not want me to move you. You have an amazing room and view and BELIEVE ME you do not want me to move you. I agreed and waited a little while longer. Finally, she discovered that they hadnt cleaned the room and was again very apologetic. They told me to check after dinner! The hotel offered to either pick up our dinner tab that evening or give me half off the nights rate. As we were eating a cheap dinner at Boma, I quickly took the discount on the room. We headed over to AKL for dinner which by the way was amazing. We got back to GF at 9:30 and finally got into our room around 10pm. To my disappointment and surprise, our bags were not waiting in the room. And the room reeked of smoke. I have bad allergies and had requested non-smoking. We were in a non-smoking room but unfortunately the previous guest smoked. Now that I think of it, that is probably what was taking so long to release the room. It was only really bad when the heat was up and I was tired so we dealt with it. Called bell services for our luggage and when he came, he too couldnt believe that we were just getting into our room. He offered to get ice and noted that we didnt even have an ice bag. Got us ice but we never did get a bag the whole trip. Opened the closet and we only had one robe so had to call down for another. I stepped out onto the balcony and the guest services cast member was right. THE VIEW WAS AMAZING. We had a dead on, clear center, unobstructed view of Cinderellas castle. Unfortunately it was so foggy that we never got to see any of the fireworks but it was still a pretty view in the mornings.
Day 4
We had breakfast at GF Café We love this place and had a leisure morning. The lobby was still packed with people. We headed to Epcot to try Soarin again but at 11 AM, then next fast pass was for 5:30 pm. We got them but never made it back there. We headed back to GF to drop some stuff off at 3:30 and our room still wasnt cleaned. Totally unacceptable to me. Nothing bothers me more than having to wait this long for clean towels and a made bed. Especially at these prices. Correct that, it bothers me no matter how much I am paying. Being the person that I am, I shrugged it off and headed back out to MKG to hit a few rides. My mom was exhausted by this point so we headed back to the hotel around 5:00. Thank goodness the room was cleaned. I guess you could call it that. The room wasnt really clean. We had only half of our washcloths, still no ice bag but and ice bucket full of water, trash on the table, candy (not ours) on the floor and no new toiletries. It was a big disappointment. We packed and went down to the food court and brought dinner and dessert back to the room to await the fireworks. When we returned, guest services had sent us the edible box of chocolate with GF painted on top with the chocolate crown and roses. It was really beautiful. I guess still part of their apology for the long wait on day 1.
Day 5
We checked out and took our bags ourselves to bell services. After our experience with housekeeping, I didnt trust that we would be waiting a long time for them to come so I just took them over. We wanted to get to MKG for opening so we grabbed a quick bite and headed to the monorail. My mom really enjoyed the welcome show by the characters. We hit a couple shows and then just finished our xmas shopping before heading back to GF to wait for our shuttle.
Recap
We had fun like I said but did have a few disappointments. While I loved the BC rooms, the hotel staff wasnt that friendly and the hotel was really deserted at this time of year unlike GF that was way too crowded. GF is a beautiful hotel but I will NEVER, NEVER go there at xmas time again! The crowds made it way too crowded. I never got anything from the gingerbread house. In fact, I had to get there really early one morning just to get a photo without people in it. People just flocked there for the tree, gingerbread house, bell performance, etc. and you just couldnt enjoy it. We avoided the lobby like the plague. I do believe after reading what amazing times others have had there that our experience must have been a result of them being at capacity and I will try them again at some other time of the year.
ANY QUESTIONS!
