outahere
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2002
- Messages
- 5,561
Although I really didn't want to, we stayed at the GF in the Sugar Loaf CL building last week (2/18 - 23). DW has always wanted to stay there, so we gave it a try. I know, I know... 20 lashes with a wet noodle for even thinking about not staying YC CL. 
No one greeted us when we arrived and we had to ask one of the CMs standing curbside how we went about checking in. Once she realized were staying CL, she was very nice and walked with us over to the SL building, pointing out different things as we went. When we arrived in the building, the CM at the desk handed her our check in packet (we did not do online check in) and she escorted us up to our room. Once she made sure everything was ok, she left and we headed back downstairs to the desk to set up the PIN code for charging to our KTTW cards. So far, so good, but no WOW factor here. Every time weve stayed CL at the YC, we were greeted by name and escorted up to check in. So, the score is YC 1, GF 0.
Our room was on a short hallway (4 rooms) on the top floor with a dormer balcony, a cathedral ceiling, two queen beds, desk, dresser and a chair with an ottoman. As the week progressed, we enjoyed a very quiet room (no connecting door probably helped). Maybe it was me, but the room didn't seem as big as the YC rooms we've stayed in, and I'm sure it would have seemed even smaller without the cathedral ceiling. However, Ill be fair and say that it was a comfortable room, so the score is YC 1, GF 1.
When we went to put water in the refrigerator, we discovered that it was full of open drinks in cups, bottles and cans along with left over food. Not good... We emptied the drinks in the sink and took out all the food. Next we attempted to put some things in the safe, only to discover that it was locked (key code electronic lock). So, we called housekeeping and, finally, 30 minutes later they sent someone up to take away the food and unlock the safe. We've only had one time where we had any room issues at the YC, but certainly not as bad as a refrigerator full of old food and drinks. Whoever the housekeeper was, prior to our check in, they did a really poor job. We did have one other housekeeping issue one day, when we went back to the room about 4:30 and found the beds stripped and all the dirty linens and towels in a bag in the bathroom. A call to housekeeping had a manager in our room within 5 minutes and two housekeepers a couple of minutes later. Our regular housekeeper (a different one than the day above, according to the manager) every other day, was excellent and probably the best one we've had at any WDW resort. Score... YC 2, GF 1.
Ok... lounge is next. The lounge at GF SL is much larger than the one at the YC. There are 12 tables with seating for four at each one, plus a couple of sofas. There is a kids area in the large hallway going out the back door towards the marina (small tables, chairs and a TV). The layout is kind of awkward because the door to the service area is right beside the drink station and the guests and CMs were constantly playing "dodge 'em". The breakfast food offerings were about the same as YC (pastries, fruit, oatmeal, etc.) but no hard-boiled eggs. However, the afternoon snacks were seriously lacking just cookies, with scones and tartlets at 2:30. No chips, pretzels or gummi treats like at the YC. They do have a small refrigerator full of sodas, like the YC. We weren't there many evenings, but I did see some items different from YC. Unfortunately, I don't recall exactly what they were, and didn't think to write them down, but I think they're listed on the GF FAQ thread here on the DIS. The desserts and cordials were about the same as YC. All in all, I have to give this one to the YC, especially because of the lack of afternoon snacks. Score... YC 3, GF 1.
Two more points about the lounge offerings, that I considered very poor... absolutely no bottled water, large or small, glass or plastic. When we asked, we were told that they don't do that there. And for the icing on the cake they completely take away all coffee and tea service at 10:00PM. DW loves a cup of decaf tea before bed, but its not going to happen at the SL lounge after 10:00. I didn't think to check if the soda refrigerator was locked as well. Score... YC 5, GF 1.
The CMs all over the resort were friendly, but we've found that to be true at the YC as well. No points for either one.
Overall, I have to say that our stay was just ok. I really expected GF CL to have more WOW, since it is supposed to be Disney's flagship resort. I have no way of knowing anything about RPC CL in the main building, but for almost $1000 a night for a standard room (regular price) I have no intentions of finding out. Now that we've stayed there we can say "been there, done that", but we wont be going back. The next time we stay CL, it will definitely be back at the YC!
Ed
No one greeted us when we arrived and we had to ask one of the CMs standing curbside how we went about checking in. Once she realized were staying CL, she was very nice and walked with us over to the SL building, pointing out different things as we went. When we arrived in the building, the CM at the desk handed her our check in packet (we did not do online check in) and she escorted us up to our room. Once she made sure everything was ok, she left and we headed back downstairs to the desk to set up the PIN code for charging to our KTTW cards. So far, so good, but no WOW factor here. Every time weve stayed CL at the YC, we were greeted by name and escorted up to check in. So, the score is YC 1, GF 0.
Our room was on a short hallway (4 rooms) on the top floor with a dormer balcony, a cathedral ceiling, two queen beds, desk, dresser and a chair with an ottoman. As the week progressed, we enjoyed a very quiet room (no connecting door probably helped). Maybe it was me, but the room didn't seem as big as the YC rooms we've stayed in, and I'm sure it would have seemed even smaller without the cathedral ceiling. However, Ill be fair and say that it was a comfortable room, so the score is YC 1, GF 1.
When we went to put water in the refrigerator, we discovered that it was full of open drinks in cups, bottles and cans along with left over food. Not good... We emptied the drinks in the sink and took out all the food. Next we attempted to put some things in the safe, only to discover that it was locked (key code electronic lock). So, we called housekeeping and, finally, 30 minutes later they sent someone up to take away the food and unlock the safe. We've only had one time where we had any room issues at the YC, but certainly not as bad as a refrigerator full of old food and drinks. Whoever the housekeeper was, prior to our check in, they did a really poor job. We did have one other housekeeping issue one day, when we went back to the room about 4:30 and found the beds stripped and all the dirty linens and towels in a bag in the bathroom. A call to housekeeping had a manager in our room within 5 minutes and two housekeepers a couple of minutes later. Our regular housekeeper (a different one than the day above, according to the manager) every other day, was excellent and probably the best one we've had at any WDW resort. Score... YC 2, GF 1.
Ok... lounge is next. The lounge at GF SL is much larger than the one at the YC. There are 12 tables with seating for four at each one, plus a couple of sofas. There is a kids area in the large hallway going out the back door towards the marina (small tables, chairs and a TV). The layout is kind of awkward because the door to the service area is right beside the drink station and the guests and CMs were constantly playing "dodge 'em". The breakfast food offerings were about the same as YC (pastries, fruit, oatmeal, etc.) but no hard-boiled eggs. However, the afternoon snacks were seriously lacking just cookies, with scones and tartlets at 2:30. No chips, pretzels or gummi treats like at the YC. They do have a small refrigerator full of sodas, like the YC. We weren't there many evenings, but I did see some items different from YC. Unfortunately, I don't recall exactly what they were, and didn't think to write them down, but I think they're listed on the GF FAQ thread here on the DIS. The desserts and cordials were about the same as YC. All in all, I have to give this one to the YC, especially because of the lack of afternoon snacks. Score... YC 3, GF 1.
Two more points about the lounge offerings, that I considered very poor... absolutely no bottled water, large or small, glass or plastic. When we asked, we were told that they don't do that there. And for the icing on the cake they completely take away all coffee and tea service at 10:00PM. DW loves a cup of decaf tea before bed, but its not going to happen at the SL lounge after 10:00. I didn't think to check if the soda refrigerator was locked as well. Score... YC 5, GF 1.
The CMs all over the resort were friendly, but we've found that to be true at the YC as well. No points for either one.
Overall, I have to say that our stay was just ok. I really expected GF CL to have more WOW, since it is supposed to be Disney's flagship resort. I have no way of knowing anything about RPC CL in the main building, but for almost $1000 a night for a standard room (regular price) I have no intentions of finding out. Now that we've stayed there we can say "been there, done that", but we wont be going back. The next time we stay CL, it will definitely be back at the YC!
Ed
.)
. We would both almost always choose a long walk over a bus. I think because we at least have the feeling when walking that we are making progress, even if it is slower rather than being at the mercy of the buses where we sometimes have to wait so that I can sit with the kids or are stuck in an enclosed space with others who may be very cranky or a little crazy...or both 
At least they started to warn some people ahead of time and give them upgrades.
