Anyone Used Points at the Grand Floridian Lately?

[DiznEeyore]

I did a search on this and the most recent posts I could find were from 18 mos. ago.

From those posts, it seems that if you use points for concierge, you are in the main building; however, the posters seemed to agree that the concierge staff (with the exception of one CM) was less than great and none would stay concierge again.

Now, that was 18 mos. ago, so I'm wondering if anything's changed?

 

[jel0511]

I stayed concierge at the GF two years ago, on points. Yes, you are in the main building, you better be for all those points!!! And, yes, I also had a bad stay, but I'd stay concierge again. Now, from what I've read, things there have changed, and they have a new GM, and recent reports have been good. It definately something worth doing once, and I would do it again, but I don't think I'd use points, unless I had a bunch to burn. I prefer staying in the outer buildings, and with being used to the room at DVC, the regular rooms at GF are VERY small. Since they have nicer furniture, it takes up more space, but it is NICE!!! We just stayed at the GF in July, in a lagoon view room, and it was a better stay than in the main building. When we were in the main building, I just didn't get the feel of the resort. Everytime you returned, you just took the elevator upstairs, didn't get to enjoy the beautiful grounds. It was so nice wandering through the grounds each evening after the parks. When we stay at the GF again, we've decided we'll get a one bedroom suite, on the grounds. This way, we get access to all the concierge perks, albeit a walk, but still have access to the beautiful grounds. Believe me, concierge at the GF is nice, but staying in the outer lodge buildings is part of the experience. If someone was to give me a choice between main building concierge and lagoon view, I'd take lagoon view everytime. The views from the main building can be less than desirable, but all the lagoon views are GREAT!! I still remember mine, a complete view of Seven Seas Lagoon, from the Wedding Pavilion to the Main Street Train Station.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Wow, Lori!! Thanks so much for all the detailed info. That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate it very much!

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by DiznEeyore
Wow, Lori!! Thanks so much for all the detailed info. That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate it very much!

SURE!!! And after I wrote my reply and re-read it, I thought I was being long winded and thought about editing it!! I'm glad I didn't!

 

[jcodespoti]

We stayed in March for our 10 year anniversary and we both thought that the staff was great!! Yes we did stay in the main building but, we had a "corner" room wich is oversized. We used our points and stayed concierge level. If not for the fact it was so many points I'd do it again in a heart beat.


Joe in CT

 

[Pa@okw95]

I stayed in one of their honeymoon suites at the concierge level in the main building. This was a few years ago, the service was great, but the suite itself had seen better days. This was just before they refurbished the place. I paid $650 per night, the room condition was the only negative, nice view, etc, service great. I believe you do not have to stay in the main building to get the concierge service??

 

[DiznEeyore]

I'm glad to hear that things appear to be improving service-wise. Dh and I are thinking we'll stay there for our 15th anniversary, so I'm trying to do some fact-finding so I can plan our point usage.

Thanks to all who have replied!

 

[Terry S]

We will be staying main building concierge tommorrow (on cash, not points). I will let you know how it goes. I can tell you that I called a few weeks ago to make a few PS and that went really well and then someone called me 2 days ago to confirm my PSs and ask what my arrival time would be so they could have my room ready.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Terry:

I'll look forward to hearing about your stay -- hope you really enjoy it!

 

[RobDoc]

We stayed in the main building, concierge room, last weekend (on cash).

The concierge staff was wonderful- from making PS for us, printing out our boarding passes for our return flight and answering the questions I always come up with for CM's at Disney.

The amenities were elegant, with a nice breakfast offering each morning (fruit, pastries, cereal, bagels, juice, cheese, ham slices), a late morning-noon offering (pastries, coffee, sandwiches), a mid afternoon offering (tea, cookies, pastries), a late afternoon offering (wine, cheese, pastries, hors d'oeuvres) and a late evening offering (pastries, liqueurs).

We had a wonderful stay and the CM's at the resort in general and the concierge staff in particular were top notch.

Have a great trip!

 

[Terry S]

We just returned from our short 4-night stay at the GF on Cash. First off let me say, we do spend a good amount of time relaxing in our rooms, but I must be really spoiled with the space of the 2 Bedroom we normally get for the 4 of us because 1 room at the Grand was just suffocating me! I ended up going down to the Concierge desk and asking them if they could add the adjoining room for the rest of the nights so that the kids could have their own room. I have come to the conclusion if we ever stay non-DVC again that the way to go is 2 connecting rooms right from the start so the kids have their own space and I have my own space. It was a much more enjoyable (albeit pricey) trip after that!

As far as the resort itself, the rooms and the concierge staff as well as all the rest of the CM's, I would give it an A+. Mind you I don't sweat small stuff and I don't expect perfection either. Just so you know what I mean, I have heard complaints on this board about carpets at DVC resorts being wet. Well, our carpet was wet when we arrived. This did not bother me, it just let me know that they just cleaned the carpet which is okay by me, they next morning it was dry. Also, the "trash" in the hallway at DVC resorts, I was really surprised to see the hallway lined with trash and food trays when we arrived, but came to find out it was the maids doing it. I know this because they put out food tray and dishes out in the hallway a few times after they cleaned our rooms. Things like this do not bother me though, we had a wonderful time and would do it again some day.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Thanks so much for the report, Terry! I can definitely imagine after having all the room we have at the DVC resorts one room for a family would feel tight. For our GF trip, it will just be dh and me, so that isn't a worry.

I'm glad to hear you had such a nice stay -- it's very encouraging and has me looking forward to our anniversary trip!