BC Girl Considering GF Concierge, have questions?

[Terry S]

We are considering a quick trip down in August and thought it might be nice to try something different. I am having a bit of trouble pulling my kids away from SAB, but I think I have convinced them. Now the question is where? I have decided I want Concierge, so I thought I would try the Grand Floridian.

Are all of the Deluxe Concierge rooms located in the main building?

Do you guys think this is a good choice? I like the idea of being in the main building and the deluxe rooms are a bit bigger right?

Would a view of MK be possible?

 

[GeekChic]

MK view is only possible from Royal Palm (main building) concierge at GF. Sugar Loaf Key (lodge concierge) has views of the pool or the marina area.

We stayed in both on our last trip, my trip report is here.

We loved Sugar Loaf and would definitely stay there again in the future if we could get a deal (we had a AAA discount last time)

GeekChic's GF trip

hope that helps! have a great trip.

geek

 

[Cris]

just remember the Deluxe rooms either have a view of the courtyard pool or beach pool/poly

 

[jel0511]

Terry - If you're planning on using DVC points to book your room, you'd be in a regular concierge room, in the main building. Those rooms are exactly the same size as any other GF room, and those are the only rooms, aside from suites, that will have a view of the MK. The Deluxe rooms (also in the main building), are bigger, only sleep 4 (no day bed), and also only have a view of the pool/courtyard. Staying in the Main Building at GF is completely over rated IMO. We stayed there in 2002, and the concierge staff was the most snooty I've ever encountered. They always made me feel uncomfortable because I wasn't a VIP, just some one who had PAID to be there. At the time we were there, many others were complaining about the quality of the staff at RPC, so it wasn't just us. Hopefully things have improved, but I personally would never return. We just stayed at the GF two weeks ago during our most recent trip, and staying out in the lodge buildings was a much better GF experience. When I return to the GF, we'll try a suite in one of the lodge buildings. You get full access to both concierge lounges (SugerLoaf and Main Building), and also get the experience of being out in one of the Lodge buildings. You really get to experience the GF better that way. You also don't have to trapese through that beautiful lobby in your swimsuit, something we had to do. We also, in our dripping swimsuits, all sweaty, walked directly into a wedding photo shoot at the GF while returning to our room. Talk about embarassing!!!!

 

[Cris]

you don't have to go through the lobby you can simply use the elevator beside Gasparilla Grill and Games. Terry I think you will enjoy you vacation at the Grand immensely

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Terry,

After many trips to the GF, I am too looking at trying something different. I'm torn between the BC and AKL. This is a parents only, short trip, so I'm leaning towards AKL's romance factor

As for the GF, DH & myself & our kids love it there. The theme pool doesn't compare to SAB, but it has some nice features. As a parent, I love the cabana. There are only 3 and they are first-come first-serve, but a very nice way to spend the day. You can get a drink from the poolside bar and also order a light meal to be delivered. The pool is zero entry and does have a waterslide. The main pool is also great. It's huge and much deeper. They normally schedule kids activities here during the day, if your kids are of an age that would enjoy them. Gasparilla's Grill is their 24 hour counter service eatery and the food is surprisingly good. There are also some arcade games inside. If you decide to go with the deluxe, garden/pool view room, there is outside seating at Gasparilla's with a front and center view of the MK fireworks and castle.

I love the ambience of the main building. Our most recent concierge stay was last January and it was fantastic. In fact, I have never had a bad experience with concierge there. The staff we encountered were very professional. I noticed that many of the lounge cm's seem to maintain a distance, but if they were engaged in conversation, then they really opened up. My favorite time has to be the evening. Sitting in the concierge lounge, sipping a glass of wine and listening to the orchestra play on the balcony below. Our family stayed in guestroom #4404. There was 5 of us, but even if we could have stayed in a deluxe room, I would have picked this particular room instead. We had the castle in the very center of our balcony, it was beautiful. There isn't a floor above you either, so it made for a very quiet room. You almost feel like you're in a private wing of the hotel. The only drawback is the walk to the main elevators and lounge, but we're only talking an additional 30 seconds or so. And as Cris mentioned, there is a little known elevator located in an alcove next to Gasparillas. This elevator will also take you right up to the concierge floor, just steps away from the castle view rooms.

I'm the first to admit that sometimes a stay at any Disney resort can be less than magical. In fact, we were at the GF for Memorial Day weekend for a spur of the moment trip. Concierge was sold out and we booked a garden view room. I don't know if we are just spoiled by the expertise of the concierge staff, but the standard check in that we received was pretty disappointing. It still remains one of my favorite resorts though and I chalk up our experience to the law of averages finally catching up with us.

Tammi

 

[Terry S]

Thanks for the information everyone. I am not using my DVC points this trip I am using my CM discount instead. They only had a CM discount on the regular Concierge rooms in the main building so that pretty much made up my mind for me. I would have liked the extra room in the deluxe room, but on the other hand I want the chance of being able to get a MK view room. I know I shouldn't be hung up on views, but I do love a good view. All these rooms do have balconies right? I really love to sit on my balcony. Do most of these rooms have a MK view? What are my chances of getting one?

Thanks again for all your help, I hope I am making the right decision?

TammiMcMan, I have been to both AKL and BC, both are beautiful resorts, but I still do prefer BC. I like bright and airy colors and the colors at AKL are just too dark for me. Also, if this is an adults only trip, BC is really romantic. You can also walk to Epcot in 5 minutes for a nice meal at any country and you have the Boardwalk accross the lake for some fun in the evening or just a romantic stroll around the beach and boardwalk.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Terry,

There are only a few rooms in the main building that do not have balconies. DH and I stayed in one last January during our anniversary trip. It was one of the octagonal shaped rooms with all the beautiful windows.

I think you're limited to about 18 Magic Kingdom view rooms because they'd only be available on the 3rd & 4th floor. That wing which overlooks the marina only has 4 floors. That's why we enjoyed 4404 so much, no one above us. I believe the room numbers that you'd be looking for are 4300-4309 or 4400-4409.

DH and I decided to try the AKL concierge. We did like the fact that BC is so close to Epcot, but being from New England, the open airy style is what most of the resorts around here are anyway. Most importantly though, I really couldn't find any threads where people raved about concierge at the BC.

I hope you end up getting the view that you want. It's definitely worth it.

Tammi