Buyers remorse over $$$ spent for GF- Final Decision Update!

[Tina1]

We stayed at the GF last year for four days. Did we find it worth the money, Yes. We probley wont do it again due to the price. But I'm glad we did, it was a wonderful experance. Everyone should do it once ( depending on money ).Tina

 

[java]

We stayed at the WL one Christmas holiday 3 years ago. It was very nicely decorated and definatly had the "holiday" feel. We ended up there because of the big time savings on the room(and that was our second last minute trip that year) Would I stay there again-hmmmm? I thought the transportation was a bit of an issue- at the time we had 2 children-now have 4. We LOVE the BC-being able to walk to Epcot(New Years eve here is a blast) and a quick boat to MGM. We tend to spend the whole day at MK when we go so getting back to the room from there is not that big a deal- we do like to take breaks from MGM and Epcot though so it was nice to be right there.
All that being said this time we are staying at the GF-really because of the little ones in our group-baby and 2 year old. But as I type this I think we may need to book a hoilday trip too maybe the beach club for us?

 

[kalamazoo]

Since you seem to be leaning towards the monorail resorts I would recommend staying at the Polynesian. You've got the monorail going to MK and a short walk to the TTC to catch the monrail to Epcot. You also have the boat that goes to the GF and the Polynesian from MK as well as the option to take the ferry to TTC and walk to the Polynesian. It is also a short walk to the GF. It is a pretty walk along the lagoon past the wedding chapel and takes about 5 - 10 minutes. So if you want to go see the decorations at GF or go to one of the kids' activities it is almost as easy to get there from the Polynesian as it is when actually staying at the GF.

Dh and I stayed at the GF for over a week last fall and, frankly, were not overly impressed (and we got it for a pretty good price, relatively speaking). There are so many other terrific resorts that we don't think we'll be considering this one for future visits. The Christmas decorations are beautiful though.

The Contemporary is nice in that you can walk to and from MK but, if you ask me, that is it's biggest asset. The Polynesian has a nicer pool and, IMO, has a lot more character than CR (though I love the monorail going through the tower). IMO the Polynesian also has the best options for family dining.

 

[leighe]

I think the GF is beautiful - especially for Christmas - but it didn't have that "Wow!" factor that AKL and WL have for me. If you are even a little bit concerned that you might not be able to enjoy your vacation because you'll be constantly worried about how much you spent on the resort then definitely switch. I had a hard time choosing between WL and GF for our pre-Christmas trip last year. I really enjoyed our stay at the GF and am glad we did it but next Christmas it will be WL for sure! It was just so Christmasy. I am a total wierdo but I couldn't stay somewhere like BC or the Poly over Christmas - those resorts say "summer vacation" to me. WL seems so cozy and warm - especially with that huge fireplace.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I think the GF is beautiful - especially for Christmas - but it didn't have that "Wow!" factor that AKL and WL have for me. If you are even a little bit concerned that you might not be able to enjoy your vacation because you'll be constantly worried about how much you spent on the resort then definitely switch. I had a hard time choosing between WL and GF for our pre-Christmas trip last year. I really enjoyed our stay at the GF and am glad we did it but next Christmas it will be WL for sure! It was just so Christmasy. I am a total wierdo but I couldn't stay somewhere like BC or the Poly over Christmas - those resorts say "summer vacation" to me. WL seems so cozy and warm - especially with that huge fireplace.

Have a great trip!

I know what you mean. We always go in the summer and love staying at the GF. THis year we're doing an additional trip in January, so DH can run the marathon and I'm set on staying at the WL because it seems more "wintry" with the fireplace.

 

[3for Me]

This is a toughie! I hate these type of decisions!

I LOVE the GF and have stayed at the WL...although not during Christmas. I liked it, but didn't love it the way most people do. Although, at Christmas, it might be different.

I will say this about the boat transportation, since no one seems to have mentioned it...we went in February and it was COLD!!! Now, being from LA, I know that you can be really cold or wearing shorts in December, but let me tell you, it was COLD waiting for the boat and it was COLD on the boat ride over and back.

Not trying to make your decision harder...just something to think about with three little ones.

Good luck with your decision...I am sure you will enjoy your trip either way!

 

[skiingwife]

If you can save the money and afford to pay cash for it, and you want the beauty and ambience of the GF, I say go for it. But if you don't have the money and have to charge it, I say save yourself $1300 or $1400 and go with the CR, Poly, or WL. Like you said, that $1300 could pay for your tickets, food, sourvenirs. And the main reason you're going is to go to the parks. You'll still have that no matter which hotel you choose.

 

[devotedchristian]

(yes, it took me 7 months to choose a resort)

Same here

 

[Ziggie]

Hubby and I stayed at GF Concierge one year from December 19th until January 3rd. It was lovely, and everything you'd expect from a deluxe resort. We both got sick after eating at 1900 Park Fare and told ourselves we'd never go back.

The thing is.. when I look back on it now, I almost shudder at what it cost us for such a lengthy, elegant stay. If I had to do it over again, I would book GF Concierge, but not over Christmas and not for so many days.

 

[amy1976]

I also vote for WL. We stayed there when I was pregnant and found everything very convenient. The boat is fast and the buses were not a problem at all. We are staying there again this summer with our 1 year old and our 2 year old niece. The place is beautiful and totally affordable. We rented DVC 2 bedroom for our trip this summer and saved a lot of money.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Hi, Triplefigs! I have no advice regarding your resort stay, as I have not yet stayed at a deluxe resort. (And I emphasize YET) I just had to hop in & say "ROLL TIDE!!!" I live in Tennessee now - right smack dab in the middle of "big orange country", but I was born & raised in Alabama. You can take the girl out of 'Bama, but you can't take the 'Bama out of the girl, hence my user name. Just nice to run into another 'Bama fan who's also a Disney fan!

Have a great day!
Christy

 

[sotoalf]

Here's a question you must answer: how much time will you spend at your resort? If the answer is, "Lots," then go ahead and stay at the GF, a beautiful resort that's even lovelier over Xmas and so much to do that you don't ever have to visit a park.

If the answer is "We'll be at the parks most of the day," then change your reservation to WL. So many people get excited about their resorts without actually using their amenities. If all you're doing is sleeping at your resort, it doesn't matter which one you choose.

 

[MEM]

I keep running into your posts, so knowing your background I think the WL would work out really well for you. I too hope to some day stay at the GF but would be constantly thinking about the cost.

We stayed at the WL two years ago with our then 4 year old DS and loved it. The boak to MK is great and quick. Our DS loved the Monorail, so we also took the boat to either the CR or MK and got on the Monorail to go to Epcot. We did not find the bus to be slow. We also liked being able to go to the other resorts CR, GF via the resort boat. We also rented a pontoon boat on our last trip and did our own water tour of the resorts, this was one of the highlights of our last trip.

The other positive for the WL would be its compact size, everything is in a fairly small space, I think it is one of the smallest resorts. The bus stop is close to the lobby. Easy to get around.

We too love Christmas, in fact we had a Christmas wedding and will be celebrating our 10th during our trip. I have heard the decorations are great and the warmth of the fireplace really sets the tone. I also saw on Allears, that they have sleigh rides.

Don't quote me on this, but I believe I read that Travel magazine rated it one of the top three resorts in the country for families. (Or something like that)

Finally, I think the WL is the cheapest of the resorts you mentioned, more money to spend on all those Christmas gifts.

Good Luck in your decision!

I would also agree with this. We found the busses were quite efficient except for one time during a 10 day stay. There was a particularly heavy
T-storm and ALL the resort busses were re-routed to empty out the waterparks. I loved WL and wish I could afford to stay there again, for the $109 AP rate I paid in August 2003!

 

[Mymatisse]

I would change it if that's possible! It's just wouldn't be worth it to me.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would go with either CR or Poly. WL is nice and I have stayed there but the convenience factor of the monorail is great.

 

[teentoddlermom]

A Vote for the GF!
The decorations are important to you. I've seen a Disney Christmas TV special, and even though I have already stayed at the GF, It made me put it back on my list to go there at Christmas! This will be later rather than sooner, but it is a must (and I'm not really into Christmas that much)! I think you will be disappointed in the WL because the rooms are smaller and with three 4 year olds that will be tough. I didn't see much about the Contemporary's decorations on the show. The GF, WL, YC/BC, and Boardwalk all had stunning Christmas decor.
Life is too short. I think with all the stresses of everyday life you have to include a nice vacation annually. I can't even imagine the stresses brought on by triplets. I wouldn't want to go and feel that I missed out on something that was important to me. And, face it, a Disney vacation is expensive no matter where you stay.
For vacations, I splurge. I'm absolutely frugal about just about everything else in our budget!

 

[NancyIL]

I don't understand why you need two rooms. Is it just 2 adults and the triplets? If that's the case, just go with one room at the GF.

 

[triplefigs]

I don't understand why you need two rooms. Is it just 2 adults and the triplets? If that's the case, just go with one room at the GF.

it's to have some privacy and alone time while we're on vacation. We could do one room, but would rather scale down the cost and keep two. Plus 2 bathrooms and 2 TV's is a huge plus!

 

[triplefigs]

Hi, Triplefigs! I have no advice regarding your resort stay, as I have not yet stayed at a deluxe resort. (And I emphasize YET) I just had to hop in & say "ROLL TIDE!!!" I live in Tennessee now - right smack dab in the middle of "big orange country", but I was born & raised in Alabama. You can take the girl out of 'Bama, but you can't take the 'Bama out of the girl, hence my user name. Just nice to run into another 'Bama fan who's also a Disney fan!

Have a great day!
Christy

We lived in Memphis after we graduated from Bama. I hated it!!! All that d***n orange. I definitely feel for you!!!

A Big ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!! to you!

 

[LadyBears]

What about a split stay??? Stay the first half of the trip in a less expensive place, then stay the last 2 or 3 nights at the GF. That way you get to save some money, but are still able to enjoy being at the GF.

Perhaps stay at an Epcot hotel in the beginning so you can do DS & Epcot easily, then do MK at the end of the trip.

FWIW - we went last summer with our DD who turned 5 on the trip. Granted there is a big difference between 1 & 3 kids, but still... We stayed at ASMo & had no problems with her & the transportation. She enjoyed her adventures on the bus as much as she enjoyed the monorail & the boats. We opted with a cheaper hotel so we could do a longer trip & have more spending money. My position at work was eliminated 2 months before our trip. Rather than cancelling our trip, we modified it to fit the situation.

If you were bringing a baby in a stroller, I could see being a little more concerned about staying at a monorail hotel, but 5 year olds are different. They are going to be in awe of everything. They won't care if you are staying at Fort Wilderness Campground or the Grand Floridian. They will just be happy to be there. At this age, they don't have a concept of cost differences between the different hotels. Staying ANYWHERE on site is already much more of a convenience than if you were to stay off site.

Step back before you make your final decision & look at things through the eyes of a 5 year old. When I did that for our trip - it made a "World" of difference!! I actually enjoyed that trip more than I did my last childless trip!

We are going back in 2007. We will do the split stay so we can get the best of both worlds without breaking the bank.

Best of luck to you in your decision & enjoy your trip!