Desperaste for Advice . . . FTP ends today

[PghDisney]

I currently have GF - SL concierge. I had the opportunity to upgrade to GF - RPC at $78 a night but did not and now regret it as that option is closed. I have since found out that concierge food service ends at 7 pm and the thought of a night time relaxing back from the parks appeals to both of us. Note that we go August 31 - September 7 which traditionally is the slowest week of the year in Diseny so maybe a reduced or comp upgrade, but with the FTP maybe this is not true this year. Booking through expedia I can upgrade for free as long as it is more leaving me these options.

1) stay at GF - SL and hope to upgrade for something less than the $120 a night that is the rack difference I was quoted.

2) YC concierge Garden View which costs about the same ($20 more so can change with expedia)

3) BWI Concierge, same price as YC

4) Polynesian lagoon View Concierge for about $230 more

We are not going with kids and more oriented toward an adult trip, stayed at the GF standard room once before and loved the atmosphere, never have done concierge, nor have we even stepped foot in the YC, the BWI, or the Polynesian accept for the dinner there.


Thank you for reading and any advice on this last day would be worthwhile and very very appreciated.

 

[floridafam]

I would keep checking with WDTC to see if main building concierge opens up if that is truly what you want. I have things open up through WDTC 5 minutes after being told they were booked.

I wouldn't count on any upgrades with the FT package but I suppose it could happen.

Did you book through expedia originally?

I don't have much experience with them so I don't know what to tell you there.

I would think any of the other concierges you mentioned would be great. I would say BWI or YC. Poly will still have the temporary concierge.

 

[Tara]

I thought FTP ended 6/29?

 

[PghDisney]

at expedia (where I booked) they said that you could book until the 27th (today) . . . above it says the 29th . . . perhaps it is limited at expedia

 

[Tara]

Not to pick nits, but today is the 26th, and Expedia says "book your package by June 27." My guess is they're giving themselves wiggle room to turn around online requests through WDWTC.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi...

I think the BWI is perfect for an adult couple/no kids... lots of nice places to dine..etc and a stones throw from EPCOT and MGM.

Also you would have the cordials and desserts in the evening that you would not get at the SC Concierge at GF.

By the way - Labor day weekend is atrocious at the parks - we were at MK & MGM last year and it was totally insane - we left after an hour for the AKL pool - maybe the rest of the week is quiet - but not those days (Aug 30-Sep 01) worst days I have ever seen.

>>^..^<<

 

[Demosthenes]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
By the way - Labor day weekend is atrocious at the parks - we were at MK & MGM last year and it was totally insane - we left after an hour for the AKL pool - maybe the rest of the week is quiet - but not those days (Aug 30-Sep 01) worst days I have ever seen.

Just to echo what other have said, Labor Day weekend, and week, can be quite busy. Traditionaly, the week after labor day is the slowest week of the year at WDW. If that matters to you, and you can swing it, change your ressie to September 6 - 13.

 

[BlueFairy]

Not that I am at all an expert, but I have heard LOTS of complaints here about GF concierge not being what they advertise. On the contrary, YC concierge gets great reviews as does the Poly. I would switch to YC. And your dates will be fine, just avoid MK on Sat. and on Labor Day. EPCOT is often deserted that weekend. We go near this time every year and don't have a problem, especially if you don't have kids and aren't commandos about doing it all.

 

[PghDisney]

*chuckles* . . . so flustered I forgot what day it was, well now it is the last day (for me) as yes, it was through expedia and yes they end it two days earlier than elsewhere. Of all the ones I listed we have only stayed at (or even seen the inside of) the GF and loved the atmosphere, everyone differs but we liked the quieter pace there and sophisticated decor . . . It was a place that I would have gone to and enjoyed even were it not at Disney at all and none of the parks were anywhere to be found. My girlfriend and I have been together 12 years as of this past June and am thinking that maybe it is time for a ring so wanted somewhere romantic and with perhaps a bit of that type of atmosphere . . . The planning staff told me that Victoria and Alberts is quite good at being part of that kind of surprise.

We do use the resorts quite a bit, preferring to return mid-day when it is very hot to relax. While at the GF the one time in the past, we had a great standard room, so I will decide tomorrow (actually later today). Thus far I can say that the preplanning office has been wonderful, generous with their time and very pleasant so that is a plus for GF. And I still hope for an upgrade at a reduced rate once we arrive if we do choose GF tomorrow. We likely will either stay there or the Yacht Club as those seem . . . hmm . . . quieter? . . . perhaps a more relaxing place to return to and unwind? . . . with a bit of the 'wow' factor that I had when entering the GF for the first time . . . Again, never have seen the YC in person, only the pics, so am not sure.

In any event, My very very strong thanks for all the imput above and if any further comes My thanks in advance, it has helped. *smiles* . . .too many choices, not a bad problem that Disney has thrown out, but still tough for me to call.

 

[jordanyosh]

We love the Boardwalk. I think everyone who hasn't stayed there thinks it is noisy. It is extremely quiet. We stay at the Villas, but have gone to the quiet pool at the Inn at were blown away at the facades. There are even suites with white picket fences and are two-story......they are crazy beautiful.

The kicker is your location. Unless you are a MK fanatic, your proximity to EPCOT and MGM is too good to pass up. You said you like being able to come back to your rooms in the afternoon and relax. If you are at the Boardwalk, you can walk back to the resort from EPCOT and walk or boat back from MGM.

Everyone has their fav resort, but you should continue trying new resorts, we do. Our next trip we will stay at Beach Club Villas....Good luck and hurry......

 

[Tara]

FWIW, the GF and BWI are my two favorite resorts. I've never done concierge level, though. I've stayed at YC -- it's very nice, but I didn't like it nearly as much as BWI, let alone GF. (GF gets the top spot for me because of the monorail and wider range of recreation.) I've heard great things about Poly concierge and would love to try it, but I do have mixed feelings about the themeing of the Poly -- it's nice but not my style.

Personally, I find the BWI has lots of relaxing spots...the quiet pool is nice and often deserted, walking along the garden cottage path is very romantic, and you might end up with a view of Epcot and/or Illuminations from you balcony. It's really a lovely resort, interesting, and whimsical without being too "themey". (whereas the YC is beautiful but staid and a bit dull, IMHO)

Good luck with your decision. Really, with the choices you list, I don't see how you can go wrong!

 

[PghDisney]

ty tara, was really torn, and close to calling to change to the YC. To be honest this is likely the only time we could afford the concierge (got it for two for just over $2,900 for 2 including the airflight, etc) . . . so really wanted to make it count. Add to it the likely engagement part and I really wanted the romance factor to be memorable. The Magic Kingdom is likely last on our list so YC made some sense, and being able to just walk from epcot, MGM seemed to make the concierge there likely to be most used. But saw the pictures and to be honest as I said above when we walked in the GF it was just 'wow' . . .not sure from your reaction that the YC is as much wow. Nor did BWI seem to wow you though you loved being there. I will decide for sure by tonight and keep looking in here, but in the end may just go to GF, cross my fingers for the upgrade at a reasonable rate to RPC (I am not even hoping for a comp upgrade) but will be happy even w/o and losing the desert, wine and cordials. TY all again, you really are helping even if I seem hopelessly confused in these posts.

p.s. we feel the same about the polnesian, so many love it, but it just is not quite our style. To be hoenst the idea of stepping back in time to a high victorian era, and being part of it, is like adding another theme park to us . . .whihc is why I am torn. I think that i would get more from the YC, it is convenient to where we would most go, and could come back often to use the concierge lounge. But in the end, would it be like GF was to us, another theme attraction or merely a very nice hotel with a day long buffet? . . .ty all again, and before I forget, you all have wonderful trips that make the magic for you.

 

[Tara]

If you are going for wow, stick with GF. BWI is beautiful and luxurious, but the GF has the word "grand" in its name for good reason. YC is beautiful too, but nothing grand about it either, and not as pretty, IMO as BWI, let alone GF.

 

[floridafam]

If you are going to propose-I just can't imagine a more romantic setting than somwhere at the Grand Floridian, possibly with a view of the castle in the background, the sunset, etc.

I know they have most of these things at YC, too. but for a trip where there may be a proposal involved I just don't think you could do better than GF.