Elk34,
Just wanted to add some more info to think about, little tidbits from my experiences:
We've stayed at GC on many trips and absolutely love it, as I'm sure you will too. Valet parking is I believe $15/day on top of the resort fee--very convenient, but pricey. Self parking is not bad at all, just across the street from the main lobby. Best thing is to drop off the family and luggage at the lobby, then have one adult park the car while the other is checking in. If you're not going to use the car while you're at GC why pay the $$? It's truly not a bad walk to the parking lot for an able-bodied person.
I don't believe the GC is like WDW where faxes are the preferred mode of room requests. We have always had the Reservations CM note our request in our reservation and almost every time have gotten our request. I usually follow up 4-5 days before check in to make sure the request is still there and just to add a little more "begging" to our reservation. The one time we didn't get our request upon check-in, I asked the front desk CM if there were any rooms available with that view/location and she was able to move us. Especially if it is for health issues, I know they will accomodate whenever they can.
From my experience, and from reading other discussion boards, you used to be able to periodically upgrade to concierge upon check-in for an extra $25-50, but they haven't been allowing this for awhile. (If someone has done otherwise, please post!) The concierge lounges were getting too crowded so they now only offer concierge services to those guests in prebooked concierge rooms. So if concierge is something you want, you probably should just book a concierge room upon making your reservation (or change your existing reservation). If you are booking rooms separately (not a part of a package), call a week prior to check-in to check the rates. They may be lower if occupancy is down and you can change your reservation. FYI, we've stayed in both a regular room and in the two-room suites with concierge. The entire hotel is wonderful no matter where you stay. But if you are wanting to splurge and will use the concierge services offered...go for it! We have never had more relaxing and spoiled vacations as when we've stayed in the suites at GC!! Also, I believe the bunk bed rooms are spread throughout the hotel, but be sure to verify with a Res. CM...the one time we had one, we had the courtyard/monorail view, which is the city/standard view.
With the $$ you save not valet parking, put it towards the Fantasmic balcony!! We did this with DD6 and DD4 and really enjoyed it. You can easily stake out a spot for the show early for free, but if $$ is not an issue and you want to splurge it's well worth the money. No stessing over how early to get there, saving seats, etc. Plus you get spoiled with yummy desserts, excellent service and feel a little "special" viewing from such a great location. We had the middle 5 seats in the front row, so DH was able to prop the video camera on top of the balcony railing and get an awesome unobstructed shot of the entire show. My DD's watch it over and over still, even though we went last September. In order to get reservations, you can either make them yourself by calling 30 days out at 8:00am when the reservation line opens (the tickets normally go fast and seating is done in the order of the time your reservation is made), or contact vacation planning more than 30 days out from your trip and they can get your tickets for you. We did this, and like I said we were able to get front row center...so VP must call early too! I don't have VP's phone number or email handy, but if you call the main hotel reservations line at 714-956-MICKEY there is an option to choose if you already have reservations and want to contact Vacation Planning. They are wonderful and will go out of their way to help make your trip extra special. We've worked with Dana (she's since been promoted to another position), John and Valerie and all were absolutely wonderful. I have read other posts about the other VP CM's with equally glowing reviews. Any guest can use them as long as you have reservations at any of the three Disney hotels. They are many times very busy, so if you call or email and don't get a response right away, don't worry. They will get back to you as soon as time allows.
For your first day on the Saturday...you're best bet is to definitely get to DL first thing in the a.m., see the castle, go to Fantasyland if you have little ones and go on all those rides first as most don't have fastpass, then do whatever else you can until the park fills up...usually we've been able to get all of our DD's favorites done well before noon, plus ride Pirates, Splash, etc. Then take a break for lunch and even naps at the hotel (we always do this with our DD's, and even if they don't sleep, it's good down time for them so that they're in good moods for the evening/nights at the parks). After lunch, naps, etc. head over to DCA when DL is at it's busiest. Have dinner somewhere in DCA or Downtown Disney and then go back to DL at night. This is our strategy whenever we're there at busy times at it's worked out well with our kids. DH and I have always been very concerned about our DD's not getting to tired/cranky/stressed out/ etc. because as we all know there's nothing worse than parents trying to force their overly tired, over-stimulated, sugared, etc. kids to "Have fun, darnit!" Since you're going to be there for a good amount of time, take your time, utilize the hotel and it's services (i.e, pool, children's storytimes, tours, etc.), visit Downtown Disney, and explore the parks in intervals. This way you get to do the whole Disney experience for the kids, but the parents get a vacation as well!
O.k., now that I've written a novel I will come to a conclusion (can you tell we've loved our stays at GC???!! One other great tip is to eat at Whitewater Snacks which is located at GC, next to the pool down the hallway from the private entrance to DCA. It is a great little stop for burgers, sandwiches, etc., quieter than most of the park outlets, food is great, service is great and I think the prices are lower than the parks. They also have breakfast items and well as snacks, etc.
Have a great time!!
Lisa
