First Time @ GF Concierge - Help?

[BowlingAriel]

1st time to GF , HELP!!!

Going to stay at GF for the first time. Had originally booked BC Concierge for a week, then decided to cancel and stay 3 days, then off to Universal Hotel for the other 4. When I called to cancel part of trip they asked why? So I told them....I just stayed at Royal Pacific last month and was very impressed by the place and ALL of the friendly staff. And the "front of the line" pass using your hotel key was a HUGE benny.

So to make a long story short, they offered me an incredible deal to stay at the GF - Concierge Main Bldg. I have read over the many numerous posts and have a few questions.

1) How is concierge check in? I know at the BC the guard at the gate radios ahead and they meet us at valet? Take us to our room and let us check in at the Concierge desk as leisure.

2) Does anyone know if they offer a sampler pkg for the spa? (It is my DD 's (15th) and my DN's (13th) b-days while we are there) I'd like to surprise them with a spa day.

3) Can the GF concierge work miracles, like the Cindy's table ressie's for b'fast?

So sooo long winded, but I always research for weeks on a hotel to know every in and out.

Thanks

Michelle

 

[disneydill]

Just returned last night from the GF, so hope this helps.

They are supposed to have some one meet you at the valet area - although it took a while when we checked in.

As far as the spa goes, there is a sampler for $209 which includes a facial, manicure and pedicure. They have a "coming of age" facial especially for teenagers. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for massage or body treatments.
When the concierge contacts you to make arrangements, you could ask them for specifics or the number to the spa is 407-824-2332.

The concierge got us into Cindy's breakfast - although they don't "guarantee" it, it seems they have a much better connection!

Good luck!

 

[BowlingAriel]

Thanks! Was there anything there that you would advise not to do? Or anything that stood out as a must do?


How was the pool? Its fairly new isn't it? Does it have a water slide?

 

[Snurk71]

Since someone else is bound to ask, can you detail the incredible offer they made you? It seems like main building rooms are often not even discounted during the deals and specials.

Thanks

 

[BowlingAriel]

I am paying $960 tx included for 3 days....since I am a BC junkie I wasn't familiar with the GF Main bldg.

WOW I wasn't aware that they didn't discount the Main Bldg Concierge. I knew they didn't discount the CR 14th floor. Now I am really excited to see the GRAND.

As you can see by my first post, the CM I talked to was shoocked that I was cancelling a FTP for a week and taking only 3 days room only. He put me on hold twice and then said he thought I'd be happy with the GF offer. I asked someone who thought that sounded good so we booked it.

 

[hookedup]

Michelle - to answer you question about the pool at the GF - yes it does have a slide - it is a zero entry pool.
Also there is a quiet pool open later too.

 

[Cris]

that is a dirt cheap rate you recieved.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Really?.....I hope I enjoy the GF. I am a BC junkie and LOVE the POLY concierge.

 

[disneydill]

BowlingAriel -

Like someone else said, the "new" pool has a slide. It is not huge, but it doesn't seem to get that crowded. It stays open till 8pm.

One more thing about the spa - they do offer a manicure and a pedicure for teens that is cheaper than the $209 I mentioned earlier!

I hope you like the GF. You might be able to see fireworks at the MK from your room - or at least by just strolling outside the hotel.
I know others have had less than great things to say about the GF but we have only had excellent experiences there - and we have been 6 times. I know everyone has their favorites - we will have to try the BC sometime!

 

[Snurk71]

My jaw about hit the desk when I saw that rate!!! THAT is a deal.

I think I paid that much/night for a standard garden view room our first stay there over Easter 99.

My recommendation for you is for travel back and forth from MK - take the monorail over and the boat back. You'll be the first stop on both trips.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Thanks Snurk for that info. It must be our lucky trip. We emailed the Concierge in the am and they emailed me right away, got us Princess Storybook Ressie's and a Fireworks cruise.

Yes Snurk now that I have been reading and chatting I am finding that the rate we got is REMARKABLE!

I will be sure to make a trip report.

Any other words of wisdom?

 

[chinamom3]

If you can't see the fireworks from your room balcony, go down to the dock and watch them from there, also the electric light parade in the lagoon. If the music for the fireworks can't be heard at the dock, back up and stand at Narcooise's Restaurant and you can hear them from there. And, make sure you try the huge rum balls that are served the last couple of nights-they are delicious!!!!!! Also, the gift shop downstairs has the best selection of Christmas ornaments that have the Grand Floridian on them for $20.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Just a few days prior to your stay, you can fax a room request to the concierge staff. Our request was for a castle view on the 3rd floor. We lucked out and got room 4404. It's located on the same level as the lounge, but down a quiet hallway. There are no rooms above you and the castle was directly center to our balcony.

The concierge staff told us that indeed, priority seating has tables that are set aside just for them. Not only did we get the first sitting at Cindy's, but our table was the first that each princess visited as they came out. Our DD was in heaven. We've also been lucky enough to get patio dining at the Rose & Crown pub for extraordinary views of Illuminations.

The zero-entry pool was a big hit with my kids. I loved the cabana's and DH enjoyed the poolside bar, complete with a television that was constantly on the weather channel. We spent two days doing nothing but sit by the pool.

Have a wonderful time. ~Tammi

 

[BowlingAriel]

Did anyone catch the Travel Channel today. They had the Best Hotels and the GF was Best Adult hotel. The pictures were beautiful.

3 weeks!! I am getting excited. Clarke in concierge has booked all our PS's and went as far to book 3 other restaurants for us becuz our original choice Rest time couldn't be met and he wanted to make sure we could eat in the park. Sooo sweet!

Confirmed my daughters B-day adventure with Jane at Gifts of a Lifetime. Everything is falling into place.

One more question for any of you GF experts.

Would it be in bad taste to take Clarke, our miracle planner, a small gift basket?

Thanks All

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by BowlingAriel
Did anyone catch the Travel Channel today. They had the Best Hotels and the GF was Best Adult hotel. The pictures were beautiful.

3 weeks!! I am getting excited. Clarke in concierge has booked all our PS's and went as far to book 3 other restaurants for us becuz our original choice Rest time couldn't be met and he wanted to make sure we could eat in the park. Sooo sweet!

Confirmed my daughters B-day adventure with Jane at Gifts of a Lifetime. Everything is falling into place.

One more question for any of you GF experts.

Would it be in bad taste to take Clarke, our miracle planner, a small gift basket?

Thanks All

It certainly would not be in bad taste and surely appreciated, but even more appreciated would be a very nice letter to his supervisor describing how pleased you are with the service. This goes in his service file and is very helpful in getting promotions.

 

[BowlingAriel]

What a better idea

Thanks Sammie

 

[Cris]

I agree Clark is a very nice guy!!

 

[BowlingAriel]

Ooh Ooh Ooh. 2 weeks from today. I am getting Disney Fever.

The GF fans, another question. IYHO, which is better Citrico's or Narcoosees?

 

[Cris]

why not go to both. I like Narcoosees is more casual so I enjoy it more.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Narcoosees, that is the round one that looks like it sits out on the water?