GF Concierge ?s

[disneyispi]

Ok, I'm booked at GF Concierge for 16 nights - 12/19 - 01/03/03. It's the first time I've upped myself to concierge, so I have a few questions. Other than the food (which doesn't really apply for me since I am also on DC Grand Plan), what else is so "special" about concierge. Do we get anything extra in our concierge rooms vs. regular GF lagoon or garden view rooms? Is the quality of the linens better in concierge? Please help as I'm really trying to justify $10K to myself as a "once in a lifetime trip."

 

[WeLoveDisney]

I posted here about a month ago about the problems my sister and I had with the staff at the GF RPC (main buliding) concierge. I'll leave those comments out and objectively answer your questions.

My husband and I stayed in a regular lagoon view room 2 weeks before our trip to RPC and have also stayed in a variety of the other deluxes, both concierge and not. The linens in the RPC room (I think we were in room 4414) were the same as the regular GF room. I havent found anything like the Westin's "heavenly bed" in any Disney hotel yet. The beds were triple sheeted in both std and concierge at the GF (but I've only had them triple sheeted in concierge level at other deluxes). In addition, the bathroom in the concierge room had a speaker for the TV in the RPC room. Housekeeping will also bring you slippers and a robe (but I've heard at least the robe is available in std, but I dont recall having one there).

Even though you're on the grand plan, you might still enjoy some of the food offerings for the convenience alone- for example when you come back from the parks its nice to grab a cold drink and/or snack on the way to the room, or to have a glass of wine and listen to the orchestra before leaving for dinner. It's special just to have that stuff out and availalbe for you if you would like it.

Also, its relaxing to sit in the concierge lounge and people watch in the lobby below, and listen to the orchestra at night. There's also a beatufil view of the lagoon and GF grounds/pool. You can also see the MK fireworks from the lounge (although not the best view), plus from many but not all of the rooms. Sitting in the lounge you will feel a world apart - it's very nice.

It's also very very convenient access to the monorail from the main building concierge, you just have to take the elevator to the 2nd floor. This is also nice if youre returning exhausted from a day at the parks. The RPC also has a private elevator to use to go out to the pool without having to walk through the lobby in your swimsuit/coverup.

Even though I found the service at RPC to be horrible during my stay, many other people have had terrific expereinces.

 

[TammiMcMan]

What a magical Christmas/New Years trip you have planned. In your post you didn't mention if you had the main building concierge or the lodge concierge. We've done both, but I do prefer the main building. Did you use thier pre-planning service to make your ps's? If so, you'll be noted as a VIP on your reservations. We always got great tables with little or no waiting. This past trip we got outdoor seating at the Rose & Crown during Illuminations and first seating at Cindy's Princess breakfast just 30 days out. Depending on how busy it is when you arrive, you may be greeted by a concierge member when you drive up to the GF. I believe when you pass through the guards shack, they call and notify them that you have arrived. If no one is available curb side, they'll be called down when you check in at the front desk. You're then escorted up to the private concierge floors for personalized check-in. In concierge, you can request a refrigerator in your room at no charge. We did this just for our bottled water. (Couldn't see spending $2.50 a bottle in the park when we could buy 6 at that price at Goodings Market.) You will also receive nightly turn down service which includes turning the beds down, some chocolates and a nice card. The concierge desk leaves messages on your voice mail each evening going over the next days weather, park hours and any other special events. During your stay, if you've forgotten anything, the concierge staff is available on the 3rd floor for any last minute items. The TV's have VCR's (don't know if this is in standard also) and the concierge has a library of video tapes that you can choose from.

We had the most wonderful time there with our family this past July. Everyone was great and our room, 4404 had an amazing view of the castle. The ambience of being in the main building is truly incredible. I can't even imagine how beautiful it will be during the holiday's. Have a wonderful time.

Tammi

 

[disneyispi]

To: We Love Disney & Tammi - thank you both for your kind and informative posts. I have read, with great interest and, in WeLoveDisney's case, some trepidation, your previous threads about the GF concierge. I, too, have posted about some "interesting" experiences there in the past, but I've never been to concierge.

To answer your question, I don't know if I am in the main building or lodge concierge. The Grand Plan implies the Royal Palm by stating that wine and cordials are included in the available food but I don't know. I am having knee surgery in October so I am hoping fr the main building so I don't have too far to walk for the monorail or parking. Someone suggested I fax my room request to the room assigner 5 days before my trip begins. Have either of you had any luck with this arrangement?

If I do ask for main building to accommodate my surgery, are any rooms likelier to have a better view of MK than others? Does anyone know which rooms are more spacious or are they all the same? I'm sure that, despite this being Disney's BUSY season, I'll have a fabulous time! Thanks to all for their information, both good and bad! I CAN't WAIT

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Originally posted by disneyispi
Ok, I'm booked at GF Concierge for 16 nights - 12/19 - 01/03/03. It's the first time I've upped myself to concierge, so I have a few questions. Other than the food (which doesn't really apply for me since I am also on DC Grand Plan), what else is so "special" about concierge. Do we get anything extra in our concierge rooms vs. regular GF lagoon or garden view rooms? Is the quality of the linens better in concierge? Please help as I'm really trying to justify $10K to myself as a "once in a lifetime trip."

I have to finish reading the rest of your posting, and the responses you've gotten so far .. but I wanted to say .. when you upped yourself to concierge at the Grand, do you mean RPC (Royal Palm Club, main bldg)? Do you mean you upped to a deluxe concierge room? Because, if not, and IF the GP still works the way it did previously, an upgrade to concierge is included in the GP! Just don't want you to be paying for something extra that is already included...

 

[TammiMcMan]

Sounds like you are in the main building, as the lodge does not serve wine or cordials. I had great luck faxing my room requests over to the room assignor 4 days before our arrival. We were in room 4404, which was 4th floor (same level as the food service) and incredible castle view. These rooms are the furthest away from the elevator and concierge services, so you may want to base your decision for an MK view on how you're knee is feeling at that time. We had 5 staying in a standard room and with the balcony and lounge, we never felt cramped. You can get a larger size deluxe room, but it will only sleep 4. I think Disney has the room layouts shown on their website if you want to check them out.

Hope it turns out magical for you.

Tammi

 

[disneyispi]

Because, if not, and IF the GP still works the way it the GP still works the way it
did previously, an upgrade to concierge is included in the GP! Just don't want you to be paying for something extra that is already included...

I do not believe the concierge is included any longer in the Grand Plan. When I booked the GP i had a choice of 1) Garden View 2) Lagoon view or 3) Lodge Concierge, all which had 3 separate prices. I chose Lodge Concierge.

An before anyone says that is not in the main building, I know. But the description for Lodge concierge stated wine and cordials. So yes, I am confused.

If a concierge room was supposed to be included in the GP, NO ONE at DC or GF has informed me of such. But I would like to know for sure.

 

[lookingforward]

I am just speaking from what I have heard but...last year we had Christmas booked at the GF on the Grand Plan. Although we had to cancel due to 9-11 events, we were specifically told that even though we booked a lagoon view room we would have access to both concierge lounges because we were Grand Plan guests. This was told to me by the Grand Plan staff directly at the Grand Floridian. I never got to try it out but that was what they said to me. I hope you have the BEST trip ever! We are staying at the RPC this December (although not on the Grand Plan) and I will be sure to post my experiences.

 

[Janet2k]

Warning: Make sure to double- & triple-check all PS reservations that have been made by the GF staff. I have been disappointed by their mistakes on a few of my more recent GF stays.

Now that I have gotten my disclaimer out of the way, have a magical vacation!

Lookingforward is correct. I had a Grand Plan booked at the GF for next month (cancelled it when my son & husband decided not to vacation with me due to high school reasons). From what I was told, a Grand Plan guest's room could be located anywhere (meaning, in any of the GF's many buildings), but their room key would allow them to access the GF's concierge lounge. Since you have booked lodge concierge, you will have a room in Sugar Loaf. However, you *may* get bumped up to the main building if the staff chooses to do so (based upon availability, of course). No matter what building you stay in, the GF is a gorgeous resort.

 

[Janet2k]

I should note that I have Grand Planned twice at the GF. Both of those vacations were wonderful. And as with all things Disney, anything having to do with their vacation plans is subject to change without prior notice. I hope what I stated in my prior post will hold true for your vacation. You will need to verify how things will work for your vacation, however (and to be on the safe side, please get it in writing)

Again, have a wonderful vacation.

 

[disneyispi]

Thanks to all who have responded to my plea for help.

You were all correct - the Grand Plan allows for access to the concierge lounges at the GF, I was just told this by the GF GP coordinator. So I guess my big question is, do I change my ressie from concierge to lagoon view IF there are no differences in the rooms?? or with the service one receives from a lagoon view vs a concierge room???

I'm sorry if my questions seem redundant but I think I may have made a quasi-costly mistake by booking the concierge ON TOP OF the GP.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I think if it were me, I would prefer to have the lagoon view and that's not something you can get at Sugar Loaf. There is absolutely no difference that I could see in the furnishings or linen's between a standard room and a concierge room. As for the bathrobes and turn down service, you could probably just call mousekeeping and have that arranged for your stay. The only consideration would be your knee. Some of the GF buildings could be a few minutes walk from the monorail or bus stop. When you do your itinerary with the grand planner, maybe you should mention your surgery and see if they could arrange to have one of the GF carts pick you up from whatever building your staying in and drive you over to the main building or bus area. I've seen that done during my stay and had it offered to me when we were running late for a reservation.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful time. Please write a trip report when you come back. I'm considering the Grand Plan for our next trip, (20th Anniversary) so I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Tammi