GF Concierge - what is the difference?

[Cinderella]

I'm considering GF over Poly. I really loved Poly concierge because of the convenience of the Hawaii building to the main pool. It was handy for the kids to get a drink or snack after swimming. And also, it saved trekking out for breakfast before hitting the parks, or ordering room service.

But, I'm really confused re the Grand Floridian concierge. I understand there are two different ones. The one in the main building is Royal Palm right, and that is a heap more expensive than the other one. We need two rooms so I wouldn't want to get the dearer one unless it was a whole heap better than the other one.

What is the difference between the two concierge buildings? How far is it to the main pool from each one? How far is it to the monorail from each one?

How do they compare with Poly concierge? Thank you.

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I'm considering GF over Poly. I really loved Poly concierge because of the convenience of the Hawaii building to the main pool. It was handy for the kids to get a drink or snack after swimming. And also, it saved trekking out for breakfast before hitting the parks, or ordering room service.

But, I'm really confused re the Grand Floridian concierge. I understand there are two different ones. The one in the main building is Royal Palm right, and that is a heap more expensive than the other one. We need two rooms so I wouldn't want to get the dearer one unless it was a whole heap better than the other one.

What is the difference between the two concierge buildings? How far is it to the main pool from each one? How far is it to the monorail from each one?

How do they compare with Poly concierge? Thank you.

To answer your question about the difference between the 2, there isn't much. They have the same food offerings, but for me it was just the feeling.

We have stayed both levels, and I would stay in the Royal Palm over the Sugar Loaf. To me, the SLC building was so dark and it was EXACTLY the opposite in the Main Building. We love to stay at the GF at Christmas time, and we always stay in the RPC. The Christmas music plays in the lobby, the smell of the Gingerbread fills the air - it is just heavenly. I can't wait to go back!

It is just personal preference. Both are within a 1 minute walking distance to either of the pools. However, when you stay in the RPC, you are at the monorail because it is in the main building. When you stay in SL, you have to walk over from the Lodge.

Hope this helps!

ETA - I can't compare the GF Concierge to the Poly, as we have never stayed there. And considering that my DH won't stay anywhere other than the GF, it doesn't look like we will get the chance any time soon. Good Luck!

 

[Cinderella]

We will be in the pool a lot and sometimes my kids like to go from the pool to concierge to get a snack and drink, then back to the pool. Is it easier to go to the Sugar Loaf Building from the pool? To get to the Royal Palm one do you have to trek through the lobby and get in the elevator? Or is it easier just to go to the place where they refill the mugs?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To get to the Royal Palm one do you have to trek through the lobby and get in the elevator? Or is it easier just to go to the place where they refill the mugs?

Even though my parents and I have not stayed at the Grand Floridian what I can tell you is Royal Palm is the main building of the Grand Floridian, so it's where the lobby is. That means to access the floors there you just go up the elevators which say Royal Palm guests and that's it. From the main building it's not a far walk to Gasparilla's Grill & Games which is where they sell the mugs. I also know from walking by there on the outside they have another entrance to the Royal Palm floors, where you insert your KTTW card and two doors automatically open which take you to some elevators. This past August I saw some Housekeepers go in threw that entrance and saw some guests coming and going from there.

 

[micmacmissy]

Sugar Loaf if MUCH more convenient to the pool, hands down. You just walk outside. For the main building, you have to go down a floor and then outside--not as convenient. Main building is more convenient to the monorail (but honestly, not by much!)

When we stayed there, we were also worried about "missing out" by being away from the main building concierge. And you know what we missed out on? The crowds and noise!

There were TONS of people filing through the lobby...the RPC concierge lounge overlooks that so it was very noisy. We liked that Sugar Loaf was quiet and calm.

Keep in mind, even if you stay in Sugar Loaf, you can go over to the main building and use their concierge lounge. (When we were there, there was no alcohol in SL, you had to go to the main building- but I believe that has since changed and they both serve alcohol--someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

I say do Sugar Loaf, especially if it's cheaper! Have fun planning.

 

[Cinderella]

Thank you. It sounds like sugar loaf will be better for our needs, which is great news as the main building is about $785 rack rate per room per night next year. A two bed suite is not much more than that.

Is there anywhere I could see pics of the refurbished sugar loaf rooms?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Keep in mind, even if you stay in Sugar Loaf, you can go over to the main building and use their concierge lounge. (When we were there, there was no alcohol in SL, you had to go to the main building- but I believe that has since changed and they both serve alcohol--someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

You're partially right. Sugar Loaf changed over to full service a few years ago, so they do offer wine, beer and evening cordials now. The only guests who have ever been allowed access to both lounges, are those staying in a suite. If the OP books a room in Sugar Loaf, that's the only lounge they'll be able to get into. Their room key won't work in the elevator for the main building. That's part of the reason why there is such a difference in the nightly room rate.

Sugar Loaf is definitely more convenient to the courtyard pool. Both RPC and Sugar Loaf are about the same distance from the theme pool. As an FYI, the main building does have a back entrance right next to Gasparillas, so you don't have to walk through the lobby at all.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You're partially right. Sugar Loaf changed over to full service a few years ago, so they do offer wine, beer and evening cordials now. The only guests who have ever been allowed access to both lounges, are those staying in a suite. If the OP books a room in Sugar Loaf, that's the only lounge they'll be able to get into. Their room key won't work in the elevator for the main building. That's part of the reason why there is such a difference in the nightly room rate.

Sugar Loaf is definitely more convenient to the courtyard pool. Both RPC and Sugar Loaf are about the same distance from the theme pool. As an FYI, the main building does have a back entrance right next to Gasparillas, so you don't have to walk through the lobby at all.

Thanks for confirming that because I thought it sounded to good to be true that Sugar Loaf guests get access to the Royal Palm Club Level Lounge. If that were true you would have everyone booking Sugar Loaf, which would then cause a back log of guests in the Royal Palm Lounge.

 

[TammiMcMan]

No problem Jason. That would definitely have been a best kept secret.

 

[micmacmissy]

The only guests who have ever been allowed access to both lounges, are those staying in a suite. If the OP books a room in Sugar Loaf, that's the only lounge they'll be able to get into.

Thanks for clarifying--when we stayed there, we were in a suite in Sugar Loaf, and used both lounges. I assumed everyone was able to do that--whoops!

 

[Cinderella]

Thanks for clarifying. It still sounds good for me. Being close to the pool and easier for the kids to get to is most important. I like to go in Mitzners sometimes, but I think all the racket from the orchestra and the crowds in the lobby would drive me mad during the day. I hate lots of background noise.

Do they play all day throughout the day? Are there any other special benefits to being in the Royal Palm aside from being closer to the monorail.

 

[Cinderella]

duplicate

 

[TammiMcMan]

I like to go in Mitzners sometimes, but I think all the racket from the orchestra and the crowds in the lobby would drive me mad during the day. I hate lots of background noise.

I've never noticed a high level of noise and we to tend to hang around the resort a lot more often. Even when we had a room that was close to the interior balcony, we very rarely noticed any sounds from the Orchestra when the door was closed. I guess everyone has their own tolerance level though.

Do they play all day throughout the day?

No. The piano player comes in the late afternoon and plays some. The band starts up a bit later.

Are there any other special benefits to being in the Royal Palm aside from being closer to the monorail.

The word "ambiance" gets used a lot when describing RPC, while Sugar Loaf has a distinct bed & breakfast feel to it. In the past Sugar Loafs lounge has been very small, located in the ground floor vestibule. Everything is here, the CM's desk, food service, lounging area and the table/chairs setup in the back entrance way. The only view is from the doors that lead out to the marina or to the courtyard pool area. It does feel like a bit of an afterthought. Personally, I do like it, I find it cozy and relaxing, even though there aren't any tv's. RPC is much more open and spread out over 3 floors. The CM's sit on the 3rd floor, the lounge is on the 4th and there's seating throughout the 3 floors. There are also 2 large balconies to relax on and overlook the grounds. I understand you can see Illuminations from one of the balconies. There are a few tv's in the lounge, with DVD players. If you enjoy sitting in Mizners, just picture doing that from your own private lounge, having a glass of wine, champagne or cordial. Basically the same thing, only two floors up, looking down onto the Orchestra.

Now that being said, it's been rumored that the lounge setup in Sugar Loaf may have changed with the recent renovations. Nothings been confirmed yet, but that may be something to keep an eye on. I'm not sure what they could have done to make it any bigger or increase the number of places to sit, but I'm anxious to hear reports.

 

[Cinderella]

I see - so I would like the main building lounge in the evenings - but not in the day. I hate TV's on vacation. I hope the refurbed building doesn't have TV's. Does anyone have any idea when it might be completed?

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Sugar Loaf is completed now. And yes, there are TVs. The only building that hasn't been refurbed right now is Sago Cay, and it is not Concierge level.

Good luck on your trip!

 

[Cinderella]

Oh dear - TV's are everywhere in Disney. Never mind, hopefully they won't be on too loud. If they are I could always remove the fuse!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I've very rarely seen the tv's in the lounge ever used. The kid sized tv is typically turned on to Disney cartoons, but that's over in the kids section (kid sized table & chairs). If you were sitting on the other side of the RPC lounge, you probably wouldn't even notice it. The few other times I've seen them used are if a group gathers in the afternoon to watch a football game, one time a newly married couple shared their wedding video with a few of us at the lounge and that's about it. I have no idea if this is typical, but I really do think that most people are at Disney for relaxation and not necessarily to watch tv. I wouldn't worry about it too much.