GF Main Concierge vs. Lodge Concierge

[EveWalker]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here. My husband and I are taking our DSs (will be 3 1/2 and 2) to WDW in December 2005. We currently have ressies for the GF Main Concierge and I'm trying to decide if we want to do that or do Lodge Concierge instead. I know Main is nicer, but is it $800 worth of nicer?

I guess I'd like to know what the main differences are. Views? I know the food/beverage selection in the main building is a bit better. Having great views and being in a convenient location are important to us with small children.

Color me confused...

Thanks!

 

[GeekChic]

welcome to DIS!

we stayed at the concierge level for the first time last year and stayed in both lodge and the main building; we personally preferred lodge immensely over the other. but it's a matter of what you're looking for.

the only difference i saw between the two food offerings wise was that at the main building (Royal Palm) they offer alcoholic drinks in the evening and a few additional snack choices (like mini eclairs, didn't see them at the lodge) but if/when we ever do it again, we will definitely be going lodge.

there are no MK view rooms in Sugarloaf though I don't believe (someone will correct me if I'm wrong) but the view is still gorgeous. we found it the most convenient location of all, it's really close to one of the two pools!

my detailed trip report from last year can be viewed at the link below, hope it helps!

have a great trip and if you have any other questions ask away and I'll try to help if I can.

geek

GeekChic's 2003 GF adventure

OOPS! linked originally to a page in the middle of the trip report, sorry about that! Should be fixed now

 

[EveWalker]

That's exactly the type of first-hand info I was looking for. I would really like to have a view of the castle to be able to see the fireworks, but I'm not sure if that's worth the extra $. The difference in food is definitely not worth it.

Off to check your trip report now! Thanks for the welcome!

 

[disneyholic family]

we've stayed in both.....both are nice, but i prefer being in the main building.....plus we had a castle view....but i think i would have loved the main building with any view...

 

[Michelle2]

We stayed at the GF Sugar Loaf (lodge) concierge in 2003 also. Although we did like it, I was constantly enthralled with the lobby of the main building. I wish that we could have stayed in it to listen to the band play in the afternoon/evening. But that is so totally me, I love to be swept up in the atmosphere!! So my vote is for the RPC!
Next time we stay, beginning of Dec. 2005, I am going to do the main building...My problem is do I book now this far in advance, or wait for any AP rates? Or do they even have AP rates on the RPC rooms??

 

[ead79]

Michelle2, I was able to get an AP discount on my honeymoon room (GF RPC Honeymoon Concierge is the room type), so it can be done. I think they are just very few and far between. I went during value season, so that probably had something to do with it as well.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi, we've stayed in both and I prefer the main building. It's so convenient to the monorail and the ambience is spectacular. I believe the initial food offerings are exactly the same at both locations. The only difference is that in the main building wine is served with the evening food and there is an additional late night offering of desserts and liquers (Baileys, Kahlua, etc.) I've heard that the lodge might be considering this also, but I don't know if they've started it yet.

The lodge does not have any MK views. You will either overlook the marina or pool area. I do remember that if we leaned out over our marina view balcony, we could see some of the fireworks. The main building has rooms that will put the castle right in the center of your balcony.

I'm also not a big fan of the lodge concierge lounge. It's all located on the ground floor, in addition to the concierge desk. I thought it was a bit cramped and offered very little in the way of seating. The main building lounge on the 4th floor overlooks the whole GF. It was very spacious, big windows, had a few "kid sized" tables, 2 televisions that the kids watched cartoons on and at night it's a perfect spot to listen to the orchestra or the piano. The concierge staff sits on the 3rd floor, so it has a more spread out feel. If you're comfortable with doing this, you can request a room close to the lounge and sit there in the evenings with a baby monitor. We spoke to a few families who had done that.

I don't think you can wrong with either choice you make, it's all just personal preference.

Tammi

 

[EveWalker]

When are you going to be there in December 2005? As of now, we're going to be at GF from 12-12 to 12-17, but I'm thinking of adding 2 days at AKL, and staying until the 19th.

 

[EveWalker]

Elisabeth ,

Do you mind telling us how much you got off your room with the AP rate? I can't decide if I want to buy APs or not. We'll only be able to go about once a year. If I buy it for our December trip, I figure we can go a little earlier in December of the following year and then get at least 14 days total out of it. That would be cheaper than buying individual passes. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if the AP perks are worth the extra $.

Thanks!

 

[EveWalker]

I really appreciate your input. After reading the respones, I'm going to stick with the RPC. It sounds like it's more convenient and the views are better.

Do any of you have room suggestions for me to request?

Thanks!

 

[Michelle2]

We are planning to go to Universal and IOA for a few days, and then probably be to the GF and WDW by 12-7 through the 16th. It is totally not for sure, but if finances go ok, then that is my ideal. Looks like we will probably be there at the same time!! That would be nice! The convenience is great with young children. You will love the atmosphere! And as for room requests, I am not sure, since I haven't stayed at RPC, but I sure would love to hear what others think abou it...

 

[TammiMcMan]

Eve,

You do have a couple of room choices in the main building, although it won't be guaranteed, you can put in a request with your concierge pre-planner. Concierge rooms are located on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floor. The staff sits at desks located on the 3rd floor, right by the main elevator. There is a stairway that conveniently connects the 3 floors located next to the elevator also. If you want a castle view, you can request room numbers ending in 00-09 on the 3rd & 4th floor. These rooms are furthest away from the lounge & main elevator however (1-2 minutes). It almost feels like you are in your own wing. We had room 4404 (4th floor) and the castle was right in the center of our balcony. There are no rooms above you on the 5th floor, so it was very quiet. Even though we were located right above Gasparilla's, we didn't notice any noise. We've never been in one of the rooms with the garden/pool view, but just based on my own observation, I wouldn't want one of these rooms on the 4th floor. They are right in the vicinity of the lounge and at times it seemed like they would be noisy. The other view we've had is of the bay. You'll overlook the beach, the theme pool and you'll see Epcot in the distance. We've been on both the 4th and 5th floor here and really enjoyed it. You'll miss the castle view, but you'll be able to see the electric water parade. I've heard others say that at night they could hear the orchestra playing while inside their room. I recall hearing it a little, but not loud enough that it would ever bother me. These rooms are also close to the lounge, but you don't experience the same hallway noise here as the garden/pool view rooms.

Hope that helps a little with your decision. Oh, another little FYI, the GF is one resort that we've never received a pre-planning packet from. If you have any priority seating arrangements that are "must haves", like Cindy's breakfast, make sure you contact them about a week before the reservations open up.

Tammi