GF versus Swan or Dolphin

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Hi- I want some honest answers... Currently, we are booked for 3 nights at GF RPC in Dec. On these days, we may not do much park time as DS is in a chess tourney and DH has a conference at GF. We will probably get some time in though. The next week we are staying at a 2 bedroom DVC at AKL. The GF would be convenient because of the conf but I'm worried I will be dissapointed. I have never been so dissapointed at a hotel as I was at Poly ( we added a few days on at end of a POR trip for a splurge.) It seems to me that so many things are "hyped" at Disney than they really are. We did stay at the Beach Club Concierge for one night last summer and we did like the convenience of the Concierge level. I've been thinking and perhaps, we could be just as happy if not more so at the Swan or Dolphin.( and save several hundres dollars a night) They seem to be "truer" to a deluxe hotel than anything the WDW deluxe. Are there any "club" levels that include snacks at Dolphin/Swan... Any thoughts anyone? I assume the only "perk" we do not get at the Swan/dolphin is the ME? which we are not usisng anyway.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just returned from a split stay between Swan & GF RPC.

I have stayed at both the Swan & GF RPC several times. I have not ever been disappointed in the GF RPC but I have in Poly concierge (gave them a few tries and it's not a favorite).

Swan no longer has club level. For the price the Swan is fine, but it is not anything to write home about. It doesn't excite me at all. I enjoy the location, but that's about it after this most recent stay. I am still shocked every time I read Dissers think the S/D is "true deluxe"....I have found it far from that. Probably more along the lines of a Disney moderate. At the Swan I have had awful housekeeping every trip AWFUL, lame check in experiences, unfriendly apathetic bell services, NOBODY around to open car doors and welcome us to the hotel or help with luggage when the limo pulled up....limo driver had to hunt somebody down. This Swan stay was a disappointment from the start - and this is consistent with our S/D stays. I was disappointed this time to find ourselves in a 1/2 refurbed Swan room when I was told that these rooms would have flat screen tvs and Ipod docks by the executive housekeeper. I was happy to move to RPC and have terrific housekeeping, lots of toiletries and towels, superior service, and great CMs. I agree things are way overhyped & overpriced at WDW and it's a shame you have to pay SO MUCH money for good service. I have found the best service consistantly at the GF in RPC. We have stayed there many times several times/year and it is lovely.

Lives4Disney

 

[CarolA]

I have stayed at all three.

IMHO, the GF was the WORST. Bed quality was poor, service was so so, and overall expereince after you got past the "it's pretty" was not really what I expected for the price Disney charged.

If you were "disappointed" in the Poly, expect the same. Disney "deluxe" is only "Deluxe" to Disney, not on any other objective basis.

Swan is my favorite. Great beds, good spa etc....

Now, if you REALLY want Deluxe. Rent a car and stay at either the JW Marriott or Ritz.

Swan is missing a few things (club level) But having stayed there several times I have never had a bad stay and the "value" for price is much better then ANY Disney Deluxe IMHO.

 

[Lives4Disney]

CarolA, I always see you post negatively about the Gf, but I believe from your posts it's been a while (years) since you've stayed there. They went thru a rough patch as I've read, but we started staying there 3 yrs ago and have probably over a dozen stays there - sometimes up to 10 nights in a row - and have had the BEST service of any WDW deluxe at the Grand. Everything has been outstanding for us at the GF.

The Swan is eh, OK. They always use the excuse that there are "X many" conventions and that's why service is down. They actualy told me this during my stay last week. I think that's lame.

And the Poly is nothing like the GF. The GF RPC is great. Poly was just soso and the CMs weren't professional, but college kids and nobody seemed friendly or happy to be working there. The GF has a professional concierge staff of regulars that work full time - not students or CMs that come and go. We have seen the same great CMs in RPC every trip and it makes it even more special. Plus after sleeping at the Swan for 4 nights & then moving to the GF, I have to say the GF's beds are of the same quality.

Lives4Disney

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I have never stayed at GF, but have stayed at AKL, WL, and BWV. Swan service and amenities were equal to or better than the Disney Deluxes at almost half the price with my teacher discount.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have never stayed at GF, but have stayed at AKL, WL, and BWV. Swan service and amenities were equal to or better than the Disney Deluxes at almost half the price with my teacher discount.

Oooh.... I just got back and I have to disagree. I was extremely disappointed in the Swan for MANY reasons. Service was terrible. I have always had better service at the Disney deluxes than during our Swan stays. I have stayed at all the Disney deluxe resorts except AK and WL because I don't care for them. All have had better service and more friendly service than the Swan.

Lives4Disney

 

[typhoonlagooner]

In regards to the conference aspect of your situation...

We just returned 3/15 from a 4 night conference at the GF. I had begged him to try and get a rate someplace else... any where else... but no such luck. I thought the GF was over rated, over priced, too stuffy, and in no way, shape or form could I "vacation" there. We had stayed at the Poly in 2001 and were hardly impressed.

End result? I cried the entire bus ride back to the airport cause I didn't want to leave

I think a reason why I loved the GF was so much was because I got alot of time to enjoy the area due to him working each morning.

Tuesday we took boats out on the Marina and toured the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Wednesay night I watched the Electric Light Pagent and Fireworks from an empty beach. Thursday I was sent to the spa for the morning and even if I hadn't booked treatments, as a resort guest I had access to the ladies lounge with wirlpool, sauna, and steam room. Friday I resort hoped to the Poly, CR, and WL and felt that the GF blew each away in every aspect (with exception to quick service meal)

I loved every minute of my stay and would recommend it to anyone, especially if you have the time to take advantage of what the resort has to offer (such as club level offerings!)

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Oooh.... I just got back and I have to disagree. I was extremely disappointed in the Swan for MANY reasons. Service was terrible. I have always had better service at the Disney deluxes than during our Swan stays. I have stayed at all the Disney deluxe resorts except AK and WL because I don't care for them. All have had better service and more friendly service than the Swan.

Lives4Disney

I guess every person has a different experience, but ours at the Swan was excellent. We had just so -so service at BW and down right rude CM at AKL once at check in.WL was pretty good though.

 

[CarolA]

CarolA, I always see you post negatively about the Gf, but I believe from your posts it's been a while (years) since you've stayed there. They went thru a rough patch as I've read, but we started staying there 3 yrs ago and have probably over a dozen stays there - sometimes up to 10 nights in a row - and have had the BEST service of any WDW deluxe at the Grand. Everything has been outstanding for us at the GF.

Lives4Disney

It has been,

However, If you want to call yourself a "Deluxe" hotel then you should only require ONE chance.

And if you notice, I am actually pretty negative overall on Dinsey "Deluxe" Disney's hotels are nice. They are NOT "Deluxe" in any measure but PRICE!!!!!!!!!!

I did a comparison on here recently of the whole front door to room experience at a Disney Deluxe vs a Mobil 5 star hotel. Theme and price was the ONLY place Disney was a winner. Disney tends to do better themeing and pretty much always charges more.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

[and would recommend it to anyone, especially if you have the time to take advantage of what the resort has to offer (such as club level offerings!)[/QUOTE]
Besides the food, what else does Club service offer???? We will probably not be getting dining plan.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

Besides the food, what else does Club service offer???? We will probably not be getting dining plan.

I was mostly refering to the food offerings and how they would play into a day spent at the resort. For us, the only benefit of club level would be the food BUT please note that we didn't actually stay club level. There are so many great reports about club level via the FAQ thread.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

OK, here is my 2 cents worth. Club Level is only worth the extra price if you drink like a fish.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

I do like the idea of club level because my DS#1 ( the chess player) has Asperger's. We can eat breakfast there and also get some snacks and quiet during rounds away from all the hoardes in the restaurants .

 

[Lives4Disney]

The lounge at the GF in the main building overlooks the lobby so it's really nice to relax in there and listen to the lovely piano or band music. They play from about 2 pm on alternating piano, GF orchestra. There is food out pretty much all thru the day. Regarding the drinking like a fish comment.... I don't drink at all - maybe a glass of champagne if I'm not too tired, and I totally love the club level at the GF and think it's worth it. They have an IPO dept to help you plan your stay, arrange anything special, or help w/ADR bookings. The concierge CMs at the GF are top notch - as are the lounge staff and housekeepers. It's nice seeing the same CMs every stay. Any problem you might encounter will be taken care of. It makes for a totally stress free trip.

If you're looking to save money and have a nice WDW stay, go with the Swan....although the housekeeping and other services are very inconsistent....I'd say they're poor, but apparently others haven't had the issues we've encountered time after time there. I only stay at the Swan to save money. I don't expect "deluxe" from the Swan like I do from the GF RPC. But for the price it's good for location. If you're looking for resort feel, I recommend the GF. It is a haven.


Lives4Disney

 

[heatherlynn444]

I agree with channing. I ave not stayed at Swan, but never would. one comment that surprised me were the beds. i think teh GF has FABULOUS beds. am i crazy?