GF's RPC CONCIERGE WORTH EXTRA $2,000?

[poohluvrs]

We booked GF main concierge room for our trip, but am wondering if anyone could tell me their honest opinion if it's worth the extra $$$$? We could get a regular (garden view) room for $2,000 less (total for 7 day stay) than what the main concierge room is costing us..., rooms are same size, dont really mind view either way I guess b/c our kids are under 3 and probably wont make the Wishes fireworks anyways, only convenience was the PS bookings and breakfast/snacks, but $2,000 can buy a lot of food (btw, does GF do room service?!) and I can suffer through the PS myself...Not trying to come across as I've already made my mind up to switch my ressie, just want honest opinions from you experts, as we're torn! Thanks

 

[poohluvrs]

Almost forgot, any recommendations for garden view room requests if we do change? Haven't checked out the other buildings to GF, as we were thinking we would just be in the main building, which I understand is concierge only...don't know anything about the other buildings though, we really want the monorail/pool convenience, as we have the 2 toddlers...thanks again

 

[johnsonet]

I love Boca Chica which has both garden and lagoon view rooms and is non-smoking. I've had fabulous LV rooms with views of the Castle and a great GV room w/ a view of the "quiet" pool and the Main Bldg. - which is especially beautiful at night . It is a beautiful resort! Enjoy! Go back again this year for another stay with the 2 g's

 

[TammiMcMan]

Can't tell you whether it's "worth it", but my experiences at the GF's RPC have been wonderful.

Yes, they will take care of all your ps's, entertainment requests, recreation, transportation, pre-arrival park shopping, assistance with special occassions or special requests. Upon arrival, your met by a concierge staff member and escorted upstairs for a private check in. You have the added benefit of being on a secure floor, with CM's on duty from 7am-10pm to assist with any last minute items you might have. A group of rooms does have an incredible view of Wishes each night and if you are more tied down to your room because of naps or early bed time, you can get a snack and glass of wine or beer from the lounge and enjoy it on your balcony. I've seen some parents who bring along a baby monitor and are able to relax in the lounge, with their children sleeping just a short distance away. Rooms on the 4th floor, with a lagoon view of the Poly and Epcot are viewable from the lounge.

The GF does offer room service, complete with crystal, china and heavy silverware. It's beautiful in itself and my youngest DD doesn't feel like we're on vacation until she can have a grilled cheese sandwich delivered. With concierge, you can also take that a step further and have private dining serve you and DH a romantic meal on your balcony while the kids sleep, or even just arrange a beautiful dessert and champagne.

Food offerings are nice and you can pretty much plan on being full from their deluxe continental breakfast. Cold drinks, coffee and tea are out all day long. Food tends to be a bit more gourmet, but they do have cookies with afternoon tea and in the evening, it's mini hot dogs and cupcakes for the kids. Late night desserts include some nice pastries, chocolate covered strawberries and cordials like Baileys and Kahlua.

It's really a higher level of service that you receive. The rooms do come with automatic turn down, robes and newspapers in the morning, but you can request these items with any standard room also.

If you do decide to go with a standard, garden view, I think SagoCay is a great building, especially with little ones. You're very convenient to the bus and monorail. If you have the back of the building, you'll actually see the monorail go by, which can be exciting for the kids, or you can request marina view and watch the ducks.

Hope that helps a little bit,
Tammi

 

[BCV23]

We have never stayed in RPC but have in Sugar Loaf. I personally would not pay $2000 more but YMMV.

Tammi is a real expert on RPC but I do want to assure you that all rooms at GF still have turndown service and free newspaper delivery without any special requests. Robes I'm not so sure of as we don't usually use them anyway?

Private dining is available for all guests so you could do those lovely experinces she desccribes RPC or not.

I enjoy making my own PSs and since it only takes a few minutes for me to call and make them and even less time for a concierge CM to enter them on a computer, I don't think there is much value there. Frankly, the continental breakfast probably adds more value than that for us but my time comes cheaply! And the guest services at the front desk can do the same tasks for you as the concierge desk although you do have to walk to the main lobby, etc..

I think it is the intangibles that decide for us whether to book concierge or not. The views at the Polynesian lagoon view concierge are magical indeed. Listening to the music from the lobby at the GF could be a real plus at the RPC, too. Now with little ones trying to sleep that might not be quite so great.

But whatever you decide, have a magical stay.

 

[DVCconvert]

Tammi is a real expert on RPC but I do want to assure you that all rooms at GF still have turndown service and free newspaper delivery without any special requests.

You can get all of that while staying in a garden wing room at the contemporary as well. The GF is the quote, unquote, "flagship", and in my humble opinion the prices there are greatly inflated over other equal (or possilby better) concerige accomondations on property.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tammi is a real expert on RPC but I do want to assure you that all rooms at GF still have turndown service and free newspaper delivery without any special requests. Robes I'm not so sure of as we don't usually use them anyway?

Yes, it was my experience this past May in our standard Conch Key room that turndown was automatic. Just based my quote on the official literature from the resort that these services can be requested. And yup, that goes for robes too. My kids like to wear them after they get out of the pool at night. Even in Florida, that can be a chilly walk back to the room.

Private dining and on site guest service assistance has always been available, but I don't think many know about it or utilize this feature. Didn't they recently change the name to lobby concierge or something? Hopefully that will help guests to notice and take advantage. It's a nice benefit for all resort guests.

Listening to the music from the lobby at the GF could be a real plus at the RPC, too. Now with little ones trying to sleep that might not be quite so great.

I don't know about this one. We've had a room on the 4th floor in the vicinity of the orchestra and once the door was closed, I couldn't hear anything. That might be different on the 3rd floor though, because you'd be that much closer to them.

So many wonderful choices.......

 

[BCV23]

I didn't know that the CR still did turn down without a request. The Polynesian did for many years but these days you must request it unless you are in a concierge room.

Newspapers are still delivered at all deluxe resorts as far as I know although my only experience is the Polynesian, GF, BC and AKL.

Actually, that is one of the things that we miss on our nights at BCV...a newspaper at our door in the am.

Do you think members would vote to increase dues for that amenity.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Newspapers are still delivered at all deluxe resorts as far as I know although my only experience is the Polynesian, GF, BC and AKL.

It's listed as an amenity on the Disney website for all the deluxes. Automatic for concierge and upon request for standard rooms. I'm pretty sure it's still USA Today and only delivered Monday-Friday. I love waking up to the paper delivery also. Can't imagine it would be too much of an increase to have it done for the DVC???

 

[BCV23]

Tammi, we were at the Polynesian and BCV a few weeks ago. At the Polynesian, the desk is still marked as Guest Services as it has always been even as it has moved over the years. It has always been a nice service at the Polynesian.

At the BC/BCV, there is an area called concierge now. It handles the same things as Guest Services but is an improvement at the BC/BCV as before you had to wait through the same line as checkin at that resort at least in the recent past.

This vaction for the first time since the GF opened, we didn't even visit so I'm not sure what is going on there. But I do think the area to the left as you enter has been a guest services area at times lately....or concierge for those who prefer that name.

 

[BCV23]

It's listed as an amenity on the Disney website for all the deluxes. Automatic for concierge and upon request for standard rooms. I'm pretty sure it's still USA Today and only delivered Monday-Friday. I love waking up to the paper delivery also. Can't imagine it would be too much of an increase to have it done for the DVC???

Wow, I wonder if you have to request it at some deluxes these days. It is still automatic at the Polynesian as of the end of February.

I would gladly pay extra dues for papers at DVC but I suspect my family might be in the minority. I guess I should do a poll on the DDVC boards!

And yes, it has been the USA Today M_F for a couple of years now. Before that it was the Orlando Sentinel 7 days/week. Before that it was the USA Today....I think this was when the paper was new and probably offered WDW a deal that couldn't be refused. And before that it was the Orlando Sentinel...and the cycle continues!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Yes, you're right, the guest services area is located on the left as you walk into the GF. For all our stays there, I think I've only seen it manned once. I always suggest it when people ask about getting last minute PS's or checking on cancellations while they're at the resort and most aren't even aware of it's existence.

I did have to double check Deb Willis's site and it is now being called "lobby concierge". Guess it has a more upscale ring to it than guest services . Too funny, what's in a name?

 

[BCV23]

I did have to double check Deb Willis's site and it is now being called "lobby concierge". Guess it has a more upscale ring to it than guest services . Too funny, what's in a name?

I wonder if any resort is actually calling it "lobby concierge." You would think most people would know that they are in the lobby. But what IS in a name...

We did also have turndown in Conch Key without requesting it last summer.

Although we have only had three stays at the GF, we have always dined there since it opened with the exception of our last trip. It seems to me that the Guest Services area has been manned most of the time in the last year or so?? It has also sometimes been just to the right of the door blending in with checkin.

 

[*Fantasia*]

YMMV.

What does this mean? TIA!

 

[Tara]

What does this mean? TIA!

Your Milieage May Vary -- in other words, your experience might be different...

 

[CaipiraBob]

only convenience was the PS bookings and breakfast/snacks...


That's why I go concierge, but we eat out at places that require PS most of the time and we change our plans sometimes to suite whatever we are doing at the time. This is when concierge just shines. They can get you into those places that you wouldn't be able to manage yourself. But really, with more than one child under 3, you're not going to be changing your plans too much. You can't even use the child-care options offered by the resort. You could more than likely get by on making the reservations on your own.

The snacks? Convenient, but 2K, heh, yeah, that's a lot of food. The kids aremostly going to snack on cookies and gummie bears, but for 2k, I'd stop at Publix.

Our kids are old enough to get something out of concierge. Since they are old enough for the child care clubs, my wife and I are free to romp in the evenings if it's not a family night. The concierge is really great then.

I don't know that you'd be able to utilize the services enough to justify the money. I'd do it if you just want to experience it.

On the other hand, if I were you, I'd save the money and order chocolate covered strawberries delivered to your room each night before the fireworks. Then you could munch on them and think of the money you saved while having the same amount of fun.

 

[epcotfan]

The snacks? Convenient, but 2K, heh, yeah, that's a lot of food. The kids aremostly going to snack on cookies and gummie bears, but for 2k, I'd stop at Publix.

I agree. I'd rather use 2K on room service. That difference in money could also fund some serious souvenir shopping or special meals.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We always stay at GF and we love it. I wouldn't spend $2000 a week on concierge though. For one thing I enjoy making my own PS's - it's like the thrill of the hunt! If you want a good garden view room I would ask for Sago Cay, marina view it's quiet, relaxing and really pretty. My kids are getting a little older (4, 6 and 7) so this time we opted for a lagoon view - we'll see how it goes. I would rather spend the $2000 on room service or some super good meals, but that's just me.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Is that additional $2000 going to put a strain on your vacation budget? We all go on vacation with a certain spending limit and vacationing style. There are lots of DIS'ers who stay at budget resorts and therefore are able to go to Disney multiple times. I like to stay concierge, but can only afford to do that every other year. Even though many could afford concierge or suites, they choose to spend the extra money on a food plan, or souveniers or a quicker return trip. And while I don't mind spending the money on this additional service, I shop around like crazy for the best airfare, coupons for transportation and even in my regular life, I drive my cars until they won't run anymore and I refuse to pay for all the bells & whistles. I'm on my 7th year with my current car, there's 108,000 miles and I don't mind the roll up windows or lack of keyless entry, etc.... I don't even know what you'd call it, selective spending style????

Anyway, I know you were looking for thoughts, but really it's only you who can decide what works best for your families vacation.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

I think you're wise to evaluate the benefits you're hoping to get from concierge up front since I think the perceived value really depends on the kind of trip you're planning.

For instance, our family did a BC CL trip last summer where we made full use of the IPO pre-planning services (difficult PSs, room gifts, many last minute changes in itinerary, etc), had many breakfasts for 5 in the CL lounge and even a few evening desserts and cordials. We thought it was well worth our money spent especially on the 7-for-5 deal.

Fast forward to our 4 day December trip... we chose to book through Dreams Unlimited, so they handled our PSs, special event tickets and even room rate adjustments when codes were released. Since we planned for late night activities and sleep-in mornings, breakfasts and evening cordials were off our agenda. We chose the GF for that Victorian holiday feeling and went with a garden view (no special requests other than non-smoking). We loved our 4th floor Conch Key room though it was honestly hard to imagine a "bad view" at GF! Such a pretty resort really! We did use the "lobby concierge" (or whatever it's called) to change some PSs, get a print out of of PS itinerary, print boarding passes for our return flight, etc. We also got nightly turn-down service (and newspaper) without asking. For that trip, going non-concierge turned out to be the right choice for us.

Good luck with your own decision!