Grand Floridian stuck up? Your personal experiences?

[Sammie]

Considering how quickly CM's change resort locations and even work at more than one location, I can't see how any of this is relevant. What one guest experiences might never occur for another and the CM might not even still be there. The same applies to guests one might encounter while staying at a particular resort

But for the record, in our many trips to the GF, we have never been treated with anything other than top notch service.

It is definitely wrong for other CM's to disparage fellow CMs, but I also think it is wrong to share on a public forum what someone has shared in a "private" conversation, both are in bad taste. You have to remember that WDW has almost 68,000 employees and not all of them are suited for the job, nor do they enjoy their work. They bicker among themselves and at times seem to enjoy doing something to get back at the Management. You also have some that used to work for WDW and leave disgruntled and use these forums for that medium.

I also think many times when I read these forums, do people truly have fun, on their Disney vacations. For it seems to me they spend a lot of time worrying about the small stuff.

 

[uva185]

There were a few that would always walk around with their noses up in the air. Would not get their hands dirty by clearing away dishes left by guests, which the CM at the WL concierge must do, in addition to taking turns actually washing them.

I'm curious, which CMs do you expect to clear dirty dishes? I would never expect the CMs sitting at the concierge desk to clear dirty dishes. I seriously doubt that is their job. The GF have dedicated "servers" to bring out additional food & drinks as well as take away dirty dishes. If it was the servers who refused to take away dishes then that is an issue.

 

[HARASW]

I'm curious, which CMs do you expect to clear dirty dishes? I would never expect the CMs sitting at the concierge desk to clear dirty dishes. I seriously doubt that is their job. The GF have dedicated "servers" to bring out additional food & drinks as well as take away dirty dishes. If it was the servers who refused to take away dishes then that is an issue.

Not exactly correct. There were many times where the ones behind the desk were doing nothing for long periods of time and they would get up and help with serving and cleaning up. They are supposed to do that if the floor gets busy and they are doing nothing at all but sitting. But there were always those few who would turn their backs and start talking to make themselves look busy. At the WL, the concierge members are all running back and forth, doing any job that needs to be done, no matter who they are.

 

[uva185]

There were many times where the ones behind the desk were doing nothing for long periods of time and they would get up and help with serving and cleaning up.

So they did help serve and clean when they were not occupied? Was is just a few of the CMs that refused to take your dishes away?

Not all of the CM at the GF are snooty, though most are.

From your previous quote it seems like you are exaggerating the situation. You probably experienced 1 or 2 bad apples and extrapolated that into saying most are snooty.

I am not making excuses for bad employees and they should be dealt with by Disney. Just don't make general statements about "most CMs" based on the experience you had with 1 or 2 CMs.

They are supposed to do that if the floor gets busy and they are doing nothing at all but sitting.

Where did you find this out? If thats true I would be surprised. I don't think I have ever seen the matron/concierge at an airport club or hotel executive lounge to serve and cleanup food even if they were just sitting there and a lot of guests needed food. They are usually there to assist the guests with information and planning. The ONLY exception I have experienced is the matron at the San Diego Crown Room Club is also the bartender at non-peak hours. But she certainly does not go around collecting glasses and trash.

 

[HARASW]

So they did help serve and clean when they were not occupied? Was is just a few of the CMs that refused to take your dishes away?

From your previous quote it seems like you are exaggerating the situation. You probably experienced 1 or 2 bad apples and extrapolated that into saying most are snooty.

I am not making excuses for bad employees and they should be dealt with by Disney. Just don't make general statements about "most CMs" based on the experience you had with 1 or 2 CMs.


Where did you find this out? If thats true I would be surprised. I don't think I have ever seen the matron/concierge at an airport club or hotel executive lounge to serve and cleanup food even if they were just sitting there and a lot of guests needed food. They are usually there to assist the guests with information and planning. The ONLY exception I have experienced is the matron at the San Diego Crown Room Club is also the bartender at non-peak hours. But she certainly does not go around collecting glasses and trash.

Many posts ago, I cleared up what was meant by most. Remember, I was there for 8 years, I saw a lot and also got to know a lot of CM. In the evening, when many guests were out to dinner or out at the fireworks, we would stay inside and talk with a few of the CM. That's how I found that out. Plus, it was confirmed by what I was told at the WL, since 2 CM that I met there also worked at the GF. Hope I cleared it up for you. If you need to know anything else, please ask.

 

[dannyh23]

Actually you are wrong about that. This Cast Member had worked before on the Atrium Club and wanted to try working at the Grand Floridian, because WDW has that program where Cast Members can try working at other Resorts for 30 days to see if they want to work there full time. Obviosuly she decided to switch back to the Atrium Club.

Sorry, but the CM that you and your parents were talking to IS A BAD CM. A "GOOD" CM DOES NOT BASH ANOTHER RESORT OR GUESTS. I would have reported her.

 

[TammiMcMan]

At the WL, the concierge members are all running back and forth, doing any job that needs to be done, no matter who they are.

Looks like we've stayed at the SLC during the same years. The CM duties are different at the GF. They have separate staff for the lounge and they have staff for the desk and customer service. At least that's the way it was handled during that time. We got very friendly with some of the CM's who I felt went above and beyond for our family during our stays there. This was when they didn't have soda service and one desk CM always made it a point to get my son a coke from the kitchen. She mentioned that they weren't supposed to be handling any of the food items, but it would be our little secret. So, I think your information that part of their job description was assisting in the lounge is incorrect.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just remembered another story however this time it involves friends of my family from Orlando, not any Cast Members. Anyway this past August we ran into this family we know from Orlando who were at Disney's Pin Traders in Downtown Disney. So we are talking about the various WDW Resorts and restaurants and for some reason they mentioned a few years go they once had dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Anyway they told us that someone who happened to be staying at the Grand Floridian was complaning that he and his family had not been seated yet, where as non Grand Floridian guests like our friends were seated ahead of them. So he goes to complain to the Cast Member and suggests our friends should be asked to leave because his family was paying over $300 a night for a room and it was not fair for them to wait, while non Resort guests at the Grand Floridian were already sitting down to eat. I guess he found out they were not staying there because he asked them incase anyone was wondering that. Still you have to admit that was very rude of this person to make such an outrageous demand, because any Resort restaurant does not seat guests staying there before anyone else. So because of their experience our friends told us they no longer wish to go back and eat the Grand Floridian.

 

[lookingforward]

I'd have to agree that this is a matter of perception, or at least an isolated experience where someone encountered a CM on a bad day. I can also understand, in fact, I can assume that there must be plenty of guests at the GF or other deluxes that, based on their financial situation, lack of class and the fact that they may be paying $700-1000 per night that they generally treat people like garbage. I see it everyday...I live in South Florida. It's becoming the hallmark of this area.

SO TRUE! Boca Raton agrees

I have stayed at the GF RPC and most of the people are wonderful. Some of the guests were a bit over the top....like the poor nanny who had to deal with the bratty little girl who was hitting her while her parents laughed. But I digress....

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

We have stayed at the GF RPC several times and we will be going back again next April. We don't find it "snooty" at all. However, we have found some of the guest to be "snooty." Never have we found any of the CM's to be that way. Just the opposite. Like other's have said it's all in your preference on where you want to stay and how you want to spend your money. We were just at the YC RC in June and to us, it doesn't come close to the GF. Can't wait to go back.

 

[TammiMcMan]

So because of their experience our friends told us they no longer wish to go back and eat the Grand Floridian.

Unfortunately, if they take that attitude, they could quickly run out of places to eat at Disney World. This situation is certainly not exclusive to the GF, we've run into rude people everywhere. What I don't understand is why people take things so seriously and allow others actions to dictate where they stay or eat. Seems like they're the ones who end up missing out, simply because of one bad instance that amounted to all of 5 minutes in their lives. Such a shame.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Unfortunately, if they take that attitude, they could quickly run out of places to eat at Disney World. This situation is certainly not exclusive to the GF, we've run into rude people everywhere. What I don't understand is why people take things so seriously and allow others actions to dictate where they stay or eat. Seems like they're the ones who end up missing out, simply because of one bad instance that amounted to all of 5 minutes in their lives. Such a shame.

Well said Tammi. Unless the situation affects us directly, can't be bothered.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Unfortunately, if they take that attitude, they could quickly run out of places to eat at Disney World. This situation is certainly not exclusive to the GF, we've run into rude people everywhere. What I don't understand is why people take things so seriously and allow others actions to dictate where they stay or eat. Seems like they're the ones who end up missing out, simply because of one bad instance that amounted to all of 5 minutes in their lives. Such a shame.

Like I said before this family is from Orlando and they said it was at the Grand Floridian where they would not want to eat. So I am sure they have been to a lot more WDW restaurants as locals, then some of us as tourists. Plus I think you would have had to been there to know what they talking about, because it takes something major for these people to feel the way did after what happened with that rude guest.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Like I said before this family is from Orlando and they said it was at the Grand Floridian where they would not want to eat. So I am sure they have been to a lot more WDW restaurants as locals, then some of us as tourists. Plus I think you would have had to been there to know what they talking about, because it takes something major for these people to feel the way did after what happened with that rude guest.

Not sure why I would have to be there to understand. I believe your story and I don't think there's anyone here who hasn't encountered a rude person at one point or another. I just think it's sad that they allowed this one instance to affect their decision to ever eat there again. I'd be more impressed with the restaurant for not allowing this braggart to cut other people in line. It sounds like they handled it very well.

My point about the other WDW restaurants is that you can encounter rude people anywhere and if an observation (not anything that directly affects you) is going to stop someone from eating there again, you can quickly run out of places to eat.

 

[Dis Ohana]

I guess I would have to have been there to understand, because I'm not getting it. Your friends had no issues with service, or the resort itself...but were turned off because of one rude guest? Rude people are everywhere, not just WDW. I would never let someone else's bad day affect mine.

 

[ClareH37]

I'm staying at the GF (RPC) first time in a few weeks and I'm really looking forward to it.

Every time I've visited the resort (to eat at the restaurants) I've found the staff very efficient and welcoming - OK, they might not appear as 'over friendly' as some of the other resorts, but TBH it suits me fine, I prefer understated service, which I guess other people might call 'snooty'.

I don't have to wear 'real' Polo shirts or top designer names to prove a point but I am fortunate enough to have more than 1 holiday a year staying in deluxe or 5 star resorts, flying First Class from the UK - I don't mean to sound like I'm boasting , I'm just saying that you really can't tell someone's 'wealth' from the way they dress. I find it amusing that often 'snooty' guests are trying to prove something when in fact they've nothing to prove

I've encountered rude or snooty guests wherever I've stayed, whether it's the Four Seasons or Disney resorts - I encountered the guest from hell at the Boardwalk Inn in May but that's another story.

 

[Brizite76]

I agree with the point TammiMcMan made. Reading how the restaurant did NOT grant the rude man's request and treated all the diners equally makes me want to eat there.

Just my two cents

 

[Cinderella]

I'm glad they did not let this man have his own way. But you will find rude people in many places - not just the Grand Floridian.

We were staying at Wilderness Lodge last May. One evening, it absolutely poured down, the water outside would have been over our shoes, so we decided it wasn't worth getting soaked going to Epcot, so we decided to wait in line at Artist Point podium to try to get a table.

The line was reasonably long, as quite a few resort guests seemed to have the same idea. We all stood waiting patiently, then this obnoxious woman and her boyfriend arrived. She asked if I had a reservation and I said no - we were waiting in the hope of getting a table. I asked her if she was in the same predicament because of the rain and she said she wasn't - she was staying elsewhere and she had ADR's.

Then she said that she didn't see why she should have to join the queue at the podium as she had 6.30 ADR's. She actually arrived at the restaurant at 7.15 and she was a little late.

Now, as you all know, you have to wait in line at the podium whether you have ADR's or not. But this girl went on and on in a very loud voice how she should not be waiting because she had ADR's - then she went and asked the other guests whether they had ADR's. And when a CM passed she grabbed them and complained.

Now, I don't know whether the CM was aware that she had actually turned up 45 minutes late for her ADR's, but they allowed her to jump the queue and seated her.

I really could have slapped this woman, and she should not have been able to push in the way she did. If I had been this late, I would have tried to call to let them know, and I would have waited in line and asked nicely if there was still the chance of a table. I just couldn't believe that anyone could be so rude.

The only good thing was that by letting her push in, we didn't have to put up with her loud comments anymore or the embarrassment we felt as people were going past when she kept saying - they don't have ADR's and they're in front of me - it's not fair!

This may annoy a few people, but I really feel that the resort hotels should keep a few tables spare so that the folks staying at them can make a reservation after they arrive. When you're paying a lot of money to stay somewhere, you would expect to be able to dine there if you were stuck in the hotel due to bad weather.

Now, at Artist Point we did manage to get a table. But, we tried to get a walk in when we were staying at the Poly and they had nothing for the whole evening. I was staying concierge so I suppose I could have asked them to try to get me a table, but I didn't like to, and I wouldn't have dreamed of complaining, even though I was paying well over $500 a night for my room.

 

[wdhinn89]

I don't understand this mentality. Every single resort at Disney is discussed here every day with an equal mixture of positive and negative comments.

But if someone says something negative about the GF, it's suddenly "resort envy."

Maybe people just don't like the theme. It doesn't mean they're jealous! Heck, I probably couldn't afford to stay at GF unless I saved every single penny and never did anything fun at home. But even if I had the disposable income, I wouldn't choose GF. I just don't care for the atmosphere. It doesn't mean I'm envious of those *real* polo shirt wearin' people with brushed hair and lipstick who do choose to stay there.

Me, I'm happy wearing my Wal Mart sweat pants and $3 Hanes tee-shirt walking around the lobby of Wilderness Lodge with curlers in my hair and Clearasil smeared on my face.


(Edited to add: just joking about that last part. I really don't walk around in public in sweat pants!)

I shop at Walmart and I also shop at Abercombie. I am staying at the GF in 2 weeks and have also stayed off site to save money. I have zero balances on my credit card and somepeople don't. Big Deal! I try everything once. Twice if I like it. All different people stay at all different places just to experience. It does not make a difference what you wealth is. Everyone should just enjoy their time with their family and not care what anybody else wears, owns, has or what they think somebody elses wealth status is. They may being staying RPC at GF and have outrageous credit card balances and not care. To each his own.

 

[kribit]

I've never stayed at GF (hope to at some point), but we had dinner at Victoria and Alberts and I found the people very nice. We spent some time visiting the resort, going to the gift shoppe etc... and the CM's we interacted with were kind and welcoming.