Grand Floridian v. Ritz Carlton

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Greetings fellow Disney enthusiasts, if you could weigh in with your opinion on this matter I would be quite thankful.

I will be taking off the months of January and February of 2005 for a well-deserved vacation to several Caribbean Islands. My question is this; I want to start our vacation with a week in Orlando so I can play some of the courses around town. I have stayed at the Grand Floridian before and enjoyed it. I am thinking of staying the week at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, I have always stayed at Ritz Carlton’s around the World but have never visited this property. Does anyone have any experience or opinions of the Ritz Carlton v. Grand Floridian?

Another question, does anyone know of any social clubs I may join where I could enjoy my Louis with a cigar? I hate this Florida No-smoking law; cognac is not the same without a cigar.

Also if anyone has dining ideas for those with a discriminating taste, let me know.

Thanks

 

[UKDEB]

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in January and at the Grand Floridian in July and, much as I love Disney, the GF does not even come close to the RC. The staff at the RC is in a league of its own (as you will know if you're used to staying at RCs) and, as hard as it tries, the GF is just playing at sophistication in comparison. Also, the RC has its 'newness' going for it - the rooms at the GF seem shabby once you've stayed at the RC.

We were in Orlando for my brother's 40th birthday in January. He is a mad keen golfer and we played the course at the RC and Eagle Pines. Or rather he and dh did: s-i-l and I just drove the buggies and took the photos! My brother has played several courses in Florida previously (including a couple at WDW), and he felt the RC course was "immaculate, but a bit lacking in character", although he thought that it probably just needed some time to mature. It was <i>very</i> expensive and, in hindsight, he and dh felt they wouldn't bother with the 'complimentary' fore caddy in future (they paid him $50 each tip and felt he detracted from their enjoyment a tad - db is a competent golfer, but dh is a beginner).

We all absolutely <i>loved</i> Fairways Golf Club at the RC - so much so that we went for lunch twice. I doubt you'd get to smoke your cigar there, though, despite its clubby atmosphere.

We were a little bit disappointed with Norman's at the RC - this was the restaurant we'd been looking forward to most and it was a bit of a let-down, although we will give it a second chance. The wine pairings consistently turned up at the wrong times and the service was slow (or rather the chefs were slow: we could see the kitchen from our table). We also had our first experience of V&As at the GF during the same trip (actually on db's 40th birthday) and it way exceeded our expectations. We went back there, for my birthday, during our July trip. We also enjoyed BlueZoo, Todd English's offering at the WDW Dolphin, in July. We've just booked to return in December.

 

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Yes, Thank you for your reply. I have been to the Todd English restaurant in Boston but really thought that this Dolphin offering may be a bit “chainy” feeling. Be sure to keep us posted on this.

Cheers

 

[sotoalf]

The Ritz Carlton is the better hotel, no doubt. Disney handles such an overwhelming volume of guests that it's next to impossible to promise 100% great customer service, and this is why you get such uneven or lopsided reviews of the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, WL, YC/BC, AKL, etc. Many people simply don't understand this and come away disappointed.

It's a different experience staying at a hotel in which the priority is a guest's needs and one in which the priority is the needs of a tourist on the way to a theme park....

 

[zipDdoodah]

We are thinking of staying at either the Ritz or the JW Marriott on our first night in Orlando. Which do you like better? They both look great to me. DH and I will have our 3 youngs kids (7,3,4) with us plus my parents. I know the lazy river pool is at the Marriott, so I am leaning that direction. Also, I think it may be a little more laid back, but I also like the idead of the Club level at Ritz. What would you suggest? Thanks

 

[Cinderella37]

As others have written, there is simply no comparison between the two. In defense of those who have "Grand" expectations, WDW propagates this with their marketing message, as well as its rate schedule. The service at the Ritz-Carlton is impeccable and the word "no" does not exist in the employees's vocabulary.

You cannoth go wrong with Victoria and Albert's at the GF. If the resort was run in the same spirit as this restaurant, it truly would be "world-class." V&A's is an event in itself and the food is wonderful. I'd eat there every night of our trips if it didn't take so long (now that would be a vacation in itself).

 

[Sammie]

If you are going strickly for the experience of the resort alone, I would suggest the Ritz. Yes the rooms are going to have that "new" feel, as its a new resort.

If you were going for the location, for being able to hop the monorail and be in the Magic Kingdom within minutes, view Cinderella's castle from your resort then the Grand Floridian wins hands down.

It all depends on which experience you want.

 

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Thanks all, I will be at the Ritz.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I've got to add, although we have never stayed at the GF (have never had a desire to) we have stayed at other Disney Deluxes usually concierge level. This upcoming trip is more focused on non disney related activities and we chose the Ritz Carlton Club level. Let me just say, the pre arrival attention has been phenomenal. The concierge has been "just" checking with me every other day or so to make sure all of our needs are met. We chose a discovery swim package and just the liitle extras included are so worth it. We went over our my kids food likes and dislikes so the chef in the club level would be prepared. Now, I don't ever remember disney concierge doing anything remotely close to the service I have so far experienced. I am not bashing disney, but the RC seems to have a liitle edge thus far.

 

[CarolA]

I keep saying that if the GF wants to live up to Disney's billing they need to spend a few nights at the Ritz. I have stayed at both and the Ritz is just TONS better! (I would love to go back and have no real desire to go to the GF, it is on the "been there, done that" list!)

 

[bavaria]

I would concur - Disney's 'best' resort falls far short of other 4 and 5 star resorts outside of the world.

I too have stayed at Grande Lakes (both the JW and the Ritz). The level of service is very high, especially as the resort has worked out any opening kinks.

Although the resort is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, this is actually very relaxing and a good alternative to the sometimes hectic nature of staying on site. The property is huge, and it's nice to wander around the lake and pool areas (especially in cooler weather! ) I usually take SR 535 and the new stretch of I-drive to get back to the resort after being in the parks. And I loved the view from my room(s) - a new perspective on the Orlando area.

My group recently stayed at the GF, and were rather disappointed with the level of service and the product. Compared to other WDW hotels, it's pretty good (but I prefer any of the Epcot resorts for product and service). Compared to a deluxe hotel outside WDW, it's certainly average.

 

[zipDdoodah]

Bavaria,
Which did you like better, the JW or the Ritz?

 

[bavaria]

Well, I liked both. Depends on what you are going for, I suppose.

I had meetings once at the JW, and they were great. The Ritz is a different level of service, that's the biggest difference.

Otherwise both rooms are very comfortable with great bathrooms and everything you could ever need.

 

[zipDdoodah]

We will be traveling with our 3 young kids and my parents. I was thinking JW would be great because of the pool and maybe a bit more laid back, but I also like the idea of the Club Level at the Ritz. The service level was definitely better at Ritz then? That may be the deciding factor. Since we are taking my parents on this trip, I really want to pamper them. They really need and deserve it. Thanks for the help.

 

[lmhall2000]

Now there ya go...I had already had my visual plans set in concrete (alright plaster of paris)...and these world class travelers come in and crack my mold! You've got me curious and itching to consider a stay off-site.

Here's the facts. I will have lost 90 pounds (and be at goal!) by the time we take our trip in January....I will be walking the 1/2 marathon....nuff about me...it will be my husband's 38th birthday....and this will be our last trip to Orlando for atleast 6 years (gotta do the fun historical trips abroad....low rent, of course). My 9 year old son has been fascinated with the ratings of hotels. Mainly because we are in the midst of an across state relocation and have had to stay in hotels a bit lately. He wonders why we've never stayed in anything above a 3-star. Hoping Hampton Inn counts as a 3-star. Because this relocation has been hard on our children (Daddy has been working away from home for 6 months while we're waiting for our home to sell)..I've actually considered biting the budget and signing him up for a 5-star hotel in our new hometown...alas...there are no 4 or 5 star hotels in our new hometown.

But now you have me mind clicking! Oh, the look on his face when I tell him we're staying at a 5-star (Is the Ritz rated 5 or 4 down there?) I realize gaining a 5-star rating and maintaining it is next to impossible...but it would be great to see if we could swing it.

Now all that said, how much more can I expect to pay at the Ritz v. a Deluxe at Disney? And, I know the Ritz is famous for their hospitality but is this resort welcoming to children? Ours are 9, 6 & 5...very well mannered...sweet as pie..but they are children.

I'd love any help from the connoiseurs out there that would share an opinion! Thanks!
Tara

 

[dmf208]

I find the RC very child friendly in general. I will be staying 2 nights at the Grand Floridian, 1 night at the pbh in universal and 2 nights at the ritz carlton. I am really looking forward to the rc stay. I will let you know when I get back.
Donna

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by dmf208
I find the RC very child friendly in general.Donna

So do I. We have stayed in Naples, NYC and Phil and all were very child friendly. And like I said before, the concierge planner could not be any more accomodating. I really am looking forward to this stay.

 

[TwingleMum]

What an interesting thread. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Threehearts]

The staff at the F. Seasons greets the children by name, shows them the children's media area, feeds them their favorite cookies etc.. The Ritz is great for service but I think their restaurant quality can be uneven. I did love the Ritz Kids program in Maui so I'm sure it's worth checking out in Orlando. Have a super time. Threehearts

 

[Rosie28A]

Someone posted about giving the kids a treat at the RC in Orlando. You gotta let them take in the Kids Suite. Here you can find out all about it.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/orlando_grande_lakes/ritzkids/default.asp

The program is for kids five through twelve. The furniture and the programs are scaled to kid size. Give 'em a chance to do their thing.

Parents get a chance to see what it will be like when their kids become teenagers. The Ritz will take care of them so well they wont even miss Mom and Dad while they go and do their thing.

We've done it three times, met other friends while the Ritz really entertained the kiddies. Go for it.