Help! I'm doubting my choice of resort!

[Chicago526]

BF and I will be spending our honeymoon at WDW. Right now we have Lodge Conceirge at the GF for 7 nights. I've always dreamed of staying at GF!

But I've heard that the staff at the GF can be cold, aloof and not very helpful. The Lodge Conceirge does not included alcohol, and the room sizes are a bit small compared to other deluxes, I beleive. Also, no castle view . The honeymoon rooms are sold out that week, I've checked...

So I've been poking around a little, and found that I can get a 1 bedroom suite at BC for about the same amout as our room at GF, and have full conceirge service (BF likes to drink, so this would actually help us save money). The suite sounds like it would be bigger as well. But, we would not be on the monorail, which is one of the things I love about WDW is getting to ride the monorail all the time! We would be within walking distance to Epcot and MGM, though.

I know we'll have a good time no matter what, but do you think we should change our reservations? This will be the last trip to WDW staying at a deluxe for years to come, so it could be my only chance to stay at GF....

 

[dpic]

If I were you, I'd stay on the monorail. For a honeymoon, nothing says magic like an MK deluxe resort. Next, I know many people love the concierge at the Poly, so you might want to check that out. Also, if you think you won't use the concierge service that much, I'd downgrade into a non-concierge lagoon view. You'll save money plus have an MK view.

Have a great trip and congrats!

 

[MickeyMouth]

The GF is great but for my tastes it is a little stuffy. The POLY is more relaxed and more romantic especially at night with the tiki torches lighting the paths. Either way you will have a great time!

 

[Magic2000]

We stayed at the Grand Floridian (non concierge) in Dec 2002 and we LOVED it!!!! We were well pampered!! There were 5 of us in the room - and it was great!!! We were not crowded at all (DH, me, 3 kids)!!! Staff and service at GF was wonderful!!!! The convenience of being on the monorail can't be beat!!!

However, Beach Club has an excellent location too!!! We stayed at the Swan before, and we loved being able to walk to Epcot and MGM!

I guess it just depends on the theming you want! And if you've always dreamed of staying at the Grand Floridian, go for it!!!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[jeancbpugh]

Why not split your stay? A few days on the monorail with easy access to MK at GF (I agree with poster who suggested switch to lagoon view), then a few days at BC with easy access to Epcot and MGM.

 

[nanatink]

Don't forget they have the boats at bc that go to epcot and disney studioes.

 

[Minnie824]

Go for the 1 bdrm suite at Beach Club! DH and I debated between GF and YC for our honeymoon, and decided on the YC. The area was perfect for us! We also got the concierge that way, we walked to Epcot for dinner and the Boardwalk for dessert almost every night! We loved that area. And our 1 bdrm suite, not sure if it was upgraded or what, but we had 1 regular room, then a large living room/sitting area, another bathroom, then a bedroom with a king bed. It was great and definitely worth the money.

 

[micmacmissy]

I say keep your reservation at the GF.

In lodge concierge, you will still have full access to the main building concierge, and they have alcohol there, so you're not missing out on that. And there are views of the castle all over the grounds of GF; so even if you can't see it from your room, you can watch fireworks from the marina or the boat dock--very nice!

We didn't think the concierge staff were unbelievably helpful, but they weren't exactly aloof, either. They were professional and helpful, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Go with the GF - especially if you think you might not be able to get back there again. We've been there several times and believe me IT IS NOT STUFFY. I think only people who haven't stayed there get that impression. The CMs have always been helpful. We have three small children (youngest was 2 when we first went) and we were never made to feel out of place, in fact CMs were always happy to assist us. You won't regret it. If you can't have a lagoon view room don't worry. Lots of people go down to the marina (they have tables and chairs) and watch the fireworks there every night. It's like a little party.

 

[Chicago526]

I didn't know we could raid the main conceirge lounge!!! Party on! It will be nice for BF to stop by on the way back to the room at the end of the day for a beer...

I do love the GF decor (of what I've seen of it from the lobby!) and I adore the monorail. Taking the boat to Epcot and MGM sounds nice, but nothing beats the monorail in my book!

We stayed at the Poly last December, and we both loved it (lagoon view with a picture perfect shot of the castle!). I'd stay there again, but I'd like to try some differant resorts, and since GF has always been my dream I thought we'd try it out. But thanks for the suggestion!

As for spliting the stay, that's not an option. I asked BF if he would consider it, I got a great big NO from him. He, who never has an opinion on ANYTHING, refuses to switch hotels. He wants to un-pack once and forget about it until it's time to leave!

I think I'll stay with the GF for now. But if anyone wants to share their experiances there, feel free!

 

[LSUDis]

Are the honeymoon rooms sold out for your ENTIRE stay? Could you move sometime during those 7 days to a honeymoon room? or to a lagoon view? In other words, could you room-hop instead of resort-hop?

 

[twocat]

If your dream is to stay at the GF, DO IT. You don't want to have any of those 'if only' thoughts, especially on your honeymoon! While my favorite resort is the YC, go for your dream!

Can someone chime in here about main building concierge priveleges for those staying lodge concierge? I didn't know you could do this.


I guess this post answered my question:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=735979

 

[gonga]

I say keep your reservation at the GF.

In lodge concierge, you will still have full access to the main building concierge, and they have alcohol there, so you're not missing out on that. And there are views of the castle all over the grounds of GF; so even if you can't see it from your room, you can watch fireworks from the marina or the boat dock--very nice!

We didn't think the concierge staff were unbelievably helpful, but they weren't exactly aloof, either. They were professional and helpful, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

You CANNOT do this. You will NOT have access to the RPC. First of all, your room key is the access to the RPC lounge. Also, if you check prices, the RPC concierge is more money than the lodge concierge. You only have access to the concierge level in which you pay for.

It looks like you have some time from your counter (250 days). What I would do is to keep your reservation and call every couple of days to see it there is a cancellation. Hey people cancel/change plans all the time.

We mostly stayed at the GF RPC, believe me it is worth it. The staff is not cold or aloof at all, they are just people like you and me. They work very hard and always have a smile. We have always found them to be warm and friendly and very helpful. We were there during the last hurricane, and the staff was excellent. Actually it was one of our best trips! If you enjoy wine, cordials and desserts, then I would hold out for a cancellation. It is really nice to be on the monorail...espically in the middle of the day. Just jump on, grab a cookie and lemonade, freshen up in your room and your back on the on the monorail in a flash!

I would hold out for what your really want...I k ow you will get it you just have to be patient. Hey call everyday if you have to!

 

[Chicago526]

Rats, I knew it was too good to be true!

Oh well. Since the deluxes will have fridge's in them by the time we travel, maybe we'll just make a stop on the way to the resort for a six pack! I don't drink very much, so the alcohol was for my BF's benifit!

Thanks for the feedback on GF! I'm just getting nervous about it. I was the same way about the Poly last year, and it turned out perfect, so I don't know why I'm second guessing myself!

I'll check on cancelations, but I'm not going to knock myself out over it. The price differance, while afordable, is still signifigant and if we stick to Sugar Loaf I'll have more money to shop with!

 

[gonga]

If your BF drinks beer, then don't worry about it. RPC serves assorted wines and after dinner drinks with dessert offerings. I have never seen beer served. You may be able to have room service send beer up to your room so you do not have to go out for it. I don't know if they sell it in any of the GF stores, but I have seen bottled beer sold in the Poly, so you may have to hop on the monorail. If you like wine there is a wine store in Epcot Italy or France (or both) where you can get anything you want.

They do serve bottles of beer at the concierge level at the universal hotels, sometimes people get it confused.