I did it! Tell me I'm not crazy!

[Sazzo'sMommy]

I just got off the phone with CRO; I made GF main building concierge reservations for my husband's 40th birthday celebration next October! Tell me I am not crazy to spend this much money! Tell me we will love it! Any GF concierge alum out there...tell me how wonderful this surprise will be for my husband!

I would rather stay somewhere else, but my husband has always said, for the past 10 trips, that he wants to "try" GF main building! So, I cave in with a 40th bday surprise!

Please, share with me the positive things that have happened to you at the GF concierge! Give me some hints as to what I am to expect, please!

 

[mmausse]

I understand your husband wanting to stay at the "flagship" resort - GF, but..........

I have stayed at the GF for the past 6 visits over a period of 6 years) including my most recent stay - the entire month of December 2002 at the concierge main building - you want to talk about costs?...

Frankly, I could have spent far less and had a much better time at the concierge at one of the other Deluxe resorts. The food was mediocre, nothing compared to the YC concierge, AKL conc or even WL conc. Every time I asked for a soft drink - the staff reacted as if I was asking for the Queen's jewels. I also requested skim milk for taking some medicine. I told them I need it every morning. They said they'd have it ready for me - they never did. I had to ask, and sometimes beg. Other times they were out of skim milk. A lot of the GF conc staff could not understand basic English, which was a problem when I needed to change dinner ressies - the dates were incorrect or even the places. Also, the food was not replenished, so unless you got there at the beginning, you were out of luck.

Sorry, if this isn't what you expected to hear, but GF REALLY needs to get its act together. In its defense, they recently (Aug 2002) replaced their management staff so it could be they were still working the kinks out when I was there Maybe someone else has been there since and had better luck.

I'm going back next week and splitting my trip between BC & Contemporary concierge. In Feb I'll stay at Boardwalk concierge. Things have to improve or people will go elsewhere.

Good luck and I hope your DH birthday is a "GRAND" time for all!

 

[Aisling]

You're not crazy and you're not wasting money! It costs a lot, but just do it, that's what I did!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Well I certainly do not think you are crazy. If that's where he wants to stay than I think its very considerate of you. People seem so divided on the GF.. It's either love it or hate it, there doesn't seem to be too many middle of the road. You'll just have to try it for yourself And hope for a discount!

 

[parrothead365]

Your DH is a lucky guy. I think it's great that you were able to set this up. I have never stayed there but I will try anything once. Go have a great time and let us know what ya think.

 

[hmp2z]

Once you stay in the main building, you just can't go back to the outer lodges. There is nothing in the world as romantic as sipping wine at your table in the concierge lounge, looking out at the castle, listening to the orchestra play. Very, very decadent. We are staying there again August 2004, and think it's worth every penny of $600/night!
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by hmp2z
There is nothing in the world as romantic as sipping wine at your table in the concierge lounge, looking out at the castle, listening to the orchestra play. Very, very decadent. We are staying there again August 2004, and think it's worth every penny of $600/night!

Oh, I can think of at least one thing more romantic--sipping wine ANYWHERE inside a 1100 square foot two-bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs.

$600 per night?!?! A single night is equivalent to 5% of what we paid for FIFTY YEARS worth of vacations at SSR.

Sorry, I know that was off-topic but I couldn't resist...

 

[fklhou]

We stayed at the Grand Flordian main building concierge over spring break. It was okay but not great. I like the AKL concierge better. We have not done the Poly concierge in about six years abut in the old building it was great. You may get a better value at the AKL concierge.

 

[Montana Minnies]

I've never stayed at the GF, but last summer when my sister and I were at WDW we visited it and I thought it was beautiful. You only turn 40 once and if that is what your dh wants, go for it! Sounds to me like a wonderful birthday surprise. (And no I do not think you are crazy.)

 

[BrianD]

You know what? If this is for your husband's 40th birthday, and he has always talked about wanting to stay at the GF in the main building, then you absolutely have made the right decision. Let your husband decide if it was worth it, not people on this board.

I wouldn't think another thing of it. Just go, and have a wonderful time celebrating your husband's birthday at WDW!

 

[crs7568]

I say that you have to put your worries aside and just enjoy the fact that you are making your husband's birthday wish come true. The Grand Floridian is a beautiful hotel and the location is incredible. While it is expensive, it will also be a trip that he will always remember. You can make yourself crazy by reading all of the conflicting opinions on the various hotels and concierges. Go for it and have a great time!

 

[Skylarr29]

well that is a huge amount of money to spend to be second guessing it....... If you do have a bad time you are going to resent the fact that you did spend that much money... id rather spend the money on some romantic dinner or activities.. the other resorts are just as nice..

 

[minnie56]

For the Millenium New Years for a week..now that was a lot of money!!! ouch...

Sadly, I was not impressed. It was nice...not great! And we booked it 10 years ahead so there was a lot of anticipating and much disappointment. Hope it is so much better for you!

 

[Dogslider]

Since I have never stayed there I can't give an opinion on the resort. But, I will say that one thing I have learned from this board it there is widely varied opinions on everything!
The way I see it is, this is basically a birthday gift for your husband and you know that it is a gift that he wants. I would just go and enjoy it.
If I didn't get my husband say a certain golf club set that he wanted for his birthday and I told him the reason why I didn't get it for him, was because several people (who he didn't know) said it wasn't really worth the money and that he might not really like the clubs as much as he thinks he would. Well that just seems silly.
Unless money is a big concern, I would do it. As in all gifts it really is the thought that counts and you are thinking of what your husbands wants.
Have fun!
Pam

 

[zipDdoodah]

I agree, if it's truly your husband's dream to stay there, then you need to do it. We are planning our dream trip right now (I don't know how I talked my husband into spending the money on it) and taking my parents with us next September. We're going all out and getting the Platinum Plan and everything. I've always wanted to do this, and I don't think I'll be satisfied until we do......so what I'm saying is - if it's that important to him then it's worth it. I hope you have the best trip ever!

 

[SeaSpray]

The Grand Floridian IS a beautiful resort. Since you're doing this for your DH, you know he'll be happy and excited about it, and THAT'S what will make it a wonderful trip.

You will hear good and bad experiences about every single resort. I know there have been a lot of negative reviews of GF-concierge (I was hoping they'd have their act together over there by now...)... but it seems like you're doing your "homework", so to speak, so you will know what to expect and won't be disappointed.

Have a WONDERFUL TIME!!!

 

[disneysandy]

I think you will really enjoy it. Being a die-hard fan of the Poly, we stayed at GF once to see how it compared to the Poly. It was wonderful. My oldest daughter loved it...but then she is extremely high maintenance...lol. It was pretty cool but we decided for our tastes that the Poly is for us. Now we are trying to get to some of the other resorts so we can compare them...That's pretty fun too....

Either way, your DH is a lucky man...I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time....

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I'm sure your DH will love it, are you going to surprise him at the last minute by saying well at least we are staying at GF then have the bellman take him to your room

Originally posted by mmausse
I have stayed at the GF for the past 6 visits over a period of 6 years) including my most recent stay - the entire month of December 2002 at the concierge main building - you want to talk about costs?...

Frankly, I could have spent far less and had a much better time at the concierge at one of the other Deluxe resorts. The food was mediocre, nothing compared to the YC concierge, AKL conc or even WL conc....ect...

Why would you stay there for a month if you where that displeased with it. Sorry I just don't know why you stayed....?

 

[PamNC]

I think life is short and if that is what your husband wants, do it! BUT, only if it's not going to cause you any financial grief. I know we couldn't afford it. We stay deluxe, but never at rack rate and only once in concierge and that was because we were upgraded for free. Actually, I didn't think concierge would be worth the money. It was fine - but certainly not worth the extra $$$ for us.

We stayed at GF once - not the main building of course. It's a beautiful resort and I can understand why your husband wants to stay there. but, we prefer YC/BC. Love the Epcot resort area and Stormalong Bay.

Again, if you can afford it, GO FOR IT!

PamNC

 

[Gutto]

PamNC >>>> GREAT !!!