I'm worried I may not be happy with the GF.

[Familyof6]

We are staying at the GF this May. This is the second time I've planned this trip. (we had to cancel the first time) The first time I had planned on staying at the Polynesian. The trip is a Land/Sea pkg. and even though by category on the ship, we were supposed to be in the GF, I requested the Polynesian. When I rebooked, I went up a category and they told me that we would be in GF concierge. I could only "request" concierge level at the Polynesian. I decided to go with the sure thing of GF Conc. Now I'm second guessing my decision. I'm afraid the GF will be too upscale for my family. I have 4 (fairly well-behaved, yet normal) kids.
I've spoken with a couple people in the concierge office and I just don't get that welcome feeling. During the previous planning, I had spoken with the Polynesian concierge and really felt like they cared about our trip.
What have any of you experienced with the GF concierge? Are they as stuffy as they sound on the phone. I really feel like I'm putting them out when I call.
Will they move my family over to the Polynesian if we are not happy with the GF? I'm really starting to worry.


Lisa

 

[PamOKW]

There are lots of children at the GF. They may be more businesslike on the phone because they do deal with lots of business people. But, they also deal with lots of families and are used to keeping everyone happy. I can't imagine that you won't love staying at the GF Concierge. A family from our area wouldn't do Disney any other way. They went less often just to enjoy staying GF Concierge. The kids loved it as much as the parents.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I had originally booked GF Concierge for my upcoming trip, but then I switched to non-concierge (due to some reviews on the boards). I was able to visit the concierge level (main building & lodge) during one of my trips. I liked what I saw. Right now I am considering upgrading back to concierge. I think I'd really like to stay in the main building.

 

[MJS]

We are staying at the GF in concierge in a few weeks. They have been wonderful. Very professional, and they have met all of our requests. I can let you know better when we return.

I must add that we have stayed in concierge at the Poly. The CMs were great on the phone, but when we got there, not of our requests (PS's, crib for the room, room request, and more) were done. It was awful, and we would never stay there again.

 

[musicfan]

I never stayed concierge, but I DID stay at the Poly and I can second MJS -- they were really friendly on the phone, but when we got there our request had not been met (anything but ground floor), our toilet "ran" the whole time and they couldn't fix it, and the air conditioner poured cold air out onto the bed no matter how high we set it, unless we turned it off. Also, the whole building smelled like mildew. We visited the GF during that trip and I really wished we had stayed there.

 

[Janet2k]

Familyof6, the GF is a beautiful resort. Keep an open mind and maybe the magic that is currently lacking will appear. I hope you have a wonderful stay there.

 

[Lisa F]

We stayed at the GF concierge for our honeymoon almost 4 years ago. Both my husband and I had the same reaction. WOW, we would've LOVED the GF as kids! Neither of us grew up in rich or stuffy families either, both very much middle class. They definately have stuff for kids, including the most adorable child sized versions of the elegant adult furniture. The concierge staff was always warm and friendly when we were there, but I agree that they were a little more standoffish when I dealt with them before I got there. I never had a problem feeling "out of place" at the GF, or like it was too stuffy, but maybe that is because I am working on master's in architecture and we are taught to go into any building like we own it!

Lisa

 

[AnnaM]

You will *love* the GF. We stayed there twice with our children. In 1998 and 2000. And they are only 6 and 9 NOW!!! We will be returning there next year also.

They have wonderful activities for kids. My girls did the Pirate's Cruise. They also have other kids activities. You cannot beat hoping on the monorail or the boat and being at MK in 5 minutes. That was the no. 1 reason why we stayed there the first time - to be that close to MK.

Now they have the new pool with the slide - can't wait to see that.

We also had concierge. But as a complimentary upgrade - I wasn't planning on it. I had requested the same building as our previous trip (Conch Key), and it turned out that the building was being used a concierge because of the renovations. the only request I made was for a reservation for the Fantasmic Dinner Package. I'm one of those WDW fanatics. I knew everything about everything that I wanted to do - when and where!!!

Good Luck and enjoy!!

Anna

 

[WolfpackFan]

I can't imagine worrying whether I would be happy at the GF concierge. Oh, to have such a problem

 

[drusba]

The "too upscale" reputation of GF is really a myth. Though it has the apearance and feel of luxury, it is a very family friendly resort. I would take it over Poly any day.

 

[eeyore0062]

GF is my DREAM resort!!!! If I had the chance to stay there, especially concierge, I would not be second guessing it! There is plenty there for kids... in fact, probably more than at some other resorts. You could take advantage of the Pirate Cruise, the Wonderland Tea Party, and Adventures in cooking for your kids, while you get a massage or stroll the grounds, or sit by the pool. There is an arcade, 2 nice pools ( the new one is really pretty and has a slide), rent water craft, etc. Also, there are 2 character meals at 1900 Park Faire... mornings are with Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter and others, and nights are with the Pooh family.

I wouldn't worry about liking it, you will....what I would worry about is never wanting to stay anywhere else after you have stayed there!

Relax, and enjoy

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I cannot speak on the concerige service of the gf, however in sept 2001 we had the "vacation of our disney life" for 17 nites of gf lagoon view. Well 2 adults in our group (sis & sis) only and found the gf to be friendly at the front desk, yet professional, housekeeping keeps a very low profile, spoke if spoken to, very quiet and business like, no moving of the stuffed toys, etc... The room beauitful although the white walls of the balcony were filthy and need a power wash yesterday, (don't lean on them). The tone in the shops, resturants, valet, etc.... all seemed just that professional, yet un-personal, just not "excited" about disney for us. And the 2 of us felt under-dressed in the lobby several occassions even thou we were wearing "nice shorts/shirts". If I had children and they were not shinning & on there best behavior I know I would of felt out of place. Now if your trip is only a day or 2 its nice to "try out" the resort and make your own opionion. Of course several in this thread would not pick our resorts for 2002. MKY

 

[Desnik]

I cannot comment on the GF concierge, but we did stay at the GF in Nov.2002 with our then 3yo DD. We never felt under dressed, or that it wasn't "kid friendly". We spent many evenings in the lobby enjoying the music. They gave DD crayons and coloring pages, they had Alice in Wondeland playing on a t.v. with the child size chairs and tables. They also offer alot of free activities for the kids, for example pool games and such. When you check in they give you a paper with the activities at the resort for your visit. Housekeeping was wonderful. We also found our balcony to be alittle dirty, the chairs and table outside as well. One call to housekeeping and in 5 mins. someone was there and he literally cleaned the entire area from top to bottom! We kinda felt bad, we just wanted the chairs cleaned, but he insisted! All the CM's at the shops loved our DD, we had to stop and say hello to all her new friends as we came and went! They were all so nice. I really can't see how anyone would ever regret a stay there. The resort truley is breath taking! But, that's just my opinion.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I've always had fairly good service, except on two different occasions at the front desk (one in January and one last March). Never feel out of place at the resort in jeans and a t-shirt at all. It is a family resort, and there are plenty of kids. They also have basicly all the children's activities there (tea parties, pirate cruise, pool games, "kiddie lobby", ladybug release, etc).

 

[mkymouse4ever]

IMHO: Everyone has a different opionion, that's why its our own opionion, you had a different experience, I am so pleased for you, however there were several problems and I certainly do regret staying there 17 straight days, but that is my opionion.

 

[skuttle]

DH and I stayed at the GF for our honeymoon and loved it. We never felt out of place...and we're not really "upscale" type of people. We really enjoyed the GF and I would have no hesitations about brining my kids there whenever I have kids.

 

[dreamflight99]

We have not stayed Concierge level @ the GF...but did enjoy the few nights there (immensely). Our DD was younger, and they had activities scheduled for kids throughout the day. She was also happy in the gift shop, and the lobby area as we relaxed to the sounds of live music. I never felt a "pretentious" atmosphere in the GF, from either staff or other guests, and felt comfy and relaxed in summer attire. We plan another visit someday in the near future, but I'll wait to read the review from CALI after she stays Concierge!
Enjoy your stay, I can't imagine you wishing to switch to the Poly after you "check-in" to the GF. Have a "GRAND" time!

 

[Praise2Him]

We stayed there 4 nights in December (not concierge) and loved it! When the housekeeper turned down the beds she arranged my DD's dolls/stuffed animals on the pillows.

When you check in they will give you an itinerary of special events going on and lots of them are for children. Since we were there right before Christmas there were mostly Christmas activities. Unfortunately, we were so busy at the parks we weren't able to do many of them.

Also, something special that I'd never heard of was the Maid Parade (I'm not sure of the exact name). I think a couple of times a week the Housekeepers parade through the grounds early in the morning carrying parasols. It's a neat sight to see. One of them motioned my DD over and let her walk beside her and carry her parasol.

I'm sure you will love it!

 

[Familyof6]

Oops! I meant to reply to this but instead began a new thread called "I'm feeling a little better". You can read my reply there.

Lisa

 

[Humphrey1227]

From reading this thread I would guess you are treated extra special if you do have kids! Also went on 2 adult only trips and thought it was more of a professional type ambiance. Maybe they are aware of the worry that it is more of an adult atmosphere and they go out of there way, for families to feel at home. As far as feeling comfortable, in the lobby you see everything, gowns wedding atire, to shorts of swim cover-ups!