Is GF Really Going Down Hill?

[DisOrBust]

Packy I bumped my original thread up so you could read it!

 

[Jo-Jo21]

Sammie, you are quite right. One must keep in mind that opinions expressed here are subjective. I like reading these boards because I am presented with lots of different views which I can weigh and then make a decision which takes into account my personal likes and dislikes. I personally found the layout of the GF very inconvenient for me and my family. By the time my husband waited for the elevator, walked by the pool (and yes, at a leisurely pace, this is vacation afterall) to the main building over to the grill, placed an order, filled mugs and headed back, as I said in my original post, it was almost 30 minutes. But that is us and obviously not everyone else walks as slow as we do or shares the same opinion on the hotel layout - and that is fine, everyone is different and I respect that. My experience at the GF was okay overall, I am happy to have done it - but I would not choose it again. I have learned that we are much more suited to the set up of AKL and will probably stay there again next time.

 

[Queeni512]

Jo-Jo,

I am very much in agreement with your post regarding the "thin walls/doors. I think it is due to how the buildings (the main building being the exception here) are set up--similar to the tower of the Contemporary--rooms around the rim of the building. We also had a rather difficult time sleeping at the GF--sound just carries too well in the outer buildings. We also experienced the same sleep-deprivation in one of the Wilderness Lodge's Honeymoon rooms. I am sure this is due to the fact that the 4 Honeymoon rooms are located in the very top floor surrounding the WL's immense lobby--sound carries incredibly well here--it seemed like we could hear everything--as if there was NO door on our room! This was unfortunate, because the room itself, the bathroom (lovely jacuzzi tub!), and the view, were ALL absolutely wonderful!

We have found that the rooms at the Polynesian, the AKL, the Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk, other rooms at Wilderness Lodge, and the rooms in the garden wings at the Contemporary (but the mattresses here are rock-hard--our ribs were very sore each morning), as long as they are chosen far enough from the elevators/stairs, are very quiet and condusive to an afternoon nap!! We have found the Concierge rooms at the Poly and the other deluxe Epcot resorts more to our liking as well!!

Oddly enough, we have found the GF to be our least favorite deluxe resort on property--even though we have gotten better/same rates at the GF ($204/night--FL resident), than at the Poly ($216--FL resident), and the YC/BC ($236/night--FL resident) (These are not the rates we paid for concierge rooms--we have discontinued staying concierge because we really don't use the services offered--as Disney Dining Experience members we prefer to eat most of our meals out and never seem to have room for any of the food offerings, and like to spend our evenings in the lounges on-property, so we don't partake of the beverage offerings either.). However, we love dessert at Narcoossee's (very inattentive waitress the last visit), Tea at the Garden View, and cocktails (while playing cards for a few hours) at Mizner's. Although I don't like to stay at the GF, I do tend to spend a good deal of time there! I haven't encountered rude staff, but have encountered harried staff--just not enough people scheduled to handle all of the traffic--NOT the CM's fault.

All things aside, the Boardwalk is my favorite resort to stay on property, but I also love the Dolphin and the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa because they both have the very-comfy-sure-to-have-a-good-night's-sleep 'Heavenly Bed' and very quite rooms!

All this reminiscing has me wishing I were in WDW now!!

Kim

 

[Demosthenes]

FWIW, Samantha Brown, of the Travel Channel’s Great Hotels, has done a show on America's Best Hotels and picked the GF as the best theme hotel for adults in the country. Considering her experience, that's a pretty good recommendation. I wouldn't worry about the GF going downhill.

 

[susy]

Wow! this thread has gotten so long!!!

Like other have said, a lot of things here are subjective. For instance, I think the size of CSR is grossly exagerrated on these boards. I was shocked when I was standing in the lobby and could see the entire resort around the lake. The main pool was right across the lake. I guess I was expecting it to be bigger than CBR. It didn't seem so to me. I really loved CSR, but CBR seemed just a" little" nicer than the AS.

I don't mind paying extra for a deluxe. I think the amenities are worth it. That I don't HAVE the $$$ is a different story.

I had to laugh at something Anne said about sleeping in a double bed with DH (one reason she does not prefer the mods). I, myself do not do any actual "sleeping" at the AS or mods in the same bed as DH when there is an empty bed right there. In fact, when we first get in our room I always claim my bed and DH and DS must share. Sorry, but those beds ARE too small. I think that two of the nights we stayed at AKL I slept in the bottom bunk.

Last night DH said he would like to stay at GF someday. I think that he thinks it's too "girly". I will have to get really good rate, though. Based on the good and the bad I've heard, I would not pay over $300. Too much room for disappointment.