Is GF worth about 600 more than WL?

[mommytobug]

Thanks everyone. I really think I am going to go for it. We are DVC members so this is probably our last stay at a deluxe and not using points. I will probably regret the money but not the stay. I really want to be on the monorail this trip. I guess I wanted to hear that people love it.

 

[lucincia]

We have stayed at the GF, once, we did not care for the whiteness of everything, plus all the building locations not hooked by halls, was a good walk to the main lobby and food court, we felt remote, not even in Disney in our building and food prices just seemed to high but that was 12 years ago. WL, great theming, all under one roof, boat to the MK and saving alot of money per night. Sorry but the GF is just not worth the money.

Yeah - we didn't care for walking outside either. WL is nice because everything is under one roof. When I wake up in the morning, I don't want to stumble outside and go to the CS to get my coffee. I just want to stumble around inside for coffe (like in WL) Also, when something happens with your room or room key, you can go directly to the front desk and get it taken care of, without having to walk outside. If I want this much outside walking within my resort, I would save even more money and go with a moderate!

 

[lucincia]

Thanks everyone. I really think I am going to go for it. We are DVC members so this is probably our last stay at a deluxe and not using points. I will probably regret the money but not the stay. I really want to be on the monorail this trip. I guess I wanted to hear that people love it.

Whatever you choose, it's still Disney!

We wouldn't have stayed at GF this time if it's not for a discount code and company paid for part of it (part business trip). It's something DW always wanted to do forever. But, after staying at GF for couple days during our last trip, everytime we rode the monorail and passed CR and see the WL in the distance, we both commented how we missed WL. One time, the bus stopped at WL before going back to GF. Both DW and I looked at each other and almost said at the same time - wanna switch resort and jump off the bus now?

We do stay at other 5-stars resort elsewhere, so it's not like the pretentiousness of GF scared us. But, it just doesn't have that special Disney feeling for us.

Everyone's opinion will be different - we expected a magical stay, and we did. But we longed for the magic of WL even more

Again, no matter what - you're still @ Disney

 

[rcraw45425]

We have stayed at both and love both. The WL rooms are smaller and do not have daybeds. WL is all under one roof however. The GF is great, we love it, it is, however, quite a chunk of change. We love the GF lobby though, sitting there in the evening listening to the band. THe WL also has an impressive lobby though, and is a lot less per night. How about a split stay? Here are a couple of photos taken at WL:
this is the view from room 6039 (CY view):

this is the geyser:

THese are from our GV room (Actually LV) in Boca Chica at GF:

view from our balcony:

 

[fishermouse]

IMO Yes. If you can afford the difference, GF is Disney's most luxurious resort, the charm and atmosphere is second to none in the area in and around WDW. GF also has the best returants, fantastic views, monorail access, boat access and even a walkway to MK. Everything about GF is more expensive but if it's in your budget well worth it. If a stay would stretch your budget than IMO there are many other less expensive resort but very nice "Delux " resorts BW, AK, WL, I personally am not impressed with CR. seems to be really showing it's age.

 

[CarolA]

No!

It's not worth it! Sorry, but IMHO the GF was the only time I have ever stayed at Disney and felt like I got RIPPED OFF! I expected "Four star" service, rooms etc. I got Five star priciing and the WORST service I ever had at Disney.


For what Disney charged I compared the GF to other "top tier" hotels like the Ritz in Orlando. Sadly it does not compare well.
(Even independent rating agencies give it three stars. Price other three stars....Disney wants what??? )

 

[lucincia]

No!

It's not worth it! Sorry, but IMHO the GF was the only time I have ever stayed at Disney and felt like I got RIPPED OFF! I expected "Four star" service, rooms etc. I got Five star priciing and the WORST service I ever had at Disney.


For what Disney charged I compared the GF to other "top tier" hotels like the Ritz in Orlando. Sadly it does not compare well.
(Even independent rating agencies give it three stars. Price other three stars....Disney wants what??? )

This is true. At WL, or even when visiting other resorts, CMs in the front lobby are always friendly and greet people, especially WL and AKL. At GF, you will have a group of 4 or 5 CMs standing around the valet desk and no one will acknowledge your presence. But, we did not go to GF for 5 stars treatment like we would get from staying at Four Seasons, for example. We stayed there just to see what all the fuss was about - alas, it was not that great.

But can't beat the monorail stop!

 

[rcraw45425]

We were always treated wonderfully at the GF. The only truly rude CMs we ever experienced were at POFQ.

 

[lucincia]

We were always treated wonderfully at the GF. The only truly rude CMs we ever experienced were at POFQ.

I don't mean rude - just nothing special. We got equal or better reception/treatment at other "lower level" resorts.

Yes, this is only one family's point of view from a 9 days stay, and any resort, CM, etc can have a bad day/week. But, for a supposedly flagship resort, we expected more consistency in service and attitude.

I hope the Four Seasons resort that Disney is partnering with will have the stellar service that Four Seasons is known for. That will give GF run for its money.

 

[CarolA]

This is true. At WL, or even when visiting other resorts, CMs in the front lobby are always friendly and greet people, especially WL and AKL. At GF, you will have a group of 4 or 5 CMs standing around the valet desk and no one will acknowledge your presence. But, we did not go to GF for 5 stars treatment like we would get from staying at Four Seasons, for example. We stayed there just to see what all the fuss was about - alas, it was not that great.

But can't beat the monorail stop!

But why shouldn't we expect that service?? Disney charges prices as high or higher.

Disney charges more then just about any amusement park in the US, but we also all seem to agree that Disney provides a better experience. So why is it that posters seem to say "I will pay MORE for less at a Disney hotel" then I would for a comparable hotel elsewhere??? Isn't Disney about "exceeding" and "plussing" the experience

(Plus IMHO the ONLY place the monorail is good for is the MK bus service from GF was horrid and the monorail to Epcot is just frustrating!)

 

[lucincia]

But why shouldn't we expect that service?? Disney charges prices as high or higher.

Disney charges more then just about any amusement park in the US, but we also all seem to agree that Disney provides a better experience. So why is it that posters seem to say "I will pay MORE for less at a Disney hotel" then I would for a comparable hotel elsewhere??? Isn't Disney about "exceeding" and "plussing" the experience

(Plus IMHO the ONLY place the monorail is good for is the MK bus service from GF was horrid and the monorail to Epcot is just frustrating!)

Okay, monorail to MK is great

Yes, monorail to EPCOT is hell.

Other resorts not on monorail - Resort to bus to EPCOT

GF - Resort to monorail to walk down ramp to walk up ramp to monorail to EPCOT. *ugh*

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

we took the boat ride from MK to GF in April, although we were staying at the FQ. We just wanted to see what the other resorts were like. It was very pretty- the grounds. The lobby was also quite exquisite. I don't know if I would spend the extra for the room though. As someone else stated, you don't have to stay there to enjoy parts of the resort.