Just back from AKL concierge and GF RPC...any questions?

[suzywindy]

This was the first time for us at the AKL, which we did because we wanted to try the Sunrise Safari. Well, I have to tell you that the AKL concierge was great. The first night we were there, the Chef from Boma comes up and sets up a cooking demonstration in the concierge lounge, and proceeded to make Coconut Curried Chicken for us, and everyone got to sample it. Seeing the animals from the balcony was a very unique experience, and we were all glad we split our trip between the AKL and the monorail line.

When we moved over to the GF RPC, it was like starting a whole new vacation again. Both places were great, but very different, and offered different experiences and surroundings. The weather was a little cold but we thought that was perfect for us, and in 9 days we had only 1 night of rain.

We did Boma for both breakfast and dinner, 2 MVMCPs, the Luau, and the Sunrise Safari. I will give details on these later but feel free to ask any questions.

 

[ac_roo]

We're debating the whole where to stay. We currently have booked Poly and AKL. However, I wonder if they are very similiar in feel. Maybe we should book GF, and then move to AKL We had originally booked concierge 1 room, but we've swapped to 2 standard rooms at AKL instead. Do you think AKL concierge is worth the space we would be giving up? Money is about the same. $30 a night more for concierge.

So, have you stayed at the Poly? Which do you prefer? We think monorail access would be great!

 

[suzywindy]

Well, the rooms at the AKL are small, definately not as big as the Poly so you may want to go with the 2 standard rooms...BUT... if you planned to do the Sunrise Safari please keep in mind that it is only available to concierge guests. We did the concierge because with the AP we got it at 257/night so we jumped on it. The AKL is all about the hotel...the animals, the activities, and even the bus service to and from all over WDW is great. We have stayed at the Poly before, and also love the monorail line, but we're not sorry we did the AKL this time for half our trip.

 

[crs7568]

I would love to hear your opinions about the RPC. I have booked our vacation there for July and I keep wondering if it is a mistake because of the negative things many people say about it. How was the lounge and the concierge staff members? Would you stay there again?

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by crs7568
I would love to hear your opinions about the RPC. I have booked our vacation there for July and I keep wondering if it is a mistake because of the negative things many people say about it. How was the lounge and the concierge staff members? Would you stay there again?

The Grand Floridian has new management and since then the reviews have been very good. Do a recent search and you will see the change.

 

[tnkrbell]

I too would love to hear about the Grand!! Is the RPC the main bld?? Thanks!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Which floor/room/view did you have at the Grand Floridian? We'll be arriving at RPC on January 2nd and the only request that I made when booking was a king size bed for this "parents only" trip. Did you eat at any of the restaurants at the GF? So far I have a lunch booked at the Cafe and dinner at Narcoosee's.

 

[suzywindy]

Sorry - I was back in the real world for a few days.

We love the whole feeling of being in the main building and listening to the orchestra in the evening sipping wine and relaxing. Coming and going is very easy for us in the main building. If we could not get a discount we would not be able to rationalize the stay (we think) Since we had to pay for 2 rooms it gets expensive. But the other room was for my DD and her DH in the sugar loaf.

We have only been there 3 times and some of the staff has changed. The older gentlemen was not there this time in the lounge. It also appeared to us that they sometimes had 3 women on at once which I guess is a good thing during their rush times.

However we have to say it, they were all pretty good - one even remembered my DH - but don't ask them for a coke. We did a few times and it seemed like a chore. One even rolled her eyes. But we did not care, the taste of the wonderful brownies washes all of that away.

They added some new drapes in the seating area for when the sun is strongest and they are really nice.

We were in room 4421 - 4th floor. It is the Octogon Honeymoon room and it was the only room with a discount when we booked. The views WERE AMAZING. ALL ANGLES. WINDOWS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE ROOM. No balcony and a king size bed that when you lay down in it you are looking straight out the window and seeing the castle. You have a view of Epcot, Wilderness Lodge, Cont, Wedding Pavilion, monorail, quiet pool, new pool, the electric light parade plays right out the window like it is playing just for your room. We could see the fireworks from EPCOT and certainly WISHES. Sometimes we just stood there looking from view to view. It was like a commercial.

There was a nice size couch also that you could sit on and look out at the monorail passing in front of the castle.

I guess you could say we got lucky.

We ate at the Cafe a few times as we love it there. Garlicky Spinach Dip - yum. My DH loves the GRAND sandwich. It used to be called the Earl. My DD ate at Narcoose's. She had the lobster and he had the ahi tuna. He felt like he did not eat enough and she enjoyed her lobster along with the lobster bisque and the bread basket she said was also very good.

 

[crs7568]

but don't ask them for a coke. We did a few times and it seemed like a chore. One even rolled her eyes. [/B]

This is exactly what I am referring to when I say that I am a bit apprehensive about staying here. Um, excuse me, but when someone is paying $600 per night to stay in your hotel I think that it is completely unacceptable to give that person an attitude over a can of coke or anything else for that matter.

I love the Grand Floridian but reports like that are far too frequent regarding their RPC. Suzywindy, I am glad that you did not let it get you down. Would you stay there again? Did you like AKL or RPC better? How did your daughter like Sugar Loaf?

Thanks again for any information.

Caryn

 

[twinmomplus2]

Hey you were at AKL at the same time as we were! I missed the cooking demonstration though. My little guys were napping... I just love AKL club level. Did you have any lime green ribbons/ I had them on my stroller? Anyway The staff there is great, except for Jack he was a little unmagical. Everyone else was as sweet as can be!

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by suzywindy

We were in room 4421 - 4th floor. It is the Octogon Honeymoon room and it was the only room with a discount when we booked.

Thanks for the review! Would you mind telling me what type of discount promo you were able to find? I've tried for YEARS to get a discount on the Honeymoon room and I am always told they are not available and usually not offered on that room type. The closest I was ever able to get was a discount on a standard room in the main building.

Thanks!

 

[suzywindy]

You really can't compare the RPC to the AKL...it's not apples to apples...being on the monorail line gives the RPC a huge leg up, at least for us. Although the AKL has a much more guest-friendly lounge and staff, as well as views from your balcony that you would never be able to get anywhere else, (and they stock the Coke in the lounge so you don't have to ask for it ) there's something about the elegance and aura of the GF that just always makes it special. My daughter has stayed in the Sugar Loaf twice now, and was very happy with the service they received, but they found they used the lounge so infrequently that she probably won't book there again next trip.

Twinmomplus2 - I had the lime-green Mickey head with me, but never managed to take it out of my bag! BTW, did you do the Sunrise Safari when you were there? We may have done it together...

Misti...I called to get the AP discount on a regular RPC room, and they told me that all they had was the Honeymoon room...while I hadn't planned on getting that kind of room, the fact that I was able to get it for $451.00 per night made it impossible to pass up. FYI...DH found out when he called the room assigner that initially they had placed us in a different kind of Honeymoon room, located on the 2nd floor, which has it's own VIP entrance, and a private elevator. Because I don't like elevators to begin with, he knew I wouldn't want to take a private elevator...they thought they were doing us a favor because it was our anniversary and they figured we'd feel special sharing the VIP entrance with whoever was using it at the time (it turned out to be Regis and Kelly!)...after much back and forth he was able to get us changed back to the room we ended up in on the 4th floor.

 

[twinmomplus2]

No I did not do the Safari. My mom and DS9, did the Safari on Saturday and loved it. I slept in with my 2 ds's aged 3.

 

[#1hockeymom]

My DD10 and I will be staying AKL concierge in less than a month! Any advice, hints, and/or tips would be appreciated! I have stayed at AKL, briefly, with my mother this November. I loved it there and knew DD would not only love it, but learn too! We are signed up for the sunrise safari. DD doesn't know yet, and he'll be totally on cloud nine when he finds out as he has been begging for that particular perk! (He doesn't even know we're concierge yet!)

Thanks for any information,

Debbie

 

[suzywindy]

#1hockeymom - bring binoculars and if you can - stay on a different floor than the concierge. We did it because we like being close to the lounge.

But the view is definitely better from a lower floor and a different savannah view than just the limited amount of rooms they have on the 6th floor.

People wrote about the roofs cutting off your vision and they were totally correct - hard to believe until you are there. I even took a picture and if we can figure out how to post it we will - but first we have to get them on a disk, etc.

Of course you know they give you all the info you need when checking in. We did not have any young children - there is so much for them to do right at that hotel. I cannot wait to have grandchildren and take them there. But do not tell my daughter I said that!!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Thank you Suzywindy! I have been thinking the same thing about floors. The more I read, the more I realize the first time around I had a great view, and I'd lke to keep it that way! We were on the very end of Zebra Trail on the fifth floor. Great vistas, and I bet even better one or two floors lower!

Thanks again,
Debbie