Just back from GF-Sugarloaf and BC concierge

[samnbilly]

We are just home from 10 wonderful days in the world. Just a few things to report and I will be happy to try and answer any questions. We arrived at MCO around 9am and were promptly met by our towncar driver from Trio-Trans-excellent service from this company. We arrived at GF around 10ish and were promptly taken to SugarLoaf for check-in but our room was not ready yet. William was there to greet us and had the items I pre-purchased for our kids (which, by the way was a BIG hit with my kids) So we went to MK to activate our AP's and ride a few rides. The lines were longer than I expected, but it was the weekend. We were able to check in our room at around 2pm. Had a beautiful room on the 3rd floor overlooking the marina. We had great service from the CM's at GF and mousekeeping was great also. This is our favorite resort, so we had a wonderful 5 nights here. The theme pool was open from 10a-8pm. The quiet pool was open 24hrs. Gasparilllas was closed but you could get drinks and snacks from the Summerhouse. Transportation was also great-never had to wait much for any buses. We ate at Narcoosee's and GF Cafe for dinner (this was gross though at the Cafe-wouldn't recommend it)
After 5 nights, we moved to the BC concierge for 4 nights. Our original room had a wet floor, so we were moved. We loved the pool, very big though and of course my kids were in two different directions, but that was okay. We walked to Epcot quite a bit and took the bus to DTD. We also walked to the Boardwalk. Mousekeeping was great. The buses were hit or miss and we also took the bus to MK. We had a few issues at this hotel which they did try and make up for-they paid for us to have dinner at Wolfgang Pucks restaurant in DTD in the upstairs section. We DID NOT ask for this-they insisted. The lounge was quite nice.
The offerrings at both concierge were very nice-at BC beer, wine and cordials are available, which was nice. The BC concierge were very helpful when we were unable to fly home because my son had a very bad ear infection-they helped us find a rental car place and were even going to let us extend our stay if necessary to help accomodate us with my son being sick, which was comforting to know it was an option. I think they were even going to let us stay at the same rate. I also had to take my son to a walk in clinic-called CentraCare in Kissimmee and they picked us up right at the BC and even drove us to the pharmacy to get his prescription. We had to wait around 2 hrs at the clinic. It was very busy when we got there.
We decided to leave as sched. due to my DH having to return to work, so we drove straight through for almost 18 hrs. It was inconvenient, but of course when it's your child, you will do anything. This is long sorry. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

 

[thedisneymom]

What were the offerings at GF in the concierge lounge?

 

[DizMom11]

I see that you have also stayed at Poly. Which resort would you choose again?

 

[samnbilly]

The offerrings in SugarLoaf were-breakfast-bagels,croissants, pastries, fruit, cereal,milk,oj. coffee, they also have a cappucino machine.
In the afternoon they had tea biscuits (warmed), banana bread, assorted jams, cookies and some fruit to grab.
In the afternoon/evening-they had two hot dishes usually like chicken or beef on a stick, veggies and dip, assorted nuts, pastries and cookies. They also served lemonade, pink lemonade and iced tea and you were able to ask for sodas. They also had large glass bottles of water. It was very nice. The only thing they didn't have was nighttime cordials and beer, wine etc. That is only offerred in the main bldg.
I liked the Poly a lot, We love the pool and find the transportation very accomodating because you're also next to the TTC. I just prefer the GF. I like the way its layed out and I like the rooms a little better. Its just a matter of preference for you.

 

[lmhall2000]

So sorry to hear about your poor son's ear! That is really the worst...my children have never had ear infections but one flight down there we had 2 screaming children from the pressure changes...you feel helpless and although you had a long return I'm sure your son felt better. What a great way to see the country!

What did you not like about the Cafe at the GF? Are there any other options there for quick meals? We are planning our first trip there in January and would be curious as to how your children compared the resorts...do they have a favorite between the two?

Glad you had a nice stay and thanks for the report!
Tara

 

[kelscross]

This is our first time to the GF. We have two girls (3 and 4) what should we not miss at the resort?

 

[HINative]

Was SAB open? I've heard that they were renovating the YC and portions of SAB - were you able to use the pool?

Thanks!

 

[samnbilly]

SAB was open for our stay. The kids loved the pool and the waterslide and they played for hours in the sand. My kids are 5 and 8.
I'm not sure what is a "not to miss" thing at the resort, but my kids loved the theme pool and the monorail is worth its weight in gold to my children. They do have character meals, which we've been to before and my kids enjoyed them. I have heard that the Pirate Cruise is loads of fun, but I couldn't let them go because my DD has a severe peanut allergy and they serve PB&j on the cruise. I saw a lot of girls dressing up for the Princess Party, but my DD wasn't that interested in doing it, she was very interested in the rides this time. You can also see the fireworks really well from the GF. You can get quick meals from the SummerHouse if Gasparillas is still closed. The food was horrible at the GF cafe for dinner and the service was worse. The people next to us were complaining to the MGR. but we just wanted to get out of there.

 

[mom_rules]

How about the offerings for BC CL? We'll be doing our first BC CL stay there in March would love any info you have to offer.

 

[samnbilly]

momrules-At the BC concierge lounge they had for breakfast-krispy kreme donuts, bagels,cereal-the usual breakfast spread. Then they had snacks in the afternoon like bags of popcorn and goldfish crackers and I'm pretty sure they always have PB&J and Gummi worms for the kids-This is what gave me a heart attack because of my DD's allergy. In the evening they had two hot dishes like New England Clam Chowder soup, salmon, some sort of beef dish, pita chips and other breads with dips like white bean hummus and I think onion dip-cheese,crackers, that kind of stuff-again PB&J. In the evening they had cordials, beer,wine. You have to ask for soda, they also have pudding and yogurt. It was very nice. I never went to the breakfast offerring, my DH always went because I was getting everone ready. Oh, they also have cookies-oatmeal raisin,choc.chip and sugar cookies.Hope this helps. I probably forgot some things.They did have a cappucino maker BUT it was not working.

 

[thedisneymom]

Thanks for the help. We are staying at GF main building this summer and I love to hear about the offerings.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Glad you had a great time. We just returned from GF..dormer room, direct view of the MK. Great experience!

 

[mom_rules]

Thanks for the update! Looking forward to going.