Just back from our first GF stay!!

[Eyore4Ever149]

During my college days I did a management training program for The Fairmont Hotel. So I am well aware of what a guest should expect. I also (much to my horror) found that hotels forecast, and often overbook to protect themselves from losing money. I also learned with a large hotel, sometimes, as hard as good staff tries mess-up happens, as an insider you know exactly why there is an issue and why you are on the recieving end of an irate guest, and you know its not your fault, and you know there is nothing you can do about it, other than be as accomodating as possible, alert your manager when you go off duty to the issue and make sure they get treated like gold for the rest of their stay in the hopes they go away happy...not begruding the bad incident. They gave you the room comped. Not delivering your bags was awful, they should have consulted with you, immediately after you checked into the room- or had someone contact you at Chef Mickey's.

I bet you would have a different experience if you tried it again. I have never stayed there myself, but concierge in general should be friendly and accomodating, get you the best seats, have maps ready, carry luggage, bring extra towels, or a pizza from the place around the corner that doesn't deliver. Whatever you want.

Hope your next splurge trip is perfect the whole way through!

 

[CarolA]

Your whole check in experience was inexcusable. It took FOUR hours to deliver your luggage and your roll away was not made up. At what Disney calls thier flagship!

Until Disney learns to run this resort like a RESORT they need to quit charging a premium and advertising it as some sort of luxury hotel. (Hey DISNEY, go hire some General Managers from the Ritz!)

I did one stay there and won't waste my money again.

 

[Lives4Disney]

CRIS- I meant Deluxe Resort. I think $652 is a lot of $$/night. FOr any resort anywhere!! I didn't expect a deluxe concierge (if that is what your comment meant) room because I was told they only sleep 4 people. I would have preferred it because it is so much larger and certainly wouldn't have minded staying in a larger room with a rollaway. It would have been more convenient, actually because I was very shocked to see that the daybed really is not even twin size. It is really about 3/4 size and for my son to sleep on it - it was tight. He would have slept better on a twin size rollaway and we would have enjoyed the extra space in a larger room. I would have booked it thru CRO if I could have. I may just do that next time!!

People need to know - and I don't think it is really out there (I haven't seen it) that the daybed really is not a twin size bed!!! When you book the GF and they say it sleeps 5 - ask questions!

 

[lyncruiser]

CarolA said it all in my opinion. For $650 a night at a Ritz Carlton, one would be pampered beyond belief. At a Disney deluxe hotel . . . well, let's just say Disney seems to rely on the fact that the theme parks are right outside their hotel doors. As such, although they advertise that they are in a league with the Ritz Carltons of this world, I don't think they try to be and IMO aren't.

 

[Sammie]

CarolA said it all in my opinion. For $650 a night at a Ritz Carlton, one would be pampered beyond belief. At a Disney deluxe hotel . . . well, let's just say Disney seems to rely on the fact that the theme parks are right outside their hotel doors. As such, although they advertise that they are in a league with the Ritz Carltons of this world, I don't think they try to be and IMO aren't.

Can you share where you have seen advertisement by Disney stating they are in a league with the Ritz, as I have never seen this. Not saying it does not exisit just never seen the advertisment.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We had a LV room that had room for 3 roll aways in it at GF. Corner room Big pine key. And a view to die for. GV & LV rooms at GF come with turn down service without requesting, as did refrigerators were free of charge for the asking too. On our stay, we started in Conch key LV and got a dormer room (had one before) and didn't like the smaller balcony, so requested a change, The change went per there instructions: "wait in room the bellmen will bring the "new" keys and pick you up with your luggage etc... at this time", and he did, took us to the new building and moved our luggage in. All was completed by 10am one morning. No probablem. I didn't even have to go to the desk to do anything. As for "snacks" room service is 24hr, and fairly fast, we called once and said "we know we don't have kids but would kinda like the grilled cheese on kids menu" the reply "this is the GF you can have whatever you would like".

I've stayed concerige in the Poly & YC & did the CR club but we never seem to be there at the "right" time to really get our money worth out of it. Maybe with small kids its different. Maybe cause we don't drink its different, we don't imbide in the lounge except for pop. I prefer to do my own ps's (control freak). I think its an individual decision but it is alot of $$$$ and seems higher all the time. I would just prefer to pay for the view. Or a few extra special dinners.

Sorry RPC didn't work out. You should of toured around the GF grounds a bit. It is truely beauitful. Sugar loaf does look like an option bridging the gap between rpc & the lv/gv areas.

MKY

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I've read a lot of posts about less than stellar service at GF and it's always so strange to me. I believe the posters, of course, but we've always had such great experiences at GF, I can't believe it's the same resort! I've never tried concierge, however. We were offered sugar loaf once at a really good rate but opted for AKL concierge instead (wish we'd gone for Gf, actually, because I was disappointed in AKL's concierge after a big mental buildup from lots of good reviews of it).

I would like to vouch for the service and quality of stay at the other levels of GF. In our garden view rooms, lagoon view rooms and our magic kingdom view room, our rooms were quite large (bigger than any of the other deluxe rooms we've had). I loved the view of the electric parade and the wonderful decor of the rooms. I've never had anything bad happen at GF at all, from reservation to housekeeping to CMs. The carts have never bothered me. We love the water mice rentals and eating at the various restaurants...particularly all the kid's options (the tea party is GREAT). The decor is self explanatory--what a wonderful atmosphere. The nighttime is magical with the white lights, warms pools and seven seas lagoon. Watching the fireworks from the docks and then crawling into an incredibly comfortable bed laden with chocolates is divine. All of views have been great (is there a bad view at GF?). I hope this incident was an isolated one, because GF is one of my very favorite resorts worldwide. I've stayed at fancier hotels (Four Seasons, etc.) but there is something really special about GF that transcends just plain old luxury which is abound in many worldwide chains.

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

We did the RPC in October for 8 days, room 4404 with an even better view of the MK. We also had a similar experience at checkin, sent to the checkin desk by the bellman and waited 5-10 minutes for a concierge. I was initially disappointed until I realized I'd never actually conveyed to the bellman we were staying concierge. I guess I expected that we'd at least be asked when pulling up in a stretched limo.

I can't say we had any "bad" experiences. We got champaigne from the staff for our anniversary. Compared to AKL, I don't think the GF really affords much opportunity to get to know the concierges. They are located on the third floor and the lounge is on the fourth. The only times we interacted with the concierges was checkin, checkout, and a couple times when we modified PS's and such. The wait staff in the lounge was great along with housekeeping staff. We got quite a few towel animals throughout our stay.

Biggest complaint would probably be the fact they do not have a playground. Even after a day at the parks, our kids still had plenty of energy that needed to be burned up. Best part was being able to sit on our balcony and watch the fireworks each night. I guess I would also have to add the tram to MK and the boat back made for the fastest travel we've ever had between resort and parks.

We liked the AKL concierge better the year before. They contacted us well ahead of the trip - we got nothing from the GF (had to contact them ourselves). The concierges in AKL also staff the lounge so everytime you use it, you get to know them a little bit better. My wife had commented on the music played in the lobby and the concierge staff presented her with a CD before we left. The food offerings were also much better at AKL. I don't think we'll do concierge at GF again but AKL is a definite possibility. We've already made savanah reservations for this Oct but have not decided about bumping up to concierge yet. We're doing WL in March and I was able to make PS's myself at CRT and CP with no time on hold (two different days) and at better times than the concierges have ever done. It's the lounge food and perhaps the Sunrise Safari that will get us to bump up to concierge again.

 

[arewealmosthereyet?]

Never ever after staying at least 7 times have we ever thought we were not getting ur monies worth. We just got an AP rate of 450 for sugar loaf in april and that is only$150 more than LV. Well worth it just for the food alone for our family. We have had some glitches and some waiting to check in but paying a lot of money cannot, unfortunately, guarantee that everything will be just perfect....It should be, but it often it is not. Dont let other people ruin your vacation. Sometimes the conc. staff can be a little off but I could not care less. I do not go to that hotel for nice CMs. I go because its beautiful and on the monorail and so easy for me and my kids to hop to MK. Anyone thinking of staying there should. You will have a great vacation!