Before anyone barb-b-ques me this is just IMHO. When planning this trip I had intially chosen the Poly but switched because they have no Hot tub. This ended up being a good reason since the temps were so frigid. My parents were also along on this trip and my Dad had always been longing to stay at the GF so that helped seal the deal. The first 5 nights we spent at the AKL for the second time and it was absolutely perfect! This trip I decided to split with a monorail resort since we now had our 4month old DD in tow.
WE arrived at the GF at 10:30 after departing AKL . The plan was to park the cars and hit MK and check in later. There were no spots left in Self park so I had our van valeted which always makes me nervous...its hard enough for me to park the Big Behemoth let alone a poor valet,lol! Mom was having "troubles" with handicap parking so I decided while she gets her car in order I might as well check us in. The woman who checked me in was obviously not feeling well as copious snot was dripping out her nose and on to her keyboard, hand etc...I have a very strong stomach and things like this usually do not get to me but this was to the point of making my stomach turn. She knew she was "snotting" everywhere as she anounced her allergies were really "bad today." But I digress....I had 2 rooms reserved under my AP discount as I have had done for 5 years now. Alway splitting the reservation with my parents on arrival. Never have I had difficulty at ANY of the WDW resorts until now. I was bluntly told "they can't do that." After I explained I just came from AKL where they split it without any difficulty as it has been done every year. No we can't do thst was the response. Since I did not want to behave like a witch on vacation or stand there any longer being exposed to whatever she had I thought I just deal with it at checkout and off to the MK we went.
Our rooms were in Sago Cay with a marina view. The rooms are beautifully appointed and are much larger then AKL. The mini bar is convient to have. All agree that the rooms are nicer at GF then AKL. The beach pool was very nice and the slide better then AKL per my DD's. The lifeguards were very pleasant and let my 5yo use a pair of water wings so we didn't have to go thru the whole "get a vest from the marina" business. At AKL the vest are available without any hassle poolside. The bathroom had mold here and there nothing to get to excited over. That night I put my 5 and 8yo in the tub. My daughter asked why there was all this toilet paper in the tub. I didn't know why went to open the drain that was already open..strange that the tub wasn't empty. After if finally drained I threw them in the shower. The next morning the same thing happened to my parents room but it never drained. Maintance came and fixed the tub. I hesitate to even post this but I am wondering if the pipes didn't back up!! Was that used toilet water and paper in my kids tub? God the thought of that possiblity is to much for me to take and I prefer to not think about that anymore. Maybe someone here could reassure me that they are to sperate waste removal pipes and that could never happen..right?
My parent decided the cold was to much and decided to leave 2 days early. A very nice CM, Ariel, who was "earning his ears" attempted to help with the room charges. He charged my parents room cost to their AMEX then he had to credit my CC back for 2 nights of their room because they were leaning early. He got his trainer and after 45 min they were able to credit one night back. After a 5 minute arguemnt with the trainer that it is yes 2 nights not one and another CM they proceeded to take another 15 min to credit the additional night. Ariel apoligized I told them that I was trying to avoid alll this by having the reservation split as was done in aKL he asked his traiiner why they couldn't do that. Her response was that it causes a major hassle. I looked her straight in the eye and said "more hassle then this!!!" She did not have a response. This whole saga of checkin and checkout to me was unexceptable especially at the GF. I heard more often "we can't" then "I would be happy to do that." I have read trip report on GF concierge that weren't flattering and my experience would extended that also to the "regular" staff as well. It was not the experience I would have expected from the flagship resort. Personally I think the AKL is a much better deluxe all around.
As a side bar ..my Mother is the type that needs her Java ASAP in the AM. SHe brings her own coffee and gets it ready the night before especially at WDW since the nescafe is so aweful. GF was the only resort in 5 years that could not provide a coffe maker. I personally think this is crazy any motel 6 can provide a coffee maker. When I called housekeeping they basically said order room service(nescafe,yuk!). Again not what I would consider an appropriate response from the GF Staff.
Another note for those of you how are considering the GF for the monorail. It is awesome for the MK without a doubt but it took us 55 minutes to get to Epcot using the monorail and having to push a stroller up and down 2 monorail stations. By buss from AKL it took 25 minutes and alot less walking. IMHO if you monrail resort I would choose the Poly since you are able to "walk" to the TCC.
WE arrived at the GF at 10:30 after departing AKL . The plan was to park the cars and hit MK and check in later. There were no spots left in Self park so I had our van valeted which always makes me nervous...its hard enough for me to park the Big Behemoth let alone a poor valet,lol! Mom was having "troubles" with handicap parking so I decided while she gets her car in order I might as well check us in. The woman who checked me in was obviously not feeling well as copious snot was dripping out her nose and on to her keyboard, hand etc...I have a very strong stomach and things like this usually do not get to me but this was to the point of making my stomach turn. She knew she was "snotting" everywhere as she anounced her allergies were really "bad today." But I digress....I had 2 rooms reserved under my AP discount as I have had done for 5 years now. Alway splitting the reservation with my parents on arrival. Never have I had difficulty at ANY of the WDW resorts until now. I was bluntly told "they can't do that." After I explained I just came from AKL where they split it without any difficulty as it has been done every year. No we can't do thst was the response. Since I did not want to behave like a witch on vacation or stand there any longer being exposed to whatever she had I thought I just deal with it at checkout and off to the MK we went.
Our rooms were in Sago Cay with a marina view. The rooms are beautifully appointed and are much larger then AKL. The mini bar is convient to have. All agree that the rooms are nicer at GF then AKL. The beach pool was very nice and the slide better then AKL per my DD's. The lifeguards were very pleasant and let my 5yo use a pair of water wings so we didn't have to go thru the whole "get a vest from the marina" business. At AKL the vest are available without any hassle poolside. The bathroom had mold here and there nothing to get to excited over. That night I put my 5 and 8yo in the tub. My daughter asked why there was all this toilet paper in the tub. I didn't know why went to open the drain that was already open..strange that the tub wasn't empty. After if finally drained I threw them in the shower. The next morning the same thing happened to my parents room but it never drained. Maintance came and fixed the tub. I hesitate to even post this but I am wondering if the pipes didn't back up!! Was that used toilet water and paper in my kids tub? God the thought of that possiblity is to much for me to take and I prefer to not think about that anymore. Maybe someone here could reassure me that they are to sperate waste removal pipes and that could never happen..right?
My parent decided the cold was to much and decided to leave 2 days early. A very nice CM, Ariel, who was "earning his ears" attempted to help with the room charges. He charged my parents room cost to their AMEX then he had to credit my CC back for 2 nights of their room because they were leaning early. He got his trainer and after 45 min they were able to credit one night back. After a 5 minute arguemnt with the trainer that it is yes 2 nights not one and another CM they proceeded to take another 15 min to credit the additional night. Ariel apoligized I told them that I was trying to avoid alll this by having the reservation split as was done in aKL he asked his traiiner why they couldn't do that. Her response was that it causes a major hassle. I looked her straight in the eye and said "more hassle then this!!!" She did not have a response. This whole saga of checkin and checkout to me was unexceptable especially at the GF. I heard more often "we can't" then "I would be happy to do that." I have read trip report on GF concierge that weren't flattering and my experience would extended that also to the "regular" staff as well. It was not the experience I would have expected from the flagship resort. Personally I think the AKL is a much better deluxe all around.
As a side bar ..my Mother is the type that needs her Java ASAP in the AM. SHe brings her own coffee and gets it ready the night before especially at WDW since the nescafe is so aweful. GF was the only resort in 5 years that could not provide a coffe maker. I personally think this is crazy any motel 6 can provide a coffee maker. When I called housekeeping they basically said order room service(nescafe,yuk!). Again not what I would consider an appropriate response from the GF Staff.
Another note for those of you how are considering the GF for the monorail. It is awesome for the MK without a doubt but it took us 55 minutes to get to Epcot using the monorail and having to push a stroller up and down 2 monorail stations. By buss from AKL it took 25 minutes and alot less walking. IMHO if you monrail resort I would choose the Poly since you are able to "walk" to the TCC.
Reports like this make me wary of ever staying there -- like I could afford it! 
