Just back GF RPC - YC - VWL

[jel0511]

Well, unforunately we're back from our 10 day adventure to WDW. We had a GREAT time and are sad to be home. I'll review each hotel separately, and any questions, please ask!!

GF RPC - Well, we arrived at the GF around 12:00 and our room wasn't ready. Not a problem, we checked in and went to GF cafe for lunch and had a relaxing lunch. Around 2:45 (check-in is at 3:00), I went to the concierge lounge and asked if our room was ready. I was informed, that not only was our room not ready, but it hadn't even been cleaned yet!!! Since I has asked for the room to be also de-smoked, my DS has asthma, they said our room probably wouldn't be ready until 5:00!!!! So the CM was very nice and looked for another room that was available. Luckily there was another one with a MK view, which I had requested and I checked it out, since it hadn't been de-smoked. It didn't smell at all and I took it. Room 4308 was AWESOME!!! It had the BEST view of the castle and the MK fireworks. I didn't want to leave it!!! Everything at GF RPC was GREAT. The CM's are very friendly, but only when you ask. I think they have a don't speak unless spoken too rule. They never talked to ANYONE unless spoken to first. The lounge was beautiful, I thought it was nicer than the Poly's, but the food offerings were more plentiful and better at the Poly, in my opinion. Would I stay at the GF again, YES!!!! Would I stay GF RPC again, I don't know, it's a LOT of money and I really don't feel that we get that much from the lounge. We are planning at staying at the GF for our 10th anniversary on the Grand Plan, so we'll see what we do!!!! I'm thinking either a GREAT Lagoon view room or a Lodge Tower room.

YC - Well all I have to say is that we really didn't like this resort. I know they are undergoing a HUGE renovation and the rooms definately showed they are in need of a renovation. We thought we would like the dark woods and blues better than the lighter look of the BC, which is why we chose the YC. Well once we were there and able to check both places out, we definately decided that the BC was more our speed. This didn't ruin our vacation, the YC was nice, but just not us. Also, we had such a problem with housekeeping on our first night that it gave us such a bad taste about the YC. I called for a set of bedrails around 9:30. Well no bedrails at 10, 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:15.... I kept calling housekeeping and kept getting the same response, they should be there in a couple of minutes.... They just left...... Well at 11:15, I called the front desk to see if they could help... The CM Was very nice and said he'd take care of it. Ten minutes later he called back to see if the bedrails had arrived, which I said they hadn't. At this point, we had set up about an hour ago a makeshift bedrail and had placed the cushions from the day bed on the floor so my DS could go to sleep. Around 11:30, a knock on the door..... ONE bedrail!!!! Not two one!!! I just said that's fine and we'll get the other one tomorrow, we were exhausted and just wanted to sleep at this point. Well about an hour later, a LOUD knock at the door, we almost didn't answer it, but did.... The second bedrail... don't these people listen!!!!!! SAB was AWESOME as usual, and we really enjoyed it. Also, we were in room 3025, which I think must have been located at the Dolphin. It took us about 10 minutes to walk from the elevator to our room. One piece of advice for people who want to stay at the YC, the only request you should make is CLOSE TO THE ELEVATORS!!! It definately makes a difference!! Our only good point to our room was our view of Illuminations. It was AWESOME and we couldn't complain about that. I just can't find myself recommending the YC, as a deluxe resort, to anyone. I know most people like it, but we had a bad experience and we won't be staying there or recommending it to anyone. I'll be staying at the BC from now on.

VWL - As DVC members, it's always great for us to go home. And this stay didn't disappoint. We had what we feel was the BEST room, 4517. It was a dedicated one bedroom and had a view of the quiet pool and Bay Lake!!! We really couldn't see much of the Electric Water Parade, but a glimpse, so it was a nice suprise!!! We loved the villas and had a very relaxing time there, there were no problems with our room and no problems with housekeeping. The villas are our FAVORITE place to stay and we love it there.

 

[Misti]

Welcome home, Lori! Thanks for the candid, detailed review.

I found the same situation at the GF--the CM at the RPC aren't overtly talkative or friendly. Maybe that is part of the training, as you mentioned. At both the BC and Poly Concierge, we were always greeted with a warm smile. That was something I missed while staying at the RPC.

 

[cindala]

jel0511,
Wow, sorry you didn't like the YC! We were there the same time as you, on the same floor (3092), and had a super great time!! Housekeeping was wonderful, and we had a short walk to the elevators. Also all of the 3rd floor is non-smoking. Fortunately our room this year, and any room we have had the past visits never showed any sign of wear or tear.

The difference in decor between the BC and YC is definately a personal thing. We prefer the YC colors over the BC theme, especially the lobby. I'm sure you'll enjoy the BC though if you stay there next visit.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My experience with the GF RPC was just the same. I doubt we'll do it again, but it was nice.

I'm sorry to hear about the YC. We are planning to stay there for the first time and after reading your report I am worried. I hope we like it. We had a very long wait for bedrails when we were at OKW in April. They didn't come until midnight!!! You'd think WDW would have enough to go around.

Thanks for the report!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Glad you had a good trip!

I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with the Royal Palm Club's staff policy (though I think you do understand it). At this flagship resort, there are many kinds of guests. They are actually to "profile" the guest, and base their interaction towards the guest in that fashion. So, they are trained to be very professional, or be very friendly towards the guests. Some people don't want to be "bothered" by the staff, and that's why they do it that way. I've only had a couple experiences with staff of the Royal Palm Club, and they seemed to be very professional, but curteous.

On a similar note to your room taking long to be ready, I stayed at the Grand Floridian last week. We checked in at 11:15AM, and our room was never ready until 3:30PM. I later found out that the room was clean since around 1:45PM. Our housekeeper never keyed the room in as clean. So, all that time, I was told the room was not clean, and it really was. I had delt with the CM's on the phone (the number they tell you to call), and 3 CM's at the front desk to try to get an answer. One CM from the front desk finally sent someone to the room to see if it was clean.

 

[Janet2k]

Jel0511, thanks for the excellent trip report. If you have photos, please post the link to them here (hint! hint!).

I, too, wish the RPC folks would get a clue and smile and say, "Hello!" whenever they see a guest, but according to CaliforniaDreaming, that is against their "programming" (can anyone say, "The Stepford Cast Members?" ).

I stayed at the YC once and had a lovely stay. But my favorite colors are red, white, and blue, so it fit me to a "T." I do have my very first BC stay coming up soon, and from the photos that I have seen of the Villas, it looks like those colors will fit me to a "T" too. I am really looking forward to my BC stay. Thanks for making me feel that it will be the right choice for me!

 

[blanche]

hi, nice to hear your stay at the gf was enjoyable. we, too, had the same problem with housekeeping at the yacht club the last time we stayed there. it took forever to get a request to the room. first a half hour goes by, then and hour, then an hour and a half (sound familiar?). we , too, called the front desk to help and, finally, someone grudgingly appeared (with no apology and expecting a tip!) we have had much better service from housekeepiing at the bwi, bc and gf.

 

[JulesMom]

Thanks for the report.

So sorry you didn't enjoy your YC stay We stayed in June and LOVED it! It's my fav resort now.