Just Back - GF/RPC

[MJS]

Cali is right, but when you look at the floor plan in the FAQ, the furniture in the room is arranged differently. Not to be confusing, but the TV is where the sofa is on the plan. THe sofa is located where the easy chair is shown. The easy chair is where the table and chairs are. The table and chairs are in the TV's spot on the plan. That was, you can see the TV from the beds, chairs, etc.

 

[MJS]

We did not do any of the children's activities. I did visit the spa for a manicure, and it was wonderful. I highly recommend it!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I think the key to enjoying the GF concierge is to not expect anything. LOL When I stayed there 8 years ago the only thing I used the concierge for on the entire trip was one dinner PS. Oh, and we grabbed a few bites of cheese one night. That was about it. But we really did enjoy our view of the castle and the monorail. Of course you can still have those things in a lagoon view room, for about 1/2 the cost.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Okay, MJS. My last trip and next trip to WDW were booked for GF Deluxe Concierge, both have been switched to GF Lagoon (I hadn't been reading favorable reviews, and with the AP rates, GF Lagoon is half the price of Deluxe Concierge) Tell me, should I give the GF Deluxe Concierge a try? I sware, I'm just gonna have to make a reservation, and forget I made it until the day before we leave! LOL, sounds like I better make it for Jan 2004! (but, I was thinking of doing the YC then!). I'll never decide on anything! (for 2004, my next trip after my upcoming one this summer, I'm not sure if we'll need 1 concierge room or 2 regular rooms, it depends how many of us go).

(BTW, you had what many consider as the best room in the resort. )

 

[MJS]

Cali, the room was great, and we loved watching the fireworks every night from Epcot. If you want to try a stay at the GF/RPC, go for it. I always wanted to stay there, and I am really glad that we did.

TigrLvsPooh, given what our approx. 2 week stay cost, right back at you!

 

[Bugster]

Sorry, but I was away for a few days! The manicure sounds great. How much did it cost? Did you happen to see the health club? Are there any classes?

I cannot tell from your review because it seems mixed...would you stay at the GF again?

 

[Mickymark]

Ill be there in one of the same rooms in July/August. As the poster just before me asked - would you staye there again? I havent stayed at the GF since '89.

 

[betterlatethannever]

I was looking at Cali's GF site

What site is this? Do you have a link?

Thanks

Ed

 

[MJS]

The GF site is the GF FAQ at the top of the first page on this board.

Regarding the question of staying at the GF again, I would stay there again, and I loved the room that we had. If we could stay in that room without the concierge service, that would be perfect (I recognize that it not possible). There are so many great resorts at WDW, I look forward to trying something else on our next visit.

 

[4merlurkerchris]

Hi MJS,
You requested that your room be de-smoked. Did you make that request through the advanced planners or someone else? Also, did you request the specific room that you received (room 4422) or did you just make general room requests? Who did you make the requests to? Thanks so much for all of the great information!
Chris

 

[MJS]

We spoke mainly to the planning office, but also to a member of the RPC concierge team, who I think became our advocate and ensured that our requests were met. She saw that 4422 became available before we arrived and she told us that she held it for us. We called the planners and reminded them frequently about our requests, especially the desmoking. Their attitude was always, "we'll see what we can do" or "we cannot guarantee anything." Not too reassuring, so we called alot.

Regarding the room, IMHO 4422 is the best deluxe. The floor plans are on the FAQ here and on Disney's site. 4419 and 4420 are deluxes, but the view is awful (inside courtyard where the old pool is located). Those rooms are basically oversized hotel rooms, and 4419 is handicapped equipped, so there is no tub. 4422 and 4426 (I think it is 26) are the other floor plan, which I think is better, and the view from 22 is great. 26 faces the monorail. The same rooms are on the third floor, but that is the floor where the band is, and noise can be an issue. I hope these comments help!

 

[4merlurkerchris]

Thank you, MJS!
Chris

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

The deluxe rooms are 4319 (handicap), 4320, 4322, 4329, 4419, 4420, 4422, and 4429.

 

[MJS]

Thanks Cali! I do know that 4419 is also a handicap room because I toured it. I would guess that both 4319 and 4419 are set up the same way.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Interesting, MJS. I saw the floorplans at the RPC Desks, and I just thought that it was noted that 4319 is handicap. How was the bathroom set up?

 

[MJS]

The bathroom was to the right once I entered the room. It was big. There was no tub, but a large shower area that one could easily place a wheelchair next to/into. I did not spend much time in the room. I went in, and looked around, mainly at the layout and the size, as well as seeing the balcony (small!) and the view. It was definately 4419, not 4319 because it was on our floor.

Cali, we are thinking about the BWI for our next trip. I know this is a bit off the GF subject, but do you have info. on the garden suites there (ie. square footage?). I remember you shared the floor plan with me awhile back. I wonder how the deluxe room compares to the GFs? How is the service? Thanks!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

The deluxe room at the BWI is around 500 square feet, and is just a room with an expanded sitting area (with chair, extra TV, and queen sleeper sofa). The Garden Suites are 700+ square feet, with a king in the loft (also large bathroom with jacuzzi) and a queen sleeper in the living room area (plus wet bar, tv, etc - I think there might also be a half bath).

I've heard some very good things about the BW Concierge. Their staff is supposed to be great, but the food offerings are a little less than the YC (from what I've heard, they do have a nice selection at the BW, though)

 

[princess angel]

hi MJS,
glad you had a great time, and enjoyed your room and view at the GF. but sorry to hear that the GF RPC cm's werent all that helpful... at that cost you should expect great service!

I noticed you said YC concierge was the best in your opinion! I agree completely!!!!
I also like the food in the longe better at the YC better than the Poly. in the morning, and in the evening! and during the day the YC offers quite a variety of snacks while Poly only has cookies.

I wish RPC would give more friendly service, I just cant justify staying there when I know I can stay at YC concierge and get treated wonderfully!!!


thanks for the report!

Laura

 

[MJS]

Laura - Thanks for your comments, and welcome back! It sounds like you had a great trip! I do love the YC!

One story that shows the difference between the RPC and YC service is about milk. We have a young child who drinks milk a few times a day. At the RPC, other than breakfast, we had to find a CM to get us a glass of milk. That is about 2-3 times/day for about 2 weeks. The CMs always got us what we needed from the back room, and they were very nice about it. They always gave us a small glass.

At the YC, I asked for milk for my little one, and they asked me how much we used per day, how long we would be there, etc. The the CMs at the YC concierge gave us a gallon of milk and had a refrigerator put in our room (we were not charged for it), so we would always have milk, especially of we needed some in the middle of the night! They also checked with us a couple of days later to be sure that we still had enough! That's service!

 

[princess angel]

perfect example of the service you get at the YC concierge, MJS!

that's the level I always get!

Laura