Just back - impressions GF/AKL

[Sally Bradley]

Just got back from a weeklong trip...4 days GF, 3 days AKL. My 9 yr old DD and I had stayed at the GF before and wanted to give DH a taste of the GF magic.

I can't put my finger on it, but I was very disappointed with the GF this time around. It just seemed "lazier" and had much less attention to detail than our last stay. It seemed ordinary rather than very special. ( I should have listened to the Wize ones on this DIS board!) This really surprised me, as I REALLY REALLY loved the GF our past stay, even going so far as to say that would be "our" resort from then on. After this stay, I have changed my mind.

I will say our AKL stay was MORE than expected. I knew it would be fun, but didn't expect the excitement of seeing animals outside our balcony in the wee hrs of the am. DD and DH got up at 6:30 every morning to take a peek. Also, after eating dinner at the WL, I REALLY wished we had split our stay between the AKL and WL. The good news is DMIL didn't make it this trip, so she and I are planning a return visit in August. Can't wait to try out the WL this trip!!!

Sally

 

[Lexxiefern]

Sorry you were disappointed with the GF this time. We just checked out the AKL while we were staying at the Poly and WOW! it looks like a great place to stay. Thanks for sharing!

 

[TooBoyz4us]

From: Sally Bradley...............Also, after eating dinner at the WL, I REALLY wished we had split our stay between the AKL and WL.

Hi Sally,

Can you tell me why? I am going to be booking our Oct 2004 trip very soon, and really have my heart set on WL. But recently I have read some reviews that have been less than positive.So, I am hoping that you had a FABULOUS impression of WL that you will share with me

At this point I really don't want to start researching another resort and make myself more confused ,kwim?

 

[Sally Bradley]

I really LOVE Disney and I LOVE CHristmas (I put up 11 Christmas trees each year). I really wanted this to be a special year, combining the best of both worlds.

The most immediate difference I noticed after moving from GF to AKL was...even though there were a zillion people at AKL, you never got that impression. In fact, we spent alot of time on the balcony and never noticed ANY OTHER people...it was almost like you were there alone...very laid back...even the pool and the restaurant. It felt like you were really getting "away from it all." The GF had a "feel" of comnstant activity & people, almost like a convention, instead of a "get away from it all" place.

When we got to the WL, I had the same feeling of a "get away from it all" kind of place, even though we ate at Whispering Canyon, which was very loud (and extremely fun...we had a blast)...the overall atmosphere was very much what I have felt at Yellowstone and the Tetons...very laid back and casual and the Christmas decorations were out of this world.

I will admit my first trip to GF was a VERY special trip with my then 6 yr old DD...it truly was a trip of a lifetime...we felt like we were really being treated like royalty. Maybe it's unfair to compare this trip to the last. This time I just didn't get that "being treated like royalty" feeling.

Thats about the best I can explain it...hope it makes sense.

Sally

 

[TooBoyz4us]

It does make sense........thankyou!!

I think I am going to go with my "gut" and book WL.

 

[cdpa4d]

Sally,
I am booking a 5 night stay at the GF. It will be our first time at the GF (never been inside before just seen pictures) and I hope my first time experience is the same as yours. I guess I am speaking off the cuff, but my guess is that it just depends on the timing of your trip. Like you said, if the resort is crowded you will get less attention, therefore making your trip seem less maigical. It kind of works that way in the parks as well. If crowds are high, wait times are high, lines are longer, people get aggravated, etc, etc. The magic is less evident.

Our trip is the first week of May. My hope is that crowds will be moderate to light. Here's throwing some pixie dust your way for your WL trip.

Thanks for your post!
ADP