**Just Back: My BC and GF Concierge review**

[MJS]

Misti - Welcome Back! Thanks for such a wonderful report.

When I read your review of the RPC, I thought OH NO! We are booked to stay there in about two months. I must add that the service you received there sounds just like our stay in Poly concierge.

Did you complain to anyone about the service, housekeeping issues, etc? Also, did the food in the lounge vary from day-to-day? I noticed that the desserts changed according to your report, but how about the appetizers at the 5-7pm time?

Thanks again for your report, and I am looking forward to your pictures!

 

[Mario]

Thanks Misti!

What is the deal with the bottled water/soft drinks? Why can't they offer those items to the RPC guests? Seems cheap to me...

 

[mariamouse]

Misti--
Only one more day now!!! Yea!! I'm sorry to hear the weather was not that great during your stay but at least you got an uncrowded pool all to yourself!! I couldn't care less swimming in rain...... you're getting wet anyway! LoL Thanks for replying!

Mariamouse

 

[princess angel]

Hi Misti!!!

I have been eagerly anticipating your review! thanks so much, I really enjoyed reading it!

I am so glad the BC concierge was so wonderful! I have toured it, and I know the cm's work together w/the YC concierge, si I figured it would be wonderful!!! I forgot, have you stayed at YC concierge before? if yes, were they both just as good as the other???

for some reason, I am not surprised at your GF RPC review! we have stayed at the GF 4 times in regular lagoon view rooms, and loved it! we stayed in RPC once, just for one night, so I dont like to give opinions since it was only one night, but the feeling we got from the experience (Jan. 2001) was no where near as wonderful as at the YC concierge! at YC we were feling welcomed and immersed in disney magic from the first minute, at RPC, the cm's were very indifferent, and not any smiles! the one reason I love the YC concierge is because of the cm's, they make it so worth it!!!

about the kids, I really wish that parents would not allow the messiness, and the touching of the food and then putting it back! it is so inconsiderate to other guests!

thanks again, and I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip!!!

Laura

 

[Tinkbell]

Thanks for your great reports. I enjoyed my GF stay in a GV dormer room last summer, but I would go in the main building lobby, look up and be envious of those in the RPC. Now I can see that I wasn't missing much. I know you are a huge GF fan, so I thank you for you HONEST opinion. $100 more per night than BC concierge can really add up. If I ever go concierge, it will be at the BC, YC or Poly.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by allforpooh
Hi Misti,

I am glad to hear you had a wonderful time at the BC, Sept will be our first time there. What room location would you recommend? There will be 4 of us 2 adults, and 2 children 17 & 9, both girls.


Thanks!

Hi! I hope you enjoy your first trip to the BC! Do you have a Standard or Water View reserved? The one thing about the BC is that many of the rooms can be quite far from the main lobby. Personally, that doesn't matter much to me but if you'd like to be close to the main lobby, restaurants and shops, I'd make a request. I also like the rooms near the quiet pool. Although further from the lobby, you'll be close to the pool, laundry area and as close as you can get to the Epcot entrance.

Also, many rooms have what is called "standing room only" balconies. It is basically a small balcony with room for one person. So, I'd also recommend requesting a full balcony. Disney can't guarantee requests but they'll try their best. Have a wonderful time!

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Janet2k
Misti, your report on the GF's Royal Palm Club made my blood boil. I am so sorry that you had the same crappy experience with those folks that I have had. I was really hoping things had changed. I am so disappointed to hear that they haven't.

Too bad you haven't tried the AKL's concierge yet. Those folks know how to run things. And the rest of the AKL's CM's are just as wonderful. My son just said, "That's because the AKL took all the good CM's from the other WDW resorts." I think he may be on to something (hee hee).

As always, this is all my humble opinion and others' may vary (as it should be).

Welcome home!

Hi Janet! I have heard such great things about the AKL Concierge and when we went to the resort I wished we had been there instead. This is the first time I have truly been disappointed with a stay at the GF. I'm sorry to hear your experience was similar to mine. For the amount of $$ those rooms cost, you'd expect better. I looked at the rate chart and during holiday season that room is $775 a night plus tax. I paid Value Season rates, of course. I can't imagine paying rates like that and experiencing what I did. I'm a pretty "low maintenance" guest and I certainly never expected to be catered to night and day but a friendly smile ocassionally would have been nice. And again, the things that is curious is that i did have a good experience with all the other GF CM's, just not the RPC.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by DisneyaHolic23
Thanks for the VERY complete report of both concierge rooms!! We are staying at the BC in July, and so I read your description with rapt attention! I can't wait!!!!

Can you tell me about securing water? I hate having to ask for water, because I feel like I'm monitored on how much I ask for. At the Poly on our honeymoon it was just sitting out. However, whe we stayed at the Grand Californian at Disneyland last April we had to ask for ALL beverages. I really didn't like that. Also, do you get to pour your own cordials?

Thanks again for the great report!!!

That is one thing I LOVE about the Polynesian, too. I hope they don't eventually eliminate that feature. At the BC, you have to ask for bottled water or cans of soda. They give them to you gladly but they are held behind the lounge desk. You do get to pour your own cordials.

At the GF, they didn't provide bottled water nor soft drinks. Kind of a bummer if you don't like lemonade or juice. All they have is the vittel and perrier in large glass bottles.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by MJS
Misti - Welcome Back! Thanks for such a wonderful report.

When I read your review of the RPC, I thought OH NO! We are booked to stay there in about two months. I must add that the service you received there sounds just like our stay in Poly concierge.

Did you complain to anyone about the service, housekeeping issues, etc? Also, did the food in the lounge vary from day-to-day? I noticed that the desserts changed according to your report, but how about the appetizers at the 5-7pm time?

Thanks again for your report, and I am looking forward to your pictures!

Hi MJS! I hope I didn't sour your desire to stay at the GF. Maybe things will change. I've heard hot and cold reports about the Polynesian Concierge, too. So, I guess these things aren't constant. I didn't say anything about the service while I was there. We were busy enjoying our days there and I thought it would be best to write a letter. The service was very uneven. I had the same good experiences with the resort overall. I think it was the RPC that left me the most disappointed. I'm not a complainer but I guess it is best for someone to know. I know that Disney reads these boards, too.

Yes, the afternoon and evening food selections varied somewhat from day to day. The breakfast foods were usually the same each day, however.

 

[DisOrBust]

This is so sad to read AGAIN! I remember a family from MN had just as rotten as an experienve as you. It was a trip of a lifetime and they were so disappointed. Thank you for your honest report. Maybe the RPC staff should read this thread maybe then they will get their act together..

Now you have me wanting to stay at BC concierge...oh darn,lol!

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Tinkbell
Thanks for your great reports. I enjoyed my GF stay in a GV dormer room last summer, but I would go in the main building lobby, look up and be envious of those in the RPC. Now I can see that I wasn't missing much. I know you are a huge GF fan, so I thank you for you HONEST opinion. $100 more per night than BC concierge can really add up. If I ever go concierge, it will be at the BC, YC or Poly.

I used to think the same thing! I would walk from my lodge building thinking "oh, someday maybe!". Now, I'll be looking up thinking I'm glad I saved the money. It really is MUCH more $$ than a regular room. A regular Lagoon View room is $390 a night in Value Season, the Main Building room is $555 a night. I just can't justify the $165 more PER night. No amount of lounge food/ambience is worth that to me now that I know first hand what it is like.

And, you are right, I AM a huge GF fan. That is part of the reason it was so disappointing. I'd highly recommend the other concierge services at the other resorts you mentioned, however.

 

[Anne2]

Misti, I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your trip to GF RPC. I was there at the end of October for my honeymoon, and my husband and I loved it! The CM's weren't super outgoing, but they were always nice and helpful. We registered up at RPC, and so got to work with one of the CM's of RPC at registration. He always made a point of smiling, saying hi, and asking how things were going anytime we saw him through the week. Wish I could remember his name. I hate to hear they aren't currently being as friendly.

As to the soft drinks, they weren't out, but we could ask for them anytime. I like soft drinks with my breakfast even, and they would always bring it out to me. They brought it in a glass, so it could be fountain, but you might be able to ask for a can as well. I never tried. I didn't check on water since I'm not a water person.

Also, I personlly enjoy everything being out in nice crystal bowls and platters. It gives me the feeling of elegance. However, I do understand why others would feel differently.

I would love to have the money to stay at RPC everytime. Sitting in the lounge for breakfast was wondeful!! However, our honeymoon was a special treat for us.

Again, I'm really sorry the RPC experience was not a good one for you. I'm glad though that you did like the BC, and I hope you won't stop staying at GF all together.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Mario
Thanks Misti!

What is the deal with the bottled water/soft drinks? Why can't they offer those items to the RPC guests? Seems cheap to me...

I agree, to be honest. For $165 more PER night than a regular Lagoon View room, you'd think that would be available. I drink a good deal of water throughout the day and it would have been nice to have a bottled water in my room. Filling up a 6 oz cup again and again was a pain. And, our room was not particularly close to the lounge. So, I'd go back and forth in the evening.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by DisOrBust
This is so sad to read AGAIN! I remember a family from MN had just as rotten as an experienve as you. It was a trip of a lifetime and they were so disappointed. Thank you for your honest report. Maybe the RPC staff should read this thread maybe then they will get their act together..

Now you have me wanting to stay at BC concierge...oh darn,lol!

Believe me, with the cost of this trip, it was a "trip of a lifetime" for me, too. LOL I thought I'd splurge since it would just be the two of us and it would be a nice "treat" to be there for Valentine's Day. If I could have, I would have switched to a regular lagoon view room and saved the money. On the other hand, I would gladly pay the extra $$ to stay at the BC Concierge. That portion of the trip was memorable and made my overall trip great.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by princess angel
Hi Misti!!!

I have been eagerly anticipating your review! thanks so much, I really enjoyed reading it!

I am so glad the BC concierge was so wonderful! I have toured it, and I know the cm's work together w/the YC concierge, si I figured it would be wonderful!!! I forgot, have you stayed at YC concierge before? if yes, were they both just as good as the other???

for some reason, I am not surprised at your GF RPC review! we have stayed at the GF 4 times in regular lagoon view rooms, and loved it! we stayed in RPC once, just for one night, so I dont like to give opinions since it was only one night, but the feeling we got from the experience (Jan. 2001) was no where near as wonderful as at the YC concierge! at YC we were feling welcomed and immersed in disney magic from the first minute, at RPC, the cm's were very indifferent, and not any smiles! the one reason I love the YC concierge is because of the cm's, they make it so worth it!!!

about the kids, I really wish that parents would not allow the messiness, and the touching of the food and then putting it back! it is so inconsiderate to other guests!

thanks again, and I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip!!!

Laura

Hi Laura! I've never stayed at the YC Concierge. But, like you mentioned, I learned that the staff is the same between the two. So, I guess it would be the same. I might try that next time. My DH said he'd like to stay at the YC again. Although, his true favorite is the BWV. I really can't say enough good things about the BC Concierge staff. I just wish I could have spent all 10 nights there.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Anne2
Misti, I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your trip to GF RPC. I was there at the end of October for my honeymoon, and my husband and I loved it! The CM's weren't super outgoing, but they were always nice and helpful. We registered up at RPC, and so got to work with one of the CM's of RPC at registration. He always made a point of smiling, saying hi, and asking how things were going anytime we saw him through the week. Wish I could remember his name. I hate to hear they aren't currently being as friendly.

As to the soft drinks, they weren't out, but we could ask for them anytime. I like soft drinks with my breakfast even, and they would always bring it out to me. They brought it in a glass, so it could be fountain, but you might be able to ask for a can as well. I never tried. I didn't check on water since I'm not a water person.

Also, I personlly enjoy everything being out in nice crystal bowls and platters. It gives me the feeling of elegance. However, I do understand why others would feel differently.

I would love to have the money to stay at RPC everytime. Sitting in the lounge for breakfast was wondeful!! However, our honeymoon was a special treat for us.

Again, I'm really sorry the RPC experience was not a good one for you. I'm glad though that you did like the BC, and I hope you won't stop staying at GF all together.

Hi Anne! Oh, I will definately return to the GF. I truly love the resort and I love the addition of the themed pool. I've stayed there at laest once, sometimes two or three times each year for the last 10 years. So, to say I really like it is an undersatatement I guess. LOL

I'm just not sure it was worth it to spend more than $150 more per night for the main building. I asked for a diet coke one evening and was told they didn't have soft drinks. Maybe that was just one night, I didn't think to ask again after the first time. It was also tough to find anyone in the lounge. Unless you caught someone as they were refilling the food, it was tough to find anyone. So, I didn't think to ask on another occasion. There were always three or four CM in the BC Concierge b/c of the set up.

I'm glad you had a wonderful stay, however. That is how I imagined by stay would be.

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Misti ~

Welcome back! I'm sorry to hear about your not so great experience with the RPC; I guess I've just been lucky in that I've always had very good experiences there.

I was wondering if you have any pictures of the BC concierge area? Right now, I have reservations for this summer for the YC concierge, a "junior suite", for half my trip (the other half at the RPC! LOL) .. but I've been thinking about switching the YC ressies to the BC concierge - I can get a larger suite for about the same price as the Jr Suite at the YC. I haven't done anything about changing the ressies as of yet, because I hadn't really seen much written about BC conciere. But your report makes it sound really quite nice!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Misti]

Hi Judi!

Yes, I have pictures of the BC Concierge area. I'm loading them right now. So, as soon as I have them set up, I'll give you all the link. I also have pictures of the Nantucket Suite (the one bedroom), if that is one you are considering.

I don't mean to put a "bad name" on the RPC. I'm glad your RPC trips were memorable. I just wanted to give my assessment of my trip there. I still think fondly of the GF and I will definately stay there again. Hope you have a great trip! Sounds wonderful!

 

[MJS]

Misti - One more question...did you hear anything about the scheduled rehab work at the YC? I called the GM's office in the fall, and a CM there told me that the YC concierge area was going to be redone this year. The lounge is to be expanded, and the rooms refurbished. Did you hear anything additional? Thanks!

 

[Misti]

Hi MJS,

I was told it could be sometime in 2002 and they didn't have an exact timeline yet. That was my concern, too, beacuse I have clients traveling to the YC Concierge later this year. No one could give be any definate answers, unfortunately.