Just Back, POFQ, Ft. Wilderness, and Poly and GF Concierge

[princessplanner]

Hi! My family just got back this weekend from 2 days at POFQ, 2 days at Ft. Wilderness Cabins, 3 days at Poly GV Concierge, and 4 days at Floridian Sugar Loaf Concierge. Every place we went was wonderful! It was my first time at POFQ and Poly. I loved the donut-like things in the food court (what are they called again?) at FQ. The rooms were cheerful and bright and I really liked the curtains they have blocking off the bathroom area. It gives everyone a little more needed privacy for dressing. Ft. Wilderness Cabins, as usual, are one of our favorites. We got our request to be right by one of the pools. We also did e-night one night and I was happy to find out, at 1:00 am, that I could get back to Ft. W by boat. I liked the food at Poly Concierge, and the staff was really nice. We were celebrating my mom’s birthday one day and they left balloons. Also, we got our request for a 3rd Fl. Room. Although the Non-Smoking room smelled smoky, they did everything possible to lessen the smell in the room. I thought the rooms were relaxing and pretty. For awhile, I had worried that they would be too dark or something. And of course, I LOVED Floridian SLC. For some reason, everyone there seemed super nice this year, which I was happy about because I had heard some discouraging things on-line about the CMs. One very kind lady was nice enough to make a special trip over to the main building to pick up a UPS package that contained a lei of fresh flowers I wanted to give my mom so she could wear the flowers to tea 15 min. later. Another young man serving snacks in the lounge was particularly nice on the day we were leaving. We asked about a scone recipe and he gave us advice where we might obtain it. He also offered to give us each a scone, even though afternoon tea service in the lounge had not started yet. He also made a point to ask us if we would like a soda and made sure we knew where the jelly was located. It was just soo nice! Also, Denis in the tea room was very friendly and helpful. I just hated to leave so much when our trip was over. Hope we can go again next year. I would be happy to go back to every single place we stayed.

Does anyone have any questions?

 

[Robinette]

Wow, you did a lot of moving around. We switch resorts also on just about every trip. As long as it's over a week long.

Glad to hear you and your family had such a wonderful time.

 

[jacksmom]

I would love to hear more about Sugar Loaf! We will be there next month, but I have had a very hard time finding any info! I to have heard some negative comments, so we don't know what to expect! What type, location room did you have? Did you like it? Any suggestions for requests? Also, can you give me an idea about what times and what types of food are offered? Can I get milk or juice for my child? Thanks so much for any insight you can give! Glad you had a great trip!

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks, Just read the other thread!

 

[QJ411]

Hi,

I'd love to find out some more info on GF-SLC, do you have any photos? Thanks in advance!

 

[TwingleMum]

Another person curious about SLC. Was this your first time there?? Have you ever done main lodge concierge?? Thanks.

 

[imadisneyfanatic]

Weren't you exhausted from the checking in and out every 2 days?
Was check-in/check-out a smooth transition?
Thanks!

 

[micmacmissy]

We booked a 2-bdrm suite at GF in SugarLoaf building for December. Would love to hear more about it...especially the food/drinks offered. We have two small kids (2 and 4). Are milk and juice offered throughout the day? Is the continental breakfast enough to tide us over until lunch? Are there kid friendly items there? Any info you have on the food would be great, thanks!!!

 

[princessplanner]

Hi. Let me see if I can try to answer a few questions. Our family has visited the Floridian 5 times, and this is our second time at Sugar Loaf Concierge. I’ve never stayed at the Main Concierge, but I am sure it would be wonderful! At this time, I don’t have any pictures of the SL lounge, but… it really looks similar to the other guest building lobbies at GF, except that there is a concierge desk area on one side, food on the table in the middle of the room, and 4 couches and some armchairs in the room for guests to sit in which they enjoy a snack (it also may be a bit larger than the other buildings’ lobbies). It is very relaxing and seems pretty uncrowded. They also play Disney music often, so you walk out of your room and can hear a soft soundtrack playing your favorite tunes. When you arrive at the GF, someone from concierge is waiting for you right at the entrance. They greet you and lead you right to the building for check in. It just makes the experience feel special, right from the start. I heard once that all the rooms in SL have fairy bedspreads (with Tinkerbell, Blue fairy, and Sleeping Beauty fairies), which are so pretty…and so Disney! Both garden view and marina view are very nice… although I might still request a marina view just because I like seeing water. I like that SL is really close to everything (the food court, the boat docks, the main building, and the pool), without it feeling like a main traffic way. A very nice place to be.

Now, a little about the food service. In all honesty, I would have to say that the food was probably slightly better/more at the Poly concierge, but it is still good at Sugar Loaf. At SL, food service is officially served until 7 (we did come in one night at 9 and they still had cookies and lemonade out). There is usually only an hour break or so between each food service time during the day… I would have to rummage through all my souvenirs to find the sheet with the exact times.

Here are a couple of offerings I remember from the Floridian (from just last week).

In the morning, I believe that they had milk and orange juice out. After breakfast, they have lemonade and iced tea out all day. I am not sure if you could get milk/ juice during the day, as I did not ask, but I maybe it wouldn’t be a problem. They do not have soft drinks out, but you just ask and they will gladly get one for you. I am not a big breakfast person, but I know that they usually had fruit, breakfast cereals, Danish or rolls of some type, muffins, and maybe even bagels.

The next serving would always have little breads and dips (I love the Spinach Avocado dip) and a cheese platter. There would also be ham and/or turkey and vegetables. There would also be cookies, and possibly other desserts like brownies, cupcakes, and rice krispy treats. The only thing I disliked about this was that they kept all the desserts in an area called “Children’s Corner.” Adults like cookies too! (I still went over and got some).

The next serving was afternoon tea. During this time, they always had scones and another treat or two, such as English Trifle (which has layers of cake and custard- really good) or tarts. I believe they would still have the brownies, cookies, etc. out, as well as the cheese plate.

Finally, during the final service of the day, they would have some food that was a little more substantial. For “kids,” they would have peanut butter sandwiches on raisin bread. One night they had turkey roll ups, which were really good. Every day, they would still have cheese and some sort of fruit or vegetable (it seemed to vary slightly with the “theme” of the evening). I did not like the night they had spring rolls and sushi, but there was still some sort of chicken on a stick that was decent. Another night they had meatballs and the same chicken. My favorite night was when they had meatball stuffed mushrooms, goat cheese on little bread, and some other sweet pastry-like thing that I think was fruit-based. Hope this helps some!

 

[princessplanner]

Originally posted by imadisneyfanatic
Weren't you exhausted from the checking in and out every 2 days?
Was check-in/check-out a smooth transition?
Thanks!

I was wondering when someone would ask me this! Good question. In a way, yes, it was difficult to change hotels so often. I guess I wouldn't call it exhausting... just slightly inconvenient, because during the mornings we switched hotels, we usually wouldn't go to the parks. The actual moving part was really easy (so was check-in and check-out), but we ended up hanging around the hotel during the mornings we switched because we hated leaving. At the POFQ, we only took in our overnight bags and lived out of those a couple days. Then we were able to throw our stuff in the car right before we left. It was also easy at FW because we could unload our own bags right in front of our cabin. We then had our bags transfered from the Poly to the GF, which worked out great. By the time we finished taking pictures and looking around the Poly lobby area and finally made our way over to the GF. our bags were right behind us! This was the first year our family moved three times. Other years we have moved only once or twice. One move can be nice to give you a little taste of different areas. Even twice has worked out really well in the past. I really don't think I would do three times again. It was a little much, even though I wouldn't have traded this particular trip for anything... since I probably would never have tried the Poly or POFQ otherwise!