Just returned from GF/YC stay...

[minniesota]

Just back from a week of magic. We stayed at the GF 3 nights and YC 4 nights. At GF, we were in Boca Chica, third floor, lagoon view, ns, connecting room with sister's family. Great view of the lagoon, MK and castle fireworks! GF staff was great - check-in quick and painless; housekeeping very responsive to our requests (we asked for refrigerator and robes that were not in our room). They delivered everything immediately. Rooms were quiet and very clean. Only complaint is that they came to do turndown the first two nights at 10! We didn't have a "do not disturb" sign (we did the third night!) and they came banging on the door after we were all in bed. On the third night, they came much earlier while we were still out so the kids did get their chocolates one night. One interesting note: we faxed in a room request four days prior and really got everything we asked for. Not so at YC where we couldn't fax (see below).

We moved over to the YC on Tuesday morning - again, very easy. Luggage was all picked up and transfered for us. My sister and I got over to YC about 9:30 a.m. and checked in. We tried faxing a room request four days prior and got a busy signal for two days, so we left home without faxing to YC. We had our requests on our ressie, but when they tried to check us in, none of our requests were granted (initially). We wanted non-smoking, upper floor, lake view, connecting (we paid for water view). Our first assigned rooms were first floor, adjoining and quiet pool view. We politely asked for connecting rooms with a lake view. The front desk was deserted so we had 2 CMs working on our check-in. After a lot of searching, they came up with 2 options for us and let us look at both. We ended up lake view, 3rd floor, ns, connecting rooms. Yeah! Thanks, Heather, for being persistent! I guess faxing requests can make a difference. I'm glad to answer any questions.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Welcome home! That sounds like a perfect resort split! Did you take any pictures?

I do have a question for you. How was it going from the GF to the YC? Was it at all a let down?

Thanks!

 

[Tagrel]

Hi, Sounds like a great trip!

We will be going to GF for the first time this Christmas! Any tips are welcome on what not to miss! We have a garden view reserved, does anyone have insight into what might be nice to request? I don't expect any kind of upgrade, just looking for opinions of the Garden Views.

Also, you mentioned you had a refrigerator at GF - does it cost $10 per night there as it does at the other resorts? I've read conflicting reports...

Thanks!

 

[Misti]

Welcome home! Thanks for the report! Funny thing about turndown at the GF--our's was always too early! LOL They sometimes came at 5:00PM to turndown the beds. I learned that you can actually call and request a certain time, if you'd like. I did that and it was perfect the rest of the time.


How did you like the new YC room decor? Did you have a renovated room?

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Tagrel
Hi, Sounds like a great trip!

We have a garden view reserved, does anyone have insight into what might be nice to request? I don't expect any kind of upgrade, just looking for opinions of the Garden Views.

Also, you mentioned you had a refrigerator at GF - does it cost $10 per night there as it does at the other resorts? I've read conflicting reports...

Thanks!

Some of the upper floor Garden View rooms in Big Pine Key actually have a limited MK fireworks view. If you end up with a room at the end of the building closest to the Main Building, you will be able to see the fireworks in the distance. Plus, you'll be quite close to the quiet pool and main building.

Yes, the $10/night charge is resort-wide. However, they can sometimes forget to actually post the charge to your room account.

Have a great time!

 

[princess angel]

thanks for the review! glad you had a great trip! I always find that they come to do turndown too early, like misti said!

How did you like each resort, other than the views and serice?
overall theming, locations...etc...??

thanks!
Laura

 

[minniesota]

We love both the GF and YC. We did all our MK trips while at GF (except for MNSSHP on the 17th) so the monorail and boat were great. Monorail there, boat back is most efficient. The resort is really beautiful and very peaceful - I loved coming back there after the hustle and bustle of MK. The theming at Boca Chica was floral which was fine. Loved the Mickey lamp. The rooms are generous in size and very soundproof. We were not charged for the refrigerator. My kids (11 and 8) didn't really like the new pool - thought it was too shallow, not enough swimming room and the slide was short. They spent most of their time at the courtyard pool.
CaliD- Yeah, it was a little bit of a let-down going from GF to YC. Mostly I noticed the lack of soundproofing (you could hear everything in the hallways) and the slightly smaller room. (the bathroom door just barely clears the toilet!)
We were in a renovated room and it was beautiful! It's brighter that I imagined- very crisp and clean feeling. We had the desk, easy chair and foot stool combo which worked out ok. For eating, we pulled out the oval table (which is on wheels and stores under the desk) and the kids sat on the desk chair and footstool. There was plenty of room in the dresser and chest - deep drawers. The theming at the YC is great - we find it very classy, but not at all stuffy. For us, the location can't be beat - a 10 minute walk to Epcot and a 10 minute boat ride to MGM. We walked back from MGM after Fantasmic because there were so many people at the boat launch. It was a very pleasant walk - about 15 minutes. We also took the Illuminations cruise and caught the boat right at the marina after dinner at the Flying Fish. Easy, easy.
I would highly recommend both resorts. The GF is quieter and a bit more spacious feeling, but YC's location to Epcot, MGM and BW can't be beat. I guess that's why we do a split stay!

 

[minniesota]

CaliD- About those pictures...funny story, well not that funny. First day, arrive on Main Street. Kids spot characters near Plaza Ice Cream and must stop. DH goes to the backpack to retrieve autograph books and camera and finds a swimming pool. Note to Brita bottle users: secure all twisty-top areas. (DH was in charge of water bottles...) Major leak soaking camera, cell phone, snacks and not sure what else. So humid we know things will never dry out...
Did take pictures with the flooded camera and got a couple of disposables. Haven't developed anything yet so we'll see...