Major Pixie Dust Thanksgiving Eve at GF!

[Seahunt]

Sorry I am so late in posting this, but I wanted to give everyone hope that sometimes when you least expect it you might get a great upgrade!

My DH and I like to run over to Disney for a short stay as often as possible.

We originally had Best Rate ressies at the BWI for 10/29 for the Food & Wine, but DH found out on 10/16 that he had to work on the 29th, so we decided to try and switch those ressies for 11/23 (Thanksgiving eve) instead - if anything was available.

I called on 10/16 to see what was available, and how hard it would be to change our BR res. They had Lagoon View at the GF available on that night at FL Res rate, and since I knew that the beautiful Xmas tree and decorations would be up in the lobby then, we chose there. (By the way, no problem-o on switching from BR to FL Res Rates, they just applied the payment to the res, didn't charge any change fees, etc)

My DH was SUPPOSED to get off early so we could drive over and get there at a decent time, but of course he ended up working a full day , and along with the traffic on I-4 (from around the Universal exit to our Disney exit it was at a complete standstill), we didn't get to check in until about 7:45PM.

When I went to the desk, I asked the CM "I guess since we are checking in soooo late, all the good lagoon views will be gone, huh?" and she said "Actually, you have been upgraded to a great view on the 3rd floor IN THE MAIN BUILDING, and it includes concierge services". Well I knew that meant we were upgraded to Royal Palm Club, so that is probably the best upgrade we will EVER get! I could have kissed her!

Since we were there only for one night, we had only one bag so DH took our bag ourselves instead of using a bellman and headed for the elevator. Another lady and her daughter (about 3 -4 years old -a real cutie dressed in her Princess outfit!) put their card in and pushed 4, and even though I knew the CM said we were on the 3rd floor, since our room number was 4317, I though maybe she mis-spoke and it was on the 4th.

Well, of course, she was right , and after we flew up and down the halls on 4 looking for our room, we had to go back to the elevator and go back down to 3 to get to it The view was of the main pool, so we lost our LV, but weren't going to complain! This room was a connecting room, but we heard nothing from the next room, unlike some of the rooms we have had at Disney

The worst thing about this upgrade was that we were so late arriving we really didn't get to appreciate all the "perks" at this level - didn't really need any specialized planning, etc. - which is probably why we got the upgrade in the first place, but it was still fun and much appreciated! The desserts and cordials were out in the concierge lounge when we arrived, and my husband had a cappucino and I had a few (!) chocolate covered strawberries while we listened to the orchestra play down below, so that was really nice....

Next stop is AKL on Christmas Eve - and based on the law of averages we'll probably end up with a parking lot view! Actually, maybe it is better if you never get an upgrade as it seems like you get spoiled soooo quickly!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Isn't the unexpected things that come our way so special. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Wow, that is SO awesome

 

[johnsonet]

Sounds wonderful! I love the GF and will be there in a couple of weeks with my family. It's my DD's favorite resort. Mine is the AKL and let me tell you that I think you'll be thrilled even if you DO end up with a parking lot view

 

[ADisneygirl]

We went to see the Christmas tree and gingerbread house at the GF last week while at Disney for Thanksgiving. It was beautiful to say the least. I loved how the GF looked. We will have to put that on our wish list of places to stay next!

Good luck in the upgrade dept. on your upcoming AKL trip. They upgrade frequently because they have so many more savannah view rooms than they do have standard view rooms. We have been upgraded 3 times there.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Sounds awesome! What was the bedding in your room?

 

[Seahunt]

To CaliforniaDreaming - we had two beds in this room. They must have been full or queen - we sleep in a king at home and these were not that size, but were larger than twins

There was tons of bedding on both of these also - three pillows across the headboard of each bed in pillowcases, and then three accent pillows in shams also. The larger accent pillows must have weighed five pounds each! My DH asked me where he should put those and I told him to move those to the bench at the end of the bed for the night and he couldn't believe how heavy they were when he carried them over to it

The room was already turned down with chocolates and a note from the housekeeper, and a menu for in room dining with the Thanksgiving menu on it for the next day- since we would be checking out, we couldn't use this, but I thought it was pretty reasonable for room service at about $24 per person (plus fees) for a complete Thanksgiving turkey (or ham) dinner. I could kick myself now though, as I should have brought that info sheet back with me so I could have posted it for others here for next year.....

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks! Did you have a daybed or a sofa in the room as well?

 

[Seahunt]

Hmmm - now thinking of the room, I don't remember a daybed like usual. I'll have to ask my DH!

I close my eyes and can picture walking in and on the right side there was a double sliding door closet, then past the closet where the closet wall jogged back in there was a small trashcan with recycling directions laid across the top in that corner.

Next on the right side was the connecting door to the room next door, then there was a shorter wooden cabinet that was actually the mini-bar (which the front desk gave us a key to but we didn't open, so I don't know what was in there!), then the armoire with the TV in it, and then a desk and chair with mirror above, and then a larger table with chairs in the corner and lots of park info on top (park hours and special things that were scheduled during our stay), and a little sign advising about the internet connection.

On the left side when you walked in, down a little way (across from the closet) there was a larger wall opening where you went and could go to the sink (double sinks) area on the right, with a door to the separate toilet and tub on the left.

Going on in the room on the left side was one bed, then the nightstand (with phone and clock radio) in the middle, and then the other bed, then two chairs in that left side corner. There was a low bench in front of the first bed, and that's where I told my DH to put the pillows in the shams that weighed a ton - that also makes me think no daybed in this room as he probably would have just placed them there if there was one....

I'll post again if my DH thinks I'm wrong - but I sure don't remember one, just the large table and chairs in that right corner, and the other chairs on the left!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

If you had the desk, then there wouldn't have been a daybed. For some reason, I've been finding lately a lot of room reports to have different bedding than "the usual" - I'm not sure if they are switching a lot of things around or what. I've also noticed sofas being in place of daybeds, and different bedspreads than the normal ones.

In the left corner, was there a table with the chairs? If my thinking is right, the room would fit the desk + 1 chair on the opposite wall of the beds, then a table + 2 chairs over by the beds?