Question about GF "amenities" compared to other deluxes

[SeaSpray]

We stayed at the Grand Floridian in 2001, in a lagoon view room. Not concierge, just a regular (although spectacular!) lagoon view room in Boca Chica. I remember calling room service, the front desk, guest services, bell services, etc and when they'd pick up the phone, before I'd say a word, they'd say "Hello Mrs. Brown, how may I help you??" I'm now wondering if all of the deluxe resorts do this. The CMs at the Grand Floridian were wonderful. On our last day we had a late flight out, so we wanted to eat lunch onsite and when I called guest services they called and made the PS for us at the Kona Cafe. Now I'd expect all that if we had been staying concierge, but we weren't. I assume that this is the level of service simply from being in a deluxe resort, so that's why I'm wondering now if this is the usual level of service at all of them. We also called and requested robes, which they brought right over to our room, and we had nightly turndown services.

Can all of you let me know what to expect, as far as these services are concerned, in a NON-concierge room, at all of the other deluxe resorts?? Thanks!

 

[susy]

Hey! I'm Mrs. Brown, too!!! I did request and receive turndown at WL, but I think that at GF you automatically get it, plus the robes. Don't know about guest services helping with PS. It might just go by how busy they are...you also get a mini bar at GF...

 

[SeaSpray]

I'm surprised to not have any more responses! So I'll assume that the other deluxe resorts don't treat their non-concierge guests as well as the Grand Floridian does. Very interesting!

 

[jel0511]

No, they don't IMO. The GF is considered the flagship resort of WDW and you do receive slightly upgraded services there then you would at the other deluxe resorts. Now, remember this is only my opinion, but you don't receive robes at ANY other deluxe resort, unless you're staying concierge. I've also never been addressed by name by any other deluxe hotel CM, except for those at the GF. You receive turndown service at the GF automatically, at all other deluxes you have to request it.

 

[susy]

Actually, I was addressed by name (on the phone) at the ASMo, CBR, and WL. GF also has robes for little ones (too cute!)

 

[skiwee1]

At the Poly, non conceirge, whenever I called down the front desk I too was addressed by name. Same way at the WL. I just figured it was because they knew what room was calling and saw the name. We love the CMs at the Poly and always feel like we are honored guests there. When we check in they acknowledge our past stays and welcome us back. Even the guards at the guard shack welcome us home. We love it there!

 

[SeaSpray]

These are the kinds of comments I've been looking for. Thanks, and keep your experiences coming Since we've only ever stayed at CBR and the GF, I only have those 2 resorts to go by. When we were at CBR I don't remember housekeeping answering the phone and calling me by name automatically, but I do remember it while we were at the GF, so that's why I'm wondering whether all the deluxes (or any other resorts) do this.

Anyone else care to comment on your own experiences??

 

[Sally Bradley]

GF also has robes for little ones (too cute!)

Not anymore. We were there in Dec and were told they no longer carry the kids' robes.

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by SeaSpray
[B I remember calling room service, the front desk, guest services, bell services, etc and when they'd pick up the phone, before I'd say a word, they'd say "Hello Mrs. Brown, how may I help you??" [/B]

Now that is impressive that without a word the CM knew you were Mrs. Brown, not Mr. Brown or little Miss or Master Brown!

Just kidding. I think folks have hit on the only two differences...robes and turn down (without asking). Oops one more I can think of...refrig. without charge last I knew.

We have certainly been addressed by name at the Polynesian as well as at the GF.

All the deluxes offer my favorite amenity...a newspaper at your door. Currently it is only 5 days/week as it's the USA Today. All offer room service which is another favorite of mine. Valet parking is yet another amenity at all of the deluxe resorts. More than one restaurant is yet another.

 

[CarolA]

I did not get a robe at GF. I also found the service lacking a LOT. If Disney wants to see how to do flagship service, they need to spend a night or two at the local Ritz Carlton.

 

[disneydill]

I've stayed at the Poly, CS and the GF. We like the Poly (not wild about CS) but our experience has been that the GF folks bend over backwards (or at least during our 6 stays) to provide excellent service. Especially the bell men - they always make sure we have every thing we need.

People like different resorts for different reasons - thank goodness there is a wide variety! We are trying out the WL for the first time in May. One of the reasons I love these boards is that I've learned so much about other resorts that now I want to try most all of them!

 

[kozmo]

I need to go to WDW,i am having an attack,I love the Grand Floridian!!!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Guest services has made PS's for us at YC, BC, OKW, Poly, and the BWI. All we did was walk up to the desk (or call from our room) and tell them where we want to eat. Also they've given info about shows, movies, etc, so I assume that's what they're there for.

We always request turndown when we first get to the room, so I'm not sure if it's automatic.

We've always been adressed by name at the deluxes, and also the Swan.

The only thing that was exclusive to the GF was our free fridge and microwave. We've never had that happen anywhere else. However, we did not find the CM's at the GF to be any more or less friendly and helpful as any other wdw resort.

Of course, the BEST service we ever had was the WL concierge. I am dying to try concierge at some other resorts.

 

[Aisling]

Now I'd expect all that if we had been staying concierge, but we weren't.

We stayed at the Beach Club, and did experience what I would call concierge service without staying concierge, except for the robes (and the food offerings, of course!)
Whenever I called the front desk or even room service, I was addressed by my name, every time. The CMs were wonderful, bringing us cookies and milk when we called to inquire if they were available, and they are not on the room service menu. To top it off, the CM said it was complimentary! There's that Disney magic!
What else...there were so many wonderful concierge-type things...the CM who took our bags to our room stayed and talked to us for a good 20 minutes about the resort and to give my kids tips for Buzz. Well, I gave him a very good $$ tip!
One other thing I remember...if you're non-concierge, your park packages are delivered to the gift shop to be picked up, and for concierge they are delivered right to your room. Well, our packages were always delivered to our room, which surprised me.

This was the only time we stayed deluxe, and I'm curious to see if AKL is just as concierge-ish to it's non-c guests!

 

[johnsonet]

GF is definitely the only resort to have robes in every room and turndown in every room automatically. The only other place I've stayed in the past 8 or 9 years is AKL and we were on the concierge level. I am going back to AKL in April non-concierge so I will be interested in how "deluxe" the service is compared to my concierge stay (which was terrific!). I will request turndown each night (and leave a generous tip) and I will be interested to see if they "know who's calling" when I call housekeeping or the front desk or room service. My guess is they will...
GF is so awesome and I wish we were staying there in April, although I'm looking forward to AKL, too! There were NO rooms available for my dates and I got a rate of $239/night savannah view at AKL during Peak Season. L-O-V-E GF, though

 

[MRS AR]

We are saying at the GF for the first time this May for my DD graduation celebration. Everything I've read on this thread makes me very glad I've made the reservation there. Are the robes for every adult in the room, or only 2 per room?

 

[WoodysRoundup]

How do you get a "free fridge" at the GF?? (As mentioned above)

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by WoodysRoundup
How do you get a "free fridge" at the GF?? (As mentioned above)

Don't know about the GF but we never pay for the fridge at the Poly. We stay in a standard room and always get a free fridge.