Questions about GF Lodge Concierge Rooms

[apple]

Need some things cleared up before I book Lodge Concierge at GF.

1. Is the location of the Sugar Loaf Build good,close to the main building?

2. How are the views for the Sugar Loaf Building? Can you see the Castle from this building?

3. The most important thing is the service as good in this building as in the main? What is the main differences. Is the food the same in both? I know no alcohol in sugar loaf but what eles about the food is different?

4. If not in main building do you still feel like you are getting extra treatment? Do they have a lounge are in the Sugar Loaf building or is it just a room that is open at all times?

Any other info would be great. Sorry for all the quesitons just what all the fact from this board and the people that have stayed Lodge Concierge GF before.
Before I book the room,
Patty

 

[jel0511]

Concierge in Sugar Loaf is termed IMO "concierge light". Food service ends at 7PM, so there are limited dinner appetizers and no desserts and cordials. The food otherwise is simliar to the main building, but not exactly the same. The lounge is definately smaller, and not as "Grand" as the main building. Sugarloaf is the closest building to the Main Building, so it is a good location. All of the rooms there are either garden or marina view, so there are no MK view rooms from Sugarloaf. There are limited MK view rooms in the Main Building, but really not that many. We stayed in RPC 2 years ago, and for our recent return stay had debated where to stay. Our RPC stay was less than magical, so we didn't want a repeat of such a waste of money. So, we were down to Sugarloaf or Lagoon view. We went with Lagoon view, since the view is MUCH more important to me than a limited concierge. Also, they don't leave much out in terms of beverages, like at some of the other WDW concierges. You have to ask for most things, expecially sodas, milk, juice, etc. They do leave juice out in the AM, but after that, it's request only, just like the main building. Personally, concierge service at GF isn't worth it, and like I said, we pay for the view and get our own things.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Patty, I'll try to help you out.

1. Sugar Loaf is very conveniently located to the main building and the pools.

2. The views are limited to either the garden or marina because of the way the building is situated. It might be possible to view some of the fireworks if you lean over your balcony, but you won't have a castle view.

3. I think the service is very good at both locations. As you mentioned, there is no alchohol served in the lounge and they do not offer the late night desserts. Other than that, I found the food to be nearly identical to the main building.

4. You do lose out on some of the ambience of the main building. For instance, their lounge is on the 4th floor and overlooks that beautiful lobby. In the evening, it's wonderful sitting there and listening to the orchestra play. The lodge has a more homey feel to it, almost like you're in a Bed & Breakfast. The staff and lounge sit in the lobby of Sugar Loaf. This area is open all the time, however food service and the CM staff are there for limited hours.

My own notes: Both levels of concierge offer pre-planning assistance, private check-in, staff CM's to assist you while you're at the resort, automatic turn down service, same standard rooms, robes and newspaper. The big differences are the one additional dessert serving in the main building, the lack of wine/beer/cordials in the lodge, the views that are available to request and the lounge set up.

Tammi

 

[BCV23]

We've stayed twice in SL and had the same two rooms both stays. We had a great view of the fireworks without leaning at all. These rooms were in the part of the building that juts out over the entrance on the marina side. The rooms down the hallways probably would have to do some leaning.

Coffee with syrups and hot water for tea or hot chocolate were left out until 10pm which was nice on cold evenings.

We enjoyed both stays very much.

 

[lark]

Your question about views is an interesting one, which makes me wonder something. By and large, sugar loaf seems like it should have the worst views of any of the buildings. There are a few rooms on northwest part that are probably ok, but otherwise it is situated right in the middle of the resort, and not really on the jutting peninsula parts that have the best views. Which leads me to wonder whether sugar loaf was specifically chosen as the conceirge building precisely because it otherwise does not command the best views. Those WDW folks are nothing if not shrewd!

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by lark
Your question about views is an interesting one, which makes me wonder something. By and large, sugar loaf seems like it should have the worst views of any of the buildings. There are a few rooms on northwest part that are probably ok, but otherwise it is situated right in the middle of the resort, and not really on the jutting peninsula parts that have the best views. Which leads me to wonder whether sugar loaf was specifically chosen as the conceirge building precisely because it otherwise does not command the best views. Those WDW folks are nothing if not shrewd!

lark - you are definately observant. After reading your response, I got to thinking. You're right! Due to the location of Sugarloaf, there are NO rooms in Sugarloaf that I could see that could be classified as lagoon view (as GF considers Marina view the same as garden view). Conch Key is far enough out, and not blocked by Sago Key to have plenty of lagoon view rooms. Sago Key, has a decent number, though not as many as some of the other buildings. Boca Chica and Big Pine Key have probably about 50% of their rooms being in the lagoon view category, so they are fine there. Boy you're observant, and I'm sure that might be one of the reasons Sugarloaf is the "concierge light" place on GF property. How else can you bump up the revenue of the building, since if it wasn't concierge, it would consist of primarily garden/marina view rooms.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Actually, Sugar Loaf didn't start off as concierge. Our first stay was back in 1997. We stayed in Sugar Loaf and they didn't have any sort of concierge service back then. In fact, we got one of the rooms that BCV23 mentioned, but they are very limited.

I don't think the views really determined that this building became limited concierge, I think it's the proximity to the main building. A lot of people actually do book the garden views, that's why you hear of so many being upgraded to lagoon. Sago Cay is the same situation with the room views. You have garden, marina and very few MK lagoon views. The main building has 10 or 11 honeymoon rooms with an MK view and about 22 standard concierge rooms with a direct MK view. There are many rooms that have a view of the castle off to the side.

Tammi

 

[samnbilly]

OMG-I suddenly feel a wave of panic. We stayed main bldg. last year and we stayed SL a few years ago. I just didn't feel like spending the extra$$ this time for the main bldg. Maybe I made the wrong decision. AAHH. Maybe I could pay to upgrade at check-in. Do they always charge you rack rate or will they let you uograde if available for a lesser cost? Am I going to totally regret this? I'm only staying 5 days this time and then switching to the BC. I hate when I second guess myself. Tammi-any advice?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Relax and take a deep breath. I always do this to myself too. I spend the first few weeks of my trip planning by changing my resorts all around and the last few days, I panic that I didn't make the right decision.

It sounds like you've experienced both levels of concierge service at the GF and have made the decision that works best for you on this trip. Yes there is a big money difference between RPC and the lodge and really not a lot to show for it. The room views can be a little better, the lounge location and set up is probably one of the best, oh and the wine and cordials, but does that justify spending lots of extra money on this trip? Are you planning on being at the resort most of the time, or is it more parks, MNNSHP and Pleasure Island? If I know we'll be at the resort for most of our vacation, then I spring for the main building. Our trip in May was short and we had plans to be in the park, so I booked a standard garden view at the GF. Did I feel a little twinge when I walked through the lobby of the main building, YES! But I knew we made the right choice, so it went away pretty quickly. Actually, it went away faster when DH checked on the availability of an upgrade and he was quoted rack rate, ouch! Unfortunately, I've never heard of anyone getting the deals like the WL offers for their concierge upgrades at check in.

Tammi

 

[lark]

I wasn't meaning to be negative with respect to SL. Just raising an interesting question. It's a great resort, no matter where you are, and the standard views are all of interesting stuff. If concierge is your thing, I think SL is a great in between option and certainly a big savings over the main building. It seems to me that the real decision is what you put a value on more -- concierge services or a guaranteed lagoon view. They each have their benefits. People staying on the lagoon side on the third floor of Boca Chica watching the ELP at night would probably tell you they loved it, but they also would have loved some free snacks and not to have to wait for 15 minutes at the main building's concierge desk. People staying in many sugar loaf rooms might very well say they enjoyed walking 100 feet to the water to watch the fireworks -- particularly because they could bring their free snacks with them! Not to use an overused expression, but it's "all good." If you just have to be in the main building, though, that's another matter.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Lark,

I didn't think you were being negative about SL. I just wanted to point out that it wasn't originally designed to house concierge.

I absolutely agree that everyone needs to book what's right for them. Unfortunately lagoon can also be misleading though. I've read posts that views were obstructed due to large trees and those that think lagoon means you'll see MK.

That's what I love about Disney though, all those choices and they are all so different.

Happy planning everyone.

Tammi

 

[samnbilly]

I'm just doing my last minute stress dance. I, just like TammiMcMan question myself like this when I go to Disney-did I make the right choice, will I be happy? Of course as soon as I get off the plane I'm happy. We're in Disney! The ONLY thing I will miss about the main bldg. was the Perfect view I had last time of the castle. That is definitely not an absolute-the Funai Golf classic will be going on when I arrive and I heard that a lot of the golfers stay at GF and I'm sure they're not staying garden view-LOL

 

[MNSusan]

Quick question for you GF experts...

Where are the dormer rooms located? What kind of view do they have, and are they concierge?

Many thanks
Susan

 

[TammiMcMan]

Susan,

The dormer rooms are normally located on the top floors of the GF buildings. You can easily tell them apart when you look at any photos. They have the "A" style balcony. The rooms themselves are alittle bit smaller than the standard rooms, but they have the vaulted ceiling. Also, the balcony is private, but much smaller than a regular balcony. I believe all the buildings at the GF have dormer rooms, so they would be available in both concierge and standard with either lagoon or garden views.

Here's a link to some GF photos that would show the exterior pretty well, photos

Tammi

 

[queenof4hearts]

Is it true that there are only concierge and suites in the main bldg.?

If I want two adjoining concierge rooms in the main bldg. right before Thanksgiving 2005 are my chances pretty limited on getting a castle/fireworks view?

Do the Main bldg. conc. rooms have refrigerators, I would assume not.

Thanks to all of you GF experts

If you are staying in sugar loaf I thought you could utilize the main bldg. conc. also.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Yes, only concierge, suites and honeymoon rooms are in the main building. I think that you have a pretty good chance of getting your connected rooms with an MK view. You'll just need to put in your requests by priority. Nothing is guaranteed, but they will do the best they can.

I understand that all the deluxes were going to have the refrigerators placed in the room, but I don't know if that's happened already. When we were in the main building, I simply called housekeeping and they delivered one within the hour.

Only the suites can utilize both concierge lounges. If you are in Sugar Loaf, that is the only one you can use. You'll notice that the pricing is different because you only get limited service in Sugar Loaf.

Tammi

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I just had to jump in here even though I've absolutely nothing of value to add!

Had to cancel my mousefest plans this morning, but after canceling my friend and I decided to go next yr and stay at the GF again..so now I get to plan another GF visit..question is..how do I wait more than a YEAR??? Surely a quickie visit before Dec 2005 is a must? How will I get through without even a short one??

AND shall I wait to reserve a room until discounts (that's a long time away) come out or book now?? ...decisions, decisions... Or, God forbid, do I use a great TA and let her do the watching? I like TA's to get the commission, but I do love the planning!

At least I know I want to stay in Boca Chica again Far end...

Okay, thanks for letting me jump in...
Christine

 

[queenof4hearts]

Thanks for clarifying TammiMcmann,

We had a 1 br suite booked for last June(not main bldg.) and had to cancel. Bummer!! That is why I thought that about concierge.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[TammiMcMan]

That's too bad you had to cancel. I'm sure the 1 bedroom suites are amazing, but I just love being in the main building. There's something about walking from your room down to the lounge, sipping a glass of wine while you listen to the orchestra play. My family actually gets a lot of use out of the lounge, we use it like an extended living room. We really don't spend much time in our actual room, we're either sitting at a table in the lounge or relaxing by the pool.

Tammi

 

[queenof4hearts]

TammiMcmann,

You hit the nail on the head!

That is exactly why I want to stay in the main bldg.

The something about walking from your room down to the lounge, sipping a glass of wine while you listen to the orchestra play. Ohh, and in my case my 4 boys which will be 9, 6, 5, and 8 mo. then will be able to have snacks and watch tv in their little chairs. We absolutely loved AKL concierge. I was bitten then!

Thanks again.