RPC Concierge at the GF- update page 2

[triplefigs]

We are currently booked in 2 GV rooms (have requested Sago Cay), but are thinking of upgrading to RPC. Have a few questions.

1. How big are the Deluxe Concierge Rooms? Will the DELUXE room hold 5 people, or would we have to get the regular Concierge Room. (We would change from 2 rooms (GV) to one concierge room).
2. In the Concierge Lounge, do they have restrooms? Or just in your room? (DH wants 2 bathrooms, and having a 2nd potty available for our triplets would be a good thing!)
3. Is there TV with kids movies/shows to watch? Are kids WELCOME in the lounge (my 3 are well behaved, but all kids do get a little rambunxious at times! LOL!)
4. What location/floor would you request for a good view and fairly quiet?
5. Can you sit and watch all the activities in the main lobby anywhere from the concierge area?
6. Any other tips/suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Sorry I don't have the answers, but I'll put this back to page 1 for you so the GF experts can help out!

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks!

 

[GoofyJoofy]

2 things.

First check out the concierge thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=679928&page=1&pp=15

I've put the link for the first page, but jump around for all kinds of great information. And feel free to ask any concierge questions there. Several regular posters have been RPC.

Second check out the GF board here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=8762345#post8762345
Many posters who have been to, and love the GF post here and can answer most of your questions.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We are currently booked in 2 GV rooms (have requested Sago Cay), but are thinking of upgrading to RPC. Have a few questions.

1. How big are the Deluxe Concierge Rooms? Will the DELUXE room hold 5 people, or would we have to get the regular Concierge Room. (We would change from 2 rooms (GV) to one concierge room).
2. In the Concierge Lounge, do they have restrooms? Or just in your room? (DH wants 2 bathrooms, and having a 2nd potty available for our triplets would be a good thing!)
3. Is there TV with kids movies/shows to watch? Are kids WELCOME in the lounge (my 3 are well behaved, but all kids do get a little rambunxious at times! LOL!)
4. What location/floor would you request for a good view and fairly quiet?
5. Can you sit and watch all the activities in the main lobby anywhere from the concierge area?
6. Any other tips/suggestions?

Thank you!

1. Deluxe rooms only hold 4 people (over the age of 3). Regular concierge rooms are the same size as standard rooms. You can take a look at all the different layouts here, GF Rooms .

2. I honestly don't recall there being any restrooms available on the 3rd, 4th or 5th floor.

3. There are 2 tvs in the lounge, one is kid sized, with kid sized table and chairs around it. They had Disney cartoons playing whenever we walked through the lounge. I've been bringing our 3 kids here for years and they are also well behaved. I wouldn't think twice about it.

4. I would choose 3rd or 4th floor, room numbers ending in 01-09. These will give you a beautiful castle view and they're down a side wing of the building. It was a further walk to the main elevators & lounge, but it also made for a very quiet area with little hallway traffic. There's also an elevator right in this area that brings you out next to Gasparillas Grille. Again very quiet and good for getting to the pools without having to go through the lobby.

5. Yes, the lounge overlooks the main lobby. In the evening, the GF Orchestra plays on the balcony below you.

Some more nice pictures and 360 degree views of the lounge can be found here, GF photos .

Tammi

 

[jjohnson]

Tammi - I saw a picture of the deluxe rooms & there was a day bed. Are you sure its only 4?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Can you direct me to where you saw the picture? My guess is that it was labelled incorrectly. The deluxes have a seating area with a couch and chairs, but no daybed. And as wacky as it sounds, the room is larger, but only holds 4. It's the same with the lodge tower rooms in the outer buildings.

Tammi

 

[jjohnson]

Your right, as always Tammi. It is a couch on Deb's site. I assumed it was a bed (picture dark).

I agree it does seem silly that it can only accomodate 4.

 

[triplefigs]

2. I honestly don't recall there being any restrooms available on the 3rd, 4th or 5th floor.

You are right. I just emailed the GF concierge planning staff. They confirmed your response. BTW, they answered my question within 5 minutes of emailing! Impressive!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I thought that was right. I seem to remember having to walk my DD all the way back to our room to go the bathroom. It's great to hear that you got such a quick response from the GF staff. It's tough to decide whether you're better off in 2 rooms or 1 concierge room. I'll admit that having the staff available for anything special that you might need really makes a big difference. We thought the room was plenty big enough for 5 of us (2 adults, 2 teens and 1 youngster), but if quiet sleeping arrangements are necessary for you, then 2 rooms are definitely better. Of course, as with anything else, interior connecting rooms can't be guaranteed (I even read a report that someone who went through Disney special services had a problem with this). I was also remembering that the individual concierge rooms had VCR's and that the staff had a collection of Disney movies that you could take back to your room and watch. You might want to check and see if that information is still accurate.

If there's anything else I can help with, please let me know.

Tammi

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Tammi, is there a laundry room in the main building? I hate to have to do it but I know that after our cruise I will have to do some laundry.

TIA,

Lori

 

[TammiMcMan]

Lori, sometimes you have to decide what's the lesser of the 2 evils, doing laundry or lugging extra suitcases. I'd go for the laundry option myself. In the main building, I'm nearly positive it's located on the 2nd floor, by the honeymoon rooms.

Tammi

 

[triplefigs]

Tammi,


What is the Sugar Loaf building like? My mom is here visiting and just told me that she and my Dad were going to help us with some extra $$ for Disney. So, we might actually be able to swing 2 rooms in Sugar Loaf. What is concierge "light" like? Is it worth the extra money? Would they have the movies/VCR? Where would you pick in Sugar Loaf for a room?

I really want 2 rooms and concierge-LOL! Not much!

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

This is just my opinion, but SugarLoaf had more of a bed & breakfast type feel to it. The lounge is located on the lobby level, as is the concierge staff and seating. I have not been able to find any pictures of the lounge and I'm bad because I never thought to take any when we were there. I'll try my best to describe it for you. Picture the lobby as a big + sign. The bottom line would indicate where you enter. To the right is the drink station and on the same side, but across the hallway are the concierge desks. Right in the middle, is a big round table that the food servings are placed on. Around it are a few couches and directly opposite the entrance is the back exit. Here you'll find a few tables and chairs. Unless there have been some recent changes, there is no TV and I thought the seating was very limited. Because you're in an interior lobby, there are also no views. That's why I describe it as more of a cozy bed & breakfast setup.

Even though it's "limited" or "light" concierge, you still get all the pre-planning benefits, on site assistance, private check in, room amenities, etc. The main difference is that the lounge ends it's food and drink offerings at 7pm and there is no alcohol served in SugarLoaf. So no late night desserts, no wine or beer and no cordials. The food itself was the same as that in the main building. Because of how SugarLoaf is situated on the property, you have a choice of garden view or marina view. You might be able to see the fireworks from your marina view, but you probably won't see the castle unless you lean out over your balcony and look to the right.

Another consideration for you might be a suite. It could end up costing just as much as 2 lodge concierge rooms. At the GF, suites are located in many of the buildings, but they do all come with concierge service. And you are able to use the lounge in the main building as well as SugarLoaf. It would give you your separate bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies and you wouldn't have to worry about whether or not they could accomodate your interior connecting doors request.

Tammi

 

[triplefigs]

This is just my opinion, but SugarLoaf had more of a bed & breakfast type feel to it. The lounge is located on the lobby level, as is the concierge staff and seating. I have not been able to find any pictures of the lounge and I'm bad because I never thought to take any when we were there. I'll try my best to describe it for you. Picture the lobby as a big + sign. The bottom line would indicate where you enter. To the right is the drink station and on the same side, but across the hallway are the concierge desks. Right in the middle, is a big round table that the food servings are placed on. Around it are a few couches and directly opposite the entrance is the back exit. Here you'll find a few tables and chairs. Unless there have been some recent changes, there is no TV and I thought the seating was very limited. Because you're in an interior lobby, there are also no views. That's why I describe it as more of a cozy bed & breakfast setup.

Even though it's "limited" or "light" concierge, you still get all the pre-planning benefits, on site assistance, private check in, room amenities, etc. The main difference is that the lounge ends it's food and drink offerings at 7pm and there is no alcohol served in SugarLoaf. So no late night desserts, no wine or beer and no cordials. The food itself was the same as that in the main building. Because of how SugarLoaf is situated on the property, you have a choice of garden view or marina view. You might be able to see the fireworks from your marina view, but you probably won't see the castle unless you lean out over your balcony and look to the right.

Another consideration for you might be a suite. It could end up costing just as much as 2 lodge concierge rooms. At the GF, suites are located in many of the buildings, but they do all come with concierge service. And you are able to use the lounge in the main building as well as SugarLoaf. It would give you your separate bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies and you wouldn't have to worry about whether or not they could accomodate your interior connecting doors request.

Tammi

You are so helpful. I was looking at the 1br suite, but read it only accommodates 4 people? Is that right? There's no way we can afford a 2BR suite!

Are the 1BR suites in all buildings? Thanks for all your help! I really like the idea of RPC (put the kids to bed and go have a drink!), but 2 bathrooms would be heaven!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

There are actually a number of different setups for the 1 bedroom suites. They go by codes. For instance a B4 has 2 queen beds in the bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa. A BN has a similar setup and they both sleep 6. Unless it's changed, BN suites are located in SagoCay (nice quiet building close to both the main & sugarloaf), Conch Key, Boca Chica & Big Pine Key. B4 is in SugarLoaf, but will cost you extra for the convenience of being inside the lodge concierge building.

We really do enjoy spreading out and relaxing in the lounge of the main building. For what it's worth, the GF healthclub/spa is free of charge for resort guests. My DH didn't mind the short walk over there in the morning and I can guarantee you that he spent a few minutes relaxing in the sauna before showering and shaving. They have such a nice setup over there, you just might want to take turns going over to visit. Just skip the fitness stuff and head right into the womens lounge. It's an oasis.

Tammi

 

[triplefigs]

The main bldg is sold out and no suites are available. There are 2 rooms available in Sugar Loaf Key Concierge. Is it worth the extra money? If we were to get the dining plan (free if they extend it or pay for it) and the Concierge, do you think that would cover all our food expenses? That is one of my many ways of justifying the expense-LOL~!

Also, I keep thinking how great for Concierge to plan all our AR's, extra help with arrangements, etc.

We currently have requested 2 GV (Marina View hopefully) rooms in Sago Cay. Would you switch?

 

[goodferry]

I would keep checking for RPC, rooms open up all the time.

 

[jjohnson]

I would keep checking too. What are your dates? I've had some odd experiences with CRO where I've been told there are completely booked & when I call back & speak with someone else there's suddenly all kinds of availability.l

 

[TammiMcMan]

I've had some odd experiences with CRO where I've been told there are completely booked & when I call back & speak with someone else there's suddenly all kinds of availability.

Same here. We had a problem booking the main building for our January 04 trip. Dreams Unlimited kept checking for us and finally something opened up. Was I surprised when we arrived and found the place to be virtually deserted.

I would go ahead and book the 2 rooms in SugarLoaf. Between the concierge lounge and the dining plan, then absolutely yes, you won't have to worry about food at all.

I know that you can go through Disney special services for any mobility issues that you might have, but personally, I'd rather have someone from the concierge staff handling things with me. For some reason, it just makes me feel better. You have a name and while they aren't on-site at the GF when you arrive, I've still been able to call on my pre-planner and they've assisted me even after we arrived.

I think you mentioned that you were working with Merrie at DU. If you ask, she'll continue to look for main building availability and any applicable discounts. As I said, I liked SugarLoaf and it had a very cozy, quiet feel to it. The fact that the concierge staff sits right there with you, can also add to a more personalized service. You are more than welcome to bring your own glass of wine down to the lounge in the evenings. It's still a nice spot to sit and relax.

Tammi