Terrible stay at GF

[DisneyMomx7]

In defense of the OP the first time we stayed at GF (we had a wonderful stay) our luggage was also left out in the rain. It was fairly heavy rain and DH was upset. They knew they were wrong so they offered to have anything that was wet dry cleaned for us. Luckily it was only a few items.

The bathrooms in Gasparillas and one of the bathrooms in the lobby were dirty. I was surprised because I had never seen that at the GF before.

It is my understanding that the dormer rooms are smaller and have solid balconies. We nevery stayed in one because they are only for four, not five.

Unless you stayed there in the last few weeks how can you question the accuracy of the OP. I also saw some people eating the drinking in both the courtyard and themed pools. Sometimes the lifeguards would tell them not to and sometimes they didn't. We were usually at the courtyard pool which was clean and only went to the themed pool twice and didn't have any problems. THat doesn't mean that when the OP went there it wasn't dirty.

Do you think people should spend their whole vacations chasing around people to complain about conditions. I know in our case after the third complaint about mousekeeping we just gave up and made the best of it because we spent about $12,000 on that vacation and didn't want it ruined over poor housekeeping.

 

[TammiMcMan]

What constitues "too small"? Was the square footage of the room that you were assigned less than the advertised square footage for the room that you reserved? How much bigger was the room that you were moved to in another building and was it the same category of room? (IASM )

While I'm sure many will come to OP's defense, I can comment on this one. The dormer rooms are a smaller square footage than the standard rooms. These are the ones located on the top floors of the GF where the roof slopes. They only accommodate 4 guests, while standard rooms are big enough to accommodate 5. The balcony is a fraction of the size of a standard room and again, due to the slope of the roof, they are completely solid up to slightly above your waist. If you're 5'3" and sitting down, you're not going to see over the railing. Typically couples and those without children find these rooms attractive. I believe the problem that the OP had was that when she called to inquire about a room change (to another same category room) she was incorrectly told that all the rooms were the same. Definitely not true. Out of all the resort rooms, I'd say that less than 25% are dormer rooms.

 

[lagunaseca]

Oh for goodness sake. Some of you are the least understanding bunch of people I've ever encountered.


The OP is not being unreasonable to think that the CM who brought the package to her room could have walked a few steps further and placed it on the bed and even dumped it out onto the bed for that matter! Leave the woman alone and realize that her request was not some insane, over the top request.

I agree. I don't know what the star rating is but I stayed at the Monterey Plaza in Monterey,CA with an oceanfront room a few years ago and their service was impeccable. I was there to "cover" a Champ Car (known to some as Indy cars) race and since it was the beginning of the school year I had to leave dh home with our kids. He didn't want me to go alone so he told me to take my sis in law in his place. (What a sweetie) The first night there we went to the concierge to ask where was a nice place for dinner but nearby. He recommended the Chart House and said it was only a block away and started to tell us which way to go and then said he would escort us there. He did, and we thanked him feeling it was safe for us to walk back to the hotel after dinner. Unbeknownst to us, he had instructed the staff there to call him when they delived the bill to us so he could come down and walk us back to the hotel - which I thought was 5 star service. Have to say the same about the Four Seasons in Houston - they were so nice to our family. Opened the doors and greeted us warmly - even WITH 3 kids ages 5, 7, and 10. The staff went out of their way for us and the kids. And since kids have been mentioned in this thread I think it pertains...we asked the concierge one night where to go for dinner and he suggested we try their signature restaurant KNOWING the ages of our children. We did, the staff was fabulous, there WAS a kids menu and it was the best filet I have ever had in my life. The next night we went to their 2nd best restaurant which has signatures of famous people everywhere and we were treated equally as well and this night was memorable since we met Paul Newman. Sorry, I digress...but it was a nice experience. And you know HOW we met him? He was in a corner and we were tired so we didn't even see him. Then I felt someone walk up behind us and he put his hand on my dh's shoulder. We looked up and almost **** I couldn't get anything tangible out of my mouth which is unusual for me to be speechless LOL. DH shook his hand and said, "Mr. Newman..." Profound I know but I have no room to talk since I was sitting there about to choke on the salad in my mouth. He said ,"I just wanted to tell you what a beautiful family you have." And we thanked him and he left and then the whole staff ran up wanting to know what he said to us. See...kids CAN be well behaved. I'm not so sure how "beautiful" he'd think our kids act if he dropped in on us at home, but at least I know they do know to hehave in public. 1 out of 2 can't be too bad can it? So for those who think a child free place is the way to go, please understand that there are those of us who just don't understand it since IMO see more adults making noise than kids. But in your defense, I'm so accustomed to kids noise with mine, the neighborhood gang that hangs out in my pool all summer, my 12 nieces and nephews, and several God children that if it isn't mine acting up it doesn't bother me

 

[bonzie1]

Oh Kelscross...

I am so sorry you didn't enjoy your stay! Thanks for sharing your troubles. I do hope you will give WDW another chance. We've had several less than magical stays, but also some very magical ones. We do enjoy coming back again and again.

I understand your disappointment with the "surprise" which didn't quite turn out the way you had planned... I've had some which worked out, and some which didn't.

Somehow, the fact that the surprise didn't work out at the GF somehow makes it even more of a disappointment. I've learned to be as specific as I can. Now, should we really have to spell things out... probably not, I mean shouldn't common sense kick in somewhere... but, truth be spoken, do we really need to be... yes.

Have fun dreaming up more surprises for your family. Include the CMs as well.

I'm just so sorry you had so many disappointments... all in the same stay. And yes, the fact that the disappointments happened at the GF makes the disappointments a bit more frustrating.

 

[auntpolly]

I see she has some valid complaints. I just don't think the Tinkerbell thing is one of them. She was expecting some great display. Otherwise, she would have just left the stuff on the bed herself.

You're not thinking this out - I can relate because, actually, this was another dumb thing that happened on our recent trip. My DD is a "big girl" and knows that Tinkerbell herself is not leaving her gifts, but never-the-less, I arranged that a little surprise from her be left by Tink when we arrived at the Poly. We were supposed to walk into the room and see a package. "Hmmmmm, wonder who this is from????" (I told you I was a nerd
) Anyway the package wasn't there and I had to go see about it. I wanted it to be there waiting for us, not me having to do something about it - and happen upon it to make it a big surprise when we walked into the room. I'm sure this is what the OP was looking for. Not a big deal to you, maybe, but even for my grown-up DD I was just a little disappointed.

 

[cbusby]

Unfortunately I couldn't afford a deluxe at this time, but we stayed at POP and they way it looks.....we had far better service @$99 a nite. All the CM were very helpful, and went out of there way to help. I asked for additional pillows and I figured it would be a few hours a least, they were there within 15 min. with pillows and extra towels. I wasn't thriller w/ our regular housekeeping, but that's another story.

Sorry you had a bad experience.....

 

[minnie61650]

I don't think that the convenience alone that GF provides justifies the price. I would expect superior service as well. Also, if the transportation to parks other than MK is less than stellar, you aren't really getting much in the way of convenience anyway.

ITA
That's why I stay at the All Star Resorts --they can't be beat. I have visited WDW more than a dozen times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. I just prefer the All Star Resorts.
The theaming is pure Disney.
My last 4 visits have been at The All Stars and this fall when we take dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3 we are staying at the All Stars Music. I thought about AKL and even though we can well afford AKL I just wanted Alex to experience the Disney Magic at the All Stars on his first visit. I can hardly wait.
When we pull up to check in and I see those huge icons I know I'm at Disney
Linda
91 more days

 

[JulyGirl]

I wanted it to be there waiting for us, not me having to do something about it - and happen upon it to make it a big surprise when we walked into the room. I'm sure this is what the OP was looking for. Not a big deal to you, maybe, but even for my grown-up DD I was just a little disappointed.

You were disappointed because you expected something that is not guaranteed... kind of like Towel Animals. Some people actually write notes to the housekeeper requesting them and are disappointed when they still don't receive any. Some people expect a view or building and they don't get it and they are disappointed. Some people wear their Birthday Buttons and are disappointed when they don't receive any extra attention. These things are part of the magic, but are not guaranteed. There are companies that you can pay to send displays or special things to the room. If this is a priority for you, you should use them. I don't think a busy hotel staff is required to set up gifts from Tinkerbell. The information on the Dis is great, but it can be a harmful thing too. People post pictures of the wonderful things Cms have done for them at hotels and then everyone starts expecting them. When they don't happen, they are disappointed. It's OK to be disappointed, but it is not a valid complaint.

 

[auntpolly]

You were disappointed because you expected something that is not guaranteed... kind of like Towel Animals. Some people actually write notes to the housekeeper requesting them and are disappointed when they still don't receive any. Some people expect a view or building and they don't get it and they are disappointed. Some people wear their Birthday Buttons and are disappointed when they don't receive any extra attention. These things are part of the magic, but are not guaranteed. There are companies that you can pay to send displays or special things to the room. If this is a priority for you, you should use them. I don't think a busy hotel staff is required to set up gifts from Tinkerbell. The information on the Dis is great, but it can be a harmful thing too. People post pictures of the wonderful things Cms have done for them at hotels and then everyone starts expecting them. When they don't happen, they are disappointed. It's OK to be disappointed, but it is not a valid complaint.

No, I expect that when I spend over 400 dollars for a hotel room, I'll get a little more attention to detail than if I was at a budget place. A delivery I'd arranged a week in advance had not been taken care of by the concierge staff - "they hadn't gotten to it yet." Look, if this is the kind of thing that you think is acceptable for this kind of money and in a "concierge" service room, I don't know, we really have different expectations, I guess.

 

[goodferry]

I am sorry that you had a bad experience and that you have had to take a written beating for expressing what you experienced once you got back. No matter what resort you stay in, unclean bathrooms and unhelpful and discourteous cms are unacceptable, but it is especially dissapointing in the "flagship resort". I hope that you get to return soon and have the magical visit that eluded you this time.

 

[poohluvrs]

No, I expect that when I spend over 400 dollars for a hotel room, I'll get a little more attention to detail than if I was at a budget place. A delivery I'd arranged a week in advance had not been taken care of by the concierge staff - "they hadn't gotten to it yet." Look, if this is the kind of thing that you think is acceptable for this kind of money and in a "concierge" service room, I don't know, we really have different expectations, I guess.

The OP was not staying in a "concierge" room, not sure what concierge room at GF you could get for $400?

Though its no excuse, Disney costs more b/c its Disney! That does not excuse poor service, but people dont stop coming! Also, "more expensive" does not always constitute "better". Sorry to the OP, hope her next trip is more magical. This will not, however, deter me from trying the GF.

 

[Alice in Cleveland]

There are companies that you can pay to send displays or special things to the room. If this is a priority for you, you should use them. I don't think a busy hotel staff is required to set up gifts from Tinkerbell.

Oh, I agree with you! We used Gifts of a Lifetime to send in a special surprise for my neice at the Poly Concierge and it was wonderful! We wanted that service so we PAID for it. Being concierge or Deluxe does not mean the CMS have to make surprises. If you paid for it, then fine. You should complain. If you go to the desk with a bag and ask them to make it look like Tinkerbell visited the room, you might not get what you are looking for.

 

[JulyGirl]

A delivery I'd arranged a week in advance had not been taken care of by the concierge staff - "they hadn't gotten to it yet." Look, if this is the kind of thing that you think is acceptable for this kind of money and in a "concierge" service room, I don't know, we really have different expectations, I guess.

If you paid for the package and had it arranged before your trip, then you had a right to complain. I don't think this is what happened to the OP. I also don't think it was in concierge.

 

[auntpolly]

Oh, I agree with you! We used Gifts of a Lifetime to send in a special surprise for my neice at the Poly Concierge and it was wonderful! .

We used Gifts of a Lifetime, too. The gift was adorable, and was delivered to the Poly, but the concierge staff forgot to deliver it.

 

[JulyGirl]

I took items to the front desk to be put in our rooms so the girls would think Tinkerbell left them a gift.

The OP had nothing arranged with concierge or an outside business. What if we all went to the front desk and asked for our purchases to be put in the room to look like Tinkerbell left them?

 

[triplefigs]

not sure what concierge room at GF you could get for $400?

We have Sugar Loaf concierge at the GF booked for Nov 29- Dec 6 at $391 per night (AAA rate before tax).

 

[undertheradar]

Based upon all of the " I paid a lot of money for my room so I expect(DEMAND) more attention." At what rate is the GF priced correctly?

The letdown that a package was not in a room at check-in is understandable. Yes, you made prior arrangements. Rooms are not assigned until morning of arrival. The room had to be cleaned and prepared for you. Is it possible that the concierge was busy attending to other guests needs? Again, time of day and number of arrivals impacts evry hotels check-in times and experiences.

The OP was unhappy with her room size and was accommodated by the staff when her room was changed during her stay. That means that the room she was transferred from needed to be completely cleaned and readied for a new guest, as well as reassigning a guest to a different room to accommodate her room change. WDW resorts have so many room requests and people do not understand when they do not get all of the items they requested. There are requests for specific rooms and Disney now quantifies requests in order of importance(NS,QN/KING,etc).

There appears to be an underlying presence that price equates priviledge.

As to the comment that people are not thinking ideas through, let's be civil.

 

[Harmony]

What I find disturbing is the number of people who are trying to "blame" the OP!

I feel that the OP wrote about her experience...not so everyone who read her 'review' would cancel their stay at GF...but to share and possibly to "vent" a little and find some support. Instead...she gets the attitude that she did something wrong or expected too much. I just don't understand this attitude that others have towards the OP simply for sharing HER experience.

And as I'm reading posts, I am wondering why those with a negative attitude bother to post in the first place. There have been many posts here at the Dis that I don't agree with but if I don't have something positive, helpful or nice to say, then I don't respond. Some of you should try that sometime.

And yes, I did write a post once...just to 'vent.' I had a rude encounter with a CM and by the time most finished responding, it was made to be 'my' fault. I just don't get it.

To the OP...ignore all the negative people and do what you must do to feel better about this situation!

 

[llij]

What I find disturbing is the number of people who are trying to "blame" the OP!

I feel that the OP wrote about her experience...not so everyone who read her 'review' would cancel their stay at GF...but to share and possibly to "vent" a little and find some support. Instead...she gets the attitude that she did something wrong or expected too much. I just don't understand this attitude that others have towards the OP simply for sharing HER experience.

And as I'm reading posts, I am wondering why those with a negative attitude bother to post in the first place. There have been many posts here at the Dis that I don't agree with but if I don't have something positive, helpful or nice to say, then I don't respond. Some of you should try that sometime.

ITA!

 

[auntpolly]

Here's my last word: You pay more you should expect more. period. Has nothing to do with privelege. That's just the way life works. Why wouldn't I just stay at All Stars if I didn't expect a deluxe to be better.

I really believe some of you are cutting too many breaks for WDW for whatever reason and nitpicking at the OP - any one of her complaints would not be anything in itself, but together, they make for an unacceptable situation.

This is so weird how people are attacked when they complain about stuff on this board.