Terrible stay at GF

[kelscross]

Tammie...

Sorry I wasn't home for awhile I was getting caught up on the responses. I did have the Tea Party scheduled for Friday but when I called to confirm my ressies before we left the CM in reservations told me my dates were wrong and it was actually on the 16th (Sat.) I asked them to double check and she repeated the 16th. So we show up on Saturday afternoon and you are right it is Friday afternoon instead.

It's not the GF fault about that mix up and reservations is supposed to be crediting my money back, however when I went Saturday and asked the guest services desk (they call it the concierge desk) about where/when was the check in today she told me to wait by 1900 PF and they would be opening the doors approx. 10-15 mins beforehand. It was after we waited for awhile that I checked with another CM and found out the mix up. My issue with the GF about that is the CM should have told me not let us wait 1 1/2 hrs for a check in that was not going to happen.

The pirates cruise was fabulous according to the girls anyhow. They had a great time and had to go right to the MK to the pirate store to get more pirate stuff to go with their Mickey ears and treasure. I highly recommend the activity.

I haven't caught up on all of the posts but someone mentioned about saying something at the resort instead of posting on the Dis...I did mention something after EVERY occurrance and I was brushed off for the most part. I was posting an honest report on the trip. I have used the Dis for my previous trips to hear both good and bad about the resorts because to me picking where to stay is the hardest part since there are so many options. I guess by reading not only this board but from other sources I researched I expected stellar service.

Those were the major issues. I could have been even pickier and posted how there was an empty beer bottle and bottle caps that I found behind the table in the room. I also didn't even call to complain that the robes in the rooms aren't one size fits all. If you are a plus size person forget about wearing them. I let those slide off my back.

Again..about the Tinkerbell surprise...I supplied the items. I asked the CM if they could sit these on the bed so my girls would think Tinkerbell left them a gift. I didn't expect sparkles or balloons or anything just more than wadded up in a bag litterally thrown inside the room.

I'm not taking the comments personally or as bashing. I am just trying to give an honest report of how my trip went. I post good and bad as my dining reviews show.

I plan on writing Disney a letter about all the issues, not just the GF, but the transportation and the declining cleanliness of the parks.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I won't spend $600.00 per night on a room! A room is a place to sleep and clean up.

This is by far one of the best posts I have ever read!!!

 

[minniesota]

kelscross - I have no doubt that what you experienced actually happened and I absolutely sympathize with how this experience affected your opinion of the GF. I thank you for your comments and I can see you are handling your experience with tact and diplomacy.

I think what happens when someone has a negative experience and then posts about it - that somehow opens the door to anyone who has ever had a single unpleasant thing happen at the GF. (I know some of the negative comments have absolute merit) It also opens the door to anyone who has ever "heard" about a neagtive experience. And then the bashing begins. Unfortunately, when that happens, your original post is lost because others are trying hard to express their bad experiences.

Every resort has good and bad experiences affiliated with it on these boards. How people choose to interpret/respond to those experiences really depends on the person. There are some people who will absolutely NEVER give a resort a second chance. There are those who have and are still dissatisfied. And then there are those who for some reason always have a great experience at their favorite resort.

Anyway, thanks for your honest report. As an avid GF fan, I certainly hope your letter is answered and I hope my pixie dust continues. With my 9th trip to the GF coming up, I will be watching closely. And I,too, will post an honest review. If folks out there are realy using these boards to help them make a decision about a resort, it's important that the bad and the good are taken into consideration. (I do think, however, it's human nature to tell the bad before we tell the good!)

 

[Lewisc]

Your post is implying, actually more than implying, posters like the OP are either lying about their experience or have unreasonable expectations.

Most of us think the problem is inconsistent service. Some guests, like yourself, get good service and other guests don't.

There are far too many posts, from credible Disboard members, for the problem to be unreasonable expectations or lying guests.

We just returned on the 12th and also had a very different experience than the OP. We were in Conch Key and loved the resort. Did not have any of the problems you had. I guess you can't please everyone!!

 

[VWLMember]

To be honest, I have never found the GF appealing at all. In my opinion it is the plainest looking of all the Disney resorts, no personality at all. Although I am biased because I own there , the Wilderness Lodge is the most beautiful and fun resort of them all . We have also stayed at POR, POFQ, CB, and All Star Sports and have found all of them to be competent and worth the money. I have yet to be disappointed by a CM at a resort, and have always been treated as I should be. If this is the way the GF is being run, it is time for a management change.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Your post is implying, actually more than implying, posters like the OP are either lying about their experience or have unreasonable expectations.

Most of us think the problem is inconsistent service. Some guests, like yourself, get good service and other guests don't.

There are far too many posts, from credible Disboard members, for the problem to be unreasonable expectations or lying guests.

I only stated my opinion in my post, just like everyone else , including you, did. Afterall, this is a pulbic forum. From reading some of the other comments I am not the only one that thinks people sometimes have their expectations set a little too high. I think the Tinkerbell thing specifically should not have been expected. Several other posters that had overlapping stays with the OP stated that they also had a very different experience of being very pleasant. Please don't put words into my my mouth that I am accusing someone of lying when I am not.

 

[rmontgo892]

Boy do I wish I was the tag fairy! TF, are you reading this thread????

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tammie...

I did have the Tea Party scheduled for Friday but when I called to confirm my ressies before we left the CM in reservations told me my dates were wrong and it was actually on the 16th (Sat.) I asked them to double check and she repeated the 16th. So we show up on Saturday afternoon and you are right it is Friday afternoon instead.

Thanks for following up, I'm sorry about the mixup. Were your girls okay? I know you mentioned they were excited about Alice. That's good to hear they did enjoy the Pirates Cruise though.

 

[Lewisc]

I stand by my post. I said you're either accusing other posters of lying or having unreasonable expectations. You agreed by saying you think the problem is unreasonable expectations.

Many credible DISBOARD members like Ducklite detailed service issues.

Really no reason to doubt people like her or you.

The logical explanation is inconsistent service. Sorry you see the need to attack the experiences of other DISBOARD members. It's a shame when posters chose to detail service issues other posters see the need to attack. The fact that you didn't experience service issues is irrelevant.

I only stated my opinion in my post, just like everyone else , including you, did. Afterall, this is a pulbic forum. From reading some of the other comments I am not the only one that thinks people sometimes have their expectations set a little too high. I think the Tinkerbell thing specifically should not have been expected. Several other posters that had overlapping stays with the OP stated that they also had a very different experience of being very pleasant. Please don't put words into my my mouth that I am accusing someone of lying when I am not.

 

[TINKTWINS]

Sorry you had such a bad time, thats simply too much money to be disapponted, at least if you opt for a Value resort and you dont like it you may not be as upset. The GF is one deluxe I have yet to stay at, mainly because it doesnt appeal to me. The Poly is more my style, and I love the place. SO after reading these posts, I think the GF will reman off my list of resorts I must stay at.

PS we did have a very bad dinning experience there though.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Sorry you see the need to attack the experiences of other DISBOARD members.

Don't know how that is "attacking" someone but whatever!!!! Seems to me more like you are attacking me for not agreeing with you. I am curious why you are attacking me when others stated the same thing I said, maybe you didn't read their posts. Like I said before I simply said my experience during that same time from like several other posters was very different, that's not an attack.

 

[ducklite]

It does seem that terribly inconsistent service seems to be par for the course for thsi resort. I think some guests who stay there might have unreal expectations, others have a bad experience based on realistic expectations but poor service, and still others have nothing but pixie dust.

As an FYI, there WAS a management change at the GF about three years ago, but it looks like some of the issues still need to be resvolved. It's a shame, because it's a beautiful property with the potential to be absolutely world-class.

Anne

 

[DarlingWendy]

Your post is implying, actually more than implying, posters like the OP are either lying about their experience or have unreasonable expectations.

To be truthful I thought the same thing and almost said it. I can understand completely saying that you did not have the same experience. But to end your post with "I guess you can't please everyone" implies that some people can't be pleased no matter what. I think that the problem with the service at the GF, as we seem to be coming to some kind of agreement about, is that it is uneven. It can be very good but you just can't count on it. The thing about an excellent hotel is that it is consistantly good, and this is where WDW resorts fall short.

 

[Lewisc]

Don't know how that is "attacking" someone but whatever!!!! Seems to me more like you are attacking me for not agreeing with you. I am curious why you are attacking me when others stated the same thing I said, maybe you didn't read their posts. Like I said before I simply said my experience during that same time from like several other posters was very different, that's not an attack.

because you're the only poster who implied that other posters were either lying or had unreasonable expectations. You later said you thought the problem is other posters had unreasonable expectations.

Your exact quote was

I guess you can't please everyone

.

I read their posts. I agree with them and with your experience. Some guests get good service and some don't. Saying you can't please everyone attacks their posts.

If everyone got bad service the hotel would be downgraded even more than it is. There is a reason no rating service rates GF as a 5* hotel. AAA, certainly not the best rating servcie, rates the GF the same as the other Disney Deluxe hotels.

 

[kelscross]

Tammie...

The girls were a little disappointed but didn't make a major issue. We dressed them up in their Alice outfits and they got to see her at 1900 PF the next morning when we checked out. They wore the dresses home and got so much attention I think they have quickly forgotten about the mix up.

Again the Pirates Cruise was a big hit with them, so I'm sure that will be a must do on a return trip...that is if I can convince my mother to go with us again after this trip fiasco. ha! I take my mom to help me with the kids, I'm so afraid that if I'm attending to one then the other might run off etc.

For those that think my expectations were too high...I'm sure they are. However, I hold EVERY service industry not just WDW to the highest expectations. If you don't hold anyone to any expectations then everything would turn to crap.

 

[nwdisgal]

I just don't like it when we make excuses for poor service. $600 is a lot of money.

$600 a night is a lot of money. For example, in Hawaii that can purchase an ocean front room in a five star hotel with top notch service. There have been a lot of thoughtful, well articulated posts on here about lack of service and value for the money spent at GF. GF is a flagship resort, a 5* rating is not handed out to a resort for mediocre service and haphazard cleaniness of the facilities. I am not sure how GF is managing to retain that hish of a rating with these type of issues continuing to crop up. Seems they are resting on their laurels because they are Disney. As consumers, we determine the level of service and accomodation that we receive. If we continue to settle for less, that is what we'll receive. Ducklite brought up some valid points about what is reasonable to expect when spending top dollar for a resort. If I'd been OP, I would have been sorely disappointed too. I appreciate the people who feel free to express their opinions on this board, positive, not positive or otherwise. It helps us all.

 

[J and R's mom]

You can add me to the list of folks that that weren't impressed with their stay at the GF. After making the mistake of staying off-site, we decided to come back the same year and do it right. We stayed at GF-Concierge (we were upgraded). I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I know that I didn't get it. DH wasn't impressed either. It just seemed mediocre to us. I felt the same way about our stay at CR, too. It just wasn't as "special" as I thought it was going to be. GF seems to be hyped up and we didn't feel our stay met up with all the hype.

 

[Goobergal99]

I have never stayed there and I can't say I would ever want to either (I'm not a fan of the theming at all) However, I will say that I think that guests of any disney resort, regardless of which one (Value, moderate, deluxe HAFH) should all be given top of the line service because after all it's Disney!
I also agree that spending alot of money to stay at a particular resort and then not getting the service you feel you payed for is unfair. But then again, I know I would never spend $600 plus a night for a hotel room, my rent for the month is only a little more then that!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

$600 a night is a lot of money. For example, in Hawaii that can purchase an ocean front room in a five star hotel with top notch service. There have been a lot of thoughtful, well articulated posts on here about lack of service and value for the money spent at GF. GF is a flagship resort, a 5* rating is not handed out to a resort for mediocre service and haphazard cleaniness of the facilities. I am not sure how GF is managing to retain that hish of a rating with these type of issues continuing to crop up.

Though one of the restaurants in GF has a 5 star rating - Victoria & Alberts - the resort itself does not. Per www.mobiletravelguide.com the Grand Floridian only rates 3 stars , the same rating for most of the other deluxe resorts in WDW and a few of the moderates. As far as AAA ratings, V & A's rates 5 diamonds, the GF resort 4 diamonds. Here is a listing if the hotels in the Orlando area that are rated the same # of AAA diamonds as the GF, with their total years at that rating :

LAKE BUENA VISTA

• Disney's Beach Club Resort – 2
• Disney's Beach Club Villas – 2
• Disney's BoardWalk Resort – 8
• Disney's BoardWalk Villas – 2
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – 16
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort – 14
• Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort – 21
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress – 3
• Orlando World Center Marriott Resort &
• Convention Center – 19
• Walt Disney World Swan – 15
• Walt Disney World Dolphin – 15

ORLANDO

• Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando – 4
• JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes – 1
• Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, A Loews Hotel – 4
• Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld – 18
• Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando a Loews Hotel – 2
• The Peabody Orlando – 18
• The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes – 1
• The Villas of Grand Cypress – 9
• Westin Grand Bohemian – 3

As Far as the Mobil ratings :

1. Celebration Hotel Celebration, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
2. Crowne Plaza Hotel Orlando-Universal Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
3. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
4. Disney's Beach Club Resort Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
5. Disney's Contemporary Resort Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
6. Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
7. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
8. Disney's Polynesian Resort Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
9. Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
10. Disney's Wilderness Lodge Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
11. Disney's Yacht Club Resort Unknown, FL. Full-Service Resort. 12. Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
13. Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Cocoa Beach, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
14. Hilton In The Walt Disney World Resort Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
15. Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs Altamonte Springs, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
16. Hilton Tampa Bay/North Redington Beach Resort North Redington Beach, FL. Full-Service Resort.
17. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
18. Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
19. JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
20. Marriott Orlando Lake Mary Lake Mary, FL. Full-Service Hotel. 21. Marriott Orlando World Center Resort Orlando, FL. Full-Service Resort.
22. Park Plaza Hotel Winter Park, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
23. Portofino Bay Hotel Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
24. Radisson Resort Worldgate Kissimmee, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
25. Renaissance Orlando Resort Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
26. Royal Pacific Resort Orlando, FL. Full-Service Resort.
27. Sheraton Studio City Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
28. Sheraton World Resort Orlando, FL. Full-Service Resort.
29. The Peabody Orlando

Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
30. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

Orlando, FL. Full-Service Resort.
31. The Shores Resort & Spa Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
32. The Westin Grand Bohemian, Orlando Orlando, FL. Full-Service Hotel.
33. Villas Of Grand Cypress Orlando, FL. Full-Service Resort.
34. Walt Disney World Dolphin Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
35. Walt Disney World Swan Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.
36. Wyndham Orlando Resort Orlando, FL. Full-Service Resort.
37. Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista, FL. Full-Service Resort.

In case you are curious, here are the only true "5 Star" resorts in Florida :

1. Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

Palm Beach, FL. Full-Service Resort. The Four Seasons Resort unites the best of Palm Beach in one spot. Just minutes from the alluring boutiques of Worth Avenue and the challenges of three championship golf courses, the resort enjoys a secluded setting on a lovely stretch of golden beach. The guest rooms have a sophisticated tropical décor
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Naples, FL. Full-Service Resort. Fronting the placid waters of the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s southwestern coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, recalls the splendor of a bygone era. Inspired by the grand villas of the Mediterranean, the architecture is impressive yet comforting. Three miles of whitesand beaches beckon visitors
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach

Manalapan, FL. Full-Service Resort. Tucked away on 7 oceanfront acres on the southern tip of Palm Beach Island, The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach remains close to the area’s attractions and activities. This Mediterranean-style resort is a classically refined seaside getaway. The rooms and suites artfully blend Florida’s characteristic décor




So, though the GF may be a "flagship" resort, it's not 5 star, 5 diamond, or 5 anything - unless you are talking about hundreds of $$$ per night . In fact, come December I'll be staying at the AKL. Same number of "stars", but about $300/night less.

 

[3lilprincesses]

Tammie...

Sorry I wasn't home for awhile I was getting caught up on the responses. I did have the Tea Party scheduled for Friday but when I called to confirm my ressies before we left the CM in reservations told me my dates were wrong and it was actually on the 16th (Sat.) I asked them to double check and she repeated the 16th. So we show up on Saturday afternoon and you are right it is Friday afternoon instead.

It's not the GF fault about that mix up and reservations is supposed to be crediting my money back, however when I went Saturday and asked the guest services desk (they call it the concierge desk) about where/when was the check in today she told me to wait by 1900 PF and they would be opening the doors approx. 10-15 mins beforehand. It was after we waited for awhile that I checked with another CM and found out the mix up. My issue with the GF about that is the CM should have told me not let us wait 1 1/2 hrs for a check in that was not going to happen.

The pirates cruise was fabulous according to the girls anyhow. They had a great time and had to go right to the MK to the pirate store to get more pirate stuff to go with their Mickey ears and treasure. I highly recommend the activity.

I haven't caught up on all of the posts but someone mentioned about saying something at the resort instead of posting on the Dis...I did mention something after EVERY occurrance and I was brushed off for the most part. I was posting an honest report on the trip. I have used the Dis for my previous trips to hear both good and bad about the resorts because to me picking where to stay is the hardest part since there are so many options. I guess by reading not only this board but from other sources I researched I expected stellar service.

Those were the major issues. I could have been even pickier and posted how there was an empty beer bottle and bottle caps that I found behind the table in the room. I also didn't even call to complain that the robes in the rooms aren't one size fits all. If you are a plus size person forget about wearing them. I let those slide off my back.

Again..about the Tinkerbell surprise...I supplied the items. I asked the CM if they could sit these on the bed so my girls would think Tinkerbell left them a gift. I didn't expect sparkles or balloons or anything just more than wadded up in a bag litterally thrown inside the room.

I'm not taking the comments personally or as bashing. I am just trying to give an honest report of how my trip went. I post good and bad as my dining reviews show.

I plan on writing Disney a letter about all the issues, not just the GF, but the transportation and the declining cleanliness of the parks.

we stayed at GF in jan. 04, and we LOVED it. we had great mousekeeping, great service, friendly CM's the whole trip. so our experience was very different from yours. i really wish you would have had a better stay. it's a shame that service seems to be so inconsistent.

i really appreciate your honesty in your report. and, BTW, i loved your dining report. i'm glad to hear you were at least happy with room service at GF! now if they just could've gotten everything else right!!