Terrible stay at GF

[TammiMcMan]

Tammi,
When we were there last month the Wonderland Tea Party was still offered Monday through Friday!

That's what I thought and was concerned that they changed it within the past few weeks and somehow didn't notify everyone. Hopefully the OP will be back soon to respond and let us know which days it's now being offered and if they enjoyed the Pirate Cruise on Wednesday.

Tammi

 

[Tiffany]

Let's say that you could magically remove the GF and put a Ritz-Carlton in it's place. How much do you think that the rooms would cost? A lot more than GF I promise.

GF is not necessarily comparable to a Four Seasons or Ritz and I don't think it puts itself out as such. It may say that it is the WDW "flagship", but that is not the same as saying that it is comparable in service or quality to some other resorts. It is just a claim that it strives to be the best of their resorts.

It may charge a rate comparable to the Ritz etc. but you are largely paying for convenience of location and that always comes at a price.

Very well said. I could not agree more. My husband and I will not stay at the GF because if you take a look at the services that it states it offers it is not worth the extra money to us. For 2006 the least expensive room during value season is $400 a night inc tax. What does this entitle you to? A clean room. One stop monorail access to the MK or a shared boat ride with people staying at the POLY to the MK. You are entitled to use the pools and the pools and their area should be clean, but then so shouldn't the pools and pool areas at the values. You are also entitled to use the resort beaches. There is bus service to the other parks that you share with other resorts and that is it. We would never stay at the GF based on their current room rates as it is just not worth it to us. I think the problem is that people do not fully research exactly what their $400 a night entitles them to and then they loose sight of the fact that a request is just that regardless of which resort you are staying in or how much you paid for your room.

 

[ksoehrlein]

I will make my own magic for a $250 difference per night in a heavenly bed.

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

 

[erinz]

Expectations are way too high! Just because you are at the "flagship" resort does not entitle you to "above and beyond" services. People post on these boards everyday about both highpoints and lowpoints relating to WDW. Many resorts will not deliver "extra" items to the room due to complaints of breakage or missing items,(obviously up to each individual CM). If the resort staff refuses, are they "out of line?" Expectations are well above standard resort practices. Yes, there are carts available for transport around the resort. If you have to wait is the resort treating you badly? You are there when the parks are at or near capacity, asking for anything more than your room being cleaned and ready each day is a "request." Too many people associate price paid with priviledge. Yes, the GF is expensive! WDW offers other resorts that are less expensive that are not as close to the MK. You are paying for resort themeing(?) and location. The surrey rides, towel animals, etc. are random. If you need assistance with luggage or a ride to the spa, you pick up the phone and request it. When you check-in, request a ride to your room. The CMs have no idea you are expecting something if you don't request it! Again, so much information is exchanged on the boards that everyone arrives with very high expectations. If there is something special you require, arrange for it and be sure to tip the person that assisted you. When is the last time you tipped a front desk CM for an upgraded room or for helping you track down a missing item? Most CMs glad to be thanked for going "above and beyond."

High Expectations?
Above and Beyond Services?
Really?

They expected that their suitcases would be delivered dry with dry clothes...

They expected that the hotel would place some sort of value on surprising a little girl to the point of walking 3 more steps to set up a surprise for her....

They expected that the CMs would at least act happy to be serving them.....

They expected no food or drink in the pools, and that the the pools be clean....

They expected that the bathrooms would have toilet paper.....

They expected that housekeeping would empty the trash in the bathrooms before they overflowed with used feminine products...

And they expected that they would be provided with a voucher that would allow them to actually get on the bus for the ride they paid for......something they didn't even know they needed until it was too late.....

So....I guess I just don't see how these expectations were too high for stay that costs $300 to $400 an night....

Or for a stay at Motel 6 for that matter.....

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

My husband and I will not stay at the GF because if you take a look at the services that it states it offers it is not worth the extra money to us. For 2006 the least expensive room during value season is $400 a night inc tax. What does this entitle you to? A clean room.

I agree that all you really should expect is a clean room, but I also believe that Disney promotes the GF as a more luxurious resort than what it delivers.
Threads like these do wonders for managing the expectations of the consumer and that's a wonderful thing. It's okay if Disney advertises the GF as "The closest clean room to the MK"; it's not okay if they advertise it as a luxury resort when it's not. Clearly, when I booked at $400 per night the first time, I thought that they had claimed to be more than that. That's why I won't be booking at the GF for a second time, but that's okay. There are lots of properties at Disney that I consider a good value.


Frankly, I don't expect any "extras" from any resort, whether it be a Ritz-Carlton, a Loew's hotel, or a Disney resort, but I will say again that for the price, the rooms at the GF do not measure up, imo. The bathrooms in particular are what one would expect in a lower end chain motel.

I was also shocked at how thin the walls must be. Our neighbors came home at 3 a.m. and we were privy to every word uttered between them for the next 2 hours. That shouldn't be the case in a $400 per night hotel room.

 

[undertheradar]

I'm sorry, but with all due respect, you're wrong. If the GF wasn't considered the "flagship" resort, then the hotel could maybe get away with less than outstanding customer service, poor housekeeping, and dirty public areas.

I'm not surprised that those of you making excuses for this hotel have not mentioned the overflowing garbage cans at the 1900 Park Fare restaurant. This is unacceptable in a flagship hotel!

Even if the resort was at 100% capacity the GF in theory should have a higher ratio of staff to guests than any other Disney resort.

Get real! By "flagship" the GF is the resort pictured as being nearest the MK. If posts on this thread are taken at face value, GF guests should have exclusive transportation, never wait in lines and be serviced for every whim. I said that expectations are too high, and I meant it. The costs of rooms at the resort has no correlation to staffing in direct guest to CM ratio. Every WDW guest is due a clean room, reasonable transportation and reasonable problem resolution. There should be no variance in how a problem is handled based upon room costs. A guest staying at AS is just as "entitled" to a decent stay as a guest staying at GF. My family has stayed here many times, but it is not my personal favorite. I am a Disney Inn fan, and I miss storytime with Snow White and Dopey in the evenings! When we stayed there we shared busses with GF,Poly and CR. DI is Shades of Green now, and my family of five has not found another "home" on site.

In relation to room cleaning issues, the Orlando area is struggling to deal with labor shortages. Just because there are jobs does not mean that you will have candidates to fill them. Many jobs are vacant, as people cannot find suitable affordable housing. This is not a problem limited to WDW!

 

[Sammie]

That's what I thought and was concerned that they changed it within the past few weeks and somehow didn't notify everyone. Hopefully the OP will be back soon to respond and let us know which days it's now being offered and if they enjoyed the Pirate Cruise on Wednesday.

Tammi

Tammi,

I have friend that works at Reservations. I checked on this for you. The Wonderland Tea Party has not changed and is still available M-F at 1:30 to 2:30.

I have no idea what happened with the OP, but the Tea Party is still offered at the same times as it has been in the past.

Enjoy.

 

[Sammie]

Get real! By "flagship" the GF is the resort pictured as being nearest the MK. If posts on this thread are taken at face value, GF guests should have exclusive transportation, never wait in lines and be serviced for every whim. I said that expectations are too high, and I meant it. The costs of rooms at the resort has no correlation to staffing in direct guest to CM ratio. Every WDW guest is due a clean room, reasonable transportation and reasonable problem resolution. There should be no variance in how a problem is handled based upon room costs. A guest staying at AS is just as "entitled" to a decent stay as a guest staying at GF. My family has stayed here many times, but it is not my personal favorite. I am a Disney Inn fan, and I miss storytime with Snow White and Dopey in the evenings! When we stayed there we shared busses with GF,Poly and CR. DI is Shades of Green now, and my family of five has not found another "home" on site.

In relation to room cleaning issues, the Orlando area is struggling to deal with labor shortages. Just because there are jobs does not mean that you will have candidates to fill them. Many jobs are vacant, as people cannot find suitable affordable housing. This is not a problem limited to WDW!

Well said and a voice of reason instead of a voice of emotion. Your comment about the labor shortage was my reason for mentioning that resorts are 100% right now. I never meant it as an excuse, it is a reason. When you have a labor shortage, as you well explained, and you have a full resort you are going to have problems you might not have otherwise.

Our worst stay at Disney was the AKL and while many love it, it does not appeal to me. It was so bad we asked to me moved and were.

However just because I did not like it, did not have a good experience there I feel no need to jump in every discussion about this resort and scare off anyone that might be planning to stay there. My bad stay there is in the past, and that is where it will stay.

 

[poohluvrs]

My $600/nite CL room @ GF is worth it to me already...the CM's have secured all of our very hard to get ADR's while many on this board couldn't get them (read: free dining offer), they have made courteous suggestions for activities,happily noted room request, etc. We're paying for concierge servces, a bigger room (twice size of some values), 1 stop monorail access...to us all of this is worth it! FOr those who are "park warriors" & dont care of the size/decor of their resort room or pool, having to walk outdoors to get to their hotel room, etc,,,the extra $$$ is likely considered foolish, for us, worth every penny.

THough I realize OP complaints were regarding lack of assistance, which I would;ve been very clear to ask for, btw!!! and basic cleanliness....I'd still rather risk paying up for location of GF than pay 1/5 the cost & being stuck staying somehwere Id definately be miserable at! REmember, we are talking about a theme park here!!!!!!!!No resort will be a Ritz, quite frankly the Ritz isn't perfection either....

 

[TammiMcMan]

Sammie, thank you so much for checking. I had recommended this for a co-worker and I'm pretty sure she has reservations for an upcoming trip. I was hoping I gave her the correct information. We'll just have to wait until OP gets back to find out what happened to her reservation.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

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

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

I did not read the original post as bashing the GF. I read it as someone posting the problems they encountered. It isn't the first negative comments I have heard about the GF. But, I have heard equally good things about it too. But, a resort like the GF should resolve any problem no matter what. Yea, you pay extra for location and theming, but the GF isn't any closer to MK than the Poly and Contemporary and isn't any more themed than the Poly, or almost any other resort for that matter, yet it's still much more expensive. You are paying for the service and with a hotel that expensive, it shouldn't be sporadic or depend on how many people are staying there at a time.

Drawing on my own WDW experience, which included 8 trips over the last 10 years, my view is that service in all of WDW has declined. That doesn't mean that we haven't received good service or that we have not enjoyed our trips. But, I have noticed a drop in the cleanliness of the parks and the overall service level.

During the late 90's, the parks were spotless, the service was the best I had ever encountered, anywhere. Now, when business is booming, more people at the resorts and the parks, their too busy to take care of guests?

The reason they are understaffed is because they cut staff during down times. That shows disloyalty to your employees. A business like WDW can't afford to do that because so much of the value of what you get there is dependant on the CMs. They made a huge mistake by laying off and cutting employees. And, now they are paying for it.

We still encounter wonderful CMs. But, we now encounter stuff that was unthinkable several years ago. On our first trip, we had made breakfast PS at Crystal Palace. We didn't know that we had to go to TTC and then ride monorail. So, we didn't leave as early as we should have. We were the only ones at the monorail station waiting on the monorail. We were a little paniced because we were afraid we would loose our PS. The CM at the station came over and asked where we were headed to. We told him. He left and came back. He called the Crystal Palace to let them know that we were hung up at the monorail station and to please hold our table. We didn't even ask.

Two years ago, we had stayed pretty late at the MK, well past park closing time. We had done this in the past. We like to let the closing crowds thin out. We spend time browsing the shops on main street, looking at the buildings, etc. Finally we got on the monrail and went to the TTC. It was empty. No one there. We weren't sure if the trams were running or not. A CM came walking through and we asked himif the trams were still running. He didn't lift his head or look at us, but flatly said no and walked on.

Basically what it has done is it has lowered my perception of the value that I am receiving for my money. Part of why we spent the extra money to do Disney every year was for the service that we receive. And yes, I have every right to expect that. It is my money that I am spending. If that perceived value drops, so will my spending.

 

[lsyorke]

I have stayed at all of the Deluxes at WDW at one time or another. Really had no problem with any of them. Nothing special, but no problem. Recently we decided to do a non-disney vacation to Nova Scotia. Let me tell you WDW has some catching up to do in terms of customer service when comparing strictly hotel services(take parks out of the equation for arguments sake). The Westin in Nova Scotia was amazing! The friendliest staff I have even met! They went out of their way to help with finding restaurants, attractions,directions. Once we checked in we were called by name from then on(fully booked hotel) by the front desk. Now I realize that the GF is larger that this hotel, but this is just an example of the amazing service and attention to detail. We ordered room service for breakfast and when it was delivered the waiter commented "I noticed that you were serving 3 people, but what you ordered only had 2 juices, so I brought an extra one, in case you forgot to order it". The room was spotless. I realize that this is a smaller hotel than the GF, but heck this is the competition that's out there.... for about $159/night. I still love WDW and will go there, but this has opened my eyes about Starwood Resorts.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I don't know why this didn't post the first time...so if it's a repeat I apologize.

We got back today from an 8 night stay at the GF. VERY disappointing.

Check in was quick and the room was ready immediately (3pm) which was nice. But we weren't offered a ride to our room even though we had several bags with us, two small children and two strollers. I didn't know this was available until I saw other guests being driven to their rooms. You shouldn't have to ask at a resort like this.

The room was nice but too small. It was a dormer room in Conch Key. The patio was too small and I couldn't see over the wall (I'm short). I inquired about a room change and was told they were all that size. I found out later that the CM that told me this was incorrect and I was finally changed rooms after three nights. We were moved to Boca Chica.

Our luggage was brought to us timely as promised but was soaking wet along with the contents inside. They were left out in the rain uncovered...nice. One of our bags was missing and since the ME doesn't give you claim tags to match up bell services insisted that was all my luggage...several hours later, and several phone calls later the luggage appeared.

I took items to the front desk to be put in our rooms so the girls would think Tinkerbell left them a gift. At the Poly last year they didn't have a problem with this and actually set the items up real cute. The CM at the GF acted like it was a big inconvenience and finally agreed to have it taken care of but when we returned to the room the bags were thrown wadded up right inside the door. Kinda a sucky Tinkerbell surprise.

We went to the spa and they lost our ressie. We finally got a treatment and it was nice but I think the spa is kinda far from the main area so I asked for a ride back. They obliged but again, I don't think you should have to ask...it should be offered.

We went to the theme pool once and it was so dirty that we left and came back to the courtyard pool. They were also not enforcing eating and drinking IN the pool so people were eating and drinking while in the pool.

Reservations gave me the wrong date for the Alice Tea Party so when we arrived it was the wrong day. They charged me for a No Show. That isn't the GF problem but it is their problem when I ask where do I check in for the party that day and the staff never informed me that it wasn't being held that day. I waited for 1 1/2 hours for check in for a party that wasn't going on.

The automatic doors were not functioning one evening and not once did a CM offer to hold the door while we struggled with our strollers. (They were standing right next to the door)

Gasparilla's was a joke and dirty, dirty, dirty. The bathroom in the lobby near 1900 PF was filthy with no toilet paper and overflowing trash. The bathroom in the convention center was the same way and even grosser the feminine trash in the stalls were overflowing. 1900 PF was dirty and they need to enforce people to wear shoes at the buffet and small children need to be supervised so they don't touch all the food.

Shipping items proved to be a nightmare when you have a CM that doesn't know what the heck she was doing. Had we not went back to ship other items our first items would have never left the resort as she did not process it correctly.

The concierge desk in the lobby made a return trip on the ME for me (I didn't have one scheduled originally wanted to wait and see how the trip there was) and they failed to supply me a voucher or give me proper instruction so when the ME came to pick us up I didn't have a voucher and the driver wouldn't let us on the bus. I went to bell services in front to ask what was going on and the driver left without us.

Transportation was crap. The monorail was down all the time for one reason or another which I know it is not the GF fault, but if I were the manager getting the complaints (we weren't the only ones) I would be on the phone to ask tranportation to get it together. Also the bus from MGM is way too crowded with three resorts on the same bus (CR, Poly, GF). I don't pay that amount of money to have to stand on the bus.

I could go on and on but those were the major issues. Overpriced...NO SERVICE. I will never stay there again and I am considering not returning to Disney again if this is the service that the "Flagship" offers (or doesn't offer rather)

So sorry you had a negative experience at the GF. We returned from the Grand on July 8th and had a wonderful time.

With that being said, I read your Reviews on the Restaurant Board and I'm glad to see that you did have some nice dining experiences at the Grand during your trip.

 

[DarlingWendy]

Get real! By "flagship" the GF is the resort pictured as being nearest the MK. If posts on this thread are taken at face value, GF guests should have exclusive transportation, never wait in lines and be serviced for every whim. I said that expectations are too high, and I meant it.

!

I would disagree. in the WDW planning videos, they speak of "flagship" as in "the best". No one expects the things you mentioned, unless they really have never stayed in a hotel before and don't know how things work. But they do, and should, expect the finest experience in a WDW resort.

Expectations should be high at the GF. Some people have wonderful stays, but for the people who do not, they should complain. It's alot of money and I expect things to be pretty darned magical when I spend that much!!!

 

[undertheradar]

High Expectations?
Above and Beyond Services?
Really?

They expected that their suitcases would be delivered dry with dry clothes...

They expected that the hotel would place some sort of value on surprising a little girl to the point of walking 3 more steps to set up a surprise for her....

They expected that the CMs would at least act happy to be serving them.....

They expected no food or drink in the pools, and that the the pools be clean....

They expected that the bathrooms would have toilet paper.....

They expected that housekeeping would empty the trash in the bathrooms before they overflowed with used feminine products...

And they expected that they would be provided with a voucher that would allow them to actually get on the bus for the ride they paid for......something they didn't even know they needed until it was too late.....

So....I guess I just don't see how these expectations were too high for stay that costs $300 to $400 an night....

Or for a stay at Motel 6 for that matter.....

OP did not prebook return trip via ME, choosing to wait and see how arrival went. How is that the CMs fault?

Expecting that main building bathrooms be clean: Realistic!

Expecting Dry luggage in a downpour: 50/50!

Expecting pools to be better monitored: Realistic!

Expecting CMs to be thrilled at special request(Tinkerbelle Treatment): Unrealistic!

Expecting that every CM should be happy to serve them: 50/50!

In relation to the Tinkerbelle Treatment, couldn't the OP have returned to the room to perform this task herself, illiminating the chance for error? OP could have met her family on the dock and then cruised to the MK.

Yes, WDW has become less and less sparkling. The only way for it to be corrected is to notify them when you see it. If I were dining at 1900 Park Faire, I would have notified the hostess how filthy the restroom area was.

Due to boards like these, many expectations are too high. If someone reads that a room received balloons and towel animals, they feel "cheated" or less respected if they don't receive the same. During my last stay at DL I was upgraded to a suite, does that mean that I am entitled to one every time? It was a little bit of what many of us call "Disney Magic." Am I happy that my kids were able to experience it: Yes! Do I expect it and demand it: NO!

I expect clean bedding, a clean bathroom and a safe place to stay. That is what I pay for!

 

[DarlingWendy]

I expect clean bedding, a clean bathroom and a safe place to stay. That is what I pay for!

All due respect, if that's all you expect for $600, then your expectations are too low!

 

[Tiffany]

I would disagree. in the WDW planning videos, they speak of "flagship" as in "the best". No one expects the things you mentioned, unless they really have never stayed in a hotel before and don't know how things work. But they do, and should, expect the finest experience in a WDW resort.

Expectations should be high at the GF. Some people have wonderful stays, but for the people who do not, they should complain. It's alot of money and I expect things to be pretty darned magical when I spend that much!!!

I am interested. What would/are your expectations beyound a clean room, polite service and clean resort areas be?

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Get real! By "flagship" the GF is the resort pictured as being nearest the MK. If posts on this thread are taken at face value, GF guests should have exclusive transportation, never wait in lines and be serviced for every whim. I said that expectations are too high, and I meant it. The costs of rooms at the resort has no correlation to staffing in direct guest to CM ratio. Every WDW guest is due a clean room, reasonable transportation and reasonable problem resolution. There should be no variance in how a problem is handled based upon room costs. A guest staying at AS is just as "entitled" to a decent stay as a guest staying at GF. My family has stayed here many times, but it is not my personal favorite. I am a Disney Inn fan, and I miss storytime with Snow White and Dopey in the evenings! When we stayed there we shared busses with GF,Poly and CR. DI is Shades of Green now, and my family of five has not found another "home" on site.

In relation to room cleaning issues, the Orlando area is struggling to deal with labor shortages. Just because there are jobs does not mean that you will have candidates to fill them. Many jobs are vacant, as people cannot find suitable affordable housing. This is not a problem limited to WDW!

Sorry, it isn't the closest. The Contemporary is. It isn't even the best themed. It is a beautiful resort, but other WDW resorts are better themed. It doesn't have any transportation available there that isn't available at The Contemporary or the Poly. So, why is it more expensive? Even the rooms at the Contemporary are bigger. You can get a room at Old Key West that is twice the size for less. So what is it that drives up the cost?

And sorry, I don't care if it is pouring out, any hotel that handles my luggage better deliver it dry. And I don't mean 50 percent of the time. I don't care if it is the Super8. And if it is wet, they better stick around and take care of it with out me even having to ask. That is just common hotel service you'll get anywhere. I'm surprised you wouldn't even expect this 100% of the time from a WDW resort.

When I checked out of the Sheraton Studio City last month after a weeks stay, I was asked how everything was. Nothing out of the ordinary. It is standard hotel practice. Everything was fantastic. The staff there was perfect. Incredible since they are pulling from the same shallow hiring pool available to WDW. I let her know that the staff was fantastic, our stay was very nice. I let her know that she may want to have someone take a look at the bathroom sink because it drained a little slow. She didn't even blink. She apologized and took $15.00 off the bill. I didn't ask. But, you know what? I remembered it. But then again, I suppose I would remember my luggage showing up in my room soaking wet too.

 

[undertheradar]

All due respect, if that's all you expect for $600, then your expectations are too low!

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