Terrible stay at GF

[Lewisc]

Four Seasons was suppose to be building a hotel in Celebration.
http://www.celebrationfl.com/press_room/021218.htm

I don't remember the details on why it wasn't built but I thought I read Disney was considering letting them build on property as a settlement over some contractual issues.

Anne--I know what I posted/suggested wasn't exactly what you were looking for. I can't see Disney spending the money for the infrastruction for a new, small hotel.

 

[nwdisgal]

Actually, during many times of the year, single adults, young couples (often honeymooners), and empty nesters outnumber families. I believe that those rooms could be filled by people who currently choose to stay elsewhere because WDW is unable to deliver the resort experience that they prefer.

I seriously considered staying offsite this year at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando for that reason. They had a nice promotional rate at the time - less than $400 a night which included a lakeview room and breakfast for two as part of the package. I waffled about being closer to the parks, and ended up cancelling my ressie at Ritz merely for convenience and proximity. I ended up at Dolphin, then SSR for the second half of my vacation. Actually, I was quite pleased with both those resorts, but then they delivered the service and ammenities I expected for the price I paid. However, I would have been let down if I'd spent $600 a night at Grand Floridian and had OP's experience. I didn't check the ratings on GF during my initial post, but assumed it was at least a four or five star because of the rates they were charging and the way the resort is marketed, flagship, etc.
Oh well

I think the suggestion of a Disney boutique hotel which has an adult only wing is an excellent one - a nice option for first honeymoons, 2nd honeymoons, or just those who want a break from our kids every now and then.

 

[Sammie]

We are staying at the GF in September. Does this make us snobby? I keep reading about people posting comments like that about the staff, as well as the resort's patrons. How offensive would it be if someone made comments like that about one of the values clients? Only instead of referring to them as snobby, other adjectives were used to describe a persons "class" or attitude? Maybe it's been done but I think it's rude and inappropiate.

As for the original posters comments, I am truly sorry you had a bad stay. I would also be disappointed if the same happened to our family. I hope the next resort you book turns out to be a better experience. I am crossing my fingers and toes we have a magical stay at the GF in a couple of months. {{{hugs to you}}}

Thank you for finally putting into words what I felt existed on these forums for some time. It is a sorta of reverse elitism. It seems if you do not stay at a value or moderate, you are either a snob or someone that throws their money away. And good grief, you are almost close to being a raving lunatic snob if you waste your money at the Grand Floridian.

I have never put anyone down for staying at any resort of their choice. I know everyone does not have a magical trip each and every time they go. Statistically I am afraid that is not possible. Some have problems that Disney needs to address and some have problems they create for themselves.

And for those that won't get another chance to experience Disney at it's best I am really sorry.

I do think it is fine to share problems with a vacation trip. I think it is fine for the sake of keeping it in perspective that others disagree and say they had a great trip. That does not mean the OP was not correct or accurate, it means her trip was different from the experiences of others. That is all. It would be good if some would remember that.

 

[gonga]

I may not understand or agree with you and Anne but I'm certainly not going to flame anyone for having their own opinion. Personally, I don't think an adult only resort will ever happen. While I KNOW there are lots of couples who go to WDW without children and there would be people to fill some rooms, if you had the amenities that Anne described and the price tag that comes with it I don't think they could keep it full. A lot of honeymooners go to WDW but just starting out, setting up a home, just having their wedding (I know there are those who will say the bride's family takes care of all that but we all know that weddings cost everyone money.) Most other people that want an adult only experience will choose a more adult destination. A wing or building that's adult only I can see, but not a whole resort. I just don't think it's feasible.

I hate to disagree but the most expensive rooms and the least expensive rooms are the first to sell out. The Magnolia Suite at the GF is booked solid for almost a year. The last I checked it is $1700.00 per night, it is probably more now. Just because you can't understand why someone would pay that kind of money for a resort does not mean that those people don't exist. If a hotel is built with the right amount of rooms and the right ammenities, it will be booked as well. That does not make anyone snobbish or snooty, it just means people expect a different level of service.
We don't have children, but we love to go to WDW every year and always travel in luxury accommodations. We have fun during the day, but late afternoon we like to go back to the room, have a cocktail, decide where to go for dinner and dress up a little. We both enjoy spa treatments, and pool service. I really don't like to have to plan every minute as we never know what we feel like doing or eating and certainly don't want to have to make dinner reservations 90 days out...but appreciate the person that can get us last minute reservations. We are not snotty or snobbish, we don't look down at anyone or really care or give a thought to what other people spend or where they stay.

We usually go to WDW when families don't, not because we don't like children but because we can, and yes the quiet times are lovely. We go on all the rides and attractions and have a great time. Disney is not just for kids, it is for everyone who wishes to enjoy it. As far as spending money....well all I can say is we go on some pretty swanky high priced vacations, about 8 per year. The resorts are always booked and we see lots of honeymooners and couples and NO children....and the rooms are upwards of 750 per night. Being in our 40's we like the comforts in life and like others don't mind how much it costs.

 

[kelscross]

I did not ask for a Tinkerbell display. I asked the CM to place these items in the room because I wanted them to think that Tink had left them a gift. I don't think that is above and beyond. Simply putting the items on the bed or table would be much, much better than wadding them up and throwing them inside the door.

Again...I said the Poly did not go all out they set the items on the bed for the kids to see.

Also the reason we waited 1 1/2 hours is because we got ready and were in the lobby at 12:15pm so that's when I went to ask at the concierge desk (guest services) where/when was the check in. If I had been told at 12:15pm that there was no party that day no that wouldn't have changed the fact that reservations had made a mistake, we could have went on about our day.

 

[undertheradar]

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)

The Poly setting them up "real cute", as you stated, was nothing above and beyond? What hotels/resorts do you regularly stay at? When you stay anywhere during peak season you will experience waits and lines. You're right that the GM of the GF does not control the monorail. What time of day were you using this transportation?

You are correct that resort specific transportation would be better. It would be very costly and environmentally damaging. The ideal system would allow for digital timers to show how long the wait is for the next bus, launch or monorail(real time, not estimates).

 

[auntpolly]

Kelscross, there is no reason for you defend yourelf every time someone dissects your complaints. You weren't happy, and it was a combination of little and big things. I think any reasonable person understands that when you've paid a lot of money for a hotel room and things start going wrong, you are annoyed. And you should be.

I'm sure that some of the things that they did wrong during your stay they've done right for other people and that's part of the problem. They are uneven in their quality of service. They probably have no set way of doing anything, like for example delivering gifts to room (and so many people do this, I can't imagine why they don't). If they do have a set way of doing it, there is obviously no accountabilty as to if they've done what they were supposed to do.

If I were you I'd stop feeling as if I had to explain myself or defend my POV. You're not on trial, you are just telling us something that happened to you. Thanks for you honest assessment of you stay at the GF.

 

[kelscross]

Thank you AuntPolly. I never imagined that my comments would spark a 13 page debate on the GF.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Thank you AuntPolly. I never imagined that my comments would spark a 13 page debate on the GF.

That's what I thought also when I saw 13 pages!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I never imagined that my comments would spark a 13 page debate on the GF.

You're kidding, right?!?! Have you actually read the DISboards before?!?!
Thanks for the post, the whole thread was an interesting read!

 

[nliedel]

When you pay more for a hotel room you do and should expect more. A higher level of service, nice grounds, clean bathrooms and good information. Actually I expect a high level of service at all Disney Resorts. They are competing with other low cost hotels locally who do not have anything to offer BUT price and service since they are not on WDW grounds. I do think things should be offered without being asked, I think that is part of the experience that makes staying at the GF so wonderful and special. I do not think the OP was unreasonable in any of their complaints. While the amazing grounds and theming are part of the experience they do not, in and of themselves, make up for the difference in price.

If the service at a 4 and 5 star hotel are not better than your average Holiday Inn there is no reason to pay more for the experience. I have stayed at all levels of hotels in the past and enjoyed all the experiences from Motel 6 to the Ritz Carleton in Boston. My expectations were elevated at the Ritz and they did not fail to exceed my expectations. It was their pleasure to do so and it showed in everything they did. Asking for the gifts to be placed on the children's beds should not have been outside the possible for this hotel. I would, however, tip for this service as I am sure the OP did.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Asking for the gifts to be placed on the children's beds should not have been outside the possible for this hotel. I would, however, tip for this service as I am sure the OP did.

That's where there is a little difference between a deluxe Disney resort and someplace else. There are many CM positions that are considered non-tipped. If a CM is found to have accepted a cash tip, it can be terms for dismissal. If I understand the policy correctly, positions like host/hostess, check-in, lobby concierge, would fall into this category. It appears that Disney does not want to get the reputation that if you show up with a $20 for the CG hostess, you'll be assured a window table. Everyone should have an equal opportunity for a good room view or a last minute ADR. I understand that what you are implying is that a tip would be a thank you, but I don't think Disney looks at it that way. For some positions, the best thank you is to make note of the CM's name who assisted you and leave a note commending their services for their supervisor.

In any normal circumstance, I also don't think that asking for this service was out of the realm of possibilty, but I don't know the other side of the story. If the CM was outright rude that's a problem, but if they were trying to help and due to a labor shortage or simple miscommunication the gifts ended up still in the bag and not placed on the bed, what are you going do? It very well could have been a mistake. I'm neither defending the GF nor calling the OP out, just looking at it from both sides.

 

[JulyGirl]

I did not ask for a Tinkerbell display. I asked the CM to place these items in the room because I wanted them to think that Tink had left them a gift.

They did do that. If you just wanted them to be left on the bed, you could have done that yourself.

 

[Chicago526]

I just want to post for those that are worried about upcomming stays at GF due to some of the negative things posted on this thread.

While I'm sure that all or most of the bad things posted are true, that doesn't mean YOUR vacation will suffer the same problems.

Last summer DFi and I were planning a trip to WDW in Dec. of '04, staying at the Poly. I'd never stayed there before so I read every thread I could about it, and read review on Trip Advisor.com. There was a slew of bad reviews about 2 months prior to our trip, so I was worried.

We went, and had the BEST time EVER. Not a single thing that people complained about happened to us. Again, I'm not saying those that had problems at the Poly were making things up, but we didn't have a single problem, not one!

This time, we are going for our honeymoon and are staying at GF Sugar Loaf Conceirge. It will be the last time we'll be staying at a deluxe for a long, long time (and our last trip to WDW for a while, too!) so we want this to be extra special, and not just because it's our honeymoon! This time, though, the negative reports don't have me worried. I take note of them, and will file them away in my head so if I DO have a problem while there, I'll have a better understanding of what to do about it. But I'm not the least bit worried! Nope, not me!

So if you're thinking of canceling, changing, or booking a differant resort, please take into account that 99% of people with a good experiance say nothing, but 99% of people with a bad one will tell everyone they ever met! And this goes for everything, not just WDW resorts!

 

[clombardi]

They did do that. If you just wanted them to be left on the bed, you could have done that yourself.

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.

 

[triplefigs]

Colleen,

OT: I love the picture of your girls! Where did you meet Meeko and Pocahontas? My kids LOVE that movie. Thanks!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Well I guess the OP and myself must just be troublemakers because we didn't have a good stay at the GF. I wish people would remember the 1000 good comments I made regarding the GF from other trip and not just the 2 bad ones from this trip.

 

[sugermouse]

Reality is that when you charge the prices the Disney does, you have the right to expect great service. Disappointing.

 

[JulyGirl]

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 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.

 

[jw50]

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.

I am sure that the OP felt that they did not receive the level of service that they thought they were entitled to at the GF, but when you make statements that appear to be gross exaggerations or unrealistic expectations you should not be surprised when some people question the accuracy of your accounts.

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.

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? (IASW )

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.

So if I understand you correctly everything inside your luggage soaking wet which means you either had very thin fabric luggage or they left it out in the pouring rain for an extended period of time, and not just possibly that it got wet while being unloaded from the bus while it was raining.

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.

So to get back at you for your unreasonable request the CM had whoever delivered the bags wad them up in little balls and "throw" them as opposed to "drop" them on the floor, ensuring they were just inside the door. Or maybe the person that had to deliver them to your room was mad at the CM too

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.

So how dirty was the pool? I assume you mean all the people that were eating and drinking in the pool just threw their trash in the water when they were finished eating.

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.

I get a picture of the New York City garbage strike from this (for the ones old enough to remember those pictures).

Being male I can't comment on the normal condition of the Ladies rooms anywhere (but wondering how many hundreds or thousands of "feminine products" it takes to overflow a stall)

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.

So lets see, you were there for 9 days and the monorail did not run during that entire time, they must have had a really serious problem if it took them over 9 days to get it fixed. And yes, it is very unreasonable for Disney not to provide limo service from GF to MGM for the price that you were paying.

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)

I read the original post shortly after it was posted and I will admit that I discounted the complaints because of the way the post was worded, if the OP was accurately describing the conditions in the Ladies Rooms and the resturants she should have called the county health department and they would have shut the hotel down in no time.

My intent is not to "flame" the OP but to point out that if you want to vent about what you preceive to be substandard service then you really should be accurate and specific (not use general terms like "dirty" or "filthy") in describing the conditions. Or maybe not, threads like this would be alot less entertaining

Feel free to flame away

Mods, please delete if you feel this is not an appropriate post.