Terrible stay at GF

[clombardi]

let's be civil.

That is a joke on this thread...doesn't seem possible.

 

[erinz]

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.



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 )




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.



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



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.



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)



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 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.

(With all due respect.....)

Oh for Crimenys sake....

This could have been a shorter reply. Just say that the OP didn't tell the truth.


Wow....how about this thread? Kind of gets the adreniline going doesn't it?

 

[johnsonet]

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.

I completely agree! I've held off responding to this thread for as long as I could stand

I've stayed at the GF 8 times and am going back next month. I can't wait. No hotel is perfect and I agree that the GF is no Ritz Carlton. HOWEVER, considering its location, variety of dining options, accomodations, views plus the range of activities for children and adults, I think it is pretty much fairly priced. Bottom line is, the place has very high occupancy rates (from all accounts I've ever read or been told) so they're doing something right .
I'm sorry the OP had such a horrible trip. And while we should all feel free to give an honest review, it's hard for me to sympathize much with her because her post is peppered with negativity, poor grammar and words like "sucky" and "crap" - I think that's why some people were so dismissive of her comments.

 

[MissK]

(snip) And while we should all feel free to give an honest review, it's hard for me to sympathize much with her because her post is peppered with negativity, poor grammar and words like "sucky" and "crap" - I think that's why some people were so dismissive of her comments.

To dismiss someone's post simply because of the usage of the words "sucky" and "crap" is a bit too much IMO. To me (and again I stress this is just how I feel) it implies that you feel the OP is stupid. I know I use both words quite a lot and I most definitely am not stupid.

What it looks like to me is that some folks just keep harping on the leaving gifts in the room comment when there are many more problems the OP posted that I think take a bit more precedence. That's just how I see it however.

 

[sotoalf]

I completely agree! I've held off responding to this thread for as long as I could stand

I've stayed at the GF 8 times and am going back next month. I can't wait. No hotel is perfect and I agree that the GF is no Ritz Carlton. HOWEVER, considering its location, variety of dining options, accomodations, views plus the range of activities for children and adults, I think it is pretty much fairly priced. Bottom line is, the place has very high occupancy rates (from all accounts I've ever read or been told) so they're doing something right .
I'm sorry the OP had such a horrible trip. And while we should all feel free to give an honest review, it's hard for me to sympathize much with her because her post is peppered with negativity, poor grammar and words like "sucky" and "crap" - I think that's why some people were so dismissive of her comments.

Some of her expectations were unrealistic. But there's no excuse for dirty common areas; for example, I can't get that image of the filthy 1900 Park Fair bathroom out of my head. I've stayed at the GF twice and visited countless times and, while I haven't seen anything like this, it's not unthinkable given Disney's tired complaint to posters that their facilities are "understaffed"

It's rare for any Disney hotel to suffer from low occupancy, regardless of whether they're doing something right or wrong. And if there was a relation between good grammar and sympathy, then you and just about every poster to this board would be run of town for posting a complaint, no?

 

[johnsonet]

To dismiss someone's post simply because of the usage of the words "sucky" and "crap" is a bit too much IMO. To me (and again I stress this is just how I feel) it implies that you feel the OP is stupid. I know I use both words quite a lot and I most definitely am not stupid.

You may use those words but would you put them in a post on a forum as part of your review of a resort and expect people to take you seriously?

 

[sotoalf]

you may use those words but would you put them in a post on a forum as part of your review of a resort and expect people to take you seriously?

Why not? Context is all.

 

[gepetto]

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?

It would probably mean very long check-in lines for the rest of us.



I think the internet boards have created unrealistic expectations. To expect a hotel employee to "play Tinkerbell" and arrange your child's gifts creatively is laughable. That kind of "magic" needs to be paid for via an agency like Gifts of a Lifetime.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

While I am terribly sorry that the OP had a horrendous time, I do think she has exagerated on some things. Do I know this for certain? no. Do I think she had SOME valid complaints, you betcha.

Luggage soaked thru? I have no doubt about that, unfortunately there are sudden down pours that are quite heavy. I can guarntee you that if the luggage was being taken off the bus/our of the car and the rain begins, the first thought of the CM is to get out of the rain, luggage be damned ESPECIALLY if there was lightening.

Garbage every where? Yes and No. Yes because it accumulates, and unfortunately when there are close to 100000 visitors, it piles up. And no, because I do know how quickly Disney does clean things up. If it was dirty, thank your fellow human beings for being slobs and not using the proper disposal methods.

Room too small? the Guest was given a different room, after 3 days. Did she bring her concerns up with Management? Whenever I have a problem I address it then and there.

Bathrooms near 1900 Park Fare? I've seen it cruddy, but never to the degree which the op depicts. I have no doubt that just after she visited there was a cleaning crew. I wonder how many people were there in the hour between cleanings?

PLEASE WEAR SHOES WHEN EATING AT A BUFFET... Nuff said on that topic. - again, not GF's plight but rather that of the every day guest who's a heathen.

Which tea party? Was it the My Disney Girl Tea? that is the only one that would charge you for a no show, and that's the $200 pre pay event. If it was just the tea party in the garden, that's offered most days, I would have called to confirm my itenerary.


I'm sorry, I don't really mean to be critical, all I'm saying is that there are MANY things to consider. I thank the OP for her report because it does help balance things. I've only had the pleasure of staying there once, and it was on the Main Concierge level, in the Ponce De Leon rooms (4th Floor) and had a PERFECT stay that ruined me for all other stays anywhere.... *sighs dreamily*

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Well I was surprised to see dirty restrooms at the GF also. My previous trips they had been spotless. I just can't understand why so many people are attacking the OP and almost accusing her of lying. I was there during the same period of time and had a completely different stay than previous years. I couldn't wait to get back there too. I always encouraged other people to stay there and gave it the highest recommendations.

I think a lot of posters are discouraging anyone from posting a bad experience. I had the luck of running into a fellow dissers at SpectroMagic. I won't give her name because people here are getting too upset when someone has something negative to say regarding Disney. She and I were discussing my problems and the GF and she was telling me that she ran into a lot of the same problems that week at POFQ but she wasn't sure she would post them because she was afraid of the reaction.

Well I like to hear from both positive and negative experiences. It helps me to hear different opinions regarding resorts and dining. I ultimately make up my own mind but isn't that why we are here, to share our experiences?

Some people really need to lighten up. Up until now I would have said that I never had a bad experience at GF. I'm sure it could have happened at any resort. Does that mean that anyone who posts about a bad experience is a liar? Come on.

 

[Anewman]

It would probably mean very long check-in lines for the rest of us.



I think the internet boards have created unrealistic expectations. To expect a hotel employee to "play Tinkerbell" and arrange your child's gifts creatively is laughable. That kind of "magic" needs to be paid for via an agency like Gifts of a Lifetime.

So true.

There are some valid complaints, like luggage issues and bathroom cleanliness. But the rest is laughable, IMO.

 

[Snurk71]

Boy, I've waited 16 pages to finally post a response because someone else finally hit the nail on the head (IMO). None of this is in repsonse to OP, just commenting on the "value" of the GF's price and service expectations.

GF, and other deluxes for that matter, have enhanced and extra offerings - more dining options, pool options, children's clubs, children's activities, leisure activities, closer location to one of the theme parks. Maybe I don't pay close enough attention to Disney's marketing, but I don't remember seeing/hearing that you get better service at a deluxe vs. other categories of resorts (I don't expect a higher level of service staying at GF). I think that is too slippery of a slope that Disney doesn't want to fall down - delivering a message that some of their guests get better service/treatment than others based upon how much they pay for where they stay. The only thing I see selling a higher level of service is concierge. You are paying for a higher level of service in that instance and then you should have a higher expectation (recognized that RPC takes the biggest beatings on service delivery on concierge service).

Look at what GF offers in determining why it charges the premium it does:

one monorail stop to MK
one boat stop back from MK
Dining (V&As, Citricos, Narcoosses, GF Cafe, PF, Gasparilla, Minzners)
two pools
a small beach
access to a health club and spa
tennis courts
Mouseketeer club
water mice
Grand One rental
Wonderland Tea Party
Pirate Cruise
Grand Adventures in Cooking
Afternoon Tea
on-site beauty shop
portrait artist
immaculate grounds

And there's probably more that I'm forgetting. Some other deluxes have some comparables, maybe GF has the most available. These are the reasons I pay top dollar for the GF.

 

[wdwfan]

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.QUOTE]
_______________________



I have to say that I stayed at YC Concierge in August of 2003 and Boardwalk Inn Concierge in August of 2004. I arranged for gifts to be delivered to my room by the concierge upon our arrival so that when we entered our room, our children would be surprised with their gifts. Each time it went off without a hitch. Now you have to understand that the staff at BWI and YC are top notch and they really take care of their clients. I have heard too many times that at GF Concierge clients are subjected to poor service. It doesn't have to be that way. GF should know better and be a cut above. That's my opinion.

 

[Snurk71]

And a comment on the inconsistent service (which I don't disagree with)...

If you do the math that the GF has around 1,000 rooms, the average stay is for 6 nights, and the resort stays at 80% capacity year round - that's close to 50,000 reservations a year. Even if GF has a 98% success rate, that is 1,000 screw-ups a year. So 1,000 people every year are going to leave unhappy with their experience. But if you're in GF management, 98% or 49,000 happy customers might be satisfactory. Moving the needle to 99% or 100% might not be worth cost and would have a diminishing return to get to that number.

If you think about it from a business perspective, the GF is probably doing just as they should. The laws of supply and demand will prevail in the long term. If their success rate goes to 75% and 12,500 people leave unhappy, they might see a slippage in their 80% capacity at the rates they charge. But as long as their success rate stays in line with the volume of buyers willing to buy at Disney's price, all is right in the business world.

 

[gonga]

Boy, I've waited 16 pages to finally post a response because someone else finally hit the nail on the head (IMO). None of this is in repsonse to OP, just commenting on the "value" of the GF's price and service expectations.

GF, and other deluxes for that matter, have enhanced and extra offerings - more dining options, pool options, children's clubs, children's activities, leisure activities, closer location to one of the theme parks. Maybe I don't pay close enough attention to Disney's marketing, but I don't remember seeing/hearing that you get better service at a deluxe vs. other categories of resorts (I don't expect a higher level of service staying at GF). I think that is too slippery of a slope that Disney doesn't want to fall down - delivering a message that some of their guests get better service/treatment than others based upon how much they pay for where they stay. The only thing I see selling a higher level of service is concierge. You are paying for a higher level of service in that instance and then you should have a higher expectation (recognized that RPC takes the biggest beatings on service delivery on concierge service).

Look at what GF offers in determining why it charges the premium it does:

one monorail stop to MK
one boat stop back from MK
Dining (V&As, Citricos, Narcoosses, GF Cafe, PF, Gasparilla, Minzners)
two pools
a small beach
access to a health club and spa
tennis courts
Mouseketeer club
water mice
Grand One rental
Wonderland Tea Party
Pirate Cruise
Grand Adventures in Cooking
Afternoon Tea
on-site beauty shop
portrait artist
immaculate grounds

And there's probably more that I'm forgetting. Some other deluxes have some comparables, maybe GF has the most available. These are the reasons I pay top dollar for the GF.

Bravo!!!


This is exactly what people do not understand. You pay a higher rom rate because of what the hotel offers, not the level of service. I have had my problems with the GF, it is not always 100 percent. If a higher level of service is needed then the concierge level is for you. If you are staying at the GF in a standard room, expect the same service as you would at any other hotel. It appears as though the op was not at CL, which explains the tinkerbell gift situation.

 

[Jaybrad]

I hate to hear anyone had a bad experience at WDW. I must be blessed. Having visited WDW sine 1973. (25 Visits) My family and I have never had a bad experience.

 

[poohluvrs]

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.QUOTE]
_______________________



I have to say that I stayed at YC Concierge in August of 2003 and Boardwalk Inn Concierge in August of 2004. I arranged for gifts to be delivered to my room by the concierge upon our arrival so that when we entered our room, our children would be surprised with their gifts. Each time it went off without a hitch. Now you have to understand that the staff at BWI and YC are top notch and they really take care of their clients. I have heard too many times that at GF Concierge clients are subjected to poor service. It doesn't have to be that way. GF should know better and be a cut above. That's my opinion.

I realize your point, but OP did not stay concierge!!!!!!!!

 

[wdwfan]

I realize your point, but OP did not stay concierge!!!!!!!! [/QUOTE

That is correct . My opinion, having been on these boards for years and reading numerous posts that have given both positive and negative aspects of a GF experience, is that a concierge or non-concierge stay at the GF is not consistent. I am expressing my opinion only.

 

[TammiMcMan]

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?

I was alittle confused with this one also. Are you responding to the OP or to AuntPolly?

 

[MissK]

You may use those words but would you put them in a post on a forum as part of your review of a resort and expect people to take you seriously?

If I thought the service merited them you bet I would. Abominable, dreadful, sleazy, slipshod, horrendous, crummy, defective, repungent, horrid...just different ways of saying the same thing. But that's just me. I've been accused of being superflous before. At this point I'm bowing out of the conversation, I've pretty much said all I had to, anything more is just me talking in circles, agreeing with some and disagreeing with others.

Besides I have a trip to plan !