I love being in this win/win situation!
Just can't ever make up my mind! of them. The color just looks a little funky next to the carpet and chair. I really thought the "older" bedspreads were lovely with the decor. Too bad it looks as if all the rooms will be the same? No differing themes? That was kinda neat before never knowing which room decor you might end up with!
I enjoy pixie dusted trips and a good vent, too!
)Oh Channing, I'm really just looking for an excuse, any excuse, to upgrade myself. I'll probably pull the trigger. I like to know which building I'm going to be in before my trip, plus the breakfast foods and drinks throughout the day would be nice. If they're working on it, they may bump us to the main lodge.....or they may be done and we'll get a sparkly new room!
I'll sit on it one more day and book it Monday.
The SL building would be convenient with the kids and having the extra staff on hand in case I would need it is comforting.
I'm hooked on the GF and the Poly and love every second of trip planning for those resorts. I feel very lucky to be going at all! This is kind of a last minute trip. We've never been at Halloween time and we're doing the TOT 6.5K race. (walk with the boys
I'm so glad we have this thread as a resource. Thanks for helping out so much!
I'd love RPC... No dice. I think I am finally throwing in the towel, but I TOTALLY understand you wanting concierge. It's FUN!
I was really happy with the GV ressie (still am) - any trip to WDW is great - but then I think about how wonderful GF concierge is and I wonder if I will miss it if I don't have it.... Probably!... but since ours is a 10 nt stay, I have just resigned to save the difference and go all out on a future trip. It will be kind of neat to try a different building. But, I so understand how you feel.
So far, though, I have not had regrets afterward. Our RPC stays have been wonderful. 
(except Xmas and that was just weird 
)
(At least it's not available and tempting me anymore. ) I was/am having second thoughts at this time anyway about spending that boatload of cash for a relatively fleeting amount of gratification.
I think we'll give GV a go and be happy with that. As long as we are at our favorite GF & have turndown svc and robes....we're good! LOL, Tinks,....I have had a GV booked since Feb for this Thanksgiving and have been trying repeatedly to upgrade to at least SL.
Channing
Mr. Mike....ya, I did hear back toward the end of August Big Pine was being worked on. I have heard nothing else about it since.
Tinks, the very last I heard was Sammie had posted that SL would be down in October now instead of Sept as previously posted. They are doing a bit more to SL than the other lodges. I believe they are redoing the lounge area as well as the rooms. Well, I always vote concierge at the GF (I don't for other resorts, but GF concierge is particularly nice) if I have a choice, but then again I have not stayed GV at the Grand yet, either. We are doing that in Nov.
Channing
and love being in the main building & having that beautiful castle view etc, but we were really kind of sick of the same old food for bfast and whenever we seemed to be around to catch the appetizers - it was the same gray meat on a stick or other odd things my kids just really don't care for. When we left we just felt like over all the WOW factor was missing and for that price....
I hope it all works out for you.Hi, dingoballs....well, when I originally booked our Nov GF stay back in Feb, we were fresh full of mixed feelings from our Xmas RPC stay. It just seemed to feel like some of the magic had worn thin and we weren't thinking we'd care to stay & pay for RPC again for a while. We have our favorite RPC CMs
We met Myra, another GF fan & Diser and she was feeling it, too. Something was just off. Basically after that trip and spending tons of money, we had our first feeling of buyers' remorse. I am not absolutely sure what it was - more a combination of things and it might have also been that we really SHOULD have been at home w/our own traditions etc for Christmas and that put a damper on it
In July, RPC was back to wonderful for us - we are still sick of the same old food & the wow factor is less than it was 2 years ago, but the CMs are so wonderful and they make our stays really feel special.
Hi Channing, I think I know how you feel. I've noticed a gradual decline in the overall quality, quantity and level of service because of all the cost cutting (note the food offerings in the lounge as one example) yet their prices continue to go up. And forget about them showing any appreciation to loyal guests. But I'm a bit concerned for you. I mean, going from RPC to GV is quite a leap! I hope you get a really nice room though (no dumpster view please!)
Aren't you guys staying at the Swan in March 2008? We're staying at the Dolphin, but I think we're leaving a week before you arrive?
Just because we are spoiled by the great RPC CMs & I am afraid we'll stare at the main building and be kicking ourselves. We'll work past that.... Once I get over having to get off the monorail and walk out toward the back doors. It is relaxing & stress free vacationor DH and myself because it's like home away from home. We still may either go to AZ or stay home. Just have to see how we (the kids) feel. DS17 is very over our family vacations. He is my WDW killjoy. I don't know how this 10 nt Thxgiving trip will go. It could be ugly. The disfunctional family does Disney. The resort consists of 5 outer lodge buildings and the main building which is all concierge and suites. One of the outer buildings is Sugar Loaf and it is also a concierge building. The standard views are considered garden views and located in Boca Chica, Conch, Sago, and Big Pine. MOST garden views are of the courtyard pool area, walkways, and garden areas. Sago has a marina view as a garden view option. Garden view rooms have balconies. I think the only room type that doesn't is the top floor lodge tower category room - and these are not garden view/standard view category anyway.
Dingo - LOL.....I am a little tiny bit worried, too.
We always stay either water or garden view at YC - never did concierge at that one, and we have stayed at the Swan post club level, too, and been very happy. It is kind of freeing in a way to not have concierge. Sometimes I feel oddly "tied" to the resort & feel the need to spend more resort time vs. park time. This trip will be more about seeing the Xmas/holiday stuff and park time anyway.
Yep, you understand what I felt after our Xmas stay.
I still have the Swan booked for March 20 - 30. GREAT Deal. I am not sure about another WDW trip so soon after this Tgiving trip, though. My kids are getting burned out on it....crazy but true. I love it & could live there.
Happy planning!!
Lives4Disney
Not Channing, but I can tell you my personal opinion about the YC vs GF. Suffice it to say, that I am a huge GF fan myself, but for one trip in particular, I couldn't pass up trying out an Epcot resort. What I loved about the YC was the convenience of walking to two parks and even getting around to the other parks. The Boardwalk is fun, especially at night and there are dozens of places to eat. We even found ourselves heading into Epcot just to grab some Fish & Chips for lunch, or a pastry from France. On the downside, the YC is more like a hotel setup, with everything in the main building. I prefer the open, resort feel you get at the GF. Our youngest was 8 when we visited and Stormalong Bay scared me. I imagine that for younger kids, who will stay primarily in the sandy shore section and older kids who you don't mind going off on their own, it's probably great. If you have an in-betweener though, you either need to plan on being in the pool with them all the time, or keep your sneakers on and don't expect to be sitting down very much. My DD loved the slide, but the entrance is across the public walkway. I would bring her over, then walk back and wait for her to slide down, then back we'd go to the entrance. When she went swimming, she'd start out in one location, but end up on the other side of the 3 acre area. I was crossing bridges and trying to figure out the winding footpaths just to keep an eye on her. I wouldn't say that I'm the most paranoid mom either, but it wasn't a fun time for me. I've got to say, that I really did miss seeing the Castle everyday, as well as the fireworks and electric water parade.
As with anything else, project dates change for a whole bunch of reasons. There was never really any formal announcement about the order of the buildings being renovated, it was actually some incredible sleuthing on the part of some GF DIS'ers that got us the info that we have. I want to say that the last thing I read was that Big Pine Key was being worked on.
Yes it does. The big difference is with the views you're able to request (no castle view from SL) and the ambiance. Just my opinion, but SL feels like a bed & breakfast to me, cozy, quiet..... while the main building exudes romance and more openness.
Technically, that's not how Disney see's it. You have the same chances of getting a balloon and a signed autograph from a value resort, as you do staying on the club level. Certainly, they can point you in the right direction or assist you with making plans for private dining, or purchasing gifts ahead of time on your behalf, but when it comes to "freebies" and general services, Disney doesn't look at the room level. Sort of the same reason why concierge doesn't have tables set aside at all the restaurants or an earlier booking window. That being said, they do have CM's available every day who are there simply to work with on site guests, so you that does make it easier to follow up with someone when you're there.
We've had good and bad stays at the GF and specifically club level. Everyone is different with how they handle obstacles. What may be a big issue for one person, another could have no problem letting it roll off their back.
Lives4Disney
Dingo - LOL.....I am a little tiny bit worried, too. Just because we are spoiled by the great RPC CMs & I am afraid we'll stare at the main building and be kicking ourselves. We'll work past that.... Once I get over having to get off the monorail and walk out toward the back doors.
That's one of the many perks with staying in the main bldg... and I really enjoy not having to walk to/from one of the outer bldgs during a rain storm! But, what WILL you do when you return to your GV room and there's no little towel animal waiting for you??
I will have to CHECK MYSELF OUT IMMEDIATELY! How dare they??!If my kids want to stay after no towel animal - fine, but I am leaving.
We always stay either water or garden view at YC - never did concierge at that one, and we have stayed at the Swan post club level, too, and been very happy. It is kind of freeing in a way to not have concierge. Sometimes I feel oddly "tied" to the resort & feel the need to spend more resort time vs. park time. This trip will be more about seeing the Xmas/holiday stuff and park time anyway.
I can feel your angst on that one... sometimes concierge level isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
Ya, sometimes you just need a change. But the fact that concierge has been our only GF experience so it will be strange not having it. I am a dork that keeps hoping somebody will cancel and I can eek our way into at least SL.
Yep, you understand what I felt after our Xmas stay.
I still have the Swan booked for March 20 - 30. GREAT Deal. I am not sure about another WDW trip so soon after this Tgiving trip, though. My kids are getting burned out on it....crazy but true. I love it & could live there. It is relaxing & stress free vacationor DH and myself because it's like home away from home. We still may either go to AZ or stay home. Just have to see how we (the kids) feel. DS17 is very over our family vacations. He is my WDW killjoy. I don't know how this 10 nt Thxgiving trip will go. It could be ugly. The disfunctional family does Disney.
That's funny... I hope you've booked at least 2 rooms!
That is something I really have been considering. That way DS could bring a pal or two. That may be the way of our future. OR vacationing w/out DS17. He has close family friends that he does stay with sometimes. I miss him, though - sometimes it's not the same w/out him. 
