BW is a fun area. I am planning on staying at the S/D or YC/BC if we go in July. 
ZipD and BCV.....I am going to call AAA this morning and cancel that ripoff GCH DL package. It is $4K for 4 nts and 5 days' tickets. The tickets are $795, so that leaves $3200 for the room and whatever little extras AAA offers with their packages.I originally only booked thru them for the Enhanced FP and then they disappeared!!
From the start I was shocked at how expensive GCH was compared to WDW deluxes and then I find out the services offered don't really compare, and then the bed issue - my son might get a sleeping bag for $800/nt.....no thanks. I would feel like a meanie.
$800/nt for a room, nice beds for us - here you go....sleep on the floor. He's the oldest, my only son, and gets the short end of the stick a lot due to having two little sisters and one which is HC. He's a GREAT big brother and I don't want him to feel llike an afterthought on a family vacation - he is 16.5 yrs & already preferring to stay w/friends vs go with us on vacations. He was sure sorry he missed my most fabulous 40th bday trip to the GF!!!
ZipD, you will love RPC. The people in the lounge and concierge CMs are so nice and helpful. Housekeeping is wonderful, too. They always leave tons of toiletries and lots of towels and lots of chocolates on the beds at turndown. LOL, by the time we have to pack up, we have the nightstand drawer filled with the chocolates!! I always have second thoughts about spending that much on a hotel room, too, but it has always been worth it in the end. The main building is beautiful - everything about it.
BCV - have a great GCH stay.I will be interested to hear how you enjoyed it. I may regret not staying there.....I guess this trip we will have to check everything out and if we love DL, we'll be back and go all out.
Happy planning,
Lives4Disney
(unless it was a 2-bedroom Artisan Suite - those are like 3 rooms in one). I know the Concierge there is nothing compared to WDW concierges. They don't really plan anything for you unless you make it a point you want them to. The standard rooms are smaller than some of the Deluxes at WDW. They are planned out like AKL and WL. The theming is beautiful though. While you are at DL, try to take a stroll through the lobby or eat at one of the restaurants while you are there. I haven't stayed at the Sheraton, but I'm sure you will have a great time there. It's really not a huge deal to say at a non-Disney property at DL. I've also read great things about the Doubletree Guest Suites (brand new, spacious, free breakfast - you can see pics at tripadvisor.com) No matter what you do, you'll still have a great time!
I would call guest services or email themI wanted to vent a bit about the GF's IPO, and knew you all would understand
We wanted the Chef's Table at V&A's for our 5 year anniversary, so, a few days before the 180 day mark, we tried calling IPO. The phone went straight to voicemail, so I left a message. I also sent an e-mail to follow up. No response from anyone. So I call them the day before the 180 day mark and, after waiting 10 minutes, someone answers the phone. I tell her that I wanted them to try to get the V&A's Chef's Table for us, for August 5, but that I hadn't heard back from them whether they need anything from me (like credit card, which I KNOW they need!). She sighed, irritated, and asked, "Did you send us an e-mail?" Yes, I did. "Well, we'll get back to you." Then she hangs up. Grrrr...
My DH & I are both up at 7, calling WDW-Dine on 2 different phones, with no luck - we couldn't get Chef's Table. I was hoping that IPO had managed to get it for us, so I sent them yet another e-mail. They responded to this one and said, no, they didn't get it for me, but if I wanted them to book anything like that, I'd need to send them my credit card number. Grrrrr again.
I tried calling them yesterday and today, ALL DAY (periodically), and every time it just went straight to voicemail. I had wanted their help with other reservations, but now I don't trust them, so I just made these myself.
Does anyone else think they are less than useless? Should I complain about this to someone, or just suck it up? Am I not paying for their services? To have them just blow me off like that really irks me. It's the fact that I know they didn't even bother to TRY to get our Chef's Table reservations that drives me crazy.
BTW, my DH & I were able to get Chef's Table for August 4, so we're not devastated, but it's our 5 year aniversary, which is kind of a big marker for us, ya know? I just wanted to make that very day special. I know we will, in some other way, but we had our wedding reception at V&A's, and it would have been a nice way to celebrate.
Thanks for listening!
Heather W
I would call the concierge manager and complain for sure. Kelly is right. We all know how costly it is to stay there. Part of what you are paying for is the preplanning services.
I know IPO got a new manager a while back around the time I was having big issues with them and it seems things have steadily kept going down the tubes. I know a couple IPO CMs quit and probably due to being understaffed, due to WDW being such cheapies, service is horrid - which is not acceptable. 
We have stayed at the GF MANY many times, but I am also planning our first GF GV stay for Nov. Disneymomx7 likes Sago Cay or Conch for marina views. I requested Sago because it is right near the marina and the main building and Gasparillas Grill (24 hr "fast food" type place) From the outside of Gaspies, you have perfect views of the fireworks over the castle. Sago is just very convenient. With my luck I would get that view, so I am staying clear of that building. 
I wanted to vent a bit about the GF's IPO, and knew you all would understand
My DH & I are both up at 7, calling WDW-Dine on 2 different phones, with no luck - we couldn't get Chef's Table. I was hoping that IPO had managed to get it for us, so I sent them yet another e-mail. They responded to this one and said, no, they didn't get it for me, but if I wanted them to book anything like that, I'd need to send them my credit card number. Grrrrr again.
...
Does anyone else think they are less than useless? Should I complain about this to someone, or just suck it up? Am I not paying for their services? To have them just blow me off like that really irks me. It's the fact that I know they didn't even bother to TRY to get our Chef's Table reservations that drives me crazy.
...
Thanks for listening!
Heather W
We probably won't be staying concierge like on our honeymoon, but we'll still be at my favorite place to stay in a GV room 
At first we were planning a trip for June 2008, but we've been talking about December 07 instead!! It's still more than 10 months away, I'll keep myself occupied by reading about everyone else's trips. We'll also have our new baby 
with us as well as my 2 step children who have never been to WDW! I'm so excited, hopefully we'll be able to book it soon.
ok happy helpers. need some advice. I am by NO MEANS planning a trip, as we are broke haha. BUT for teh future....I ave been crunching numbers....we love the GF so much, but could get a super nice room somewhere. Icould get conceirge at some other deluxes for teh price of a GV room at the GF. I am torn. do I try somewhere new and get more perks, or stick with teh GF? (we were thinking either WL or AKL) help me ladies!!!! (like i said, we have no trip planned, but my wheels are turning....)
I loved reading your honeymoon trip report. It was just wonderful. I so know how you feel. I could see it coming from the way you described leaving the GF to go home.
ok happy helpers. need some advice. I am by NO MEANS planning a trip, as we are broke haha. BUT for teh future....I ave been crunching numbers....we love the GF so much, but could get a super nice room somewhere. Icould get conceirge at some other deluxes for teh price of a GV room at the GF. I am torn. do I try somewhere new and get more perks, or stick with teh GF? (we were thinking either WL or AKL) help me ladies!!!! (like i said, we have no trip planned, but my wheels are turning....)
And RPC is just heavenly.... Makes me think of the way I remember Disney. 
