Just back - I hate to report anything negative on the GF but we definitely had room issues.
First room we were given in Sago Cay (dreaded convention center dumpster view) had soaking wet carpeting and a big fan blowing trying to dry it. My dd has asthma and the smell would have been too much for her, plus the carpet wasn't damp it was soaking!!!!! So we call down to the front desk and they transfer us to another room down the hall (same dreary view) and guess what - that carpet is wet too! Not as soaking, but definitely not damp, it was wet. DH called down to the front desk and was really agitated. Now we have had everything move to a 2nd room that we can't use either. Plus when bell services left the luggage in the first room, (even though we asked them to put it in the hall while we got the room situation straightened out) one of the pieces of luggage got all wet. That is how wet the carpet was!
They finally transfer us to yet another room. This time in Big Pine Key, room 9124. The best thing I can say about that room, which we kept, was that the carpet was dry. It was first floor room with a view of not only the pool building, but a big pipe sticking out of the ground (I'm guessing gas or water pipe) dead center in front of the patio! After all the years I've told everyone that there wasn't a bad view at the GF I had to eat my words.
The bathroom too had mold/dirty grout issues but we sucked it up.
The thing that bothered me the most was that when DH called about the second room not being acceptable (I actually was feeling nauseous and getting a headache just smelling the carpet cleaning smell) the front desk manager said "Well, I see you are on the 7/4 special", as if that made it okay to give us a room that wasn't ready for guest.
The funny thing is that this was our 7th visit to the GF in 5 1/2 years so we have stayed many times without any specials or great incentives.
I still love the GF grounds, and the kids had a ball in the pool. We had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, dinner at GF Cafe (surprisingly good) and the girls, my mil and myself had afternoon tea at the GF tearoom.
I felt bad because we had really been talking up the GF to my in-laws. They've stayed with us at YC twice before and really liked it much better. I think the room situation really put a sour taste in everyone's mouth this time.
We still had a great vacation, but I really sat out on the patio (which I love to do). We have a reservation for this summer at GF SL but I am seriously considering switching to Poly LVC instead.
We didn't ask for any compensation , just wanted a nice room. The manager did take $150 off our bill for inconvenience and dry cleaning for the clothes that got damp when the luggage was wet.
How I missed my Sago Cay and Conch Key marina views. The cm checking us in told us we DID have the marina side of Sago Cay when we checked in. That just made us doubly disappointed when we saw the room.
On the good side most cms were very friendly, mousekeeping was good, and Gasparilla's is still one of our favorite cs restaurants!
i think I would like to stay at Boca Chica in that case. Should I request it now or should I wait until I'm there at check in?
My husband booked the room and now every other room type is sold out. Oh well at least I am going to Disney and trying out a fantastic new place!!!
I know what you mean....for YEARS we used to just book rack rate....didn't even know about AAA or AP or any codes....and of course now when there ARE deals out there that we know about we use them....who wouldn't except a WDW newb
