Why is GF the most expensive?

[CarolA]

Service. We stayed there for 10 nights last week. The service was amazing. They did anything for the guests. Plus, it's an atmosphere all it's own. It just feels very, very posh.

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I agree on atmosphere, but your experience was the exact opposite of mine. Some of the WORST service I have ever had at a nice hotel. (Acutally the service at the All Stars was better, the front desk staff at All Stars does not have an attitude of "Self importance" ) For that reason, they will never get a penny of my money again. Disney markets this as a five star resort. Try staying at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando and then the GF.... I am pretty sure you will notice the service level drop.

 

[Jen D]

I believe it has the most amenities and the lowest guest:staff ratio of any other resort.

 

[ufgator]

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

For those who like the GF, is it hard to stay at another resort after staying at GF?

 

[DeterminedOne]

Room service comes in with white linens, fine china, heavy silverware, a flower on the table.

When the CM arrived to deliver room service she offered to set the table for us. I have to admit, that was impressive.

And I love the way GF plays up the magic. CM's constantly wished us a "grand" or "magical" day. I love the way each building has its own lobby area. And the free coffee in the mornings was a real plus!

 

[Gramgwen]

I have stayed at the GF and others at WDW. I enjoyed all of them.

 

[3lilprincesses]

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I agree on atmosphere, but your experience was the exact opposite of mine. Some of the WORST service I have ever had at a nice hotel. (Acutally the service at the All Stars was better, the front desk staff at All Stars does not have an attitude of "Self importance" ) For that reason, they will never get a penny of my money again. Disney markets this as a five star resort. Try staying at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando and then the GF.... I am pretty sure you will notice the service level drop.

i agree on atmosphere, but your experience was the exact oppostie of mine!! lol. we had incredible service here. Pop, on the other hand, left much to be desired. i never felt ANY of the CM's at GF had an air of self importance AT ALL!! they were so friendly and helpful. everyone was constantly wishing you a magical day. always a smile. just awesome. as far as DW resorts are concerned, we think it is top notch!!

it's funny though, how everybody has their own experience. you had awful service, we had great service. i guess people should just try what they want and make their own opinions!

 

[skiwee1]

When the CM arrived to deliver room service she offered to set the table for us. I have to admit, that was impressive.

And I love the way GF plays up the magic. CM's constantly wished us a "grand" or "magical" day. I love the way each building has its own lobby area. And the free coffee in the mornings was a real plus!

Poly room service also comes with linen tableclothes, nice china, and heavy silverware. They come in and set the table for you and it looks really nice.

 

[BunnieGene]

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

For those who like the GF, is it hard to stay at another resort after staying at GF?

It always has been for me...until I stayed at the AKL Savannah view this past April. I can't believe how much I loved watching the animals.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

The way I see it is: Better GF than Poly!

 

[Lewisc]

That sums up the problem with the GF. A 5* hotel doesn't have such inconsistent service. I'm sure there are days in which the service is excellent but with a 5* hotel that should be everyday. Posts from credible people like Ducklite that describe service issues is enough for me to be convinced the GF is a good hotel but certainly not the 5* experience you'd expect.

it's funny though, how everybody has their own experience. you had awful service, we had great service. i guess people should just try what they want and make their own opinions!

 

[AlexandNessa]

I have stayed at the GF twice. Once when it first opened, and I was all of about 16 and loved it, and once last year in October. This past trip, we actually had concierge level in the Main building, and I was terribly disappointed in the service. From calling us the wrong name all during check-in (even though we corrected them several times), from messing up PS requests, to not being able to handle a simple request like having a bottle of champagne chilled and sent up to the room -- I was actually told they would chill it for me, but I would need to come down before 9 o'clock and get it myself. I suppose I would have had to carry up the flutes and ice bucket myself as well? They told us our room was ready early (great), but led us up to the room (calling us by the wrong name again), only to have us stand outside the room with our carry-ons for half an hour while they did an inspection. Other things happened as well that lead me to believe that they hired idiots off the street to work the concierge lounge, and for us, the added price wasn't worth it. They didn't earn their "flagship" status for our October trip.

We booked a land/sea package for next year and found we had to stay at the GF because of the cabin category we selected. We were OK with that for all of 4 days until we figured that we were totally being overcharged to stay at a resort that had barely been OK. Yes, it's on the monorail. Yes, it's pretty. Yes, there is no typical standard view room (e.g., you will not overlook a parking lot, roof, or service area). But, good grief, is it too much to expect consistent service? We separated our land/sea package so we could stay at the BWI instead. For us, a much better location. We actually prefer any of the YC, BC, or BWI to the GF. It's totally a matter of personal preference, and hopefully, if you stay at the GF, you will have better luck in the service department than we did.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

 

[Greg K.]

We first stayed at the GF in '96, for our 10th wedding anniversary. It was also our first ever Disney trip -- and we were smitten. The hotel is a stunner, the rooms beautiful, the view of the MK truly magical. I think a big perk is being THAT CLOSE to the MK; 10 minutes after you roll out of bed, you can be walking up Main Street, munching a massive cinnamon roll from the bakery.

It's the only hotel I know of on Disney property where you regularly pass uniformed staff polishing brass on the doors or the lampposts, or twirling their parasols as they head off to work in the morning.

And the service, from my past experience, has been excellent. They do NOT want you to leave unhappy. It was our experience that, when things went wrong, or mistakes were made, they would send a fruit basket or a cookie tin to apologize. One year we stayed there, the refrigerator wasn't working right, and all the food we had brought down spoiled. They replaced the refrigerator, refunded us the value of the food and sent a basket of goodies to apologize. Gotta love that.

 

[Magic2000]

We were able to stay at the Grand Floridian for our early December 2002 trip!
The Grand Floridian at Christmas time was absolutely unbelievable!!!! Service was wonderful - the room was beautiful - and the lobby with that gorgeous tree just made our stay so nice!!!!

We ordered room service one night after we got caught in a rain storm at the park - everything was delivered promptly and was so good!

My DD loves the children's activities - she's done the Alice in Wonderland Tea about 5 times now, and she's also tried the Cooking Class and the Pirate Cruise! They've always been so good with her!!!

Again, we had an absolutely magical stay at the Grand Floridian - and we wouldn't hesitate to stay there again!

 

[3lilprincesses]

That sums up the problem with the GF. A 5* hotel doesn't have such inconsistent service. I'm sure there are days in which the service is excellent but with a 5* hotel that should be everyday. Posts from credible people like Ducklite that describe service issues is enough for me to be convinced the GF is a good hotel but certainly not the 5* experience you'd expect.

hmmmm. something in here smacks of an insult! are you saying i'm not credible??

 

[magical4us4]

I have stayed at the GF many times. Personally, I am affraid to try anywhere else because every stay has been an amazing one at GF. It's always nice when they take us to our room when we first arrive and they tell us "Welcome Home". I feel that I have a personal butler! The CM's are all so nice and kind, I can't say enough about them and their ways of making our vacation a magical one!

Overall, it is truly a beautiful place, and I feel that If I don't stay there, It just doesn't feel like being at Disney World!

 

[Lewisc]

hmmmm. something in here smacks of an insult! are you saying i'm not credible??

The exact opposite. I said the problem is the service is inconsistent. People like you get great service on one trip but credible posters have a different experience.

If the hotel was a true 5* hotel you'd see very few valid complaints from credible posters. The fact that some, even most, guests have a good experience isn't relevent to my point.

 

[Jen D]

The exact opposite. I said the problem is the service is inconsistent. People like you get great service on one trip but credible posters have a different experience.

If the hotel was a true 5* hotel you'd see very few valid complaints from credible posters. The fact that some, even most, guests have a good experience isn't relevent to my point.

Agreed. I have no doubt people have had great experiences at the GF. But I have also heard some disappointing reviews, and the most troubling thing to me is the lack of concern shown by management when guests do have problems. I've always wanted to try the GF, the grounds are beautiful, great atmosphere, and I enjoy their dining, but I'm not going to book a room and hope I catch them on one of their good days.

 

[POOHDRMR]

Yes it is hard to stay anywhere else!So much so that for our family trip in Dec my parents are paying for my sister her husband and son and myself, husband and daughter to stay there with them because they won't stay anywhere else again.