You guys were right - the GF "Ain't what it used to be"

[FleurdeLise]

Originally posted by KaterBell
I think I've mentioned this before on here, but I heard from someone that the GF would never the 5th star b/c of the monorail going through the hotel itself..... I wonder if that's still true.

I thought the monorail only went thru The Contemporary?

 

[KaterBell]

Well.... technically - yes, it only goes "through" the Contemporary... but it makes stops at the Poly and the GF as well... that's what I meant, after re-reading I realized that was unclear. Sorry about that.

 

[gonga]

MOMTOMOOTOO - I just sent you a PM!

 

[deb305]

We stayed at GF Sugar Loaf in January. With the discounts the service matched the price ($250 night). I would not have been a happy camper if I paid any more. Some of the staff was great, others left a lot to be desired in customer service. The person in charge of the food station was accomodating,and always filled requests for milk in bottles (though she asked me to come towards the end of the dinner shift because they were busy). The concierge behind the desk were nice, but never seemed to get up for anyone. We also used them for priority seating. I think when concierge makes the arrangements they have the restaraunts(sp) give it VIP status. As such we never waited anywhere and were always shown directly to our table (even at Cinderella's breakfast and Rainforest Cafe). This was almost a necessity since I was traveling with 1 yr old DS, exhaused 5 yr DD and the original Grumpy DH. We always got the time we requested. Would I stay there again for the same rate - yes. Would I pay more - no way.
We are hoping to stay at the Poly Concierge in Oct '04, and hopefully will have a more friendly family atmoshpere.

 

[KaterBell]

While some people at the GF Concierge (I've only stayed RPC, so that's only what I know) have been iffy with us too - we've noticed that over the year's we've stayed there, there's been a good rotation of the people at the desks.... and that's where the service has varied for us. Some people are great, some people are just ok.

Although - the ladies at the food tables on the 4th floor in the main building have ALWAYS taken great care of us, and these are the people that we think of first when we think "concierge"... Patty and Lauretta, to name a few, always give us big smiles when we show up on each vacation - they remember us!! And when we showed up there on our honeymoon, they said, "you guys finally got married!!" That's stuff I'll never forget, and that's what will make me contine to to go the GF. That's the concierge service that I remember.

If only the desk folks can learn from them!!

 

[ILOVEDVC]

Hmmmm; I just booked a LV room at the GF on the Fairytale package for October...taking my elderly Mom for what will probably be her last trip ever to WDW, and she has always wanted to stay there. I hope I will not regret it....

 

[gina2000]

The site is www.capjuluca.com . It's a very elegant, beautiful hotel in Anguilla.

After hearing stories about Disney service, I won't be staying deluxe resorts any time soon.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by gonga
We had booked an Octogon Room, which there are 6 of. We were promised and assigned to the room. We were brought to the room on the wrong wing I had questioned the Planner. When the door was opened I said there was no way we are staying in this room. She went to the manager and she called us on the phone in the room. She tried to blow smoke and say the rooms are similar and blah blah blah. I guess she thought she was talking to an idiot! I said I paid extra for a deluxe room and this is not a deluxe room, get me something else. She said she will check other available rooms. She called back and low and behold there is an ocotgon room available. What is going on over there? All my faxes and vouchers stated Octogon room. She then tried to backpaddle and said it is a request. My response was ok then why was my request not granted since there was an open ocotogon room in the first place???

Sorry to hear about your stay. I had a lukewarm stay at the RPC in 2/02. I LOVE the GF and return every year so it was surprising.

Did you have a Honeymoon Room or a Deluxe Room booked? For the Honeymoon Rooms, the Octagon-kind are by request only. There are also rooms in that category that are shaped like regular rooms but have jacuzzi tubs. It sounds like someone didn't know what they were talking about. The octagon rooms are by request only and they can't guarantee them ahead of time. This was the main reason why I decided against booking that room type for our trip. But, like you mentioned, they had one open anyway so why didn't they give it to you to begin with? It sounds like they may have had the octagon room blocked for someone else and assigned you to the other type of Honeymoon room instead. Then, when you were so disappointed and upset, the manager unblocked it and gave it to you. Sorry to hear you had to deal with all of that confusion on the most exciting day-check-in!

Have fun in Maui--we are headed back in November. We usually stay at the Kea Lani--right near you at the Four Seasons.

Thanks for sharing your review with us--even if it was so disappointing to hear.

 

[cindala]

Wow! Sorry to hear that your vacation was less than what you expected. Maybe if enough people who have been unhappy with their stay at the GF write or report their problems, something will be done about it.

Hope you receive some sort of satisfaction from Disney for your disappointment.

 

[BounceyOne]

It was my understanding that the GF could not get 5 stars because there are shorts and tank tops in the lobby in the evening. They have no dress code therefore no 5th star.

Katerbell, I must agree with you Lauretta and Patty are the best

 

[Tinkbell]

Wow! With all these reports , I would never even consider GF concierge. That's a shame since I really like the resort in general.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by Jillpie
We have never experienced concierge before.

But as far as booking PS's...I JUST DON"T GET IT. It literally takes me five minutes to book about 15 reservations a couple of months before our vacations. It couldn't be easier.

If I read one more person who complains that concierge didn't book something right or they wouldn't pick up the phone for me, I think I will scream.

Please tell me why you just don't pick up the phone and do it yourself?

Dear Jillpie - your post sounds like sour grapes to me... just because you don't stay concierge and can't enjoy the perks that go along with it - you have a need to roll your eyes and think those of us who do - are nuts or lazy or whatever.

The Itinerary Planning services are part of the concierge experience - and those of us who book concierge are entitled to those services because we pay for them and because it's their job.

I have had nothing but good experiences - including just this morning having an illuminations cruise confirmed for me and this cruise is a much harder snag then CRT.

Concierge is more than a free coke and a handful of trailmix for your kids.

You have a much higher chance of securing prime restaurants at popular times, you get better tables and there is no waiting with a vibrating coaster for you.

So when the system breaks down - as in gonga's case - something needs to be done about it - she was let down in several areas - even simple things that there is no excuse for - and the solution is not that "she should have done it herself" as you seem to be saying.

Dear Gonga - I hopre you write a letter and explain what went wrong - not for compensation - but to bring attention to the staff who are lack luster in their positions at GF.. Good Luck.

>>^..^<<

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
Dear Jillpie - your post sounds like sour grapes to me... just because you don't stay concierge and can't enjoy the perks that go along with it - you have a need to roll your eyes and think those of us who do - are nuts or lazy or whatever.

I don't think it sounds like sour grapes at all. She never implied that anyone was lazy. No offense, but you, on the other hand sound rather pompous.

 

[JenniferIsBored]

Im sorry that you guys had a bad experience at the Grand Floridian but id be happy to have a bad experience in concierge than no trip at all. My family could never afford concierge and have only stayed at a deluxe when we were upgraded last year. oh well...

 

[Jillpie]

I never implied laziness with my post, in fact, I would love for us to stay concierge once just for the food options alone and convenience of that. I simply meant that I read time and time again people returning from concierge and being incredibly disappointed that their ps's were not made correctly or they are not made at all. I cannot believe how easy it is to make it yourself and wonder why you see that you need a middleman to do so. As I said before, I understand the hard to get PS's and applaud having a service to do this for you, but all the others are so simple to do yourself. Complications all go away.

 

[hunnypotmama]

I disagree, I don't think >>^..^<< sounded pompous, she was just stating the facts. Making PS's IS part of the job of the concierge staff. If we judged the concierge services on how "easy" they were to do ourselves, we would never book concierge. It's easy enough to bring my own bottled water, but rather I expect concierge to have bottled water in the lounge for me. Concierge is all about convenience. And the original OP had no convenience but actually more headaches, b/c concierge didn't do their jobs.

hunnypotmama

 

[BCV23]

When we stay concierge we do so because of the continental breakfast, water, snacks, etc. I still prefer to make my own PSs because I have more control. But each to their own.

However we still get a pager at restaurants at Epcot when we do concierge?

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by BCV23
However we still get a pager at restaurants at Epcot when we do concierge?

Hi BCV23... next time let concierge make your PS's and see if you get a pager - something is noted on the reservation when they do it - something that identifies you as VIP - and you really are seated immediately (at least to my experience compared to non-concierge trips)

If you book PS's yourself - the restaurants have no idea. Try it and see!

>>^..^<<

 

[Jillpie]

I think we should agree to disagree. Even if someone could make my ps's for me, I would do it on my own. I wouldn't want to get to my destination only to find out we are not booked, not worth the hassle. Too many people come back and complain about this. But all that food there, now thats worth the extra expense! But I don't see concierge in the near future for us anyway as we just became DVC members, the kitchen is a few feet away.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by Jillpie
But I don't see concierge in the near future for us anyway as we just became DVC members, the kitchen is a few feet away.

You DVC members deserve awards for cooking on holiday

My hats off to you...

>>^..^<<