[AGentlRose]

We've spent our last Disney vacations at the Polynesian but decided to give the Grand Floridian a try for a change. We stayed club level, which we paid for, not freely upgraded, so my review is based on that. If we were given the upgrade to concierge for free like others were, I'm sure my views would be a bit more slanted.

I was told by the Concierge at the Grand Floridian to let them know my approximate arrival time and someone would be there waiting to meet us when we got off the Magical Express and that in any case, the club level check in podium would be down the walkway near the parking valet/bell stand. We got of the bus, no concierge cast member, no podium for club level checkin either. So we walked into the hotel, and the greeter, a very sweet older man, asked if he could help us. I told him we were club level guests and that someone from the concierge team was supposed to meet us and he went to look for the person. We just stood and waited in the lobby, until finally our concierge CM came and said that she was sorry she didn't meet our bus, but that they were "extremely busy." Okay, I can accept that. She walked us to our room, which did not meet either of my two requests --- king bed (told me they were reserved for wedding couples), not ground floor (room was on the ground floor). I told her that I understand that requests are just requests and not guaranteed, but if I can't have a king bed, then at least give us a room that is not exactly in front of the 24-hour open main pool. So they switched us to a second floor room, with two queen beds facing the marina --- at least it was quiet.

Concierge level does have some nice perks, but are they worth the cost? It's up to you to decide. We did use the club level lounge for coffee and bagels in the morning, and if we were there around 5 PM, when they put out appetizers, (cheese, crackers, chicken pot stickers, cupcakes, brownies, veggies) we would take something to tide us over till dinner. We don't drink, but if someone likes their beer and wine, it is free flowing during serving hours and you are welcome to take bottles of beer or glasses of wine to your room. We were at the parks in the afternoon, so we never had afternoon tea with cookies, scones, etc. or evening cordials and desserts either. We were at Disney to enjoy the Disney parks, not sit in the hotel. We didn't use the concierge for dining reservations, as I do my planning myself, but I do understand that sometimes, they are able to get coveted, hard to get reservations that an ordinary guest cannot. And there is a small refrigerator with soft drinks that are available 24 hours a day. They have an espresso /cappuccino /latte machine, that you could get with steamed or foam milk. I did have a latte and it was pretty good. The cast members who worked in the concierge lounge were the best, they were pleasant, and we had some great conversations to several of them. Housekeeping was superb, the room was also cleaned in a timely manner, and they always left plenty of toiletries and towels, no skimping there.
Every night, there was turndown service, with chocolates and "sweet dreams" notes left on each bed, and towels were replaced and new toiletries were left if needed.

I have no complaints about the hotel, although I think that since guests who stay at the Grand Floridian do pay a premium, when it comes to transportation, they get the worst service. It is the last stop on the bus lines to Animal Kingdom, the Studios and Downtown Disney, so it is standing room only by the time the bus gets to the Grand Floridian. I do think that the cast members who work in the shops and quick service restaurants at the Polynesian seemed much happier than those working at the Grand Floridian, and the Poly just seemed to be a more welcoming place. I had reservations for a return to the Grand in Nov./Dec, however, my husband felt as I did, that the Poly was just more like home for us, and I switched our reservations to the Poly.

Final take: Grand Floridian is a nice place to try --- once, but I wouldn't do it again.