So people complain that the deluxe resorts at WDW are no different than the average Hampton Inn, just way more expensive, so when the supposed flagship resort of WDW offers a new service, which is not available at the average Hampton Inn, people pan that as well. The wheels on the bus go round and round....
I'm one of the people who have compared the CM service standards at Deluxe properties to corporate chain hotels on this forum, although I've generally used the phrase "
Airport Sheraton on a good day" when describing it.
That said, this is exactly the type of offering the Deluxe's should be offering. I'm thrilled, and would likely use it at least once or twice if I was at the GF. 20 bucks? No problem if you are already spending that kind of moolah for a Grand Floridian room. Where Disney could botch this is by having a boat driver who is bored, lazy, shirt wrinkled, doesn't know how to be a gracious host, starts making up stories about the secret fifth theme park being built over there, and/or is clueless on the finer points of hospitality and service. In short, a basic theme park ride operator in a captain's hat.
Just last night I went to a birthday dinner at the Edge Steakhouse at the
Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage, California. The service from
every single Ritz employee we interacted with was lightyears beyond anything I've exeprienced in the last decade at Deluxe properties at WDW or Disneyland Resort (lookin' at you, clueless CM's at the Grand Californian!). The Ritz employees were all beautifully groomed, turned out and uniformed. All of them from doormen to bartenders to hostesses to suited managers went out of their way to make eye contact, say good evening, stop what they were doing to hold open a door, look up from their task to smile and say hello, even thinking five minutes ahead of myself to discreetly ask me if a chauffered golf cart across the grounds to the restaurant might be more convenient for the elderly lady in our party. Later on the restaurant Maitre d' delivered a birthday wish to her in her native Swedish, which made her tear up. The entire Ritz visit was flawless and silky smooth gracious and impressive. And the property was gorgeously maintained and elegantly scented. Yes, scented. I haven't seen that kind of service from a Disney Deluxe property in many years.
A quick look on Expedia for a basic balcony room for two nights next week;
Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, California = $599 per night
Grand Floridian, Walt Disney World = $701
Fascinating how that works. TDO is laughing at me all the way to the bank.
