Appeal of Grand Villas?

[JessLCH]

When we travel with extended family we always book a 2 bedroom unit for my family and then a studio or a second two bedroom for our relatives, depending on the size of the group. I don't understand the appeal of a 3 bedroom grand villa for so many more points over having 4 bedrooms and two laundry rooms and two kitchens while renting 2 two bedrooms. For us, it is a no brainer to have more bedrooms, privacy and amenities for fewer points. Curious to hear from those who prefer grand villas and why.

 

[quinnc19]

I like the shared common area. I especially enjoy a GV when I am travelling with older and/or younger family members, who will be spending more time at the resort. We would spend significantly less time together if we had separate rooms.

 

[Nennie]

For me, it's a splurge! I've only done it once (BLT MK view), but it was a lot of fun. We brought our parents, so it was about showing them a really good time. We also only needed 3 bedrooms, so space wasn't an issue.

2 2-bedrooms is more practical, but it's fun to splurge every now and then!

 

[SusieBea]

We've done it twice. It's the "spending time together" thing.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The only GVs we "splurge" on are the Beach Cottages at Vero. We do not fit 12, we do it with 7 and get inn rooms for the others. We've many happy stays there, the amenities and views are unequaled!

Bobbi

 

[magicaldisney]

We've done it twice with a group of 11. We don't live by my family so to spend time in the common area of the GV is wonderful. Sitting around in the morning before we leave and ending the evening together, talking about the day we've had and the day we are going to have when we wake up is fun.

 

[hjgaus]

We've done it 3 years in a row @ VGC !!! Twice with the pool view and once with the park/World Of Color view!!! Yes it was a family thing but we never felt too close for comfort at anytime PLUS sometimes invited a few Xtra friends (Disney Lovers) to stop by for a visit and had even MORE fun!!! We live close to DLR so having large groups of people over was like a hosting an awesome party!!!

 

[treehugnmama]

we got a free upgrade at ak kidani a couple years ago from our booked 2 bed to a gran villa and it was awesome. Unfortunatley we were only there for twelve hours (probably why we got the upgrade) the big common area was great. my dad is in a scooter so the open space and main floor master was nice for him as well….the odd thing was though the kitchen had next to nothing for supplies? we are only 6 so we would never stay in a GV but it was nice for a night. It is nice to have the big common area kids can hang out parents a but of down time however sometimes it is nice to go back to your own room when travelling with a big group…two sides to every coin

 

[Dean]

When we travel with extended family we always book a 2 bedroom unit for my family and then a studio or a second two bedroom for our relatives, depending on the size of the group. I don't understand the appeal of a 3 bedroom grand villa for so many more points over having 4 bedrooms and two laundry rooms and two kitchens while renting 2 two bedrooms. For us, it is a no brainer to have more bedrooms, privacy and amenities for fewer points. Curious to hear from those who prefer grand villas and why.

The smaller units are cheaper, easier to book and offer far more flexibility for changes or cancelations later. A controlled amount of togetherness time might be a plus or minus depending on specific. For family that isn't used to being together a long time, it's often a plus to have one's own space.

 

[DarleneW]

We did it last year at OKW and absolutely loved it. It was 5 adults and 1 child and an infant. It was myself and my DH and my DD and her family and it just worked out perfectly for us and was the same amount of points as 2 1 bdrms and gave us much more space and there were 4 baths so almost all the adults could shower in the morning at the same time. Less points at OKW than the other resorts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did it once with nine teenagers after HS graduation for a week. It was much easier to keep an eye on all of them and have plenty of room for laundry and food.

 

[crisi]

We did one with four people two years ago - the kids each got their own bedroom. We had points to burn - and the original plan was to bring more family, but that didn't happen. It was AWESOME!

My choice when traveling with most guests is to get multiple units - I find family togetherness to be less than ideal - everyone needs their own space - especially when you add in laws and kids (why does Sally let her kids get away with that, if they were my kids.....). However, the extra family space in a Grand Villa that would allow a family to spend time together more like it was Thanksgiving at Grandma's house would be really nice if you had points to spare. I could see a situation with families being quite happy to have a big family reunion putting Grandma, Grandpa and all the kids in a Grand Villa (because Grandma and Grandpa don't have to put up with the Grandkids all the time, so its a treat), while each of the couples gets a studio. It would get expensive, but some people seem to have money and/or points to burn.

 

[JessLCH]

We did it once with nine teenagers after HS graduation for a week. It was much easier to keep an eye on all of them and have plenty of room for laundry and food.

I could see myself booking a GV for this reason.

 

[Nanajo1]

We have done the GV both at OKW and BWV. We do a big T'giving day breakfast(23). The extra space is great. We also had T'giving dinner there as well as joint pizza nights. It gives our big group a nice gathering spot. Other than OKW the other resorts' one/two bedrooms don't have enough common area for us.

 

[disneyaggies]

We did it once a few Decembers ago. It was AWESOME! It just felt so special to have the room and we totally enjoyed sitting around the dining room table every morning and evening! We had 3 generations - all adults! We are doing it again this coming January and I can't wait! It will be our Grandsons first birthday celebration. Both sets of Grandparents will be there with parents, and aunts and uncles. Can't wait to make the memories! It is so different than in a "hotel". You need to try it at least once! We would prefer to go every other year and do the GV.

 

[nono]

My family spends time bunking at each other's houses a few times a year. Staying at a THV or a GV is even easier, because we're all on even footing (one side of the family is not the guest, both sides are!).

For a combined family of 4 parents and 3 kids (one being a young adult), we find the layout fantastic. As for too much togetherness, we don't have any problem with that, probably in that we don't do everything together. We get together for meals, and function as two independent families during the day -- usually catching up with each other here and there in a park, but not planning out our day in lock-step together.

I can see if you like to do everything all day long together, separate accommodations to decompress at the end of the day might work better. Also, it all depends on how you can fit via the bed configurations. That can either work or not.

 

[riatees]

We usually end up with a GV and at least one studio or 1bdrm. There are usually at least 15 or so of us from my family. It is always a mini family reunion with my brothers who we only see once every year or so and my cousin and her family who move all over the country in the millitary. We actually don't get sick of each other since we see each other so seldom. As a matter of fact, at the end of the trip, it always seems like it is never enough time!!

 

[chainkid]

I always book a grand villa on our large family trip and then depending on sleeping arrangements I have even booked two together on same floor. We have had some wonderful trips with over 50 people that we don't get to see as often as we like and this allows us the space to gather. Two bedroom units are too small for large groups . If I have enough points and enough people I go for it. Our family doesn't fight or have problem people though

 

[MarkyMouse]

To me it is a special treat. The GV's are just so nice! We have stayed at OKW GV a couple of times and it was special. I had my parents and my two brothers and there children with us! Such wonderful memories.

We got moved to a GV at HHI for one night due to an air conditioning problem in our 2 bedroom. It was only for one night but man was it nice! I really want to do an extended stay some time. Because at HHI you spend much more time in and around your room than at the parks. So that would be an extra special treat!!

Does anyone know how hard the GV's are to book at HHI? Do they fill up quickly? I know I heard once that they don't have many there.