Boulder ridge vs Villas at GF

[Obrfmly1]

Hi all,

I always get great advice here so wanted to get thoughts on 1 bedroom at boulder ridge vs 1 bedroom preferred at the grand Floridian. This is for an adult mother daughter trip in a few weeks for the holiday. We are booked at boulder ridge but have the opportunity to purchase a DVC confirmed reservation for the same dates to save money. Both look great for the holidays but we are not too familiar with either resort or where the construction stands at both resorts. Please let me know your thoughts!!

 

[Mle8308]

Depending on your exact dates, as much as I love the WL and BRV, I might switch to the GF. The boat dock at the WL is undergoing repairs and will be completely closed from January 11th to January 30th. There will be busses to the MK. There is a lot of construction happening at the WL right now, too. It looks like currently, most of the scaffolding is up at Copper Creek, which is in the main building, so it won't effect BRV. But, a lot of walkways do get blocked. I think most of the lobby construction at the GF is done. If it is cheaper to stay at the GF, this time, I would move. Plus you can walk to the MK or the Poly and you have the monorail.

 

[Obrfmly1]

Depending on your exact dates, as much as I love the WL and BRV, I might switch to the GF. The boat dock at the WL is undergoing repairs and will be completely closed from January 11th to January 30th. There will be busses to the MK. There is a lot of construction happening at the WL right now, too. It looks like currently, most of the scaffolding is up at Copper Creek, which is in the main building, so it won't effect BRV. But, a lot of walkways do get blocked. I think most of the lobby construction at the GF is done. If it is cheaper to stay at the GF, this time, I would move. Plus you can walk to the MK or the Poly and you have the monorail.

Thanks for your input! We will be there in a little over a week so no issues with the boat but the construction detail is very helpful!

 

[Mle8308]

Thanks for your input! We will be there in a little over a week so no issues with the boat but the construction detail is very helpful!

Definitely check out the WL threads here. People are really good about posting pictures. And don't wait too long to decide, for room only, you have 8 days prior to arrival to cancel. I'll be there next week, too! Have a great trip with your daughter!

 

[disneydreamer781]

Personally, for the holidays, BRV in a heartbeat.

I just love the festive peace of BRV, and that lobby is just idyllic. Both lobbies are beautiful, but BRV is just so much calmer. WL is just the place I always shoot for this time of year.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Personally, for the holidays, BRV in a heartbeat.

I just love the festive peace of BRV, and that lobby is just idyllic. Both lobbies are beautiful, but BRV is just so much calmer. WL is just the place I always shoot for this time of year.

This!

 

[Carvanafan]

Hi all,

I always get great advice here so wanted to get thoughts on 1 bedroom at boulder ridge vs 1 bedroom preferred at the grand Floridian. This is for an adult mother daughter trip in a few weeks for the holiday. We are booked at boulder ridge but have the opportunity to purchase a DVC confirmed reservation for the same dates to save money. Both look great for the holidays but we are not too familiar with either resort or where the construction stands at both resorts. Please let me know your thoughts!!

I vote for Boulder Ridge. Just came back from a perfect stay there. I chose it because of its reputation as best resort for Holidays (rivaled only by GF) and it did not disappoint. All the photos and YouTube videos of the huge tree and decorations in lobby could not do justifice to seeing them in person. GF is known for the Holidays I think mostly due to the gingerbread house but they don't have it this year. Also it's just beautiful, being on the lake, the creek...This is the 5th DVC resort we've stayed at and I can't say it's our favorite overall but I would say best for holidays.

 

[Dave006]

Both look great for the holidays but we are not too familiar with either resort or where the construction stands at both resorts. Please let me know your thoughts!!

Grand Floridian 1 BR Villa for less money. It has a better location than BRV. BRV is very nice, quiet, and relaxing but not worth paying more the the VGF 1 BR.

Dave

 

[Carvanafan]

I vote for Boulder Ridge. Just came back from a perfect stay there. I chose it because of its reputation as best resort for Holidays (rivaled only by GF) and it did not disappoint. All the photos and YouTube videos of the huge tree and decorations in lobby could not do justifice to seeing them in person. GF is known for the Holidays I think mostly due to the gingerbread house but they don't have it this year. Also it's just beautiful, being on the lake, the creek...This is the 5th DVC resort we've stayed at and I can't say it's our favorite overall but I would say best for holidays.

Sorry, I missed the financial aspect. So, if Grand Floridian is cheaper I would opt for that if it's otherwise apples to apples. Not sure if it is though if you are booked directly with disney for Boulder Ridge and have to purchase confirmed reservation for GF. The former is very flexible and the latter risky.

 

[Genie+]

Not sure how much the rooms themselves matter to you, but here are the room layouts:

Boulder Ridge 1BR

Grand Flo 1BR

 

[eticketplease]

Not sure how much the rooms themselves matter to you, but here are the room layouts:

Boulder Ridge 1BR
View attachment 1028928
Grand Flo 1BR
View attachment 1028929

That VGF does not look to be to scale. We need a bigger picture to show off the shower and closet.

 

[Marthasor]

I would do VGF and save the money. I love both resorts, but you get a better location with VGF and you save money. You can always visit BRV/WL!

 

[Obrfmly1]

Thank you all! Since it was over $300 a night cheaper we made the switch. Agreed on the risky part, but since cancellation window was closing in on the BRV room we figured it was almost a wash!

 

[Carvanafan]

Makes sense. Have a great time! The beauty of DVC resorts is you can't go wrong, they are all excellent in their own ways. If you end up with free time to resort hop you can always take the boat to Wilderness Lodge from Magic Kingdom to check out the lobby and beautiful scenery.

 

[Genie+]

That VGF does not look to be to scale. We need a bigger picture to show off the shower and closet.

I’m so excited to try this for the first time ourselves next April!

Square footage looks to be: BRV 1BR 727sf; VGF 1BR 844sf

 

[eticketplease]

I’m so excited to try this for the first time ourselves next April!

Square footage looks to be: BRV 1BR 727sf; VGF 1BR 844sf

You will certainly enjoy it. DS is not a fan because it’s hard to watch the TV from the twin and it’s awkward at the breakfast table, but I love it so we’re staying there

 

[marmentrout85]

I suppose I'm biased toward my "location is the MOST important thing" way of thinking when it comes to resorts at WDW, but I say VGF. It's tough to beat the convenience of being on the monorail loop and a short walk to MK, which is the main reason we own there. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Wilderness Lodge as a resort, particularly Boulder Ridge (over Copper Creek), but I have yet convinced myself to stay there simply because VGF is just too darn convenient for our needs.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've stayed at both resorts, and if the prices were equal, it would be a close call. There are advantages to both resorts. However, since VGF is less, I'd go for that. Transportation, especially to MK can't be beat!

 

[zackiedawg]

Despite being a DVC member since 1996, I admit I am out of the loop with a lot of the terminology as well as things like renting...so apologies if this is a silly question. What is the situation that would make a 1-bedroom GF cheaper than a 1-bedroom at BR? Points-wise, GF is significantly higher than BR. You mention 'purchasing a confirmed reservation' - I don't quite get what that means so just trying to understand - if I knew of ways to get one of the pricier point resorts for cheaper, I would - but does it mean you're paying cash not points?

I personally love BR especially Christmastime - but I'd probably lean towards GF in this particular case given it would be cheaper for you and if you were going to be there when the boat dock is closed. Boat transportation is one of the big reasons I love staying at Boulder Ridge - if I had to take busses everywhere, it would take some of the enjoyment out of it.

 

[eticketplease]

Despite being a DVC member since 1996, I admit I am out of the loop with a lot of the terminology as well as things like renting...so apologies if this is a silly question. What is the situation that would make a 1-bedroom GF cheaper than a 1-bedroom at BR? Points-wise, GF is significantly higher than BR. You mention 'purchasing a confirmed reservation' - I don't quite get what that means so just trying to understand - if I knew of ways to get one of the pricier point resorts for cheaper, I would - but does it mean you're paying cash not points?

I personally love BR especially Christmastime - but I'd probably lean towards GF in this particular case given it would be cheaper for you and if you were going to be there when the boat dock is closed. Boat transportation is one of the big reasons I love staying at Boulder Ridge - if I had to take busses everywhere, it would take some of the enjoyment out of it.

A confirmed reservation is that a DVC Member used their points to book a trip on days x-z and in this case it was a 1 bedroom at VGF.
That person is paying cash either directly or through a broker such as the board sponsor, DVC Rental Store.
Usually these confirmed reservations are just bad luck and something happens when the member can't go but we have also seen commercial renters grab dates and then try and rent them.

You are correct that point wise the VGF room is much more than one at BRV.

Most likely the reason that it is priced less is that the points are in holding about to expire or the member has past the banking deadline and not much wiggle room to book something else.

BTW we do have boat transportation at VGF as well. It departs from MK goes to VGF then to PVB and then back to MK.