BWV or Grand Floridian?

[cberhorst]

We will be renting points for our stay at the end of March and I can't decide if we should book a Boardwalk Studio or choose a Grand Floridian studio that is about $400 more (total)? They both appeal to me and we will be going to all 4 parks, so it's really a toss up. One reason why GF is a little more appealing is because it is on the monorail loop and I think the bed situation may be better. We have 2 older teens (19 and17) and they like their own beds. The GF has 2 queens and a sofa, which would be a little better than the BW, which is 1 bed. a sofa sleeper and a twin pullout. The twin pullout seems small- can someone 5'6 fit on that bed or is it mainly for a younger child? Any other benefits to either resort? I think they are both beautiful resorts! Thanks for any insight!

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

It sounds to me like the GF room you are looking at is a Resort Studio, correct? If so, you should be aware that there isn’t a proper kitchenette in these rooms as in the Deluxe Studios. However, the new rooms are beautiful and I’ve been dying to stay there.

I’m sure others will weigh in, as well, but I don’t believe the twin pull-down bed at BWV would be too small for a 5’6” occupant. Given that your kids are older, I might lean towards BWV for the wasy walk to EPCOT and HS (assuming that they, like many in that age range, prefer those parks over MK). The cost savings wouldn’t hurt, either.

I don’t think you can go wrong, though. Really comes down to where you want to spend your time and $$. I hope this helps!

 

[DeeBee3]

I would say the pullout under the TV is small. I am 5'3" and have slept in it, but I am petite in body structure as well. I would really not suggest it.

I don't think either of the studios is going to allow you to have 3 separate beds. It's either 2 queens or 1 queen and 1 murphy bed, plus the twin under the TV. unless I'm mistaken

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

I would say the pullout under the TV is small. I am 5'3" and have slept in it, but I am petite in body structure as well. I would really not suggest it.

I don't think either of the studios is going to allow you to have 3 separate beds. It's either 2 queens or 1 queen and 1 murphy bed, plus the twin under the TV. unless I'm mistaken

The VGF Resort Studios actually have two proper beds and a couch that turns into a daybed.

 

[DeeBee3]

The VGF Resort Studios actually have two proper beds and a couch that turns into a daybed.

Wow I'll have to look into that! Thanks.

 

[Jelly563]

My favorite resort is Boardwalk, but for your situation it is VGF RESORT studio & pay the $400

 

[drusba]

The VGF studios in the original DVC building, now called the "Deluxe Studios," have a queen bed plus a pull-down-from-the wall-over-the-couch Murphy queen-size bed, and a Murphy bed that pulls out of a cabinet that is about the same size as the Murphy bed that pulls out of a cabinet in the BWV studios. Those are smaller, both in length and width, than twin size but OK for someone 5'8" or smaller. The BWV stduios also now have the Murphy queen-size bed that pulls down over the couch. The newer VGF studios (resulting from the conversion to DVC of the Big Pine building hotel rooms that were part of the original GF) are called "Resort Studios" and have two queen beds plus a couch bed, probably OK for someone up to 6 feet tall. You can probably find walk-throughs of both VGF studios on YouTube, likewise the BWV studio.

The BWV studios are 359 sq ft. The VGF Deluxe Studios are 374, and the Resort Studios are 440. Mentioned above is that the VGF Resort Studios do not have the full kitchenette like the Deluxe Studios, but they do have a small refrigerator and microwave.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I have stayed at both. Prefer the location* of Boardwalk but the bed situation is more comfortable at the Grand Floridian (resort studio, not the ones in the original DVC building). Other thing to consider is food options especially for breakfast, Boardwalk really doesn’t have a quick service. There’s some cold pastries at the lobby, there’s a Boardwalk deli that offers sandwiches, and The Bellevue Lounge doesn’t have a single food item left. Gaspy at GF is decent. But there are other nearby resorts with decent food options for both (Ale & Compass is awesome for breakfast, and I’ve never disliked anything at the Poly for breakfast).

I have slept on the bed under the TV before, it did fit (I am 5’6”) but it’s still small and narrow and not as comfortable as a real queen bed.

* Personally I dislike the monorail and would actively avoid it (I take the bus to Hollywood Studios then Skyliner to Epcot if I’m staying at GF). Being able to walk to hotel after an Epcot day is amazing.

 

[LadybugsMum]

You can't really go wrong with either one as they both have 3 sleeping surfaces. I like both and have contracts at both. My kids are more into HS now and we love being able to walk to 2 parks. So our next 2 trips are at BWV. I still love MK; so I'll make it back to VGF at some point.

 

[kboo]

Now that BWV studios have been refurbished, you really can't go wrong with either studio, because you're no longer looking at putting anyone on a pullout sofa. The Murphy beds are quite comfortable. If you want space and a nice resort feel, then definitely VGF. If you want to be close to HS and EP, then BWV. Last year we spent a week at BWV with my younger (8, 12) kids and really enjoyed walking back to the room after evening extra hours. Last trip, we stayed at VGF again - one of our home resorts - and were reminded how much we love the resort. It's peaceful, feels more "resort-y" and has lots of great shopping and dining options right there. Wins on the pools too. But if you like the nighttime vibe at the Boardwalk, and if you and your kids' preferred rides are at EP and HS, then I suggest BWV. When we stay at BWV and BC we often pop into Epcot (or even HS) for dinner, dessert, etc.

(BWV is the resort I almost bought first, so it has a special place in my heart)

 

[zavandor]

Staying at the Grand Floridian was in my bucket list. I've always wanted to stay at the (similar) Disneyland Hotel at DLP but never been able to justify the cash price.
So I finally managed to stay at the GFV on points and I've been very happy to do so. It's a great resorts. However, I am not really sure I can justify the difference in price. BWV is one of my favorites, both for location and theme (even if I liked the creepy clown more), I would go for that.

 

[cberhorst]

I just booked the Boardwalk. I showed my family the 2 studios on YouTube and my daughter is willing to sleep on the small twin. Everyone feels the Boardwalk looks more fun! Thanks all for your input! We are excited!

 

[CarolynFH]

(BWV is the resort I almost bought first, so it has a special place in my heart)

I love this comment, but the idea of BWV having a special place in your heart because you “almost” bought it first makes me giggle!

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Now that BWV studios have been refurbished, you really can't go wrong with either studio, because you're no longer looking at putting anyone on a pullout sofa. The Murphy beds are quite comfortable. If you want space and a nice resort feel, then definitely VGF. If you want to be close to HS and EP, then BWV. Last year we spent a week at BWV with my younger (8, 12) kids and really enjoyed walking back to the room after evening extra hours. Last trip, we stayed at VGF again - one of our home resorts - and were reminded how much we love the resort. It's peaceful, feels more "resort-y" and has lots of great shopping and dining options right there. Wins on the pools too. But if you like the nighttime vibe at the Boardwalk, and if you and your kids' preferred rides are at EP and HS, then I suggest BWV. When we stay at BWV and BC we often pop into Epcot (or even HS) for dinner, dessert, etc.

(BWV is the resort I almost bought first, so it has a special place in my heart)

Love that you almost bought it lol.

We did buy BWV first, but resale since our guide wouldn’t sell it to us direct (they kept pushing copper creek!)

 

[kboo]

Love that you almost bought it lol.

We did buy BWV first, but resale since our guide wouldn’t sell it to us direct (they kept pushing copper creek!)

I love this comment, but the idea of BWV having a special place in your heart because you “almost” bought it first makes me giggle!

"almost bought it" has a story behind it! It was our first DVC exposure where we got pixie dusted to a 1br. When we were buying our first resale contract, I had a "buy" price for BLT and BWV that were slightly different, and a specific UY in mind. I was going to make offers at the buy price on each one that seemed to fit our needs. The first contract I bid on was a BLT which was accepted. Then, when we were looking into adding on, I made a few unsuccessful (lowball) offers on BWV and BCV and then a unicorn VGF resale come on right around the same time I was discovering that: 1) all 2br at BWV are lockoffs, and 2) 2042 was a little too soon for comfort. I always wanted a resort close to EP/HS but by the time our next opportunity came around, Riviera made some offers we couldn't refuse, and there we are.

BWV and BCV are still our most frequently 7mo modifications, though!

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

I just booked the Boardwalk. I showed my family the 2 studios on YouTube and my daughter is willing to sleep on the small twin. Everyone feels the Boardwalk looks more fun! Thanks all for your input! We are excited!

Have a great trip!

 

[zackiedawg]

I purchased at Boardwalk when it first opened - I had always wished for a DVC that was connected to Epcot...decided with the family to go take a look at this new resort, took the tram from Int'l gateway to Boardwalk (yes, there actually was a tram back then!), and fell for it immediately.

I think you made a good pick - I love the MK resort area too - but Boardwalk for me has extra advantages. While you can monorail to other resorts, and walk to one of them from GF, for the most part there's much more in walkable range from Boardwalk, with Yacht, Beach, Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve all offering quick serve and full restaurant offerings (kind of making up for Boardwalk's relative lack of food options which is a more recent development). And you have Skyliner access over to Riviera, Caribbean Beach, and Pop. Plus, you have easy walk-in access to Epcot (being sort of a 'back door' it's great getting out when the park closes too - walking out to the busses and monorails with the masses is a slog), plus easy walking access to DHS too. And boats to both if you're too tired to walk.

I tested the small fold-down bed under the TV myself just to try - at 6' and over 250Lbs, it certainly isn't something I'd want to sleep in, but I could squeeze in of I kept my knees bent - I've gone with 4 adults and the smallest of us at 5'4" was able to sleep there comfortably - it's designed to be more for children, but a smaller teen or adult should be fine there, and at least in my party's case, they preferred their own small bed over sharing one. The main murphy bed over the couch is very comfortable.

 

[paults]

my choice would be BWV. You can walk or boat to 2 parks or skyliner right there