GFV good for kids?

[BabyYoda]

Hello everyone!

My fiancé and I are looking into DVC resale and are mainly trying to decide between Animal Kingdom and Grand Floridian. We do not have children but will down the road (maybe 5 years), and our first choice is Grand Floridian but am wondering if any owners there with children can say whether or not GFV is good for them?

I stayed there a long time ago and remember it being very classy but don't remember kid-specific activities/facilities but maybe I just overlooked them all!


Thanks!

- David

 

[bobbiwoz]

There’s a very nice splash area by the pool! I am sure many with kids will respond.

 

[ain0004]

Mix review here 3 daughters now all teens
One loves it
One thinks it’s ok
One hates it
Go with what you want. Your the one flipping the bill not your kids

 

[pinkxray]

My kids are happy as long as there is a pool. We have stayed at GF(not DVC) and Jambo. We had greats stays at both.
I would pick the one you like. It will also be easier to stay at AKV using your VGF points than the other way around.
VGF is always my top pick and is where I would love to own. My oldest DD16 agrees. Unfortunately, my DH hates VGF so not an option for me.
VGF has great pools, a fun splash pad for little kids, lots of great dining options at the resort and tons of dining options close by.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We own at both AKL and VGF (for the last 6 years) and have 3 kids under 13. Our kids love both resorts but AKL definitely has the advantage with the animal activities, cultural representatives, etc. They like that VGF is more 'Disney' - there isn't much in your face Disney theming at AKL but at VGF you know you are in Disney. My kids love that at VGF you can see the fireworks and electric water pageant at night and we often rent boats, all things not possible at AKL. As my kids get older they enjoy having built-in shopping at the VGF stores and are excited to have the new walking path to MK- a definite advantage when you have a stroller (folding/unfolding to get on a bus is the pits!) or older kids who dislike waiting then standing on crowded buses.

If price isn't an issue I would suggest buying at VGF and booking AKL at 7 months since AKL has easier 7 month booking than VGF and your points go further at AKL. Your future kids will only be young for a small portion of the length of your contract, imo buy where you want to stay. Good luck with your decision!

 

[sethschroeder]

trying to decide between Animal Kingdom and Grand Floridian

Is there a specific reason those are the two finalist? Those are about completely opposite as you can get at WDW IMO.

Just some points:

• Your kids won't even have an opinion for another 10 years, at which point they will have an opinion for roughly 15 years, finally the last 15 years your kids might not always visit with you
• Have you visited both? I find VGF a little stuffy at times and not exactly "home" while AKV is probably the best stand alone resort but since you are there partly for Disney I find transportation to be an issue (which VGF can now walk to MK).
• Point charts are going to be drastically different
• Things can change but AKV is fairly easy to get most times of the year at 7 months (other than Value/Club Level)

 

[lovin'fl]

We think VGF is the #2 resort for kids, after BLT. Both have walking path to MK. Actually, it may have swapped now that VGF also has a walking path (it's new). And can roll strollers right on monorail at both those resorts. Poly is #3 because of that and walk to TTC and nice pools. Then BCV is #4 with the SAB pool and walk/boat to 2 parks.Just my opinion.

VGF is lovely for parents too. The rooms are THE best. AKV can be easily booked at 7 months out with any points. We owned once and resold them because we could always book there with our other points.

 

[sethschroeder]

walking path to MK.

BCV is #4 with the SAB pool and walk/boat to 2 parks

Ask yourself how many days would you be at MK and how many days you would be at Epcot and HS during your trips.

The rooms are THE best.

I am not so sure about that one as VGF still has the pull out couches instead of the murphy beds like others are going to have. Then if you compare to RIV as an example you have the pods giving a cheap alternative room type for 2 and room sizes for RIV #2 in Studio, #3 1BR, #2 2BR, #2 GV while GF sits at #4, #2, #3, #1. Finally VGF is just a little worn and while getting a refurb in 2021 its a minor one supposedly so the sofa bed as example is not being replaced from what I had read.

I would also say many are really applauding the new SSR rooms as well but since I wouldn't really stay there based on the resort itself/location I haven't looked that closely.

Now the grounds of VGF (if your style) are the best at WDW though as its the flagship. Not trying to say VGF can not be the best for you or one of the best. I just don't think its THE best at this point which would seem to infer nothing else is close.

 

[lovin'fl]

Ask yourself how many days would you be at MK and how many days you would be at Epcot and HS during your trips.



I am not so sure about that one as VGF still has the pull out couches instead of the murphy beds like others are going to have. Then if you compare to RIV as an example you have the pods giving a cheap alternative room type for 2 and room sizes for RIV #2 in Studio, #3 1BR, #2 2BR, #2 GV while GF sits at #4, #2, #3, #1. Finally VGF is just a little worn and while getting a refurb in 2021 its a minor one supposedly so the sofa bed as example is not being replaced from what I had read.

I would also say many are really applauding the new SSR rooms as well but since I wouldn't really stay there based on the resort itself/location I haven't looked that closely.

Now the grounds of VGF (if your style) are the best at WDW though as its the flagship. Not trying to say VGF can not be the best for you or one of the best. I just don't think its THE best at this point which would seem to infer nothing else is close.

We just stayed at VGF for 1st time. Just like 2 weeks ago and the room was lovely and spacious and modern classy (only issue was bubble tub didn't work). Have stayed at all east coast DVC resorts now, except the new Riviera. It was a split stay we just did. With BCV. And BCV room was very very tired and worn and tight. And frumpy. BWV is the same. AKV rooms are neat with the theme and spacious. Poly too. BLT is worn and cheaply made furnishings but layout of 1BR is very nice (studio is teeny tiny like cruise ship cabin). We mostly do 1BR. I suspect RR is the same cheapo furnishings that BLT have and will show wear fast. VWL...BRV is a bit tired and CCV is very lovely. Used to think OKW and SSR rooms were frumpy and blah...but they just renovated.

We have SSR booked for next month to check out the updates. They look amazing. And we love that resort being next to DS (we are empty nesters who love Epcot festivals and eating/drinking so DS is a big draw). SSR rooms are tight like BWV and BCV. But it looks like they did some good things with the renos. OKW are super spacious and renovated but we haven't been since they renovated (were there during but got an un-renovated room).

As for flip down beds...we don't look for that. Most time it's just DH and I. ANd most of time, even with our DDs-21, we have a 1BR or 2BR. Once we did POly studio and one DD slept on flip down bed but, overall, not something we need or care about. Would rather have a dresser instead of a flip down bed. But someone with littles might. When we first bought, in 2006, we'd get a 1BR and put twin DDs in pull out and bring airbed for DS. Would have loved a flip down bed for him then but in the 1BR not studio.

 

[sethschroeder]

Would rather have a dresser instead of a flip down bed.

I am not talking about the smaller flip down that is a single. I am talking about the pull out couch actually being a full mattress that pulls down out of the wall. Unless everyone in your party has a real bed it would be an upgrade for the family.

Also I will say the most love lately seems to be going to SSR/OKW/RIV I haven't stayed in every resort though so I only go off videos and feedback I read about.

 

[lovin'fl]

I am not talking about the smaller flip down that is a single. I am talking about the pull out couch actually being a full mattress that pulls down out of the wall. Unless everyone in your party has a real bed it would be an upgrade for the family.

Also I will say the most love lately seems to be going to SSR/OKW/RIV I haven't stayed in every resort though so I only go off videos and feedback I read about.

SSR looks nice from what I've seen online. We just booked but only had enough points for a standard view studio. Hoping I can get a renovated one. Don't even care if it's in Carousel section. We ate at Riv 2 weeks ago and walked around the resort. At first glance it is so lovely but then I started to realize it is tight and when fully occupied it will be packed and busy. ANd the furnishings are like BLT and will get banged up looking fast. But we do hope to try it out there at some point.

 

[jbh275]

Number of points you are adding is very important. You’re comparing one of the lowest to the highest.

 

[sethschroeder]

ANd the furnishings are like BLT and will get banged up looking fast.

Between RIV and BLT? I guess I am not sure how they are similar but VGF is not? What is the difference? I wouldn't really say BLT and RIV are that similar as they style is different and even the color scheme is different between the resorts. If RIV is styled like any resort (specific to the room) I would say its closest to VGF.

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=PNGQbg97z9U&brand=0https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=4j9KE4k643bhttps://my.matterport.com/show/?m=7sXqXSPCFKE&brand=0

 

[lovin'fl]

Between RIV and BLT? I guess I am not sure how they are similar but VGF is not? What is the difference? I wouldn't really say BLT and RIV are that similar as they style is different and even the color scheme is different between the resorts. If RIV is styled like any resort (specific to the room) I would say its closest to VGF.

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=PNGQbg97z9U&brand=0https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=4j9KE4k643bhttps://my.matterport.com/show/?m=7sXqXSPCFKE&brand=0

I don't mean style so much as quality. We did room tour and they are lower quality like BLT. IMO.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

@kboo owns there with kids, if I recall rightly.

VGF is great with kids. All of the Disney resorts are. You aren't going to find one that is not.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

My grandchildren love VGF. And more importantly, their parents (my daughter) do as well.

The grandkids love the pools. For younger children, they really love watching the monorail. They love the fireworks. We rent pontoon boats. We have not taken them for a stay at AKL yet, but I know they will love that as well.

My daughters like Disney, but they wouldn't necessarily want to go every year. But we kind of hope they do go every year, because we have enough points for the whole extended family to go. VGF solves that problem, because it is a resort they would go to even if they never set foot in a park.

 

[Deb & Bill]

SSR looks nice from what I've seen online. We just booked but only had enough points for a standard view studio. Hoping I can get a renovated one. Don't even care if it's in Carousel section. We ate at Riv 2 weeks ago and walked around the resort. At first glance it is so lovely but then I started to realize it is tight and when fully occupied it will be packed and busy. ANd the furnishings are like BLT and will get banged up looking fast. But we do hope to try it out there at some point.

Furnishings always get banged up in the most popular resort, usually the newer or renovated ones or BCV (because of SAB).

 

[mrsap]

My kids LOVE it at the GF. The pools are great & slide is one of the best, splash pad area’s fun, there are poolside games, always lawn games out in the afternoon for the kids, paid activities... and the resort is gorgeous! I’d recommend watching some YouTube videos for resort tours if you’re unsure. Good luck deciding!

 

[Judique]

Hello everyone!

My fiancé and I are looking into DVC resale and are mainly trying to decide between Animal Kingdom and Grand Floridian. We do not have children but will down the road (maybe 5 years), and our first choice is Grand Floridian but am wondering if any owners there with children can say whether or not GFV is good for them?

I stayed there a long time ago and remember it being very classy but don't remember kid-specific activities/facilities but maybe I just overlooked them all!


Thanks!

- David

I love both resorts! I think any future children will be happy with either. I've stayed at both resorts multiple times and find them absolutely interesting for children.

There's only one thing that I will ask: what size villa are you going to book? If it is a studio, you may find it more difficult to get at VGF unless you are booking at 11 months. Also, studios and other rooms are higher cost in points at VGF.

At AKV, you will often find rooms available right up to your check in date. Makes it much easier to get a room if you can't always plan at 11 months.

Another difference in the resorts are access. At AKV you will depend on buses or your car whether it is yours or a rental. I always have a car so have no problem with this and love that AKV is so close to the outside world to run to CVS or Publix.

At VGF, you have bus, boat and monorail as well as the foot path to Magic Kingdom. It will be bus (or your car) to every park or resort except MK.

This has never bothered me but I always have a car.

I'm content with the occasional stay at both resorts, but I'm also free to travel at any time. You will be on a schedule once you have the kids, so that would give the ease of booking edge to AKV.

All resorts at WDW are wonderful for vacationing, but if you see yourself attracted to one particular style, buy where you want to stay. If you start out with a nominal amount of points, there is always the possibility of adding on at another resort. I own at 4 resorts and use my points to plan where I want to be at. Enjoy DVC!

 

[Matty B13]

I have 3 young girls, one will be 10 next year and they all still love VGF.

VGF has 2 pools (1 walk-in type), and a splash pad.

Now you can walk almost completely around the Lagoon from the Transportation Center to the Contemporary. We have walked from VGF to the Transportation Center several times to go to Epcot, with a stop at Poly for a dole whip.

For Dinners we switch between VGF and Poly all the time.

Rooms at VGF are huge, some of the biggest in DVC.