Grand Floridian Or Beach Club Villas?

[FSU Girl]

I had posted another thread about what hotel to choose, but I think I've narrowed down my choices and I'm going to book them next week so I need to finalize my planning.

I'm doing a sorta split stay, with two nights before a cruise then one night after my cruise. I'm either going to do GF before the cruise and one night at Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas or vice versa. I've never stayed at any of them before and not sure which combo I want to do. The prices either way are virtually the same with one just a little more than the other.

Has anyone stayed in both? I like that the villas have a king bed, but I like that GF is on the monorail. Both parts of the trip will be at epcot for dinner and other parks during the day.

 

[FSU Girl]

Sorry my post didn't fully post not sure why. Here's the second half:

I think GF would only make sense the first part since that's when we are going to Magic Kingdom. Or should I cut that out completely and do a combo of Beach Club/Boardwalk Villas? I have stayed on the monorail before and loved the convenience, but haven't stayed at an epcot resort yet and not sure if I should try a new experience.

Is anyone as indecisive as me? I am a little proud of myself from narrowing it done from all hotels to these though.

TIA!

 

[ErinsMommy]

If your going to be at MK, then the GF sounds good plus if I remember correctly, that's been the place you always wanted to stay??

 

[Denise W]

Studios at the DVC resorts don't have king size beds, only one queen. The one and two bedroom villas have a king size bed in the master bedroom. You didn't indicate what size room you wanted, but I wanted to make sure you know the difference.

Denise

 

[FSU Girl]

If your going to be at MK, then the GF sounds good plus if I remember correctly, that's been the place you always wanted to stay??

Yes that is my dream resort lol. I am heavily leaning towards that hotel for the first half of my trip.

 

[FSU Girl]

Studios at the DVC resorts don't have king size beds, only one queen. The one and two bedroom villas have a king size bed in the master bedroom. You didn't indicate what size room you wanted, but I wanted to make sure you know the difference.

Denise

We would be getting a one bed room. The only reason to go with the villas would be to get a king room.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Yes that is my dream resort lol. I am heavily leaning towards that hotel for the first half of my trip.

I still say stay at the GF for the first part since you'll be going to MK, and the 2nd half stay at an Epcot Resort. Which one I can't recommend since I haven't stayed at either, but am considering an Epcot resort as well when we book our bounceback when we go in September.

 

[FSU Girl]

I still say stay at the GF for the first part since you'll be going to MK, and the 2nd half stay at an Epcot Resort. Which one I can't recommend since I haven't stayed at either, but am considering an Epcot resort as well when we book our bounceback when we go in September.

I'll let you know how whichever one I pick is, might help with your decision

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've stayed in all three and I would definitely do GF and then one of the EP resorts to switch it up a little bit. GF is gorgeous and you are right next to MK, so I would do that your first night!!

Between BWV and BCV, it's a toss-up. Personally, I lean toward BWV. I love the old Boardwalk atmosphere, the decor, the music. It's a ton of fun at night with the entertainment and games and there are lots of different restaurants to choose from. I also like the pool area more. You can always find a chair and the Leaping Libations pool bar is a lot of fun. Stop into AbracadaBAR for a drink and get some ice cream at Ample Hills!

BC is lovely, too, and it's incredibly close to EP. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one, but I would definitely do GF first and then the EP resort after the cruise.

 

[FSU Girl]

I've stayed in all three and I would definitely do GF and then one of the EP resorts to switch it up a little bit. GF is gorgeous and you are right next to MK, so I would do that your first night!!

Between BWV and BCV, it's a toss-up. Personally, I lean toward BWV. I love the old Boardwalk atmosphere, the decor, the music. It's a ton of fun at night with the entertainment and games and there are lots of different restaurants to choose from. I also like the pool area more. You can always find a chair and the Leaping Libations pool bar is a lot of fun. Stop into AbracadaBAR for a drink and get some ice cream at Ample Hills!

BC is lovely, too, and it's incredibly close to EP. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one, but I would definitely do GF first and then the EP resort after the cruise.

Thanks! I think that's a great idea too. Do you know if we get to the hotel really early if we can use the pool right away? I think we'll have to get off the cruise around 8am so we'll probably be at the hotel around 10ish and the rooms probably won't be ready.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you planning on using DVC points or paying cash for these villas? It might be impossible to get them on points, but a slim chance for cash. Both resorts are sold out to owners.

 

[FSU Girl]

Are you planning on using DVC points or paying cash for these villas? It might be impossible to get them on points, but a slim chance for cash. Both resorts are sold out to owners.

The whole renting points thing confuses me so I thought it would be easier to just pay with cash. There are a few on Disney's website that have availability for my dates.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks! I think that's a great idea too. Do you know if we get to the hotel really early if we can use the pool right away? I think we'll have to get off the cruise around 8am so we'll probably be at the hotel around 10ish and the rooms probably won't be ready.

Yes, you can use the pool in the morning of your check-in day!

 

[FSU Girl]

So I think I've made my final decision, but it's an insane decision and I think my boyfriend realizes when we marry he'll have to be in charge of the budget. For the first half of the trip we will have the Deluxe King at Grand Floridian and the last night after the cruise in the one bedroom suite at beach club. I've realized I have no idea how to set a budget and this is probably the most insane decision I'll ever make on a vacation. And it's only for my 28th birthday, not even a big number. Am I totally crazy? Or should I go for it? I can afford it, sort of. It won't be breaking the bank, but will be putting a large hole in the wallet. We are booking everything on 2/15 so I have a couple days to change my mind.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

So I think I've made my final decision, but it's an insane decision and I think my boyfriend realizes when we marry he'll have to be in charge of the budget. For the first half of the trip we will have the Deluxe King at Grand Floridian and the last night after the cruise in the one bedroom suite at beach club. I've realized I have no idea how to set a budget and this is probably the most insane decision I'll ever make on a vacation. And it's only for my 28th birthday, not even a big number. Am I totally crazy? Or should I go for it? I can afford it, sort of. It won't be breaking the bank, but will be putting a large hole in the wallet. We are booking everything on 2/15 so I have a couple days to change my mind.

If you can afford it, go for it. They are gorgeous rooms. We stayed in a Deluxe King at GF a few years ago (a birthday treat for me!) and, yes, it's really nice. Are you staying in a BC suite or villa? If available, the 1-bedroom villa would probably save you some money, but you wouldn't get the club level service or lounge. It's completely up to you how you want to spend your vacation money!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you can afford it, go for it. They are gorgeous rooms. We stayed in a Deluxe King at GF a few years ago (a birthday treat for me!) and, yes, it's really nice. Are you staying in a BC suite or villa? If available, the 1-bedroom villa would probably save you some money, but you wouldn't get the club level service or lounge. It's completely up to you how you want to spend your vacation money!

I was going to ask the same thing. BCVilla one bedroom or BC one bedroom suite. Two entirely different things.

 

[FSU Girl]

I meant the one bedroom suite. The only reason I was looking at that one instead of the DVC one is because it's in the main hotel and I think has a better view? The pictures look nicer than the one bedroom dvc room too

 

[FSU Girl]

So booking everything is getting pushed back two weeks. My boyfriend thinks its a waste of money to stay at the super expensive rooms I wanted. Are the standard rooms at Grand Floridian as nice as the rooms in the main building? I think we are also going to end up with the cheapest Epcot resort room which is looking like the Boardwalk.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, all of the GF rooms are nice! We've stayed garden view, lagoon, 1 bedroom suite outer building and RPC King deluxe and they were all fantastic. Beautiful, newly refurbished rooms and not a bad view in any category.

We also stay standard view at BWI a lot and love it. We also really enjoy the studios at BWV (though you'd only get a queen there). Both beautiful resorts no matter which room you're in!

 

[FSU Girl]

Yes, all of the GF rooms are nice! We've stayed garden view, lagoon, 1 bedroom suite outer building and RPC King deluxe and they were all fantastic. Beautiful, newly refurbished rooms and not a bad view in any category.

We also stay standard view at BWI a lot and love it. We also really enjoy the studios at BWV (though you'd only get a queen there). Both beautiful resorts no matter which room you're in!

Thank you! This makes me feel better.