Grand Floridian Resort Studio vs Polynesian Deluxe Studio DVC

[WxKristin]

I've stayed in the VGF resort studios and Poly DVC studios... I much prefer the VGF resort studios as the extra space in the bedroom area made it feel much more relaxed to me. Also found it easier to get around VGF than Poly from their respective locations.

I honestly don't think the lake view is worth $500 more (compared to the very nice dinner or two that could pay for instead). In BPK (where the resort studios are located), I believe lake view points away from the theme parks so you don't actually have fireworks view (I could see fireworks from our 3rd floor standard view last stay). To be fair, while most will face the pool, the standard view can look over the laundry/trash collection which some people may not appreciate.

 

[DiznayFun]

Kristin, here here - though I absolutely could care less about the fireworks view - I just think those lake views are so pretty from BPK overlooking the water. Some look like you are right over top of it. I’m a person who doesn’t really like fireworks anyways (hate the sound and worry about all the wildlife it disrupts.) I think it’s atrocious what Disney charges for theme park views. Of course other opinions may differ.

I do agree that that $500 extra would cover about 2-3 nice dinners, depending on where we go. Heck if we only did QS, it’d cover our food for the entire stay plus our gas down there from Atlanta.

There’s also the fact even DVC Rental store doesn’t have a fully refundable reservation so that’s just more money that’s being put on the line at risk in the unlikely event this gets cancelled.

There are some nice standard view rooms but some also look directly at the pool building which I don’t like. I will put in a request with touring plans when the time comes and cross my fingers!

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I will never stay the BPK again. I stayed and couldn't get a good night sleep each night. The walls were thin. The crying baby was literally in my room the first night. I heard entire conversations. We moved rooms, and the same thing happened. They offered to move us to a 3rd room and we refused at that point. Gave me a fan to keep in the room for noise, which was pretty funny. Everyone was super nice. The room was beautiful, but I would never do it again. Not the best first impression sadly. I felt I needed to be quiet the whole time in there cause I knew the people in other rooms would hear everything. That really affected the normalcy of the nights. If two rooms gave me the same exact outcome, that is more than just the neighbors. I never had a sound issue at any other Disney resort, and I stayed at many of the DVC ones. Then again, everyone's experience is different and to each their own, as shown by some people on the thread that had a quiet experience. Wish everyone has a great trip and time whenever they stay. Just be prepared these things can happen. Another thing is when you actually go. I usually go during busy times when the hotels are sold out, so that can add why it happened. Maybe sometimes there is just nobody next to you lol. Just wanted to share my experience

Its more the connecting door, then the walls themselves. I tried plugged the door with towels, and it didn't do anything. It also just looked dumb while staying at such an expensive place.

 

[iwannabdduck]

Ugh, I'm worried now after reading this last post. We made reservations over the weekend for a stay in September at the Grand Floridian villas. Simply assumed it was at the original DVC building, but I realized today that our reservation is actually for one of the resort studio rooms at the BPK building. I've heard about noise complaints there. Now I realize it will pure chance as to whether or not we experience that. Here is hoping for the best.

 

[DiznayFun]

Ugh, I'm worried now after reading this last post. We made reservations over the weekend for a stay in September at the Grand Floridian villas. Simply assumed it was at the original DVC building, but I realized today that our reservation is actually for one of the resort studio rooms at the BPK building. I've heard about noise complaints there. Now I realize it will pure chance as to whether or not we experience that. Here is hoping for the best.

After scouring everything I can, it seems that it’s more often than not the room is fine. I’d guess it’s just a small handful of rooms that has this issue.

As for an update for me, hubby convinced me not to go for the DVC rental as he’s nervous about the cancellation policy even with trip insurance. We’re going to likely do a cash room, even if it costs more. I did find Costco offers some magnificent deals close to the same price as a DVC rental. However they also don’t offer a full cancellation policy (only 70% total refundable).

I’m either hoping my CM sister in law can get us a 25-40% friends and family discount or Disney has an offered regular discount for the public. I know I do NOT want to pay rack rates for GF. Disney has a 35% deal right now through September but I do not want to go when it’s fire hot and the sky is burning.

 

[iwannabdduck]

After scouring everything I can, it seems that it’s more often than not the room is fine. I’d guess it’s just a small handful of rooms that has this issue.

As for an update for me, hubby convinced me not to go for the DVC rental as he’s nervous about the cancellation policy even with trip insurance.

Thanks for pointing that out about the rooms. I feel a little better now.

FYI, we booked this room directly thru Disney under that 35% deal you mentioned, and not as a DVC rental. I'm like your husband and will not do DVC rentals at all due to the cancellation policies. As I've shopped around, I've also learned that DVC rentals do not always have the lowest price either. Good luck finding a place you like for a stay.

 

[DiznayFun]

Thanks for pointing that out about the rooms. I feel a little better now.

FYI, we booked this room directly thru Disney under that 35% deal you mentioned, and not as a DVC rental. I'm like your husband and will not do DVC rentals at all due to the cancellation policies. As I've shopped around, I've also learned that DVC rentals do not always have the lowest price either. Good luck finding a place you like for a stay.

Yeah the 35% deal they have going now is nearly identical in price to what you’d get through the DVC rental store so it’s a no-brainer. Costco’s pricing is even lower than either of the two - just wish it had a full cancellation policy. There’s always a catch!

A pointless exercise right now, but I’m trying to decide what I would pick if there’s no discount. I’d say a second choice would be the Poly (rack rates are still higher than what I’d like), followed by Boardwalk in third place. Between Disney’s regular seasonal discounts and my cast member SIL, there’s got to be something!