Grand Villa lovers thread.

[tvwalsh]

Two years ago, we stayed in a Grand Villa (at OKW) for the first time. We went in January, for five days, arriving Sunday and checking out on Friday. It cost a very reasonable 180 pts (36 points per night.) We went with my daughter and her kids and with my Sister and Brother-in-law. This was a total of 7 people.

The three bedrooms and four bathrooms made it a wonderful and elegantly spacious (2375 sq. Ft) experience. Everyone had different agendas and no one got in the way of anyone else. We ordered a lot of groceries from the Garden Grocer.

The only thing that was sad was leaving after such a short stay.

This year going back to the Grand Villa was the only thing we wanted to do for vacation. This year we stayed for eight nights, 1/25- 2/2.(401 points). We went with two other adult couples, a total of six people. Our guests were satisfyingly impressed. Every minute was wonderful. We never went to sleep until after midnight and we never left for activities until around noon. I think the grand accomodations had a lot to do with that. No one was eager to leave the Villa.

I would be delighted to hear about your Grand Villa experiences, either at OKW or one of the other resorts. Aren't the Grand Villas grand?

 

[tedhowe]

We tend to stay in Grand Villas most of the time because we like to travel in larger groups.

We just got back from a week in WDW on Feb 11. We had a Grand Villa and a 2BR in OKW in the same building... there were 11 of us between the 5 bedrooms.

My favorite trip was in 1998 for a big family reunion. My parents, the 5 children and their spouses plus the 5 (at the time) grand children - 17 people ranging from 7 years old to 66 years old. We had two grand villas - and they were in the same building.

The CM at check in said that she hadn't seen someone be able to get both GVs in a single building before. We ended up splitting up in such a way that we had a "quiet" unit and an "up late" unit. Everyone was able to accomodate their own desires for the vacation.

I keep saying that I want to try staying at some of the other resorts, but the size, serenity and relative inexpensiveness of the OKW GVs keeps us going back.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have had 2 GV stays. Both were at OKW and both were with basically the same group of people. We had 3 different family groups, and shared meals and at least one "event" a day together. It was such fun to gather in that big living room at the end of the day and share what we had all done. We also played lots of games in the evening, and had generally great family time together.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the OKW GVs! The only thing I would change about them is the arrangement of the kitchen. I think the OKW 1&2 bedroom units have a more efficient kitchen than the GVs, mostly because of the placement of the sink. Love the big dining room though!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I haven't stayed in one yet, but I have one booked at VB for october. We did an add on specifically so we could book the beach cottages. I am so excited to try it out!

 

[Granny]

I toured the GV in SSR...does that count?

What's not to love about a GV at any of the resorts? The OKW GV's are huge, the BWV GV's have that great BW View, and the SSR GV's are beautiful and I really like that second story entrance/exit to the hallway.

Someday......

 

[melk]

I will definitely enjoy this thread. I managed to get an OKW GV for August at the 7 month window. We are so excited. We've never had one and are eager to try it out with our extended family. Can't wait!!!!

 

[jekjones1558]

We bought an OKW add-on just for the 11 month window to book a GV. This year will be our first one. We considered trying for 2 GVs but decided on one with 2-2 bedrooms to allow for a little more privacy. It is good to read these happy reviews because we are eager to finally be trying a GV in Nov.

 

[chainkid]

I have stayed in the BWV Grand Villas and they are simply awesome. My first stay was on the 5th floor near the elevator in 2001, my second stay in 2004 we got two grand villas right next to each other on the fourth floor. 4047 and 4037. We also had a one bedroom unit and a two bedroom unit for about 20+ people for 10nites the first week of Dec. We had the best time and wonderful family memories were made. We are going again this year and I have booked one grand Villa , two boardwalk view two bedroom units. one Boardwalk view studio, and one bedroom and a standard view studio. So far we have 25 people and growing. alas I've booked all my points for three years except for my new add on at AKV . The extra space is priceless and the view from the balcony doesn't get any better any where in WDW. I always try to go right after Thanksgiving for 10 nites because of the lower point costs and the xmas decorations and special fireworks at Epcot. Sometimes it is cheaper to get 1 grandvilla and the rest other size units because of the sleeping arrangements. Most couples don't want toshare a bedroom with other family members so the Grand Villa really only sleeps three couples or three families with the kids sharing the room with the adults. No one as they get older likes to sleep in the living room so we don't put 12 people in a unit even though you can. When we retire we will probably spend alot more time in WDW so the points will be used for ourselves in smaller units but for now we are sharing the magic and having a blast.

 

[RAD]

Glad to see the positive review of the BWV GV, have one booked in October for the F&W fest, taking two other couples along. Bad part is it's only for four nights, two of those FRI/SAT which REALLY ate into the old points balance, but that's what the group wanted, oh well, will be a good time anyway.

 

[lsutigger2]

We had a GV at OKW in Nov. Took my DB, DSiL, two DN, one DNiL, and one very cute 15 month old! And of course DH and myself.

We loved having all the space. We took the master bdroom downstairs (and charged admission to come see it !! ) and the rest shared the space upstairs.

I think we all felt very "special" staying there and it was great to be together.

Hope to do a similar trip in the future.

 

[disneybride96]

Our first grand villa stay was before we were DVC members. We were doing a family trip for 6 adults to celebrate mine and my sister's 2 year anniversaries. We had booked a 2BR at BWV for our group. The week before I faxed a little note to the resort and presto....we were upgraded to the Boardwalk view Grand Villa! We were all so excited! We did the DVC tour that time, but didn't buy until 8 years later. What were we thinking?

Just last week I booked and OKW grand villa for a return grand villa vacation with all the kids! There will be 9 of us this time, and a whole different attitude with 3 little boys! Counting the days already!

 

[lisareniff]

I'd love to be a GV lover! Haven't stayed in one yet, but like Lexxiefern bought VB so we could snag a Beach Cottage next spring!

 

[MinnesotaChill]

I am hoping to book at GV at SSR for 5 nights next Jan. Our 11th month window is next week and I will be on vacation. I am wondering if I will need to book day by day? Does view request matter, since it won't be guaranteed?

I am so torn between the new Grandstand and Congress Park. We will have 5 kids and six adults. All kids are under the age of 10 and adults will be using DTD at night, but I am thinking the ferry would make it equally convenient to reach from Grandstand?

Are there any bad SSR GV views?

 

[disneybride96]

I would go for the walk to DTD from Congress Park. It can be quite a wait for the ferry. Just my guess, but i would think that you would not need to do day by day for a grand villa in January. When we were there a month ago, non of the resorts seemed very full.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Thanks for the help, I think CP sounds great too, just wish I could see pics of the new pool area at Grandstand (is there an abbreviation for that yet?)! Since we have some little guys, I am thinking that the closeness of the zero entry pool is a no brainer.

It seems like not many people want to discuss their times at GVs. I've asked questions here before and not gotten much response. I am assuming they DO get used, or they wouldn't keep building them. Anyone else out there a GV lover that would like to share stories/ pics?

 

[SueM in MN]

We stayed in an OKW GV last March with a total of 14 people (we also had a studio). It was great. I'd like to move there!

 

[Boardwalker]

We have stayed in BWV's grand villas a few times. They are really beautiful.
We have had two different configurations, as well. Most often we end up in the two story units, and they make you feel like you really own the place. Our last trip we ended up in a one story, in the corner overlooking the green from the master bedroom, with the rest of the unit along the Boardwalk. It was great because there was a toddler in our group and there was so much room for him to trot around, and we didn't have a stair case to worry about.
The laundry room was so big in that unit, you could easily put the pack n play in there and use it as a quiet room for a baby. If you are traveling with a little one, request the one story GV instead of the two story.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We hope to be a GV loving family. June '08 will be the time, hope to snag a beach cottage for 3 nights and BWV GV for 3 nights.

Bobbi