Help me choose: 2 bed villa at VGF or BLT?

[alon86]

Hello! I am renting points for our stay in Feb. 2022. Traveling will be my family of 4- me, DH, DD9 and DD13 (at time of trip). I am running the Princess half-marathon (my first!) and over race weekend, I have decided to rent a 2 bedroom villa because I need everyone to leave me alone when I go to sleep super early the night before the race! DH likes to watch TV at night, so he can do that in the living room, while I'm sleeping and the DDs are also sleeping in their own bedroom.

We just returned from a June 2021 trip where we had a 2 bed villa at BLT with theme park view. Wow - it was worth every penny for us. The room is so huge (we typically stay in 1 bed villas). Plus, I LOOOOOOVED the Theme park view of the castle and MK, even without the fireworks! Def. worth it for me.

BUT, since we just did that, and we've never stayed at VGF, I'm leaning toward VGF for this trip? (Both DVCs have availability right now - I'll probably book this today). We love the restaurants at VGF - assuming they are all reopened by Feb, which I think is safe to hope for? BUT, what if they're not.... should I wait for a later trip (2023-24?). ALSO, I'm worried about the construction to start on Big Pine - converting that building into studio villas. Should I avoid a Feb 2022 villa booking because of that, or do you think since it's all indoors in a separate building, it shouldn't affect us at all?

This will be a split stay - we are doing Riviera the first part of the week in a 1 bedroom. We love the skyliner!

The pool is a big factor for us - I haven't stayed at GF before but the pools look better than BLT/Contemporary pools (which are fine, but just... fine. Not awesome). Although this is a Feb trip, so I know weather might be against us (or it might be 80!).

Anything else I should consider? WWYD? I like the idea of taking the monorail to the race, and we just prefer to be near MK generally - our favorite park. (I originally wanted a 2 bed villa at BCV because the race starts and ends at epcot, but no availability....)

 

[Avery&Todd]

I guess the only thing else I can think of is there are 3 bathrooms in the 2-br at BLT vs. 2 bathrooms at VGF....right?

DH and I stayed in a 2-br at BLT last Oct, yes, by ourselves but we had a TON of points to use so why not -and loved the 3 bathrooms - there was never a line!

we're in a 1-br @ VGF and I'm SUPER STOKED!!

bring on everything that is the Grand Floridian!!!

 

[Donna M]

We love VGF; it is themed very differently than BLT. If you haven´t stayed there, I would give it a try.

 

[Matty B13]

Hello! I am renting points for our stay in Feb. 2022. Traveling will be my family of 4- me, DH, DD9 and DD13 (at time of trip). I am running the Princess half-marathon (my first!) and over race weekend, I have decided to rent a 2 bedroom villa because I need everyone to leave me alone when I go to sleep super early the night before the race! DH likes to watch TV at night, so he can do that in the living room, while I'm sleeping and the DDs are also sleeping in their own bedroom.

For February of 2022 for the Princess half-marathon you might be to late to even get a 1 bedroom at VGF, for the running weekends you really need to be ready at the 11 month mark.

 

[GoingSince1990]

They’re both great and you should try both. Definitely VGF since you’ve stayed at BLT.

 

[alon86]

For February of 2022 for the Princess half-marathon you might be to late to even get a 1 bedroom at VGF, for the running weekends you really need to be ready at the 11 month mark.

They just announced the runDisney dates 2 weeks ago, so there is still some availability. I think the higher end 2 bedrooms are the last to get booked (1 bedrooms certainly go first). Fingers crossed!

 

[Marthasor]

The EP monorail isn't operating from TTC right now and there has been no announcement regarding a starting date - I don't know if that impacts your decision?

I believe it was reported that the Big Pine Key construction was starting in "spring" of 2022. If that's the case, February may be a good bet to stay in the main DVC building. Even if there is construction, the VGF building is quite removed from the GF outer buildings, so, other than maybe some fencing being put up, I don't know how much your stay would be impacted by the construction. With Citrico's opening soon, I believe the only restaurants that remain closed at GF are 190 Park Fare and V&A? We stayed in a 2-bedroom at VGF about 2 years ago and it was the most incredible room we've stayed in at WDW (the RIV 1-bedroom was a close second). IMHO, yes, the pools at GF are much better than the ones at CR. I've never stayed at BLT, but I've stayed at CR and, IMHO, GF is just, overall, a better resort.

 

[alon86]

The EP monorail isn't operating from TTC right now and there has been no announcement regarding a starting date - I don't know if that impacts your decision?

I believe it was reported that the Big Pine Key construction was starting in "spring" of 2022. If that's the case, February may be a good bet to stay in the main DVC building. Even if there is construction, the VGF building is quite removed from the GF outer buildings, so, other than maybe some fencing being put up, I don't know how much your stay would be impacted by the construction. With Citrico's opening soon, I believe the only restaurants that remain closed at GF are 190 Park Fare and V&A? We stayed in a 2-bedroom at VGF about 2 years ago and it was the most incredible room we've stayed in at WDW (the RIV 1-bedroom was a close second). IMHO, yes, the pools at GF are much better than the ones at CR. I've never stayed at BLT, but I've stayed at CR and, IMHO, GF is just, overall, a better resort.

Thank you! I'm hoping that the EP monorail reopens for the 50th celebrations, but the EP construction is also going to continue for a while, so maybe not? If not I'll just take a bus to starting line. But thank you for the feedback on GF - I think that's what we will book.

 

[KTownRaider]

Epcot monorail service returns this Sunday...

https://www.dvcnews.com/other-resou...073-epcot-monorail-returns-to-service-july-18

 

[Happy2BMommy0812]

VGF. You did BLT, and with only 4 total, you don’t need the 3rd bathroom really. Try something new. VGF are so beautiful. IMO, the most beautiful on property (and I say this as someone who does not own there - we love Poly and Riviera, but we stayed once at VGF and is was luxurious…)

 

[PsycProfPlum]

My vote is VGF as well. Such a lovely luxury vibe there.

 

[jscottnc]

VGF. It is nice having a shower big enough that the whole family can bath at once. BTW, aim for a standard view. The lake view gets you a nice view of the wedding pavilion, Polynesian Resort, and the hot, HOT, afternoon sun. I find the standard view more interesting especially if you get a higher floor.