Just back from VGF!

[nifferearly]

We stayed in a 1BR standard view from Weds through Sun. Loved it - we had a great stay! Please feel free to ask questions.

Here's a quick review:

Rooms: Room was beautiful. I especially loved the decor in the kitchen. Couple minor issues that I'm sure will be fixed soon. The fridge was very difficult to open and impossible if it had been opened the previous 5 minutes. We eventually decided it was a good diet plan for us when we couldn't get in. Also, the toilet had a powerful flush, but it always would spit back up the toilet paper requiring two flushes every time.
I travel with my husband, son and mother so I was disappointed that there wasn't a 2nd bathroom. The walk-in closet is a waste of space in my opinion, however, we thought it could be a good bedroom for a baby in the pack in play. Bathroom was pretty functional for 2 people getting ready. Bed and sofabed were very comfortable. And this is definitely the most sound-proofed DVC room.

Resort: It was very quiet and laid-back here. The pools at the Grand Floridian were very nice. However, I'm concerned that they will be overcrowded in the summer. Our nicest day was about 80 and the pools were packed in the afternoon. There is nothing in the VGF building, not even a little gift shop. You have to go to GF for everything, but it's a fairly short walk. There's no community hall at this resort.

Transportation and Parking: Parking was very convenient and close. It took 5-10 minutes to get to MK on the monorail, but never less than 30 to get back (and that was when we immediately walked onto a train). No bus service to Epcot and that trip took at least 40 minutes. I prefer BLT to VGF for the ability to walk to MK. We didn't take the bus to other parks, but it was a long hike to the bus line (on the far side of the GF hotel) and their buses stop at multiple hotels.

Overall, I would stay here again (I have a 2 night resevation in April that I'll keep). But I don't think it will become one of our favorites (we stay most often at BLT and OKW). For proximity to MK, I'd rather stay at BLT and have the second bathroom for less points. If we came for a long weekend and were planning to spend a lot of time in the room and at the resort, I would probably choose VGF.

 

[Candy Orlando]

What was your room number and view? Im staying standard view one bedroom for a week in Dec and a week in Jan. Is the courtyard that faces the covered walkway/fountain very busy or is the front of the building very busy?

 

[nifferearly]

Our room was 1422 (4th floor). Our view overlooked the front of the hotel and we had a beautiful view of the Poly to our left. One of the best views I've had for a "standard" room.

The entire VGF building was very quiet the entire time we were there. I assume it must have been sold out, but we couldn't figure out where all the people were. Never saw more than 10 people in the lobby at a time and we were usually alone in the elevators. There was not a lot of traffic out front or on the walkways.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

How was your view?

 

[nifferearly]

View was great. Overlooked the front of the building and the Senses spa (with parking lot beyond), so it was prettier than just a parking lot view. Beautiful view of the Poly to the left. It didn't look like there would be too many "bad" views.

 

[mrsp1030]

We gave our kids a choice and asked them to rank priority and right now they have VGF 1st over BLT and WL. I keep debating as they are still young and I doubt in two or three years this would be a priority. We would definitely rent a car I bet.

 

[rentayenta]

I'd love to see some photos.

 

[ttepsich]

We are staying at VGF in two weeks. Always stay at BCV (BWV once) so I'm unfamiliar with the resort monorail system. Why did it take so long to get back from MK and to/from EPCOT? You also mentioned that it was a long walk to the busses. How long did it take? Thanks!

 

[nifferearly]

We are staying at VGF in two weeks. Always stay at BCV (BWV once) so I'm unfamiliar with the resort monorail system. Why did it take so long to get back from MK and to/from EPCOT? You also mentioned that it was a long walk to the busses. How long did it take? Thanks!

It just took a long time to stop at all the resorts. Same with Epcot - you had to take the resort monorail loop to TTC and then switch trains to go to Epcot. We attempted to walk to TTC one day, which should have been faster than taking the monorail around (I think) but the path from the Poly to TTC was blocked off due to construction so it took us awhile to get around that. If you caught a monorail right away at the resort, it only took about 5 minutes to get to MK. I guess if you average the round-trip time, it's not that bad. But I'd rather have the short piece at the end, when we're tired and want to get back to the room!

We didn't take the buses to HS or AK. But the bus stop was on the far side of the GF hotel, so I'd say it was a 5-7 minute walk from VGF.

 

[soulmates]

How long did it take to walk from your room to the monorail?

Thanks

C

 

[nifferearly]

Probably 5 minutes by the time you caught the elevator. Instead of following the signs, we cut through the pool area and went in the GF doors right by the staircase.

 

[soulmates]

Ohhhh, good tip!!

Thanks!!!

 

[GiantsNiners11]

VGF looks gorgeous!!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

If you get any photos of the room or view, let Wdrl know or post to http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3192814 -- there are no pics of the view from that unit yet!

 

[carlbarry]

I just got my room. The resort is beautiful, the room is beautiful, and certainly a step up in luxury.
But in my opinion, there are 3 problems that are unacceptable in my studio:
1. The only room to put luggage is in the space where the lock-out door is.
2. There are only 2 drawers. They are both poorly located--under the bed--and only one opens fully, while the other opens less than 7 inches.
3. The refrigerator shelves are so close together, even a Snapple bottle won't fit in. More strangely, the "freezer section" is the middle shelf, which has the same rod construction, and thus cannot keep in any cold air!
Also, the TV in the mirror is difficult to turn on and off, and has a different channel configuration than the main TV.
But my main gripes are 1,2, 3 above.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I just got my room. The resort is beautiful, the room is beautiful, and certainly a step up in luxury.
But in my opinion, there are 3 problems that are unacceptable in my studio:
1. The only room to put luggage is in the space where the lock-out door is.
2. There are only 2 drawers. They are both poorly located--under the bed--and only one opens fully, while the other opens less than 7 inches.
3. The refrigerator shelves are so close together, even a Snapple bottle won't fit in. More strangely, the "freezer section" is the middle shelf, which has the same rod construction, and thus cannot keep in any cold air!
Also, the TV in the mirror is difficult to turn on and off, and has a different channel configuration than the main TV.
But my main gripes are 1,2, 3 above.

take some pics of the unit & view if you would!

 

[carlbarry]

take some pics of the unit & view if you would!

I have plenty of pictures of the room, but I still can't figure out how to post pictures on DIS!
Oh, and here is another oddity I found when I showered:
There is NO place to hang your clothes or towel near the stall shower! There is a hook on the other end of the bathroom, near the bath/shower. But the purpose of the pocket door between that section and the stall shower section is that 2 people can use the facility at once. Having to keep the door open while showering negates that benefit!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I have plenty of pictures of the room, but I still can't figure out how to post pictures on DIS!
Oh, and here is another oddity I found when I showered:
There is NO place to hang your clothes or towel near the stall shower! There is a hook on the other end of the bathroom, near the bath/shower. But the purpose of the pocket door between that section and the stall shower section is that 2 people can use the facility at once. Having to keep the door open while showering negates that benefit!

Uh oh - looks like we'll have to invest in those 3-M hooks with the Command Adhesive that come off without damaging the wall...
That's almost as nonsensical as the under-bed drawer that doesn't open!

 

[carlbarry]

Uh oh - looks like we'll have to invest in those 3-M hooks with the Command Adhesive that come off without damaging the wall...
That's almost as nonsensical as the under-bed drawer that doesn't open!

How about this one:
Right outside my door, under the room number (1415) is a fire alarm box. You know, the type that has a glass that says "Break glass in case of fire." EXCEPT that the glass was put in backwards, so the emergency directions are backwards!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Oh Good Lord!