Question about new VGF in Big Pine key

[clapton]

Is it true that the new villas in Big Pine Key will not have a small kitchen space like the other studios? If this is true, why not? Does anyone know?

 

[Marionnette]

Is it true that the new villas in Big Pine Key will not have a small kitchen space like the other studios? If this is true, why not? Does anyone know?

There will be no kitchenette in the VGF2 studios. In all probability it is because the necessary plumbing and electrical upgrades would cost too much and take too much time to achieve. DVC wants this to be a quick and cheap conversion. But some will try to convince people that this because it's what future members want.

 

[clapton]

Thanks for the quick reply! I can see that makes sense but I’m a little disappointed!

 

[Wedgeout]

Unfortunately they were not booking enough resort rooms so they decided to turn one of the buildings into DVC and sell it without spending the money for a proper remodel. Find out March 3rd if it was the correct decision or not.

 

[Her Dotness]

There will be no kitchenette in the VGF2 studios. In all probability it is because the necessary plumbing and electrical upgrades would cost too much and take too much time to achieve. DVC wants this to be a quick and cheap conversion. But some will try to convince people that this because it's what future members want.

And I am among that "some" for several reasons--
1) Two resort studios will be slightly less than a 1br, pointswise.
2) Those two studios will house up to 10 people vs. the 1br's 5.
3) Two full bathrooms instead of a tub-sink and shower-sink-toilet split bath.
4) The GF has several good-to-excellent restaurants; not everyone wants to fix food in their villa.
5) Big Pine is more conveniently located for pool, restaurants and quick access to the main building.
6) Easier to achieve peace/privacy for parents of adult or teen kids--two separate studios costing substantially less than a 2 br or Grand Villa. Also possibly appealing to 2-4 adults wanting separate spaces.

Bottom line: Not everyone wants a kitchen even though must-have-kitchen appears to dominate among those posting here. That's particularly so when the dining plans become available again.

Conclusion: Disney may be smarter than we think catering to that.

 

[cgodzyk]

I would have loved the resort studio if it had a Murphy bed! DH and I don't use the kitchenette very often. But we would rather have one bed and a couch/Murphy bed, because it's just the two of us.

I guess we'll see on 3/3!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I cannot imagine putting 10 people in two resort studios.

 

[DVCsloth]

I cannot imagine putting 10 people in two resort studios.

5 people in a 1br or a studio doesn't sound like fun to me. I do understand that a family of 5 can be a really expensive trip. I think if we were doing 5 I would be looking for a 1br in Kidani or BLT for the extra bathroom. Kidani has a really good point chart as well.

 

[Her Dotness]

I cannot imagine putting 10 people in two resort studios.

Nor can I, I agree.

However, that doesn't negate that 2 of these studios right now in 2023 would be only 344 pts. for a week whereas a 2br is 475. That's not a difference to take lightly, IMO. Furthermore, the accommodations are equivalent, unlike the 2br lockoff would be. For a smallish family get-together or friend families, I could see people doing this for two families of 4.

One of those "We'll cover the room, you guys buy our food. Deal?" agreements I've known other owners to do.

 

[clapton]

And I am among that "some" for several reasons--
1) Two resort studios will be slightly less than a 1br, pointswise.
2) Those two studios will house up to 10 people vs. the 1br's 5.
3) Two full bathrooms instead of a tub-sink and shower-sink-toilet split bath.
4) The GF has several good-to-excellent restaurants; not everyone wants to fix food in their villa.
5) Big Pine is more conveniently located for pool, restaurants and quick access to the main building.
6) Easier to achieve peace/privacy for parents of adult or teen kids--two separate studios costing substantially less than a 2 br or Grand Villa. Also possibly appealing to 2-4 adults wanting separate spaces.

Bottom line: Not everyone wants a kitchen even though must-have-kitchen appears to dominate among those posting here. That's particularly so when the dining plans become available again.

Conclusion: Disney may be smarter than we think catering to that.

The way things are going right now I’m a little skeptical about the dining plans ever returning!

 

[Her Dotness]

The way things are going right now I’m a little skeptical about the dining plans ever returning!

I'm not worried. It'll be back.

Disney rakes in too much money from people who burn Deluxe DDP TS credits on QS. (Done that and didn't care.)

Plenty have leftover credits they sacrifice, snack credits they don't think to use to load up for the trip home. (Yes, Werther's caramel corn is still pretty good 2-3 weeks later.)

Others say the DDP makes them order more than they want. Disney got their money and doesn't care an iota it wasn't a good value for them.

Heck, yeah, it'll come back. Question we'd like answered is "WHEN?"

 

[Marionnette]

The way things are going right now I’m a little skeptical about the dining plans ever returning!

They have always been a huge money-maker for Disney so I think they will return. I just don't find them to be valuable for the way that we dine at Disney. Give me a kitchen to prepare a continental breakfast buffet, a pre-dinner cocktail bar or a post-dinner dessert & coffee bar any day!

 

[nuhusky123]

I would put money on future dvc expansion being more resort studios

1- a resort studio is just a hotel room
2- Disney can sell ownership stakes into the hotel rooms
3- excess inventory not being used by dvc members can be sold for cash nightly rates
4- dvc members now pay for the ongoing costs of these room

this is a win win win for Disney with zero downsides and nothing but $ upside

i for one NEVER use the kitchenette so these resort studios are perfect for me

I fully support these hotel rooms and expect more resort studios to show up at other resorts

my best bet YC is next

 

[Marionnette]

I would put money on future dvc expansion being more resort studios

1- a resort studio is just a hotel room
2- Disney can sell ownership stakes into the hotel rooms
3- excess inventory not being used by dvc members can be sold for cash nightly rates
4- dvc members now pay for the ongoing costs of these room

this is a win win win for Disney with zero downsides and nothing but $ upside

i for one NEVER use the kitchenette so these resort studios are perfect for me

I fully support these hotel rooms and expect more resort studios to show up at other resorts

my best bet YC is next

Yeah. I understand WHY DVC does it. Doesn't mean that it hasn't diluted the product.

As for YC...I wouldn't put money on it. Conventions and meetings are big business at Disney and a lot of YC rooms are used for smaller convention groups. I don't think that YC has trouble filling rooms. My money would be on an AKV Jambo House expansion for a quick flip. The DVC infrastructure is already in place there.

 

[Wedgeout]

Happy for others that like the hotel studios. I’m not a fan. Rather get water from a kitchenette sink. I do use a microwave. Don’t think the “Welcome Home” works with these rooms. I get no home feel when I walk into a hotel room.

 

[Her Dotness]

I agree with Marionnette that YC is an unlikely resort studio addition.

I'd add another reason why not called Stormalong Bay. That's a big room filler, I bet.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Happy for others that like the hotel studios. I’m not a fan. Rather get water from a kitchenette sink. I do use a microwave. Don’t think the “Welcome Home” works with these rooms. I get no home feel when I walk into a hotel room.

Getting the water from a kitchen/kitchenette sink resounds with me!

 

[nuhusky123]

You all do realize the water may it be kitchen or bathroom comes from the same source and same pipe system right?

 

[Wedgeout]

You all do realize the water may it be kitchen or bathroom comes from the same source and same pipe system right?

Yes but for me the place I wash up after a sit down and toothpaste splatter, just not the same lol.

 

[Her Dotness]

You all do realize the water may it be kitchen or bathroom comes from the same source and same pipe system right?

Then somebody gotta 'splain at me why kitchen water almost always tastes better.