So who else is "ho-hum" about the GF Villas?

[Kidanifan08]

I am probably in the ho-hum camp, although we have never stayed at GF.
I just don't think I could bring myself to spend the kind of money they are going to ask for this place, especially since the point requirements are likely to be high. At this point, we have enough AKV points for our WDW needs. If we were to add on, I think we would sooner purchase a resale at BWV or BLT and pocket the savings.

We will be staying at GF in March for a meeting (on a group rate), so I may have a different opinion after that.

 

[JimC]

I think BLT has much better access to MK (walk or monorail). Is there any discussion of completing a walking path from GF to MK?

They would need to bridge the canal, which I suspect is not cost effective. But it would be great if they could come up with a solution.

 

[runmommyrun]

Add me as one who wasn't overly thrilled with the announcement for GF. We are BLT owners and we very much enjoy it. I was not one who was initially thrilled with the contemporary decor, but I've grown to like it. I was sad there were no Epcot resorts available when we purchased (kids love Epcot and DHS), but we've been able to book at 7 month periods for those resorts so it has worked for us. And BLT has become home to us.

As for GF, we've been there for dinner and enjoyed it, but it isn't a place I am itching to stay. There's no way we'd purchase another MK resort as our home, but I'm sure we will try and stay at the new GF villas for a few nights at some point, as we want to try all the DVC resorts.

Personally, I'd love to see resorts in AZ and skiing areas (Like CO). I'll keep on dreaming!

 

[Simba's Mom]

You should probably be happy that a lot of people are excited about them and you aren't. If no one was excited about them that would be a problem, but as it is, there will probably be a lot of people trying to get reservations there, and since you are not interested that would make it easier for you to get the resort of your choice. So there is a silver lining.

Great point-thanks! I'm so much happier about it now. Leave those AKV-Jambo villas for me.

 

[Tigger1]

I love my AKL also. I hope they have concierge at Grand Floridian so more DVC members can stay there and I will keep an eye on the animals at AKL.

 

[Lady V]

We won't end up buying there but I must admit I am sooooo excited to get to stay there at some point! Now if a Poly DVC comes around I will be so on board!

 

[Chellymouse]

Could care less. DH and I are not huge fans of GF to begin with and we always feel like country bumpkins when we walk in the place (we're really not though!) I can't begin to imagine how much points are going to cost for this resort. There is certainly a need for more DVC villas and this seems to be a place that many people would like.

 

[Garthilk]

I imagine the point costs are going to be suprisingly high. I don't see the draw to the resort myself, the precieved premise of the resort is that this is a place for people better than other people. That's just me though.

 

[dsneygirl]

I am. We stayed there once (when my sister was a CM with her discount) and while it was nice I was blown away. I would rather stay at BC or WL.

We'll definitely stay there a few nights but it wouldn't be high on my list.

 

[ems_mom]

I haven't read through all the posts, but I think its clear the initial cost, dues, and points charts for DVC@the Grand will be a major turnoff for current members. New members, maybe not so much.

My hope is that more rooms (although it appears to be a rather small inventory) will make it less difficult to get the older Epcot area resorts at 7 months.

We own at AKL and BLT but have no interest in GFV's. I would like to stay there (the hotel) one day, maybe 3-4 days in a RPC room over the holidays. My husband has almost 2 and a half years to plan for my 50th. I love, love that building, the atmosphere, the band, the decor at Christmas. So we may stay there, but definitely not buying.

 

[tomandrobin]

I would be shocked if you didn't buy at the GF.

And was not a founding member!

 

[tomandrobin]

I am torn about VGF.

Grand Floridian has always been my favorite non-DVC resort....actually for both my wife and I.

I am not sure I want to spend $150 pp for VGF to gain home resort booking rights. I already own 2 contracts at BLT and if I wanted to stay near MK, it might be better just to add more points at BLT.

I really need to see the details of the resort, pricing and amenities before I make a final decision.

 

[twinklebug]

Well we can all hope they learned their lesson with the layout of the BLT studios and improve.

I think, and hope, that the GF Villas will have a unique twist on what we think of as the villa standard (box rooms, with a few exceptions). BLT did so in a modern twist, as did Aulani in a HI way. I anticipate GF's villas to have a Victorian, indulgence twist. Something more than just the drapes and furnishings - a layout truly unique to the rooms so they don't feel like just another villa or hotel room but are truly unique to the resort.

Despite not wanting the GF Villas to be a home resort for myself, I am excited that they're building another on site. It's a new location to look over and be in awe of. I expect the doors to be card-keyed as they are over at BLT simply because they're on the monorail loop and may get more traffic.

I'm curious if they'll be building yet another tentative 'member's only' lounge into the building. Looking at the design I don't see a location for one, so perhaps not.

 

[tomandrobin]

I'm curious if they'll be building yet another tentative 'member's only' lounge into the building. Looking at the design I don't see a location for one, so perhaps not.

The location is so idea for weddings......

So my guess is that DVC will "plus-up" the lobby and space off the lobby, similar to the current resort. Maybe it'll have a small bar and piano area, perfect for just sitting back and relaxing.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I love the GF. DH and I spent about an hour there on Monday, listening to the lobby music, while munching on the roasted chestnuts they give away every Christmas season.

The greeter, Richard, is a favorite CM of ours.

We won't buy points there unless we sell some others, but that decision is not set in stone. I like Cape May, so Victorian things suit me. The thread about getting old and able to do less is more of the reason why we just won't add on there. We will definitely want to stay there.

Bobbi

 

[jade1]

Does anyone have an idea how long of a walk it is gonna be from the DVC villas to the monorail station at the Grand Floridian?

Appears to be about 180 yards to what will be the front of the villas, then of course add the walk to your room. The furthest current GF buildings are about twice that far, so it actually is fairly close to the main buildings there.

 

[arthur06]

We won't buy points there unless we sell some others, but that decision is not set in stone. I like Cape May, so Victorian things suit me. The thread about getting old and able to do less is more of the reason why we just won't add on there. We will definitely want to stay there.

Bobbi

You scared me at first, then I saw the bolded part and then I could rest easy...

 

[aan1701]

I am not that excited either. I know there is a reason we all buy at a certain resort, and I own at AKL for two reasons. The points per night when I usaly go are very low, and second I fly for free cause I work for a airline so, I can go almost whenever I want. That being said, I am sure the place will start at 150 a point and I would think that the points required to stay there will be in line with Hawaii, so I probaly wont even stay there. Still to those that are thirilled, I am happy for you and hope you enjoy.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We would like to stay there to see what they are like but probably would not buy there....due to the anticipated price per point....

 

[Snurk71]

We used to stay at GF every trip, and said we'd buy DVC when GF added DVC. But BLT came along first as a monorail DVC. And VGC was available too (our favorite DL hotel). So we bought at those 2 resorts. After experiencing those 2 resorts and the benefit of walking to a park, we stayed at BCV durign F&W and bought there earlier this year.

The issue I now have with VGF is where they're positioning the building. It seems pretty far away from the main building. Even when we stayed in Conch before, that was a super quick walk to the boat dock and fairly quick to the main building. So I'm just not seeing a big advantage to where they're putting the building over our experiences at our other home resorts. We always loved GF. Maybe we'll just book the occasional cash room there instead.