*The Official VILLAS AT DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Owners & Lovers Group*

[HairyChest]

Looks like all the shower have tubs, no walk-ins......

That really stinks. Shower tubs are so ugly.

 

[Airb330]

Looks like all the shower have tubs, no walk-ins......

Some have no balconies and yet there is no 'value' category.

No balconies
No kitchenette
All tubs
3 strikes you're out

Really am not liking this expansion. I fear it's going to be so hard to get a studio in the old building.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Some have no balconies and yet there is no 'value' category.

No balconies
No kitchenette
All tubs
3 strikes you're out

Really am not liking this expansion. I fear it's going to be so hard to get a studio in the old building.

Is it confirmed there wont be a kitchenette? Or just guessing based off the architectural diagram?

 

[Airb330]

Is it confirmed there wont be a kitchenette? Or just guessing based off the architectural diagram?

Confirmed awhile ago. There was some hope, but alas there will be beverage 'coolers' or something and that's it. I never cooked in a studio but it was nice to have a fridge and a little sink. We never even use the microwave but again it's nice to have it just in case.

I still cannot get over the 1/2 bedroom's living room couch setup. A small couch from a studio and one extra chair. Seating for 3 adults only.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Confirmed awhile ago. There was some hope, but alas there will be beverage 'coolers' or something and that's it. I never cooked in a studio but it was nice to have a fridge and a little sink. We never even use the microwave but again it's nice to have it just in case.

Wow. Thats bad.

 

[Nabas]

Some have no balconies and yet there is no 'value' category.

No balconies
No kitchenette
All tubs
3 strikes you're out

Really am not liking this expansion. I fear it's going to be so hard to get a studio in the old building.

Although I agree that I prefer the amenities of the VGF1 rooms more, I’d rather be able to get any VGF Studio than be shut out completely.

Besides, I don’t think experienced DVC members are their target market. I suspect Disney is aiming for someone on vacation who is staying at a Value or Moderate, and becomes enthralled with the idea of being able to stay at the Grand Floridian for their next vacation.

Which makes me wonder what sort of Member pricing we’ll see.

 

[CarolynFH]

Besides, I don’t think experienced DVC members are their target market. I suspect Disney is aiming for someone on vacation who is staying at a Value or Moderate, and becomes enthralled with the idea of being able to stay at the Grand Floridian for their next vacation.

Based on the comments I've read over the years on the regular Resorts board and even the DVC Resorts board from non-owners, I think you're right. They want two "real" beds (the 5th sleeper is a bonus) and a fridge and a coffeemaker. They're not interested in cooking, maybe in having milk and cereal or yogurt for breakfast, and they don't want to do laundry. These Resort Studios are perfect for them - they can pre-pay for their resort rooms for years to come! Of course, after they get a few stays in, they may be like many Poly owners who bought for studios and later realized that larger villas have appeal, the difference being that they'll be able to book those 1+ BR at 11 months while Poly owners have to wait until 7 months (or add on at another resort).

 

[FinallyFL]

maybe in having milk and cereal or yogurt for breakfast

The beverage coolers aren't going to keep milk and yogurt at a safe level, so the new rooms aren't ideal for this group either.

 

[Airb330]

The beverage coolers aren't going to keep milk and yogurt at a safe level, so the new rooms aren't ideal for this group either.

Out of all the issues I have with the new rooms, I do get the two bed appeal. But the no mini fridge is baffling. Rooms with no balconies (& 3 room categories all around view) is another pain point. I’d be irritated to have no balcony but would feel differently if there was a value category or something where you knew that ahead of time. The less room categories, the easier it is to waitlist or cobble together a trip via stalking imo.

I’ll give it 2-Years to shake out. If I can’t get VGF1 studios at 11 months regularly at most reasonable times (I’ll give Christmas a pass because it’s already hard), we’ll sell. If it’s difficult to book 5-7 nights in the spring (not Easter) at VGF1, then it would be best to sell.

 

[Ssplashhmtn]

Rooms with no balconies (& 3 room categories all around view) is another pain point.

I thought 95% of the new rooms have balconies. Is this a real problem? That’s concerning if most rooms don’t have balconies.

 

[DixieDelights]

Are the new rooms going to be a separate booking category? As VGF owners do we get 11 month booking or no?

 

[Nabas]

Are the new rooms going to be a separate booking category? As VGF owners do we get 11 month booking or no?

Yes, the new rooms are a different booking category. The VGF point chart on the DVC website has already been updated with the new booking categories. (See below image.)

Yes, a VGF1 owner has 11-month booking privileges at VGF2.

 

[mrsap]

2-Bedroom: The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa - Room Tour

I’ll be updating Page 1 with the refurbished room tours.

 

[Her Dotness]

But the no mini fridge is baffling.

Not a change for the worse because what's in VGF1 studios currently are the looks-like-a-mini-fridge-but-it's-not. You're getting a beverage cooler in both 1 and 2 in future.

That's why Disney describes them as a "beverage cooler." They're only designed to keep drinks 20-30 degrees cooler than room temperature. Definitely not safe for storing foods that need 40 degrees.

Now, any that still have the little (useless) freezer compartment are mini-fridges. But, don't try to keep ice cream in those! Goo in an hour or two.

 

[UrsulaTime]

I always like to keep up with the latest iterations of the rooms at each resort (kind of a hobby, if it can be considered that?). The changes I saw in the villas just now have made the Grand Floridian shoot to the top of my Disney World Resort Wish List for the first time.

For me, I think the Grand has always had the biggest gap between resort/grounds/amenities appeal and room appeal. Until now.

To all of you VGF owners...enjoy! (Although - I'm sorry some of the studios might not have balconies...I'm not a DVC member but I've rented points and a Deluxe/Villa accommodation without a balcony sounds...new. I hope it becomes a separate booking category if that's really the case...also, I don't mind the plaid, but I was a little surprised to see it at the Grand. Does anyone know if plaid is used elsewhere on property? I'm curious!)

Anyway. Thanks for letting me 'hang out' here on the VGF forum.

 

[Airb330]

Not a change for the worse because what's in VGF1 studios currently are the looks-like-a-mini-fridge-but-it's-not. You're getting a beverage cooler in both 1 and 2 in future.

That's why Disney describes them as a "beverage cooler." They're only designed to keep drinks 20-30 degrees cooler than room temperature. Definitely not safe for storing foods that need 40 degrees.

Now, any that still have the little (useless) freezer compartment are mini-fridges. But, don't try to keep ice cream in those! Goo in an hour or two.

Interesting, I do not remember having issues with the fridge/cooler at GFV. It’ll be interesting what’s there next time. Our last trip to VGF was 2019. Yes, the feezers were always a joke.

I was at Aulani last month in a refurbished studio room. They kept the large mini fridge there at least. Kept everything cold and fit a lot of items.

 

[mrsap]

 

[mrsap]

Splash pad at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort closing for refurbishment late February 2022

The closure begins February 21 through February 28, reopening to guests on March 1 2022.

 

[mrsap]

February Activity Schedule


Thanks @Lorena !!!

 

[mrsap]

Morning all!


Wi-Fi Upgrade Coming Soon to the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Effective February 22, a new network name ("WDW Resorts Guest") will be available to Guest staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Guests connected to that network can expect faster download and upload speeds.