Trying another deluxe resort instead of GF...

[minniesota]

We've had the same "problem" LOL in the past. Our solution for at least three trips (next one in Oct.) is spending 3 or 4 nights at the YC and then 3 or 4 nights at the GF. This year we're actually staying at BCV, then GF. We plan our itinerary accordingly so that we spend time at Epcot and MGM while at the YC (a quick walk and/or boat ride), and MK and AK while at the GF. We feel like it's two vacations and Disney makes the transfer very easy. That being said, save GF for your end of the week stay (save the best for last!) Good luck!

 

[Leota]

My dream resort was always the Beach Club. We stayed there in 2000 & it's still my dream resort. I just loved it.


That said, I am staying at the GF this Oct.(part of my HHB pkg.) I would love to hear what makes the GF so addictively special for y'all -

 

[ead79]

Janie,

I have stayed at every deluxe resort except the Contemporary (it's on the list to try, LOL!), and I still agonize over my resort choice. The GF is also my favorite resort, followed by the AKL and BWI.

If you want to try a new resort, I would recommend the BoardWalk Inn. It has an upscale, elegant feel like the GF and a very fun atmosphere. Plus, I love the decor and the room decor. Also, it is very convenient to have a 5 minute walk into Epcot and a boat ride or longer walk to Disney Studios.

One of the ways I branch out without worrying about not liking a new resort is to split my stay. Then you can spend the first part of your trip trying something new and the second part of your trip at an old favorite. Then you don't have the risk for the whole trip. I will say though that trying Disney's different resorts has been very fun. They each have their strengths and minor drawbacks, so I have different reasons for staying at each one. If some pictures would help you decide, I will put a link to my pictures from my last stay at the BoardWalk Inn (to give you an idea of how much we like this resort, we split our honeymoon between the GF and the BWI). We had a garden suite, but the room decor is still very similar to what you would find inside the standard rooms.

BoardWalk Inn Pictures

 

[JANIE G.]

Disneybride, your pictures were wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing. I have to admit, I am leaning toward trying the Boardwalk and after seeing the pictures, it really does have the feel of Grand Floridian.

Minniesota, you mentioned splitting our stay. We'll only be staying 6 nights. Do you think it is worth it? And would we be losing any time during the day transfering to another resort or does Disney take it upon themselves to transfer your bags to the new resort? Your input would be helpful.

Thanks again to so many wonderful people for responding.

Janie

 

[ead79]

Janie,

Disney will move your bags from one resort to another without any problems. However, if your room isn't ready when you first change resorts, you could be without a room between 11 am (check out at your first resort) and 3 pm (check-in at your next resort). Of course, they will store your luggage so you can spend that time in the parks. I love splitting my stay, and have even been lucky that my rooms have often be ready for me early.

 

[EveWalker]

Thanks for posting the link to your BWI pics. I'm agonizing over the same thing right now. Right now, we're booked at the GF for our whole trip. I'm going to add a couple of days at AKL, but I was trying to decide if we wanted to stay on the Epcot side as well. After looking at your pictures, I think I do.

I have a quick question though. Is concierge included in the garden suite? Looking at your pics, I think it is, but I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks!
Eve

 

[JANIE G.]

Thanks Elisabeth, I appreciate the information about transferring from one resort to another. It sounds like a perfect solution for me!

 

[ead79]

Janie, glad to be of help!

Eve, yes concierge service is included with the garden suite. We loved staying there! By the way, we love AKL too!

 

[PamNC]

I would do Yacht or Beach Club. I think going from the Grand to WL would be a let down. The Epcot Resort area is fabulous - so much to do and such a great atmosphere. The Yacht and Beach are upscale...which you're use to at the Grand. And, the best pool on property resides there...Stormalong Bay. You'll love walking to World Showcase. The Boardwalk has never appealed to me...if I'm going to be in the Epcot resort area give me Yacht or Beach so I can enjoy the lavish pool. It's like a mini water park. No need for Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.

Or - if you're in love with the MK resort area, I would try the Poly. It's actually our favorite resort now (former favorite resort is YC/BC...which we still love). The Poly has a very laid back tropical feel and the CMs are second to none. Great pool - better than the Grand in my opinion.

We've stayed at all of these resorts so I'm not just saying this from what I "think" - it's from first hand experience. But, just my humble opinion of course.

PamNC

 

[Cinderella37]

We stayed at the GF 8 times in 7 years and have switched to the BWI. We stayed there in 12/03 and 7/04 and will NEVER go back to the GF. The service (especially concierge) is amazing and the resort is beautiful. Though I loved the GF, the service isn't what it used to be, so we searched for a new resort. The BWI's decor and feel is much like the GF, only with a better location and much better service (especially housekeeping). I'm a MK person, but it's only a short bus/cab ride away from the BWI. It is a fantastic resort and I think you'll love it if you give it a try. I'm very picky and I was more than pleased with our past two trips, and as you can see, we'll be returning in July.

 

[packy]

Our first time at WDW in 1996 we stayed at GF. Then tried Poly in 1998 and BC in 1999 then back to GF in 2001 and 2003. I liked them all (and who wouldn't) but GF is still my favorite. That said, we are leaving for WDW in four days and going to the Poly.

 

[minster22]

This past spring we had a split stay, 7 nights LV at GF and then 10 nights at the BWI. My best friend and I saved for 2 years for this Grand trip and we had stayed several times at the Boardwalk, both in a 1 bedroom BWV and also a standard view BWI several times. We just love the Boardwalk, the rooms the staff, the access to both Epcot and MGM, the dining options so we chose the GF for the first half of our stay not knowing if we would like it as well as our beloved Boardwalk. Well, we were very pleasantly surprised how much we loved it and when I went over to the Boardwalk to check in on our 8th day I almost felt like we were slumming it!! There was lots of pixie dust in the air that day and we were upgraded to the Garden Suites with concierge for those next 10 nights.The concierge staff treated us like family and we were literally in tears when we left.I know many on these boards love the YC/BC and the pool there but for me I much prefer the Boardwalk, even the pool, and the quiet pool on the Inn side is just lovely!! For me the two are tied, GF and BW with each having their strong points.Sorry so long here....maybe a little memory lane of our "trip of a lifetime".(DH finally agreed to DVC at the BWV after that cash outlay!!!)

 

[Planogirl]

We used to stay in the Polynesian and we really enjoyed that area. I always thought that The Boardwalk would be the best Epcot resort. Plus pools aren't that important to us. I like the Yacht Club but I thought that the rooms were kind of small? Not that they wouldn't be big enough but the original deluxes are so big that it might annoy some people to lose too much space. It never bothered me, after all I'm a PORS and AKL fan now.

 

[minniesota]

Janie,
As ead79 said, transferring luggage is very easy. Disney takes care of it all! And I personallly think 3 nights at each resort is perfect if you are trying to get a feel for another place besides GF. Spending 6 or 7 nights in the same room feels claustrophobic to me. We have split our stay between GF and YC, GF and BC, GF and WL and GF and Contemporary. This year we are trying Poly, BCV and ending up at GF! Like I said before, I would make sure that GF is your last stop. Even though we loved YC, it was a bit of a letdown the year we went from GF to YC. I think the thing we noticed the most was the soundproofing. GF seems to have thicker walls, heavier doors, more quality construction (very quiet) and we noticed more noise in the halls, etc. at YC and BC. But we loved being on the boardwalk and so close to Epcot and MGM. We liked YC better than BC and WL was beautiful at Christmas but I would only go there then. If you go garden view at YC, request a room overlooking the wedding gazebo. Very quiet, beautiful and we could watch Illuminations from our balcony. Lagoon views there are great - overlooking the boardwalk and marina. Like I said, it feels like 2 vacations when you split your stay. Have fun deciding!

 

[JANIE G.]

I can't thank all of you enough for the wealth of information you gave me. My husband and I will talk things over and hope to place my reservations this week.

Once again, thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond.

Janie

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Let us know what you decide!

 

[lsyorke]

Prior to DVC we always stayed at the Grand Floridian and loved it. Then one trip we switched to the Yacht Club and liked it even more that GF due to the location and the pool.
Since becoming DVC members we usually stay at OKW(love the space!) and last week we were at the Boardwalk. Somehow the Boardwalk never lives up to our expectations. This trip they were doing construction on the ceilings in the hall(they cut our phone lines and we didn't get a wake up call), power washing the building all day by the quiet pool. Nothing major, just annoyances that we weren't thrilled with. I'd go Yacht or beach before I'd go Boardwalk.

 

[AllyandJack]

My DH is very upset that we won't be staying "with Flo" this trip. I want to try AKL. He's going along with me, but still talks about "Flo."

I told him "Flo" will always be there for us. If we don't like staying elsewhere, we can go back to "Flo" next trip. No biggie. He acts like once we stay somewhere else we'll be banned for life!!

I'd stay to try a new resort. If it doesn't do what GF does for you, then you'll know to stay there next trip or try another resort. Thankfully, they haven't started assigning resorts to people, so GF will always be an option for you!

 

[FutureWasYesterday]

Even though all Deluxes at Disney are nice and have their own appeal, there is a reason why the GF is called Disney's flagship resort. Me and the better half went their 3 years ago for our first deluxe resort stay. She was blown away and has been disappointed (not to the point of ruining our trip tho) with the deluxes that have followed (especially the Poly's comparative out-dated feel). All of the other posters are right, go ahead and split your stay and leave the GF for last !

Our next trip will be to try the Yacht/Beach area , I am REALLY excited about this and SAB..

Have fun

 

[Cinderella37]

Originally posted by lsyorke
Somehow the Boardwalk never lives up to our expectations.

The BWV is entirely different than the BWI. Since one is a home away from home and the other a deluxe resort, there can sometimes be differences. The rooms at the BWI are different from the Villas, as is the staff and the entire feel of the place, IMO. Not that the issues you described couldn't have happened on the Inn side, but they are two different places where the actual lodging is concerned, as well as some of the public areas.