VGF and Families with Young Kids

[LCoulter]

After seeing a few comments about VGF and GF being for retirees and empty nesters and not for families with young kids, I am questioning my reservation at VGF for DD6’s surprise birthday trip. That’s just not how I envision VGF and GF…I envision it for families as well as a romantic setting for young couples and retirees and everyone in between.

We own at BLT and have tried AKV and SSR. DD6’s favorite resort is BLT…she likes AKV too but still prefers BLT. I guess that I have heard that BLT isn’t really kid friendly and she likes it so maybe VGF will be fine for us.

I initially booked BLT for the trip at 11 months and was going to switch to AKV at 7 months because we have been alternating between BLT and AKV but I was lucky and managed to snag VGF….I figure this will probably be the one and only time we will be able to do that since we don’t own there.

Anyway, is it not kid friendly at GF? Or is it just not as kid friendly as other resorts? My understanding is that there isn’t a community hall there but that isn’t a big deal as we never have time to go to the BLT hall anyway. Do they have activities for kids at the main pool at GF?

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

We stayed at GF over the Memorial Day weekend. The property is quite pretty. It didn't feel as "comfortable" to me as a place like AKL or WL. I sort of felt like it was a "look but don't touch" atmosphere inside the buildings. Outside and the pool areas were very nice. The main pool had things going on most times when we went swimming.

The beach area didn't impress me (but I am from Fort Lauderdale) and I did not see it used. Both pools had a lot of usage. Our grandkids loved the pools and the room. They were not impressed with the arcade. The QS was very small, but had tables outside which made a quick breakfast outside looking at the grounds enjoyable.

All in all, GF is very nice looking but feels a bit standoff-ish to us. Our grandkids enjoyed AKL more. They felt like it was ok to touch things when they were at AKL.

 

[wdrl]

Personally, I think all Disney resorts are kid friendly. I expect you'll find lots of activities that will appeal to a six year old at the Grand Floridian Resort. 1900 Park Faire has character meals and many people really enjoy the afternoon tea at GF. There is also "My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party" at GF.

The Villas are situated close to the GF's beach pool and the new Mad Hatter water play area. You can see in this photo how close the beach pool and the Mad Hatter water play area are to the Villas:

If I was in your position, I would keep the VGF reservation and give the resort resort a try. If I like it, I'll try to book it in the future. If I don't like, then I'll stick to other resorts for my future visits.

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

After seeing a few comments about VGF and GF being for retirees and empty nesters and not for families with young kids, I am questioning my reservation at VGF for DD6’s surprise birthday trip. That’s just not how I envision VGF and GF…I envision it for families as well as a romantic setting for young couples and retirees and everyone in between.

We own at BLT and have tried AKV and SSR. DD6’s favorite resort is BLT…she likes AKV too but still prefers BLT. I guess that I have heard that BLT isn’t really kid friendly and she likes it so maybe VGF will be fine for us.

I initially booked BLT for the trip at 11 months and was going to switch to AKV at 7 months because we have been alternating between BLT and AKV but I was lucky and managed to snag VGF….I figure this will probably be the one and only time we will be able to do that since we don’t own there.

Anyway, is it not kid friendly at GF? Or is it just not as kid friendly as other resorts? My understanding is that there isn’t a community hall there but that isn’t a big deal as we never have time to go to the BLT hall anyway. Do they have activities for kids at the main pool at GF?

We booked VGF for our Nov. trip and we consist of a 4year old and 1 year old. I have never stayed there, but have walked through numerous times. Though it does have a more "up scale" feel, I am not worried at all about it not being completely kid friendly. It's Disney after all, so to me everything is fair game with the kids(with the exeption of certain restaurants). Also, I did see that they put in a really cute Alice in Wonderland themed splash area for kids Enjoy your vacation.

 

[Sur]

We'll be saving VGF for non-kid trips, for the reasons you stated.

 

[hakepb]

Just based on visiting the resort, its certainly not unusual to see a family with a young princess and there is the Alice themed pool, so I'm sure the OP will be fine for their birthday celebration

 

[Lynne M]

Every time I've stayed at GF it's been chock full of kids. No less so than any other Disney resort. It's a very family friendly resort.

The decor may be somewhat formal, but it's got a very laid-back, friendly vibe. People walking through the lobby in Goofy hats. Just like anywhere else a WDW.

 

[LCoulter]

We have visited GF a few times over the years just because we love the Victorian theme but have never had the opportunity to stay there, until now.

It does have a more “upscale” feel to it but we have never spent enough time there to get a really good feel for it.

DD will love the new water play area!

I think I’m leaning back toward trying this resort. I think DD will be happy just being in WDW, regardless of which resort we are in. She will probably really like the pull down bed with the picture.

 

[Disney Princess]

I think the theme of the GF gives the vibe of "upscale" or "adults only" but the resort certainly isn't that way. I always see lots of kids when we are here for dining, monorail touring, etc. In no way do I think this resort will make you feel unwelcome with your kids.

Also, the designer of the villas thinks kids are coming - no adult that I know of could fit in that murphy bed. It was built to include kids. (I'm not saying that you NEED kids to enjoy the villas, but simply that the designers planned for kids to be here at one point or another.)

 

[SpaceMountain77]

While I feel perfectly comfortably walking through AKL with a towel in hand and wearing a bathing suit and flip flops, to get to the pool, I would certainly not feel as comfortable at the GF.

For gentlemen, I believe anything less than an ascot, oxford, chinos and button-up sweater is frowned upon.

 

[Lynne M]

While I feel perfectly comfortably walking through AKL with a towel in hand and wearing a bathing suit and flip flops, to get to the pool, I would certainly not feel as comfortable at the GF.

For gentlemen, I believe anything less than an ascot, oxford, chinos and button-up sweater is frowned upon.

Have you ever walked around GF? Kids in dripping bathing suits, people in sweaty t-shirts and shorts and flip flops, Goofy hats. Not an ascot in sight.

 

[dizfan]

Do not let other people's opinions sway you away from trying it.

No one has stayed at VGF, so any advice is purely speculation right now.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It is a Disney resort next to a theme park. It provides an additional theme option for people but there are many, many families who stay there.

GF does have a convention center so you see a few more people dressed up in business attire than resorts that don't have that but they probably were influenced to come since it was WDW and they could have their families join them.

 

[Andrew015]

I would absolutely keep the reservation at VGF. This is WDWs Flagship resort, and as you mentioned, the opportunity to try it again down the road might be difficult without actually owning there and having the 11 month window. I always see plenty of kids at GF, and the whole look but dont touch thing is just a perception that some have (many of whom have probably not even stayed there), not reality. The resort grounds are beautiful, you can walk the beach and venture over to the Poly, and being a 20 second monorail ride from MK is pretty darn cool, too. If your daughter would enjoy watching MK fireworks from the beach, taking a long stroll down the beach to visit the Poly and having a fantastic swimming pool at her disposal, then this is a good place to be.

Many feel that the GF is too ritzy for their personal taste, and feel more at home at a cozier resort like WL or Poly. I for one fall into that category, but this is strictly a personal preference in theming, not a negative feeling that I have towards GF. I love the resort, and feel that Disney did a magnificent job in creating this crown jewel as their flagship resort. I think its important to clarify the misconception of the resort feeling Snobbish or Standoffish. Rather, I think the words that should be used are Elegant or Opulent. Never in my life have I ever been treated rudely by a CM at GF, or have I been looked down upon for staying at an inferior, less-costly resort. Ive always felt welcome, and have encountered some of the most cheerful CMs at GF. The CMs really seem to know that they are working at Disney's finest resort, and have always gone out of their way - be it holding a door, greeting you at the entrance or at a giftshop with a smile, etc. - to make you feel welcome, even if you are just passing through as a visitor.

If the opportunity presents itself for me to try out VGF, I'm in...

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

I always see plenty of kids at GF, and the whole look but dont touch thing is just a perception that some have (many of whom have probably not even stayed there), not reality.

I think its important to clarify the misconception of the resort feeling Snobbish or Standoffish. Rather, I think the words that should be used are Elegant or Opulent. Never in my life have I ever been treated rudely by a CM at GF, or have I been looked down upon for staying at an inferior, less-costly resort. Ive always felt welcome, and have encountered some of the most cheerful CMs at GF.

As I was one who mentioned the "look but don't touch" feel of the lobby area, please let me respond. I have stayed at GF and did so just a few months ago. While "I" don't feel that way, it was the feeling of my grandchildren and the topic was VGF in relation to children. Since pretty much all the amenities for VGF are going to be at GF, I feel mentioning my grandchildren's stay at GF to be relevant.

I choose the word standoffish because it was the best word to describe what I wanted to convey. I do not feel it is a "misconception" of my grandchildren's feelings. GF is a very nice hotel. I enjoyed my stay there. My grandchildren enjoyed their stay there. The staff, as with any Disney property I have stayed at over the decades, were great. My initial response was in regard to the young ones and their impressions. I am not implying that GF is the Smithsonian. I am however, saying that having been to both, my grandchildren enjoyed the feel and atmosphere of AKL more than GF. I personally regard it as more "kid oriented".

 

[Andrew015]

As I was one who mentioned the "look but don't touch" feel of the lobby area, please let me respond. I have stayed at GF and did so just a few months ago. While "I" don't feel that way, it was the feeling of my grandchildren and the topic was VGF in relation to children. Since pretty much all the amenities for VGF are going to be at GF, I feel mentioning my grandchildren's stay at GF to be relevant.

I choose the word standoffish because it was the best word to describe what I wanted to convey. I do not feel it is a "misconception" of my grandchildren's feelings. GF is a very nice hotel. I enjoyed my stay there. My grandchildren enjoyed their stay there. The staff, as with any Disney property I have stayed at over the decades, were great. My initial response was in regard to the young ones and their impressions. I am not implying that GF is the Smithsonian. I am however, saying that having been to both, my grandchildren enjoyed the feel and atmosphere of AKL more than GF. I personally regard it as more "kid oriented".

SFlaDisneyFans: While it may have appeared that I was singling you out in my response, that was really not my intention. I totally understand where you and your grandchildren are coming from, and quite honestly (as I mentioned), I have similar sentiments. I love GF, but if I had my druthers, my first choices would be WL or Poly. This is strictly my personal preference, and everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion. The fantastic thing about WDW is that there is virtually a resort for everyone - all having different themes and different price points that cater to a variety of different people.

So that being said, my post was really in response to a generalization that I have witnessed on DISboards numerous times throughout the years. I have seen a number of posts where people use similar language to describe their feelings toward GF, many of whom have never stayed at the resort. Perhaps you don't have to stay at a resort in order to formulate an opinion on it, but I really don't think you're doing it justice - or perhaps you really shouldn't "trash" it until you stay there. More times than not, the post often goes down the road of "I would never spend "X" amount per night to stay at the "Snobby" GF, when I can stay at ASM for $95/night. Shame on those "sobby", "pretentious", "wasteful" people who choose to stay there. OK - They might not actually come out and say it, but in a nutshell, that's the inference.

I didn't get the sense that anyone in this post felt that way, but I've seen it enough times, I felt that it was worth mentioning. Sorry if I offended, as it was not my intention. Rather, I just don't like to see GF get labeled as something that it really is not. To the OP - Once again, I feel that your daughter will have a fantastic time at GF. Any 6 year old staying in such a magnificent resort, being a 20 second monorail ride from MK, could probably not dream of a better scenario. That being said, I agree with SFLADisney that there are other, more kid-oriented resorts out there. But I don't feel as if GF is "non-kid friendly", and I think you should give it a shot.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Also - are there any other resorts that have a "Pirate" ship sail out from it loaded up with kids?

We once had a room that overlooked the Marina and saw many happy kids heading out for the excursion.

 

[Disney Spaz]

I would keep the VGF ressie without hesitation. We have a DD 7 and we just bought in to VGF because we all really enjoy the atmosphere of the resort. DD 7 loves the feel of the resort and the splash area is something she can't wait to try.

We tried GF when DD was 1 and was very worried we would look or feel out of place as we had always done value resorts with a sprinkle of mods. Well we couldn't have been more wrong. Everyone made us feel so welcome, from the CM's to the other resort guests.

Now when I go there, even just to visit I feel like I slow down and really enjoy everything around me and kind of stop and smell the roses. We will sit in the lobby or find a chair on the porch and let the world run by. DH says we really feel on vacation when we stop there.

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

SFlaDisneyFans: While it may have appeared that I was singling you out in my response, that was really not my intention.
<snip>

No offense taken. I just wanted to clarify what I was saying in case it hasn't come out how I intended.

As I said I loved GF and we would have bought at VGF but we didn't get the right vibe from the models during the walkthrough we took.

As for the resort snobbery you mentioned, I understand completely. I admit I get annoyed when I see comments from people about being "stuck" having to stay at SSR (our home resort). We love SSR.

 

[sweetdana]

I think in the past it would have been dead on. I also think the majority of GF buyers will not fit into that box, and should change the dynamics.