VGF hesitation - Lane

[MamaCrystal]

Do any of you struggle emotionally with certain room views after little Lane's tragedy? We have been strongly leaning toward a VGF contract with the intention of booking a grand villa next October for our first owner stay. After checking views, it looks like they are all on the end of the building facing the beach area and I'm afraid I won't be able to get it out of my mind I've considered booking a standard view 2 bdr + studio instead to avoid the view, which I know sounds crazy!

Background - I had just given birth to a baby boy when Lane died last year. I have strong memories of snuggling my little guy while checking for updates on Lane, and cried when he was found. One of the articles I read described the sights and sounds and his mom screaming. I think my heightened hormonal state at the time left me with perhaps stronger than average emotions tied to the event.

Anyway, just wondering if this has affected anyone else's feelings about certain rooms or their overall experience.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do any of you struggle emotionally with certain room views after little Lane's tragedy? We have been strongly leaning toward a VGF contract with the intention of booking a grand villa next October for our first owner stay. After checking views, it looks like they are all on the end of the building facing the beach area and I'm afraid I won't be able to get it out of my mind I've considered booking a standard view 2 bdr + studio instead to avoid the view, which I know sounds crazy!

Background - I had just given birth to a baby boy when Lane died last year. I have strong memories of snuggling my little guy while checking for updates on Lane, and cried when he was found. One of the articles I read described the sights and sounds and his mom screaming. I think my heightened hormonal state at the time left me with perhaps stronger than average emotions tied to the event.

Anyway, just wondering if this has affected anyone else's feelings about certain rooms or their overall experience.

That was a sad event, but Disney has done remediation to help prevent this from happening again.

 

[lisaviolet]

No, I do not struggle emotionally. I have been back twice at VGF, standard and LV rooms with views of that area, since he passed away.

I did find myself thinking about it as I passed the area walking and exhaled. But it did not affect my vacation in any manner nor did having that view.

to you MamaCrystal.

__________________________________________

As for you and your choices --

The VGF is an exquisite resort. And a great place to buy in. You will have an amazing time. I too will be buying a contract there when I win the lottery. What a dream come true to book a GV there. Enjoy.

 

[Allison]

No, it has not.

 

[MamaCrystal]

No, I do not struggle emotionally. I have been back twice at VGF, standard and LV rooms with views of that area, since he passed away.

I did find myself thinking about it as I passed the area walking and exhaled. But it did not affect my vacation in any manner or did having that view.

to you MamaCrystal.

__________________________________________

As for you and your choices --

The VGF is an exquisite resort. And a great place to buy in. You will have an amazing time. I too will be buying a contract there when I win the lottery. What a dream come true to book a GV there. Enjoy.

Thank you It does seem like a wonderful dream. We rented points at WL in 2014 and couldn't imagine we'd be considering buying into GF right now. The grand villa would be a special treat as we'd be taking my parents for my mom's first ever trip to Disney World!

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

It has not bothered me, but I did think about it because we had brought my young grandson to VGF before and after the incident with the alligator. I had very positive memories of VGF before the incident, so I was able to put it into context. If all I knew about VGF were the news reports of that incident, I might have a much stronger reaction. To me, VGF is the peak of the Disney experience. The cast members there are just the best, and it breaks my heart that this happened there.

But in your case, you are correct. The views from the Grand Villas would include that beach. And walking by the pool would include that beach. The shortest way to the main lobby and monorail and quick service is near that beach. You will see a rope fence that says "no swimming" and this may also be a reminder. So if you already know that it bothers you, there are a lot more resorts to try.

 

[MamaCrystal]

It has not bothered me, but I did think about it because we had brought my young grandson to VGF before and after the incident with the alligator. I had very positive memories of VGF before the incident, so I was able to put it into context. If all I knew about VGF were the news reports of that incident, I might have a much stronger reaction. To me, VGF is the peak of the Disney experience. The cast members there are just the best, and it breaks my heart that this happened there.

But in your case, you are correct. The views from the Grand Villas would include that beach. And walking by the pool would include that beach. The shortest way to the main lobby and monorail and quick service is near that beach. You will see a rope fence that says "no swimming" and this may also be a reminder. So if you already know that it bothers you, there are a lot more resorts to try.

Thank you for that info! Good point that the beach really wouldn't be avoidable in any case I suppose. We have visited GF but haven't stayed there... I think you're right that if I had positive memories before the incident like you, it would be easier to put out of mind. Also, maybe being there in person and seeing all the beauty and happiness would make it easier than I'm anticipating.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Thank you for that info! Good point that the beach really wouldn't be avoidable in any case I suppose. We have visited GF but haven't stayed there... I think you're right that if I had positive memories before the incident like you, it would be easier to put out of mind. Also, maybe being there in person and seeing all the beauty and happiness would make it easier than I'm anticipating.

Yeah, the focal point is not the beach, it is Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom, or the Pool, or the resort buildings.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I consider these types of things a good way to reflect and remind oneself that wildlife is, indeed wild. And then I remember my personal experiences with alligators, and I take three steps backwards. Even if I'm nowhere near water. LOL

 

[Geomom]

With your current feelings about VGF and the tragedy that happened there, I wouldn't buy there. Pick another resort that you'd enjoy the grand villas at, and in the future maybe you could get a 'standard' room at 7 mths and not have the view you don't want--that way you could try the resort, but not feel tied to it.

It would not bother us to stay there, but I don't have the emotional connection that you do. Your feelings are understandable, anytime something happens to a child close in age to yours, and the same gender makes things hit home a little more.

 

[princesslayla]

I totally understand your feelings. I have two small children. We are owners at VGF and visited just a few days after the tragedy last year. THAT visit was very very hard. The "fire pit" was filled with flowers/stuffed animals as a memorial. Cast members were positioned on the beach keeping people off of it. The rope installation was in progress during our stay.

We JUST returned from another visit to VGF and while it is still in my memory, it was not at the forefront. That being said, it is always on mind when we walk by the beach and it has definitely tainted my view of VGF, as a whole. During our visit we did not see ANYONE on the beach. It was vacant.

My husband's favorite resort is VGF, so we will always stay there. But...it totally changed my once platinum opinion of the resort.

 

[MamaCrystal]

With your current feelings about VGF and the tragedy that happened there, I wouldn't buy there. Pick another resort that you'd enjoy the grand villas at, and in the future maybe you could get a 'standard' room at 7 mths and not have the view you don't want--that way you could try the resort, but not feel tied to it.

It would not bother us to stay there, but I don't have the emotional connection that you do. Your feelings are understandable, anytime something happens to a child close in age to yours, and the same gender makes things hit home a little more.

I actually would have LOVED to purchase at Poly. Everything about that resort oozes with joy to me... Sam's grotto, Dole Whip, volcano pool, tiki torches, bright colors, I love it! So bummed that they didn't include regular/non-bungalow 2-bedrooms there. We have 5 young kids so a studio just doesn't work for us and even the bungalow would have some of them sleeping in the living room. We did enjoy WL but I'm not a big fan of the new Copper Creek decor. The cabins look great but are so close to the water with little ones... I haven't seen any info about rope fencing there yet. BRV don't offer grand villas, which we're interested in for when we're traveling with grandparents. BLT is totally not our style. I was hoping to be at a monorail resort so GF overall seems to be the best pick.

 

[MamaCrystal]

I totally understand your feelings. I have two small children. We are owners at VGF and visited just a few days after the tragedy last year. THAT visit was very very hard. The "fire pit" was filled with flowers/stuffed animals as a memorial. Cast members were positioned on the beach keeping people off of it. The rope installation was in progress during our stay.

We JUST returned from another visit to VGF and while it is still in my memory, it was not at the forefront. That being said, it is always on mind when we walk by the beach and it has definitely tainted my view of VGF, as a whole. During our visit we did not see ANYONE on the beach. It was vacant.

My husband's favorite resort is VGF, so we will always stay there. But...it totally changed my once platinum opinion of the resort.

Oh my goodness. That must have been awful to be near that beach so soon after it happened. I often think of the guests who witnessed all of the responders and heard everything going on. I'm sure it would take a long time to recover from that Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about it!

 

[princesslayla]

Oh my goodness. That must have been awful to be near that beach so soon after it happened. I often think of the guests who witnessed all of the responders and heard everything going on. I'm sure it would take a long time to recover from that Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about it!

I just saw your comments about the Cascade Cabins at WL. We stayed for a few days at WL before we checked into GF. There is NO water access from the cabin. No door to the water. There is a 6 foot fence which abuts to the screened in lanai. The only access to the lanai is from inside the cabin. There is zero chance of anyone accessing the water from the cabins.

 

[Shanti]

No, but may God bless that child and his family.

We actually stayed at the GF only a short time after that tragedy, and it didn't impact our stay. Accidents happen everywhere- I would have a hard time driving down my local highway peacefully if I couldn't stop thinking about the 100's of people who have died on it...

 

[MamaCrystal]

I just saw your comments about the Cascade Cabins at WL. We stayed for a few days at WL before we checked into GF. There is NO water access from the cabin. No door to the water. There is a 6 foot fence which abuts to the screened in lanai. The only access to the lanai is from inside the cabin. There is zero chance of anyone accessing the water from the cabins.

There's a 6 foot fence between the cabin porch and water? Is it chain link or solid? That seems odd! I was hoping for some kind of fence so gators couldn't wander up to the front of the cabins but 6 feet seems excessive!

 

[princesslayla]

There's a 6 foot fence between the cabin porch and water? Is it chain link or solid? That seems odd! I was hoping for some kind of fence so gators couldn't wander up to the front of the cabins but 6 feet seems excessive!

Chain link. I dont think Disney wants anyone climbing over it....animal or human. We observed it multiple times when we walked by the cabins and from the boat to the MK.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I think you should go to VGF, and here's why. Firstly, EVERY beach on property is now roped off with no swimming signs. We all know exactly why these ropes are there, so no matter where you stay you will be reminded of Lane. At least I am, and I didn't have a particularly strong reaction in the first place. Secondly, seeing the VGF resort with people enjoying themselves and life moving on may have a bit of a healing quality for you.

 

[MamaCrystal]

Chain link. I dont think Disney wants anyone climbing over it....animal or human. We observed it multiple times when we walked by the cabins and from the boat to the MK.

And you don't think it's just for construction? I'd be happy with the level of safety it provides, but I can't imagine guests in general would appreciate that view!

 

[MamaCrystal]

I see it now on this YouTube video:

It's not as bad as I pictured Confused though, one pic looks like the fence is just between cabins preventing critters getting to the front and humans getting to the back... another picture looks like it's along the back of the cabins. Maybe at the end of the trail it just extends out to the side.