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

[DVCsloth]

I’m a bit concerned as well, we love the 1 br.s and I’m hoping the flood of new points they sell for BPK doesn’t negatively impact my chance of getting a 1 br. in early Dec..

What is BPK?

 

[Ssplashhmtn]

What is BPK?

Big Pine Key, the hotel building that will be converted into DVC studios.

 

[DVCsloth]

Not seeing a whole lot of positives for current VGF owners, maybe it will make studios a little easier during the busy DVC times? If the 1 BR get really difficult, I guess I can always book studios at VGF and book 1 BR at my other home CCV. Either way, we really do love this resort and so glad I own there. Really looking forward to having the option of walking back from MK especially after fireworks when the monorail and boat are a long wait.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What I'm wondering about is whether BPK and the VGF building will be different booking categories as Jambo and Kidani are? Or if you reserve a studio, will you find out at check-in which building you're in? One thing I preferred about the Villas location was that it was pretty equidistant from Gaspirilla Grill and the Poly for food, so I actually went over to the Poly for most of my meals. Anyone else?

 

[DVCsloth]

What I'm wondering about is whether BPK and the VGF building will be different booking categories as Jambo and Kidani are? Or if you reserve a studio, will you find out at check-in which building you're in? One thing I preferred about the Villas location was that it was pretty equidistant from Gaspirilla Grill and the Poly for food, so I actually went over to the Poly for most of my meals. Anyone else?

Hope if they are separate they keep the same point chart. We also like the walk to Poly for more food options and even sometimes walk to TTC for Epcot.

 

[sndral]

What I'm wondering about is whether BPK and the VGF building will be different booking categories as Jambo and Kidani are? Or if you reserve a studio, will you find out at check-in which building you're in? One thing I preferred about the Villas location was that it was pretty equidistant from Gaspirilla Grill and the Poly for food, so I actually went over to the Poly for most of my meals. Anyone else?

The current studios are 374’ whereas GF resort rooms are 440’ - so I’m guessing it’ll be like booking AKV where you chose Jambo or Kidani and you‘ll be able to book either the original building or BPK. Given the size difference I do wonder if the BPK studios will cost more points. W/ AKV the point charts are the same for both buildings even though the 1 br.s & higher at Kidani are larger & have an extra bathroom.
Of course that’s just my speculation, it seems logical to me, but DVC doesn’t always do what I think makes sense lol.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I really enjoy the bathroom situation in the current VGF building. I doubt you will have the same in the new studios.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Heading to VGF soon and wanted to double check that we do check-in at the villas building? Also, are there bell services at the villas building? If yes, would they be able to put our gallon of milk somewhere cold until our room is ready?

 

[DVCsloth]

Heading to VGF soon and wanted to double check that we do check-in at the villas building? Also, are there bell services at the villas building? If yes, would they be able to put our gallon of milk somewhere cold until our room is ready?

Yes, Check in right at the Villas. Bell service will store you bags and let them know you have perishable items.

 

[kungaloosh22]

One thing I preferred about the Villas location was that it was pretty equidistant from Gaspirilla Grill and the Poly for food, so I actually went over to the Poly for most of my meals. Anyone else?

Oh, definitely! We love the Poly, and one of our favorite things about our GF visits is the ease of popping over to get our Poly fix (especially Trader Sam's). I love the restaurants and lounges at both Poly and GF, so the closeness of the 2 resorts is a real win-win for us.

We also own points at the Poly, and we tend to stay there when studios will do, and then use our GF points for larger units. So I share the concern that the new units will make it hard to get a 1-bedroom.

 

[KTownRaider]

One thing I preferred about the Villas location was that it was pretty equidistant from Gaspirilla Grill and the Poly for food, so I actually went over to the Poly for most of my meals. Anyone else?

I bought for VGF's unique location- attached to GF with 1-2 bedroom options and easy walking distance to Poly's eating/drinking establishments. I love the dichotomy of Gasparilla Grill/Capt Cooks being equally viable options for quick service, while also being stumbling distance from both Trader Sam's/Enchanted Rose.

I also liked that the fitness center (aka Senses) was conveniently located directly in front of VGF. It hardly makes a dent, but I always feel a little better consuming calories on vacation if I get in a workout. VGF's building makes that easy.

I hope the new point chart will distinguish between the current VGF building and BPK. I'm also hoping it won't be a hunger games situation for 1-2 bedrooms at 10-11 months. I have a few extended family vacations coming up over the next few years, and a squeeze on those larger units would make me examine whether my contract is working for me.

 

[Avery&Todd]

Yes, Check in right at the Villas. Bell service will store you bags and let them know you have perishable items.

Wait - we have our first stay at VGF coming up in November and unlike @ WL where you check in for CCV/BRV inside the WL lobby, we'll need to check in @ the Villas lobby vs. the main hotel lobby?

 

[hcortesis]

Wait - we have our first stay at VGF coming up in November and unlike @ WL where you check in for CCV/BRV inside the WL lobby, we'll need to check in @ the Villas lobby vs. the main hotel lobby?

You don't "need" to as you have the option to check in at the main desk of the hotel instead of at the villas

 

[Avery&Todd]

You don't "need" to as you have the option to check in at the main desk of the hotel instead of at the villas

ok - great thank you!

 

[Simba's Mom]

For the poster who asked about Bell services. I asked this same question when I was there last week. I don't know their "normal" situation, but last week, all Bell Services came out of the Grand Floridian. And I don't know about keeping items cold. I understand there's some question about that possibly changing just this week.

 

[sndral]

We’ve always arrived & left via DME which drops you off at the main building right by bell services there. From there we turn right and head to the DVC building & chat w/ one of the CMs at one of the desks in the small lobby if needed, or just head to our villa if we’ve gotten a text. The main building check in seems much busier to me. We wheel our own suitcases, so don’t know the situation w/ bell services, one split stay we retrieved the suitcases from the main building bell services (we could have called from the villa for them to be delivered - but I’m impatient, so would rather collect them & wheel them myself.)

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Can anyone provide me with the current pool hours? TIA!

 

[Avery&Todd]

For the poster who asked about Bell services. I asked this same question when I was there last week. I don't know their "normal" situation, but last week, all Bell Services came out of the Grand Floridian. And I don't know about keeping items cold. I understand there's some question about that possibly changing just this week.

SO if we arrive before our room is ready, since we should arrive in morning (as long as SW keeps to their schedule...HA!) then we'll need to check our bags with Bell Services in the main hotel lobby?

 

[LadybugsMum]

SO if we arrive before our room is ready, since we should arrive in morning (as long as SW keeps to their schedule...HA!) then we'll need to check our bags with Bell Services in the main hotel lobby?

No, I checked mine at the Villas as they have their own bell services.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

We’re using a car service this time that will deliver us right to the villas main lobby. If bell services isn’t available, we’ll just bring our luggage to the main lobby to hold. I’m really hoping they’ll be able to keep a bag of groceries cold for us. If not, I’m not sure how I’m going to keep a gallon of milk cold in the FL heat! I’ll report back since we go next week.