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Post by brp on May 19, 2024 11:36:10 GMT -5
We just completed a stay at VGF (only our second non-BW stay, the first being AKV and that was one and done).
Based on mixed reviews here, I had lowered my expectations. Well, this stay blew the doors off those reduced expectations and easily exceeded even my original higher expectations. So much so that we are sure we'll be back at some point.
It didn't start great as check-in was just OK. We had to reduce our 5-night BCV stay to 4 nights (change at 7 months) to get a 1BR at VGF. So we stayed at the fabulous MCO Hyatt Regency Sunday night and went to WDW on Monday. We got there around 11:15ish and the room was, of course, not ready. All expected. Checked-in, left bags and walked to MK. Maybe 2 hours later, got a text that they were "still working on" our room. Um, ok...
Went back around 3:30 thinking that they would prioritize rooms for those already on-site, and VGF is small. Nope. And couldn't even give an estimate. Now, Disney are a world leader in data use and predictive algorithms. That they can't apply this to something with as much data as room turnover is very disappointing.
Oh, and check-in starts at 4PM. May not get a room by then. What does that even mean? Will they really not give a room before then? This was not great. We did get the room at 4:20, and the folks we dealt with were great throughout. But this was not great.
And that's the end of things that were not between good and fabulous. The rest was all very positive.
Check-in day was busy (too busy, in retrospect):
Dinner at Narcoosee's at 6:20 (more on that later) Extended evening hours for Deluxe at Epcot from 9-11 Paid After Hours event at MK from 10-1
After finishing dinner, we hung in the room for about 30-40 minutes. that was the mistake. We got to Epcot maybe 9:15. Did Soarin' and Test Track. Then headed to MK. After monorail to TTC, found out that the express monorail to MK only took people from MK at that hour and we had to take the local. Got to MK around 11:15 and left shortly after 1. Should have done this different and gotten there closer to 10, 10:30.
Still did 5 rides and got two Mickey Bars each. 7DMT, Pooh, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise (doing this at night is fabulous), Space Mountain. Such a short line that we walked through Space Mountain to the very end before we saw another human. Finally hit the end of the line at 12:52AM. Done with the ride at 12:59AM.
Fabulous event and we would do again.
And, in the "embarrassment of riches" category- after Extended Deluxe hours at Epcot on Monday (plus our paid event), the had Extended Deluxe at MK on Wednesday. e passed on that.
Cheers.
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Post by brp on May 19, 2024 11:42:48 GMT -5
Dining post
First night was Narcoosee's. This place is not cheap, but is worth the price. We each had lobster bisque (at $19 a pop) and this was fabulous. We split the pork chop and mushroom risotto. Easily enough for 2, and we brought some risotto back to the room. The bread was very good and some of that came home. One glass of wine for me. $160 even with a split entree. And worth every penny.
Other meals were old standbys:
Polite Pig. Can't say enough about this place. No line to speak of. Brisket and pulled pork. A couple of sides. Plenty for 2 of us, and half of it came home (each meat is 1/2 pound, so that's 1 lb total - twice what 2 people should eat for a meal, so we had much leftover).
A meal of the various leftovers in the room was nice.
And then our usual STK Happy Hour. Using a GC that I heard about hear around Xmas ($100 GC plus $50 in extra credit). Can never go wrong with this place.
Realized on this trip just how much mobile ordering beats the snot out of standing in line. Did this at Pecos Bill's and got the fajita platter. Configuration for 2 meats and 2 sides was great. Each chosen separately and could double up (got 2 beans and no rice). And so much food for $16.50. Easily enough for 2 (not sure how one person could eat that much).
Cheers.
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Post by brp on May 19, 2024 11:47:20 GMT -5
![]() VGF is just great. The 1BR here is much superior to anything at BCV or BWV in size and layout. Not even close. ![]() The room layout for living room and kitchen.
The shower was huge
View from the room
Day:
Night:
Fireworks from the dock:
This is a weirdness that mrs. brp noticed: We were on the 6th floor and, looking down, the carpet on all floors is aligned precisely by pattern:
And a friend we saw when walking on the MK trail:
Cheers.
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Post by brp on May 19, 2024 12:09:22 GMT -5
Notes and random thoughts
The path from VGF to TTC is still not there, of course. One can avoid walking in the road by taking the paved path (I think it was the sidewalk before) just in front of the construction. This involves walking past a "Walkway Closed" sign and using the path that is used for construction golf carts and then walking on a short "Cast Members Only" gravel path on the Poly side. Very doable for walking/running.
After four days living next to it, initial opinion is that the new Polly Tower does not fit the landscape/theming/architecture (more thoughts have been shared elsewhere). But it is not complete, so final judgement will wait until then.
The walkway to MK is closed at night by a gate as the sign says. But they open it around 6:30AM (rather than 1 hour before park opens) and it is very nice for a morning run.
On one run, I was heading toward MK and noted that there was no one at the magnetometer station, so ran through toward MK a bit. Did see security, who told me to turn around, which I planned to do. Then he doubled down by telling me that I had to wear a shirt on property.
Me: Where do I need to wear a shirt?
He: Everywhere on property?
Me: Even at the pool?
He: Well, you need to here
Me: Well, then, I won't be here...
Definitely a fan of law enforcement. Self-important rent-a-cops less so.
On checkout day we took a walk to MK just go get a coffee at Starbucks and then cam back, checked out and went back for real. Long lines, we we just took the train and wandered about.
Members lounge at Epcot was very uncrowded. One day a 5 minute wait. On checkout day (Friday) no wait at all. Signed in and went up. Surprising.
The AP lounge in Morocco was very nice and no wait the one time we went. Nice space. Mediocre snacks.
Journey of Water really is fabulous
Direct path from Land to Test Track is now open as they have split the construction fence. Finally. Very close to done.
Cheers.
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Post by Brian5581 on May 19, 2024 12:31:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the summary, glad a very enjoyable trip overall. Similar feelings on Journey of Water, great use of the space.
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Post by helenabear on May 19, 2024 13:13:10 GMT -5
It's been a while since we've been in the old layout of kitchens. I wonder how we'll feel going back to it this trip. I think 2021 wouldnhave been the last time we had it.
There is a lot about GF I do like. I at least visit every year if not every trip. It's not bad but missing the good walkway to Polynesian right now. We took a year off this area so it could be finished.
Glad you enjoyed though! It is a nice area to be in.
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Post by brp on May 19, 2024 14:16:35 GMT -5
A few more pics I found Another view of living room from different angle  Bedroom into multi-stage bathroom  Huge Poly structure from VGF area  Cheers. |
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Post by DrMinnie on May 19, 2024 15:05:08 GMT -5
Nice pictures! I’m glad you liked VGF. We love it. You might like the layout at riviera too. But the lack of walking to a park might be a negative, which I understand. I figure we’ll buy at BW when they resell it in 20 years! If you need enough points to do 5 days in a 1-bed at VGF, does that mean another add on? The moving from the airport is a pita.  We’ll have to check out polite pig. We rarely go to Disney springs though. |
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Post by brp on May 19, 2024 15:27:43 GMT -5
Nice pictures! I’m glad you liked VGF. We love it. You might like the layout at riviera too. But the lack of walking to a park might be a negative, which I understand. I figure we’ll buy at BW when they resell it in 20 years! If you need enough points to do 5 days in a 1-bed at VGF, does that mean another add on? The moving from the airport is a pita. We’ll have to check out polite pig. We rarely go to Disney springs though. No more add ons. The first night at the airport hotel was great. Since we have top status with Hyatt, we're well-treated. And 4 nights will be enough anyway.
When our contracts and BCV and BWV expire, we'll be 82. Likely not rebuying at that point 
Riviera looks like a nice resort, but has nothing to appeal to us as the grounds are not as interesting as either VGF or the BW properties and, as you say, we can't walk anywhere. That's a definite No right from the start.
Cheers.
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Post by helenabear on May 19, 2024 16:05:21 GMT -5
Yeah the lack of walking anywhere (or even boating somewhere) with Riviera is a negative for us too. If it was in a different location I would love it more. As it is I don't find CBR interesting enough to visit and well, skyliner isn't my friend.
Looking at the waterway I can see that path isn't returning anytime soon. Glad we took this year off from there but I love the area. If we didn't like PVB and being that much closer to the TTC VGF would be high on our list.
I do like the galley kitchens in CCV and Riviera though. The flow is very nice and a bit of distance when one is sleeping in the area.
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Post by nrspepe on May 19, 2024 16:13:30 GMT -5
Glad you enjoyed your stay. We love VGF…including the new resort studios. A few of our fave restaurants are along the monorail loop, an added plus.
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Post by WDWGoof on May 19, 2024 17:09:02 GMT -5
I see you were in the original DVC building. We definitely did enjoy staying in that building. My mention of paper thin walls was in the new rooms in the converted building. Glad you enjoyed.
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Post by brp on May 19, 2024 18:45:51 GMT -5
I see you were in the original DVC building. We definitely did enjoy staying in that building. My mention of paper thin walls was in the new rooms in the converted building. Glad you enjoyed. So I hadn't realized that there was more than one DVC building at GF. Which is the other (converted) building) for VGF?
Cheers.
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Post by WDWGoof on May 19, 2024 19:16:01 GMT -5
They converted the Big Pine Key building a couple of years ago to DVC rooms. Not sure how they label each of them, I think the main DVC building is referred to as a deluxe studio and the converted building as standard? I’m sure someone here can correct me if I’m wrong. As far as location, if you are facing the main pool (not the DVC one) from the main building, the converted rooms/building are to the right of the pool.
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Post by helenabear on May 19, 2024 19:17:03 GMT -5
I see you were in the original DVC building. We definitely did enjoy staying in that building. My mention of paper thin walls was in the new rooms in the converted building. Glad you enjoyed. So I hadn't realized that there was more than one DVC building at GF. Which is the other (converted) building) for VGF? Cheers. Big Pine Key. On the other side of the quiet pool and across from the main building. |
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