GF Villas

[PrittiPiglet]

My family and I will be staying at the GF villas (our first time at GF) in September and are very excited. Does anyone on here have any experience with the villas? I can read all I want what Disney writes about them, but I'd love personal experience. How far are they from the main building/pool? Also, what kind of view do they have? Can you see Wishes?
On a side note, is GF's pool zero entry?
Thanks, guys!

 

[Tigger 68]

We stayed there last December and we are staying there again this October. We were on the 5th floor and had a "standard view" two bedroom. Our view was nothing standard at all. Our balcony overlooked the pool and the entire property of the Grand Floridian hotel. It was an awesome view at night seeing the entire hotel lit up. I am sure we could have viewed wishes from our balcony, but we were never in our room during that time. The rooms themselves are amazing and beautiful.

The building is right next to the pool and pool bar, but it's a pretty decent walk to the main building and even farther walk to Gasparilla for food. What was annoying for us was we had a baby stroller so we had to walk into the main building and take the elevator up to the second floor to get to the monorail station. It was great hoping on the monorail though and being the next stop to the MK. Same thing for the buses. Usually the GF was the last stop for pick ups and we went straight to the parks. But on the downside you are the last stop on the monorail (unless you take the boat) and on the buses back from the parks and that can make for a long ride home.

Overall we loved it and that is why we are staying there again this fall.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

Not personally but I do know a familt that stayed there and they loved it! They were able to see Wishes and I believe were Pool Viewing! Have fun!

 

[Tuvalu]

Just recently returned from GF, though not the villas. From the outside, it looks like many rooms have wonderful views of Seven Seas Lagoon and you may be able to see Wishes. However, there are just as many rooms that face the parking lot.

If you want to view Wishes outside the MK, you can watch them from the GF boat dock or outside Gasparilla's (get there early and you might get a table to watch from.)

Both the beach and the main pool are zero depth entry, and both have bars where you can also order food.

 

[journ116]

My family and I stayed in a dedicated 2-bedroom, standard-view villa in February, and we LOVED it! We've always wanted to stay at the GF, specifically because of the "Full House" episodes of, "When the House Meets Mouse"…we're nostalgic like that…and when this resort opened up for our specific dates, I literally jumped at the chance! Now, as for my review:

LOCATION
*Being a monorail resort is a very nice perk (even though the MK and resort routes were shut down from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. during our stay). The resort monorail stops in this order: GF -> MK -> CT -> TTC -> Poly -> GF. At least MK is the very next stop, which is where we spent most of our time.

*The walk from our 6th floor room (1613), to the monorail station at GF took about 9 min., at a stroll. NOTE: you cannot access the monorail stop from outside. You must go thru the lobby, up the grand stair case/or elevator, and out to the stop.

*In lieu of riding the resort monorail to get to the TTC, in order to get to EP, we walked thru the Poly. At a stroll, this took about 15 min..

*There is a boat launch from this resort as well: from room to boat dock took 10 min.. But, the actual wait time at the boat dock was over 20 min….I would advise other modes of transportation if you're in a hurry.

*Busses are shared with another nearby deluxe resort, depending on the route, so plan accordingly. Also, GF is typically the last stop for pick up and last stop for drop-off. Our stroll from room to bus stop: 8 min..

Pool, eateries, shops, etc.
*There are 2 pools located between the villas and the main resort, with both being zero entry and along the beach. The kids play pool is awesome…but beware of the dumping Mad Hatter hat! From our room to the pool: 5 min.. There is another pool located in the main resort complex as well.

*Gasparilla Grill & arcade are located right next to each other, which is an additional 3 min. walk from the pool areas. The Grill is your quick-service fan fare, and the arcade leaves little to be desired, but keeps the kids busy while one parent waits for the food. If you happen to purchase a refillable mug, you can fill it up at both the Grill and the pool bar.

*The shops, which include some unique and expensive boutiques, are located on the same level as the resort monorail stop. We spent little time there shopping. However, if you find a moment, or take a moment, in the evening hours, hang around those areas and drink in the ambiance of the lobby!

As for the Villas
*VGF lobby: very pleasing to the eye and on a smaller scale. If you're arriving between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., you can check in at VGF. After 5 p.m., it's safe to say that you'll have to check in at the main resort, while the rest of your party waits at the VGF lobby.

DSC_0395 by journ116, on Flickr
My DD's and their cousin waiting in children's area of the VGF lobby

photo by journ116, on Flickr

photo-2 by journ116, on Flickr
photo by journ116, on Flickr

photo-3 by journ116, on Flickr

Room Review
*Attention to detail left me inspired so much so, that I re-modeled our kitchen and dining area about a month later (we're talking walls came down, light fixtures, etc.)!

*There was absolutely NOTHING standard about our standard-view room:
DSC_0418 by journ116, on Flickr
DSC_0424 by journ116, on Flickr
DSC_0426 by journ116, on Flickr
DSC_0389 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0434 by journ116, on Flickr

*Our 2-bedroom villa was very spacious, well appointed, thoughtful, and a bit on the luxurious side! I'd post pictures, but I feel like I've already taken over your thread with my mini-TR…sorry!!

I truly hope you have a magical vacation and resort stay at the VGF! If you have any more questions, I'd be more than happy to answer to the best of my knowledge and experience!

 

[Tigger 68]

We stayed in 1507 and the pictures above were exactly our "standard room view" also. When we go back in October we have "Lake view" and I am afraid the better view will not be as good!

 

[PrittiPiglet]

That was a lot of info! Thank you, everyone, for providing such great info! I appreciate it!

 

[psukardi]

Let me know how you enjoy your stay. I'll be there in October and looking forward to more reviews of the Villas

 

[EOD K9]

This was my review for Trip Advisor:
We are Disney Vacation Club members and stayed here for one night as they had availability and also because its brand new. The location is obviously a huge plus. The Villas building is just a few short steps away from the main entrance as well as the monorail. We were at the end of the hall and it was fun to watch the monorail glide by. Because of the technology of the vehicle, you barely hear it while on the balcony and we never heard it inside our room.
The Villas has their own check desk which is manned until the evening hours. After that (8 or 10 ?) you must check in at the main building. The rooms as of this writing still smell new and are well apportioned. The studio kitchenette includes the usual toaster, coffee maker, microwave, and mini fridge. Plastic utensils are stocked in the cabinets as well.
Since this is the newest villa, Disney has learned a few things over the years. For example, the beds have drawers underneath for storage. That mainly is because these rooms sleep five with a murphy bed in the entertainment center. The bed folds out and there is a whimsical mural of Dumbo there. There are two separate bathing areas. One includes a shower/bath combo with the commode while on the other side of the sink area incudes just a shower with rain shower head. There is also a TV hidden in the mirror in front of the sink. If you are looking for character theming for the little ones, you generally will not find it in the room. The theme is Victorian era and done very well though,
The pool area has an Alice in Wonderland theme for the kids and is immersive for them. The whole resort complex feels like you are in your own bubble. There are numerous dining options and because of our short stay, we ate breakfast and dinner at the Gasparilla Island Grill. They have an eclectic assortment of grill foods, cereals in the mornings, and the like. If you eat outdoors at that location, you have a wonderful view to Cinderella Castle. You can watch the monorail in the distance and hear the steam trains.
If you want to go the Magic Kingdom, you can take the monorail or take a water shuttle. We took one option for each leg of the journey. It makes the trip a little different every time. If you have the legs, you can walk to the Polynesian as well. The Spa, as well as gym, and tennis courts are there for the use of the guests as well. All in all, I would stay there again. It is a very relaxing environment to be in. If you decide to try the Villas, I hope this helped and you have a great time!!

 

[s&k'smom]

Wow it sounds so wonderful, darn it just when I was going to try a different resort I'm lured back to the GF again!!!

 

[Blairnicol]

We were just there in August & had the same view as the poster above (I think we were in 1513). We loved how close we were to the pool/beach & it was also a really easy walk to the Poly. It's been a while since I was in one of the other GF buildings, but I loved the lobby of the Villas. The fountain was so cute! Parking is also very close, if you have a car. And one of the amazing things about this particular view was you can see the MK fireworks at night from the balcony!

 

[wdw man]

I will be staying at the GF Villas in March.
I know you can see Wishes from the boat dock. Does anyone know if the music is pumped in?

If not, what has the better view the beach at Poly or the Top of the World Lounge?

Thanks!

 

[Blairnicol]

I believe it might be pumped into the main pool/beach area, can't remember. I would vote for Top of the World over Poly right now. Poly is a bit of a war zone with all the construction. Enjoy!! the GF Villas are really stunning!!

 

[Tuvalu]

I will be staying at the GF Villas in March.
I know you can see Wishes from the boat dock. Does anyone know if the music is pumped in?

If not, what has the better view the beach at Poly or the Top of the World Lounge?

Thanks!

The music is not pumped in to the GF boat dock but you may be able to hear it from MK (we couldn't on the night we went...too many other guests yapping on the dock.)

Poly beach is a mess now. Best bet would be Top of the World.