So I just returned from 5 nights at the VGF. Was a little apprehensive as so many people have been saying how Disney isn’t the same, the magic is gone, etc.
Well we had a great experience. There were a few hiccups along the way, for example one night upon returning to the villas all parking spots were taken not one free. Was told to go park in the convention center?? Far away and raining. Well I did park far and I went back into the villas and mentioned it to someone on duty she immediately found out security was telling people coming for dinner to the Grand Floridan to park there. A bell services gentleman came and got me in a cart, found a spot and blocked it, took me to my car and held the spot for me. The next day the manager called me and gave us a little extra magic! Yes things go wrong anywhere but to me it’s how it’s handled after that really shows good management.
the room had some tired spots as it’s old but the service was outstanding. Anything we needed was immediately attended to. Worried about towels asked and they bought us soooooo many to last thru our stay. Pool attendants friendly and fun, restaurant staff so helpful.
a few observations as to why we think VGF is great. Rained one morning and there is a covered walkway all the way from back of the villas to the main building for the monorail! Small but helpful. We were at Epcot and took the skyliner to Hollywood Studios and on the way back the skyliner went down at Carribbean Beach. So now it’s raining and we’re stuck there or choice was take internal bus to main bus stop then another bus back to Epcot or go back to HS and take a bus or boat to Epcot. That sucked. We took an Uber back to Epcot.
One weird thing I did notice was that there were LOADS of DVC kiosks in the parks and at the hotels. I honestly think every kiosk we passed had people talking to the guides, I mean every one. I have never seen them so busy. The one in VGF had people waiting in line to speak with a guide Every time I walked by. So I honestly don’t think Disney cares about all the people saying they are going to sell because this is taken away that’s taken away. they Will just buy the points back on ROFR and sell them for more. I have been going for 20 years and never seen anything like this. Saw at least 5 booths in Epcot and all had a line of people it’s crazy!
anyway great dinners at Homecomin, California Grill, Grand Floridan cafe! Went to Boo Bash we felt it was worth it. Rode everything we wanted no wait! Got in the park early enough to see Happily Ever After, tons of candy and snacks and park felt empty.
there were a lot of college program kids working in Epcot for food and wine and they seemed to really try harder to make things perfect.
parks look beautiful
yes a few things I could complain about but they were minor and rectified but really tell me someplace you went where everything was perfect? Would I have liked to have seen the the staff in world showcase from each of their countries of course but right now it’s not possible.
Make the best of it, be polite and in my opinion you’ll see the magic is still there
Well we had a great experience. There were a few hiccups along the way, for example one night upon returning to the villas all parking spots were taken not one free. Was told to go park in the convention center?? Far away and raining. Well I did park far and I went back into the villas and mentioned it to someone on duty she immediately found out security was telling people coming for dinner to the Grand Floridan to park there. A bell services gentleman came and got me in a cart, found a spot and blocked it, took me to my car and held the spot for me. The next day the manager called me and gave us a little extra magic! Yes things go wrong anywhere but to me it’s how it’s handled after that really shows good management.
the room had some tired spots as it’s old but the service was outstanding. Anything we needed was immediately attended to. Worried about towels asked and they bought us soooooo many to last thru our stay. Pool attendants friendly and fun, restaurant staff so helpful.
a few observations as to why we think VGF is great. Rained one morning and there is a covered walkway all the way from back of the villas to the main building for the monorail! Small but helpful. We were at Epcot and took the skyliner to Hollywood Studios and on the way back the skyliner went down at Carribbean Beach. So now it’s raining and we’re stuck there or choice was take internal bus to main bus stop then another bus back to Epcot or go back to HS and take a bus or boat to Epcot. That sucked. We took an Uber back to Epcot.
One weird thing I did notice was that there were LOADS of DVC kiosks in the parks and at the hotels. I honestly think every kiosk we passed had people talking to the guides, I mean every one. I have never seen them so busy. The one in VGF had people waiting in line to speak with a guide Every time I walked by. So I honestly don’t think Disney cares about all the people saying they are going to sell because this is taken away that’s taken away. they Will just buy the points back on ROFR and sell them for more. I have been going for 20 years and never seen anything like this. Saw at least 5 booths in Epcot and all had a line of people it’s crazy!
anyway great dinners at Homecomin, California Grill, Grand Floridan cafe! Went to Boo Bash we felt it was worth it. Rode everything we wanted no wait! Got in the park early enough to see Happily Ever After, tons of candy and snacks and park felt empty.
there were a lot of college program kids working in Epcot for food and wine and they seemed to really try harder to make things perfect.
parks look beautiful
yes a few things I could complain about but they were minor and rectified but really tell me someplace you went where everything was perfect? Would I have liked to have seen the the staff in world showcase from each of their countries of course but right now it’s not possible.
Make the best of it, be polite and in my opinion you’ll see the magic is still there