Hello everyone and welcome to this week's episode of the DVC
Show, coming to you from the Bob Varley Studio in Orlando, FL.
I'm your host, Pete Werner, joined in the studio this week
by my good friends Mr. Paul Krieger.
Everybody, Miss Amy Krieger. Hello Miss Marissa Marissa
Vallaton So easy It's easier to say Collaton Bike and our
producer Mr. Cory Fiesconero. Welcome home.
And just a reminder before we get started, This show along
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World of DVC. All right, This week we are
going to have a little debate. I I'm being told about our top
monorail resorts, our top Monorail resorts.
And these guys are going to plead their cases to me and I
will decide which one wins. I love this.
I love this game. So let's see.
Let's start with Paul. So my #1 Montreal resort is
gonna have to be the Montreal resort where I own, which is
Grand Floridian. We bought there for a reason
because it truthfully for us Harkins back to when we were
joking about Disney Vacation Club back in the day.
And it was the resort that we would look at and we would laugh
and think that we were never going to be in a position to
stay at that property. And while and behold, Fast
forward a couple years and here we are, we are owners of Grand
Floridian. I think it is, it is just
getting better with age. You know, First off, the villas
at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort are absolutely gorgeous,
especially since they've done their recent refresh of the
rooms adding those Murphy beds. You know, it just makes it even
more accessible and and beautiful.
They're about to add even more rooms, which is going to put it
on you. So many studios 250, am I right?
Yeah, yeah, I. Think.
I think 250 new studios. As part of the Disney Vacation
Club villas there, which is really going to make it more
accessible to all, think of it more along the lines of like the
Polynesian or something like that.
Still not going to have the total number that Polly has, but
it's it's that's the sweet spot for Disney Vacation Club owners.
People love those deluxe studios because it gives them the most
bang for their buck in terms of points and then the amenities.
You know you've got the spa at the Grand Floridian that is at
your disposal. You've got some of.
Arguably the best restaurants on Disney property, one of which
unfortunately is still closed, but I'm hearing rumblings of I
think it's going to be reopening soon.
That would be Victoria and Albert's.
Granted that's quite pricey, but it is definitely a once in a
lifetime or multiple times in a lifetime experience to at least
experience. It is an experience.
It's not just a meal. You've got the monorail right
there for transportation purposes, and personally for me,
one of the best, newest additions to it is that walking
path. I don't like to rely on
transportation if I have to, so I would much rather just control
my own destiny. So if I can sort of walk over to
the Grand Floridian as I see fit, then that's what I'm going
to do. And that new walking path that
they created just makes it so much easier to do that so.
Those are my big ones. That's That's so Grand
Floridian. Grand Floridian, she's my second
love. Board look's my first, but oh,
it's not, he says, sitting right across from his wife.
I thought it was going. To be me, that's what I thought.
Wow, wow. So you're like at least like at
most 3 on the list. Around like four or five.
Maybe I'll see myself out. All right.
Fiasco, what about you? Yeah, so I'm going to have to
stand right there with Paul. Grand Floridian is my favorite.
Now a little a little while ago, I would have had to say Bay Lake
Tower with it being the only resort in the monitor loop to
have that convenient walking path.
But since Paul mentioned, the Grand Floridian Walking Path has
since opened and now that opens up this conversation a lot more
because all three resorts are now you can walk to Magic
Kingdom, which is great, but. On top of Grand Florida, I mean
the only three with the spa. It has a notch up on dining with
most resorts with Victorian apples, which I've never been
at. But then also Citricose Grand
Floridian Cafe is a awesome casual place.
The quick service there is great too at Gasparillas, but then
also the shopping one. Missed opportunity.
I feel like Disney. World in general has has really
dropped the ball on is having more shopping at their resorts.
I thought we'd see more than we got at Riviera.
But Grand Floridian is really I think the example of doing it
right. You know, you have your regular
Disney Store, you have your DVC Disney Store, then you also have
a basin. Then you also have like a dress
up store that has nothing to do with Disney.
It's like Tommy Bahama S shirts and dresses.
And you have a Cologne section in that same store.
That's almost its own store as well.
And just I love to just walk around the shops, even if I'm
just window shopping, maybe pick up a few things.
And now that you can do that and also walk to Magic Kingdom, it
just is the winner, hands down for me.
Now Grand Floridian gets it. All right, we have two votes for
Grand Floridian. Amy, what about you?
Well, so Grand Floridian is actually my favorite, but I feel
like, is it really a debate if we're all on the same?
Side. I feel like I have to, you know,
like support one of the other resorts.
So I'm going to talk about Bay Lake because it is a fantastic
resort. The Walking path is actually
much closer than it is to you know, the Grand Florian is to
Magic Kingdom. It's just it's a little easier
to get there by foot. And also I think the views at
Bay Lake are some of the best on property, especially if you have
a theme park view, you know you can watch the.
Castle the fireworks. You can stream the music into
your room. I think it's channel like 105 or
something like that and it is you know the exact timing.
So you actually have a fantastic spot to watch the fireworks that
is away from other people. Hopefully Top of the World
Lounge opens up to members again.
That observation deck is one of the best views.
On property, in my opinion. And then a lot of people
complain about Bay Lake, the theming of Bay Lake and just
saying, you know, it's kind of sterile, it's just not that well
themed. But when I'm in Bay Lake Tower,
I feel like I'm just so immersed in Magic Kingdom because you go,
you know, you go get on the elevator, those giant.
Windows are there and there's Space Mountain and there's the
castle, you know, just staring right at you on every single
floor. Basically.
You can see it. You've got all the decor that,
you know, contemporary ultra modern decor that that matches
what you're seeing, You know, of the castle of Space Mountain and
it just feels like you are part of that theme park when you're
in Bay Lake Tower. And then when I'm in the theme
park, I can see Bay Lake Tower you mean?
So it just feels like. That resort is basically parked
in Magic Kingdom to me, so it just feels very immersive.
So I'm going to go with it. All right, So that we have two
votes for Grand Floridian, one for Bay Lake Tower.
And what about you, Marissa? Well, Amy, I know it's a debate,
but I'm going to have to join the Grand Floridian team because
we're still trying to convince you, Pete, right.
And so I think, the Grand Floridian.
Is the top. I think like even growing up and
going to Disney World for the first time, you pull in, you
ride around the monorail and you see the Grand Floridian and I
think it's like a young kid you go someday when I grow up, I'm
going to stay there. So I think it just kind of has
that magic which we all love with Disney, right?
Is that magic of like when I come back, this is my dream and
I think the Grand Floridian has that like place for dreams.
It it holds near and dear in my heart.
I actually, when I joined DVC, that was the product we were
selling at the time directly. So my husband and I got a test
day there on our Fifth Annivers. So we went to Victoria and
Albert's and again, you look back and you go, those are some
of those Disney magical memories that you'll look back for a
lifetime on. And so for that it goes.
And then we recently stayed there in a Grand Villa, and I
think their Grand Villa is the top of the top when it comes to
Grand Villas. I mean, you're like, in this
luxury. 2000 square foot sweet with herring bone floor and
marble everywhere, steam shower and just to sit there and
overlook the lake and these windows that go from the floor
to the ceiling and you're just looking out of just the
beautiful lake, all the Grand Floridian, the fireworks as like
a backdrop to the Grand Floridian.
So I just think that in addition to the spa and the restaurants
and all the other things, I think you walk in and you go.
This is a magical memory that you're always going to have, and
I think that holds that stay more than any other DVC resort
or Disney resort. So no love for the Polynesian?
We needed Derek on this show. I told Paul you were gonna you
were gonna choose the Polynesian and he said I haven't made, I
haven't made the decision, so I'm asking a question.
I love the Polynesian and it's really grown on me and and now
you probably don't remember this, but you called me out for
an article that I had written where I'd refer to the
Polynesian as being like stuck in the 70s.
I think I said something old. And dingy, I believe.
I don't. It was.
And since so, you're just a Poly hater.
I've in in a couple of times that we've stayed there, I've
really grown a lot of appreciation for the Polynesian.
It's just very it just feels, I don't know, but it's just so
much different than actual Hawaii.
You know what I mean? When you especially since we
went to Lani and then we came back to the Polynesian and
stayed there the same trip. It just it's a different vibe,
but I can see why people like it.
It's hard to forget about our first experience there and it
and I feel like our first experience there, we did feel
like it was a little bit rundown and and you know, musty smelling
you know in our in our room, so. Peeling paint and things like
that. But it's gotten better.
It has and and it is a beautiful resort.
And it's got a great view of the fireworks and you can walk to
the Grand Floridian. You can keep walking and get the
Magic Kingdom. It's just a little bit of a
longer hall and the new monorail.
That area where the Monroe comes in, I can't even think what it's
called, is very, very pretty. And all the enhancements that
they've done to the resort are very nice.
But the Polynean doesn't have, it doesn't have any dining.
That really stands out to me. You know what I mean?
Like the Grand Florian just has so many, there's signature and
there's table service and there's quick service and then
there's Victorian. Alberts was on another level of
signature and the Poly just has really what?
Kona Cafe Cap and Cooks and Ohana 3.
Really good places. Three really good places.
We've had, I mean, we've had average experiences at see.
I've had outstanding experiences in all three.
I I prefer Kona over Ohana any day, agreed Agreed.
But look, when you're not being raced through your meal at
Ohana, the foods are really good.
Yeah. I do like the noodles.
I don't know. I just to me and then Polynesian
is the furthest one in terms of transportation.
If you're gonna walk, which we like to walk, it's kind of a
long haul compared to Grand Florian, which now has its own
path, and Bay Lake, which has a shorter path.
I don't know. There's a lot to be said.
Also with music. The Polynesian is is guilty for
ending some good music with The Beatles breaking up.
As far as the Grand Floridian is concerned, they're they're known
for bringing us some good music in in Kokomo.
The Beach Boys recorded their music video Kokomo right there
at the Grand Floridian. Fun fact historical facts that
are supposed to slay your vote. Fun, false facts with Corey
didn't, and the Polynesian didn't end The Beatles.
John Lennon chose to sign the papers there.
After he stayed there. Because like that said, I'm
buying DBC and I'm not performing anymore.
I'm going to break up the see and the fact that you know is
the Polynesian, you know a character of Hawaii.
Of course it is. Does it compare to Aulani?
No, of course not. Nothing compares to Aulani.
You have resorts in Hawaii that don't compare to Aulani, but
Polynesian does have, you know for me, a special place in
Disney history. It was the first Disney resort
to actually see guests. Some people think that was the
Contemporary. It was not the celebrities who
were there for opening day. Contemporary wasn't ready yet.
They stayed at the Polynesian Lucille Ball stayed at the
Polynesian the night before it opened, along with Bob Hope.
So there's there's a history there that I think is special.
I mean the Contemporary also has that that history as as well.
The stories of Roy Disney out before the sun came up the
morning of the grand opening, helping lay sod, things like
that. Polynesian has always held a
special place in my heart. Grant Floridian I find too, too
stuffy. Too stuffy.
The hotel itself, the DVC portion of it, however, I think
is phenomenal. Not phenomenal enough for me to
buy a contract there. I mean Bay Lake Tower was the
one that I chose to buy a contract that it's also the one
I chose to sell a contract. So it you know it really is, it
really is tough. But I'm going to, I'm going to
go with the, the, the, the larger consensus of Grand
Floridian just out of fairness. I think the DVC rooms at Grand
Floridian far surpass the quality of the hotel rooms and
just watch some of my reviews of the Grand Floridian hotel rooms
to know what I think about those.
And you know it's the The Walking path is a is a big plus
now. I do not think it beats
contemporary in terms of dining options, especially with
Steakhouse 71 now being basically a signature restaurant
at, you know, it's a 2 table service credit restaurant for
one table service credit prices. So you know, you have that.
It's a tough call. It's a tough call, but I will go
with the consensus and say Grand Floridian.
But I kind of choke on that a little bit because I think all
three of them have really strong arguments in support, and all
those arguments are right. It's all a matter of personal
preference, personal taste, Paul.
The truth is, Paul chose Grand Floridian because when no one's
looking, he likes to walk around with a parasol and he can get
away with doing that. When he's at Grand Floridian,
nobody gives it a second look. Him and Rhino.
Him and Rhino with the parasol. It's just our natural.
It's our natural place. It's your way.
Yeah. I just, you know, I think about
the Grand Floridian is, do you feel comfortable walking through
that lobby in the bathing suit? And do I want that, that
uptight, that uptight thing on vacation?
I always feel uptight walking through that resort like I'm
underdressed. I used to feel that way, and for
some reason, like after a few years of living here, it just
dissolved and I was just like, the thought hit me is like, most
of these people are on vacation. They're wearing Disney clothes
anyways. I mean, I fit right in.
It's I mean, look, like I said, I'll go with the I'll go with
the consensus and say Grant Floridian, but I have to put an
asterisk after it. What is your favorite?
The Polly? The Pollynesian.
The Polly. Personally the Polly, but I
don't get a vote in this particular one.
Speaking of of Grant Floridian, they just actually came out at
the Enchanted Rose. Just came out with a new Disney
Vacation Club inspired drink called the DVC Elderflower
Liminata. Drink away your disappointment,
I. Don't know.
That's that's now available at Enchanted Rose.
Just in time for the new just pop sockets. 2 Grand Flirty, you
know, but just in time for pop. Sockets.
That enchanted rose is a hidden gem for anyone that has not
experienced that, and especially some of the food that's being
pumped out of the Citricos and basically Victoria and Albert's
kitchen. Yeah, they.
Have like 5 menu items and they're all really good.
Truffle fries just got it. End it with that.
Yeah, and the sliders. I can't think of and.
The flatbread. Yeah, yeah, I mean, Grand
Florian is my favorite now. I'm hungry.
I just. I just jumped resorts because I
wanted to debate. Make it exciting.
I really didn't like the one. I showed you at all joining the
winning team. All right, so there you have it.
According to this group, Grand Floridian, the best monorail DVC
resort at Walt Disney World. I think it's the Polynesian and
fiasco. Thinks it's Bay Lake Tower.
So there you have it. There's a vote.
There's at least one vote for everything this poor Polynesian
was being. Hey, this is your game.
Show you. I mean, Poly can be a winner.
Well, it's Life is my game show, so all right folks, that's going
to do it for our show for this week.
We hope you enjoyed it. We'll see you again next week
with another episode of the DVC show.
Have a great week.