Today, Disney Parks blog has shared with us more information regarding the highly anticipated expansion of the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The new rooms are slated to be open to members summer of 2022. The expansion will add 200 resort studios. This is a room category new to Disney Vacation Club. At the same time, the existing villas building will also receive an upgrade. As we had previously reported, the much loved Murphy beds will become a part of the refurbishment of the existing villas in place of pull out couch beds. Disney Parks Blog has also provided us with some images of what we can expect for both the new resort studios and the current villas.
The resort studios will feature two queen beds as well as a day bed which gives a capacity of up to five guests. The photo provided shows wood-look flooring, custom carpeting under the beds, and beautiful finishes. These rooms are being converted from existing hotel rooms in Big Pine Key and are actually larger in square footage than the current studios in the existing building.
The current villas will receive a soft goods refurb including the addition of the Murphy beds. Expected changes based on the new Polynesian Villas refurb include new carpeting, curtains, chair upholstery, and fresh paint. The refurb should provide a needed and fresh look for the rooms. Room capacity for these villas will remain the same. I do want to point out that these rooms will have a “beverage station” which is basically a box that keeps drinks cool and a coffee maker. There won’t be an actual minifridge or microwave and toaster like studio dwellers like myself are used it.
We are really excited to see the new and refreshed villas. As a reminder, DVC has already announced that these new studios will be part of the current condo association for Grand Floridan which means they should be bookable to owners who can currently book Grand Floridian at 11 and 7 month windows and should expire in 2064 with the rest of the resort. The added studios should help satisfy some of the high demand for this beautiful resort. Stay tuned to DVC Fan and our DVC Fan Facebook Group for more information as it becomes available and reactions from Pete and the team!
Rich Ferrington
September 30, 2021New rooms are like OKW but nicer and in a better location! I sure hope this refurbishment project doesn’t push Boulder Ridge back another year!
MaryAnn Eckenrode
September 30, 2021Thank you Amy
Tom Beale
September 30, 2021So. The new studios won’t have a sink fridge or microwave?
Could they be forcing into the 1 bedroom?
Fred Dering
September 30, 2021No microwave? No mini fridge? More nickel and diming courtesy of Disney
Pete Bothwell
September 30, 2021Thank you, Amy. Great update. Do you know if the existing villas soft refurb will be completed prior to the new building opening?
p webb
September 30, 2021No mini fridge or microwave?! One step forward, two steps back. Disappointing.
Kare
September 30, 2021i can live with a beverage cooler and a toaster. But i will miss a small microwave. I envision a toaster going into my storage locker