Grande Vista - Closed Buildings & Occupancy

[dioxide45]

We are currently at Grande Vista. Still haven't found time to meet up with @CPNY. But I walked around the resort yesterday afternoon and counted the empty buildings. Lots of empty parking lots here. I also spoke to the Director of Engineering and he said that the resort was only 50% occupied this week but that is supposed to jump to 90% next week. I don't know how they will manage it. The pools look busy. The pool by our building is busy and noisy from noon till close (11pm) and there are only two of six buildings open over here. There are a few open loungers. They have also removed many to promote social distancing. I walked through Vista del Sol yesterday and things seemed to look the same over at the pool in West Village.

I did create a video walking through the resort and counting all the closed buildings as well as provided other information that the Director of Engineering gave me. So many things that they have replaced, fixed or updated given the recent low occupancy. He said at one time only 10% of the staff was at the resort and most of it was his employees.

If you are interested in the video, check it out;

 

[Monykalyn]

Wow-enjoy the low occupancy time! Was pretty low the first week we were at Harbour Lake too. So nice to get parking spots right by building and under shade trees
We are staying at Grande Vista in August-what is your favorite building? We have a 3 bedroom. It's been 6 years since we last stayed there and we were way out in Golf Village - think it was building 88 looking at the map-lovely view of golf course but a hike to pools-we usually just drove over to main pool.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

I think people are just coming and staying in place once they get here. Disney is closed, and it's just too hot to go to Universal or Sea World all day with a mask on. Plus with limited on site amenities (no activities, bars, closed secondary pools, etc), it drives everyone to the pool. Not to mention that everyone that couldn't go to Hawaii or the Caribbean this year is coming to Florida. Oceana Palms was busy, Lakeshore was very busy on the weekend, and I'm sure Ocean Pointe will be busy next week.

 

[dioxide45]

Wow-enjoy the low occupancy time! Was pretty low the first week we were at Harbour Lake too. So nice to get parking spots right by building and under shade trees
We are staying at Grande Vista in August-what is your favorite building? We have a 3 bedroom. It's been 6 years since we last stayed there and we were way out in Golf Village - think it was building 88 looking at the map-lovely view of golf course but a hike to pools-we usually just drove over to main pool.

Low occupancy does mean close parking to the buildings. We did head out to the pool this afternoon and it was fairly quiet. There were a few people there, but they were quiet ones. Though after returning to the room, I heard lots of screaming. These are perhaps the thinnest patio doors and windows we have seen at a timeshare.

We like the Club Village section. It is also out away from the rest of the resort, but it is a smaller pool and we usually get a building close to the pool with a pool view. Perhaps if we request a building further from the pool, we won't get the noise.

It seems that with Disney closed and many other restrictions in place, people are sticking it out close to the resort. Though we have also never been here in June when kids are out of school (though that is irrelevant this year). We usually come in shoulder season when school is in session.

 

[dioxide45]

I think people are just coming and staying in place once they get here. Disney is closed, and it's just too hot to go to Universal or Sea World all day with a mask on. Plus with limited on site amenities (no activities, bars, closed secondary pools, etc), it drives everyone to the pool. Not to mention that everyone that couldn't go to Hawaii or the Caribbean this year is coming to Florida. Oceana Palms was busy, Lakeshore was very busy on the weekend, and I'm sure Ocean Pointe will be busy next week.

All the pools are open here at Grande Vista. Even the secondary ones. However, all the other points you make are correct. Sure Universal is open, but looking at photos from there it certainly isn't packed. With Disney being closed and the mast mandate in effect in Orange County, most people are sticking close to the resort making the pools pretty busy. We plan to head out to the pool in the morning the next time since it really doesn't start to pick up steam until late in the morning and afternoon.

 

[GregT]

Jeremy,

We just flew back today and enjoyed our time at Grande Vista, although Ocean Pointe is a very tough act to follow. I also thought GV was quite busy -- I noted the many closed/empty buildings and was surprised at how full the pools were. We were in Building 91 and liked having the separate pool and grilling infrastructure. What do you mean by Club Village?

I agree with the comments of others -- we much preferred Volcano Bay (the waterpark) to the Universal theme parks because it was hot/humid with masks. We typically left early afternoon from theme parks, but stayed for many long hours at the waterpark. That's a great waterpark.

I did meet up with @CPNY for adult beverages by the pool and enjoyed it greatly. Sorry to miss @frank808, but I'm sure I will see him sooner rather than later in Hawaii!

Enjoy your stay!

Best,

Greg

 

[dioxide45]

We just flew back today and enjoyed our time at Grande Vista, although Ocean Pointe is a very tough act to follow. I also thought GV was quite busy -- I noted the many closed/empty buildings and was surprised at how full the pools were. We were in Building 91 and liked having the separate pool and grilling infrastructure. What do you mean by Club Village?

Sorry I missed you at Grande Vista @GregT. I saw your text but not till the next AM. It was great meeting and talking with you in the pool at Ocean Pointe. I agree that Ocean Pointe is a great resort, but is is fun to be back at our first timeshare here at Grande Vista.

Club Village is buildings 95 through 100. Only 96 and 97 are open right now in this section. I think only 90 through 92 are the only ones open in Golf Village. I originally thought 90 was closed also, but it seems they may have people occupying that one.

They wanted to put us in 91 twice this stay. When we checked in they had us assigned there but I asked if something was available in Club Village and it was. When we checked in the AC wasn't working on the 1BR side of our 2BR. They came to fix it and replaced the fan but it still wasn't cooling the unit. While I thought they were checking things outside it started to work but we then later got a call saying they couldn't fix it and wanted to move us to 91. We told them it seemed to be working and stayed. They came by the next morning to test it and their temp checks confirmed it was working as expected.

Let me tell ya. My wife posted this same video in a few Facebook groups this evening and all I can say is that the responses are rather comical.

 

[CPNY]

Jeremy,

We just flew back today and enjoyed our time at Grande Vista, although Ocean Pointe is a very tough act to follow. I also thought GV was quite busy -- I noted the many closed/empty buildings and was surprised at how full the pools were. We were in Building 91 and liked having the separate pool and grilling infrastructure. What do you mean by Club Village?

I agree with the comments of others -- we much preferred Volcano Bay (the waterpark) to the Universal theme parks because it was hot/humid with masks. We typically left early afternoon from theme parks, but stayed for many long hours at the waterpark. That's a great waterpark.

I did meet up with @CPNY for adult beverages by the pool and enjoyed it greatly. Sorry to miss @frank808, but I'm sure I will see him sooner rather than later in Hawaii!

Enjoy your stay!

Best,

Greg

Great meeting with you @GregT. The pool was much less crowded today. It was the quietest pool I’ve encountered since I’ve been here. Hope you had a safe flight back West! I may have to check out Volcano Bay. Was it crowded?

 

[dioxide45]

Great meeting with you @GregT. The pool was much less crowded today. It was the quietest pool I’ve encountered since I’ve been here. Hope you had a safe flight back West! I may have to check out Volcano Bay. Was it crowded?

We went out to the pool this evening and spent a couple hours before the thunder rolled in. We were back to the room before they let off the lightning alarms. The pool was much less busy today that we saw it yesterday. We didn't go out to the pool yesterday. Later this week we will head over to one of the big pools.

 

[GregT]

Great meeting with you @GregT. The pool was much less crowded today. It was the quietest pool I’ve encountered since I’ve been here. Hope you had a safe flight back West! I may have to check out Volcano Bay. Was it crowded?

@CPNY, it really wasn't -- the parks were at most 50% capacity on the weekend and probably closer to 25-30% during the weeks. Lines were short and social distancing was strictly enforced. Universal had signage as reminders, and the staff kept reminding people to keep space (when they weren't already). It was pretty well done, considering the circumstances.

A pleasure to meet you, enjoy your remaining time at GV, and your next destinations too!

Best,

Greg

 

[NboroGirl]

Wow-enjoy the low occupancy time! Was pretty low the first week we were at Harbour Lake too. So nice to get parking spots right by building and under shade trees
We are staying at Grande Vista in August-what is your favorite building? We have a 3 bedroom. It's been 6 years since we last stayed there and we were way out in Golf Village - think it was building 88 looking at the map-lovely view of golf course but a hike to pools-we usually just drove over to main pool.

The dedicated 3BRs are only found in buildings 77, 78, 85 and 86, with 78 & 86 being pretty close to the Copa Loca Pool.

We always reserve a lockoff when we go, and our preferred locations are: Building 91 or 92 if the weather in winter when the weather is cool, because the balconies face south. Those are in the Golfside village overlooking the Golfside pool. If it's hot, (i.e. summer), we like Building 96 or 97 because the balconies face north. These are in the Clubside Village overlooking the Clubside pool.

 

[dioxide45]

All I know is that it is HOT out there. I was just out trying to film a few things around the resort and had to come back in to the AC. Either need to be in the pool or in the unit. Anywhere in between is too hot!

 

[hajjah]

Well, as an owner, I'm kind of happy to see that right now, many of the buildings are closed. Hopefully, they will be able to rid the resort of roaches! We were in building #93 in December, top floor. I was livid with the roach situation and afraid that we might possibly bring them home. They need to use this time to really fumigate. Thanks for the video.

 

[Fasttr]

Well, as an owner, I'm kind of happy to see that right now, many of the buildings are closed. Hopefully, they will be able to rid the resort of roaches! We were in building #93 in December, top floor. I was livid with the roach situation and afraid that we might possibly bring them home. They need to use this time to really fumigate. Thanks for the video.

Please, please....Floridians much prefer if you call them Palmetto Bugs. It helps them sleep at night. https://www.orkin.com/cockroaches/difference-between-a-cockroach-and-a-palmetto-bug

 

[hajjah]

Nope, I know the Palmetto's. I'm from up north, east coast, and those are roaches. My take on this is from many people traveling all over the country and bringing them. Thanks for the link. I guess they are American cockroaches.

 

[dioxide45]

Well, as an owner, I'm kind of happy to see that right now, many of the buildings are closed. Hopefully, they will be able to rid the resort of roaches! We were in building #93 in December, top floor. I was livid with the roach situation and afraid that we might possibly bring them home. They need to use this time to really fumigate. Thanks for the video.

I talked with the Director of Engineering, he didn't say anything about fumigating buildings or extra extermination being done in the closed buildings. Of course it is possible they are doing something. We haven't seen a single roach in our unit. There is a flowering palm tree outside the living room window that has all kinds of bees around it. Though it may only be a problem for the lock off balcony since those don't have screens, but the 1BR side is screened in, so no issue there.

 

[CPNY]

Well, as an owner, I'm kind of happy to see that right now, many of the buildings are closed. Hopefully, they will be able to rid the resort of roaches! We were in building #93 in December, top floor. I was livid with the roach situation and afraid that we might possibly bring them home. They need to use this time to really fumigate. Thanks for the video.

I spoke to two guests who complained about the same thing. I remember last time I was here dealing with that as well. First and only roach I ever saw in a timeshare was at GV. Been here a month, none yet, fingers crossed.

 

[CPNY]

I talked with the Director of Engineering, he didn't say anything about fumigating buildings or extra extermination being done in the closed buildings. Of course it is possible they are doing something. We haven't seen a single roach in our unit. There is a flowering palm tree outside the living room window that has all kinds of bees around it. Though it may only be a problem for the lock off balcony since those don't have screens, but the 1BR side is screened in, so no issue there.

Neither of my balcony’s are screened in. I’ve had bees every morning, birds as well chirping me awake. I really feel like I’m in a Disney movie haha.

 

[Monykalyn]

The dedicated 3BRs are only found in buildings 77, 78, 85 and 86, with 78 & 86 being pretty close to the Copa Loca Pool.

We always reserve a lockoff when we go, and our preferred locations are: Building 91 or 92 if the weather in winter when the weather is cool, because the balconies face south. Those are in the Golfside village overlooking the Golfside pool. If it's hot, (i.e. summer), we like Building 96 or 97 because the balconies face north. These are in the Clubside Village overlooking the Clubside pool.

We like the Club Village section. It is also out away from the rest of the resort, but it is a smaller pool and we usually get a building close to the pool with a pool view. Perhaps if we request a building further from the pool, we won't get the noise.

Thank you! We usually stay at Cypress Harbour and I have my top 3 favorites there LOL-Writing that down for when it comes time to request building!
The main pool and Copa Loca are the only ones with a pool bar though correct? Although I am leaning towards club village...
My daughters classes at UCF may now be all online-if that is the case we will probably be cancelling August-that was the whole point of going-to move her in. Not paying out of state tuition fees/housing fees for her to sit in her room for class again (she finished senior year in HS this way).

Thanks for all the info!

 

[NboroGirl]

Thank you! We usually stay at Cypress Harbour and I have my top 3 favorites there LOL-Writing that down for when it comes time to request building!
The main pool and Copa Loca are the only ones with a pool bar though correct? Although I am leaning towards club village...

Thanks for all the info!

If you mean an actual bar with bar stools, then yes, Copa Loca pool and main pool are the only ones with pool bars. The other small pools have a walk up window where you can order drinks and some snacks.

 

[dioxide45]

If you mean an actual bar with bar stools, then yes, Copa Loca pool and main pool are the only ones with pool bars. The other small pools have a walk up window where you can order drinks and some snacks.

Have you ever seen those smaller snack bars open at Grande Vista? They had signs with prices, but in all the years we have been there, I have yet to ever see them open.

 

[NboroGirl]

Yes, they are open when we are there, usually in Feb and/or March. At least the one at the Golfside Village pool. The hours are short though... something like 12-4. I won't buy a drink there anymore because the last couple of times when I've gotten a cocktail there, I swear there's no alcohol in them. It's like paying $10 for a glass of fruit juice and ice. The drinks at the pool bars are better.

 

[littlestar]

We were at Cypress Harbour this last week in a ground floor unit and saw two Palmetto bugs I guess is what I would call them.

When we rode our shuttle back to the airport on Saturday our driver told us Orlando’s unemployment rate was around 31%. If that number is true, that is awful. He said he knew families that didn’t have much money for food. In the Wilderness Lodge gift shop Disney was selling face masks with the proceeds going to feed those in need. We tipped well every place we went and counted our blessings that we are still employed.

 

[dioxide45]

Th

We were at Cypress Harbour this last week in a ground floor unit and saw two Palmetto bugs I guess is what I would call them.

When we rode our shuttle back to the airport on Saturday our driver told us Orlando’s unemployment rate was around 31%. If that number is true, that is awful. He said he knew families that didn’t have much money for food. In the Wilderness Lodge gift shop Disney was selling face masks with the proceeds going to feed those in need. We tipped well every place we went and counted our blessings that we are still employed.

That unemployment rate doesn't surprise me since much of the workforce is in tourism. Disney is also the largest single site employer in the world. With Disney being closed, it means most of the staff is on furlough.