Disney Vacation Club members at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa gathered for the December 2024 condominium meeting, offering a chance to discuss resort updates, ask questions, and review plans for the future. These quarterly gatherings, now required by Florida law, provide DVC members an opportunity to engage directly with board members and the resort’s management team.
Here’s an overview of the most important topics discussed during the meeting.
Meeting Structure and Attendance
The December 2024 meeting took place on December 11th, with approximately 40 DVC owners present. Board members in attendance included Yvonne Chang, Bill Diercksen, Shannon Sakaske, Alison Armor, and Steve Whittington. The meeting was also attended by Tylana Hill (Treasurer), Karen Grip (Member Representative), and Kristin Lindsay, the resort’s General Manager.
The session commenced with routine business, such as the approval of minutes from the prior September meeting, before moving to an open Q&A format where members raised a variety of operational and logistical questions about the resort.
Key Topics and Discussions
Elevator Accessibility Issues
Members expressed concerns regarding long wait times for the “birdcage elevators,” particularly for guests with mobility devices like scooters. While one set of elevators is designated for concierge guests, Kristin Lindsay clarified that both sets of elevators could be used during peak times, and staff would examine ways to address delays.
Monorail Capacity
With the Polynesian’s new Island Tower expected to increase guest numbers, questions were raised about the monorail system’s ability to handle the higher demand. Board members reassured attendees that capacity studies had been carried out before committing to the additional rooms. If needed, more monorail trains could be added to maintain service levels.
Additionally, the recent opening of the pedestrian walkway connecting the resort to Magic Kingdom was highlighted as a convenient alternative.
Lobby Crowding
The holiday season presented challenges with increased foot traffic and stroller congestion in the lobby. Lindsay acknowledged the situation and promised to explore solutions, such as improving stroller parking and managing guest flow during busy times.
Room Refrigeration and Amenities
Members asked whether the beverage coolers in Resort Studio rooms would be replaced with traditional mini-fridges. Management confirmed that updates were implemented earlier in 2024 for rooms in Big Pine Key, following member feedback.
Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room
Some attendees inquired about the return of afternoon tea at the resort’s Garden View Tea Room. While it remains under consideration, no immediate plans were announced. Currently, the space is being used to manage overflow from busy resort areas.
Dues Payment Policies
Clarifications were provided about dues payment systems, particularly for those using autopay or gift cards. Management explained that members opting out of autopay would be required to pay their full balance upfront to avoid late fees or interest charges.
Capital Reserves and Insurance Costs
Members questioned the potential for surplus capital reserve funds to offset dues costs. While this is possible in the future, it was noted that such a scenario is unlikely until nearer the end of the resort’s contract. Discussions also touched on property insurance costs, with Disney leveraging its corporate resources to help keep rates stable for DVC properties.
Budget Approval
The meeting concluded with the approval of the 2025 operating budget. The new 2025 annual dues rate was set at $7.93 per point, reflecting a modest increase of $0.36, or 4.7%.
Final Thoughts
The December 2024 Grand Floridian Villas condominium meeting provided important updates for DVC members, covering a range of topics. These discussions allows members to voice their feedback for shaping the resort experience and ensuring its continued success.
Regular meetings like this offer a platform for collaboration between members and management. Whether you’re an existing member at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or are looking into becoming a member, be sure to stay up to date with these annual meetings.
As always, stay tuned to the DVC Shop blog for all the latest developments for Disney theme parks and all the information you could ever need about the Disney Vacation Club resorts.
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If you’d like to view confirmed reservations for rent at Grand Floridian, you can experience Disney’s Deluxe resorts for less, even without being a DVC member! If you’re interested in adding more points, you can save thousands by shopping from our current resale listings for Grand Floridian.
Grand Floridian
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
