Adding on...Question about GFV

[hope3702]

My plan was to add on resale 100 points at SSR where I own now

But then my mind starting shifting to GFV...

In size comparison to other DVC's (BC/BW etc...) Is GFV the smallest? I'm trying to weigh out how hard it would be to book 7 months out...I feel with SSR there is 0 advantage to owning there since there is always availability...Would be nice to have a place that you know you can book 11 months out...

Owned since 2006 and have basically tried to get into BCV since I bought...This was the first year I was able to book it...Always a week and usually a one bedroom...So I was thinking if I add I wouldn't mind having some sort of advantage...

 

[chalee94]

VGF is the smallest at wdw according to the DVC Resource thread.

just remember that if you add-on at a different resort, it's like you have 2 separate contracts until you get to the 7 month window.

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

My plan was to add on resale 100 points at SSR where I own now

But then my mind starting shifting to GFV...

In size comparison to other DVC's (BC/BW etc...) Is GFV the smallest? I'm trying to weigh out how hard it would be to book 7 months out...I feel with SSR there is 0 advantage to owning there since there is always availability...Would be nice to have a place that you know you can book 11 months out...

Owned since 2006 and have basically tried to get into BCV since I bought...This was the first year I was able to book it...Always a week and usually a one bedroom...So I was thinking if I add I wouldn't mind having some sort of advantage...

In my opinion the true advantage to owning at SSR (assuming one doesnt own there because they love the resort) is dollars. Price per point is fairly low (resale) and the MFs are second only to BLT. Factor the two together and I believe SSR is the best bang for the buck financially.

I believe that VGF is the smallest resort now. It is smaller than VWL if my memory serves. The question at seven months is how much the increased points per night will impact bookings and thus possibly leave some availability. Only time (and data) will tell.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

VGF will be the smallest resort at WDW. Only VGC remains smaller. It comes at a premium cost both in initial buy in and in point requirements per night. If you want to stay there everytime it could be worth it but if not then I'd consider whether it's worth the premium or not.


OKW- 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 274 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 230 Lockoffs - 27 Grand Villas = 531 Villas / 761 Max. Available

BWV - 97 Dedicated Studios - 130 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 0 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 149 Lockoffs - 7 Grand Villas = 383 Villas / 532 Max. Available

VWL - 20 Dedicated Studios - 27 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 44 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 45 Lockoffs - 0 Grand Villas = 136 Villas / 181 Max. Available

BCV - 36 Dedicated Studios - 20 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 78 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 74 Lockoffs - 0 Grand Villas = 208 VIllas / 282 Max. Available

SSR - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 360 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 432 Lockoffs - 60 THV - 36 Grand Villas = 888 Villas / 1320 Max. Available

AKV - 46 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1BR villas - 140 Dedicated 2BR villas - 250 Lockoffs - 22 GVs. 134 villas within Jambo House at AKL (46 Dedicated Studios, 82 Lockoff 2BRs, 6 GVs) and 324 villas in Kidani Village (140 Dedicated 2BRs, 168 Lockoff 2BRs, 16 GVs) for a total of 458 Villas / 708 Max. Available

BLT - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1BR villas - 148 Dedicated 2BR villas - 133 Lockoffs - 14 Grand Villas = 295 Villas / 428 Max. Available

VGF - 0 dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1BR villas - 47 Dedicated 2BR villas - 47 Lockoffs - 6 Grand Villas = 100 Villas / 147 Max. Available

VGC - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1BR villas - 23 Dedicated 2BR villas - 23 Lockoffs - 2 Grand Villas = 48 Villas / 71 Max. Available

 

[drusba]

How easy or hard it will be to get VGF 7 months out is still an unknown. Thus far for 2014 through part of June, it has been usually easy to get anything at VGF at 7 months out other than studios once in a while (and even that has seen standard studios gone while lake view are open or vice versa, and usually not both are gone). However, that picture is unreliable at this point because DVD when it started selling VGF immediately dedicated 75% of the resort to DVC (usually with a new resort a much smaller percentage is dedicated at the beginning and then increments are continuously added as needed as sales progress). The result is that there is significant availability for DVC owners who do not own there and that availability will likely decrease as sales increase.

What I suspect will eventually be VGF's pattern once it gets close to being sold out is the following which is based on what I have seen at other near park resorts:


1. Late Sep (when Food & Wine begins) through marathon weekend in Jan will be the hardest quarter to get anything at 7 months out; that is currently true for BLT, BWV and BCV, even with their larger inventories of rooms. Studios won't just be difficult during that period but likely near impossible; that is because there are only 47 of them, they are all part of lock-offs and thus can also be reserved as 2BRs, and with VGF's extremely high point structure, studios will have even higher demand there than other resorts. The demand for studios is likely to be close to what it is at BLT for standard view, or BWV for boardwalk or standard view, which are seldom available at 7 months out in that high demand quarter.

2. The rest of the year, you will likely find most things open at VGF at 7 months out except for studios (and 2BR lock-offs since if the studios go those will also become unavailable) and except for the Princess half marathon weekend in the latter part of Feb. DVC demand at WDW during the time from mid-January to just before end of Sep, even during holiday times in those months and with the exception of the Princess half marathon weekend, is generally moderate and often light. In comparison to that high demand fourth quarter it is like off-season. Nevertheless, because there are only 47 studios and those will be the room size with highest demand, studios are likely going to be gone many times during that mid-Jan to end of Sep period. Though there are also only 47 1BRs, those are likely to be open much the time at 7 months out for mid-Jan to end of Sep because 1BRs tend to be the last room size reserved any time of year.

Ultimately you have decide if you want to accept the price of VGF to be an owner there, which would relieve any concerns about being able to get rooms. Also, if the room size you will usually want at VGF is a studio or the time of year is that last quarter, you should likwly consider owning at VGF a necessity.

 

[boxer]

How easy or hard it will be to get VGF 7 months out is still an unknown. Thus far for 2014 through part of June, it has been usually easy to get anything at VGF at 7 months out other than studios once in a while (and even that has seen standard studios gone while lake view are open or vice versa, and usually not both are gone). However, that picture is unreliable at this point because DVD when it started selling VGF immediately dedicated 75% of the resort to DVC (usually with a new resort a much smaller percentage is dedicated at the beginning and then increments are continuously added as needed as sales progress). The result is that there is significant availability for DVC owners who do not own there and that availability will likely decrease as sales increase.

What I suspect will eventually be VGF's pattern once it gets close to being sold out is the following which is based on what I have seen at other near park resorts:





1. Late Sep (when Food & Wine begins) through marathon weekend in Jan will be the hardest quarter to get anything at 7 months out; that is currently true for BLT, BWV and BCV, even with their larger inventories of rooms. Studios won't just be difficult during that period but likely near impossible; that is because there are only 47 of them, they are all part of lock-offs and thus can also be reserved as 2BRs, and with VGF's extremely high point structure, studios will have even higher demand there than other resorts. The demand for studios is likely to be close to what it is at BLT for standard view, or BWV for boardwalk or standard view, which are seldom available at 7 months out in that high demand quarter.

2. The rest of the year, you will likely find most things open at VGF at 7 months out except for studios (and 2BR lock-offs since if the studios go those will also become unavailable) and except for the Princess half marathon weekend in the latter part of Feb. DVC demand at WDW during the time from mid-January to just before end of Sep, even during holiday times in those months and with the exception of the Princess half marathon weekend, is generally moderate and often light. In comparison to that high demand fourth quarter it is like off-season. Nevertheless, because there are only 47 studios and those will be the room size with highest demand, studios are likely going to be gone many times during that mid-Jan to end of Sep period. Though there are also only 47 1BRs, those are likely to be open much the time at 7 months out for mid-Jan to end of Sep because 1BRs tend to be the last room size reserved any time of year.

Ultimately you have decide if you want to accept the price of VGF to be an owner there, which would relieve any concerns about being able to get rooms. Also, if the room size you will usually want at VGF is a studio or the time of year is that last quarter, you should likwly consider owning at VGF a necessity.

This is EXACTLY why we bought at VGF--not to mention we fell in love with the rooms! We plan on using Studios, so we felt it necessary to have that 11mos window.

 

[DVC Sue]

This is EXACTLY why we bought at VGF--not to mention we fell in love with the rooms! We plan on using Studios, so we felt it necessary to have that 11mos window.

I totally agree. I think that the studios are going to be very hard to get at the 11 month window. We also have friends and family that want to use the points during the years we don't go. (We dont' have enough to take other people with us).

 

[Nabas]

I totally agree. I think that the studios are going to be very hard to get at the 11 month window. We also have friends and family that want to use the points during the years we don't go. (We dont' have enough to take other people with us).

I also agree.

Once VGF is sold out, I think any VGF Studio will be difficult to get at the 7-month window.

 

[dbs1228]

Just remember the point cost per night is quite high also! I checked this out for 8 nights when booking for Feb. presidents week and it is 50 points MORE for VGF then BLT and 73 points more then BCV so 100 point contract is not going to go to far!

 

[boxer]

I also agree.

Once VGF is sold out, I think any VGF Studio will be difficult to get at the 7-month window.

In your opinion, how hard do you think the Studios will be to get--even at the 11mos window? I plan on literally booking TO THE DAY of the 11mos check-in, but I am getting a little nervous reading about these VGF Studio's. We LOVE this place, and was the whole reason we bought there. We have enough points for standard or lake view, but not quite enough for a 1-bed for the timeframe we stay.

We typically stay the first/second week of November, and know this is a tough time of year. I didn't want tied-into the reserved week, so we just opted to try to book every year.

 

[bumbershoot]

Would be nice to have a place that you know you can book 11 months out

IMO if you're spending the premium to get VGF, you need to *always* book at the 11 month mark, not just have the ability to do it but maybe never do it.

Take it from me, a Bay Lake owner, who has never once stayed at Bay Lake. And we financed. Paying a premium and haven't yet used the biggest benefit. If you're going to get that property, USE that advantage.

 

[crisi]

It wouldn't surprise me to see VGF easy to book at seven months. People who bought there need to stay there to get the value out of their points, so for a few years it will be tough - but eventually they may decide that making their points go farther at pretty much any other resort is a good deal. Which I think will be the general consensus in membership. That when you can make your points go farther, its a good deal.

I also think that although GFV has a small number of rooms, over the course of its lifetime its going to have more VWL-like preferences - a few people really liking it as a resort, and a lot of people being lukewarm on it - rather than BCV - which has a lot of admirers. Now, when the Poly opens, I think those rooms will always be popular - but not a lot of people have GF as their favorite resort.

 

[Dean]

IMO if you're spending the premium to get VGF, you need to *always* book at the 11 month mark, not just have the ability to do it but maybe never do it.

Take it from me, a Bay Lake owner, who has never once stayed at Bay Lake. And we financed. Paying a premium and haven't yet used the biggest benefit. If you're going to get that property, USE that advantage.

I would agree and echo the reverse as well. It doesn't make sense to pay more and not get the advantage. For those looking to get in the system then try things along, it makes no sense to buy the high end options. For those that want VGF most of the time and will plan in advance, owning MAY make sense depending on other variables. Many will buy because of the hype and emotion then like you, not take advantage and simply be out the difference. At least you have the slightly lower dues to somewhat offset the additional costs. The reality with VGF is that one may own and try exactly at 11 months out and still not get it even on WL.

 

[Minniesgal]

It wouldn't surprise me to see VGF easy to book at seven months. People who bought there need to stay there to get the value out of their points, so for a few years it will be tough - but eventually they may decide that making their points go farther at pretty much any other resort is a good deal. Which I think will be the general consensus in membership. That when you can make your points go farther, its a good deal. I also think that although GFV has a small number of rooms, over the course of its lifetime its going to have more VWL-like preferences - a few people really liking it as a resort, and a lot of people being lukewarm on it - rather than BCV - which has a lot of admirers. Now, when the Poly opens, I think those rooms will always be popular - but not a lot of people have GF as their favorite resort.

I don't know you could be right but we bought a small amount of VGF points enough for 3 or 4 nights in a 1 bedroom every other year. We have other cheaper points to use elsewhere. This is just for a few nights to visit our favourite restaurants and chill before attacking the parks. I don't see us using those specific points for anything else. I also know a few people who have bought in the same way as us.

 

[BenDiscipio]

It wouldn't surprise me to see VGF easy to book at seven months. People who bought there need to stay there to get the value out of their points, so for a few years it will be tough - but eventually they may decide that making their points go farther at pretty much any other resort is a good deal. Which I think will be the general consensus in membership. That when you can make your points go farther, its a good deal.

I also think that although GFV has a small number of rooms, over the course of its lifetime its going to have more VWL-like preferences - a few people really liking it as a resort, and a lot of people being lukewarm on it - rather than BCV - which has a lot of admirers. Now, when the Poly opens, I think those rooms will always be popular - but not a lot of people have GF as their favorite resort.

VGF, except for 1 bedrooms, will never be easy to book at 7 months. It's the smallest resort and it is, without question, the nicest. The rooms have set new standards by which others will be judged....and the resort is Disney's flagship...

You think that people buying into GF will book elsewhere to get more for their points? That's like saying that those who buy into the Ritz Carlton will prefer to stay at the Marriott to get more days. That certainly ISN'T why you buy into the Ritz Carlton.

I'll tell you what....you get back to me in 3 years when the VGF is totally sold out and tell me what you see at 7 months. That's just silly talk. It's small and coveted by a lot of people. Have you seen the size of the Grand thread in Resorts? It is the absolute favorite of an enormous amount of people.

The Poly always puzzles me with people stating it's preferred. Yea, it's nice...close to the MK, cute theme,....but very dark as well. Poly reminds me more of the AKV. VGF is about luxury and there will always be a market for luxury at Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Perhaps after trying GFV, the owners there will see they can get a whole lot more vacation by using their points at OKW, SSR, BWV, BCV than at GFV. And spent a lot of money on those points, too.

 

[crisi]

VGF, except for 1 bedrooms, will never be easy to book at 7 months. It's the smallest resort and it is, without question, the nicest. The rooms have set new standards by which others will be judged....and the resort is Disney's flagship...

You think that people buying into GF will book elsewhere to get more for their points? That's like saying that those who buy into the Ritz Carlton will prefer to stay at the Marriott to get more days. That certainly ISN'T why you buy into the Ritz Carlton.

I'll tell you what....you get back to me in 3 years when the VGF is totally sold out and tell me what you see at 7 months. That's just silly talk. It's small and coveted by a lot of people. Have you seen the size of the Grand thread in Resorts? It is the absolute favorite of an enormous amount of people.

The Poly always puzzles me with people stating it's preferred. Yea, it's nice...close to the MK, cute theme,....but very dark as well. Poly reminds me more of the AKV. VGF is about luxury and there will always be a market for luxury at Disney.

People said the same things about each resort as its opened. And standard view BLT and Conceirge at VAKL are very hard to book, but the only resort as a whole its held more or less true is Grand Californian. BLT was going to be impossible to book - it isn't, if you can go lake view. VWL was so small, you'd never stay there - its really pretty easy to book. SSR was a big resort, but it was furnished so nice it would outdraw - not so much. BCV would have SAB, no one would EVER be able to book there who didn't own points - but for most of the year, if you call right at seven months, you'll be fine. When they announced the treehouses, a lot of people bought SSR points because you would NEED the booking window. You don't.

Now, if you NEED to be staying at VGF or at the Treehouses, if that is where your heart lives, you should absolutely be buying there and booking before seven months. Buy where you won't be disappointed to end up, and if you are disappointed to be anywhere but VGF, you need to own. But if you would just like to stay there once in a while, I'd see what happens over the next few years. My experience has been that at this stage in a resorts life, we tend to underestimate availability at seven months. I also think that for the MAJORITY of people, where they end up staying isn't a make it or break it deal.

 

[crisi]

Perhaps after trying GFV, the owners there will see they can get a whole lot more vacation by using their points at OKW, SSR, BWV, BCV than at GFV. And spent a lot of money on those points, too.

This is what I suspect. I suspect that GFV owners will be a lot like the many of rest of us. "Wouldn't it be fun to take Grandma and Grandpa on a trip with us" - but that will mean a two bedroom. And a two bedroom is a lot of points at the VGF, it would be much more affordable to take Grandma and Grandpa and stay at BCV, which is just as nice, or OKW, which is very roomy and they might like better, it isn't as busy.

We saw a lot of people really excited about the Theme Park View at BLT early on, but now I think if we surveyed, most people would say "it really isn't worth the points except as maybe a once in a while special thing."

DVCers are connoisseurs of point bargains, nice weather and low crowds. GFV isn't a point bargain. I suspect that if you are willing to give up one of the other two - nice weather or low crowds - you'll be able to book GFV more often than not (maybe not during that last quarter of the year).

 

[Breyean]

Perhaps after trying GFV, the owners there will see they can get a whole lot more vacation by using their points at OKW, SSR, BWV, BCV than at GFV. And spent a lot of money on those points, too.

This is so true. A few years ago my sister bought BLT direct - got a good deal at around $99/point, with a referral discount, a gift card, plus because of an error the guide made, she was able to get the member price, even though this was her first DVC purchase.

Her first trip was set for BLT last year, but after her house was severely impacted by Sandy, she had to cancel. By the time she had things somewhat approaching normal, for the dates she wanted there wasn't much left. I recommended OKW since we've owned there forever and really appreciate what it offers.

So she stayed there and was happy.

Then she stayed at BLT earlier this year, and while she liked the location and monorail access, she noticed the difference in room size from OKW (she has a 5 year old).

But now she has been telling me how in the future she would stay at OKW because of the points savings. She can simply get more, longer trips by staying there rather than BLT.

She's as cheap as they come, so she should fit right in with a lot of us long time DVC owners!

 

[kirkgf]

How easy or hard it will be to get VGF 7 months out is still an unknown. Thus far for 2014 through part of June, it has been usually easy to get anything at VGF at 7 months out other than studios once in a while (and even that has seen standard studios gone while lake view are open or vice versa, and usually not both are gone). However, that picture is unreliable at this point because DVD when it started selling VGF immediately dedicated 75% of the resort to DVC (usually with a new resort a much smaller percentage is dedicated at the beginning and then increments are continuously added as needed as sales progress). The result is that there is significant availability for DVC owners who do not own there and that availability will likely decrease as sales increase.

What I suspect will eventually be VGF's pattern once it gets close to being sold out is the following which is based on what I have seen at other near park resorts:


1. Late Sep (when Food & Wine begins) through marathon weekend in Jan will be the hardest quarter to get anything at 7 months out; that is currently true for BLT, BWV and BCV, even with their larger inventories of rooms. Studios won't just be difficult during that period but likely near impossible; that is because there are only 47 of them, they are all part of lock-offs and thus can also be reserved as 2BRs, and with VGF's extremely high point structure, studios will have even higher demand there than other resorts. The demand for studios is likely to be close to what it is at BLT for standard view, or BWV for boardwalk or standard view, which are seldom available at 7 months out in that high demand quarter.

2. The rest of the year, you will likely find most things open at VGF at 7 months out except for studios (and 2BR lock-offs since if the studios go those will also become unavailable) and except for the Princess half marathon weekend in the latter part of Feb. DVC demand at WDW during the time from mid-January to just before end of Sep, even during holiday times in those months and with the exception of the Princess half marathon weekend, is generally moderate and often light. In comparison to that high demand fourth quarter it is like off-season. Nevertheless, because there are only 47 studios and those will be the room size with highest demand, studios are likely going to be gone many times during that mid-Jan to end of Sep period. Though there are also only 47 1BRs, those are likely to be open much the time at 7 months out for mid-Jan to end of Sep because 1BRs tend to be the last room size reserved any time of year.

Ultimately you have decide if you want to accept the price of VGF to be an owner there, which would relieve any concerns about being able to get rooms. Also, if the room size you will usually want at VGF is a studio or the time of year is that last quarter, you should likwly consider owning at VGF a necessity.

Very well said. Exactly why I waited to buy there. GF has always been my favorite, usually go in October, and usually get a studio. I would suggest the same for the Polynesian when it opens. If you want to stay a smaller resort and will getting one of the lower point rooms you will have to own there.