BLT versus VGF?

[loveglobe]

Looking to buy points at either BLT or VGF. We prefer BLT for its location, points costs, and room layouts (3 bathrooms in the 2 bed!), but VGF is also very attractive because the 11 month advantage would really come into play there as a small DVC resort and of course it's the flagship WDW resort.

So would we be better off buying VGF and booking 11 months out there, which requires more points but has the possibility of sometimes getting BLT (lake view) at 7 months, or just going with BLT at a lower points number and probably rarely getting to stay at VGF due to its high demand and also higher points requirement per room?

HELP! : )

 

[Minniesgal]

We do both, BLT for the MK park, VGF we do just for the resort, the location, restaurants on the monorail and to chill and have some real downtime. So me personally I'd buy half and half but then we love split stays.

For me BLT is the family resort and VGF is more of an adult feel (however, my son also loves it). We own a small contract at VGF bought for exactly what I described 2 to 3 nights at the end of our trip to winddown and eat well. We are in the process of adding on as we love the 1 bedrooms and the studios are not readily available often at 11 months so we are adding on to always book a 1 bedroom at 11 months. I think the odd night will be available at 7 months but if you want specific dates there you need 11 months. BLT we have found a lot of periods during the year the lake views are available.

 

[disneynutz]

Buy where you love to stay.

Bill

 

[loveglobe]

But Bill I love BOTH! : )

I think given the fact that there's more availability at BLT in general we'll go with VGF knowing that we'd have a smaller chance of booking there at 7 mo than at BLT. It may cost more points, but that seems like the right move for us. Thank you both for you input!

 

[disneynutz]

But Bill I love BOTH! : )

I think given the fact that there's more availability at BLT in general we'll go with VGF knowing that we'd have a smaller chance of booking there at 7 mo than at BLT. It may cost more points, but that seems like the right move for us. Thank you both for you input!

We own both and for us, BLT is a high-rise found everywhere building and GF/VGF is pure Disney, worth every penny.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

some nice things about BLT:

*you can walk to the MK

*you can walk to the bus hub at the MK to easily get to another resort on property

but i agree, the VGF is magic.

 

[bellapecas]

some nice things about BLT:

*you can walk to the bus hub at the MK to easily get to another resort on property

I'm a rather new BLT owner with a 2nd BLT contract to close any day now and I have NEVER thought of this possibility! Probably because we normally drive down, but are thinking of flying for our next visit.

 

[DenLo]

I say buy VGF now and go for a BLT resale contract later when you can afford it.

 

[okw2012]

I agree with DenLo, buy two contracts!

 

[sweatandsteel]

We just bought VGF in December and are super excited for our first trip in October. To us, Grand Floridian feels like a luxury resort while BLT looks like a hotel. I could care less about being able to walk to MK because I can get on the monorail and be there next stop. Plus my kids love that the pool is right outside the villas.

 

[DisneyfromDeland]

Plus my kids love that the pool is right outside the villas.

Is that the feature pool with the slide that is very close to the villas? I am almost ready to add on at VGF and that would be a plus for my husband.

 

[sweatandsteel]

Is that the feature pool with the slide that is very close to the villas? I am almost ready to add on at VGF and that would be a plus for my husband.

Yes, there is pool with slide, separate kids area, and pool bar/food right outside the vills.

 

[loveglobe]

I say buy VGF now and go for a BLT resale contract later when you can afford it.

We decided to go in for VGF but are already feeling add-on-itis about BLT. THIS IS DANGEROUS.... : )

 

[DisneyfromDeland]

We decided to go in for VGF but are already feeling add-on-itis about BLT. THIS IS DANGEROUS.... : )

I know how you feel. I own at AKL and we are on day 22 with a BWV contract. As long as that contract passes, I want to add on a few points at VGF. I don't want to pull the trigger until I'm sure my BWV contract passed though. It's killing me to wait. Hopefully we will hear any day now.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We just bought VGF in December and are super excited for our first trip in October. To us, Grand Floridian feels like a luxury resort while BLT looks like a hotel. I could care less about being able to walk to MK because I can get on the monorail and be there next stop. Plus my kids love that the pool is right outside the villas.

The first time a monorail gets stuck so it's not running and then you learn it takes approx an hour to get to the MK from VGF (time to get additional boats out, pick up Poly guests etc) you realize just how nice it is to be able to walk.

We decided to go in for VGF but are already feeling add-on-itis about BLT. THIS IS DANGEROUS.... : )

But aren't you also looking to rent out your new points?

 

[summabreeze85]

The first time a monorail gets stuck so it's not running and then you learn it takes approx an hour to get to the MK from VGF (time to get additional boats out, pick up Poly guests etc) you realize just how nice it is to be able to walk.

What are the chances this actually happens during your stay on the day you are going to magic kingdom? Not worth planning your trip over this slim chance something might go wrong

 

[loveglobe]

But aren't you also looking to rent out your new points?

Yes we won't be able to use most of our 2014 or 2015 points, but didn't want to wait two years to buy in. Clearly the bug has bitten!

 

[Dis-n-Pix]

I would recommend try to stay at both before buying. We bought into BLT when the points became first avialabe, and when VGF opened we were thinking about doing an add-on there. We decided to stay at VGF before buying, and were able to book a 1 bedroom for 5 days.

Here is our opinion of VGF.

The good: Location - close to MK (can go by monorail and boat), nice amenities, large selection of restaurants, and the flag ship resort of WDW.

The not so good: Last stop on the monorail (during busy times the monorail cars are typically full, so when getting on it is usually standing only). There is a very limited number of "lake" views and points are high (when compared to BLT "lake view" rooms). The room layout is different (base on staying in a 1 bedroom) than most DVC places (this to some maybe a good), but we thought the layout to be wasteful on usable floor space.

Also, the VGF points costs (looking to buy direct at the time, since it just opened) and number of points needed when compared to BLT was our primary deciding factor to hold off buying at the time. Maybe some day we will add-on a VGF through resale, but it will be after doing add-ons to our AKL and BLT contracts.

Ultimately you need to look at your list of pros and cons to determine which is right. My recommendation is like those above - buy where you want stay, and look into resale. Once you purchase one you can always add later.

 

[disneynutz]

VGF also has bath robes, a bubble soak tub, GE Monogram and BOSCH appliances, and a TV in the bathroom mirror.

Bill

 

[nalajms]

What are the chances this actually happens during your stay on the day you are going to magic kingdom? Not worth planning your trip over this slim chance something might go wrong

We have had issues with the monorail on every trip over the last 12 months. Nothing to the point of 1hr, but it has taken 30+mins to get from VGF to MK.

However, we're not usually rushing so it's not a big deal to wait... just like waiting for the bus, waiting on the boats when there's a thunder storm, problems with rides (Peter Pan!). I'll still take that over the walk from BLT - the very non-Disney walk that reminds me of the walk from the parking lot to our local 6 flags!