Did DVC make a mistake

[niks81]

I agree, I think it was a mistake.

I bought at VWL and BCV and neither have GV's I love both resorts but I do wish they had GV's. However, after seeing how much it is in points to get a GV at BWV I can honestly say if the point totals were the same at my own resorts I wouldn't use them. I like OKW anyways and based on the pictures I've seen I like their GV units better also.

So I guess what I'm saying is that I wish they would have put them in all resorts, but I wouldn't want the points to be as astronomical as BWV's GV!

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I wish there was GVs at BCV. That would be an added bonus. I would've used one for my trip in May. Annmarie

 

[jmminarik]

My original emotional response was 'Yea, they should be at all resorts'. Then my left brain woke up. We'll never have enough points to spare to get a GV when we keep deficit spending our points.

Even if we did somehow manage to throttle our spending, getting a GV 12/1 - 12/14 at OKW sounds very difficult at anything less than the 11 month mark. We *might* go for a cottage at VB since we could get one at 11 months, but even then, we probably couldn't because of our spendthrift ways with our points.
I am glad to see the GV's at SSR&S are a little less expensive than BWV, but again, we'll probably never save enough to get one.

As it is now, most DVCer's (though maybe not the population of this board) would have to hoard points and borrow to get most of a week in a GV at BWV. I think Disney would rather have those people making 2-3 trips instead of one. Combine that with the extra 'cost' of a GV over multiple rooms and limited building area, I'm not surprised DVD didn't included them at BCV and VWL. There are just a lot of factors leading to DVD not including them at the hotels.


Just my $6.
-Joe

 

[zulaya]

I wish GVs were at every resort, although I can understand the space issues with BCV and VWL.

Even if they only had 7 like at BWV, the option of being able to stay there when you have family gatherings...I mean come on, that's what WDW is pushing now with this Magical Gatherings promo...I would love the GV for a trip like that.

As it is, I am getting 2 - 2BR for more than it would cost me to get a GV at OKW. Don't know about BWV or SSR how that compares, but we're still using a lot of points.

I know that nothing can be done now. That's why an OKW resale is in my future.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
The plan for SSR is 24 GV's- two in each of the 12 buildings.

Thanks for current update on GV's at SSR Doc.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by JimC
Is Dean's idea something they can do retro? Is the configuration such that it is a possibility?

I's unlikely, the time to have done it would have been at the start. It would have been fairly easy to do so up front though I'm sure it would have been a scheduling nightmare. IMO, it would have been the thing to do if they weren't going to have GV.

I love both resorts but I do wish they had GV's. However, after seeing how much it is in points to get a GV at BWV I can honestly say if the point totals were the same at my own resorts I wouldn't use them.

And there's the rub. It's like the sleep 6 in a 1 BR scenario. Everyone says how they want it then when the points are so high, many end up not going that route.

 

[pumpkinboy]

While I still lust after those gorgeous Beach Cottages at VB, the only real practical GV style unit for us is BWV; our issue is that our 6 yr old DS is wheelchair bound and OKW and VB GVs are both two story with no elelvators (pls correct me if I am wrong on this). We are in the process of installing an elevator in our home, and when I am opn vacation I don't want to be doing a lot of lifting and carrying. Not sure about the GVs at SSR.

The points costs are a bit of a shocker but we do plan to use a GV at some point (just dreaming of it...)

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Dean
.....(snip).....They could have gone in between with a double lockoff. A 1 BR with two connection studios......./B]

Originally posted by JimC
Is Dean's idea something they can do retro? Is the configuration such that it is a possibility?

Originally posted by Dean
It's unlikely, the time to have done it would have been at the start. It would have been fairly easy to do so up front though I'm sure it would have been a scheduling nightmare. IMO, it would have been the thing to do if they weren't going to have GV.

I'm having trouble imagining how 12 people would fit in the dining area/living room of the typical DVC 1 bedroom unit - even if the one bedroom were the size of those at OKW, LOL.

If they made the 1 bedroom area of the "lock off" GV large enough for 12, I wonder how DVC would deal with all the requests for those specific one bedrooms when they weren't needed for the GV option! Think about all the arguments we could have for exceeding the occupancy limits for that!

I agree, a scheduling NIGHTMARE!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by CarolMN
I'm having trouble imagining how 12 people would fit in the dining area/living room of the typical DVC 1 bedroom unit - even if the one bedroom were the size of those at OKW, LOL.

That's true with the 2 BR set up at all but OKW. Some fairly minor changes would have to happen from a dining aspect. That would be fairly easily workable compared to the other structural changes needed to convert.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Dean
That's true with the 2 BR set up at all but OKW. Some fairly minor changes would have to happen from a dining aspect. That would be fairly easily workable compared to the other structural changes needed to convert.

Sure, it could be done. Think of two 1 bedrooms next to each other that are mirror images of one another. Then start knocking down walls and move the kitchen to one side. An additional hallway to the third bedroom could be accomplished. Just one approach.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Desperado
Sure, it could be done. Think of two 1 bedrooms next to each other that are mirror images of one another. Then start knocking down walls and move the kitchen to one side. An additional hallway to the third bedroom could be accomplished. Just one approach.

But one that's not workable financially unless one is in a position to rip all that out anyway, something that likely won't happen until the second total redo, about 20 years or so. I think we can assume DVC talked about all of this prior to VWL and BCV and decided not to, for a number of reasons. Hassle of booking and keeping up with it, additional dining strain, etc. Just like they built BWV with only 7 GV compared to 4 times that many at OKW. I'm sure all that was discussed as well.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Dean
But one that's not workable financially unless one is in a position to rip all that out anyway, something that likely won't happen until the second total redo, about 20 years or so. I think we can assume DVC talked about all of this prior to VWL and BCV and decided not to, for a number of reasons. Hassle of booking and keeping up with it, additional dining strain, etc. Just like they built BWV with only 7 GV compared to 4 times that many at OKW. I'm sure all that was discussed as well.

I agree, it is unlikely. BCV and WLV owners bought knowing there would not be GV's available at these locations. Given how lose they are to selling out if not sold out already, there's no incentive to change, unless uneven resort accomodation demand patterns began occuring in the future, and something was needed to balanve out the demand. It's certainly unlikely that a coupld of GV only availble to the ones getting the accomodations would make any change. Your right, unlikely and would reduce the overall number of accomodations. Oh well.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Desperado
I agree, it is unlikely. BCV and WLV owners bought knowing there would not be GV's available at these locations. Given how lose they are to selling out if not sold out already, there's no incentive to change, unless uneven resort accomodation demand patterns began occuring in the future, and something was needed to balanve out the demand. It's certainly unlikely that a coupld of GV only availble to the ones getting the accomodations would make any change. Your right, unlikely and would reduce the overall number of accomodations. Oh well.

The other side is that had DVC gone this route, there would have likely been no true GV for SSR, just double lockoff 3 BR units. It would also likely mean less space in the 1 BR and studio units overall, like they could get any smaller.

 

[RobDoc]

There is at least one double lock-off at VB. We had a 1BR with a connecting door in the bedroom. I asked what it connected to and (after asking several CM's) finally was told that it allows for an accessible 3BR since none of the beach houses are accessible.

In this case, the configuration is that of a usual 2BR with access to the extra studio thru the master bedroom. I'll guess that the extra studio also has 2 connecting doors- but never saw the connecting room. I can't recall the room number (it was on the top floor though and we did have an ocean view from the balcony).

It struck me as not being a very comfortable configuration.

 

[Northwoods]

Since retro fitting WLV is probably not an option and that's were I own, I would like to see the option for everyone to book GV at the 11 month window for any resort.

I bought WLV because that is what was available when we wanted to buy. I love the resort but would like the option to book a GV once in a while.

 

[Richyams]

I know that many who bought weren't aware of the resale market and Disney does not do much to advertise it, but this is one of the serious benefits of buying where you plan to stay most. I wouldn't want to deal with competing with all DVC members for my OKW GV stays.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by Northwoods
Since retro fitting WLV is probably not an option and that's were I own, I would like to see the option for everyone to book GV at the 11 month window for any resort.

I bought WLV because that is what was available when we wanted to buy. I love the resort but would like the option to book a GV once in a while.

I must disagree here. The whole point about buying where you want to stay most is the 11 month booking window. I am sure you knew that VWL did not have GVs when you purchased. The way around this would be to purchase an add on or resale of around 100 points at OKW so you would have access to a GV every third year.

 

[Northwoods]

I knew I would hear some disagreement on the 11 GV window - but hey we are just brainstorming here. Figured it couldn't hurt to dream.

Adding more points isn't an option. We have a hard enough time using our 350 as it is.

 

[BWVDee]

Have you tried to book a GV at 7 months and were not successful or are you just assuming that you will not be able to? I think you might be pleasantly surprised if you try for a GV at 7 months. There are certain times that GV's fill up right at the 11 month mark but for the majority of the year many have been very successful with booking a GV at 7 months and even less.
Good luck!

 

[Northwoods]

Unfortunately I need one for next Dec 18-25. We had to settle for a 2 BR and Studio at WLV. I'm sure there won't be one available then at the 7 mo. time. We won't plan on eating at a group in the room.