Ever Had a Grand Villa?????

[Snoopygirl]

Hi!
I wanted to know if anyone has ever stayed in a Grand Villa at any of the resorts. Did you rent DVC pts. from a DVC member? We are thinking about doing this for next Sept.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you mean Sept 05 or Sept 06? If you mean Sept 06, you probably want to get a member with the resort you want as their home resort so they will get the 11 month advantage. If you mean Sept 05, you might not find anythign available at this point.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We own at OKW and have stayed in Grand Villas several times. September is a slow time at the DVC resorts, but I would think a GV would be diffiult to get for this year. If you are wanting one for September '06, I would try renting points from someone who owns at the resort whose GV you are interested in renting, and having them book at the 11 month booking window. This would be especially true if you are interested in BWV, since they only have 7 GVs there (I think).

 

[dianeschlicht]

I wanted to add that it might also be difficult to find one owner who would want to rent out that many points that far ahead. If you are planning on a week, a GV at BWV would be 558 points, SSR would be 505 points and OKW would be 356 points. Those are a lot of points to give up at one time.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I am staying at OKW in a grand villa for the first time this summer, and I am so excited about it! I will be July 2-9, including one night when there will be just DH and myself, can you imagine?

 

[Snoopygirl]

Thanks so much for all your help. We would need it for 5 nights. I also thought it would be a lot of pts. for someone to give up.
Cruelladeville---are you renting pts. or did you just book it yourself? Can't wait to hear your trip report when u return!!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It was well worth it for us. Our whole family loved it. Here's a view from the GV we stayed at last Thanksgiving at the BWV:

HBC

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, Snoopygirl. The only "grand villa" we have stayed in was the Beach Cottage at the Vero Beach Resort. We have stayed in those several times, and they are simply awesome.

I hope you have a great visit in a Grand Villa!

PS- That's a great view, HBC.

MG

 

[beccasmom]

The GVs are great, especially with extended family and friends who want to stay in the same villa. Really lovely and lots of room! I think this September would be difficult, but agree that usually in September things slow down due to schools returning. We have stayed in a GV twice, both times in May (including the Memorial Day holiday). No doubt about it, they are impressive and very comfortable.

 

[larry's girl]

I don't know if you received it yet, but I sent you a PM about my experience with renting points for a grand villa at OKW this past January. I hope it helps!

Susan

 

[dianeschlicht]

Gv stays are lots of fun if you have a good cohesive unit of people staying there. We have done it with 3 family groups and it worked very well. Each family group had their own bedroom and bath, and the leftovers from the Master room group had the pull out in the living room and their own bath in the hall. We have also done the GV with fewer people, so I was a bit skeptical about the group of 12, but it worked better than I imagined it would.

Good planning is the key! We did a LOT of preplanning with all the groups and had a cooking schedule. Each family group was responsible for the in-villa meals for one day. It was their choice what they cooked that day, and the choice of the rest in the villa if they were eating in with the group or going out. We did all our grocery shopping between the airport and WDW. All the planning helped it be a success, because everyone had input into what groceries etc. Every family purchased their own snacks and the food needed for their day of meal preps.

 

[Cyndy]

We've stayed at both BW and OKW Grand Villas and each has their own special qualities, but both are GRAND experiences. We're adding on points at OKW just for Gr. Villa usage. (We're members so no advice on renting).

 

[deerh]

Never stayed in a GV, but I feel for the "pointage", it is not worth it. Besides, add it up:

GV-sleeps 12
1Br/2BR sleeps 12

Points, for BWV:
Summer:
1 week at GV=800 pts
1 week at 1/2BR=528 pts

Don't see the TREMENDOUS point differental...
Besides, I don't know if I want to be THAT close to my extended family!!!

DeerH

 

[bom_noite]

Going to try and rent a GV Next year in September also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN NOT WAIT!

 

[spiceycat]

my brother wants me to get one - but I don't think it is worth it for us.

we tried to stay together in a 2-bedroom - 4 and 2 - believe me I won't ever do that again!!!

a GV would have the same problems.

 

[jiggerj]

Haven't stayed in one yet but thanks to Happy Birthday Cat's photo I really want too! What a view!!!!! Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Never stayed in a GV, but I feel for the "pointage", it is not worth it.....Don't see the TREMENDOUS point differental...
Besides, I don't know if I want to be THAT close to my extended family!!!

I don't think I could take anything for an extended period of time for 12 people. We had the GV for 6 and it was worth it for us. It's a lot of points but what comfort! The best part was that each of our kids had their own bed and we didn't have to use a fold-out sofa or an aero bed like we do in a 2BR. Our two girls had their own room and the two boys had their's. And we still had the big master suite. It's worth it to us every couple of years. We are planning on one again for December 2006.

HBC

 

[alexcturner]

Yes, We have had Grand VIllas at Old Key West and last November at Boardwalk. Both were great. If I can help you by answering specific questions etc, please email or send me a pm.
Lisa T
alexcturner@aol.com
www.myhouseatdisney.com