GF at 7month window

[ReddOchtober]

After years of renting, we are ready to purchase a DVC. Our favorite resorts are AKL and GF, we want to own at AKL because it always feels like home, but we enjoy GF. How difficult is it to book at GF (standard rooms view doesn’t make a difference) at the 7month window?

Apologies if this has been asked, but I couldn’t find the thread.

 

[prncssjas]

After years of renting, we are ready to purchase a DVC. Our favorite resorts are AKL and GF, we want to own at AKL because it always feels like home, but we enjoy GF. How difficult is it to book at GF (standard rooms view doesn’t make a difference) at the 7month window?

Apologies if this has been asked, but I couldn’t find the thread.

Hi there, you don't specify the room size (studio, one bedroom, etc...) and time of year you need, which will likely impact availability. The standard views always go the quickest, especially in the studio. We own at VGF and like to stay in the one bedroom so I typically never have a booking issue if I miss my window and book later. I tend to find that the standard view studios go very fast, right at 11 months. If you are flexible with your other needs, you will likely have some luck at 7 months. Best wishes with your purchase!! Best decision we ever made (members since 2000).

 

[Genie+]

Animal Kingdom is generally much easier to book at 7 months than VGF, unless getting Value and Concierge rooms at AKV is important to you (then priority booking is necessary). We’re looking at VGF resale right now as well. It’s fantastic resort and I love the Mary Poppins refurb! Plus the math works well when considering the lower than average dues.

 

[Her Dotness]

You'll likely have a chance of getting a VGF resort studio at all but the busiest times. I wouldn't expect to during special events like the marathons or the holiday season, though. GF lovers glom onto stays there when those glorious Christmas decorations are up (mid-November to New Year's).

I agree that your chances of a deluxe studio in what's commonly called VGF1 are slim to none unless going for a split stay single night or two, perhaps. Those go like the proverbial hotcakes at 11 mos.

I warn you that staying in a VGF 1br by banking and borrowing is dangerous. Those things will spoil you silly. We added 150 VGF resale points last year to ensure we can stay in one for a week any time of year we may go. That's the 1br variant of addonitis.

 

[prncssjas]

You'll likely have a chance of getting a VGF resort studio at all but the busiest times. I wouldn't expect to during special events like the marathons or the holiday season, though. GF lovers glom onto stays there when those glorious Christmas decorations are up (mid-November to New Year's).

I agree that your chances of a deluxe studio in what's commonly called VGF1 are slim to none unless going for a split stay single night or two, perhaps. Those go like the proverbial hotcakes at 11 mos.

I warn you that staying in a VGF 1br by banking and borrowing is dangerous. Those things will spoil you silly. We added 150 VGF resale points last year to ensure we can stay in one for a week any time of year we may go. That's the 1br variant of addonitis.

Totally agree! We stayed in a one bedroom at the VGF and never looked back!

 

[prncssjas]

Perhaps so, but the qualifier that is the GF refurbishment is quite likely dampening Members' eagerness to return this year.

We'll be in a VGF 1br May 6-13 and are apprehensive that the GF main building will be a mess. Well, a carefully cordoned off one, since this IS Disney, but it'll bring on a whine fest or worse if I'm not able to visit lobby friends (Ooo! There's Tink's silhouette! Oh, good! The birdcage elevator is running, etc.")

I assure you if I can't get into Basin White easily, New England will hear my screeches.

Totally agree! We just got back from a week in the resort studios at Big Pine Key and construction was the most intrusive I have ever found it be at Disney. I didn’t care but it was annoying. We were there in a two bedroom in early January and I do not recall it being as bad. Hopefully by May, it will be a little better.

 

[sndral]

I’ve experienced some pretty extensive construction at WDW - going through that tunnel of construction walls when they were redoing the DHS bus terminal was like a death trek & will they ever finish Epcot? In comparison when we were at the GF in late Nov./early Dec. the tunnel of construction walls to get to/from the marina was…different. We won’t be back @ the GF until 2024, so it should all be done by then.
I personally think the 1 br.s are going to become much harder to book once BPK sells out.

 

[Sandisw]

Reminder…we do not allow people to share what availability looks like…I have deleted a few posts.

 

[Her Dotness]

I personally think the 1 br.s are going to become much harder to book once BPK sells out.

I have my doubts those will. Some, I agree, but not as much as many fear.

For one thing, the VGF 1br is very much points-pricier than the studios. Getting locked into the bank-borrow cycle every other year isn't much fun when you want to go annually and can't immediately add points. Been there, hated that.

As I said tiresomely before VGF2 went on sale, I still think there are two VGF demographics--those who do meal prep and those who don't want to mess with more than snacks, given how many wonderful GF restaurants there are (if only all were open again! Looking at you, 1900 PF and GV Tea Room). Those wanting a more spacious studio may even prefer the resort studios, again largely for point cost vs. the 1br. but also for how much closer BPK is to the main building and pools.

 

[sndral]

I have my doubts those will. Some, I agree, but not as much as many fear.

For one thing, the VGF 1br is very much points-pricier than the studios. Getting locked into the bank-borrow cycle every other year isn't much fun when you want to go annually and can't immediately add points. Been there, hated that.

As I said tiresomely before VGF2 went on sale, I still think there are two VGF demographics--those who do meal prep and those who don't want to mess with more than snacks, given how many wonderful GF restaurants there are (if only all were open again! Looking at you, 1900 PF and GV Tea Room). Those wanting a more spacious studio may even prefer the resort studios, again largely for point cost vs. the 1br. but also for how much closer BPK is to the main building and pools.

I stayed a couple of nights in a BPK studio & loved the location!

 

[Her Dotness]

I stayed a couple of nights in a BPK studio & loved the location!

Indeed. It's practically on Gaspy's terrace compared with VGF1.

It admittedly is a drawback not having the lovely walkway canopy like 1 has for some protection from FL downpours.

Myself, I think BPK's location far better than those wearisome treks back and forth to the main building from 1.

 

[TwoDoodles]

We own and enjoy small contracts at both VGF and AKV for different reasons! An additional factor for us deciding to own at AKV was we wanted to be able to specifically book a std studio at Jambo, rather than only being able to get in at Kidani at 7 months.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

We own AKV and VGF and VGF is definitely tougher to book for standard view studios. If you are okay with Lake View or Theme Park view you might be okay getting those at 7 months depending on what time of year you're booking.

 

[sndral]

AKV & VGF are the 2 resorts I own as well. My first contract was AKV resale, I chose AKV because I really like staying there & it was comparatively cheap, so if DVC didn’t work out I’d have less to lose. I also bought about 1/2 the points I figured I’d probably need again to try out the system w/ lower risk. I used that AKV contract for a split stay trying out my candidates for my second resort & threw caution to the wind a year later & bought VGF because I really enjoy my stays there. I’ve since added on at both resorts to stay longer in bigger villas. We typically alternate years, odd years are VGF even years AKV .

 

[ReddOchtober]

Thank you for all your information and thoughts.