GFV concierge??

[supersuperwendy]

Do you think there's a chance they will offer concierge at GFV? It's been so popular at AKV, I hope they do!

 

[Native NYer]

Do you think there's a chance they will offer concierge at GFV? It's been so popular at AKV, I hope they do!

I hope so too!

 

[TLPL]

Unlikely. They offer it at AKV because they already have it before they became DVC units, so they can share the cost with the hotel side.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

I think it's doubtful. The only reason there are AKV concierge rooms is because a small number of the rooms they wanted to convert from cash rooms to DVC rooms were on the concierge floor. There was no effective way to prevent DVC members staying in those rooms from accessing the concierge lounges, so they just made them concierge rooms.

Since they are building a new building for the GFVs, they won't run in that same situation.

 

[Dean]

Doubtful but if they did, it'd likely be most or all of the resort and thus have points costs accordingly. My understanding is that it was a condition of getting the others rooms at AKL and not a planned move.

 

[disneynutz]

They didn't have a choice at AKV and access to the lounge was a trade off for rooms with an obstructed view of the dead end of a savanna and a roof top view of the pool. It has been popular because there aren't any other Concierge rooms within the DVC and there are only a few rooms.

I just checked yesterday for less than 11 month availability and a studio, one bedroom and two bedroom were available. A couple of years ago, all rooms were booked at 11 months.

GFV DVC isn't attached to the GF, it's a remote building like BCV so I doubt if they will offer Concierge rooms there.

Bill

 

[quirty30]

GFV DVC isn't attached to the GF, it's a remote building like BCV so I doubt if they will offer Concierge rooms there. Bill

This is what I was thinking - based on where they are building the villas, it would be an awfully long hike to the lounge!

 

[supersuperwendy]

Oh well... dvc concierge so close to MK would be a dream come true!!!

 

[wdrl]

Although Claire Bilby has access to my phone number, she's never called and asked my advice about how the Villas at Grand Floridian should be designed. But if she did call me, I'd tell her that if DVD expects to sell VGF at prices in the $160-$200 range, it has to offer more amenities and features than its offered at the other resorts.

Why can't VGF have a concierge lounge and suites on the top floor? If 10% of VGF's 147 vacation homes are assigned to the concierge level, that would mean only 14 or 15 villas. With such a small number, then DVD can tell prospective buyers if they want the Concierge Level at VGF they need to get the home resort advantage. Like the Sunrise Safari at AKV that is only available to Concierge Level guests, Disney could offer VGF's concierge level guests special nighttime cruises on Seven Seas Lagoon that include dinner and fireworks, as well as other special amenities. Even if they charge for these features, I suspect there will be guests who will jump at the chance to take part in an "exclusive" club level activity.

I'm also hoping that Disney shows a little more imagination about the design of the villas at VGF. I know that each DVC resort has different decor, but except for OKW, all DVC resorts are much more alike than different in their layouts. Wouldn't it be nice if they put jacuzzi tubs in the studios at VGF? I hope VGF continues BLT's and Kidani's designs of having an extra bathroom in the one- and two-bedroom villas. Also, I hope VGF's studios copy BLT's renovated kitchenette layout, which I think is the best on property in terms of functionality and storage.

I just think it would be nice if the VGF offers something more than what we've come to expect from a DVC resort. And if the prices of VGF turn out to be as high as some are speculating, I think DVD will have to do more than its normal cookie-cutter approach to these villas.

 

[psac]

Although Claire Bilby has access to my phone number, she's never called and asked my advice about how the Villas at Grand Floridian should be designed. But if she did call me, I'd tell her that if DVD expects to sell VGF at prices in the $160-$200 range, it has to offer more amenities and features than its offered at the other resorts.

Why can't VGF have a concierge lounge and suites on the top floor? If 10% of VGF's 147 vacation homes are assigned to the concierge level, that would mean only 14 or 15 villas. With such a small number, then DVD can tell prospective buyers if they want the Concierge Level at VGF they need to get the home resort advantage. Like the Sunrise Safari at AKV that is only available to Concierge Level guests, Disney could offer VGF's concierge level guests special nighttime cruises on Seven Seas Lagoon that include dinner and fireworks, as well as other special amenities. Even if they charge for these features, I suspect there will be guests who will jump at the chance to take part in an "exclusive" club level activity.

I'm also hoping that Disney shows a little more imagination about the design of the villas at VGF. I know that each DVC resort has different decor, but except for OKW, all DVC resorts are much more alike than different in their layouts. Wouldn't it be nice if they put jacuzzi tubs in the studios at VGF? I hope VGF continues BLT's and Kidani's designs of having an extra bathroom in the one- and two-bedroom villas. Also, I hope VGF's studios copy BLT's renovated kitchenette layout, which I think is the best on property in terms of functionality and storage.

I just think it would be nice if the VGF offers something more than what we've come to expect from a DVC resort. And if the prices of VGF turn out to be as high as some are speculating, I think DVD will have to do more than its normal cookie-cutter approach to these villas.

I hope Claire does call you, because that was a very well written post. Agree 100%!

 

[Dean]

Although Claire Bilby has access to my phone number, she's never called and asked my advice about how the Villas at Grand Floridian should be designed. But if she did call me, I'd tell her that if DVD expects to sell VGF at prices in the $160-$200 range, it has to offer more amenities and features than its offered at the other resorts.

Why can't VGF have a concierge lounge and suites on the top floor? If 10% of VGF's 147 vacation homes are assigned to the concierge level, that would mean only 14 or 15 villas. With such a small number, then DVD can tell prospective buyers if they want the Concierge Level at VGF they need to get the home resort advantage. Like the Sunrise Safari at AKV that is only available to Concierge Level guests, Disney could offer VGF's concierge level guests special nighttime cruises on Seven Seas Lagoon that include dinner and fireworks, as well as other special amenities. Even if they charge for these features, I suspect there will be guests who will jump at the chance to take part in an "exclusive" club level activity.

I suspect 10% isn't feasible from a management and maint fee situations, that's why I said you'd need a significant portion of the resort, I'd guess a min of 20 two BR or equivalent, likely more, to make it financially feasible. From a sales standpoint it be great but someone has to pay for all that food, transport, staffing, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

I can guarantee that Disney looks at all possible configurations when it comes to designing and planning the construction of a DVC resort. Sales profit is the basis for 99% of their decision and if access to Concierge would make enough sales, they would add it.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I can guarantee that Disney looks at all possible configurations when it comes to designing and planning the construction of a DVC resort. Sales profit is the basis for 99% of their decision and if access to Concierge would make enough sales, they would add it.

Bill

Staying with the past basic designs is much cheaper and safer than making big changes.

 

[Shellandscott]

I 100% agree that they need to offer something more for the money they are rumored to be looking for. As far as the Concierge or club level at the Grand Floridian I got this off of another website. "There are two levels of concierge at the Grand Floridian.Royal Palm Club is in the main building on floors 3 through 5 above the Grand Lobby and Sugarloaf Concierge is in the Sugarloaf Lodge building, a great location, bordering the marina on one side and the courtyard on the other. Both Royal Palm Club and Sugarloaf Concierge share the itinerary planning office that can help you make dining reservations, book tours, wishes cruises, and any Disney extras you'd like during your trip."

What it did not say is if it is the entire Sugarloaf building or just some floors. But I do not see why DVC can't do two floors for Concierge

 

[disneynutz]

But I do not see why DVC can't do two floors for Concierge

Why would they, what is the direct benefit to Disney for offering Club Level rooms to DVC Members?

Bill

 

[Dean]

Why would they, what is the direct benefit to Disney for offering Club Level rooms to DVC Members?

Bill

Bill, I don't think they will but I can think of a couple of major benefits from DVD's standpoint. More points per room means more points total and more potential profit even with the loss of the area dedicated to the concierge lounge. They could also use it as a marketing tool for all resort sales, not just GF though they'll leave out the lack of availability at 7 months out. It also can bring in direct profits for special services not otherwise available.

 

[Sammie]

GFV will follow Kidani and BLT, simply in Grand Floridian decor. I would not expect it to be any different.

 

[disneynutz]

Bill, I don't think they will but I can think of a couple of major benefits from DVD's standpoint. More points per room means more points total and more potential profit even with the loss of the area dedicated to the concierge lounge. They could also use it as a marketing tool for all resort sales, not just GF though they'll leave out the lack of availability at 7 months out. It also can bring in direct profits for special services not otherwise available.

IMO the point impact is minimal and would people pay a premium for Club Level if there were 30 or so rooms available?

Who pays for the Club Level facilities, food, personal, and Mousekeepers? Normally the cost would be shared with the non-DVC resort and the DVC owners pay for the DVC part with their dues. The fact that it costs more points to stay there doesn't generate any income to offset the costs.

Isn't it nice that AKV Jambo owners pay for other DVC Members to stay on the Club Level. (wait a minute we own Jambo points )

Bill

 

[Dean]

IMO the point impact is minimal and would people pay a premium for Club Level if there were 30 or so rooms available?

Who pays for the Club Level facilities, food, personal, and Mousekeepers? Normally the cost would be shared with the non-DVC resort and the DVC owners pay for the DVC part with their dues. The fact that it costs more points to stay there doesn't generate any income to offset the costs.

Isn't it nice that AKV Jambo owners pay for other DVC Members to stay on the Club Level. (wait a minute we own Jambo points )

Bill

They could probably make the entire resort concierge and sell it if they tried. The costs for this situation would call fall to DVC but only to the members there. The only comparison's we have for cost are AKV concierge and cash options and BLT for non concierge ppints. My guess is that a concierge room would be somewhere around a 20-30% additional points compared to the same view. For sake of discussion, if the entire resort were concierge, there'd be 20-30% more points to sell than without concierge and otherwise the same as BLT for a "similar view". IF they didn't have concierge they could likely have maybe an extra three-four 2 BR units in that space, certainly less points than the concierge would generate but not by a lot. Of course the entire resort as concierge is unlikely but I think it'd be just as unlikely to have a few units like at AKV due to costs. I'd say IF they did it (which I doubt), it'd likely be one entire floor, the top one. That'd be roughly twenty 2 BR units (lounge takes up space), still more points than the space lost if used for villas. Another option and one that could be combined, would be to have upgraded penthouse units for the top floor as well, still unlikely but others have done this.

As for paying for the concierge, I'm not sure the breakdown. DVC pays a part and a much larger part comes from the 55 non DVC concierge rooms. Plus, it's not just the Jambo owners, but all AKV owners that pay any portion of those costs. Given that most stays in concierge are by AKV owners, I don't think that's a big deal. Unlike the valet parking issue which would have truly been a small group paying for others usage.

 

[wdw1972]

I'd say ZERO % chance....because dvc will be its own separate building - just like at Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Contemporary, etc. The only reason we have concierge access at Jambo House is because dvc took over the floor that houses the concierge lounge. They're certainly not going to add dvc rooms from a separate building to an already busy concierge lounge!