GFV vs. BLT (or any other DVC resorts) pros?

[cseca]

For those of you who have bought GFV yesterday (CONGRATS!!!! ) or are planning to buy sometime in the future goodvibes ), may I ask what makes you pull the trigger?

I am curious because we are listing pros and cons and are trying to see if we miss any pros.

Thank you much!!!

 

[pezaddict231]

We plan to purchase when it opens to the general public. For us, it's because we love the resort and always said if they opened a DVC there, that would be when we bought. I think a lot of people feel the same way about the Poly. DH would want to stay at the Grand Floridian every time if he could. We also stayed there when we got engaged and for our wedding, so it's very special to us.

And our reasons why not for the other resorts: BLT looks gorgeous but we just don't like the theme as much. We prefer the monorail resorts to the Epcot area. We like AKV but the location is too remote but the theme and resort itself are amazing. We've stayed at WL and liked that, but again feels a little more remote than the monorail area. Haven't stayed in the DTD area, but the bus rides always feel long to get there so I suspect we wouldn't love the location.

Out of all of the resorts, I have considered BLT, AKV and WLV, and while they are amazing resorts, they wouldn't be quite what we wanted.

 

[disneynutz]

We have learned not to buy a new resort again until we stay there. We bought BLT before it opened and if we had waited, we would not own there.

I want to see the views from the rooms and get a feel of the resort. The info so far is that most of the VGF room views will be looking at the GF, parking lot, or wedding pavilion. The grand villas face the lake and a few rooms might have a view of the Poly.

Overall VGF will be one of the smallest DVC resorts.

Bill

 

[ssawka]

We bought at BLT in 2009, so for us GFV and Poly were not an option. However, all other things being equal (i.e. price) we still would have gone with BLT for one simple fact: No other resort offers the ability to walk to MK. Our favorite park!

 

[nalajms]

I've been looking to add on to BLT for a few months. We're only look for a 100pt contracts. Those go so fast and hardly any in my April UY. With the resale listing prices around $110pp, VGF isn't that much of a premium and I'd be able to get the UY I want. And some resale contracts have no points for 2 years!

So now the plan is to by a 50pt VGF Thursday, keep looking for a 100pt BLT and wait to see if incentives get better for VGF later in the year. It'll give us a chance to test the 7mon booking at VGF.

Also, by buying now, I can change our 1night at BLT this Nov over to VGF to try it out. How often do you get to stay at a brand new resort or hotel???

 

[nalajms]

No other resort offers the ability to walk to MK.

During our last stay, we walked back once from MK! I guess we're just a lazy bunch.

It didn't help that our room was very close to the sky bridge. It was always easier to walk over and take the monorail. The best part is being the first stop when taking the monorail back!

 

[Lorelei528]

We initially bought in at BLT in '09 too. The CR is where I stayed on my first trip to WDW back in '77 so I was glad we could buy there in tribute to my dad (so for sentimental reasons) plus I love the modern aesthetic. We also love the fact that we can walk to MK.

The GF just does not fit our personalities, we enjoy the restaurants etc,, but it's way too stuffy for us....

Now, the Poly! Idk. I have never stayed there and I'm wondering about adding on there when it becomes available...but then thinking it would be silly to own at two MK properties?

 

[LSchrow]

We have learned not to buy a new resort again until we stay there. We bought BLT before it opened and if we had waited, we would not own there.

we learned the same lesson.....love the YC, so we added BCV points.
found that adding a third resort to the one main pool and lobby just made it too noisy for our tastes.

the GF is one of our favorite resorts, and we will definitely stay there - just before buying this time.
it does look like it'll be gorgeous

 

[cseca]

No other resort offers the ability to walk to MK. Our favorite park!

Thanks everyone!
I think that's our biggest sticking point ssawka, I don't know how to justify higher points requirement with less benefits compared to BLT.

I would love to be able to own there but our list can't support it which makes me a little sad.
That's why I was hoping someone could show me a great benefit on owning GFV compared to mainly BLT.

 

[nalajms]

I would love to be able to own there but our list can't support it which makes me a little sad.

Don't be sad! IMO you can't go wrong with either choice.

I assumed, but should have asked. You're buying BLT resale right? If it's direct, it would make sense.

 

[hakepb]

For some families, a studio with 2 showers and/or the ability to sleep 5 in a studio (lowest point DVC for either benefit) may be worthwhile.

And for some, a Grand Villa with 4 private rooms for sleeping (vs using the living room) may make a difference.

Otherwise it is a decision on Resort feel and amenities. (ie now you don't have to stay at SSR to walk to a full service spa) or V&A..

 

[cseca]

Don't be sad! IMO you can't go wrong with either choice.

I assumed, but should have asked. You're buying BLT resale right? If it's direct, it would make sense.

Thanks nalajms!
I guess I had huge hopes for GFV since it is located in the top resort.
But the fact that they resorted back to 1bd/1ba and no club level made me completely rethink our decision.

For some families, a studio with 2 showers and/or the ability to sleep 5 in a studio (lowest point DVC for either benefit) may be worthwhile.

And for some, a Grand Villa with 4 private rooms for sleeping (vs using the living room) may make a difference.

Otherwise it is a decision on Resort feel and amenities. (ie now you don't have to stay at SSR to walk to a full service spa) or V&A..

That's very true hakepb.
I saw that too (studio up to 5) and am quite happy that they finally added that option. That's smart move on their part because that opens up a whole new market of people who previously would not even consider purchasing since they will have to fork over points using at least 1br or bigger accommodation.

And the GV... whooooeeee... I would LOVE to take my parents there but the points requirement makes me cringe...

 

[ssawka]

Thanks everyone!
I think that's our biggest sticking point ssawka, I don't know how to justify higher points requirement with less benefits compared to BLT.

I would love to be able to own there but our list can't support it which makes me a little sad.
That's why I was hoping someone could show me a great benefit on owning GFV compared to mainly BLT.

Another huge benefit of BLT is that it is available on the resale market at almost half of what it would cost buying direct!

 

[cseca]

Another huge benefit of BLT is that it is available on the resale market at almost half of what it would cost buying direct!

That's true!
Although for some reason it's not easy to find my UY
I got 1 passed ROFR...
Looking for another smaller one and can't even find one in the same price.
That's why we are contemplating GFV.

 

[BrerNashville]

I think the main reason to own at VGF is because it will be extremely hard to get in at the 7 month mark -- more so at more times of the year than any other resort, I would think. Primarily because it is so small.

We are BLT owners, and love it for our family vacations. If I were to get a VGF contract, it would be a small one to allow my wife and I to stay there for a few nights over Food & Wine every other year or so without kids. The points requirements are otherwise too high to plan to make week long trips there regularly

 

[hakepb]

I think the main reason to own at VGF is because it will be extremely hard to get in at the 7 month mark -- more so at more times of the year than any other resort, I would think. Primarily because it is so small.

We are BLT owners, and love it for our family vacations. If I were to get a VGF contract, it would be a small one to allow my wife and I to stay there for a few nights over Food & Wine every other year or so without kids. The points requirements are otherwise too high to plan to make week long trips there regularly

It depends on what you book.

Due to the lower (than a 1BR) and unique attributes, I do think Studios will need the booking window. I imagine the same thing for Grand Villas, too.

2BR will likely be spotty, as well at 7 mo (a general DVC trend)

But 1BR use so many points, and are not unique enough in the DVC system that I don't think being an owner is an absolute necessity.(unless GFV is the only place you want to stay)
(I've seen enough BLT SV 1BR availability at 7 months)