Good decision?

[MrsB919]

DH and I just got off of the Fantasy and finally bought DVC. We originally wanted to buy into the Grand Floridian Villas but ended up buying at Animal Kingdom because of the incentives on board. We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom but heard that it's very nice. Grand Floridian is special to me because we were married there. However when we brought this up we were told that it would be a little more expensive to buy into the Grand. I know we will eventually be able to stay at the Grand Villas. And I am looking forward to staying at other DVC resorts as well. I was just curious what people thought in regards to if we made a good choice buying into a less expensive DVC or if we should've bought into the Grand Villas. Thanks in advance.

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

Speaking strictly from our opinion, paying direct price is ok if you are buying into the Villas at Grand Floridian. This is because it is not available on the resale market. Animal Kingdom Villas are plentiful on the resale market at 40+ dollars per point less than direct prices.

If you want VGF, then purchase there. If you want AKV, then purchase there at resale prices. My honest opinion is to cancel the purchase and given it some thought. VGF and AKV resale will still be available a month from now. There is no rush to decide.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[ddixon1]

Speaking strictly from our opinion, paying direct price is ok if you are buying into the Villas at Grand Floridian. This is because it is not available on the resale market. Animal Kingdom Villas are plentiful on the resale market at 40+ dollars per point less than direct prices.

If you want VGF, then purchase there. If you want AKV, then purchase there at resale prices. My honest opinion is to cancel the purchase and given it some thought. VGF and AKV resale will still be available a month from now. There is no rush to decide.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

When I crunched the numbers for my smallish contract, the price per point was closer to 10pp difference (or less) comparing direct to resales for AKV. My 100 point contract (that I subsequently split into 2, 50 point contracts) came with all 2013 points (for which I paid pro-rated MFs) and of course all points moving forward. Also the incentives, much reduced closing costs, and lack of administrative or credit card processing fees (that one of the resales agent said was needed for deposits, and which are illegal to pass onto customers in the state of Florida btw), closed the gap even further. There are a plethora of AKV stripped contracts for resale currently, with outrageous listing prices IMO. I elected to save myself the time and hassle of resale (especially after being constantly cajoled by resale agents for failing to offer the asking price) and went direct. The extra money was well worth it to me. The entire process took about 2 weeks. It was effortless and stress free. Resale may have been a much better way to go a month ago, but it's kind of ridiculous now IMHO.

 

[MrsB919]

I don't necesarily regret getting it through Disney. I actually thought it would be more smooth and less stressful. We have been consdiering DVC for 2 years and I have looked into resale before. My question was more in regards to getting Animal Kingdom as my home resort vs. the Grand Villas.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Welcome Home! AKV is our home resort, too. We bought in 2008 originally, but have done 4 small add-ons of 50-105 points each. We have more than doubled our original contact size at AKV. It is a great resort!

With that said, AKV can be had just about any time of the year at the 7 month mark. There are basically only 2 reasons to own at AKV: 11 month advantage for value rooms and 11 month advantage for Concierge Level rooms. And even that is not a guarantee for owners. Outside of that, most DVC owners can stay in any room type at anytime of the year for as long as they want.

VGF, on the other hand, is a small resort with monorail access to MK that will probably prove to have some difficult times for DVC owners of other resorts at the 7 month mark. More than likely, VGF will be very difficult from the time the gingerbread house goes up until it is put away. The times during MNNSHP will probably be very popular. Marathon weekends will draw huge interest. In other words, because of it's location on the monorail, it has some cache over AKV.

So, it is possible that the little bit more per point may prove to be worth it. Although, you have to buy a ton more points for 7 nights in a 1BR at VGF than AKV. If you see yourself using your VGF points somewhere else the majority of the time, then it may not be worth owning there.

The other important thing is the ability to plan in advance. If you can't plan a WDW trip 7+ months in advance, then home resort does not matter. At 7 months, all points are created equal, and you might as well own at the least expensive resort.

Finally, I will second (or third, or whatever) others recommendations about AKV resale. If you have the cash on hand to buy the contract, then resale is a great way to go. You have to have patience, but you can still get a good deal on a contract with current UY points for AKV.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your membership. We love our DVC!!

BTW, I have no interest in owning at VGF. Love the resort, but the location and points requirements are just not for us. So, this post is not necessarily an endorsement for VGF.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't necesarily regret getting it through Disney. I actually thought it would be more smooth and less stressful. We have been consdiering DVC for 2 years and I have looked into resale before. My question was more in regards to getting Animal Kingdom as my home resort vs. the Grand Villas.

It is not a "given" that you be able to book the VGF for as long as you want when you want at 7 months. If I were in your shoes, I would change my resort. I've been a member for 10 years, I prefer to own exactly where I want to stay. With the "fixed week" option, there are times that owning there may not be enough if you do not book right at 11 months.

I intend to buy some VGF points because I want to stay there a few nights every December. I will not chance that at 7 months.

Bobbi

 

[SarahInMN]

...We originally wanted to buy into the Grand Floridian Villas but ended up buying at Animal Kingdom because of the incentives on board. We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom but heard that it's very nice. Grand Floridian is special to me because we were married there. ..

It all depends on what you like and what's important. We are big believers in "buy where you want to stay" and know that we would be unhappy staying at certain resorts.

We bought initially at BCV because we love F&W, so BCV was perfect for us in terms of location. We always thought that we would simply buy more BCV points but we also got married at Grand Floridian (at the Whitehall patio with reception/dinner in the Whitehall room) and that was one of the reasons why we started thinking about buying at VGF. That and the in mirror television really enticed my husband!!

For us, location is key (monorail for VGF and walking for BCV) as well as amenities - almost all of our favorite restaurants are at GF, our favorite lunch spot is at Poly, the option of cabanas at the pool, onsite spa, etc - so once we started thinking of it in those terms, VGF seemed like an easy decision.

If you want VGF, then purchase there. If you want AKV, then purchase there at resale prices. My honest opinion is to cancel the purchase and given it some thought. VGF and AKV resale will still be available a month from now. There is no rush to decide.

DVC is a big decision - if you aren't certain about AKV, then cancel now. As SFlaDisneyFans said, both AKV and VGF will be there next month.

Good luck!!

 

[DizBub]

I don't necesarily regret getting it through Disney. I actually thought it would be more smooth and less stressful. We have been consdiering DVC for 2 years and I have looked into resale before. My question was more in regards to getting Animal Kingdom as my home resort vs. the Grand Villas.

Not sure what incentives you were offered on the cruise for AKV but out in the real world they want $145 per point for AKV and $150 for VGF. Not much of a price difference. AKV resale can be bought in the mid $80's right now. Just last year prices for AKV resale were $20 less.

Most people can book AKV at the 7 month window so owning there is only a priority if you want value or concierge villas since those need home resort advantage. AKV is a perfectly beautiful resort and you should be very happy owning there. Most people advise potential buyers to own where you want to stay. If you would rather stay at VGF then maybe you should buy there instead. Much smaller resort and booking at 7 months may prove difficult.

Congratulations on your membership!

 

[sweetdana]

I would recommend canceling until you decide. I also would say if you will be happy at ak then I'd take that route, and if you really won't be, I'd buy where you won't be disappointed with.

I also agree ak resale or GF direct sorry .

 

[MrsB919]

We bought 160 points. Does anyone know if there is a possibility to say own 100 in lets say 100 in one and 60 in another. like if i were to split my points from the get go?

 

[Nabas]

DH and I just got off of the Fantasy and finally bought DVC. We originally wanted to buy into the Grand Floridian Villas but ended up buying at Animal Kingdom because of the incentives on board. We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom but heard that it's very nice. Grand Floridian is special to me because we were married there. However when we brought this up we were told that it would be a little more expensive to buy into the Grand. I know we will eventually be able to stay at the Grand Villas. And I am looking forward to staying at other DVC resorts as well. I was just curious what people thought in regards to if we made a good choice buying into a less expensive DVC or if we should've bought into the Grand Villas. Thanks in advance.

AKV is lovely. The attention to detail is impressive, the food excellent, and the value good. AKV is the only DVC to have 4 levels of rooms: Value, Standard, Savannah View, and Concierge.

Not sure if you've looked at point charts yet but AKV's "Value" rooms require the fewest points of any DVC property and usually are taken by AKV owners. You'll need the Home Resort 11-month booking window to book there most of the time.

AKV's concierge rooms are extremely difficult to book because there are so few of them. You will need the 11-month booking window to book there.

VGF should be nice once it opens next month but with it's high buy-in price, high points-per-night cost, and relatively high Maintenance Fee for a new DVC, it's going to be WDW's most expensive DVC. It's big advantage over AKV is location.

We're staying at VGF in November but haven't bought there. I suspect the villas at the Poly will be more popular once it opens in a few years.

If you are unsure, don't be afraid to cancel if you are within your 10-day grace period. As mentioned earlier, AKV can easily be found for $80/point on the resale market.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We bought 160 points. Does anyone know if there is a possibility to say own 100 in lets say 100 in one and 60 in another. like if i were to split my points from the get go?

Yes you could do that. For example 100 points at VGF and 60 at AKV. Or I believe they also will allow you to start with just 100 points so you could buy the VGF and take some time to consider other alternatives.

I know that you looked at resale and dismissed it for some reason but I agree with one of the PP's. If you're buying direct then buy VGF - especially if that is where you really want to stay. If you're going to buy AKV and are happy booking VGF on the odd occasion when it's available then buy AKV resale, not direct. The price difference could equal quite a bit of savings or even allow you to get more points if you thought you actually needed more.

 

[katiekomo]

We're a young family, so monorail access is key for now. But as we age, I'm sure that we'll want a more "guaranteed" room at BC for F&W. So we're thinking VGF now and add on BC later.

I asked DH why not do that now and he doesn't want to pay two closing costs. Plus, we might not be able to/want to use those BC points in the next few years.

Long answer to your question: I think the only downside would be two closings.

Also-- if you buy 100 at AKV and 60 at VGF, you can only use the 60 at VGF at the 11 month window. Then hope you can add to that at the 7 month. (Y'all, correct me if I'm wrong.) For us that's fine as we're looking for family mini-vaca at VGF and later just a few getaway days for M&D at BC. But you couldn't use all 160 points to stay at AKV at the 11 month window.

 

[MrsB919]

ahh see I am so torn. We would love to stay at VGF but not every time. We kinda like the idea of keeping it "special" more like every now and again maybe anniversary or so. I am excited to try and stay in all of the DVC' resorts. I guess my hope or concern is that we will be able to stay at VGF every now and again while booking 7 months out.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

ahh see I am so torn. We would love to stay at VGF but not every time. We kinda like the idea of keeping it "special" more like every now and again maybe anniversary or so. I am excited to try and stay in all of the DVC' resorts. I guess my hope or concern is that we will be able to stay at VGF every now and again while booking 7 months out.

What time of the year do you normally visit WDW? We don't really know how things will turn out at VGF but I can virtually guarantee that it will be far easier to book at other locations at 7 months with the VGF points than it will be to book at VGF with points from another location at 7 months. It's the size of the resort. But - having said that - it's possible to book at all the WDW resorts at 7 months at various times of the year.

 

[MrsB919]

Well lately we have been going around the 3rd week of Sept. It's out anniversary and we like the low crowds.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well lately we have been going around the 3rd week of Sept. It's out anniversary and we like the low crowds.

That would improve your odds of getting into VGF. And if you wanted 1BR's that would improve it more. If you had some flexibility in your days that would improve it even more. But, of course, without owning there, you'll be taking the risk of not being able to get a room there ever. However personally I think it would happen over the life of your contract but that's just my best guess and you need to plan on being happy staying at other resorts.

Since your torn I'll point out one of the possible consequences of deciding that you actually want to stay more at VGF than you may end up being able to and that could be the sale of your AKV contract for 1/2 of what you paid for it and re-purchase at VGF thus completely negating your initial savings. The second you close on the AKV if you need to sell it will have lost 30-40% of it's value. And then you pay a commission to sell it on top of the best price you could expect to receive.

To ease that though - we love the AKV resort. It's relaxing and unique. Some of our favorite pools and restaurants and we love to watch the animals.

 

[MrsB919]

I'm actually really looking forward to staying at AKV. It looks amazing and dH and I are big animal lovers. I'm looking forward to booking our first savannah view.

 

[Dean]

DH and I just got off of the Fantasy and finally bought DVC. We originally wanted to buy into the Grand Floridian Villas but ended up buying at Animal Kingdom because of the incentives on board. We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom but heard that it's very nice. Grand Floridian is special to me because we were married there. However when we brought this up we were told that it would be a little more expensive to buy into the Grand. I know we will eventually be able to stay at the Grand Villas. And I am looking forward to staying at other DVC resorts as well. I was just curious what people thought in regards to if we made a good choice buying into a less expensive DVC or if we should've bought into the Grand Villas. Thanks in advance.

There are many personal variables but I'd suggest that buying AKV retail for 160 pts is not the best decision. The price difference between resale and retail is enough to make it more than worth the effort. If I were going to buy retail, I'd buy VGF or similar (Poly, VGC), a much better long term resale value at a resort you likely can't buy later for 1/2 price. I'd only buy AKV if that's where I wanted to stay most trips or if I wanted the value or concierge rooms around 1/2 the time or more. Personally I'd only recommend people buy if they can afford it which to me means no consumer debt and pay cash. Otherwise the risks outweigh the benefits as there are other ways to vacation at WDW, including at DVC, without owning. The other issue with resale, and VGF, is that if one needed to sell later, you could likely get out with less of a loss than an AKV retail contract would produce.

ETA: For any applicable resort I'd consider the fixed week option.

 

[timandjanl]

DH and I just got off of the Fantasy and finally bought DVC. We originally wanted to buy into the Grand Floridian Villas but ended up buying at Animal Kingdom because of the incentives on board. We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom but heard that it's very nice. Grand Floridian is special to me because we were married there. However when we brought this up we were told that it would be a little more expensive to buy into the Grand. I know we will eventually be able to stay at the Grand Villas. And I am looking forward to staying at other DVC resorts as well. I was just curious what people thought in regards to if we made a good choice buying into a less expensive DVC or if we should've bought into the Grand Villas. Thanks in advance.

If you're willing to spend the money buying direct I would have bought at VGF rather than AKV especially because it's a much larger resort and therefore should theoretically be easier to book at the 7 month mark than VGF. Buying direct at AKV doesn't really make much sense to me given the amount you can save via resale.