Grand Floridian 3 bed grand villa - DVC or direct

[Bye Mouse]

Hi all, planning a special trip in April 2015 for 12 family members and hoping to stay in the GF 3 bed grand villa for first week (3-10 April). Called Disney to book but apparently DVC members get first dibs on this before it is released to general public to book. Now wondering whether to rent points from DVC member to be able to book at 11 month mark, or to wait until released for cash bookings by resort (which will be a bit nail-biting in case all booked). We are coming from UK so could possibly get free DDP if booking with cash, and wouldn't qualify if renting points. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of how far in advance these might be released for cash booking (do they wait until after the 7 month non-home bookings open for DVC members?) and any ideas on how far in advance theses particular properties get booked up (think there are only 5 of them so am nervous). Thanks for any help!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi all, planning a special trip in April 2015 for 12 family members and hoping to stay in the GF 3 bed grand villa for first week (3-10 April). Called Disney to book but apparently DVC members get first dibs on this before it is released to general public to book. Now wondering whether to rent points from DVC member to be able to book at 11 month mark, or to wait until released for cash bookings by resort (which will be a bit nail-biting in case all booked). We are coming from UK so could possibly get free DDP if booking with cash, and wouldn't qualify if renting points. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of how far in advance these might be released for cash booking (do they wait until after the 7 month non-home bookings open for DVC members?) and any ideas on how far in advance theses particular properties get booked up (think there are only 5 of them so am nervous). Thanks for any help!

I'm not sure when DVC units become available for cash bookings, but I think it would be hard to get a grand villa as there aren't that many of them (as you stated) and they book up fast with DVC members using them. With that said, if FD is offered for your dates, I wouldn't count on getting a grand villa as I don't think those are ever offered with any discounts. Your best chance (IMO) of getting one would be to find a DVC member who owns at the GF who can book right at the 11 month mark; but even then, your chances may be slim as the grand villas take a lot of points and there might not be a VGF member who has that many to rent or doesn't want to rent that many points. Hopefully others with more experience with DVC/renting points will be able to give some input.

 

[happymommy]

I agree that it would be very hard to get this booked; even owners must do so at the very first opportunity to get a grand villa. It's also a LOT of points.
You may find it less expensive to look into a one bedroom villa and a two bedroom one, or some other combination of smaller units, even throwing a studio in the mix.
I'd start by looking at the price calculator on David's Disney Vacation Club rentals site first, to see if you may save money. It would be much easier to book the smaller units, and they may end up right near each other too!
Good luck!
PS: I don't think free dining is offered in April frequently, but in either case I would doubt the grand villas would be included anyway.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

CRO only owns a very small percentage of DVC room inventory (think 2-3%). There are only 6 GV's at the Grand. Based on that, plus the fact that all inventory is not yet declared (since its not sold out yet) it wouldn't surprise me at all if there was no way to book a GV on cash. You prob have a better chance of booking a 2BR & a studio/1BR separately. Best bet for a GV on cash/through CRO will be SSR/AKV & maybe OKW (inventory is largest). Renting comes with a whole other level of restrictions/terms.

 

[Bye Mouse]

Hi, thanks all for your replies - disappointing but good to know in advance. What is CRO please? The 3 bed grand villa came up on the Disney UK booking site as an option to book, so we had sort of decided to do it, but then when we called up to make the reservation the resort sales person explained that they could not release it yet as DVC members have priority. It is a shame that they even put it on the website if there is such little chance of someone ever being able to book it for cash. Ah well, back to the drawing board. Thanks for the suggestions about booking some smaller units - if the party has to be split up though we will probably just book normal hotel rooms and get the free dining if it is offered. Thank you all!

 

[dansdad]

Hi, thanks all for your replies - disappointing but good to know in advance. What is CRO please?

Central Reservations Office

 

[Sammyle144]

I'm in the same situation. It's a bit misleading and false advertisement that they put the villas on the Disney website when they technically are not available. We are wanting to book a 1 bedroom villa at the GF and I have lost count at how many times I have called the reservation line.
So we didn't miss out on the free dining planned I booked just a standard room at the Grand Floridian and if I am ever able to get a villa room they have said they will happily change the booking from a standard room to the villa and the free dining will just transfer with it. This can also be done should we not be able to get a villa and change hotels ect. I find it very annoying that no one is able to tell you when the villas are re-leased to the public. Surely when they ring through to find out the other person can see when they are likely to be released. For now though I just have to keep ringing each week (that's what the lady who did the booking told me).

 

[illinidp]

If you want to book a grand villa you really need to rent points a year in advance from an owner at that resort so you can book the day of the 11 month mark. Even then it can be difficult at the busier times. It also can be tough to rent enough points from one owner to cover the trip. And then you are locked into your lodging a year in advance without the ability to cancel. Sorry we're not more help on this one.

 

[Sammyle144]

Too be honest they shouldn't advertise them on the uk disney website. When I keyed in the dates we are travelling (or at the time looking to travel) the villas came up. I wouldn't of given them a second thought had they not come up and have made sure not to travel in peak season. I'm only looking to book a 1 bedroom villa where as the person that started this thread is wanting to book the grand villa.

 

[beck00]

I'm in the same situation. It's a bit misleading and false advertisement that they put the villas on the Disney website when they technically are not available. We are wanting to book a 1 bedroom villa at the GF and I have lost count at how many times I have called the reservation line.
So we didn't miss out on the free dining planned I booked just a standard room at the Grand Floridian and if I am ever able to get a villa room they have said they will happily change the booking from a standard room to the villa and the free dining will just transfer with it. This can also be done should we not be able to get a villa and change hotels ect. I find it very annoying that no one is able to tell you when the villas are re-leased to the public. Surely when they ring through to find out the other person can see when they are likely to be released. For now though I just have to keep ringing each week (that's what the lady who did the booking told me).

I truly hope this works out for you, but the FD promotion is not eligible with villa reservations. This is from the disneytravelagents site promo flyer....

"*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard View Rooms, campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort (for select dates). Dining plan excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from children's menu, if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase."

Again, I hope it works out for you.

 

[baler31]

I truly hope this works out for you, but the FD promotion is not eligible with villa reservations. This is from the disneytravelagents site promo flyer....

"*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard View Rooms, campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort (for select dates). Dining plan excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from children's menu, if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase."

Again, I hope it works out for you.

This..they are never eligible for free dining or any other discounts.

 

[DebbieB]

CRO only owns a very small percentage of DVC room inventory (think 2-3%). There are only 6 GV's at the Grand. Based on that, plus the fact that all inventory is not yet declared (since its not sold out yet) it wouldn't surprise me at all if there was no way to book a GV on cash. You prob have a better chance of booking a 2BR & a studio/1BR separately. Best bet for a GV on cash/through CRO will be SSR/AKV & maybe OKW (inventory is largest). Renting comes with a whole other level of restrictions/terms.

Actually DVD (Disney Vacation Development, DVC's parent company) owns that inventory and controls when/if it goes to CRO. VGF is now 100% declared. Inventory can be sent to CRO when members trade out (for example, Disney Cruise).

 

[Sammyle144]

I truly hope this works out for you, but the FD promotion is not eligible with villa reservations. This is from the disneytravelagents site promo flyer....

"*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard View Rooms, campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort (for select dates). Dining plan excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from children's menu, if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase."

Again, I hope it works out for you.

Thanks for that. Not sure if your in the USA and maybe it's different but I have just gone on the the UK disney website and keyed in the dates and where it gives a list of whats available it also says what free dining plan is include and under the grand floridian villas it says "includes free disney dining worth £1,959 plus a $200 gift card" it's the same for the other villas too.

Kind Regards

 

[Minniesgal]

This..they are never eligible for free dining or any other discounts.

The DVC Villas are often included in the UK free dining offers, although in reality it is usually limited to SSR and OKW, sometimes AKV.

 

[beck00]

Thanks for that. Not sure if your in the USA and maybe it's different but I have just gone on the the UK disney website and keyed in the dates and where it gives a list of whats available it also says what free dining plan is include and under the grand floridian villas it says "includes free disney dining worth £1,959 plus a $200 gift card" it's the same for the other villas too.

Kind Regards

ahhhh....interesting. That's great and good luck snagging one When I originally read it, I thought you may have received some bad info from a CM, but we know that never happens

 

[lsyorke]

This..they are never eligible for free dining or any other discounts.

I've had free dining on a cash reservation in BLT, OKW and BWV two BR.