Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[AstroBlasters]

That is true. Still before and after VGF 2 went on sale people were sharing how they sold VGF and used those proceeds to buy CCV or BLT etc either to make profit or get more points in exchange, and also mentioned this holiday madhouse aspect as part of the decision. With add-on-itis around here it is popular to buy different home resorts to match travel patterns, like one resort mostly to use for spring and another for fall/holiday when that home priority matters. If Wilderness Lodge is now their preferred less stressful option for repeat holiday trips, that 11 month window matters and is why some people sold VGF to pick up CCV active direct.

I wonder how the CCV crowd would feel if there was some big shindig in their lobby and they had to wait over an hour for a boat ride to and from MK because of people who were not staying at WL…..

I’m sure they would be just fine, nothing to complaint about, suck it up buttercup…..

 

[Swaggerwagon]

I think if there was a way to just limit locals from hanging out in the lobby, it would go a long way towards easing the crowds. I know people who live there who park at Disney Springs and then resort hop using Disney transportation for a free evening of fun checking out the Christmas decorations.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I think if there was a way to just limit locals from hanging out in the lobby, it would go a long way towards easing the crowds. I know people who live there who park at Disney Springs and then resort hop using Disney transportation for a free evening of fun checking out the Christmas decorations.

I guess we just have to wait for market forces to correct the imbalance…. stinks for anyone who wants to stay at GF for Christmas….

 

[Genie+]

Why wouldn't you just use the points to the best of your ability elsewhere for 11 month availability?

The first 3 weeks of December at WDW is the highest demand period of all DVC for the intersection of below average point requirements with what many consider more pleasant weather and all the holiday activities/offerings. Studios fill by June and barely a room left in the system come Sept. That week before Christmas is near/at its highest for cash room and ticket prices yet DVC is below average. Not only is this thee most important time to have home priority, that priority can actually save money in the long run when you have easier access to best values and not picking from leftovers at 7 months.

DVC is really complex with so many tiny deviations that general ‘best’ answers do not exist.

December is a special beast. If this is a repeat target, home priority makes a huge difference for most people because it’s difficult to impossible trading in to studios or 2BRs at park adjacent resorts. Using home priority in this manner for 50%+ of trips usually means you’ll end up with a overall lower average points/night cost AND more satisfying bookings. If you’re someone unable to book >6 months out, this doesn’t matter. For a family who loves doing Dec most years… the math and options will matter.

This time of year the best advice is to book and rely on home resort then see IF anything else is available. Usually trading out comes with many compromises, like stalking walking waitlisting to string stuff together, doing split stays, and/or rarely to ever getting one of our top picks.

The difference is coming from a place where at least you’re holding something satisfying, then looking if anything else is possible -vs. - not sure if this trip will even happen if you can’t find something satisfying under 7 months out. The struggle is real

But this all goes back to paying that premium for VGF buy-in with the goal of mixing in many of these holiday trips using that home priority. It’s going to lose its luster if no longer valuing that Dec 11 month priority, especially when now our preferred resort this time doesn’t require much of a financial hit to switch out ownership (because VFG still gets one of the highest prices resale).

 

[nuhusky123]

Well I tried to look it up here but the blowout sale in 2022 is dominating the searches, as it is on google and reddit. I’ve been very active in the DVC boards for well over 5 years now and have come across this aspect many times when owners are discussing their DVC strategies for add-ons and removals.

Maybe some of those people can raise their hand if the holiday non-guest impact played into why they sold off their VGF. Thanks in advance.

Well I for one am pretty determined to now sell

I’m tired of disney constantly charging me more for less value. Wdw is loosing its luster for me right now. Too crowded, too expensive, constant up charges.

We went to universal this year for the holiday tour. Universal really does the holidays so much better than Disney parks. I’m constantly annoyed how Disney never really does anything special for the seasons imo or even seems to put in any effort anymore its recycle over and over

I’ll keep one contract out of my two and use the proceeds from gf to do non Disney world travel

 

[gmi3804]

feeling elitist lately?

Elitist has nothing to do with it. You think GF is elite?!

It’s the same as when people flock to AKL to “see the animals” and take up all the room from those onsite guests. Or those who crowd the Poly beach or Contemporary viewing platforms for fireworks.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I feel the same staying at the Polynesian anytime. I love it and bought there because I love it so much. But recently we have found ourselves booking elsewhere because of the chaos. The lobby is always insane and we can’t even watch fireworks from the beach because of all the people. I’m not paying all those points to stay there for chaos. That is why we bought DVC to stay deluxe and avoid the chaos of the values. So I get that it’s unavoidable so decided AKL is more my speed. Just wish I would have figured it out before we bought there

 

[nuhusky123]

I feel the same staying at the Polynesian anytime. I love it and bought there because I love it so much. But recently we have found ourselves booking elsewhere because of the chaos. The lobby is always insane and we can’t even watch fireworks from the beach because of all the people. I’m not paying all those points to stay there for chaos. That is why we bought DVC to stay deluxe and avoid the chaos of the values. So I get that it’s unavoidable so decided AKL is more my speed. Just wish I would have figured it out before we bought there

One reason people don’t like akl is because it’s so far removed. That’s for me one of its biggest pulls

Post reno probably where I’ll stay exclusively. I love parking under kidani and the pool there

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

One reason people don’t like akl is because it’s so far removed.

That's why it's also usually the least expensive, it does not have any proximity to anything else but AK

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well I for one am pretty determined to now sell

I’m tired of disney constantly charging me more for less value. Wdw is loosing its luster for me right now. Too crowded, too expensive, constant up charges.

We went to universal this year for the holiday tour. Universal really does the holidays so much better than Disney parks. I’m constantly annoyed how Disney never really does anything special for the seasons imo or even seems to put in any effort anymore its recycle over and over

I’ll keep one contract out of my two and use the proceeds from gf to do non Disney world travel

But you wouldn't be selling because of gingerbread houses

 

[Chuck S]

And just how, legally, would Disney restrict Monorail usage, when it is legally a Public transportation system, like a city bus, not only that, but Park Tickets also include use of the WDW Transportation system? Most of those "non-resort guests" are likely locals holding annual passes, which also includes use of the system, whether they're a WDW resort guest or not.

 

[AstroBlasters]

And just how, legally, would Disney restrict Monorail usage, when it is legally a Public transportation system, like a city bus, not only that, but Park Tickets also include use of the WDW Transportation system? Most of those "non-resort guests" are likely locals holding annual passes, which also includes use of the system, whether they're a WDW resort guest or not.

What cities always do, congestion pricing (tolling). Just start charging for the resort line and friendship boats if your MB+ or MDE app doesn’t scan that you are staying at one of the 3 monorail resorts and add the exclusions in the park tickets and AP renewals.

Anyone can use the express to the TCC.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Well I for one am pretty determined to now sell

I’m tired of disney constantly charging me more for less value. Wdw is loosing its luster for me right now. Too crowded, too expensive, constant up charges.

We went to universal this year for the holiday tour. Universal really does the holidays so much better than Disney parks. I’m constantly annoyed how Disney never really does anything special for the seasons imo or even seems to put in any effort anymore its recycle over and over

I’ll keep one contract out of my two and use the proceeds from gf to do non Disney world travel

Use the points to go to Aulani for Christmas.

 

[nuhusky123]

Use the points to go to Aulani for Christmas.

Aulani is awesome.

 

[nuhusky123]

And just how, legally, would Disney restrict Monorail usage, when it is legally a Public transportation system, like a city bus, not only that, but Park Tickets also include use of the WDW Transportation system? Most of those "non-resort guests" are likely locals holding annual passes, which also includes use of the system, whether they're a WDW resort guest or not.

There are two mono rail lines. Express to mk and the resort line

There are also multiple boat routes. Express to mk and resort boats

Place magic band readers at resort boats and mono rail lines. Unless you are staying at the resort you can’t get on the train and or boat

100% legal as you are not telling people you can’t ride. Just where you can go

 

[Captain UP]

If there was a how-to book on getting 13 pages of comments in less than a week, this would be the first 9 chapters.

 

[nuhusky123]

Just need a solid title

 

[focusondisney]

I paid for a product and I’m not getting access to that product because wdw is giving it away for free to others thereby reducing the value of my $ and enjoyment of that product

No one just has a right to go to gf or any wdw hotel because it’s a wdw hotel or because they went when they were five so now they have an inherited right as adults, that’s hogwash

You didn’t pay for exclusive use of transportation or public areas. You paid for a room & certain recreation areas during your stay. People have a right to go to GF or any WDW hotel because WDW management advertises & invites them to.

A simple solution could be offering GF resort guests wristbands or cards for priority boarding. After all, only guests staying at the Beach/Yacht Club are allowed access to Stormalong Bay, so it seems fair to extend similar privileges for monorail access during peak times.

This is true for any resort. Only registered guests of that resort are allowed to use the pools at that resort. And the nightly rate of any resort entitle you to use all WDW transportation.

I think they began building gingerbread structures at other resorts to help disperse some of the traffic at GF.

I don’t think that’s the reason they have them at other resorts. We’ve been going tomWDW since 1992 & they’ve had gingerbread displays at other deluxes as long as I can remember. They have added the gingerbread & treat sales at other resorts recently. I think it’s more likely they did that because they’re making a good amount of money from the sales at GF, so why not make money at the other resorts too.

 

[Sheryl2059]

First and last post I will make in this thread: It has been quite entertaining.

 

[eandt]

This could easily be resolved with just a few armed security guards walking around asking to see everyones papers.

There are probably some unemployed storm troopers from the shuttered galactic starcruiser hotel that would be glad to handle security ….. talk about 1st world problems sheesh