Grand Floridian Update

[Dean]

I was about to bet a La Cava margarita that you are wrong about this, Gregg. Then it occurred to me that DVD could also artificially lower the cost per point by over-pointing the villas.

So, here's my bet: The base cost to buy enough GFV points for a week in a 2BR Magic Season will be equal to or higher than the base cost to buy enough BLT points for a week in a Lake View 2BR Magic Season. If GFV has multiple views, I am assuming the "middle" view, rounding down if an even number of view categories.

I will wager a La Cava Margarita, plus an order of chips and guacamole.

DVD has a long hx of opening resorts at the same price (before incentives) as the current new selling resort and of keeping the points roughly the same for comparable resorts, sometimes when they likely shouldn't. BCV & VWL are examples where they likely should have made changed and didn't. I think it's a safe bet that the points will cost the same ($165 or ? $170 if there's an interim increase) and the points will be the same for comparable views related to BLT. That's not to say there won't be minor differences as the reallocations showed us sometimes happens for other reasons. So I think you're very safe in your position.

 

[texhanddoc]

Well. I'm not sure I can argue the "price to stay" argument Brian. I am not sure I disagree with you either.

As an aside, the "middle" view at GFV will be better than lake view at BLT. Lake view at BLT is primarily "view of the other side of the hotel".

The only point if my first post in this thread was to pass on the information that GFV will 1. Start selling in late May or June and 2. Will be priced slightly less than BLT.

I am willing to sip on a margarita with you anytime and heck I'll pay. But I can't bet you about the point price of a week 2BR resort because your point is reasonable and I tend to believe what you say too.

If you want to bet a La Cava marg on base price, ill do it

 

[tjkraz]

As an aside, the "middle" view at GFV will be better than lake view at BLT. Lake view at BLT is primarily "view of the other side of the hotel".

The existing Big Pine Key building at the Grand Floridian will almost entirely block the Magic Kingdom so the views will not be anything to write home about. Might see some hint of Space Mountain way off the the distance from a very small number of rooms, and fireworks beyond rooftops. The train station, Cinderella Castle and the western side of the park will be completely blocked.

Approx 50% of the resort will just be looking toward the existing Grand Floridian buildings. About 15-20% will look back toward the monorail beam and the other 30-35% will face toward the Wedding Pavilion and Poly beach.

 

[texhanddoc]

Yep. All things considered, I would still rather have a lake view with the Contemporary or Polynesian than 50% lake and 50% or more the other side of BLT.

At BLT lake view, be sure to draw your blinds before running around your 2BR in your birthday suit or you will get lots of smiles in the elevator.

 

[HDLady]

I'm guessing as soon as the VGF point go on sale, there will be a flurry of buyers because so many people love the ambiance of the GF. While my home resort is OKW (only one available in 1994 when I bought) I've stayed in a number of the DVC resorts. So far, OKW wins for spacious rooms and tropical ambiance but BLT wins for monorail access and views. I have a gut feel that, once I stay in VGF, it will win hands down in all areas! I can't wait!!!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm guessing as soon as the VGF point go on sale, there will be a flurry of buyers because so many people love the ambiance of the GF. While my home resort is OKW (only one available in 1994 when I bought) I've stayed in a number of the DVC resorts. So far, OKW wins for spacious rooms and tropical ambiance but BLT wins for monorail access and views. I have a gut feel that, once I stay in VGF, it will win hands down in all areas! I can't wait!!!!

Have you ever stayed in the hotel?

I did. I won't be back. "ambiance" is "We allow riff raff like Disney guests to stay in our hotel"

Valet parking was HORRID (granted this was before Disney outsourced, hopefully it's better)

I wrote "dust me" on the dresser. Two days later it was still there!

Front desk charged me twice. When I called they announced "we would never make that error" and basically hung up (Luckily Amex thought "they made that error" and gave me my money back)

If "ambiance" is "snooty" then this place is great otherwise.

(That said I did LOVE Victoria & Alberts. Only reason I would go back )

 

[Brian Noble]

ill take you up to the ToTWL.

George I. already did...

If you want to bet a La Cava marg on base price, ill do it

Deal!

 

[Dean]

If you want to bet a La Cava marg on base price, ill do it

I'll take that offer as well if it stands. That the base price (starting price before any incentives) is at least $165 a point.

 

[texhanddoc]

I have the opportunity here for a LOT of margaritas. Be careful, I'm a lightweight

Of course, if I lose, I'm still getting one (just not as cheaply)

 

[awilliams4]

Well. I'm not sure I can argue the "price to stay" argument Brian. I am not sure I disagree with you either.

As an aside, the "middle" view at GFV will be better than lake view at BLT. Lake view at BLT is primarily "view of the other side of the hotel".

The only point if my first post in this thread was to pass on the information that GFV will 1. Start selling in late May or June and 2. Will be priced slightly less than BLT.

I am willing to sip on a margarita with you anytime and heck I'll pay. But I can't bet you about the point price of a week 2BR resort because your point is reasonable and I tend to believe what you say too.

If you want to bet a La Cava marg on base price, ill do it

Wow, less than BLT. Looking forward to what happens. If it is less than BLT, I wonder if the point requirement per night will be much more than BLT to make up the lost per point sales dollars.

 

[disneynutz]

Wow, less than BLT. Looking forward to what happens. If it is less than BLT, I wonder if the point requirement per night will be much more than BLT to make up the lost per point sales dollars.

Less than BLT would be typical Disney marketing. Raise the price of BLT so you can tell buyers that VGF costs less than BLT to spur sales.

Set and keep BLT dues low so you can tell buyers that BLT has the less expensive dues, then raise them when sales close out.

Set THV point requirements low so you can tell buyers that they can get a 3 bedroom for the point price of a 2 bedroom, the raise the required points when sales close out.



Bill

 

[Dean]

Wow, less than BLT. Looking forward to what happens. If it is less than BLT, I wonder if the point requirement per night will be much more than BLT to make up the lost per point sales dollars.

The same base but less net would be consistent with their historical approach. Maybe someone else has different info but I can't think of a resort where the price of the new resort was less than the then current resort being sold gross, net yes.

 

[lilpooh108]

The same base but less net would be consistent with their historical approach. Maybe someone else has different info but I can't think of a resort where the price of the new resort was less than the then current resort being sold gross, net yes.

What was BLT selling at when Aulani debuted at $114? I honestly can't remember.

 

[Dean]

What was BLT selling at when Aulani debuted at $114? I honestly can't remember.

I'm not sure but given the completely different nature, I'm not sure it is especially applicable, same for HI.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Yep. All things considered, I would still rather have a lake view with the Contemporary or Polynesian than 50% lake and 50% or more the other side of BLT.

At BLT lake view, be sure to draw your blinds before running around your 2BR in your birthday suit or you will get lots of smiles in the elevator.

Have you ever stayed in the hotel?

I did. I won't be back. "ambiance" is "We allow riff raff like Disney guests to stay in our hotel"

Valet parking was HORRID (granted this was before Disney outsourced, hopefully it's better)

I wrote "dust me" on the dresser. Two days later it was still there!

Front desk charged me twice. When I called they announced "we would never make that error" and basically hung up (Luckily Amex thought "they made that error" and gave me my money back)

If "ambiance" is "snooty" then this place is great otherwise.

(That said I did LOVE Victoria & Alberts. Only reason I would go back )

Hubby and I had planned to buy points at BLT but a few things kept us from doing it.

1. The point price increased before we had the opportunity.
2. The decor left a lot to be desired.
3. Our financial position changed.

I totally agree with the riff raff comment about Grand Floridian. While staying at WL years ago, we shared a bus with the Grand Floridian. We were then berated by snotty drunken teenagers who publicly told everybody on the bus that anyone not staying at the Grand Floridian were trash and not beautiful people like themselves. If I could have gotten back to WL with relative ease, I would have stayed on the bus and got off with the drunken teens!

My hopes are that the decor is more to my liking than that at the Contemporary, and that maybe just maybe the DVC component will be different enough to take some of the gilded edges off to make it a bit more palatable to we little people.

If that happens, and we really like the GFV, then we will likely buy more Boardwalk points and take our chances at getting GFV.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

thanks for the info

 

[texhanddoc]

I doubt that the target date to begin VGF sales has anything to do with AKV point availability. They likely have a date in mind already that was loosely based on when construction would be finished. I think VGF sales charge forward without a thought for how AKV sales go. I think they are marketing to two separate groups of people.

 

[Dean]

I doubt that the target date to begin VGF sales has anything to do with AKV point availability. They likely have a date in mind already that was loosely based on when construction would be finished. I think VGF sales charge forward without a thought for how AKV sales go. I think they are marketing to two separate groups of people.

Based on DVC's past history, if they were on time related to the press release, they're almost certainly past any original target date.

 

[texhanddoc]

Based on DVC's past history, if they were on time related to the press release, they're almost certainly past any original target date.

You are likely correct. My point above was that their sale date probably has more to do with construction of VGF than it does point sales at AKV.

 

[Dean]

You are likely correct. My point above was that their sale date probably has more to do with construction of VGF than it does point sales at AKV.

My guess is it's a little of both. There has been at least one instance, if not 2, where I'm convinced they delayed by a few weeks for the purpose of clearing some inventory. While I've never been able to pin down the exact formula, there are requirements related to completion and availability that determine when you can actually sell. DVC has also had instances where they pre sold and delayed closings related to the opening as well and presumably related to this requirement.