Grand Floridian

[Albytaps]

Anyone thinking about buying into the DVC Grand Flroridian? We bought into BLT for the location, but the Grand Floridian seems really appealing to us. Do you think it'd be worth it to buy 50 points into Grand Floridian when it's available? We only own BLT and have 300 points a year for it. I heard of people having 50 points here and there to be able to reserve 11 months ahead at other resorts. Will this be possible with the Grand Floridian Villas? Do you think there will be a minimum?

I knew they would eventually have Grand Floridian DVC rooms but I didn't think it would be this soon.

 

[chalee94]

Do you think it'd be worth it to buy 50 points into Grand Floridian when it's available?

at the 11 month window, you'd only have access to that VGF contract's pts when booking the VGF. doesn't matter where else you own - you cannot combine pts from different resorts till the 7 month window. you'd only have 50 pts each year to book at the grand floridian...then you could use the 300 BLT pts to book VGF at 7 months out if there was still availability.

but the way things are looking, 50 pts might not get you 2 nights in a studio at VGF. we'll have to wait and see.

 

[JasonDVC]

I sold my BLT points for this very reason. I am hoping that the points will be reasonable enough for a 5-7 night stay every 3 years. Fingers crossed.

 

[Albytaps]

Ouch! I didn't know it worked that way. By the way some people have told me, why would they split up points like that then?

Anyway, if any time is good to get into DVC I'd think when Grand Floridian opens up that would be it.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[chalee94]

Ouch! I didn't know it worked that way. By the way some people have told me, why would they split up points like that then?

rule number 1- you can never use pts from resort A to book resort B at 11 months out under any circumstances.

what people do is use their BLT pts to book BLT at 11 months out...and then maybe use their 50 pt VGF contract every third year to book VGF for a stay using 150 pts (50 banked VGF pts + 50 current VGF pts + 50 borrowed VGF pts).

some people also enjoy trying split stays - they might stay a few nights at the VGF before moving over to BLT for a longer stay. it's not my thing but some people feel like it gives them 2 separate vacations with the different theming...

 

[Greysword]

Depending on the size and number of pints (ETA: Points! not pints...sheesh, it must be a long day ), I would look to the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa (VGC ) as a guide. Since this resort will be at Disney World's flagship resort, the point costs are likely to be higher than normal (us riff-raff live at BLT ). Thus, 50 points might not be enough to stay for the time frame most consider at WDW without a split stay. (Note: 100 points per year is just enough to get us into a studio for half of the year for three-four night).

You may want to wait and see what the point charts look like before committing.

As for owning at several resorts, we have three and rotate them. Every other year at a WDW resort and a long weekend in Anaheim. We could do each every three year and have enough points at each to get a longer stay, if we desired.

One thing I did for VGC, was bank a year, so I had two years available. Now, I book a studio at VGC at the 11-month mark. If we are not using our SSR points this year (using BLT, instead, at WDW), I will either upgrade to a 1BR and augment with SSR (as needed) at the 7-month window or replace the current VGC with SSR points, then bank the VGC forward, so I'll have a larger amount for later.

 

[disneynutz]

Love the property but looking at the plans for the DVC units, they don't appear to have a very good view.

All of the direct buys that we made over the last few years took a big hit price wise within a few years and I really question the benefit of buying direct.

Bill

 

[goldenears]

I am VERY interested to see what the points charts will be and what the cost will be.

.Love the property but looking at the plans for the DVC units, they don't appear to have a very good view.

All of the direct buys that we made over the last few years took a big hit price wise within a few years and I really question the benefit of buying direct.

Bill

Bill.....I am starting to wonder the same thing.

Also, I know you can get to the MK from the GF by boat and monorail. Is there a walking path too?

 

[aes74]

.

Also, I know you can get to the MK from the GF by boat and monorail. Is there a walking path too?

Nope. We followed the path once to see and it ends at a canal halfway to MK. And then the sidewalk picks up on the other side!

 

[Sammie]

Have to agree with Bill, I love Grand Floridian so much. Some of our most memorable trips have been there.

But I love being on the Magic Kingdom side of the property and sadly I don't think the location is good where they put it and it will end up being like BCV, just stuck in there.

I have enough points, really don't want to add anymore due to cost and travel expenses. I know it will be just gorgeous though and hope that maybe in the off season, we can get a couple of nights at 7 months.

 

[goldenears]

. Nope. We followed the path once to see and it ends at a canal halfway to MK. And then the sidewalk picks up on the other side!

Thanks so much for your reply Amy.

I have to admit, that I will probably want to try to stay there at some point, just to check it out, but IMHO, being able to walk to MK is a HUGE bonus available to those staying at BLT.

 

[mjc2003]

To the OP, buying 50 points will probably get you 3-4 nights every 3 years.

We stayed at the Grand Floridian right after they opened in 1988, and stayed there 5 years in a row. It was my dad's favorite spot. I loved everything about the memories we harvested there, running around those grounds with my two younger brothers (and with a gaggle of friends we made along the way) was awesome. I remember thinking the lobby was the coolest thing in the world. I remember meeting Howie Mandel in 1989 in the lobby (when he was arguably the most famous comedian in the world), and getting an autograph. We used to drive down from Jersey, and pulling up to that majestic, bright white facade after 36 hours in the car brought indescribable joy.

I have two (soon to be 3) children of my own and would like nothing more than to recreate those memories for them. However, I am envisioning a price point that will be out of our league, and a very high point chart that will call for 350+ points for a 1BR.

We'll stay there when we can get in at 7 months. 2 years after they open, when resale contracts are selling for $60 less than direct, maybe we'll consider an add on, but the direct purchase price is going to be too rich for my blood. If we need at least 350 points and the buy in is at least $155 (I have heard higher than this), then we are looking at $55,000+ for a 1BR? There are 5 of us, so we really need a 2BR, which will probably call for closer to $75k for enough points for a week. No thanks!

 

[Albytaps]

We used to drive down from Jersey, and pulling up to that majestic, bright white facade after 36 hours in the car brought indescribable joy.

LOL who was driving? Grandma?

Just kidding!

We bought into BLT for around 28k (I think) for 300 points a year. That was estimating for a 2 bedroom every year for about a week during off-peak times. I am thinking GF will cost double of what the BLT does.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see the price points for the rooms. I would definitely want to book 7 months out at some point if it is ever available.

 

[bakenatj]

LOL who was driving? Grandma?

Just kidding!

We bought into BLT for around 28k (I think) for 300 points a year. That was estimating for a 2 bedroom every year for about a week during off-peak times. I am thinking GF will cost double of what the BLT does.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see the price points for the rooms. I would definitely want to book 7 months out at some point if it is ever available.

There is no way it will be double! Rack rate for GF is $460 a night Sun-Thur and Contemporary is $485 a night for theme park view. My guess is the points at GFV will be similar to a Magic Kingdom view points at BLT. You have to look at their pricing structure of their current resorts. You can compare apples to apples since both Contemporary and GF are Deluxe resorts.

In my price comparison you have a Garden View at GF to a Theme Park View at Contemporary. If there is a Theme Park View at the GFV, then I suspect the points to be slightly higher for that than the points at BLT for Theme Park View.

p.s. looking at Adventure season pricing and points.

 

[bakenatj]

I am thinking GF will cost double of what the BLT does.

This quote reminds me of a statement I heard while I was on the monorail this past November. There was a family with two children that got on the monorail next to us at the MK, and as the monorail went by BLT she says to her husband "that's where all the rich people stay." I then started up a quick conversation with her because my curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know where she was staying. Come to find out they were staying at the Grand Floridian! I just smiled and listen to her.

Just goes to show, if you don't do your research, the grass is always greener on the other side

 

[corpcomp]

I am VERY interested to see what the points charts will be and what the cost will be.

Bill.....I am starting to wonder the same thing.

Also, I know you can get to the MK from the GF by boat and monorail. Is there a walking path too?

Its all about Location Location Location (Then its all about price price price).

 

[Albytaps]

This quote reminds me of a statement I heard while I was on the monorail this past November. There was a family with two children that got on the monorail next to us at the MK, and as the monorail went by BLT she says to her husband "that's where all the rich people stay." I then started up a quick conversation with her because my curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know where she was staying. Come to find out they were staying at the Grand Floridian! I just smiled and listen to her.

Just goes to show, if you don't do your research, the grass is always greener on the other side

Well that's just silly. Everyone knows the Grand Floridian is where all the rich people stay. DVC resorts are where the smart people stay

 

[Dean]

There is no way it will be double! Rack rate for GF is $460 a night Sun-Thur and Contemporary is $485 a night for theme park view. My guess is the points at GFV will be similar to a Magic Kingdom view points at BLT. You have to look at their pricing structure of their current resorts. You can compare apples to apples since both Contemporary and GF are Deluxe resorts.

In my price comparison you have a Garden View at GF to a Theme Park View at Contemporary. If there is a Theme Park View at the GFV, then I suspect the points to be slightly higher for that than the points at BLT for Theme Park View.

p.s. looking at Adventure season pricing and points.

I think you can be very confident that similar views (in name) will be the same number of points (or almost the same) as BLT.

 

[DizGirl20]

I posted this same question on another thread, but thought I would ask here as well. Is it typically cheaper to purchase points at a DVC Resort when it is first made available or do the deals get "sweeter" over time? I know at some point down the road resale will be cheaper but I am just curious about direct pricing. Thanks!

 

[DenLo]

Well with BLT the deals were better early on. There were offers if you bought a certain amount then you got a better price later, but it wasn't across the board savings. But sales at AKV and SSR have really varied.