Grand Floridian

[Dean]

This is just hearsay... my guide said he anticipates VGF will start in the $130's per point with the discounts that they usually do upon opening

That sounds a little low to me, maybe on DCL which tends to have the best prices. I was thinking maybe $140-145 but could be.

 

[mjc2003]

This is just hearsay... my guide said he anticipates VGF will start in the $130's per point with the discounts that they usually do upon opening

I think this is definitely low. Who knows, but I think the intro price will be $155, maybe a few bucks off for a very short time. I think it will settle at $155-$165 with no discounts quickly. They simply won't need to discount it much because they don't have a lot to sell, and I'm sure they have a pretty good idea that the demand will exist (since people have been paying $140-$155 at BLT of late).

I suspect they would build it as large as they could without impacting the rest of the resort and other experiences too much. I'm sure they want the the height, etc to fit in with the rest of the GF. They potentially could have went out into the parking lot, across the street or took up existing buildings in some way. They could still do that I suppose but doubt they will. The real question is going to be what they will(?) do with the Poly. Not much room there either. Maybe they could take up the Luau cove and encroach on the Wedding Chapel from the other direction as well. Or maybe they could look at the area opposite GF that's open though I seem to recall hearing it's not stable enough to build on.

I had an interesting conversation recently with somebody who worked for 10 years as a designer/imagineer for the resorts division. He had left right before AKV was opening, but had worked on that project. He echoed what has I guess been a long standing rumor, which is that the Poly would be coming down sooner rather than later. It would be rebuilt, inclusive of a DVC building. He said this was discussed years ago, so he didn't say it was going to happen--just that the idea was out there. I have heard lots of stories about how they can't keep band-aiding Poly, and they have to do something soon. They have developed so much on site that I find it hard to believe they can't handle the spill-over at some point.
Of course during our last trip I had a CM tell me with near certainty that Poly would be last, and that they were planning another BLT (phase 2) where the south annex building of the Contemporary is.

 

[Bell30012]

I've heard how hard it is to book at BLT but my daughter and I booked in December for a February trip. We got a standard view studio for 68 points (Sun check in, Thurs check out)

 

[arthur06]

I suspect they would build it as large as they could without impacting the rest of the resort and other experiences too much. I'm sure they want the the height, etc to fit in with the rest of the GF. They potentially could have went out into the parking lot, across the street or took up existing buildings in some way. They could still do that I suppose but doubt they will. The real question is going to be what they will(?) do with the Poly. Not much room there either. Maybe they could take up the Luau cove and encroach on the Wedding Chapel from the other direction as well. Or maybe they could look at the area opposite GF that's open though I seem to recall hearing it's not stable enough to build on.

I would love if the Poly could just transition a few existing rooms like the did at AKL. Then (and I know this will never happen) build something similar to the THV's that are at SSR as an over the water bungalow style that you see in so many tropical style settings. Build an above water walkway with put 15-20 above water 2br and GV combination that would be out on Bay Lake. That would be spectacular!

 

[dizfan]

That sounds a little low to me, maybe on DCL which tends to have the best prices. I was thinking maybe $140-145 but could be.

This is just hearsay... my guide said he anticipates VGF will start in the $130's per point with the discounts that they usually do upon opening

If VGF is around 3 million points, DVD will have some interesting decisions to make. They have been selling over 2 million points per year at WDW properties. Seems they may need to break ground on another project, have the price high and sell fewer points, use ROFR to meet the demand, or come up with something else.

 

[dizfan]

I had an interesting conversation recently with somebody who worked for 10 years as a designer/imagineer for the resorts division. He had left right before AKV was opening, but had worked on that project. He echoed what has I guess been a long standing rumor, which is that the Poly would be coming down sooner rather than later. It would be rebuilt, inclusive of a DVC building. He said this was discussed years ago, so he didn't say it was going to happen--just that the idea was out there. I have heard lots of stories about how they can't keep band-aiding Poly, and they have to do something soon. They have developed so much on site that I find it hard to believe they can't handle the spill-over at some point.
Of course during our last trip I had a CM tell me with near certainty that Poly would be last, and that they were planning another BLT (phase 2) where the south annex building of the Contemporary is.

We would love to see Poly converted to an Aulani design.

Our fear with buying VGF is that Poly will be built soon after. 4-5 years after BLT opens, VGF opens. We'll wait and keep our fingers crossed for Poly within the next decade.

 

[akl-fan]

count me in with the crowd that is hoping for a 7 month reservation and using the points bought at other resorts...i'd love to stay at GF, but that's the only way this is going to happen for me

Me too. I will be staying in a value over at AKV then having a couple of days at VGF, if I can get them at 7 months. $170 per point --no way!!!

 

[alldiz]

I just added on points direct to my WLV contract.

Just looking through the wording and in bold it mentions how if you don't buy direct then you can't use disney collection...etc....

Also in Bold it says
"The villas at Disneys Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is only a possible component site which may never be added to Disney Vacation Club Multi-Site timeshare plan. Do not purchase interest in a Disney Vacation club resort on reliance upon the addition of this component site or the addition of any new resorts.
Neither DVD nor any of the TWDC companies have any obligation to build any additional Disney Vacation Club resorts or to add addditional component sites to the Disney Vacation Club Multi -site timeshare plan. Do not purchase an interest in a Disney Vacation Club resort in reliance upon the addition of new resorts or component sites."

Huh????Was this on the paperwork with all added resorts????? ie SSR, BLT, Aulani, AkV/????
thanks
Kerri

 

[ToddyLu]

I just added on points direct to my WLV contract.

Just looking through the wording and in bold it mentions how if you don't buy direct then you can't use disney collection...etc....

Also in Bold it says
"The villas at Disneys Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is only a possible component site which may never be added to Disney Vacation Club Multi-Site timeshare plan. Do not purchase interest in a Disney Vacation club resort on reliance upon the addition of this component site or the addition of any new resorts.
Neither DVD nor any of the TWDC companies have any obligation to build any additional Disney Vacation Club resorts or to add addditional component sites to the Disney Vacation Club Multi -site timeshare plan. Do not purchase an interest in a Disney Vacation Club resort in reliance upon the addition of new resorts or component sites."



Huh????Was this on the paperwork with all added resorts????? ie SSR, BLT, Aulani, AkV/????
thanks
Kerri

....and the plot thickens...

 

[Dean]

I had an interesting conversation recently with somebody who worked for 10 years as a designer/imagineer for the resorts division. He had left right before AKV was opening, but had worked on that project. He echoed what has I guess been a long standing rumor, which is that the Poly would be coming down sooner rather than later. It would be rebuilt, inclusive of a DVC building. He said this was discussed years ago, so he didn't say it was going to happen--just that the idea was out there. I have heard lots of stories about how they can't keep band-aiding Poly, and they have to do something soon. They have developed so much on site that I find it hard to believe they can't handle the spill-over at some point.
Of course during our last trip I had a CM tell me with near certainty that Poly would be last, and that they were planning another BLT (phase 2) where the south annex building of the Contemporary is.

Yet, last I heard, the Poly had the highest return guest %. Certainly if they have to razz any buildings, the options open up considerably.

If VGF is around 3 million points, DVD will have some interesting decisions to make. They have been selling over 2 million points per year at WDW properties. Seems they may need to break ground on another project, have the price high and sell fewer points, use ROFR to meet the demand, or come up with something else.

I do agree there are some decisions to make. BCV at around the same size and modestly less points (likely) took just over a year IIRC. VWL is hard to judge because they closed sales then reopened them but roughly 18 months of active sales and around 2 years total or just over, again IIRC.

No doubt DVD is coming up on some decisions. Even if they added a Poly component and the closed water park location as well, they either have to shut down from an active sales standpoint or go different directions which might include moderate locations, new free standing options in ? remote locations and off site options. I guess they could look at worldwide parks as well. They're likely waiting to see how HI does related to off site sales to make decisions in that direction which may close the avenue unless they get more aggressive on the sales side (which they can easily do and still be honest/professional). There's lots of land and locations for WDW, just not prime locations as it relates to this area. They already have the Eagle Pines planning which they could easily implement somewhere else. I personally think that the moderate locations are workable as well and possibly even the values. Ultimately DVC has to either extend some of the current resorts or cont to build to keep the infrastructure going. Of course a 5th park or new shopping district as rumored would change it all.

The wording about a new project not being added has been there for every option until it was actually declared into DVC inventory.

 

[arthur06]

Yet, last I heard, the Poly had the highest return guest %. Certainly if they have to razz any buildings, the options open up considerably.

I do agree there are some decisions to make. BCV at around the same size and modestly less points (likely) took just over a year IIRC. VWL is hard to judge because they closed sales then reopened them but roughly 18 months of active sales and around 2 years total or just over, again IIRC.

No doubt DVD is coming up on some decisions. Even if they added a Poly component and the closed water park location as well, they either have to shut down from an active sales standpoint or go different directions which might include moderate locations, new free standing options in ? remote locations and off site options. I guess they could look at worldwide parks as well. They're likely waiting to see how HI does related to off site sales to make decisions in that direction which may close the avenue unless they get more aggressive on the sales side (which they can easily do and still be honest/professional). There's lots of land and locations for WDW, just not prime locations as it relates to this area. They already have the Eagle Pines planning which they could easily implement somewhere else. I personally think that the moderate locations are workable as well and possibly even the values. Ultimately DVC has to either extend some of the current resorts or cont to build to keep the infrastructure going. Of course a 5th park or new shopping district as rumored would change it all.

The wording about a new project not being added has been there for every option until it was actually declared into DVC inventory.

Whoa, have I missed a new rumor?

Is the 5th park the rumor? Or is the new shopping district the rumor? Or both?

I thought I heard a while back about an "American" style park, is that what your referring to?

 

[Dean]

Whoa, have I missed a new rumor?

Is the 5th park the rumor? Or is the new shopping district the rumor? Or both?

I thought I heard a while back about an "American" style park, is that what your referring to?

There are plans for a 5h park but nothing that's going forward at present. There are also plans for another shopping district out toward Western Way (or so the rumor goes). Basically if there are major changes anywhere on property, that will also potentially affect DVC whether it be a new park, new deluxe resort, etc. The other issue, which I think they could do if they truly wanted, is to add a park adjacent option like in CA.

 

[mjc2003]

I just added on points direct to my WLV contract.

Just looking through the wording and in bold it mentions how if you don't buy direct then you can't use disney collection...etc....

Also in Bold it says
"The villas at Disneys Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is only a possible component site which may never be added to Disney Vacation Club Multi-Site timeshare plan. Do not purchase interest in a Disney Vacation club resort on reliance upon the addition of this component site or the addition of any new resorts.
Neither DVD nor any of the TWDC companies have any obligation to build any additional Disney Vacation Club resorts or to add addditional component sites to the Disney Vacation Club Multi -site timeshare plan. Do not purchase an interest in a Disney Vacation Club resort in reliance upon the addition of new resorts or component sites."

Huh????Was this on the paperwork with all added resorts????? ie SSR, BLT, Aulani, AkV/????
thanks
Kerri

Wow. I would love to know if this is boilerplate language that has been seen before? I can't imagine they would restrict access, b/c then they would have to restrict it both ways and I don't know how many people would buy direct at GFV for the prices being discussed if they were not going to be able to have flexibility to stay anywhere else. Sure, most people who pay $150+ to buy in at GFV will want to stay there, but there won't always be availability and they might need backup options.

I would suspect this is in the event that they don't actually go through with the project?

 

[disneynutz]

Wow. I would love to know if this is boilerplate language that has been seen before? I can't imagine they would restrict access, b/c then they would have to restrict it both ways and I don't know how many people would buy direct at GFV for the prices being discussed if they were not going to be able to have flexibility to stay anywhere else. Sure, most people who pay $150+ to buy in at GFV will want to stay there, but there won't always be availability and they might need backup options.

I would suspect this is in the event that they don't actually go through with the project?

Disney will do what makes the most profit and just because they did something in the past, doesn't mean that they will do the same thing in the future.

We never expected that they would restrict resale benefits or offer set week contracts instead of points but they are.

Bill

 

[bookwormde]

Yes the "we are not going to say that is will be part of the system" has been standard language for quite while. There were are few DVC projects that were cancelled late in the planning process, and after that it was added (the must have had not saying that game back an bit them).

A DVC project has never to date, not been completed once the foundaiton was started.

 

[Saratoga Springs Tom]

We just added on to an existing contract and one of our questions was about when we could expect to see Grand Floridian being made available. We were told that the initial offering may be in late spring of 2013. I was told to expect the pricing to be above the current direct price of BLT. There will be 147 units when completed. We got the impression the points to stay are going to be high as well. With SSR being sold out the emphasis now is on AKV.

 

[Sandisw]

Wow. I would love to know if this is boilerplate language that has been seen before? I can't imagine they would restrict access, b/c then they would have to restrict it both ways and I don't know how many people would buy direct at GFV for the prices being discussed if they were not going to be able to have flexibility to stay anywhere else. Sure, most people who pay $150+ to buy in at GFV will want to stay there, but there won't always be availability and they might need backup options.

I would suspect this is in the event that they don't actually go through with the project?

IIRC, the language in my POS for BLT when I bought in 2009 had similar language concerning Disney building in Hawaii.

I think that they do this to cover themselves in case something happens to delay or cancel the building.

 

[Dean]

Yes the "we are not going to say that is will be part of the system" has been standard language for quite while. There were are few DVC projects that were cancelled late in the planning process, and after that it was added (the must have had not saying that game back an bit them).

A DVC project has never to date, not been completed once the foundaiton was started.

That's true but one resort was downsized from the initial plans and one was not completed after the initial portion was staked out and some of the prelim work was done. Plus one Disney resort (or portion) was cancelled once it was shelled in and later converted to something else after several years. However, I don't think it's the completion of the project that's in question but whether it'll be part of the current DVC program.

We just added on to an existing contract and one of our questions was about when we could expect to see Grand Floridian being made available. We were told that the initial offering may be in late spring of 2013. I was told to expect the pricing to be above the current direct price of BLT. There will be 147 units when completed. We got the impression the points to stay are going to be high as well. With SSR being sold out the emphasis now is on AKV.

They will sell for what they can. The price has been escalating routinely ever since I've been aware of DVC from the start (OKW at $48 pp initial offering reconstruction IIRC). To have 2 to 3 increased between now and a year from now would not be unexpected. I'd guess somewhere around $162 pp with some discounts for certain size packages, DCL sales, off site sales locations, etc.