Grand Villas

[BevS97]

We are just in the process of buying into DVC, and I am currently playing lots of 'what if' games with the DVC Planner (the caskbill one - which I think is fab!)

One of the things i would love to do at some point in the future is rent a grand villa and invite my extended family to travel with us.

We are buying at the Boardwalk, however, it would appear that GV at the Boardwalk use significantly more points that at Old Key West. (using 3 years points, I could get 6 nights at the Boardwalk and 11 at Old Key West, which is a significant difference)

However, am I right in assuming that it would be impossible for a Boardwalk owner to book a Grand Villa at Old Key West? Everything I've read suggests they book up day by day at the 11 month window, is this correct? What happens to people who own at a resort without a Grand Villa? Are they just unable to hire one?

This is not a deal breaking concern, just more of a ponder. We live in the UK, so a 6 night trip is not particularly feasible whereas an 11 night trip would be just fine.

 

[Towncrier]

A lot depends on what time of year you are trying to get a GV at OKW. I was able to book 5 out of 6 nights over the July 4th holiday season this year, and I was well past the 7 month window. If your schedule is flexible and you aren't trying to get a GV at one of the peak seasons, you should be able to find one despite not having OKW as your home resort. Another possiblity is to have another DVC member who does have OKW as their home resort make the reservation for you.

 

[Jimbo]

We're staying in an OKW GV next month, and we booked it at the 9 month mark. Maybe it would have been different at 7 months, maybe not. Regardless, though, day-by-day was definitely not required. And October is a busy month for WDW.

One thing to remember is that there's a lot of GVs there (someone will have the exact number), and not everyone wants to spend the points to stay in them. So you're not competing against all of DVC, just that subset that can afford and needs a GV.

Your chances are probably better than you might have thought, but Towncrier's suggestion is a good one, especially if you're not flexible in your dates or want to go at a very busy time.

Good luck!

 

[snowbunny]

We're staying with extended family in a BWV Grand Villa next month during Food & Wine Festival and we booked day by day at 11 months.

 

[y2khardtop]

For what it's worth, you can book 2 2-bedroom units at BWV or BCV, use less points, and have more room than if you go with a Grand Villa at BWV. Granted, the big open living room is nice, but I've done it both ways, and I'm much rather have the 2 units at BCV than a Grand Villa at OKW. The convenience of being at the Epcot/MGM units just can't be beat.

As said above, however, there are quite a few more GV's at OKW, and you can likely work it out if you are on the phone first thing on the 7-month window

 

[y2khardtop]

btw, we requested our 2 2-bedroom units be close, and they were directly accross the hall from each other. Couldn't have been more convenient, and we got quite more beds that way.

 

[FreeTime]

I have tried multiple times to get a GV at OKW at the 7 month mark and have never been able to get all the days that I need. Usually there was a break in the middle. I have tried in December, October, July, March, and June. Any ways, I have given up trying and usually opt for the 2-2 br at BWV so that we can have more privacy anyways.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Has anyone been able to book a 5 weeknight stay in an OKW GV for October at 7 months? It would not be for Columbus week.

Bobbi

 

[paults]

What happens to people who own at a resort without a Grand Villa? Are they just unable to hire one?

they can try at 7 months or ask an owner to book a GV for them at 11 months and rent it.

they are not just unable to rent one but they just might not be able to get it depending on the month they want it.

as far as people owning at a resort without a GV that is why if you want one at times then buy at a resort that has them or take your chances with the rest of the people that want them.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It sounds like you are buying BWV. Since there are only a few GVs there, even that would be difficult without the 11 month booking day by day. If you buy at SSR, there are plenty of GVs there, and they are less points than BWV, but more than OKW.

 

[castleri]

A friend of mine was able to get an OKW GV for this past April- the first week- at the 6 month mark so a lot depends on what time of year and even what week in thta times frame you want. SSR also has GV units that are between OKW and BWV in points also. That means you would have that option also at the 7 month mark.

 

[Tiffer]

Anypalce to find the flor plan of the 2 bedroom? I am interested in the difference b/twn the 2 BDRM as opposed to the GV?

Anyone know how many GV each DVC resort has?

 

[dizplanner]

I had a OKW Grand Villa this last March. (It was great by the way) I booked at 7 months and didn't do day by day (because I was in Mexico and couldn't book until I got back - I called from the airplane as soon as we were safely on the ground - didn't wait because MS was closing soon). Got all five days. I did call before my Mexican vacation and MS was willing to tell me that two GV were open at that time. So I knew I had a chance, but I figured someone else would beat me to it. Turns out they didn't and we had a great vacation with family. So you never know.

 

[castleri]

Anypalce to find the flor plan of the 2 bedroom? I am interested in the difference b/twn the 2 BDRM as opposed to the GV?

Anyone know how many GV each DVC resort has?

Go to the Disney Vacation Club website , then to resorts, from there pick the one you want to see and go to the section on accomodations. You have a choice of room layouts or virtual tours.
I think Boardwalk has 8 and OKW has 25 don't know how many SSR will have

 

[Jacky]

OK- I am not good in math but the OKW GV are 51 points each night that I need one (August 07) and the 2 bedrooms are 30 each That seems like more points to me., Even a one bedroom and a 2 bedroom would be 52 points.

Now at the BWV, it is true that 2 2bedrooms are less than aGV.

Do you guys think in August you can get a GV 7 months out??

Jacky

 

[dianeschlicht]

OK- I am not good in math but the OKW GV are 51 points each night that I need one (August 07) and the 2 bedrooms are 30 each That seems like more points to me., Even a one bedroom and a 2 bedroom would be 52 points.

Now at the BWV, it is true that 2 2bedrooms are less than aGV.

Do you guys think in August you can get a GV 7 months out??

Jacky

I think late August and early September might be times where there is a possibility of a 7 month booking of an OKW GV. OKW has 27 GVs and I think BWV has 7. Not sure how many at SSR.