Grandvillas-- easiest to book and number per resort....

[Whirl]

We are looking into a DVC purchase and trying to sort through the details...

Which GVs do you think are the easiest to book, in your opinion?
How many are there at SSR, OKW and proposed at AKV?
Thanks,
Cheryl

 

[robinb]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

If you are purchasing DVC to specifically book a Grand Villa every year be aware that GVs are often booked in the 11-month window. You really have to know when you are going that far in advance. I believe that Old Key West has the most GVs, but they are also the cheapest in points.

 

[Whirl]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

If you are purchasing DVC to specifically book a Grand Villa every year be aware that GVs are often booked in the 11-month window. You really have to know when you are going that far in advance. I believe that Old Key West has the most GVs, but they are also the cheapest in points.

Thanks,

In the early years ( my kids are quite young-- a three year old and 3 month old twins)....we would generally envision travelling off season, but with Grandparents or another family. I am ok with booking far in advance ( I am a seasoned timesharer away from DVC),but trying to figure out the nuances of DVC).

If a GV were not avail, then we could always default to a 2BR plus studio or 1BR configuration, but GV would be preferred.

So as I try to use the 11-month window to my advantage, the dilemma is where to buy my points. We have only stayed at OKW and were quite happy there, but interested in AKV as well. Otherwise, we could take whatever we are able to book understanding that GVs are difficult at the 7 month window, thus I must figure out where best to buy the home advantage, but I think for now OKW and AKV would be our picks ( based on very little info..AKL because I think little ones and our guests would get the biggest appreciation out of the savannah and OKW because we like the spacious condo, relaxed feel with parking outside your unit). SSR, we would consider since it is so large, perhaps larger units would be easier to get, but not a first choice for little ones, I don't think.

Anyway, just trying to decide on if ( we only envision doing Disney every other year, as we really enjoy traveling in general and want the kids to experience a broad range of people, places and cultures) we should buy, or just go retail or rent from a member when we want to go and not lock into 50 years, or if we are better served owning ourselves.

Anythoughts appreciated?...of course, I have strayed far from my original question about GV's now, but it is all interrelated.

Trying to sort it all out. Thanks,
Cheryl

 

[mydogdrew]

Thanks,

In the early years ( my kids are quite young-- a three year old and 3 month old twins)....we would generally envision travelling off season, but with Grandparents or another family. I am ok with booking far in advance ( I am a seasoned timesharer away from DVC),but trying to figure out the nuances of DVC).

If a GV were not avail, then we could always default to a 2BR plus studio or 1BR configuration, but GV would be preferred.

So as I try to use the 11-month window to my advantage, the dilemma is where to buy my points. We have only stayed at OKW and were quite happy there, but interested in AKV as well. Otherwise, we could take whatever we are able to book understanding that GVs are difficult at the 7 month window, thus I must figure out where best to buy the home advantage, but I think for now OKW and AKV would be our picks ( based on very little info..AKL because I think little ones and our guests would get the biggest appreciation out of the savannah and OKW because we like the spacious condo, relaxed feel with parking outside your unit). SSR, we would consider since it is so large, perhaps larger units would be easier to get, but not a first choice for little ones, I don't think.

Anyway, just trying to decide on if ( we only envision doing Disney every other year, as we really enjoy traveling in general and want the kids to experience a broad range of people, places and cultures) we should buy, or just go retail or rent from a member when we want to go and not lock into 50 years, or if we are better served owning ourselves.

Anythoughts appreciated?...of course, I have strayed far from my original question about GV's now, but it is all interrelated.

Trying to sort it all out. Thanks,
Cheryl

We have not found the GV's to be a very good points value. OKW is your best bet but you should consider owning there if you want these routinely.

 

[jekjones1558]

Also keep in mind the different end dates for OKW (2042), SSR(2054) and AKV(2057). We bought OKW just for 11 month advantage on a GV, but we are old (59 and 73). As a young family the extra years may be more important to you. An OKW resale will be quite a bit cheaper than AKV. An SSR resale will be in the middle pricewise, closer to OKW in cost than to AKV. Good luck!

 

[RobDoc]

OKW has 27 GVs, VB has 6 Beach Houses, HH has 5 GVs, BW has 7 GVs, SSR has 36 GVs and AKV will have 22 GVs.

Most times of the year you will have the best chance for success by reserving at 11 months and even then there may be limited availability at some resorts.

 

[Whirl]

OKW has 27 GVs, VB has 6 Beach Houses, HH has 5 GVs, BW has 7 GVs, SSR has 36 GVs and AKV will have 22 GVs.

Most times of the year you will have the best chance for success by reserving at 11 months and even then there may be limited availability at some resorts.

Thanks for the data. So it sounds like I should think twice if I REALLY want to have a Grandvilla most of the time, as I may not be able to reliably get it.

Also keep in mind the different end dates for OKW (2042), SSR(2054) and AKV(2057). We bought OKW just for 11 month advantage on a GV, but we are old (59 and 73). As a young family the extra years may be more important to you. An OKW resale will be quite a bit cheaper than AKV. An SSR resale will be in the middle pricewise, closer to OKW in cost than to AKV. Good luck!

In truth, the extra years are not that important to us. We dont envision keeping our membership much beyond the kids primary years of interest...so maybe 15 years or so. But resale values will likely decline the fastest for OKW as it gets nearer its expiration, so I guess we should consider that.

We have not found the GV's to be a very good points value. OKW is your best bet but you should consider owning there if you want these routinely.

Thanks. Ideally, I think we would like AKV the best for the kids when little, but we loved OKW when we stayed last year and could be perfrectly happy there. If that is our best projected place to get guaranteed ressies, then we may be best served there and then just take a ressie at 7 months out if we can get one elsewhere. My husband really has stars in his eyes for AKV, though.

Really, we only plan to visit Disney, maybe 7-8 times over the next 15 or so years....would I be better off just renting from owners....Hmmmm?

 

[Whirl]

To those who sent me private mails, I apologize as I need a few more posts before I am allowed to use that feature. Thank you and I will respond shortly.

Your insights are very helpful to me and I didn't want to be rude and not acknowledge your efforts. Back in a few more posts...

Cheryl

 

[JimVL]

To those who sent me private mails, I apologize as I need a few more posts before I am allowed to use that feature. Thank you and I will respond shortly.

Your insights are very helpful to me and I didn't want to be rude and not acknowledge your efforts. Back in a few more posts...

Cheryl

I think you have three great choices. If you will only go 8 times in the next 15
years. You could rent from members at any of the DVC resorts. Buy AKV, and vacation for just your dues. I think that after only 15 years, AKL would have appreciated in that time. Perhaps not as much as an investment, but we're making investments for other things than money. OKW would be good because they have the most GV, but I think AKV comes out ahead there, percentage wise.

I tried to edit my edit; apparently, I've been drinkking too muck. LOL. I'm going to stop trying.

 

[CPTJAK]

You may also want to take into account the number of points needed at each resort as OKW is a great value (less points needed), SSR than BWV and I think AKV is the most?

 

[Whirl]

I think you have three great choices. If you will only go 8 times in the next 15
years. You could rent from members at any of the DVC resorts. Buy AKV, and vacation for just your dues. I think that after only 15 years, AKL would have appreciated in that time. Perhaps not as much as an investment, but we're making investments for other things than money. OKW would be good because they have the most GV, but I think AKV comes out ahead there, percentage wise.

I tried to edit my edit; apparently, I've been drinkking too muck. LOL. I'm going to stop trying.

Thanks JimVL,
That was a comforting perspective you shared...that I have GOOD options no matter which way we choose!

Hope you are recovering from your indulgences

Cheryl

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Really, we only plan to visit Disney, maybe 7-8 times over the next 15 or so years.

You say that now!!
Even if you're already a WDW vet, somehow people end up visiting more often once they become Members.

It's one of the great mysteries of the world...

MG

 

[DrShifty]

Although certainly not a good point value, I still have great flashbacks of our last WDW vacation which was in a BWV GV.