Have you or would you...Grand Villa

[Paticake]

We went in 2004 with 14 people. We were in a 2brm and 3 studios. It gave people a certain amount of privacy and as much as we love our family it was nice to be able to get away from everyone from time to time! Happy planning!

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

It's great hearing everyone's stories and what worked for some and didn't work for others! I am hoping to find it if group #4 is going or not this week.

One reason to get more units rather than a GV is that if someone backs out you aren't losiing/using as any points. We have 4 kids, 3 of which are getting married in the next 8 months (starting Saturday) and have decided that a 2 bedroom and several studios may be the best way to go. We did the Beach Cottage at VB in August and everyone was wowed....so wowed that when we movd onto the BWV we asked the maid who was cleaning a GV if we could take a peek! Wow, wow wow gorgeous.

3 out of 4 of your children getting married in the next 8 months?!?

We love the GV's at OKW, and even if you must have people staying in the living room, they still will have their own bathroom in the hall. In fact, that little 3/4 bath is the cutest in all the OKW units! I love the tile in there! One option you might consider to reduce point usage is to get each family unit a studio for the weekend nights, and then all switch to the GV for just Sunday -Friday.

This is the plan if group #4 doesn't come!

 

[Cricket2]

With our recent OKW GV stay we said wow twice, once when we walked in the room saying, "Wow, how spectacular this room is" and once when we left saying, "Wow, I will never EVER stay in one room with that many people again".

Your results may vary.

 

[dianeschlicht]

With our recent OKW GV stay we said wow twice, once when we walked in the room saying, "Wow, how spectacular this room is" and once when we left saying, "Wow, I will never EVER stay in one room with that many people again".

Your results may vary.

Our experiences with GVs have all been good. Oh sure, there were a couple of glitches with a couple of people, but nothing serious enough to say we would never do it again. In fact, just the opposite! We loved it!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

There is DEFINITELY the WOW factor to the GV. We stayed in an OKW GV and also had 2 separate studios in 2004 for my DD's then 5th birthday family reunion bash. We had 13 family members (including us) and 4 friends (in the studio).

My kids still remember and ask when we are going back to our "house" at Disney 4 years later.

I must admit that I booked the GV for selfish reasons because "I" wanted to stay in one. In the end, like WebmasterCricket, I vowed "never again" at least with those family members. EVERYONE hung out in the GV and it was crowded and noisy with all the kids and adults.

It took 3 days before DH was fuming at his own family and threatening to "throw them all out" (only to me of course).

The funny thing is that MIL and FIL has been hinting (more than 2-3 times) about another such family reunion. There has been 4 additions to the family since that trip.

I have NO problems springing for the points. Even though time has blunted all the old scars and we no longer are vowing never again, we are not actively planning it either. It's one of those if all the stars align kind of things. It's hard enough when all the kids have different school schedules.

DH told his parents, that the family is welcome anytime, but the trips will have to be according to our vacation schedule. And if anyone wants to go just ask us when we are planning our next trips and we will try to work it out. He told them WE are not issuing invitations and making it a "mandatory" family vacation because WDW is expensive (even if the lodging is free) for his siblings' larger families and he wouldn't obligate anyone to spend that kind of money if they don't want to.

Sorry to be so long-winded but the bottom line is if we ever do a family reunion with DH's family again, we will either get multiple 2-bedrooms or if we do spring for the GV, we will get a separate 1-bedroom for US so that we have a quiet sanctuary to retreat from all of them.

Good luck with the planning!

 

[lsutigger2]

We had a GV at OKW in Nov 06. Loved it! Cast was me, DH, DB, DSil, two nieces, one nephew in law, and one very cute 15 month old. My plan was for everyone to have their own bed and bath, with no one on the sofa. There was plenty of room. It did create a really good WOW factor. We arrived on Sun and left on Friday, points were only 190. Cheaper than some other dvc trips we've taken. Have you thought about the time of year you want to go?

Enjoy your planning. have a wonderful trip.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

While September is our favorite time to go, we will have to go in October due to everyone else's schedules. CHOICE time..still not bad, but 73 points a night for AK GV?!? Why, oh why was I born so cheap?!? I know that OKW would be so much cheaper, but have you seen the AK GV's ...wow!

 

[dianeschlicht]

While September is our favorite time to go, we will have to go in October due to everyone else's schedules. CHOICE time..still not bad, but 73 points a night for AK GV?!? Why, oh why was I born so cheap?!? I know that OKW would be so much cheaper, but have you seen the AK GV's ...wow!

It all depends on your home resort, and you obviously have enough AKV points to swing it, so I say go for it. If you really look at it, the choice season isn't all that different from Adventure.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I would go for the GV, and leave some family home! Seriously, some of them may cancel, so a GV would be comfortable. We stayed in an OKW GV with 6 girls and 3 guys, and we had enough bathrooms for everyone! That was 2 years ago, and this year we are going just with our kids and their families, so every family has their own room during Christmas-New Years vacation. We cleared out our points for 3 years! But I am so excited about it!