How hard is it to book the GRAND VILLA? And why is it so special?

[* Potential DVC'er *]

I'm just wondering a few things about the "grand villa" -

#1 Is it really that hard to book?

#2 How many are there are OKW?

#3 How do you go about getting "whoever" you bring with you to cough up some bucks?

#4 Is it as spectacular as it seems from the pics?

#5 Is it really worth all the extra points?

Any other info you can provide is helpful! T'anks.

 

[dianeschlicht]

1. We have not had trouble gettin the GV when we have needed it, but we do call day by day for that ressie.

2. Don't know the exact number, but I think it is 24.

3. We never ask guests to "cough up" but they usually treat us to something special during the stay. Our guests this year are treating us to Circue du Soliel. Some do a nice dinner out. etc.

4. YES!!!! We love the GVs!

5. Yes, if you have the number of people to fill it. It is wonderful to have your guests on a different floor!

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

We've never had trouble getting our guests to cough up the money - usually dangling them by their feet from the second story balcony convinces them.

We like them as well, but I doubt we'll be having any reason in the future (after the upcoming trip) to get one. After trying to pull together this last family reunion, only to have everyone that was originally invited cancel out on us, I've sworn never again. From here on out, it's likely to just be the 2 bedroom units.

 

[* Potential DVC'er *]

See - that's what I'm afraid of - you invite all these people for "free stay" and then when it comes to buying airline tickets and park tickets - I could see my husband's side cancelling out in a heartbeat - probably at the last minute I'm sure.

I really don't think we'd ever need it. We probably won't have more than 2 children, and my parents would be the only ones probably I could count on going with us.

But then again - there might be some 'friends' along the way we'd love to go with us .... hmmmm I think I need to concentrate on convincing the husband in this unstable economy to buy FIRST and then worry about the accommoddations later! LOL

I just want to make sure when we buy (if we buy) we buy ENOUGH p;oints so we don't have to do add ons ..... but the dues - oooh those are the killer!

 

[Tiggeriffic]

I've never stayed in a Grand Villa, but it seems to me that the people who think it is worth it, value the space over the points. It seems a similar trade off that some people make with a 1 Bedroom versus a studio. They both sleep the same number of people, but the 1 bedroom has much more space than a studio. So, if you're only concerned with saving points, then it may not be the best use, because if I remember correctly, you could get a 2 bedroom and a studio for less points than a Grand Villa, and you can get 4 studios for less than a Grand Villa. However, for many people it's not just about sleeping, they enjoy the extra space to relax and be with their guests away from the parks.

So, whether or not a Grand Villa is worth the points is a personal preference, but those people who have the points seem to enjoy it quite a bit.

Personally, I would need to use two years worth of points to get a Grand Villa for a week. However, if I had enough guests coming with me, I would probably try to get one.

Also, there have been several discussions about whether or not it is appropriate for guests to pay and how much they should pay. This, in my opinion, is also a personal preference. The one thing that I would state is to make it clear to your guests up front when you make the invitation if you want them to pay or not. This allows them to make a decision without any surprises later on for you or them.

 

[Dancind]

It kind of baffles me, too. I invited my brother's family along for next May, planning to book a 2 BR instead of the 1 BR the three of us usually get. They figured out the airfare and park tickets for the four of them and decided they "couldn't afford it". And my brother makes a lot more than we do! Priorities, I guess.

 

[Towncrier]

We've only booked a Grand Villa once (Richyams - where are you?) and it was magnificent. We had no trouble getting one at 10 months out and were blissfully unaware at how difficult it was supposed to be to get one. Of course, this was back in 1998 before OKW was fully sold, so that might have had something to do with availability.

After spending 5 nights with my sister, her husband, and their 3 kids, my only comment is that sometimes even a GV isn't quite large enough.

I think that every DVC member should splurge on a GV at least once.

 

[Lucky4me]

The Grand Villa is beautiful and very large but somewhat cavernous. If you have very young children, the noise can be deafening. I was trying to sleep in the master suite while others were out in the living room watching football. Even with the sound turned down the echo was loud enough to keep me awake. If they carpeted the villas that would certainly take care of the problem. The plank floors are pretty but not too sound proof. Our downstairs neighbors complained about our kid noise as well. These were little ones, ages 1, 2, and 4. We did our best, but trying to keep them from running around and being what they are, kids, was difficult. If we ever get invited to go again, I hope sis books a one bedroom and a studio. However, beggars can't be choosers and we'll stay anywhere for free!

My sister stayed with us at our timeshare in HH so they reciprocated with us in Disney. Neither asked the other for any compensation. I did offer to babysit while they went out to dinner one night. She's throwing around the idea of a 2003 trip. Let's hope she's feeling generous again......lol

 

[robinb]

I'm a DVC cheapskate ... I never stay on the weekends and I don't rent a GV even when we have enough people to fill one. I much prefer getting a 2 BR and a studio and allowing the people in the studio to have a non-charging key to the 2 BR. Of course, we always get the master bedroom! Plus, when relatives cancel at the last minute (like last July, 30 days out ... grrrr) you can always try to rent the studio on the rental board.

One day I would really love to stay in a GV, but that would mean that I would have to cut my Disney trips to only 1 per year! **gasp**

 

[TerriBelle]

We stayed in a GV at the BW in October and loved it! It is not something we will do often or maybe ever again, but it was wonderful! The BW GV looks right out over the boardwalk with a huge balcony. It was really nice to all stay together, yet still have separate bedrooms and baths. We have traveled to Disney many times as a large group and even when you request to be located together, it doesn't always work out.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I find it amazing that folks invite people who back out on them! I have invited folks for each of our DVC trips (except one) and no one has ever backed out! Last year we had more than we wanted!

 

[Richyams]

We only stay in the OKW Grand Villas. We had two years of points to use back in '93 and got a GV. When we checked in, we realized that we were going to have to stay in a GV every year. So we added an additional 200 points right in the begining of that stay.

We stay for 10-12 nights every year, we have one couple come down the first week and then have a crowded weekend night and a second couple stay s with us the second week. We stay in the master, the other couple in the second bedroom and the common kids get the third.

We only have one kid, this means she will have some other kid or kids there.

It is really the only way to do Disneyworld for us.

The difficulty in obtaining them has decreaded dramitically in recent years. It used to be that you had ZERO chance of getting one at any time of year at all unless you called with five minutes of 9:00 am every single morning. I guess the ending of the free passes(golden handcuffs), has made a huge difference. You can often call at 9 or 10 months and get what you want. We have even heard success stories at seven motnhs and less. Those are not that common, but some times of year are easier than others.

I don't think anything is as stark as the difference in booking ratio for GV low point season vs high point season. The lowest point seasons are still the most difficult, but have become much easier also.

 

[Richyams]

Oh yeah, we have never has anyone back out either. We used to travel from New York and back outs were never a problem.

 

[nydizfan]

My wife and i got married at disney in 97. we had a grand villa for the rehearsal dinner, and for the after party . its the best . lots of room . we loved it . its like home almost. all of our guests said it was the best ever . well enough said right? dave

 

[robinb]

I find it amazing that folks invite people who back out on them!

In my in-laws defense, my FIL was undergoing chemotherapy and just didn't feel up to going. We neglected to tell them there was a 31 day cancellation policy because we had seen them the month before and everything else was still "on". They thought they canceled in plenty of time (30 days) when in fact they were 1 day too late. It worked out OK since I was able to sell the Studio reservation within 2 days of posting it on the rental board.

 

[danicaw]

We stayed in a GV last Dec with hubbys family.
His folks, sister and her husband and us.
We all had ample room to breathe. It was great.

We are left coasters so we got up early and made the phone calls to book the GV, but it happened fairly easy beyond the early morning. The trip was for my in-laws anniversary so, we traded timeshares with them. We all stayed at our DVC (the GV) and we used theres to go to Hawaii this last spring. It worked out great.

With our size group it was great to have the large kitchen and living room and we all had our own bedrooms. It was our first stay at our home resort and we were well spoiled.