How hard is it to get grand villas/beach houses?

[tvwalsh]

I would like to hear from people who have stayed, or tried to stay, in grand villas or beach houses in DVC properties. How far ahead did you reserve them? Were any of you unable to get one because you did not have an 11 month window? What time of year did you stay? Should this be considered in choosing a resort to purchase?

 

[PamOKW]

Time of year and the number of units have a big effect on how difficult they are to get. There are only 6 beach houses at Vero, so the competition is stiff. BWV also has a limited number of GVs. OKW offers quite a few so, if it's not a holiday time, you have a better chance of booking one of these. I think SSR will also have a fair amount of GVs.

If the GV trip will be an occasional thing, calling right at the 7 month mark and maybe spending some time on the wait list could produce good results. (You could also consider finding a member to trade with.) If you plan on spending every Christmas in GV, you would be wise to purchase at the resort to give you the 11 month window.

 

[shelbyjosh]

FYI....SSR will be a larger resort than OKW and will have more GV than OKW. I can't wait to check it out!!

 

[Richyams]

The hardest times are NOT holiday times. The hardest time to book an OKW GV is the first two weeks of December followed closely by anytime in October and early November.

The easiest times are September and January.

If a GV is going to be a regular thing, the eleven month window is an absolute necesity.

 

[jaysue]

Agreed with Rich, if you want regular access to GV or BC you need to factor that into your resort purchase decision

thanks
jaysue

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by shelbyjosh
FYI....SSR will be a larger resort than OKW and will have more GV than OKW. I can't wait to check it out!!

Actually, the plan for SSR calls for 24 GV's- three fewer than at OKW. Each SSR buidling will have two GV's.

If a GV is something that will be wanted with any regularity, ownership at a resort with that option would be worthwhile.

If you'll want a GV for a once-in-a-lifetime event, it's entirely possible to find an onwer at that resort willig to help or make use of the waitlist if you can be flexible with the dates/number of days you'll need.

Enjoy!

 

[shelbyjosh]

Thanks for correcting me, Doc. I was just going by what Rufus (the boat guy!!) told us. I guess he was wrong them. Can't rely on the CMs for accurate info all the time!!

 

[PamOKW]

Overall, SSR will be larger than OKW -- just missing a few GVs.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have gotten GVs in January and October at the 11 month window at OKW. In January, we had no problem, but in October, it was necessary to book day by day at 11 months because of the Food and Wine festival.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
We have a beach cottage booked at Vero for next month and I booked it at the 11 month window a day at a time to make sure I got it.
Counting down the days..!!

Mick.

 

[SSRex]

Doc or whoever may know this,

At SSR, I udnerstand that the plans are for 12 buildings each with 2 grand villas. With 27 grand villas at OKW, are there 27 buildings with one each or 9 buildings with 3 each, how does that work out?
Thank you,
Rex

 

[Richyams]

They are randomly scatter throughout the resort. Many building have no GVs, some have one and many have two. I think most of the building that have GVs have two.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by SSRex
With 27 grand villas at OKW, are there 27 buildings with one each or 9 buildings with 3 each, how does that work out?

At OKW, GV's are found in Buildings 5,16,19,22,25,29,43,48,51,53 and 63.

There are two, three or four GV's per building.

Enjoy!

 

[Richyams]

Three or four???? Boy, do I feel unobservant.

What about that building with the first floor GV? I thought that was the only one in that building.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by tvwalsh
I would like to hear from people who have stayed, or tried to stay, in grand villas or beach houses in DVC properties. How far ahead did you reserve them?

We booked our Beach Cottage at VB for this June at the 11 month window,day by day. When we booked GV's at HH and OKW we don't take any chances and book them at the 11 month window also.


OKW-27 GV's
SSR -24 GV's
BWV- 7 GV's
VB- 6 Beach Cottages
HH- 5 GV's

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Richyams
Three or four???? Boy, do I feel unobservant.

What about that building with the first floor GV? I thought that was the only one in that building.

Building 48 has four GV's. There is one with ground floor access on the left end as you face the building from the parking area and three GV's with second floor access.

Enjoy!