Is a GV worth it?

[FreeTime]

For those of you that have stayed in a GV did you find it worth the points? I have always wanted to stay in one but am wondering would I be better off getting 2-2brs for 12 of us instead. I really don't want to ask my brother and is wife to sleep on the couch in the GV since the master will have the grandparents and each of the bedrooms a family. But I am thinking maybe we should go this route for family togetherness (hopefully it won't turn into too much )

Let me know your experiences and opinions, please!

Thanks

 

[mom2boys]

We had a GV at Vero in 2000. There were 10 of us - 4 adults (2 couples) and the rest kids ages 5-14. Sister-in-law & her hubby had master bedroom - their points; DH & I shared a room w/our 2 DSs. 3 nieces shared 3rd bedroom & nephew slept on sleeper sofa. It worked out well for us. It was great having the large living/dining space.

 

[EeyoreJMH]

We stayed in the OKW GV in December 2001 with family (three couples) and enjoyed the large living space. We often had breakfast together at the large dining table, with people taking turns cooking. We also decorated for the holidays with a tree and trimings.

That said, for our upcoming October trip with the same group we have booked three separate villas (a 1-bed and 2 studios) at BWV. The points worked out for us and will allow for a bit more privacy, since we cannot "afford" the BWV GV right now. We still plan to gather in the 1-bed for breakfasts and evening card games.

Oddly enough one of my main issues with the OKW GV was that the 1st floor master bedroom could hear all the noise from the living room/dining/kitchen/laundry area, which made it rough some early mornings. But again, the space was wonderful (it was huge-- 2 floors!!).

Either way I'm sure you'll have an amazing trip!

 

[Richyams]

12 people is too many for the GV, I would go with two two bedrooms for sure, really, while this may give you enough beds without having to use the pullout, its still not enough for my tastes.

Parents should not be forced to share a room with kids, its just not a comfortable vacation.

 

[AZKathy]

Loved it so much that we are doing it again this year's trip!

We did 12 people in the GV this summer and had no problems with that at all. There are four full bathrooms and we just put some of the kiddos on an aerobed since we had some gender issues with the kids. We had three families and were able to have a bedroom to each family and then used the aerobed for the little girls. We were very comfortable and had a blast!

The week prior we stayed off site in two two-bedrooms at another resort and found that was more of a pain for the food situation. We just made one of the villas the main hang out for the group for breakfast, coffee, and such, so it was nicer to get to GV for the second week. The only advantage we saw for the two two-bedrooms was having two washers and dryers for our large group.

 

[rocketriter]

As you can see from the previous posters, all that togetherness is a matter of taste. For some families it would be wonderful and for others it would be awkward. I'd be inclined to go with 2 2-bedrooms myself, gaining an extra bedroom and jacuzzi but losing the dining room table (which doesn't seat 12 anyway). But we like some privacy at the end of the day and other people have different preferences.

Bottom line: Follow your heart and don't try to reason this one out. Assuming you have the points to go either way, choose the one that feels like it will give your family the most pleasant vacation.

 

[Merilyn]

We have had 12 in a GV and found it to be just fine. We love having a place to gather together and visit. We are going in May but this time there is only 9 of us. It is the only way to go with a large group in my option. We never go with less than 8 and usually more. I have stayed in a 2 bedroom with 8 and that wasn't really enough space. Have a great trip!

 

[Pa@okw95]

Two-2 bedrooms are really the only way to go. There are 4 bathrooms that way, and no one has to sleep in the living room. 12 is way too many for the GV, remember this is suppose to be a vacation, not some emergency sleep over situation. With the two bedrooms you get 4 full bathrooms also. The last time I rented a GV I had 5 adults and one child, it was nice, 2 adults in the master(us), one family in one bedroom, and the sole adult in the other bedroom.

 

[senecabeach]

A GV @ OKW....IS huge.......and wonderful....and less points !!!

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks for your feedback everyone! I will probably lean toward the 2-2 brs as I enjoy some alone family time. Also, we own BWV so if I go that GV route I would reserve there (don't want to have to worry about one at OKW not coming through. ) Aren't the ones at the BW smaller?

 

[Richyams]

BWV GVs are only slightly smaller, what makes them less atractive is the tiny kitchen set up, what makes them more attractive is the BW view, what makes them ridiculous is the point schedule. There are nights that they are twice as much as OKW. Sorry, there aint no way or how that they are worth twice an OKW GV.