NEW VGF Building

[Matty B13]

As some one who books 1 & 2 bedrooms, not sure if I’m really happy about this because it adds a whole other set of owners to compete with since they are only adding studios. Really hope this is a new DVC resort like CCV, and yes I know what the website said. This is the whole reason why we didn’t by into Poly.

 

[gatechfan99]

View attachment 576302
It’s a better location, honestly. And it should be half standard views.

For some it might be, but personally it's not nearly as good a location. We always drive and like how easy it is to load and unload the car at the DVC building parking lot. This is definitely a hike with kids and suitcases and groceries, etc.

It also makes me wonder if that parking lot will have a lot more capacity problems if it opens up for a second DVC building.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

This does not help my addonitis.

I am super excited about the announcement though!

 

[fumanchu2488]

I think the lesson is that Hotel-DVC hybrids have hidden issues when you need to shot down some facilities to deal with demand destruction. A pandemic is hopefully a once in a lifetime event, but this was the 2nd time in 20 years that they’ve had to close resorts due to factors outside of their control. It will likely happen again. Best to keep some properties you can close completely.

And therefore best to continue to convert partially converted resorts

So by that logic do you see them continuing this trend with DVC buying hotel sides and getting rid of hybrids?
I can definitely see that happening because you are right. Why take a risk building new DVC when they can convert known commodities with established demand and consolidate management instead of adding more overhead? Especially when I bet DVC is purchasing this part of the resort for much less than it would take them to build new. Much much less based on their cash side demand.

 

[mustinjourney]

As some one who books 1 & 2 bedrooms, not sure if I’m really happy about this because it adds a whole other set of owners to compete with since they are only adding studios. Really hope this is a new DVC resort like CCV, and yes I know what the website said. This is the whole reason why we didn’t by into Poly.

theoretically -- this should help you out quite a bit. Right now -- if you want a 2BR, every studio that is reserved eliminates a 2BR lock-off. That won't be the case now. Especially if the newer studios become more desirable compared to the original studios.

 

[mustinjourney]

For some it might be, but personally it's not nearly as good a location. We always drive and like how easy it is to load and unload the car at the DVC building parking lot. This is definitely a hike with kids and suitcases and groceries, etc.

It also makes me wonder if that parking lot will have a lot more capacity problems if it opens up for a second DVC building.

there's really only so much groceries and luggage one can cram into a studio room -- so I'm not sure that this will matter for many. also -- if you do drive, you could always pull into the main valet area and get bell services to load your stuff on a cart and they'll bring all your stuff to the room while you go an self park. I've found bell services to be better at the main hotel vs the DVC side. My last trip in January 2021 to VGF, the concierge ended up getting me a luggage cart herself b/c no one was around (or they had decided to take a break).

 

[CastAStone]

So by that logic do you see them continuing this trend with DVC buying hotel sides and getting rid of hybrids?
I can definitely see that happening because you are right. Why take a risk building new DVC when they can convert known commodities with established demand and consolidate management instead of adding more overhead? Especially when I bet DVC is purchasing this part of the resort for much less than it would take them to build new. Much much less based on their cash side demand.

Why wouldn’t they? They struggle to fill up the Deluxes. They could either spend a bunch of money to make the Deluxes nicer or sell them off as DVC rooms. They’re really good at selling DVC rooms, so...

 

[havoc315]

So, they are taking the short term here? I thought the hotel rooms at the GF were always pretty heavily booked during normal times. Going forward they will have fewer regular rooms available.

Nope, they have been struggling with occupancy at Grand Floridian.

And it's not short-term: They are essentially pre-selling the room. Massive cash in-flow. And that massive cash in-flow then generates additional income: Greater than the income they would get from renting out the room for cash over the next 40-50 years.

Which would you rather have, $100 now, or $5 per year for the next 50 years. The long term value of $100 now is greater than the value of $5 per year in the future.

So selling off the room that isn't getting high occupancy is a win-win for Disney.

 

[havoc315]

The announcement specifically says that they will be part of the original GFV association. It won't be a new resort.

Then less likely that the points will be restricted. Still not impossible.

 

[CP3uhoh]

Hope they do the Murphy bed and the double shower like Riviera (and Poly for the shower) but that is a fast turnaround.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hope they do the Murphy bed and the double shower like Riviera (and Poly for the shower) but that is a fast turnaround.

That is the layout at the current VGF which was actually the original for having 2 showers in a studio. I'd think it would be the same unless something about the conversion changes their minds.

 

[CarolynFH]

So, they are taking the short term here? I thought the hotel rooms at the GF were always pretty heavily booked during normal times. Going forward they will have fewer regular rooms available.

Not only will this help them fill empty rooms, as others have mentioned above, the DVC owners of those new points are a guaranteed source of income to maintain the DVC buildings and contribute to maintenance and operations of the "common areas" like swimming pools, front desk, bell services, parking lots, etc. MFs are paid whether the rooms are filled or not! It's the same reasons they had for converting portions of Poly and WL to DVC.

 

[pkrieger2287]

 

[SL6827]

Disney has been raising their prices on their hotel rooms in the last 5-6 years to unrealistic levels to many families. Thus the empty rooms left at the Grand and at other resorts. I think this was the case at the WL as well, resulting in the CCVs? But Disney will not stop doing this. With the moderate hotels reaching a rack rate of close to $300, makes me wonder if these conversions will ever trickle down to them?

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I wonder what this will mean for resale prices on VGF. It has been selling very close to Riv direct pricing lately.

Not a huge GF fan but for the right price...

As some one who books 1 & 2 bedrooms, not sure if I’m really happy about this because it adds a whole other set of owners to compete with since they are only adding studios. Really hope this is a new DVC resort like CCV, and yes I know what the website said. This is the whole reason why we didn’t by into Poly.

Hate to say it but I have a feeling they specifically decided against a new DVC resort because it's easier to keep the building all studios.

 

[Matty B13]

theoretically -- this should help you out quite a bit. Right now -- if you want a 2BR, every studio that is reserved eliminates a 2BR lock-off. That won't be the case now. Especially if the newer studios become more desirable compared to the original studios.

What happens if they add these new studios in as a separate booking category and they cost more than the original studios????? Now all those new points are going to be looking for the cheapest studios at the original resort at the 11 month mark and then taking the left over studios at the new Big Pine Resort.

 

[stlrod]

I'm a little surprised no VGF owner is upset by the increase in the number of people who will be trying for 1, 2 and 3 BRs. This is a little different than adding the Treehouses or having the uber-expensive Poly bungalows. Studios will likely always reign supreme but If everything is kept the same, DVC will have almost doubled the number of people at VGF who might need or want a larger unit at the 11 month mark.

 

[Matty B13]

I'm a little surprised no VGF owner is upset by the increase in the number of people who will be trying for 1, 2 and 3 BRs. This is a little different than adding the Treehouses or having the uber-expensive Poly bungalows. Studios will likely always reign supreme but If everything is kept the same, DVC will have almost doubled the number of people who might need or want a larger unit at the 11 month mark.

Exactly!!!!! And I am a VGF owner who books 1 & 2 bedrooms and sees the nightmare coming at the 11 month mark.

 

[JDirrim]

I'm a little surprised no VGF owner is upset by the increase in the number of people who will be trying for 1, 2 and 3 BRs. This is a little different than adding the Treehouses or having the uber-expensive Poly bungalows. Studios will likely always reign supreme but If everything is kept the same, DVC will have almost doubled the number of people who might need or want a larger unit at the 11 month mark.

Someone made a valid point either on here or facebooks, that since the current VGF are all lock offs, it might actually help availability as now when someone books a studio it might not automatically take a 2brm out of inventory

 

[SL6827]

I just have a gut feeling that there will be some type of "twist" in this expansion. May be wrong, hopefully so.