OK, if you can manage to do this just once in your life...rent an OKW GV!

[Disney1fan2002]

All I can say is WOW! We just spent two nights in a GV with my sister and her family, and we were blown away. I knew they were nice, but I had no idea how BIG it was. My brother-in-law is a builder, and he was walking around trying to memorize the layout. LOL. I asked him if he could build me a house exactly like this, and he said not before he builds himself one.

I don't know how we are going to survive staying in a two bedroom after this!

I do know that my nephew will turn 21 next February, and the first thing he is doing on his 21st birthday is buying DVC. The GV had him locked.

Just a funny side note, because we were all able to stay together, My nephew and his girlfriend went their seperate way on Friday. I think they did Epcot while we went to the MK. Anyway, we stayed until closing, so we got home around 7:45PM. Cooked a quick dinner, got the kids into the bath and ready for bed, tucked them in for the Disney read along stories on the TV, and DH and I settled into our room with the TV remote. I fell asleep at some point watching TV. I heard voices in the room, but they seemed distant. The next morning I asked if Kait had come in, he said yes, she came in and was shocked to see that I was sleeping. She had said "It's not even 10 o'clock!!!" I asked my husband if he mentioned to her that I was an OLD married lady... I wasn't 20 anymore. LOL.

My advice, if you are a DVC owner, get THE MOST out of your membership and just once try to save up enough points to stay in a GV.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Did you book in the 11 month window?

I was adding my points together to see how many nights we could stay with banking and borrowing.

We toured the GV's and they are huge! Very nice.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've never even seen one, but thanks for the suggestion. I know that we have enough, with banking or borrowing and the 11 month window, to book a beach cottage at VB, and I've told DH that I'm planning to have our 40th anniversary party in one!

Bobbi

 

[EeyoreJMH]

We did the OKW GV for 8 days before Christmas back in 2001 and had a blast (booked at 7 month window). We even decorated the villa with a little tree, stockings, and garland. Mousekeeping contributed quite a few towel creations to complete the effect. We hope to do this again sometime within the next 5 years (since I don't think point-wise we'll ever be able to get the BWV GV).

 

[PamOKW]

Sounds like you had a blast! And I'm glad to hear you are raising the next generation of DVC owners in your family.

All the GVS/Beach Cottages are pretty special -- I hope to try them all, even if I'm in there by myself.

 

[PKS44]

Food for thought-

If you schedule your trip to straddle the end and beginning of your use year -with banking and borrowing you can use 4 years' worth of points for a single trip if needed to get a GV ....

Paul

 

[jcanary]

Our very first stay as DVC members back in 93, we joined in 92 and had 2 years worth of points, was in a GV at OKW. We were blown away and would love a retirement home like that in that exact spot!!! Think they would sell us one??
There was 9 of us and plenty of room. You truly have to experience it once in a lifetime.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

We haved tried the GV's at HH and OKW and they are awesome. We are looking forward to the Beach Cottage this June at VB.

 

[Pa@okw95]

GV at OKW are as big as some peoples houses. Everyone should rent one at least once, I agree.

 

[anniet]

We are planning on renting one next September for a family reunion.

You just made us even more excited for it now!

Thanks!

 

[Richyams]

Yup...

 

[mbw12]

Has anyone had any luck getting a GV at the 7 month window?

 

[POLLY ANN]

We have stayed in a GV 3 times at OKW and once last year at BW. It is the ONLY way to go with a large group! We loved it!

The Boardwalk GV is incredible. We were on the top floor right above the Storm Door and the view was phenomenal. Best part was we didn't have to pay the points, because the front desk messed up and didn't have any 2BR's available, which is what we had booked.

However, since every time we go down it is with a group, we are looking forward to our next visit with just our immediate family and stay in a 2br.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Is it any wonder that the DVC Guides saved the OKW GV for last on their tour? That was the way we saw it in Nov. '97 and it was the OKW GV that sold DW and I on DVC. Sure, it took another 6.5 years before we could even think about buying DVC, but we were able to visualize being at WDW with friends and family in that OKW GV and we knew that DVC was just what we wanted. With our 150 points and our planned useage, having the points for the GV won't be the problem -- it's going to be the 7 month window that's the problem for us.

 

[BWVDee]

The Boardwalk GV is incredible. We were on the top floor right above the Storm Door and the view was phenomenal.

ITA. It is like something you would see on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". Just enjoying the balconies alone, is unbelievable!

Best part was we didn't have to pay the points, because the front desk messed up and didn't have any 2BR's available, which is what we had booked.

Now that is an upgrade!!!! I would be floating on cloud nine for the whole trip, if we ever got this lucky!!

 

[kweaver]

We plan to try for an OKW Grand Villa next May! They look incredible...and we'll have enough family to fill it. If not, I'm sure we'll be happy with a 2BR and a studio. Looking forward to it either way!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yep, they are great, and even with a crew of 12 (sorry Rich), you have plenty of room! We are doing another GG of 12 in October. Five of them are kids. We will range in age from 10 to 66. We had great fun with this group last time, and I don't expect this to be any different! Last time, we let the little kids play in the master whirlpool with their swim suits on. They thought it was a private hot tub! I'll not be sad to go back to our usualy 2 bedroom in December though, because it still feels like home to us. The GV IS pretty special though.

 

[MiaSRN62]

All the GVS/Beach Cottages are pretty special -- I hope to try them all, even if I'm in there by myself.

I volunteer to stay in them all with you and keep ya company Pam !!! :happy2:

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
Did you book in the 11 month window?

I was adding my points together to see how many nights we could stay with banking and borrowing.

We toured the GV's and they are huge! Very nice.

Yes, we booked at the 11 month window. I wouldn't dare chance waiting until the 7 month window.

 

[childsplay]

I believe I made my feelings on OKW GV's clear on a thread last year....for those who missed it.....the "Clifff Notes" version is:

Low point totals, underwear, disbelief, and yelling