Questions about DVC contract strategies

[Genie+]

In addition to the shared bus, GF is the last monorail stop before MK. We stayed at Poly for my husband's birthday about 10 days before Christmas. We never had problems getting on the monorail at Poly, but boy did we often see long lines of disappointed guests at the GF stop when the cars were full and they couldn't board that train.

**Acknowledging there were many more non-resort guests than normal that time of year due to the gingerbread house.

I was happy to hear the Gingerbread House might not be coming back to Grand Flo.

Post in thread 'Unfortunate News: Disney's Grand Floridian Gingerbread Display on Hold for 2025'

Apr 19, 2025

I hadn't heard the speculation that this could be a permanent removal/relocation. Makes sense, though. I love it but the crowds are really intense and if I were staying there, I'd be quite frustrated. Impacts the monorail as well, which already has "extra" traffic now with the Poly Tower. Would be great if they could relocate the gingerbread house somewhere. I adore Animal Kingdom Lodge but it's harder to get to and can't park without a dining reservation ... not sure they'd do the same business as at Grand FL. Maybe somewhere in Disney Springs?

• 2xcited2sleep

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A huge conversation about the impacts on Grand Flo’s transportation:

Post in thread 'Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests'

Dec 3, 2024

Well looks like Disney heard all of the premium paying folks at the GF’s cries for help … but oh no Epcot too is on a monorail line!! Whoa … https://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/a-grand-miraculous-gingerbread-display-at-epcot/

• eandt

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Lobby refurb plan - seems possible Grand Flo goes in a different direction for the future:

Post in thread '*The Official VILLAS AT DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Owners & Lovers Group* - LOBBY REFURB BEGAN 4/14!'

Jun 22, 2025

Some more pics to share from another blog…

Grand Floridian Lobby Refurbishment Update - June 2025​

Half of the front entrance is currently blocked off (above) along with the theme park bus pick-up point. Signage directs guests to the airport transportation stop to catch buses to Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and waterparks...

• mrsap

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[muppets3d]

I don't think I said "first" anywhere in there lol. And it's definitely not my first contract

I am referring to the modern version of welcome home stays where they will help with a booking for any new direct points you buy, not just your initial buy-in like it used to be

I was trying to tie it back to OP because OP would be a first-time buyer.

 

[Tatebeck]

I was trying to tie it back to OP because OP would be a first-time buyer.

Ah, okay.

I have heard that unless it is a sold out resort (like VGC) where their hands may be tied, if you really want a certain use year then you can usually ask for it and they can make it happen, especially if it would be a dealbreaker

 

[muppets3d]

Ah, okay.

I have heard that unless it is a sold out resort (like VGC) where their hands may be tied, if you really want a certain use year then you can usually ask for it and they can make it happen, especially if it would be a dealbreaker

I'm sure they are flexible but if you're asking for a (extreme example) September UY on August 29th, I'm not sure how copacetic they are going to be. In other words, I don't know where their line is.

 

[Tatebeck]

I'm sure they are flexible but if you're asking for a (extreme example) September UY on August 29th, I'm not sure how copacetic they are going to be. In other words, I don't know where their line is.

Yeah if it's a first purchase I wouldn't wait to the last second. I'd try a month or two ahead of the use year I wanted

 

[jolynne28]

In addition to the shared bus, GF is the last monorail stop before MK. We stayed at Poly for my husband's birthday about 10 days before Christmas. We never had problems getting on the monorail at Poly, but boy did we often see long lines of disappointed guests at the GF stop when the cars were full and they couldn't board that train.

**Acknowledging there were many more non-resort guests than normal that time of year due to the gingerbread house.

I don't understand why more people don't walk to MK from GF. It's a more pleasant walk that BLT and maybe 5 min longer.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

And depending on the time of year and resort even MS's power is limited. When I purchased, they could only get me 3 of 7 nights from cash. Some have been told VGF is not "available for welcome home" yet I got 3 days there ( of the 7 I wanted)

When we purchased at Riviera, we wanted to use our WH stay for marathon weekend (about 6.5 months out). The ONLY option they had available to book for us was at AKL, due to everything being booked so solid.

 

[VGCgroupie]

So it seems like both you and @VGCgroupie have done multiple ones.

I wish I had known about this before.

One of our addons was because we were out of points (yes I know big surprise lol) and SO wanted to attend MNSSHP. We ended up only able to book some nights with points and the others cash.

Yes I’ve done it twice. They didn’t used to allow it but it changed about a year ago

 

[VGCgroupie]

Have a later use year, buy just before your use year comes around for double points and minimal dues, and have them book a welcome home stay with the previous year's points. You get a stay and still have full points a few days later. It almost seems like a free stay if you do it that way lol

Just like MB feels like free money when you get that check.

 

[Brian Noble]

If this is truly your "first" welcome home, that's unlikely because they typically sell UY's at least 6 months out.

If you tell your Guide what you want in your first conversation, they can (probably) make it happen. I suspect it helps if you can be specific about what you want in your first phone call. In my first conversation with mine, I said: "I want Fixed Week N, in unit type Y, with use year Z; I'd like to take advantage of Magical Beginnings for the first UY."

This was about three weeks before the end of the UY in question. The only reaction was, essentially: "Great, you seem to know what you want."

I later told them: "My goal is to be the easiest commission you'll ever have."

 

[Brian Noble]

There was a guy on TUG back in the day by the name of Perry M. He was notorious for going on tours, never buying from the developer, and always buying resale.

That is, until one day he bought a NYE event week, in a penthouse unit, pre-construction, in one of the Vegas resorts (I think a Hilton? not sure, but it was a name-brand place). He figured that that's something he wanted every year, it would take a decade or more to find it on the secondary market, and it was still an okay deal vs. renting something comparable every year, even buying from the developer.

We later found out that the guy who wrote the deal became semi-infamous in timeshare sales circles for finally bagging Perry M. The funny part: Perry went to him, not the other way around.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I don't understand why more people don't walk to MK from GF. It's a more pleasant walk that BLT and maybe 5 min longer.

If you're already tired or it's hot or rainy, the walk becomes a lot less appealing. I think visually it looks a lot farther away than BLT so there's also a mental block for folks there.

 

[Genie+]

I don't understand why more people don't walk to MK from GF. It's a more pleasant walk that BLT and maybe 5 min longer.

If you're already tired or it's hot or rainy, the walk becomes a lot less appealing. I think visually it looks a lot farther away than BLT so there's also a mental block for folks there.

Yes, MK to BLT is .5 miles and an estimate 11 minute walk.

MK to GF main building is .8 miles and an estimated 16 minute walk.

BLT’s is nice enough though GF’s is more serene, better visuals and doesn’t need to cross into real world traffic. I’d take either in a heartbeat!

 

[Genie+]

As far as UY goes… this is one of the advantages of buying resale first.

The summer we bought VGF it started selling out. By the end of that incentive round guides were pushing back on certain UY for people who didn’t already own points with that UY.

I remember our Sept UY was one that changed during that sales cycle. By the end they were only automatically honoring it for people trying to match an existing Sept UY and telling others it was unavailable.

 

[airjay75]

FWIW, when I bought in April (this year), they were selling December, but my guide basically presented UY as a question for what would work best - I felt zero pressure whatsoever. At first, I thought December sounded fine, then went and did my research, came back and explained why I had changed my mind and thought October actually made sense. Zero pushback at all - well, she did suggest that if I waited until the end of the next incentive period, it could be more difficult to get her manager to grant the “exception,” but that seemed more like the slightest of pressure to seal the deal and get it across the finish line.

 

[IDSkinner]

There was a guy on TUG back in the day by the name of Perry M. He was notorious for going on tours, never buying from the developer, and always buying resale.

That is, until one day he bought a NYE event week, in a penthouse unit, pre-construction, in one of the Vegas resorts (I think a Hilton? not sure, but it was a name-brand place). He figured that that's something he wanted every year, it would take a decade or more to find it on the secondary market, and it was still an okay deal vs. renting something comparable every year, even buying from the developer.

We later found out that the guy who wrote the deal became semi-infamous in timeshare sales circles for finally bagging Perry M. The funny part: Perry went to him, not the other way around.

Later known as Tristen, yes?

 

[Genie+]

I’m in the running for ‘easiest DVC commission’ lol

We bought 50pts BWV resale to get our toes wet and see how DVC worked for us. The idea was to buy more resale if that went well. Months later, waiting to be seated at GF Cafe we struck up a convo with the DVC desk rep. He asked if we had a guide (no, we didn’t) and offered to send a guide down to give us their card in case we ever had any questions. Sounded ok. Ryan F came down, introduced himself and let us know he’d be happy to help with any DVC questions that arose. Met for ~5 minutes before we were off to eat.

Less than a year later I made my first call to ask if it was really true - was it possible for us to get all the current incentives that brought VGF down to $161pp. By the end of that 55 minute call we had become direct owners

Not sure of the commission but Ryan earned it in just 1 hour of interaction with us, including all of our questions, all the fine print he needed to discuss to make it legal, making the down payment and setting up auto-pay for the balance over the next 90 days.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I’m in the running for ‘easiest DVC commission’ lol

We bought 50pts BWV resale to get our toes wet and see how DVC worked for us. The idea was to buy more resale if that went well. Months later, waiting to be seated at GF Cafe we struck up a convo with the DVC desk rep. He asked if we had a guide (no, we didn’t) and offered to send a guide down to give us their card in case we ever had any questions. Sounded ok. Ryan F came down, introduced himself and let us know he’d be happy to help with any DVC questions that arose. Met for ~5 minutes before we were off to eat.

Less than a year later I made my first call to ask if it was really true - was it possible for us to get all the current incentives that brought VGF down to $161pp. By the end of that 55 minute call we had become direct owners

Not sure of the commission but Ryan earned it in just 1 hour of interaction with us, including all of our questions, all the fine print he needed to discuss to make it legal, making the down payment and setting up auto-pay for the balance over the next 90 days.

I would say mine was easiest as far as selling me but, I set up a delayed close and a payment plan and paid with 8 different credit cards

 

[Tatebeck]

Our direct purchase for our 300 Riviera points I started via CHAT...

We didn't have a guide assigned because we bought resale first. So whoever got me via chat got to be my guide for quite possibly the easiest sale ever lol

 

[Brian Noble]

Later known as Tristen, yes?

Could be. I confess I don't keep up with all the sock puppets over there.