Ready to take the plunge, looking for feedback

[Marmbruster]

Something else just to think about, from ROFR on VGF and potential incentives of buying DVC Direct, there isn’t as huge of a delta between VGF resale and direct at the actively selling properties. Just something to consider

That’s good to know! I didn’t realize they were still selling direct VGF. I was so focused on resale savings! Even if we did just the 150 direct and found a resale contract in the same UY, might be something to consider.

 

[pinkxray]

VGF is my absolute favorite. However, we have been using our 210 VGF points at BLT whenever we can. While I love GF, my family isn’t crazy about it. They much prefer BLT or Copper Creek. BLT is awesome. The rooms are being refurbished now and look great. The extra bathroom is extremely helpful. While the monorail is helpful, nothing beats walking past the crowds waiting for boats and monorails at the end of the night and heading to your bed in BLT. The pools theming are a little lacking but my kids still love them. I really enjoyed the CR pool bc I could sit in the pool and watch my daughter go on the slide 100 times in a row and never lose sight of her like most pools.

We bought for 1 bedrooms at VGF. Quickly learned we can get a 2 bedroom lake view blt for around a 1 bedroom at VGF at certain times. We are spending Thanksgiving at BLT this year in a 2 bedroom.

Transortation to the other 3 parks is pretty much the same. We chose to drive. Walking from BLT to MK beats all other options.

We enjoy the dining at CR as well as GF so that is a draw for us. One thing we like about BLT is having the boat available to head to WL and FW. My kids love the playground at FW. It’s also easy to pop over to Storybook dining, Whispering Canyon or Geyser Point,

 

[Cfabar1]

Good point about the monorail, that makes sense.

Definitely would never do Christmas week, I’m terrified of that. We like to do the week after thanksgiving, but may be shifting more to something in February or October.

We’re also thinking as time goes buy we’d probably add on another contract to up our points and go for the two bedroom as long as we can keep it all in the same use year.

That is definitely our plan as well.... for right now a 1 br is what makes sense for us, but as the kids get older, it will be definitely 2 bedrooms...

Just consider what that will cost in additional points... The good thing is on an EO year basis that won't be too bad... 475 points for the week... You'll really almost be there... May make sense to buy it all at once... as you're already at 400 points so essentially you'd need to buy in practicality likely 40 more...

Which is another thing to think about! If you're going every other year be sure to figure out how you'll balance "stranded" points...

 

[Girlstar30]

I have found 1 BR rates at the GF to work out favorably compared to cash. Many on this forum will point out that buying DVC for 1 BR might not be the best way to go, but it is (at least currently) how we tend to stay. As the kids get older we are likely to move to 2 BR units.

The GF building is kind of far from the monorail.just to be aware... Also, many find the GF to be the least convenient monorail resort because buses go to Poly 1st, and the way it whips around.

If your goal is every other year in peak season 200 points or so sounds about right.... it would be 340 or 407 points depending on view type...

Now, if you want Xmas week then you'll need more points - even for every other....

The VGF points chart is tough to feel good about, but the original villas are some of the largest and nicest rooms in DVC... That said, the lack of second bathroom is disappointing. We love VGF because of the options at the resort - so many dining options, we think the pools are the best on the whole in the monorail area because they balance being interesting (BLT's problem) with usually somewhat reasonable crowds (Polys problem).

We also appreciate the walking path, but that it doesn't feel like you're in the MK, but instead a little ways away from it..

Why are the one bedrooms not the best way to go im curious, that's what I think we will like the best too

 

[Marmbruster]

For context a 1bdrm at CCV is small compared to the rest of the MK DVC's. It is great for the holidays, which is why we own there but with two growing kids I would say the space in either VGF or the 2nd bathroom at PIT or BLT will be a game changer as they get older. The next really is theming which is more personal choice. I thought BLT would be a win for us but years ago we stayed in both a 1bdrm and then a studio. It was just me and our two kids because DH was pulled in for emergency snow removal and couldn't come. While we loved the convince of MK we felt almost obligated to go to MK every day for convenince. The theming also fell flat for us.

Whatever you choose trust your instincts regarding what resort fells right for your family.

Yeah that second bathroom is really something to consider. Especially when I think about being with two teenage boys eventually!

 

[foodiddiedoo]

That’s good to know! I didn’t realize they were still selling direct VGF. I was so focused on resale savings! Even if we did just the 150 direct and found a resale contract in the same UY, might be something to consider.

I bought 450 points direct at BLT in September of 2024. You can get most resorts direct but you have to actually call and ask about it.

 

[Cfabar1]

Why are the one bedrooms not the best way to go im curious, that's what I think we will like the best too

Someone like @CastAStone can have better data to explain this than I can, but in essence, when 1 Bedrooms, costing double the amount of studios in points, are not priced by Disney on the cash side to be double the cost of a normal hotel room.

It creates situations where the best way to achieve the maximum value of your points is rarely (if ever?) spent with 1 BR units.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

VGF is my absolute favorite. However, we have been using our 210 VGF points at BLT whenever we can. While I love GF, my family isn’t crazy about it. They much prefer BLT or Copper Creek. BLT is awesome. The rooms are being refurbished now and look great. The extra bathroom is extremely helpful. While the monorail is helpful, nothing beats walking past the crowds waiting for boats and monorails at the end of the night and heading to your bed in BLT. The pools theming are a little lacking but my kids still love them. I really enjoyed the CR pool bc I could sit in the pool and watch my daughter go on the slide 100 times in a row and never lose sight of her like most pools.

We bought for 1 bedrooms at VGF. Quickly learned we can get a 2 bedroom lake view for around a 1 bedroom at VGF at certain times. We are spending Thanksgiving at BLT this year in a 2 bedroom.

Transortation to the other 3 parks is pretty much the same. We chose to drive. Walking from BLT to MK beats all other options.

We enjoy the dining at CR as well as GF so that is a draw for us. One thing we like about BLT is having the boat available to head to WL and FW. My kids love the playground at FW. It’s also easy to pop over to Storybook dining, Whispering Canyon or Geyser Point,

So I love the monorail, but sometimes I’ll just drive to Epcot and park from BLT! I don’t mind getting to Epcot via the monorail, but on the way back it can sometimes be a bit of a pain.

 

[Girlstar30]

Yeah that second bathroom is really something to consider. Especially when I think about being with two teenage boys eventually!

That pool at Polynesian seems like it would be the best pool out of the monorail resorts, have yet to experience, but I'm sure it gets crowded

I actually loved seeing the BLT pool out of our room window at night, I loved the mickeys all lit up and flashing, it really felt like Disney to me although I agree actually going down there it may fall flat!

Someone pointed out to me that you can see the lake from there so I may enjoy it more than it appears. I found it interesting that they offer cabanas there with Bluetooth speakers, it didn't strike me as one of the few pools that should offer a cabana

 

[Girlstar30]

Someone like @CastAStone can have better data to explain this than I can, but in essence, when 1 Bedrooms, costing double the amount of studios in points, are not priced by Disney on the cash side to be double the cost of a normal hotel room.

It creates situations where the best way to achieve the maximum value of your points is rarely (if ever?) spent with 1 BR units.

Ah I see. Well if I'm paying this much already I don't wanna be in a studio, but valid point nonetheless, I did notice on the point chart that the 1 bedroom seemed the most unfairly priced and you might as well go for the 2 bedroom if it makes sense

 

[eticketplease]

Someone like @CastAStone can have better data to explain this than I can, but in essence, when 1 Bedrooms, costing double the amount of studios in points, are not priced by Disney on the cash side to be double the cost of a normal hotel room.

It creates situations where the best way to achieve the maximum value of your points is rarely (if ever?) spent with 1 BR units.

To add on to they also usually sleep the same number of people or less without BYOB (Bring Your Own Bedding BCV/BRV/BWV) which is another reason people thing they are a waste.
Work great for our family though at the 7 month window

There are some resorts that only sleep 4 in studios but the newer locations and some 2042's can sleep 5
Sleep 4: AUL, AKL (Both sections), BLT, CCV, HHI, OKW, PVB (PIT Only) SSR, VB, VDH, VGC
Sleep 5: BCV, BRV, BWV, PVB (Longhouses), RIV, VGF (Both sections)

 

[Marmbruster]

I bought 450 points direct at BLT in September of 2024. You can get most resorts direct but you have to actually call and ask about it.

Holy moly I had no idea, that’s good to know!

 

[Cfabar1]

Ah I see. Well if I'm paying this much already I don't wanna be in a studio, but valid point nonetheless, I did notice on the point chart that the 1 bedroom seemed the most unfairly priced and you might as well go for the 2 bedroom if it makes sense

Here is a random week in August that shows so clearly the cash price disparity:




Now to be fair, it doesn't look too bad when you compare the fact you can't get a discount on the 1 BR villa, but you can get discounts on studios at VGF on the same dates:

which isn't even the cheapest room on Discount (AP and FL Res discounts) at Grand Floridian those dates...


Not sure what all this means, but just interesting data for considering DVC and if a purchase makes sense....

No 2 BRs available those days....

 

[Girlstar30]

Here is a random week in August that shows so clearly the cash price disparity:

View attachment 962260
View attachment 962261

Now to be fair, it doesn't look too bad when you compare the fact you can't get a discount on the 1 BR villa, but you can get discounts on studios at VGF on the same dates:
View attachment 962262
which isn't even the cheapest room on Discount (AP and FL Res discounts) at Grand Floridian those dates...
View attachment 962263

Not sure what all this means, but just interesting data for considering DVC and if a purchase makes sense....

After seeing this i need to make sure that what I'm paying to rent points is actually cheaper , $472 is definitely less than I paid to stay there in January

 

[Hubalorian]

After seeing this i need to make sure that what I'm paying to rent points is actually cheaper , $472 is definitely less than I paid to stay there in January

If it helps, the $472 is before tax, so that’ll add a good chunk to the total if that helps at all!

 

[Girlstar30]

If it helps, the $472 is before tax, so that’ll add a good chunk to the total if that helps at all!

I paid $600 total a night i believe so hopefully I didn't get too screwed on vgf bpk studio in January MLK weekend ofc they didn't have these discounts then

 

[eticketplease]

After seeing this i need to make sure that what I'm paying to rent points is actually cheaper , $472 is definitely less than I paid to stay there in January

Yea that is a great price!! Last year the AP discount was more than the DVC discount on RIV 1 bedroom but it wasn’t close to these savings!!

 

[Girlstar30]

Yea that is a great price!! Last year the AP discount was more than the DVC discount on RIV 1 bedroom but it wasn’t close to these savings!!

I hope they extend these savings because I just bought a wdw pixie dust pass That would help in my pain of being all resale

 

[eticketplease]

I hope they extend these savings because I just bought a wdw pixie dust pass That would help in my pain of being all resale

Well with that AP you will be saving on points too!

 

[Girlstar30]

Well with that AP you will be saving on points too!

Right I thought about that too I don't want to sell any of my points, I just want to go more