Ready to take the plunge, looking for feedback

[Marmbruster]

We bought VGF and are extremely happy with the choice. You will not regret it!

We go during busy spring break and I don't find the pools are mobbed. And if you're staying in a 1 bedroom, you will have your own gorgeous, quiet lobby that is never busy like the main lobby. The rooms at VGF are exactly my style. They feel luxurious. Cannot say the same for other surrounding resorts.

Aside from the beautiful theming, the easy transportation is the next best thing.

I love the Poly but it is even busier than the GF. It's great to be close enough to pop over for a meal but not be staying there. We would never stay at BLT. It has lower and cheaper points for a reason.

Dining options are INCREDIBLE. My advice: get enough points for a 2 bedroom so grandparents and guests can come along. Date night at Narcoossee's or Citricos while your kiddos are watched by a relative is priceless.

Yes! We did a two bedroom at Boulder Ridge last year and brought the grandparents with us. So nice to be able to pop out for a minute on our own, but at VGF I feel like it’ll be even nicer. Much nicer spots for a quick date night!

 

[bakerworld]

Personally I'd prefer the PVB but I think the point values might be better at GF. I think both places have a long walk to the monorail and terrible bus service (due to the multi-stop factor). I do think GF has better food options.

 

[TCRAIG]

Yeah I thought a lot about the “peace” factor. We did love the relaxation element when we did WL and AKV but ultimately felt like there was a lot of wasted transportation time. We didn’t mind that when it was just the two of us, but with toddlers it was a lot harder.

I’ve definitely seen a lot of people saying crowd size at VGF is one of the biggest down sides so definitely important to be factoring in.

Crowd size is only a problem during Christmas Holiday time due to the big Gingerbread House and limited to the hotel side of GF - the Villas have their own lobby and it’s never crowded.

 

[radiodome21]

We’re from the Chicago area too. I bought 150 points direct at VGF and after one trip I needed more. So I ended up adding 100 more at Poly this year. These are our two favorite resorts. I bought VGF without ever staying there too. It’s hands down the family’s favorite spot. We’ve stayed at Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Poly, and Port Orleans. We love the monorail too. Not too mention being able to walk to MK is a plus too. My wife and I were at BRV a month ago and we got sick of always stopping at Fort Wilderness via the boat or bus everywhere we went. It took us a half hour to get to Magic Kingdom via the boat our first night. I haven’t stayed at the original DVC building yet but really want to. I love VGF though and think BPK is great. We’re going two more times this year and every time I bring up our trips my kids ask me if we can stay at VGF. (We are for a few nights). When I bought I figured we’d go every other year too. That was the goal. The reality? We’re taking 4 trips this year and at least two next year.

 

[starsaber25]

The resort, rooms, pools, etc. are just too plain for me. Nothing "wow" about the resort. Very beige. The perk used to be proximity to MK, but now that the GF has a walkway, it's not unique.

The walkway from GF is only a bit further and it's a prettier view than going through a parking lot and roadway.

ETA: I think a lot of this comes down to the style you prefer. If you love the style of BLT, then that is the resort for you and it is a great choice!

Oh okay. So it is personal preference of yours. Not any specific real reason why it’s lower tier compared to the super high end VGF.

 

[Girlstar30]

I just want to make clear as well that I am not trying to sell you on BLT or any resort and i don't think anyone should try to sell you on their preference as well. If owning was just based on themeing and looks I would be a VGF and CCV owner right now.

My example was just to highlight how I thought I would love a hotel (Happened to be VGF) and that didn't happen and actually loved another in the same area instead and I'm glad I stayed at these resorts before I decided to buy and I recommend any prospective buyer to do the same.

It's really different when you're immersed in the bubble interacting with cast members, guests, eating at the restaurants, seeing how the hotels operate, dealing with crowds when you need service, staying in the room and seeing how comfortable it is, what the transportation is like to get to the places your going or the walks to the lobby from your room and theme parks etc. What works for some doesn't work for others, we all own at different resorts for different reasons

 

[Hubalorian]

Honestly, we bought VGF direct when debating RIV and VGF. We thought we were going to love VGF but it didn’t do it when we finally went to see it. We explored RIV and immediately wanted a Time Machine to reverse course. While AKV is our favorite DVC resort, we wish we would’ve bought RIV over VGF

 

[LisaDKG]

I own directly at both BLT and VGF - bought 200 points at BLT in 2011 for $112 a point and 150 at VGF when they opened BPK at $200? - I actually can’t remember, but around there.
I wish I had put those VGF points/dollars into a resale in the Epcot area. The points charts and price at VGF are way too high! - when they opened up the walkway between VGF and MK that helped a little with the value, in my eyes, but we learned quickly that as a family, we like the easiest park access to the most parks possible and that means BLT for MK and an Epcot resort for Epcot and HS. We almost always do split stays with this division, mixing up where we stay at either locale.
In addition, when we first bought, my kids were 10 and 8 and now they are 24 and 22 and having 2 bathrooms (or 3 in a 2 bedroom which we frequently book now that everyone needs their own bed) is now the absolute luxury and priority - we also have resale at VGC and I am so grateful they have the same bathroom situation.
It is really hard to predict what your travel and accommodation needs and wants will look like in your family but I can tell you that over these years, I've learned that points that go further, better room amenities and park access has been what we’ve valued most with all of our contracts.

 

[matt and beth]

We own GF, CC, and BWV. All for various reasons. If you are trying to visit EP and HS regularly at every visit then BWV will be your most convenient for transportation because you can walk to both parks. CC we love because of the woodsy feel, kicked back pace, and heavy on the meats and barbecue dining. GF offers a posh upscale feel with some fantastic dining. It’s walking distance to MK if you prefer skipping the monorail. And you can walk to Poly for extra dining options. Some have mentioned BLT. We stayed twice there and most recently this NYE week. We scored a first stay at the newly renovated 2 bedroom. The room was extremely nice TBH. The pool was slow and boring to agree with your point. The hotel lobby is underwhelming boring and small. MK is walking distance, but to get to the monorail is a bit of a hike to the contemporary, some elevation changes, and security. If going to EP you have to disembark from one monorail and transfer to another at TTC and same is true at GF. If at Poly you can walk to TTC to skip the monorail change.

 

[Brian Noble]

Any thoughts from more experienced DVC veterans on my logic here with number of points and where we want to buy?

You are a good candidate for DVC: You want to come every other year for the foreseeable future, your stays are generally in Deluxe/DVC resorts, and you have the means for a cash purchase. You seem to be asking the right questions, and thinking about the right number of points for what you want to accomplish, give or take.

My one piece of advice: your kids are going to grow up, and they are going to do it QUICKLY. The strollers will be gone in the blink of an eye. So, consider whether or not you are over-weighting the "ease of transportation" factor. I'd encourage you to go back to considering CCV---particularly becaue you are not looking for studios, which is this resort's challenge, availability-wise. It's the resort that speaks to you most, it is less expensive on a per-point basis, and it has a much more forgiving point chart.

 

[Marmbruster]

You are a good candidate for DVC: You want to come every other year for the foreseeable future, your stays are generally in Deluxe/DVC resorts, and you have the means for a cash purchase. You seem to be asking the right questions, and thinking about the right number of points for what you want to accomplish, give or take.

My one piece of advice: your kids are going to grow up, and they are going to do it QUICKLY. The strollers will be gone in the blink of an eye. So, consider whether or not you are over-weighting the "ease of transportation" factor. I'd encourage you to go back to considering CCV---particularly becaue you are not looking for studios, which is this resort's challenge, availability-wise. It's the resort that speaks to you most, it is less expensive on a per-point basis, and it has a much more forgiving point chart.

Yeah that’s a really good point. We tend to overweight the things we see in the immediate future but the purchase is for so much longer than that. Soon they’ll be teenagers wanting to go to the parks without us!

 

[atthebeachclub]

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

Are you based in Florida now? I didn’t think we could get the Pixie Dust pass otherwise!

 

[atthebeachclub]

I'd encourage you to go back to considering CCV---particularly becaue you are not looking for studios, which is this resort's challenge, availability-wise. It's

I believe 2 bedrooms are also a challenge at CCV as they are all lockoffs. 1 bedrooms should be more available though I believe. CCV was my other resort in consideration rather than BLT but I chose BLT due to the better 2 bedroom availability in addition to the walking to Magic Kingdom option. The boats are very nice though!

 

[Brian Noble]

DVC Help suggests there are some that are dedicated but I’ve never stayed there so don’t have personal experience.

https://www.dvchelp.com/page/all-resorts-overview

 

[Girlstar30]

Are you based in Florida now? I didn’t think we could get the Pixie Dust pass otherwise!

I will be next month we are moving! Not activating until our arrival!

 

[atthebeachclub]

DVC Help suggests there are some that are dedicated but I’ve never stayed there so don’t have personal experience.

https://www.dvchelp.com/page/all-resorts-overview

I think you are right and I am incorrect!

I would definitely look at that site and confirm availability for desired accommodation and time of year for any resort of interest. Side note: 11 month availability for most resorts on that site is looking rough there, then improving. Is everyone walking reservations now? I haven’t personally seen this.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you look there is a "stripe" of no availability in each resort's chart, and they all appear in about the same place. I think there was some oddity about data collection for some period.