So who else is "ho-hum" about the GF Villas?

[TDC Nala]

I'll stay there sometime just to say I've stayed there. But I'm an Epcot fan so BCV is my home. Won't be buying any GF points.

 

[JJSWDW]

We will probably stay there to try it once. Always wanted to stay at GF but once I joined DVC normal hotel rooms no longer appealed to us. However DVC at GF would be nice. Though I doubt we purchase points there since the direct prices are through the roof these days. Overall I think it's good to have another option.

 

[scottashackleton]

I personally don't see all the fuss aside from people who stay there often enough to deem it sentimental in their minds. I feel like the first couple of years will be mayhem at 7 months plus the per night point rates will be through the roof. I'm sure it will be beautiful though!

 

[disprincessatheart]

We stayed a t the gf the week we got married and loved it! Blt started selling six months later, and even though it's not as much our style, we bought for location. We will be happy to stay at gfv every trip going forward. We never found it stuffy for some reason, and we aren't fancy. We won't be buying just because we don't have the free cash these days for more points, and I don't see the need to sell blt points so we can buy gfv points.

 

[Sammie]

Love the Grand Floridian, very excited about the new villas.

 

[ACDSNY]

For me, I'd take GF over BLT.

 

[Halle]

DVC didn't pull out of National Harbor, it was only announced as a Disney hotel. DVC was never included in the original announcement, although it may have been added if they did start working on it. Everyone just assumed that would have happened. I read a quote in the last week or so that DVC did not intend to be part of it.

I think it's pretty safe that GF will happen.

The signage at National Harbor stated that a DVC resort was going to be built there. I saw the sign in March 2010.

 

[DebbieB]

The signage at National Harbor stated that a DVC resort was going to be built there. I saw the sign in March 2010.

It probably said Disney Resort. All that was announced was a 500 room Disney resort. Speculation was DVC would be part of it, similiar to Aulani, but it was never announced by DVC.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/18/AR2009051803201.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqq3iAs_cgQ

No mention of DVC in the cancellation:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Disney-Nixes-National-Harbor-Project-134530398.html

 

[maciec]

We are in the process of trying to sell our AKV to our friends because dh wants to buy at GF. I really think two things are going to happen (1) friends won't buy our points and (2) we won't be able to afford GF. With that being said, if we sell and can't afford then I think I will be able to talk him into a BCV resale finally!

 

[donkortajr]

My departed wife and I discussed DVC many times over our 20 years. When we were there with the kids in October 2008 they were selling BLT. The Contemporary had always been our favorite place so we took BLT as a sign and bought our first points. We enjoyed 2 trips to DVC resorts before she passed this fall. Over the past year I had mentioned that rather than buying more BLT points if they ever opened a GF DVC I would love to buy points there. She agreed. I still have a little less than 7 years to go on my BLT loan but I guarantee I will be buying GF points when they become available. I'm on 48 and hopefully have a lot of years left to visit DVC.
-Don

 

[bobbiwoz]

My departed wife and I discussed DVC many times over our 20 years. When we were there with the kids in October 2008 they were selling BLT. The Contemporary had always been our favorite place so we took BLT as a sign and bought our first points. We enjoyed 2 trips to DVC resorts before she passed this fall. Over the past year I had mentioned that rather than buying more BLT points if they ever opened a GF DVC I would love to buy points there. She agreed. I still have a little less than 7 years to go on my BLT loan but I guarantee I will be buying GF points when they become available. I'm on 48 and hopefully have a lot of years left to visit DVC.
-Don

I'm sorry for your loss. Best wishes, Bobbi.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

My family is not jumping up and down with knowing the the vgf or gfv is being built.I have offered the chance many times to stay there but they said no thanks.They love the boardwalk and wilderness lodge and don't care to stay at any others.Like it has been said we are getting less options to use our points at other resorts and stay in a regular resort.I would rather see them build a DVC resort without being attached to a resort already in operation.The idea of having a stand alone DVC resort would be a great idea especially if it had a monrail stop.

 

[downontheBW]

donkortajr, I'm so sorry for your loss. I do hope you enjoy many year enjoying BLT and VGF with fond memories.

Also ho-hum about VGF, except that I welcome another DVC option at WDW. While I don't think I'd add-on there (never say never though, I haven't seen it yet), I do look forward to trying it out. Agree with many other posters - poly would be a different story.

We haven't stayed at GF but did visit it to eat at Citricos - it is a bit too formal for my taste. A big plus for VGF is the variety of dining options. But the options while staying at BLT are pretty much the same - just travel time differs based on restaurant.

We own at BWV and you still can't beat the location and options for low points standard view and guaranteed Boardwalk view.

Right now, I'm trying out all the DVC options - finally got into BLT for next year.

 

[donkortajr]

Thank you very much!

 

[donkortajr]

Thank you bobbiwoz!

 

[donkortajr]

We've been able to try out 3 of the resorts so far. SSR, OKW, and BLT(our home resort). Each time we were in a Grand Villa, so I was able to compare apples to apples. We liked BLT the best, followed by SSR, and OKW last. OKW had just been redone. I don't know what it was, but the beds at OKW were the worst. First they were really high so they were hard to get in and out of. They were also the most uncomfortable beds I have ever slept in. One of the DVC agents in the parks told me the OKW Grand villas were the largest rooms but it felt smaller than both of the others.

We have visited GF and eaten there but never stayed there. I would welcome the opportunity to use points and stay there in a villa, and take the time to more thoroughly explore that resort.

 

[KPOP]

I am looking forward to trying it out at the 7 month window. With the price of points these days, the only way that I can see adding on again would be through resale...

 

[hakepb]

We've been able to try out 3 of the resorts so far. SSR, OKW, and BLT(our home resort). Each time we were in a Grand Villa, so I was able to compare apples to apples. We liked BLT the best, followed by SSR, and OKW last. OKW had just been redone. I don't know what it was, but the beds at OKW were the worst. First they were really high so they were hard to get in and out of. They were also the most uncomfortable beds I have ever slept in. One of the DVC agents in the parks told me the OKW Grand villas were the largest rooms but it felt smaller than both of the others.

We have visited GF and eaten there but never stayed there. I would welcome the opportunity to use points and stay there in a villa, and take the time to more thoroughly explore that resort.

Yes, technically OKW GV's have 100 more sq ft than BLT and 250 more sq ft than SSR. AKV Jambo is a very close second to OKW in terms of biggest WDW GV.

But OKW uses a lot of angles in its floorplan design. I tend to believe that the angles create some larger "vistas" but overall are a less efficient use of space.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Does anyone have an idea how long of a walk it is gonna be from the DVC villas to the monorail station at the Grand Floridian?

To me, this is the deal breaker on DVCGF. I was under the impression that you could walk from GF to MK. Apparently you can not. The conveinience of the monorail will be key. I love BLT. You can hop on a boat to WL, or stroll to the MK. It is not the prettiest DVC, buy my favorite. I love how they don't shove Mickey and Minnie down your throat at BLT.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

We are in the process of trying to sell our AKV to our friends because dh wants to buy at GF. I really think two things are going to happen (1) friends won't buy our points and (2) we won't be able to afford GF. With that being said, if we sell and can't afford then I think I will be able to talk him into a BCV resale finally!

Why oh Why do people always overlook the reality of the 7 month window. I am sure most of you have stayed at DVC resorts that you do not own at. Proof that the 7 month window is an attainable option. I do not plan on purchasing at the GF. But i guarantee many of you will see me around the pool there. I will be the one with the BLT T-Shirt!