Using points for grand floridian resort

[c&k]

Does anyone ever use their points at the grand floridian. I was thinking of using ours their next year but wanted to get some insight from you guys.

Is it worth it. We had our wedding reception there in 2005 and i think it would be so nice to stay there again.

 

[CarpeDisney]

I don't think that would be a good use of points at all.

Considering the least # of points per night is a Garden View room during the value season (48 points), and the most expensive is a Standard View Club Level during the holiday season (135 points per night) you could stay in a 2BR villa or even a grand villa at many locations for less points.

 

[chalee94]

as stated, the point costs for a hotel room are pretty high - you'd be giving up a lot of space at a DVC resort. a 1BR magic kingdom view villa at BLT would be fewer pts (assuming there was availability).

you also would pay a $95 fee to trade out of DVC (and another $95 fee if you made any changes to that GF reservation). if you canceled the GF reservation, your pts could no longer be used to book a DVC stay.

OTOH, if you've got pts to burn, now is the time to stay at the GF as it will no longer be an option once they open the new DVC resort, villas at the grand floridian.

 

[danimaroo]

We stayed at GF using DVC points. Problem is, I have no idea how many points it cost us since my DH's parents were the ones who booked it. We stayed there from Fri-Sun in a lagoon-view room during the month of January. Our room had 2 queen size beds and was a decent size. This is what our view looked like:

After our stay we moved to OKW for the rest of our honeymoon. I really enjoyed the convenience at GF because of the monorail, the decor was excellent and we had a great view. However, I think I actually enjoyed our stay at OKW a bit more. We had a one-bedroom villa, so to soak in that big tub every night was heavenly. I also loved how quiet it was there vs. at Grand Floridian.

I'm not sure it's worth the points, as much as I did love GF, as the exchange rate doesn't seem to be great from what PPs have said... But I can also see why you'd want to stay there! Tough choice.

 

[Snurk71]

We stayed at GF for a lot of years before DVC. we're planning on staying there again, but we'll be paying cash (when we can get a decent room only discount).

 

[Disney Princess]

You could always rent your points to get the money, then use cash to book the GF. This way, you won't have the $95 fee, and you won't have to use as many points to get the amount of money you need for the reservation. However, if you have points to burn, it is probably much simpler to just use the points.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

From a points standpoint, you'd do better to wait several years before re-visiting Grand Floridian. Use your points more efficiently somewhere else if you can be patient. The rumor mill has it that DVC is building timeshares at the Grand Floridian. If you can hold out, there may be a much more point-wise way to stay at the GF. In the meantime, enjoy BLT and have a few meals at GF.

Personally, there's no way I'd spend the points they're charging for the Disney collection.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Prior to the $95 fee to opt out I would have said yes! Now, for me it's no.

As far as value for the points you have, true the best value per point is to stick to the DVC resorts but if you have a surplus of points then spend them doing what pleases you.

Ie: When I purchased my DVC resale it came loaded with 2 years worth of banked points, plus the current. This was also prior to the change of the $95 fee, but I booked a 3 day stay at the Hotel Del Coronado in California simply because I just always wanted to stay there and we were going to be in California! Not the best use of points but they were my points and I had no intention of spending that much time in Orlando!

 

[happyrebster]

We did trade out DVC points for a stay at the Grand Floridian several years ago and really enjoyed it. Certain elements of value are, of course, subjective. To me, it was worth it because that is where we wanted to use the points that year. Had a lovely time.

 

[DizGirl20]

This is how I look at it: they are your points to use. If that's how you want to use them, go for it.

The best thing about DVC is that you will have more points to use again next year and the year after and the year after... stay at the GF this year and next year go back to a DVC Resort. Or, as a PP suggested, rent the points and use the moeny to book a cash stay.