VGF 2 points usage question

[DougUSMC]

Hey all, new guy here. Apologies if I'm asking something that's already posted somewhere, but I didn't find anything when I performed a search.

We're considering adding on again, at VGF 2 in a couple of weeks when it releases. I have a few questions that I haven't seen discussed anywhere, which means either the answers aren't out yet, or these are non-issues?

• All of the media I've seen so far is for newly built Studios. We always stay in a 2BR at our other homes (CCV and DRR), can we buy points in VGF 2 and use them to book 2BR rooms at VGF?
• I see that they're converting an existing building, and understand it's to add more rooms to DVC. Will there be a difference when booking, if you buy with VGF vs. VGF2?
• I think everything I've seen is that the expiration of VGF 2 will be tied to VGF 1?
• It looks like the points will be for sale a significant period of time before the rooms are converted? I guess that means availability will continue to be tight for a bit?

I spoke to my CM when we got the email last week, and he said he couldn't speak to "anything" until after the 3/5 date. I know many of the things I asked are very specific details that may not have been passed yet, but I'm hoping there's some info out there that others have seen that can be passed along.

 

[CarolMN]

Hey all, new guy here. Apologies if I'm asking something that's already posted somewhere, but I didn't find anything when I performed a search.

We're considering adding on again, at VGF 2 in a couple of weeks when it releases. I have a few questions that I haven't seen discussed anywhere, which means either the answers aren't out yet, or these are non-issues?

• All of the media I've seen so far is for newly built Studios. We always stay in a 2BR at our other homes (CCV and DRR), can we buy points in VGF 2 and use them to book 2BR rooms at VGF?

• Yes.

• I see that they're converting an existing building, and understand it's to add more rooms to DVC. Will there be a difference when booking, if you buy with VGF vs. VGF2?

• No

I think everything I've seen is that the expiration of VGF 2 will be tied to VGF 1?

Correct. VGF2 & original VGF are the same association and will both expire in 2064

• It looks like the points will be for sale a significant period of time before the rooms are converted? I guess that means availability will continue to be tight for a bit?

• Maybe. We really don't know. DVD may have enough points to cover the months between the start of sales and occupancy. My guess is that many of the VGF2 byers will want to stay for dates after the occupancy date.

I spoke to my CM when we got the email last week, and he said he couldn't speak to "anything" until after the 3/5 date. I know many of the things I asked are very specific details that may not have been passed yet, but I'm hoping there's some info out there that others have seen that can be passed along.

Many of us are looking forward to March 3 when pricing will be announced and facts can replace some of the assumptions that have been made.

 

[Sandisw]

To add, if they can deed you to the current building, then those points will be eligible for use right away and can be booked anywhere prior to the actual opening of the 101 rooms that have been declared for sale,

If they deed the points to the new rooms prior to the opening date, then those points won’t be eligible for any stay until after that date.

Once the new rooms open, it won’t matter where one is deeded as it’s all one resort and good at all VGF during home resort and elsewhere at 7 months.

 

[DougUSMC]

• Yes.

• No

Correct. VGF2 & original VGF are the same association and will both expire in 2064

• Maybe. We really don't know. DVD may have enough points to cover the months between the start of sales and occupancy. My guess is that many of the VGF2 byers will want to stay for dates after the occupancy date.

Many of us are looking forward to March 3 when pricing will be announced and facts can replace some of the assumptions that have been made.

To add, if they can deed you to the current building, then those points will be eligible for use right away and can be booked anywhere prior to the actual opening of the 101 rooms that have been declared for sale,

If they deed the points to the new rooms prior to the opening date, then those points won’t be eligible for any stay until after that date.

Once the new rooms open, it won’t matter where one is deeded as it’s all one resort and good at all VGF during home resort and elsewhere at 7 months.

Thanks for all of the answers, I think they were "best case scenario" for us! I tried a bunch of searches here and on the interwebs before posting the question, how did you know the answers? Did I miss something, or are they common knowledge?

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for all of the answers, I think they were "best case scenario" for us! I tried a bunch of searches here and on the interwebs before posting the question, how did you know the answers? Did I miss something, or are they common knowledge?

Most is based on what we have learned via the announcement and knowledge of DVC and how things happened when other resorts opened.

They announced it would be the same association, which means all one resort. They added the resort studios to the same point charts as well.

In terms of deeding, you can not trade points into the system for other resorts until the rooms at the resort you own are available for others to trade into for use.

VGF is different because you already have a fully sold out resort and now having new points being added for a new building.

That piece won’t be known until next week is how they will treat it!

 

[DougUSMC]

Most is based on what we have learned via the announcement and knowledge of DVC and how things happened when other resorts opened.

They announced it would be the same association, which means all one resort. They added the resort studios to the same point charts as well.

Ah, thanks! I see things like this and didn't understand the implications of it. It makes sense when you phrase it that way, but I didn't make that leap until I read what you'd written.

In terms of deeding, you can not trade points into the system for other resorts until the rooms at the resort you own are available for others to trade into for use.

VGF is different because you already have a fully sold out resort and now having new points being added for a new building.

That piece won’t be known until next week is how they will treat it!

I don't understand what this means?

Another question: Am I the only one worried that it'll sell out before it even opens to general public? We're making plans to talk to our Guide ASAP on 3/3, but don't know if that's really necessary or if we're having Black Friday Dash fears?

 

[erionm]

Another question: Am I the only one worried that it'll sell out before it even opens to general public? We're making plans to talk to our Guide ASAP on 3/3, but don't know if that's really necessary or if we're having Black Friday Dash fears?

They will not sell out of points before sales open to the general public. They have only declared half of the new rooms into the condo association, so they can only sell up to half of the available points to start.

 

[DougUSMC]

They will not sell out of points before sales open to the general public. They have only declared half of the new rooms into the condo association, so they can only sell up to half of the available points to start.

Thanks for the response! Does that mean it's possible that not all DVCers "can" buy before they run out, and have to call back in when sales re-open to the general public?

Is this even a concern, or am I overthinking things (again...)?

 

[ReecesPieces]

Thanks for the response! Does that mean it's possible that not all DVCers "can" buy before they run out, and have to call back in when sales re-open to the general public?

Is this even a concern, or am I overthinking things (again...)?

It’s highly unlikely that they sell out quickly. You have to remember this board is a small niche of the DVC owners. The hype is high here, but I bet it is still a small % of board members that actually buy. DVC has about 2 million points to sell. I won’t be surprised if it sells out before Riviera, but I also won’t be surprised if it takes a year to happen.

 

[erionm]

Thanks for the response! Does that mean it's possible that not all DVCers "can" buy before they run out, and have to call back in when sales re-open to the general public?

Is this even a concern, or am I overthinking things (again...)?

Not a concern. It will likely take several years to sell out.

 

[Sandisw]

Ah, thanks! I see things like this and didn't understand the implications of it. It makes sense when you phrase it that way, but I didn't make that leap until I read what you'd written.



I don't understand what this means?

Another question: Am I the only one worried that it'll sell out before it even opens to general public? We're making plans to talk to our Guide ASAP on 3/3, but don't know if that's really necessary or if we're having Black Friday Dash fears?

When you buy DVC, you are deeded a real estate interest in a resort. Those points can only be used for stays after a resort officially opens for occupancy.

For example, when RIV opened on Dec 2019, no points sold prior to that date could be used anywhere because the rooms that go with the points were not yet open. If they allowed owners to book someone welded resort, it would basically be putting more points into the system than rooms.

Because the current building of VGF is open and all points declared for use, anyone buying those points can use them immediately.

But, the new points being created with the new building are adding points to the system and therefore, they can’t be used until the rooms are added to the system as well.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for the response! Does that mean it's possible that not all DVCers "can" buy before they run out, and have to call back in when sales re-open to the general public?

Is this even a concern, or am I overthinking things (again...)?

They have declared 101 rooms which is close to 1 million points. Add to that any points they have acquired via ROFR for the resort.

Plenty of points to last a long time. I think you will see close to 2 years before it does.

 

[Her Dotness]

Perhaps I'm wrong as I'm just guessing, but as many people as I see hating on the GF, I don't think there'll be a run from newbie DVCers on this resort.

Current owners with addonitis seem to be in the forefront on these boards. But, that's to be expected. Prospective owners probably aren't that active on resort-specific threads like this one.

As mentioned above by ReecesPieces, the VGF boards represent a fairly small percentage of DVCers.

I suspect that even if given not much price difference, a greater number of newbies would buy into RIV. It's new, attractive, flashy-dashy and Euro-exotic.

Much though many of us are devoted to The Grand, it's simply not a fashionable resort itself, IMO, nor are the villas. "Too grandma. I just feel ill at ease there, etc."

 

[smmora]

Do they usually do any limited sale pricing when first opening ... like $24 off until 4/3 then its $12 off for adding on

and if so, how long does it usually last

 

[DougUSMC]

When you buy DVC, you are deeded a real estate interest in a resort. Those points can only be used for stays after a resort officially opens for occupancy.

For example, when RIV opened on Dec 2019, no points sold prior to that date could be used anywhere because the rooms that go with the points were not yet open. If they allowed owners to book someone welded resort, it would basically be putting more points into the system than rooms.

Because the current building of VGF is open and all points declared for use, anyone buying those points can use them immediately.

But, the new points being created with the new building are adding points to the system and therefore, they can’t be used until the rooms are added to the system as well.

Ok, I think I understand the point about points being added to the system, but the last part confuses me. Are you saying that they can sell points to the new part, but we can't use them until the refurb on the new rooms is completed? AFAIK, aren't we still waiting on a timeline of when that will happen?

Perhaps I'm wrong as I'm just guessing, but as many people as I see hating on the GF, I don't think there'll be a run from newbie DVCers on this resort.

Current owners with addonitis seem to be in the forefront on these boards. But, that's to be expected. Prospective owners probably aren't that active on resort-specific threads like this one.

As mentioned above by ReecesPieces, the VGF boards represent a fairly small percentage of DVCers.

I suspect that even if given not much price difference, a greater number of newbies would buy into RIV. It's new, attractive, flashy-dashy and Euro-exotic.

Much though many of us are devoted to The Grand, it's simply not a fashionable resort itself, IMO, nor are the villas. "Too grandma. I just feel ill at ease there, etc."

Ah, Ok, I guess I haven't been as aware of the GF hate.

We own @ Riviera, and were just there a month ago. I like it (my wife loves it), but it's just not "A Resort". IMO it's a nice building, in the middle of the Caribbean Beach club. I love the building, the rooms are amazing, and as a Star Wars geek, the Skyliner can't be beat!!

We also own @ Copper Creek, and I really prefer it to Riviera. I think the building is cool, and it's "A Resort". The whole layout is cooler, the ferry landing sets the stage, the pools are in character, as is the whole layout of the place. The rooms are cool, if not as big and well laid out as Riviera. The Mrs thinks "it's nice, but not as nice as Riviera", which is cool w/me because we alternate years between the two.

We started with 1/2 as many points as we needed for an April 2BR week, at CCV. The intent was to "only do Disney every other year". That lasted about 2 years, then we needed more points. We added a matching contract at DRR, so we could just alternate years. A week turned into "8-9 days", which means we're looking for more points.
We almost bought at VGF instead of CCV, but "we" didn't want to pay ~ $175 pp back then. Our Guide let us know that there were GVF points available during COVID, and we almost bought a year ago. Now I'm just at the point where I want to add them and be done with it. We don't need a ton, just enough for 3ish days per year in a 2BR. We'll either add them to the end of DRR stays to be in the MK resort area, or use them for a "bonus trip" in years when we want to get away for just a few days.

 

[erionm]

Are you saying that they can sell points to the new part, but we can't use them until the refurb on the new rooms is completed?

Yes.

 

[Sandisw]

Ok, I think I understand the point about points being added to the system, but the last part confuses me. Are you saying that they can sell points to the new part, but we can't use them until the refurb on the new rooms is completed? AFAIK, aren't we still waiting on a timeline of when that will happen?



Ah, Ok, I guess I haven't been as aware of the GF hate.

We own @ Riviera, and were just there a month ago. I like it (my wife loves it), but it's just not "A Resort". IMO it's a nice building, in the middle of the Caribbean Beach club. I love the building, the rooms are amazing, and as a Star Wars geek, the Skyliner can't be beat!!

We also own @ Copper Creek, and I really prefer it to Riviera. I think the building is cool, and it's "A Resort". The whole layout is cooler, the ferry landing sets the stage, the pools are in character, as is the whole layout of the place. The rooms are cool, if not as big and well laid out as Riviera. The Mrs thinks "it's nice, but not as nice as Riviera", which is cool w/me because we alternate years between the two.

We started with 1/2 as many points as we needed for an April 2BR week, at CCV. The intent was to "only do Disney every other year". That lasted about 2 years, then we needed more points. We added a matching contract at DRR, so we could just alternate years. A week turned into "8-9 days", which means we're looking for more points.
We almost bought at VGF instead of CCV, but "we" didn't want to pay ~ $175 pp back then. Our Guide let us know that there were GVF points available during COVID, and we almost bought a year ago. Now I'm just at the point where I want to add them and be done with it. We don't need a ton, just enough for 3ish days per year in a 2BR. We'll either add them to the end of DRR stays to be in the MK resort area, or use them for a "bonus trip" in years when we want to get away for just a few days.

Correct. If they open sales with only the points from the new rooms, then anyone adding on now will be prohibited from booking anything with those points until check in is after the opening date for the new rooms,

For example, say they announce that the new building opens August 1st…making that up as it has not been announced…then someone buying next week will only be able book a trip starting August 1 st and on.

The only way to avoid it is if they sell points deeded to the current building because those rooms are already open.

 

[DougUSMC]

Correct. If they open sales with only the points from the new rooms, then anyone adding on now will be prohibited from booking anything with those points until check in is after the opening date for the new rooms,

For example, say they announce that the new building opens August 1st…making that up as it has not been announced…then someone buying next week will only be able book a trip starting August 1 st and on.

The only way to avoid it is if they sell points deeded to the current building because those rooms are already open.

Ok, that makes sense. Do you know how that impacts points bought mid way through a use year? My use year is April, so when we bought we got that years' points and the one prior. I assume that's the same for everyone? I believe I was once told that all Contracts have the same use year, so does that mean I could potentially buy in March, have an April UY, but not be able to use those points for most of 2022?

 

[Sandisw]

Ok, that makes sense. Do you know how that impacts points bought mid way through a use year? My use year is April, so when we bought we got that years' points and the one prior. I assume that's the same for everyone? I believe I was once told that all Contracts have the same use year, so does that mean I could potentially buy in March, have an April UY, but not be able to use those points for most of 2022?

As long as they offer current points for every UY. then you would get 2021 UY points that could be banked into 2022 since March is still in the April 2021 UY.

You would then be limited to using them prior to opening, assuming they are tied to the new rooms,

I bought RIV in October of 2019…it didn’t open until Dec 2019 so I could not use those points for any trip before that December date. Same with BLT. I bought in February with an Aug 4th opening date. I had to wait to start my summer trip to that date or later to use the BLT points.

Now, they didn’t offer Feb UY 2019 points when RIV went on sale which meant those owners didn’t get the points for a year…they didn’t pay MFs though either…so there is a chance they could leave a UY or two out…

9 days to go!

 

[RoseGold]

Buying VGF for 2BR is a risky strategy. Half of them are lockoffs. Between the demand for the 1BR and the old studios, maybe they get taken? Or maybe everyone just wants to stay in the new building anyway? Nobody knows how this room mix will work out.