VGF and renting points

[ceejanerun]

Hello everyone! I have always had my heart set on staying at the GF, but to be honest, I just can't justify the room costs, especially seeing as how we would need 3 rooms (extended family). However, we are contemplating renting points through Dave for a 2-bedroom villa. So I have 2 questions -

1) what are the chances of getting a 2-bedroom at 7 months out vs. 11 months out (for the first week of December 2016); and

2) will I still feel like I am a guest at the GF? I know that sounds like a silly question, but just wondering how "cut off" the villas feel vs. staying in a resort room?

Thanks in advance

 

[DisDadDVC]

Hello everyone! I have always had my heart set on staying at the GF, but to be honest, I just can't justify the room costs, especially seeing as how we would need 3 rooms (extended family). However, we are contemplating renting points through Dave for a 2-bedroom villa. So I have 2 questions -

1) what are the chances of getting a 2-bedroom at 7 months out vs. 11 months out (for the first week of December 2016); and

2) will I still feel like I am a guest at the GF? I know that sounds like a silly question, but just wondering how "cut off" the villas feel vs. staying in a resort room?

Thanks in advance

1) Not good
2) Not sure, haven't been able to get a reservation at 7 months yet...

 

[disneynutz]

The villas are a separate building so you won't be in the middle of things and the villas are quiet.

Bill

 

[Donna M]

The beginning of Dec. would be difficult, but we're heading down the end of Feb. and there is still availability for a 2 bd 4-5 months out. This will be our third stay using our SSR points, and we love it. We go to the main lobby in the evening to listen to music, and swim in the main pool during the day. We don't feel cut off at all. It's more peaceful at the villas though, which I like.

 

[Snurk71]

I don't think you feel cut off in the villas. We stayed GF for years in regular rooms (not the main building) before joining DVC and find the villas stays the same. To me, the villas feel very similar to staying in one of the out buildings like boca chica, big pine, conch.

 

[supersnoop]

for the first week of December 2016

The first week of December is the single most popular week for DVC. You might not get a two bedroom at 11 months if you aren't able to book at 8 a.m.

 

[rlovew]

If you can't pay the higher point cost for the 11 month window at VGF for the 1st week in Dec then don't plan on staying there- they will be long gone before 7 months. Last year all the rooms were gone before 10 months out.

 

[2boysmommy]

I booked this morning for Memorial Day week with no problems. 7 months out and easily got 7 nights. Granted that was a 1-BR.

I know that the Studios sell out first there so if you are able to fit your party in a 2-BR Villa that sleeps 9 (vs. a 2-BR Lock-off that sleeps 10) you may have better luck.

As mentioned above, the first week in December is SO popular for DVC owners that may be your only hiccup. It never hurts to try...but be prepared with another resort option if you can't get in or find a VGF owner so you can book 11-months out!

 

[disneynutz]

Booking at 7 months is a crap shoot, sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you have to take what you can get. For every new direct contract sold, those buyers are being added to the group trying to book at 7 months. That has to be a few thousand people each year.

Bill

 

[thewelts]

We are returning to VGF for the 2nd time this December. We rented points for both December trips from VGF owners ($14/point).
Our 2013 trip was booked about 4 months out but that was when the resort first opened. This year I worked with an owner that strategically "walked" my reservation to ensure my date.
VGF is a lovely resort - a highlight of WDW in my opinion and well worth the trouble and expense to book.
Adventure & Choice season in early/mid December offers a great point value at VGF and generally the weather is really nice and the holiday decorations are an added bonus.
Good luck in your planning!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I booked this morning for Memorial Day week with no problems. 7 months out and easily got 7 nights. Granted that was a 1-BR.

I know that the Studios sell out first there so if you are able to fit your party in a 2-BR Villa that sleeps 9 (vs. a 2-BR Lock-off that sleeps 10) you may have better luck.

As mentioned above, the first week in December is SO popular for DVC owners that may be your only hiccup. It never hurts to try...but be prepared with another resort option if you can't get in or find a VGF owner so you can book 11-months out!

Big difference between Memorial Day and the first week of December. OP, you need to find a VGF owner who can walk the reservation for you if you really have to stay there.

 

[GotLabradors]

We stayed at VGF on rented points about a month ago. We rented a 1 bedroom and it was glorious. The resort was awesome and we did not feel cut off from the main building at all. I have a feeling my husband will never want to stay anywhere else now. All that being said, we tried to rent through David's, but they didn't have inventory for anything except SSR and OKW for the week we went, even at 11 months out. We ended up renting through an owner we found here on the rent/trade board. Everything went smoothly. She made our reservation the very first morning she could and forwarded the confirmation email to me that day. We had a payment plan set up with final payment due at 90 days out. It was a wonderful experience overall. We absolutely adored the resort and all the CM with whom we interacted.