VGF makes me sad :(

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just curious...how easy is it to get A VGF Grand Villa at the 7-month mark?

I've often noticed them available even well past the 7 month mark.

 

[Dean]

Just curious...how easy is it to get A VGF Grand Villa at the 7-month mark?

I don't think one can use easy and VGF in the same sentence for any DVC internal exchange but the 1 BR should be the easiest looking at Lake View. Those that plan and use the WL well will be successful at times for most anything.

 

[drusba]

I've often noticed them available even well past the 7 month mark.

Easy to get at 7 months out between mid-Jan and late Sep, DVC's off-season at WDW. Sometimes possible for three to four nights in a row but usually difficult late Sep to marathon weekend in Jan, DVC's high to extremely high demand season at WDW, but wait list could work then.

 

[Anal Annie]

One bedrooms are by far the biggest waste of points

I agree - the points are too high and you still can't get a second "real" bed unless you move up to a 2-bedroom. If our son still has to sleep on a pull-out we may as well stay in the studios to utilize our points well.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

The "rumor" was that wilderness lodge had a 58% occupancy rate for 2014...

If that's even close then vwl phase 2 will include a mass Conversion of the eastern/southern wing to reduce the inventory.

It would only be a matter of time...if true

Rumor has it there will be studios, one, two bedrooms along with the bungalows.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Fixed-week sales began with Aulani, not VGF, and the intent was to provide a more traditional timeshare offering that would appeal to international buyers.

I am one of the members you have described that paid the 10% point increase for a fixed-week contract. To me, the increase was well-worth the investment because I do not have to worry about using VGF points to book any available resort at the 7-month mark for a December reservation.

Although it may sound harsh, VGF exemplifies the importance of understanding the product you are buying.

To be fair VGF was the first WDW with fixed weeks offered for sale. I think since the concept was new it was not fully recognized just how hard it would be to book a studio especially during the fall/winter timeframe. Easy to say in hindsight coulda, woulda, shoulda........

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, for most, likely provides the quintessential Christmas holiday. Together, the two story gingerbread house, Grand Christmas tree, and Grand Floridian Society Orchestra create a picturesque sensory experience that evokes the spirit of classic movie moments and fabled Christmas novels. It is a moment that many, I suspect, would like to find themselves a part.

I wouldn't say it is all that. It's definitely a great experience but I put VWL ' s Christmas decorations and overall experience on the same plane as VGF. FWIW I own at both resorts.

 

[Dean]

To be fair VGF was the first WDW with fixed weeks offered for sale. I think since the concept was new it was not fully recognized just how hard it would be to book a studio especially during the fall/winter timeframe. Easy to say in hindsight coulda, woulda, shoulda........

We had this discussion up front about the options and likelihood's this would create but most retail buyers likely were not privy to the info, many likely didn't know it even existed.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Rumor has it there will be studios, one, two bedrooms along with the bungalows.

I have little doubt...I know some who are sticking to the "it's only the bungalows" because there had been no public permitting beyond that...

But come on...they don't refurb DVC pools...let alone builds new facilities...without adding villas.

Doesn't take Interpol to figure this out.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I wouldn't say it is all that. It's definitely a great experience but I put VWL ' s Christmas decorations and overall experience on the same plane as VGF. FWIW I own at both resorts.

100%...the gf is nice...I watched them put up the tree over the course of a couple of nights one year and couldn't shake the smell of gingerbread till st Patrick's day...

But wilderness was built to naturally lend itself to Christmas.

As Caribbean beach, Boardwalk, and really animal kingdom lodge...weren't...frankly.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

If anyone was actively stalking the website today, then you would have noticed full weeks available, for studios, during the beginning of December.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have little doubt...I know some who are sticking to the "it's only the bungalows" because there had been no public permitting beyond that...

Ah, but there are now permits against the main lodge. That whole "close off the entire South Wing!" thing...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Ah, but there are now permits against the main lodge. That whole "close off the entire South Wing!" thing...

I hadn't heard...but that's EXACTLY what I thought of when the rumors popped up about a year ago of the 58% occupancy, combined with long pool refurbs, bungalows, and a new restaurant.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If anyone was actively stalking the website today, then you would have noticed full weeks available, for studios, during the beginning of December.

Now you tell me

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I hadn't heard...but that's EXACTLY what I thought of when the rumors popped up about a year ago of the 58% occupancy, combined with long pool refurbs, bungalows, and a new restaurant.

All the permits are posted here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wilderness-lodge-dvc-expansion-details.3410778/page-56

Along with lots of updates. WL is a hot mess right now, and it's easy to believe VWL2 will include lower-point units beyond the bungalows. Conversion is quicker than the bungalow build, and gets them selling sooner.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

All the permits are posted here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wilderness-lodge-dvc-expansion-details.3410778/page-56

Along with lots of updates. WL is a hot mess right now, and it's easy to believe VWL2 will include lower-point units beyond the bungalows. Conversion is quicker than the bungalow build, and gets them selling sooner.

Agree completely

 

[dd08]

100%...the gf is nice...I watched them put up the tree over the course of a couple of nights one year and couldn't shake the smell of gingerbread till st Patrick's day...

But wilderness was built to naturally lend itself to Christmas.

As Caribbean beach, Boardwalk, and really animal kingdom lodge...weren't...frankly.

FWIW these posts just go to show why tastes are different. Jambo House and it's tree at Christmas is great. Was there again right after Christmas this year and it reminded me how wonderful it was. (Was at GF in December in 2014, also great; never been to VWL and will agree Boardwalk at Christmas isn't as good)

 

[zavandor]

Why doesn't DVC put a stop to "walking" reservations? I assume that that's what causes this issue. This issue is a large part of what pushed us to sell our DVC (we just closed). Totally messed up when you have to compete with people who "walk" reservations at 11 months and cause there to be no inventory on your 11 month date already.

If they stop the ability to walk (probably causing some collateral damage, like adding a fee to book or cancel, forbid modifying reservations...) the problem would still be there. Instead of competing with walkers, one would compete with people checking atomic clocks to press the button right at 11 months.

And the fact remains that if people usually arrive on a Friday and stays for the week end, there won't be availability for a vacation starting on Sunday anyway (just an example, not sure which are the travel patterns).

I'm sorry to say that DVC has only one way to fix the studio problem at VGF, increase the point cost for studios and reduce it for 1B. More people would find the upgrade worth the points. It would cause an outrage, I believe, but that's exactly what they did with the treehouses.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

It's not like they didn't know demand for studios would be problem with only 47 of them. That's not a reason to reallocate. It's different when certain views are not what they are supposed to be ( ie: going from Lake view to standard like they did at BLT). That's different so I can see where that change needed to happen.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It's not like they didn't know demand for studios would be problem with only 47 of them. That's not a reason to reallocate. It's different when certain views are not what they are supposed to be ( ie: going from Lake view to standard like they did at BLT). That's different so I can see where that change needed to happen.

My opinion is that views are the ultimate red herring at wdw...from both sides of the desk