VGF or CCV

[DVCBeachBum]

Hi All. I have been hemming and hawing on this and think I know what I am going to do but would love some reassurance from all you pros so I am asking for your opinion.

I am going back and forth between a great CCV resale (175 pts) and VGF direct (200). I own direct already.

This is specifically for an early Dec stay each year. I do live in CO so the cabin look is not something that I super care about but I want great holiday feel.

We always have a car onsite and honestly mostly prefer to drive to the parks as my son is a wheelchair user. The one exception is MK because I HATE the TTC.

This contract would be our “MK resort”.

Also keeping in mind that wheelchair ease of use is important to us. Very. And we like access to easy and comfy restaurants with good food but does not need to be “fancy”.

Usually a 2 bedroom family for a party of 3 adults (I know, we are space weirdos)

OK, PLEASE hit me with your thoughts.

EDIT: Mods— I think this should go in DVC RESORTS but I don’t have the power to delete and move it. SORRY!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would not buy CCV for an early December stay, especially looking for a studio, unless you could get a Fixed Week contract (so, probably not resale). People walk those, and it is brutal to get the booking. 1BRs also suffer because so many get shut out of studios.

Were I looking for early December, I'd go for a fixed week. That will be a lot easier at VGF, as the Resort Studios are not yet sold out for fixed week contracts.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Grand Floridian has the walking path to MK, if that is something which your family would use. But the points required for a 2 bedroom are pretty high.

If you don’t care for the look of Copper Creek I wouldn’t battle it out there in December. But if that is where you want to stay then… go with the resale & may the odds be ever in your favour.

 

[Her Dotness]

No question--VGF.

The villas, whether the new resort studios or the original VGF--are larger and have a better layout by far, IMO, than CCV's. CCV, except for the pricey cabins, are converted WL hotel rooms which explains the odd floorplans.

DH uses a powerchair, so we book accessible with roll-in shower for easier shower access. Those are roomy and bathroom well-equipped with grab bars surrounding the toilet and plenty of room for a chair. You will find a studio somewhat cramped if putting 5 in one, though. Buy enough points for a 1 bedroom if you can.

Rooms in either VGF building are light, bright and elegant with very cozy beds. GF Cafe is medium-priced with delicious food. Gasparilla Island Grill has a wide array of snacks as well as QS and is open 24/7.

Plus, you'd be stuck with bus or boat getting from CCV to MK. Not that either is awful; we prefer the WL-MK boat, in fact. However, you've about a 10-minute monorail ride from GF to MK, a boat route and a gorgeous wide new walkway.

A fixed week? That's going to be very pricey and may not be available in December because the GF is spectacularly decorated for the holidays.

As long as you get online early on your window opening day at 11 months out, you can likely get a resort studio at least. Anything larger would be in VGF1 and may be tough to get.

You can doubtless tell which I prefer. WL at Christmas is pretty with distinctive NW US decor, but the GF is flat out gorgeous. Check some holiday photos of both places, watch room tours for the villas and see which feel like home.

Disclaimer: We own at VGF and frankly adore it.

 

[DVCBeachBum]

No question--VGF.

The villas, whether the new resort studios or the original VGF--are larger and have a better layout by far, IMO, than CCV's. CCV, except for the pricey cabins, are converted WL hotel rooms which explains the odd floorplans.

DH uses a powerchair, so we book accessible with roll-in shower for easier shower access. Those are roomy and bathroom well-equipped with grab bars surrounding the toilet and plenty of room for a chair. You will find a studio somewhat cramped if putting 5 in one, though. Buy enough points for a 1 bedroom if you can.

Rooms in either VGF building are light, bright and elegant with very cozy beds. GF Cafe is medium-priced with delicious food. Gasparilla Island Grill has a wide array of snacks as well as QS and is open 24/7.

Plus, you'd be stuck with bus or boat getting from CCV to MK. Not that either is awful; we prefer the WL-MK boat, in fact. However, you've about a 10-minute monorail ride from GF to MK, a boat route and a gorgeous wide new walkway.

A fixed week? That's going to be very pricey and may not be available in December because the GF is spectacularly decorated for the holidays.

As long as you get online early on your window opening day at 11 months out, you can likely get a resort studio at least. Anything larger would be in VGF1 and may be tough to get.

You can doubtless tell which I prefer. WL at Christmas is pretty with distinctive NW US decor, but the GF is flat out gorgeous. Check some holiday photos of both places, watch room tours for the villas and see which feel like home.

Disclaimer: We own at VGF and frankly adore it.

Thank you. This is super helpful. We would be looking for 1-2 bed. Never a studio.

 

[Her Dotness]

Thank you. This is super helpful. We would be looking for 1-2 bed. Never a studio.

I warn you, though, there are very few 1br with roll-in shower, so you may prefer to go for the 2 br unless the tub-shower with bench works.

 

[DVCBeachBum]

I warn you, though, there are very few 1br with roll-in shower, so you may prefer to go for the 2 br unless the tub-shower with bench works.

Thank you. This is exactly the info I need and is SO hard to get. I have been told you can request a bench from housekeeping. That would work for my son. He can transfer - big guy, good shoulders still, manual chair user. SO, in these rooms do you lose the jacuzzi tub? Because I really want that for me, LOL

If I can figure out how to break one down small enough it may be something I keep in our owners locker

 

[sethschroeder]

my son is a wheelchair user

Does talking a stroll along the lake to and from Magic Kingdom possibly sway you to Grand Floridian? Additionally you could go through Poly to the TTC and ride the monorail to Epcot (although I see you dislike the TTC).

That might give VGF an edge?

Additionally normal VGF are larger rooms but I am not sure how HA rooms compare between CCV and VGF or how many there are?

Finally with VGF your food options are going to be more varied as well since its just not one resort but you can do the QS and Sitdown at both VGF and POLY.


I was going to suggest a Epcot resort but looks like you own RIV as there are tons of great food options and 2 parks to access without needing a bus/car.

 

[Sandisw]

The problem with CCV is that you want to go at the busiest time. Wanting 1 and 2 bedrooms will help because studios go like hot cakes and many people walk for that time of year.

We like the convenience of VGF...its our 2nd favorite resort to RIV and we bought it as our MK resort, specially for trips in December which we plan to do at least every other year.

I don't have experience with how hard it is for CCV...but if you go resale, you won't ever be able to use those points with your direct points for RIV or future resorts. That may include the new Poly tower which may give you more options and still be an MK resort. We don't know if it will be restricted, but if you buy VGF direct, we do know you will have 7 months access since it has already been announced to be DVC....just not whether it is rolled into PVB or be its own resort like CCV is against BRV.

 

[DVCBeachBum]

Does talking a stroll along the lake to and from Magic Kingdom possibly sway you to Grand Floridian? Additionally you could go through Poly to the TTC and ride the monorail to Epcot (although I see you dislike the TTC).

That might give VGF an edge?

Additionally normal VGF are larger rooms but I am not sure how HA rooms compare between CCV and VGF or how many there are?

Finally with VGF your food options are going to be more varied as well since its just not one resort but you can do the QS and Sitdown at both VGF and POLY.


I was going to suggest a Epcot resort but looks like you own RIV as there are tons of great food options and 2 parks to access without needing a bus/car.

I actually think the stroll sways me more towards VGF as in a case of too many crowds or things breaking down its always a way back.

I didn’t realize Poly was close enough to access for sit downs. That is a big plus. Thank you

 

[DVCBeachBum]

The problem with CCV is that you want to go at the busiest time. Wanting 1 and 2 bedrooms will help because studios go like hot cakes and many people walk for that time of year.

We like the convenience of VGF...its our 2nd favorite resort to RIV and we bought it as our MK resort, specially for trips in December which we plan to do at least every other year.

I don't have experience with how hard it is for CCV...but if you go resale, you won't ever be able to use those points with your direct points for RIV or future resorts. That may include the new Poly tower which may give you more options and still be an MK resort. We don't know if it will be restricted, but if you buy VGF direct, we do know you will have 7 months access since it has already been announced to be DVC....just not whether it is rolled into PVB or be its own resort like CCV is against BRV.

You honestly have nailed all my thinking on the points.

 

[sethschroeder]

I didn’t realize Poly was close enough to access for sit downs. That is a big plus. Thank you

To give you an idea here is the video of MK to GF to POLY walk. At the 26:27 mark they are next to VGF walking over to POLY.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

FWIW, the last two years part of the first week of December was already gone in 1BR and 2BR uniits at 11 months at CCV. Because when people cannot get the studios they move up for shorter stays. Definitely walked, too.

 

[DVCBeachBum]

FWIW, the last two years part of the first week of December was already gone in 1BR and 2BR uniits at 11 months at CCV. Because when people cannot get the studios they move up for shorter stays. Definitely walked, too.

Can I ask a newbie question? I really don’t think I understand what “walked” means and I have searched the board for a good explanation. Can you explain it to me exactly?

 

[Her Dotness]

DH reminded me to suggest buying enough points minimum for a lake view 1br. That's what you'll get if booking the roll-in shower. The tub-shower combo generally has a portable bench, and there are some SVs in those for fewer points.

Can I ask a newbie question? I really don’t think I understand what “walked” means and I have searched the board for a good explanation. Can you explain it to me exactly?

You don't want to know. It's a pain, done only if you're desperate for a full-length stay at a busy time.

Admittedly, wise to learn as you might need it for December bookings--a hot time in DVC.

Also, no jet tub when you need accessible; it's one spacious bathroom for chair maneuverability. I know the sadness of that.

You can either walk/roll to Poly in about 15 minutes but may not be able to once Poly Tower construction starts. The boat ride from GF to Poly is lovely, though, about every other one is large enough to take a chair.

You probably would not want to walk to Poly, thinking you'd do the 10-minute walk from there to TTC and Epcot monorail. The Poly courtyard is like Medieval cobblestones. DH hated it. We'll never stay there again for that reason.

 

[DVCBeachBum]

To give you an idea here is the video of MK to GF to POLY walk. At the 26:27 mark they are next to VGF walking over to POLY.

That was INCREDIBLY helpful. Thank you!

 

[DVCBeachBum]

DH reminded me to suggest buying enough points minimum for a lake view 1br. That's what you'll get if booking the roll-in shower. The tub-shower combo generally has a portable bench, and there are some SVs in those.


You don't want to know. It's a pain, done only if you're desperate for a full-length stay at a busy time.

Admittedly, wise to learn as you might need it for December bookings--a hot time in DVC.

Also, no jet tub when you need accessible; it's one spacious bathroom for chair maneuverability. I know the sadness of that.

It’s what I expected. I appreciate having someone who gets it!!

How does it work in a 2 bed? Is one bathroom accessible or both? Cause my dream is a lock off where his “studio” is accessible and our room isn’t.

 

[sndral]

Can I ask a newbie question? I really don’t think I understand what “walked” means and I have searched the board for a good explanation. Can you explain it to me exactly?

Say your goal is to stay at your home resort during the always popular first week of December next year 2023. On Nov. 1, 2022 (13 months) you reserve your desired villa. A couple days later you extend your reservation at the back end & cancel the first couple of days. A couple of days after that extend/cancel again. You keep doing this until you’ve ‘walked’ your reservation into the days you really want.
You are blocking anyone from swooping in ahead of you & getting that villa which is why it only really works at your home resort, w/ a 7 month non home resort booking home resort owners can jump ahead of you.

 

[Sandisw]

Can I ask a newbie question? I really don’t think I understand what “walked” means and I have searched the board for a good explanation. Can you explain it to me exactly?

Walking a reservation means that people start looking for their room type earlier than they really want. As soon as they are able to get it, they move it forward..."walk it" until it gets to the actual dates.

So, say you want to go Dec 1st to Dec 8th. Your 11 month window is January 1st. However, you know it will be hard. So, you start looking for the room for dates starting in October...2 months early...now your 11 month window is November 1st.

You book your room for October 1st to October 8th...then ever so often, you modify and move it forward, dropping days at the beginning and picking up days at the end. Because you can book 11 months + 7 days, you get your room a little bit a head of everyone. You must move it before the 11 month window opens for the last day of your walked trip.

You simply do this until you get your real dates. The only element is that you can't cross a UY when walking using the online system, so that requires calls to MS.

 

[cellomom]

Everyone has given you excellent advice. Here is my two cents from a CCV and VGF owner.
It is a battle to book CCV around Christmas and the rooms are smaller than other 2brs. Many times we walked a reservation for early December, secured a 2br, and then moved at 7mos for a 2 br w/ more sq footage. This year We purchase direct points at VGF. Planning to sell CCV. CCV is a lovely resort, especially at Christmas time, but prefer rooms with more square footage.
IMO-With the new owners at the VGF2, it is unknown how hard it may be to book a two bedroom in early December at VGF. But I rather have a fighting chance at VGF.