VGF2 ... to buy or not to buy?

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Agree! Our guide said you can request a microwave and a toaster from the front desk. I wish they just made it a standard offering, but it's nice to know you can get it if you need it.

Plus if you are heating up leftovers you will also need them to bring a mini fridge since the room as a beverage fridge not suitable for food storage with a temp range of 43-45 degree's

 

[NVDISFamily]

I'm really thinking about modifying our plans of buying more VGC points and instead buying 300 to 400 points at VGF for more flexibility in the future. I really didn't consider this an option at first as I had tunnel vision on the lower cost of Aulani points direct. When I consider the resale value of VGF and the upside of no resale restrictions it seems like it's the best bet to allow us to have more points for trips to WDW and Hawaii as well as some points to gamble for stays at the new Disneyland hotel. I wish I could see into the future and know that DVC will (or won't) drop the restrictions on resale points but I will just assume they are here to stay. Having a pool of direct points will help us stay at the "new" resorts going into the future.

 

[sethschroeder]

Constrictions on RIV resales are concerning.

Hate to break it to you but in 20 years most resorts will have resale restrictions and the ones that don't will likely be hard to get except for places like SSR and OKW that people don't want to stay anyways.

Your last out before people really start looking at the dwindling O14 is like 2038-2040 area.

VGF will hold more value because it's VGF and people will buy to stay there. Come 2042 there will be 0 resale points around Epcot except for RIV. Meaning people wanting a cheaper option for Epcot will only have RIV as an option possibly. Meanwhile MK will have lots of options so scarcity around that park will not drive price just the draw of VGF.

 

[sethschroeder]

Agree! Our guide said you can request a microwave and a toaster from the front desk. I wish they just made it a standard offering, but it's nice to know you can get it if you need it.

Unless it's written in the legal documents regarding the rooms and standard benefits don't expect them to have enough or keep it around when things start to break.

They could but DVC looks for ways to cut costs and something like that I can see easily getting axed long term.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Maybe you should wait until the new Polynesian will be available.
For some reason, I don’t think the GF is appealing.
Can’t figure why , I love Riviera and BLT and Poly and
POP Century … I have stayed at the Grand Floridian once.
Are you familiar with the choices and actually walked around the different locations?
When I first purchased, I thought I wanted BoardWalk but the Boulder Ridge Villas ( VWL) were new and available.
I just sold those points . BLT is my home now and love this location . Almost bought a guaranteed fixed weeek at the Riviera but backed out of contract. Now I am considering the Poly … but those yearly increases with the point charts and the maintenance….

 

[DVCsloth]

I would choose Riviera over VGF if I were buying now. Not sure of new buyer incentives, but at least you would get current year points at Riviera. VGF should have pretty good availability for studios now that they added 2 million points. We own at both and love both of the resorts, but the new VGF studios are pretty much a hotel room where as VGF1 and Riviera are what we originally thought of as a Deluxe Villa.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

The road to hell is paved with unbought VGF points.

 

[Hokies37]

Thanks all for your advice. We did the sales pitch with a guide, debated VGF vs. Riv, and -PLOT TWIST- ultimately decided to go resale. We're currently in ROFR with a 125pt Poly contract. We decided this for a few reasons:

• Poly is our favorite resort. Even if Poly2 isn't part of the same association, we'd be happy staying at Poly1. Studios are great for us now with small kids. I know that won't last long (see bullet 3!)
• DS starts kindergarten in the fall. We decided to start small until we got a good sense of our new family rhythm and how frequently we can travel due to the school calendar. Gone are the days of traveling whenever we want! 125 pts felt manageable for a newbie until I get the hang of it. We're fine bookending DVC trips with Pop stays to make our points stretch.
• The need for more points and add-on-itis will certainly kick in soon. We'll cross our fingers that member incentives will hang around for a bit and then we'll buy direct. Maybe for Poly2?

 

[arich35]

Thanks all for your advice. We did the sales pitch with a guide, debated VGF vs. Riv, and -PLOT TWIST- ultimately decided to go resale. We're currently in ROFR with a 125pt Poly contract. We decided this for a few reasons:

• Poly is our favorite resort. Even if Poly2 isn't part of the same association, we'd be happy staying at Poly1. Studios are great for us now with small kids. I know that won't last long (see bullet 3!)
• DS starts kindergarten in the fall. We decided to start small until we got a good sense of our new family rhythm and how frequently we can travel due to the school calendar. Gone are the days of traveling whenever we want! 125 pts felt manageable for a newbie until I get the hang of it. We're fine bookending DVC trips with Pop stays to make our points stretch.
• The need for more points and add-on-itis will certainly kick in soon. We'll cross our fingers that member incentives will hang around for a bit and then we'll buy direct. Maybe for Poly2?

You sound similar to us! Except our first kid will be in kindergarten in 2 years.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks all for your advice. We did the sales pitch with a guide, debated VGF vs. Riv, and -PLOT TWIST- ultimately decided to go resale. We're currently in ROFR with a 125pt Poly contract. We decided this for a few reasons:

• Poly is our favorite resort. Even if Poly2 isn't part of the same association, we'd be happy staying at Poly1. Studios are great for us now with small kids. I know that won't last long (see bullet 3!)
• DS starts kindergarten in the fall. We decided to start small until we got a good sense of our new family rhythm and how frequently we can travel due to the school calendar. Gone are the days of traveling whenever we want! 125 pts felt manageable for a newbie until I get the hang of it. We're fine bookending DVC trips with Pop stays to make our points stretch.
• The need for more points and add-on-itis will certainly kick in soon. We'll cross our fingers that member incentives will hang around for a bit and then we'll buy direct. Maybe for Poly2?

Sounds like an awesome plan!!! Congratulations!

 

[Chuck96]

I bought VGF because it hit the most boxes, not because it hit all. Poly is my sentimental favorite, and I would actually prefer that to be my home resort. I actually think that Poly DVC longhouses are one of the best located properties in the WDW complex. I can walk to TWO metros and the TTC??? I also love the retro theming which balances Disney and 50s/60s exotic pacific fever quite well. I think you made a great choice, and I hope to use my VGF points at Poly a time or two in the future.

The Poly feels like how I thought staying at Disney was like when I was a kid (and didn't go).

 

[SleeplessInTO]

If Poly was available for a great price direct and no restrictions, I totally would've bought it over VGF. Love the food and pool at Poly. Congrats!!!!

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

I bought VGF because it hit the most boxes, not because it hit all. Poly is my sentimental favorite, and I would actually prefer that to be my home resort. I actually think that Poly DVC longhouses are one of the best located properties in the WDW complex. I can walk to TWO metros and the TTC??? I also love the retro theming which balances Disney and 50s/60s exotic pacific fever quite well. I think you made a great choice, and I hope to use my VGF points at Poly a time or two in the future.

The Poly feels like how I thought staying at Disney was like when I was a kid (and didn't go).

I actually think that Poly DVC longhouses are one of the best located properties in the WDW complex.

Yes, THIS EXACTLY! I could not agree more! The Poly DVC longhouses have very good access to the Magic Kingdom AND to Epcot. It's the MK area resort location with the best access to Epcot. We go to MK and Epcot the most, so the Poly DVC longhouses are ideal. We only need/want a studio and these are the best studios at WDW in my opinion (for the studios themselves and for the location). Even if the new Poly tower is amazing (which I expect it will be), these longhouses are in a better location.

 

[RaymOOOnd]

If prior example(s) of a standalone DVC resort are any indicator, the tower will likely be underwhelming with a muted / small lobby and a focus on utility rather than awe value or total immersion. Riviera and Kidani come to mind. I am happy with the longhouses and have a hard time thinking of how a tower will fit nicely into the theming and feel of the place. And it will crowd things up something terrible. I do obviously hope for same association so that we'll have the larger villas option some day as our family grows, but otherwise I think I'd just as happily add on points at PVB1 to allow for the occasional stay in a bungalow - which I expect will be the better experience anyway