Villas- 3 bedroom ???

[8timesblessed]

OK after reading Jack talk about staying at the VGC I read the whole thread and it got me thinking about how much it would be to stay there. Well we will have 11 people total so we would need a 3 bedroom and the week we would be going it would be $10,000. Is it worth it??? Of course a 2 bedroom is half the price but would they allow small kids to stay in sleeping bags? Are they sticklers for certain number per room??

We own a time share but it's out of Whistler and we got it 12 years ago before we had kids. We now see it would've been better to buy at Disney because everyone wants to go there and then trade out of Disney not the other way around. But it looks like we would have to have 800pts to stay in a 3 bedroom for a week. That seems like a lot of money as well. Oh the joys of travelling with a big family.

 

[blackjackdelta]

OK after reading Jack talk about staying at the VGC I read the whole thread and it got me thinking about how much it would be to stay there. Well we will have 11 people total so we would need a 3 bedroom and the week we would be going it would be $10,000. Is it worth it??? Of course a 2 bedroom is half the price but would they allow small kids to stay in sleeping bags? Are they sticklers for certain number per room??

We own a time share but it's out of Whistler and we got it 12 years ago before we had kids. We now see it would've been better to buy at Disney because everyone wants to go there and then trade out of Disney not the other way around. But it looks like we would have to have 800pts to stay in a 3 bedroom for a week. That seems like a lot of money as well. Oh the joys of travelling with a big family.

We made our decision on a number of things:
1. DGF got a bonus and she wanted to splurge, maybe our only chance for awhile since we have 4 in college right now.
2. Cheaper to stay in the villas than a 1 bedroom suite at the Grand, DGF got spoiled last year. $10.00/point. It works into this years budget.
3. Wanted a view of WOC hoping to avoid the chaos.
4. Needed a separate bedroom and bathroom away from the teen daughters.
5. Washer and dryer so we can pack lighter. We do like to enjoy our time at the parks but also like to relax(I am trying.)
6. May want to buy into DVC for the future(kids) and their kids if any.
7. Just thought it would be cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We used to travel with 6 all the time and it adds up, but I would not trade the kids and the memories we have had for the world.

Jack

 

[8timesblessed]

For me I'm not sure when we would go again so if we were only going once would it be better to really make it a magical trip?? My DH is not a huge traveller, he would rather stay home. Our house has a great view of the Port of Tacoma and Mt Rainier, it's so pretty today! When I read through all the stuff on here I was set on staying at the HOJO and we would have to get two Kid suites, so we wouldn't all be together and I would have to eat out every meal and I have no clue how much that is going to be for all of us. We are bringing my 19 year old sister with us because she has never been to Disney and we will be flying her down for the week.

When I called about paying cash for the Villas it was alot but reading on here that you could rent points I thought I should at least look into it. I would save alot just cooking for all of us. So would love more input from anyone who has stayed in a 3 bedroom or 2 bedroom.

 

[MCSfromWA]

First of all -- when are you planning to go to DLR? In July and August the weekly points required for a 2 bedroom is 530 and a 3 bedroom is 1,140. A studio is 195. From June 1 -27 it is 385/week/2 bedroom; 797/week/3 bedroom; and 143/week/studio. At Christmas and Easter the points required are even higher.

Yes, the occupancy rules must be followed. But you might be better off renting a 2 bedroom and a studio versus a 3 bedroom villa. The folks in the studio could still hang out in the 2 bedroom villa during the day. If there were only 10 of you then you could look into renting 2 one bedroom villas. And you would probably be better off if you rent points from a DVC-er. Many are willing to rent at $10/point. That would definitely be less than $10,000. If you are planning to go this summer than any DVC-er can rent you points -- GVC would not need to be their home resort because it is less than 7 months away. The question would be: is there availability for what you need on the dates you desire.

I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[8timesblessed]

May 23-30. I think it was 797 pts.

 

[MCSfromWA]

By the way ... I stayed in a one bedroom villa with my family in September and loved it. We did ALL of our meals in the villa. There were 5 of us -- but we hosted a Birthday dinner for my DH and DMom and there were 16 of us. Everyone had a place to sit and eat! The villas are roomy and very convenient. When we go back this summer we will be staying in a 2 bedroom. I did not see the GV but my DSis got to tour one on opening day. She said it was pretty fantastic so if you cannot stay in a 2 bedroom and studio and must stay in a 3 bedroom AND if you have the extra cash to do it -- it would be pretty fabulous.

 

[MCSfromWA]

IF you are staying in May then you are correct -- 797 points. If you can rent points (and for $10/point) then it would be less than $8,000. Plus, there are no taxes and no resort fee on top of that.

 

[8timesblessed]

I was basing the rates on $13 a point from the sticky at the top of the thread. I think it's David's vacation club rentals. Where do you go to find someone who would rent for $10 a point??

We could also do the 2 bedroom and studio and that would save and my sister could stay with a few kids in the studio but the 3 bedroom looks like so much fun but not sure it's even available or how many they have.

 

[8timesblessed]

By the way ... I stayed in a one bedroom villa with my family in September and loved it. We did ALL of our meals in the villa. There were 5 of us -- but we hosted a Birthday dinner for my DH and DMom and there were 16 of us. Everyone had a place to sit and eat! The villas are roomy and very convenient. When we go back this summer we will be staying in a 2 bedroom. I did not see the GV but my DSis got to tour one on opening day. She said it was pretty fantastic so if you cannot stay in a 2 bedroom and studio and must stay in a 3 bedroom AND if you have the extra cash to do it -- it would be pretty fabulous.

Well DH says there goes one bathroom for our remodel! But I just think I'm not sure we would do it again and why not go all out but part of me likes all the reviews on HOJO and it would be a huge savings. I don't remember going but DH has been many times but the last time was over 20 years ago and none of my kids have been.

 

[MCSfromWA]

There is a DVC rent/trade board on the disboard. The challenge is finding someone with almost 800 points to rent (if you go with the 3 bedroom). You might have to rent from a few people and then have the reservations connected. The DVC member would have to make the ressie for you-- so if you have to rent from 2 people that might be a pain. On the other hand if you can save $3/point it might be worth the aggrevation. There are only 2 GV if I am remembering correctly. But that is 797 points. If you go with the 2 bedroom and studio it is only 528 points. It would save you more than $2,000 if you chose that option. Of course, I think if I were spending that kind of money I would be tempted to just buy your own points. But then, my DH thinks that is my solution to eveything.

 

[8timesblessed]

There is a DVC rent/trade board on the disboard. The challenge is finding someone with almost 800 points to rent (if you go with the 3 bedroom). You might have to rent from a few people and then have the reservations connected. The DVC member would have to make the ressie for you-- so if you have to rent from 2 people that might be a pain. On the other hand if you can save $3/point it might be worth the aggrevation. There are only 2 GV if I am remembering correctly. But that is 797 points. If you go with the 2 bedroom and studio it is only 528 points. It would save you more than $2,000 if you chose that option. Of course, I think if I were spending that kind of money I would be tempted to just buy your own points. But then, my DH thinks that is my solution to eveything.

How much is it to buy your own points??
I know most people don't have to get 800pts but we either always have to rent two rooms and our kids are still too young to sleep alone in a different room so DH and I have to split up and that's not a vacation for me.

 

[the donut]

I have to say that the pictures of the 3BR villa are pretty fabulous. There's a pool table and a television in the mirror in the master bath!

Pics are here: http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=508&Itemid=213

Points for the grand california with current incentives I think are running around $97/point.

 

[CrazyDuck]

How much is it to buy your own points??
I know most people don't have to get 800pts but we either always have to rent two rooms and our kids are still too young to sleep alone in a different room so DH and I have to split up and that's not a vacation for me.

Points at VGC are currently set at $112 a point. They are offering a discount of $15/point right now so that would be $97/point. You don't need to Buy the full 800. If you only plan on going every other year you could bank your points one year and combine them with the next years points. Then you'd only need to buy 400 points. If you can do with only going every 3rd year you could bank one years points then borrow the next years points then youd only need 266 points. Another splitting the rooms would save you a lot of points/money too... if you could get a 2br and a studio or 3 studios it would be a lot cheaper than 1 grand villa. I know you said thats not an option... but it may be in the future so take that into consideration when deciding how many points you need!

 

[bethy]

There are indeed only 2 Grand Villas and so availability for one for an entire week at this late date might be iffy. However, the point requirements are so high for them that it's possible they aren't super popular.

One caution about buying: The true cost of buying into DVC is not just the initial cost per point. Where you will really feel it and what will really add up to much more is the maintenance costs year after year after year for 50 years. You need to really be committed to Disney if you buy DVC. Of course you can always sell your contract later on but it's still a pretty big commitment that you should not enter into lightly. AND DVC is only a reasonably good value if you plan on using it just for Disney DVC properties. It's not a great deal if you hope to regularly use your points to "trade out" other locations and timeshare companies and Disney cruises etc.

 

[8timesblessed]

There are indeed only 2 Grand Villas and so availability for one for an entire week at this late date might be iffy. However, the point requirements are so high for them that it's possible they aren't super popular.

One caution about buying: The true cost of buying into DVC is not just the initial cost per point. Where you will really feel it and what will really add up to much more is the maintenance costs year after year after year for 50 years. You need to really be committed to Disney if you buy DVC. Of course you can always sell your contract later on but it's still a pretty big commitment that you should not enter into lightly. AND DVC is only a reasonably good value if you plan on using it just for Disney DVC properties. It's not a great deal if you hope to regularly use your points to "trade out" other locations and timeshare companies and Disney cruises etc.

So how does it work to trade out? We are currently with a timeshare out of Whistler and they do the point system and we only have 120pts right now with them. They have 10 or 12 resorts and then they partner out the rest and we have to pay $129 booking fee plus our points per room. So our family just used our points within a 30 day window to go to Lake Chelan (we like going in the winter to get some snow and it's not crowded) and it was 40pts but in the summer it would be 170pts. So we usually take friends along and the kids all have a great time. They do partner with Disney but usually their is a long wait because more people want into Disney then Disney people wanting into Whistler. Our maintenance fees are about $700 a year I think. Are the fees based on how many points you have??

 

[blackjackdelta]

Which reminds me that I need to cancel Hojo, I really did want to stay in one of their suites.

Looks like some of the views from the Villas maybe be spectacular, WOC maybe visable.

Jack

 

[8timesblessed]

My DH loved the photos I sent him and told me I should go for it! Is there a way to tell if a 3 bedroom is even available for the week we wanted in May since there are only 2. I guess we could always do a 2 bedroom and studio and let me sister stay in the studio.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

6. May want to buy into DVC for the future(kids) and their kids if any.

Be afraid...be very afraid. The villas are so nice, roomy, great decor, great views, and the kitchen is a godsend $$$ wise. Buying points for the GCV is one of the best decisions we've made, vacation wise. But then again, we were hitting DLR twice a year BEFORE we bought, so it just made sense.

 

[MCSfromWA]

About availability ... the only way to determine availability is for a DVC member to call MS and ask. If you find someone to rent points to you they can do so for you.

About the costs of DVC ownership ... Yes, you buy points (as everyone is saying it amounts to $97/point with the incentive) and then the annual maintenance fees must also be factored in. The run just under $4/point at GVC right now.

We go to DLR every year so we purchased enough points so that we can stay once a year for about a week. We also like to go to WDW, but not as often, so we bought into BLT (love the Contemporary) so that we can stay there once every 3 years for a week. Of course, once one buys into DVC it is like collecting baseball cards -- you want "one" of each of your favorites.

If you think that you wouldn't use DVC very much then it would be better to rent -- even at those prices. But on the other hand, if you thought you might go every 2 or 3 years then the cost of renting could be a good percentage of the overall cost of ownership. And then, on the other hand ... well, my family would not believe that I am saying this ... but there is more to life than Disney and maybe you do want to remodel your bathroom.

We bought into DVC because we do go every year and once I learned they were building at GC I was WAITING for the opportunity. But had they not built this one we would not have bought into DVC because it just wouldn't have made good financial sense for us to have done so.

In the meantime, you have a trip to plan. And May is a lovely time to visit DLR so you should have a great time!