Villas at Grand Floridian Inquiry

[PolyRob]

I am very interested in purchasing DVC with my sister. We really enjoy the Polynesian as a resort, but recently fell in love with the Grand Floridian.

I have read how the Villas at the Grand Floridian is nearly impossible to purchase directly from Disney. I like saving money, and would definitely purchase a contract resale. Looking for a September/October use year with the intention of typically visiting in the Fall (October/November/December).

I realize VGF is one of the most expensive resale resorts per point. I am curious if purchasing VGF is actually worth it with the 11 month booking window. At our current stage in life, studios seem fine given the space we need. I would like my contract to cover at least a week in a lake/standard view studio. I see they range from approximately 108 - 128 points. I was looking at a 160+ point contract. We would eventually want to stay in a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom to accommodate families by either banking/borrowing or adding on a contract in the future.

How hard is it to book VGF at the 11 month window for the months of October, November, and December? I realize the contracts have only existed a few years so there may not be many experiences in doing so, but I feel the only way we would have a chance to secure it would be to own VGF. With about only 47 of each room type, would I ever be able to get a studio without a fixed week?

I would also be interested in purchasing a 25 point Poly add-on (would check if VGF is an option) direct with DVC to get access to benefits like the Gold AP. I am curious if I can get rooms because the already high resale point price for VGF plus the addition of the direct add-on would almost make this entire DVC transaction the regular price from DVC for the number of points I am interested in.

 

[Missyrose]

I am very interested in purchasing DVC with my sister. We really enjoy the Polynesian as a resort, but recently fell in love with the Grand Floridian.

I have read how the Villas at the Grand Floridian is nearly impossible to purchase directly from Disney. I like saving money, and would definitely purchase a contract resale. Looking for a September/October use year with the intention of typically visiting in the Fall (October/November/December).

I realize VGF is one of the most expensive resale resorts per point. I am curious if purchasing VGF is actually worth it with the 11 month booking window. At our current stage in life, studios seem fine given the space we need. I would like my contract to cover at least a week in a lake/standard view studio. I see they range from approximately 108 - 128 points. I was looking at a 160+ point contract. We would eventually want to stay in a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom to accommodate families by either banking/borrowing or adding on a contract in the future.

How hard is it to book VGF at the 11 month window for the months of October, November, and December? I realize the contracts have only existed a few years so there may not be many experiences in doing so, but I feel the only way we would have a chance to secure it would be to own VGF. With about only 47 of each room type, would I ever be able to get a studio without a fixed week?

I would also be interested in purchasing a 25 point Poly add-on (would check if VGF is an option) direct with DVC to get access to benefits like the Gold AP. I am curious if I can get rooms because the already high resale point price for VGF plus the addition of the direct add-on would almost make this entire DVC transaction the regular price from DVC for the number of points I am interested in.

Most of the year, it is very difficult to get into VGF without home-resort advantage. There are times of year (November and December included) when owners at VGF have reported issues getting studios at the start of the 11-month window.

Bottom line? If you want to stay at VGF regularly, you should own there.

 

[ParkHoppers]

Most of the year, it is very difficult to get into VGF without home-resort advantage. There are times of year (November and December included) when owners at VGF have reported issues getting studios at the start of the 11-month window.

Bottom line? If you want to stay at VGF regularly, you should own there.

Do you or anyone else here have info on getting a one bedroom at the 7 month window? I know they are usually the last to go but with what I have heard about GF villas just curious. We usually go between late October through Febuary 1st.

 

[Missyrose]

Do you or anyone else here have info on getting a one bedroom at the 7 month window? I know they are usually the last to go but with what I have heard about GF villas just curious. We usually go between late October through Febuary 1st.

There's a really helpful thread that shows typical availability for each resort.

The thing to remember is most of your usual travel dates are in DVC's busiest period (late September through marathon weekend in January). AND VGF is the smallest DVC resort at WDW. So even traveling at a lower-crowd period (late January) and going for a less in-demand villa size (one bedroom), the number of VGF villas you're dealing with is still incredibly low and tough to get at seven months. That's not to say that people don't get lucky, but if it's somewhere you want to stay regularly, why spend all that money buying at another resort and then hope you get to stay where you want to stay?

 

[ParkHoppers]

There's a really helpful thread that shows typical availability for each resort.

The thing to remember is most of your usual travel dates are in DVC's busiest period (late September through marathon weekend in January). AND VGF is the smallest DVC resort at WDW. So even traveling at a lower-crowd period (late January) and going for a less in-demand villa size (one bedroom), the number of VGF villas you're dealing with is still incredibly low and tough to get at seven months. That's not to say that people don't get lucky, but if it's somewhere you want to stay regularly, why spend all that money buying at another resort and then hope you get to stay where you want to stay?

I agree with buying there if you want to stay there a lot. But I already own at BLT and just was wondering for myself. Hope I didn't cloud this thread with my question.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Do you or anyone else here have info on getting a one bedroom at the 7 month window? I know they are usually the last to go but with what I have heard about GF villas just curious. We usually go between late October through Febuary 1st.

We stayed 11/30/15 - 12/6/15 @ VGF in a 1BR. I got 3 nights @ 7 months, 2 nights a week later via the wait list and the last night a month or so later via stalking the website.

 

[ParkHoppers]

We stayed 11/30/15 - 12/6/15 @ VGF in a 1BR. I got 3 nights @ 7 months, 2 nights a week later via the wait list and the last night a month or so later via stalking the website.

Thanks for the info and HOPE.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Thanks for the info and HOPE.

Your welcome. Good luck.

 

[disneynutz]

After disappointment booking at 7 months and realizing that you have spent thousands of dollars to play the waitlist game, buying your favorite resorts really makes sense. VGF being a small popular resort drives that importance home.

Bill

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

My advice regarding VGF is buy it and never look back. We did, and we love it.
We like to stay in a studio the first week in December. I have to be on line at the 11 month mark to snag this. Then we like a 2br in March or April for Braves Spring Training. These are much easier to get, but disappear rapidly as 7 months approaches. (Yes I know the Braves will be leaving Disney, but Spring is still a good time for our children and grandchildren to join us!)

 

[PolyRob]

After disappointment booking at 7 months and realizing that you have spent thousands of dollars to play the waitlist game, buying your favorite resorts really makes sense. VGF being a small popular resort drives that importance home.

Bill

Thank you, I feel an initial resale for VGF is the only way to go right now! I think I would experience some major buyers remorse if I had my heart set on a room and was never able to book it!

My advice regarding VGF is buy it and never look back. We did, and we love it.
We like to stay in a studio the first week in December. I have to be on line at the 11 month mark to snag this. Then we like a 2br in March or April for Braves Spring Training. These are much easier to get, but disappear rapidly as 7 months approaches. (Yes I know the Braves will be leaving Disney, but Spring is still a good time for our children and grandchildren to join us!)

Ok, that is reassuring to know! I have no problem waking up and logging in first thing. I already do it for dining and FastPass+ I would probably want something similar end of November/beginning of December, and even possibly end of October for Food and Wine.

I think an October use year makes the most sense for me. I currently have my eye on a "fully-loaded" contract with a full year banked and full year coming in October of 2017. The price per point is on the higher side of what I have seen for VGF selling for ($153 pp).

I do not want to start out with too many or too little points. I figured 175 would be a happy medium. Would looking for a VGF add-on direct be completely unheard of? I guess I could always browse the resale market again for the same use year down the line, but I would like the "benefits" associated with direct additions.

 

[ParkHoppers]

*

 

[disneynutz]

IMO if you find a contract that fits and the price is reasonable, buy it. Watch any banked or expiring points that may be forfeited due to Disney making you wait to close.

Over a 50 ownership, Disney vacations can cost you $200,000 to $300,000, paying a couple of thousands more for the right contract isn't a big issue IMO. Owning where you love to stay is important because in a few years you will be spending more time at the resort and less time in the crowded parks. You need to make sure that you love the bed because you will be sleeping in while others are running to get to the park for rope drop.

Bill

 

[PolyRob]

IMO if you find a contract that fits and the price is reasonable, buy it. Watch any banked or expiring points that may be forfeited due to Disney making you wait to close.

Over a 50 ownership, Disney vacations can cost you $200,000 to $300,000, paying a couple of thousands more for the right contract isn't a big issue IMO. Owning where you love to stay is important because in a few years you will be spending more time at the resort and less time in the crowded parks. You need to make sure that you love the bed because you will be sleeping in while others are running to get to the park for rope drop.

Bill

That is an excellent point! I projected that with a 6% maintenance fee increase every year, it will cost about $300,000. A little more now won't really be that much in the long run. We definitely are those people that currently cram a lot in from open to close. I cannot wait to sleep in, relax, and enjoy the Grand Floridian! Thank you!

 

[Sur]

Aaah, the GF villas. I really have loved being there. I just departed my latest trip mid June, yep mid June, and now I need to take some time away.....

One nice thing I never thought I'd do is rent out points when time is needed away. It'll still be there and dues will be taken care of, so other than the upfront cost, it's a very beneficial timeshare to be within- others are willing to use when you cannot.

 

[McCrae]

I think a lot depends on what size of room you want to book. We regularly stay in 2br at the GF, booking on the opening day of the 7 month window. Never had a problem getting the dates wanted.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I would say you would need a contract for sure to get to stay at VGF. We bought a smaller contract and eish we bought more! I think evetually Disney will start to sell it again when it gets points back. Also consider the new offering at VWL coming out next year I think. That is another small nice resort.

 

[disneynutz]

The cost for 50 years of Disney vacations isn't just the room/DVC and dues, it's the food, travel, admission, and extras that you spend each vacation. You will be committing to a yearly if not more frequent vacation. Extra points can be rented but what if Disney does something to change the renting business.

A buying strategy based on current occupancy patterns IMO is a mistake. Just 3 years ago most rooms were available across property at 7 months. As more people are added to the mix, and people who bought off site resorts book at WDW, finding availability is more of a challenge. Also the units that DVD builds can have an impact on inventory, what if PVB buyers want to stay in a 1 or 2 bedroom, historically they have always been available at 7 months and less.

Bill

 

[PolyRob]

IMO if you find a contract that fits and the price is reasonable, buy it. Watch any banked or expiring points that may be forfeited due to Disney making you wait to close.

Over a 50 ownership, Disney vacations can cost you $200,000 to $300,000, paying a couple of thousands more for the right contract isn't a big issue IMO. Owning where you love to stay is important because in a few years you will be spending more time at the resort and less time in the crowded parks. You need to make sure that you love the bed because you will be sleeping in while others are running to get to the park for rope drop.

Bill

I have been thinking more and more about that one contract with all of those baked points after reading your comment last night. It has full points that will expire 10/1/17. If I did decide to pursue it, I figure I would not have access to start possibly booking until this September the earliest. That would then allow me to have the 11 month access to August of 2017 with banked points expiring in 2 months! Maybe it is best to wait it out for a contract with no banked points?

Aaah, the GF villas. I really have loved being there. I just departed my latest trip mid June, yep mid June, and now I need to take some time away.....

One nice thing I never thought I'd do is rent out points when time is needed away. It'll still be there and dues will be taken care of, so other than the upfront cost, it's a very beneficial timeshare to be within- others are willing to use when you cannot.

It does seem great, but I can imagine needing to take some time away. I have actually been wondering about the rental process. Is it pretty easy to offload the points provided you do it with ample time? My thinking is maybe one year you can't take the time or you simply plan on going elsewhere? Nice that it will always be there waiting for you

I think a lot depends on what size of room you want to book. We regularly stay in 2br at the GF, booking on the opening day of the 7 month window. Never had a problem getting the dates wanted.

At this time, a studio or 1 bedroom seem sufficient. I eventually would be interested in the 2 bedroom units, but that would require me to bank/borrow based on the contract I am currently considering. SS was tempting due to its initial cost and relatively low historical maintenance fee increase, but I am concerned about missing out on VGF for the holiday time after spending all of that money. For the difference in the initial up-front purchase, I feel purchasing VGF may be wiser (for me at least).

I would say you would need a contract for sure to get to stay at VGF. We bought a smaller contract and eish we bought more! I think evetually Disney will start to sell it again when it gets points back. Also consider the new offering at VWL coming out next year I think. That is another small nice resort.

What would you consider a "smaller" contract? I was looking at 175 points. Would this be "smaller" due to VGF higher point requirement per night? VWL do seem very nice. I have not personally stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, but I would like a direct add-on. This could be a possibility!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I have been thinking more and more about that one contract with all of those baked points after reading your comment last night. It has full points that will expire 10/1/17. If I did decide to pursue it, I figure I would not have access to start possibly booking until this September the earliest. That would then allow me to have the 11 month access to August of 2017 with banked points expiring in 2 months! Maybe it is best to wait it out for a contract with no banked points?



It does seem great, but I can imagine needing to take some time away. I have actually been wondering about the rental process. Is it pretty easy to offload the points provided you do it with ample time? My thinking is maybe one year you can't take the time or you simply plan on going elsewhere? Nice that it will always be there waiting for you



At this time, a studio or 1 bedroom seem sufficient. I eventually would be interested in the 2 bedroom units, but that would require me to bank/borrow based on the contract I am currently considering. SS was tempting due to its initial cost and relatively low historical maintenance fee increase, but I am concerned about missing out on VGF for the holiday time after spending all of that money. For the difference in the initial up-front purchase, I feel purchasing VGF may be wiser (for me at least).



What would you consider a "smaller" contract? I was looking at 175 points. Would this be "smaller" due to VGF higher point requirement per night? VWL do seem very nice. I have not personally stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, but I would like a direct add-on. This could be a possibility!

I would think 175 points would be a good contract for youat VGF. We did a small add on too small only enough for two nights every other year in a studio. Big mistake the resort is amazing! We thought we would not want to stay longer. How wrong we were. We scored VWL at Christmas on a waitlist for 4 glorious nights. I am in love. Got to get me some of that action! We also love our main home resort of SSR. That is where we have most points and our larger contract. We come for 2 weeks a year.