Villas at the Grand Floridian Presale to Begin May 25th?

[lilpooh108]

Is there a summary of all the info?

I'm packing for a cruise and I don't have time to go through all these threads. So far I've seen the point chart and the $145/pt..... I'm too stressed from packing to be excited right now.

Are there any incentives right now on the cruise? We're definitely interested, but gonna wait until our cruise to see if there are at least OBC offers since there are no discounts at all...

 

[lilpooh108]

I have verified with DVC that when VGF opens it will be finished. Now of course all rooms won't be DVC until sold out.

Also there will be delay in booking for non VGF members as it was for BLT.

The grand villas will have a media room, which while not classified as a bedroom on points charts it will have a sofa bed and can be closed off.

Until the end of year non VGF members will only be allowed to book 4 months out. After the end of the year it will go back to 7 months.

If you buy what's the home resort advantage for this year?

 

[jade1]

A Studio is a similar difference ($771 vs. $1077), about 40%.

BWV is awesome-but I think $43 more a night for VGF is surprisingly worth it IMO, as least on occasion-or for split stays. Especially if you set up some GF dining and do some MK visits while there.

Compare BWI to GF rack rates to get a similar comp-its quite a bit more.

 

[lilpooh108]

The past few resorts have never opened sales with their best deal

Aulani was cheapest during presales, and I personally think if you are considering anything less than 100 pts add on (therefore no incentives), it's probably cheapest during presales since Disney doesn't lower its base line price (ignoring SSR dropping down to $99).

 

[Nabas]

BWV is awesome-but I think $43 more a night for VGF is surprisingly worth it IMO, as least on occasion-or for split stays. Especially if you set up some GF dining and do some MK visits while there.

Compare BWI to GF rack rates to get a similar comp-its quite a bit more.

Interest point, for the same period, rack rate for a lagoon view room at GF is $679.50/night while a Boardwalk View at BWI is $570.38/night, a difference of 19%.

 

[uconnfan4]

Does anyone know what the minimum points buy-in requirement is for people who are not currently DVC members?

 

[Sammie]

This is a great question. I suspect that the strategy will be for people to try to book at 7 months with the $12 OKW and SSR rented points.

But I also wonder what the rack rate for these rooms will be. I think that if they are significantly higher, there will be room for an increase on point rental prices. But even if that is the case, I wonder if VGF owners who choose to rent out their points will be savvy enough to try to command that premium.



So what you're saying is that the majority of rooms will initially be able to be booked through CRO?

I don't know the correct term, I am sure Doc or Dean does, but the resort will be completely finished.

undeclared inventory or something like that.

So yes a good bit at the beginning will be available for cash reservations.

 

[DebbieB]

Our guide said that with borrowing we would have 75 points to book with so I am thinking we get 2013 and 2014 and then can borrow from 2015? This was how it worked when we bought at BLT. I hope that is true. I may call again tomorrow to double check.

You could borrow 2015 if the date of stay is in your 2014 use year. It depends on your use year. For example, if your use year is August, you could borrow 2015 for a stay 8-1-14 or after.

 

[Sammie]

If you buy what's the home resort advantage for this year?

It should be 11 months.

 

[DebbieB]

If you buy what's the home resort advantage for this year?

I read somewhere today that non-home resort owners can only book at 4 months until the end of the year. Starting Jan 1, it goes to 7 months.

Found it:

I have verified with DVC that when VGF opens it will be finished. Now of course all rooms won't be DVC until sold out.

Also there will be delay in booking for non VGF members as it was for BLT.

The grand villas will have a media room, which while not classified as a bedroom on points charts it will have a sofa bed and can be closed off.

Until the end of year non VGF members will only be allowed to book 4 months out. After the end of the year it will go back to 7 months.

 

[Sammie]

Villas at Grand Floridian owners will have an 11-month home resort priority booking window and can start booking reservations as early as May 23.

The resort is currently scheduled to open on Oct. 23, 2013.



All other Members may begin booking Villas at Grand Floridian reservations on June 23, 2013, according to a 4-month or 7-month window.

•A 4-month window will apply for reservations with arrival dates from Oct. 23, 2013, through and including Dec. 31, 2013.

•A 7-month window will apply for reservations with arrival dates from Jan. 1, 2014, and beyond.

 

[jade1]

Interest point, for the same period, rack rate for a lagoon view room at GF is $679.50/night while a Boardwalk View at BWI is $570.38/night, a difference of 19%.

Yep but with the higher rates, 19% is a lot more cash, so you can expect to pay $109.12 a night more for GF over BWI, where VGF is only $43 more for VGF over BWV.

It's not apples to apples because we are using DVC points/dues, but like I say its still only $43 more per night for what normally is considered to be worth $109 more per night. Many folks would argue its not worth it regardless, I'm just saying it is to me. Would still do a split stay at VGF with BCV (BWV if BCV not available), but not to save a few points/dollars-we just like the EPCOT Resorts area for slightly more than 1/2 our stays.

 

[erikawolf2004]

What are the financing conditions if you are a current member and have a current loan? I thought I read 8%, is that true and how much down is required?

 

[lilpooh108]

Villas at Grand Floridian owners will have an 11-month home resort priority booking window and can start booking reservations as early as May 23.

The resort is currently scheduled to open on Oct. 23, 2013.



All other Members may begin booking Villas at Grand Floridian reservations on June 23, 2013, according to a 4-month or 7-month window.

•A 4-month window will apply for reservations with arrival dates from Oct. 23, 2013, through and including Dec. 31, 2013.

•A 7-month window will apply for reservations with arrival dates from Jan. 1, 2014, and beyond.

Ugh. That's disappointing that everyone buying VGF can book starting Thursday. This situation only relates to me, but I don't wanna buy until I'm on a cruise and there's no point in buying if I can't use it for this Dec -- which I'm sure will be all booked up by the time I cruise in June.

 

[Sammie]

Ugh. That's disappointing that everyone buying VGF can book starting Thursday. This situation only relates to me, but I don't wanna buy until I'm on a cruise and there's no point in buying if I can't use it for this Dec -- which I'm sure will be all booked up by the time I cruise in June.

When do you go, as I think non owners can start booking on June 23 of course nonmembers can only book the 4 months out.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

What are the financing conditions if you are a current member and have a current loan? I thought I read 8%, is that true and how much down is required?

I think it iis 8% for a 5 year loan. 10% for a longer loan.

 

[got4boys]

I think it iis 8% for a 5 year loan. 10% for a longer loan.

Premium, 10% down: 11.5%
Premium, 20% down: 9.0%

Preferred, 10% down: 14.5%
Preferred, 20% down: 10.5%

Standard, 10% down: 17.5%
Standard, 20% down: 12.5%

Buyers who enroll in the automatic payment program and agree to have funds Direct Debited from a U.S. Checking or Savings account will receive a 1% discount on the rates above.

Rates are for a 10-year loan with no pre-payment penalties.

 

[nunzia]

That points chart is impressive. It costs 56 more points per week during magic season for 2BR for LV at VGF than it does for same time at theme park view BLT.

Sorry but the convenience, cost and view trump theme any day.

Sticking with BLT. I'll pass on this one. We will see what the Poly looks like.

Very surprised by point charts..lower points to stay at VGF than VGC...When we bought VGC we got developer points that we used before the resort opened. Stayed Conierge in the Grand Californina hotel and it was great

 

[BrerNashville]

Ugh. That's disappointing that everyone buying VGF can book starting Thursday. This situation only relates to me, but I don't wanna buy until I'm on a cruise and there's no point in buying if I can't use it for this Dec -- which I'm sure will be all booked up by the time I cruise in June.

As we know, when you buy points from Disney, they can often magically make your first reservation where none would otherwise be available. I assume they are able to do this by pulling from Central Reservations inventory, or perhaps they have their own inventory separate from CR and separate from what members can book generally. I bet if you buy, you'll be able to get that December reservation with help from your guide.

What were people's experience with BLT -- was it difficult for non-owners to reserve a room during the first months following the time it first opened?

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Man I am so tempted to buy VGF right now but I know if I wait just a couple of years, I can get a resale for 1/3 less.

Oh what to dooooo!!!