Why the difference between Grand Villa pts?

[WANNABE@WDW]

We are considering DVC and I have been looking at the different properties. Why is the Grand Villa at OKW so many pts less than all the other Grand Villas? Are the Grand Villas at OKW run down?

 

[disfreak4life]

I am not sure what the right answer may be but my guess is this.

OKW was the first DVC resort. At the time Disney wrote up the contracts and determined the points, they figured low for a 3-br villa. Boardwalk and Saratoga are the only resorts that have 3-br villas. I think Disney figured that 3-br were more valuable at the time they designed those contracts; therefore, costing more points. Plus, you gotta figure location too.

 

[pirateparrot]

I am not sure what the right answer may be but my guess is this.

OKW was the first DVC resort. At the time Disney wrote up the contracts and determined the points, they figured low for a 3-br villa. Boardwalk and Saratoga are the only resorts that have 3-br villas. I think Disney figured that 3-br were more valuable at the time they designed those contracts; therefore, costing more points. Plus, you gotta figure location too.

That is exactly it. I am sure if they could go back and change the point values for all of OKW's room types they would to make more money but the total number of points per resort is fixed. They could reduce the GV but they would have to spread the extra points out among the other room types and they would be even lower than they are compared to other resorts.

OKW GV are the largest and I look forward to staying in one sometime in the future.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yep, OKW is 12 years older than SSR. They figured the points based on lower construction costs and the expected maintenance costs in 1992 plus the number of expected members. You might be forgetting, that at that time, OKW was named "Disney Vacation Club", and there was no thought of ever expanding beyond that one resort. It was the popularity of Disney Vacation Club that spurred the building of BWV, and the change in name to Old Key West. Because those points were set back in 1991, amd can not be changed, OKW will forever have the lowest points and largest accommodations in DVC. Before SSR was built, many DVC members expressed an interest in OKW-like accommodations with lower point costs again. That's why they built SSR with outdoor halls and lower point requirements than BWV, BCV, and VWL.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

Thanks! I just couldn't believe the pt difference. I thought maybe there was something I was missing. How hard is it to reserve GV's (at any of the DVC's)? I don't think we would stay there very often (because we like to go a lot) but it would be nice for big family reunions.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks! I just couldn't believe the pt difference. I thought maybe there was something I was missing. How hard is it to reserve GV's (at any of the DVC's)? I don't think we would stay there very often (because we like to go a lot) but it would be nice for big family reunions.

The OKW GVs are very much in demand. People have reported getting them at 7 months, but that really is a crap shoot. I wouldn't gamble on getting one at 7 months unless you'd be just as happy in two 2Bs or some other configuration. If you REALLY want an OKW GV and are not an owner there, IMO the only option is to try and work a rental / trade with an OKW owner to book at 11 months.

BWV GVs are also hard to come by--mostly because there are only 7 of them.

SSR GVs will probably be more readily available. There are two per building, meaning there will eventually be 36 throughout the resort. High points + the reality of supply and demand means it's likely that they'll be available inside of 7 months most of the year.

 

[cdpa4d]

I see what you mean. Actually, my only gripe with the DVC point system is the difference in Weekdays vs. Weekend points. Why should a weekday be 10 points and then a weekend be 22 points. In some cases it would make sense to stay on DVC point Sunday thru Thursday then either move to a new hotel and pay cash for the weekend. The Disney Hotels don't charge more $$ for weekend stays at the resort hotels, so why should the points be so much higher for weekends at DVC Resorts?!

Just an observation....

 

[tjkraz]

I see what you mean. Actually, my only gripe with the DVC point system is the difference in Weekdays vs. Weekend points. Why should a weekday be 10 points and then a weekend be 22 points. In some cases it would make sense to stay on DVC point Sunday thru Thursday then either move to a new hotel and pay cash for the weekend. The Disney Hotels don't charge more $$ for weekend stays at the resort hotels, so why should the points be so much higher for weekends at DVC Resorts?!

It was done to balance demand. Greater demand on the weekends = greater point requirements.

If the points requirements were equal across the week, DVC would be a lot more attractive to those living in Central Florida, and probably folks within about 6-8 hours driving distance. DVC resorts would become a very popular destination for those wanting to book 2-3 day weekends. I could easily envision a scenario where many, many weekends would be grabbed right at the 11 month window. Those who waited to book would often be able to get weekdays only.

There was one occasion about 8-10 years ago where DVC reallocated the point charts at Old Key West. If memory serves, the weekend points were actually increased to (reportedly) address demand issues that had arisen.