Yacht & Beach Villa Construction

[pax_65]

While I was down in Disney last week I took a look at the construction of the Yacht & Beach Villas. All I can say is WOW. They are HUGE! It really changes the entire look of the resort.

I'm somewhat excited about this addition to the DVC family, but I have to admit being a little sad too. I can remember how Yacht & Beach used to be. It was almost all by itself on the lagoon (around from Swan & Dolphin). It was a quiet resort and very luxurious.

When Boardwalk was built, I remember thinking "Wow, this changes everything." (FYI... I love Boardwalk too, but that doesn't change how I felt about the change to Y&B.)

Now, with the addition of the villas, Y&B is in the center of a major complex of resorts. There were a LOT of people at the resort and at the pool, and this number will certainly increase once the villas open. Honestly, I'll have to see how these crowds are dealt with before I ever stay there again.

I'm sure for us DVC members, this change is a good thing... but I'll wait and see how it all works out before I'll know for sure.

Jon

 

[invalid_char]

We were down at the Y&BC a couple of weeks ago and, you're right, it was very crowded. We were cash guests and, when the sun was out, you could NOT find a chair at the SAB pool. I know that the BCV are supposed to be able to use this pool, which is a real selling point, but if you're packed in like sardines and cannot find a chair, how enjoyable will it be? We are very interested in BCV but we are concerned about how this situation will be dealt with. The only thing that I think would help is if they build an equally magnificent (maybe smaller) pool just for BCV. ... and I think allowing pool-hopping at SAB will not be workable at all.

Anyone know how they plan to address this?

 

[bicker]

It seems clear to me that the YC/BC were always intended to be a bit busy. They started out quiet because they were new, but the fact is that they put a Convention Center at the Yacht Club Resort -- that alone would tend to make the resort busy.

 

[AMI]

We just returned from Disney (split our time between Y&B and AKL) and had a fantastic time as usual. We almost bought the VAC. Club last year and then chickened out. This year we went to the Open House because we are still very interested. We have some questions that we thought some of you could help us with...1.) Is it really true that it doesn't really matter if you have your points at VB or HH - that the ONLY difference is the 7 mo. vs. 11 mo. window? 2.) Is it hard sometimes to make reservations at a resort 7 mo. in advance? 3.) We love the YB area and are wondering if we shouldn't just hold out for that/How much do you think the points will be then and when do you think they will really start selling it? 4.) Any other advice from members? 5.) We like Wilderness Lodge but think that the transportation is poor there and it's somewhat isolated so am not sure we want to buy there. We have two children aged 7 and 9.

Thanks - AMI

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Welcome:

Your Questions:

1.) Is it really true that it doesn't really matter if you have your points at VB or HH - that the ONLY difference is the 7 mo. vs. 11 mo. window?

This is a major factor. Don't underestimate this point. See your number 2 question for an answer to this.


2.) Is it hard sometimes to make reservations at a resort 7 mo. in advance?

Yes, especially for what might be your first pick. For example a standard view, two bedroom at the BWV. There are not many of them. Or if you want to go during a somewhat busy season. You have kids so school vacations will be one of your options. That 11 month window for these periods is important.

3.) We love the YB area and are wondering if we shouldn't just hold out for that/How much do you think the points will be then and when do you think they will really start selling it?

There are all kinds of rumors. I am sure Disney has their research in hand supporting a price higher than the 75.00 per point they will be getting at the VWL in June. Rumors on this board are anywhere from 82-100. My bet is 85 because a DVC driver hinted that to me and who could or would know more than a DVC driver?


4.) Any other advice from members?

Before we bought we read these boards over and over. The people here know so much and can tell you every possible angle. The main one I remember reading over and over is "buy where you want to stay". If that means waiting for the BC and paying more for it, then you should do that.


5.) We like Wilderness Lodge but think that the transportation is poor there and it's somewhat isolated so am not sure we want to buy there. We have two children aged 7 and 9.

We have 4 kids ages 6-13. We own at VWL and BWV. Each is a different kind of vacation. They love the VWL as do we. I do agree that they have some tranportation problems over there though.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

A number of excellent questions
1. Yes, the 11 month/7 month reservation window is one major difference in choice of home resort. The advice on this board is consistently to buy where you want to stay most. Suggestions that you can buy at HH or VB and readily make reservations at the 7 month window for your choice of accommodations at WDW are met with significant skepticism here. In some case, there are even suggestions that Disney is playing loose with the facts in the interest of marketing the HH and VB properties to people who would really be better off buying at one of the on-site properties (now only at VWL through Disney but via resale at OKW or BWV).

2. So, the answer to your second question is yes, it is sometimes difficult to book at 7 months unless one is very flexible regarding location and accommodations. For example, standard view rooms at the BWV are difficult to get at the 7 month window (lower point cost than preferred views and only about 20% of the rooms are standard view).

3. Estimates of pricing when the BCV start selling have varied widely on this board, so a search should turn up a thread addressing this issue directly. There seems to be some concensus that the price is unlikely to be less than about $85/point by that time. Also, point cost for rooms are most unlikely to be less than the preferred views at the BWV or the rooms at the VWL which are the same points per night. They may well be higher (some would suggest will certainly be higher). Estimates as to when the BCV will start selling are really speculative. Earliest I have seen is January 2002, but this seems to be pretty optimistic to me.

We gave just a little consideration to waiting for the BCV and then bought a BWV resale instead.

Ralph