*The Official VILLAS AT DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Owners & Lovers Group*

[RMDVC24]

BTW I should have asked if anyone ever has problems getting the dates they want for travel? Obviously now asking for Christmas season, I am assuming thats rough.

Also, did everyone buy direct like I am looking at? Or at least some of their points direct for the blue card (did I get that right)?

Have you considered resale? We saved quite a bit of money buying VGF resale vs direct. The blue card benefits just aren't worth the extra money for us. We prefer to that put extra money towards buying more points. There are restrictions with resale. Those points can't be used at RIV, CFW, DLH and/or any future resorts. We don't mind because we mostly want to use our points at VGF anyways. Something for you to consider.

Regarding booking dates, if you're booking 11 months out you'll be able to get what you most of the time. Lower point studios will be difficult during peak seasons, but not impossible.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Great reference! Are these tables stable for BPK now? Last time I observed them more closely there was still a lot of change happening - I guess because the data collection for BPK started only a few years ago?

I think they are the best reference point that we can use based on all available information.

 

[BlueGreen5]

I think they are the best reference point that we can use based on all available information.

They are the best of what's available, and I appreciate them for that, but they have considerable flaws that really limit their use. I wish someone would come up with something better (even if it was hidden behind a paywall). It doesn't tell me much to tell me how many nights generally are available over the course of an entire month. I need to know two things, really:

• how many units disappear between 8:00am EST and 9:00 EST on the date that is exactly 11 months out.
• how many units disappear between 7:00am EST and 9:00am EST on the date that is exactly 7 months out.

If someone wanted to do the work, this data is actually available with a little digging. IYKYK - I won't expand beyond that.

December at VGF is an example that comes to mind because I watched it happen. It would probably tell you that for studios there are 9-13 nights left in December, 2025 in the 10+ month column. That cell would be green. What it doesn't tell you is that the studios sold out virtually instantaneously for the first weekend in December, 2025 and within a month for the entire first half of December, 2025. You may think "Great, it's green for December, I don't need to be at my computer clicking at 8am on the 11-month mark to get a studio on December 6th," and you would be wrong.

 

[AstroBlasters]

They are the best of what's available, and I appreciate them for that, but they have considerable flaws that really limit their use. I wish someone would come up with something better (even if it was hidden behind a paywall). It doesn't tell me much to tell me how many nights generally are available over the course of an entire month. I need to know two things, really:

• how many units disappear between 8:00am EST and 9:00 EST on the date that is exactly 11 months out.
• how many units disappear between 7:00am EST and 9:00am EST on the date that is exactly 7 months out.

If someone wanted to do the work, this data is actually available with a little digging. IYKYK - I won't expand beyond that.

December at VGF is an example that comes to mind because I watched it happen. It would probably tell you that for studios there are 9-13 nights left in December, 2025 in the 10+ month column. That cell would be green. What it doesn't tell you is that the studios sold out virtually instantaneously for the first weekend in December, 2025 and within a month for the entire first half of December, 2025. You may think "Great, it's green for December, I don't need to be at my computer clicking at 8am on the 11-month mark to get a studio on December 6th," and you would be wrong.

I’m tend to not let very good be the enemy of perfect, especially when someone is offering the data for free.

 

[tx911]

I’m tend to not let very good be the enemy of perfect, especially when someone is offering the data for free.

Do you ever use the availability charts on DVCHelp.com? They show somewhat different availability.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Do you ever use the availability charts on DVCHelp.com? They show somewhat different availability.

I’m confused. That is the link that I posted.

 

[tx911]

I’m confused. That is the link that I posted.

Lol, sorry, I was thinking of dvcfieldguide.com and didn’t realize you had posted the other. It’s probably just early onset dementia, no worries

 

[mamaofsix]

can you bring guests in the lounges?

You can bring guests

We bought direct and have not regretted it. The savings in food and merch alone will pay for the difference in cost between direct and resale.

Not to mention, resale shuts you out of booking at any future resorts from Riviera onwards.

Big Pine Key is not hard to get except certain weeks in December.

Hope that helps!

 

[sndral]

BTW I should have asked if anyone ever has problems getting the dates they want for travel? Obviously now asking for Christmas season, I am assuming thats rough.

Also, did everyone buy direct like I am looking at? Or at least some of their points direct for the blue card (did I get that right)?

If you love housekeeping & having your bed made every day, then DVC is not the option for you, because you won’t get full housekeeping every day. You’ll get a full housekeeping on day 4 if your stay is longer than 8 nights.
I purchased my first set of DVC points resale at another DVC resort before they built the villas building at the GF. When they built the VGF I purchased points there - resale. When they converted the Big Pine Key building I added on some points there which I purchased direct.
The positives of owning VGF for me:
I love staying at the GF, owning there reduces how much that costs me.
I love staying in 1 br. villas. Normally we are a party of 2 or 3 - could we stay in studios and save points, yes, but my GF stays are a luxury & I’m willing to spend those extra points to have spacious accommodations.
We typically travel during the holidays, to get the 1 br. resort view I want I need to book during home resort priority - I book at 11 months the minute the booking window opens.
I adore the penguin fountain in the VGF lobby.
The neutral/negatives of owning at VGF for me:
My biggest concern before I bought was the location of the VGF building, so I stayed there before I bought & realized it was NBD for me. The non club non DVC buildings - Sago, Conch, Boca Chica, & Big Pine - are closer to the main building & thus slightly more convenient, but I was ok with the extra steps to get to the marina, monorail, buses, & Gasparillas & I’ve grown to like the quick stroll over to the Poly from the GF villas building. I stayed in the BPK building just after it was converted to DVC & really liked its location, but since it’s all studios & has the 2 queen bed configuration I’m unlikely to stay there often.
I am less likely to splurge & pay to stay club in the main building. If I didn’t own at the VGF, I likely would occasionally decide to upgrade to a club stay in RPC as a treat & today’s direct prices would buy me at least a couple of club stays .

 

[WishesQueen]

Thank you so much everyone, so much to think about. With all your help I understand everything so much more. I honestly can see us going either way, but the best part is that in the long run I'll still be going to GF every year one way or another...lol

 

[BlueGreen5]

I’m tend to not let very good be the enemy of perfect, especially when someone is offering the data for free.

All I'll say is post-anesthesia is a weird thing. Half of what I said yesterday wasn't even factually correct. Thanks for not calling that out lol.

I can poke fun at myself:

It doesn't tell me much to tell me how many nights generally are available over the course of an entire month.

It doesn't do that - it's on a semi-monthly basis.

That cell would be green.

It's red.

You may think "Great, it's green for December, I don't need to be at my computer clicking at 8am on the 11-month mark to get a studio on December 6th

Nope, don't think anyone who is looking at these charts thinks that way.

If someone wanted to do the work, this data is actually available with a little digging.

Cool, so now I'm asking someone else to do something I won't.

They are the best of what's available, and I appreciate them for that

Okay, one point for me. Could have left it at that.

 

[WishesQueen]

Hello again everyone

So I was informed that the UY is February that Disney is selling now. So my question is, is that good if I am looking to use my points every other year for June or July. I am thinking that I can still enjoy housekeeping and the GF every other year while banking points and taking my family every other year and getting two DVC rooms. My daughter is a teacher so it will most likely always be the summer.

My mind is on overload and I could probably figure it out eventually on my own but I knew you guys would know best.

Thanks again for everything, I am getting so exited I hope this works

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

Hello again everyone

So I was informed that the UY is February that Disney is selling now. So my question is, is that good if I am looking to use my points every other year for June or July. I am thinking that I can still enjoy housekeeping and the GF every other year while banking points and taking my family every other year and getting two DVC rooms. My daughter is a teacher so it will most likely always be the summer.

My mind is on overload and I could probably figure it out eventually on my own but I knew you guys would know best.

Thanks again for everything, I am getting so exited I hope this works

Honestly my use year is the one thing I would change about my direct purchase. I would have just gone with February. So much easier to have your points start at the beginning of each calendar year. I have never canceled a trip in all my years of traveling to Disney (other than COVID related), even pre-DVC, so I'm not sure why I was so worried about the banking window. We chose October because we tend to go to WDW in November every year. We never go in the summer and I thought if we ever decided to go for my kids' winter break in March, that would be fine also. I failed to anticipate that we'd enjoy traveling to DL/Aulani in the summer (August in CA felt GREAT compared to FL weather!) And that we'd have no desire to skip a year of vacation (my time with my kids at these ages is precious to me!) That leaves me borrowing my points from the "future" year (really that same calendar year) when we want to travel in August, and we can't borrow ahead from the true next calendar year. Thus not having enough points to do what we need to do and having to look for point transfers to purchase. If you're truly only going to travel in those 2 months, I think you could push for a later use year, but for me, February would just make life easier! We're at the point now where we may alternate every other year between VGF and a DL/Aulani trip.

 

[DVC_Eeyore_Fan]

Hello again everyone

So I was informed that the UY is February that Disney is selling now. So my question is, is that good if I am looking to use my points every other year for June or July. I am thinking that I can still enjoy housekeeping and the GF every other year while banking points and taking my family every other year and getting two DVC rooms. My daughter is a teacher so it will most likely always be the summer.

My mind is on overload and I could probably figure it out eventually on my own but I knew you guys would know best.

Thanks again for everything, I am getting so exited I hope this works

I personally have never put much weight into the use year. We typically go June - August every year and have an October use year (May 31 banking deadline) and it’s been just fine.

Personally, I’d want a different use year than what Disney is offering so you could get last year’s points. But that’s just me. With a February use year I believe they’d just give you Feb. 2025 use year points, but if you were able to get, for example, an April use year you would get April 2024 use year points and then another set of points on April 1, 2025 (almost like double points for your first year). I have read Disney is trying to just offer December or February use years (not sure why), but you can always go back to your guide and request a different use year (or threaten not to buy to see if that’ll make them change their mind - they’ll likely need some approval to make it happen).

I do know from just adding on VGF that my guide said they have just a small allocation of VGF points to sell direct at the moment. Whether that’s just a scare sales tactic or truth I’m not sure.

 

[WishesQueen]

I personally have never put much weight into the use year. We typically go June - August every year and have an October use year (May 31 banking deadline) and it’s been just fine.

Personally, I’d want a different use year than what Disney is offering so you could get last year’s points. But that’s just me. With a February use year I believe they’d just give you Feb. 2025 use year points, but if you were able to get, for example, an April use year you would get April 2024 use year points and then another set of points on April 1, 2025 (almost like double points for your first year). I have read Disney is trying to just offer December or February use years (not sure why), but you can always go back to your guide and request a different use year (or threaten not to buy to see if that’ll make them change their mind - they’ll likely need some approval to make it happen).

I do know from just adding on VGF that my guide said they have just a small allocation of VGF points to sell direct at the moment. Whether that’s just a scare sales tactic or truth I’m not sure.

This is like trying to learn another language...lol. I think he's asking to change my Year to June.

So when I book for a June trip in August and if I banked points from the following year by January 31st. I should have double the points to book?

Also thank you for reminding me that I can borrow points. I thought I read that you can't borrow all of them, what's the rule on that?

Thanks again

 

[hockeydad21]

Any updates on how the courtyard pool work is coming along?

 

[AstroBlasters]

All I'll say is post-anesthesia is a weird thing. Half of what I said yesterday wasn't even factually correct. Thanks for not calling that out lol.

I can poke fun at myself:



It doesn't do that - it's on a semi-monthly basis.



It's red.



Nope, don't think anyone who is looking at these charts thinks that way.



Cool, so now I'm asking someone else to do something I won't.



Okay, one point for me. Could have left it at that.

That was a good laugh. I hope you are feeling better!

 

[DVC_Eeyore_Fan]

This is like trying to learn another language...lol. I think he's asking to change my Year to June.

So when I book for a June trip in August and if I banked points from the following year by January 31st. I should have double the points to book?

Also thank you for reminding me that I can borrow points. I thought I read that you can't borrow all of them, what's the rule on that?

Thanks again

DVC certainly is like learning a different language!

Yes, if you banked June use year points by Jan. 31, then come June 1 of that year you will effectively have double points available to you (or whatever amount of points you banked + your new use year points).

So if they change your use year to June then you would get June 2024 points (which you could ask Member Services to bank even though you are past the banking deadline, since you would have just purchased) then you would have another set of points coming June 1 of this year as your use year 2025 points. Therefore, on June 1 you’d have available to you your use year 2024 points that were banked + your 2025 use year points. And you would technically be able borrow from your 2026 use year.

During the pandemic they restricted the number of points you could borrow, but they now have lifted that restriction and you can borrow 100% of your next use year’s points.

 

[sndral]

This is like trying to learn another language...lol. I think he's asking to change my Year to June.

So when I book for a June trip in August and if I banked points from the following year by January 31st. I should have double the points to book?

Also thank you for reminding me that I can borrow points. I thought I read that you can't borrow all of them, what's the rule on that?

Thanks again

Following the pandemic there was a time when you could only borrow 50% of your next years points - that temporary restriction is no longer in place, it was enacted to help w/ the glut of extra points generated by folks having to cancel during the 2020 shut downs/travel restrictions.
About use years there are 8 - Feb., March, April, June, August, September, October, & December. Assuming you go w/ a June use year, you will immediately get 2024 points because June is still in its 2024 use year. Member services will make a 1 time exception for you & bank those points for you into your 2025 use year. Now you have double the points to use on any vacation that occurs between 6/1/25 to 5/31/26. You can also borrow 100% of your 2026 points to use for that 6/1/25 - 5/31/26 vacation, so if needed you can use 3x your annual allotment for one vacation.
My only caution w/ your planned vacation travels & a June use year is if you might ever want to take a vacation starting at the end of May & going into early June - booking across use years is a bit of a hassle but can be done.
I personally would absolutely not accept a Feb. use year right now because I’d want those 2024 points, it’s a nice cushion to start w/ all those extra points for longer vacations or bigger villas.

 

[BlueGreen5]

That was a good laugh. I hope you are feeling better!

Thanks! All's well that ends well. Just a ligament/tendon issue, nothing actually serious. I didn't realize how out of it I really was until I backtracked my steps today!