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Let’s Chat About The Disney Vacation Club’s Newest Additions: Grand Floridian Villas And The Polynesian Resort

If you know anything about the Disney Vacation Club’s expansion to the Grand Floridian Villas or the Polynesian Resort – please leave a comment below. I wrote a VERY LONG POST about the two and I don’t want you to get discouraged by the whole thing if you just want to leave some info. LOL!!!!

disney vacation club polynesian resort grand floridian villas

I have spent the last three days trying to convince my husband to buy into the Disney Vacation Club. I’ve been wanting to get a timeshare since 1999 and no that’s not a joke. In fact, we’ve purchased TWO in our lifetime and Bill has made me return both within the 7 day marker because after much thought – he didn’t see the value.

Well, I crunched some hard numbers two years ago (I’m talking spreadsheets folks) and I determined that the ONLY timeshare that is really a bang for your buck is the Disney Vacation Club. BUT this is only true if you plan on using the timeshare at DISNEY and do NOT mess around with trading out to II and RCI. Disney Vacation Club is too high end to trade into those agencies and you will hardly EVER get an equal trade.

disney vacation club polynesian resort grand floridian villas

Fast forward back to Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, I was pricing out cruises for 2013. As soon as I have this baby, I want to go away with my family on a Disney Cruise. I enjoyed the Fantasy Inaugural Launch SO MUCH that I just have to take my kids. I think this little nugget has to be 6 months old so that puts up in 4th quarter of 2013. I found one that I liked but it’s SUPER expensive because it’s during the holiday break. Natalie is old now – so we don’t want to take her out of school TOO much if we can avoid it.

And it got me thinking… IF I’m going to spend $10,000 on a freaking cruise – should I look BACK into the Disney Vacation Club??? I might as well put that purchase towards a membership, right?

disney vacation club polynesian resort grand floridian villas

A quick conversation with one of the Disney Vacation Club members and I determined that I want back in. BUT HERE’S THE THING.

There are two places currently available for purchase at Walt Disney World. One of which is the Bay Lake Tower (which is right next to the Contemporary). There is a little walk walk that connects the Bay Lake Tower to the regular hotel / tram. This is a GREAT APPEAL to us because we always stay on the tram. I DESPISE the bus. BUT when I look at the actual tower, I’m just not loving the UBER MODERN design. And it’s not that I dislike it a little… I totally hate it. Not my cup of tea. But the proximity to Disney World is very, very appealing.

disney vacation club polynesian resort grand floridian villas

And then there’s the Animal Kingdom Time share which puts us on the BUS route BUT at least that hotel has some serious character. There’s a second issues with that one – maintenance is WAY HIGH. It’s about $200 higher than the Bay Lake View Tower which really ADDS UP over the years.

So, we were finally winding down to a decision and then we came across a few articles online (because I am completely obsessive and researched for HOURS on Christmas day while my husband was with his family) that threw a wrench in our plans.

The Grand Floridian Villas are building timeshare space AS WE SPEAK. They will become available for purchase to the public any day now!!!!!!! The GFV are due to open late 2013 – some websites are even claiming as early as August.

disney vacation club polynesian resort grand floridian villas

We like the Grand Floridian Villas. It’s on the tram. It will probably price out just around what the Bay Lake Towers costs. Sounds too good to be true.

Issues
— we would lose all the 2012 benefits that are going on right now.
— there’s no guarantee it won’t be $15 more a point! That’s how much the Bay Lake Towers went up this year alone.
— I won’t be able to apply my cruise purchase towards that purchase because it will be too close for comfort
— there are only 147 units at the Grand Floridian Villas (who knows how fast they will go?)

 

AND THEN THERE’S THIS GOSSIP that the Polynesian Resort is about to join the Disney Vacation Club. THAT is a resort I could get behind. I think we would do fine at the Grand Floridian Villas… but it is a little upscale for the kids. We had a great time when we stayed there – don’t get me wrong. But it’s not a KIDS hotel by any means. Although they did upgrade their pool recently to include a fun little water park. I think they are trying. If Bill had to choose any property to buy into with the Disney Vacation Club, it would 100% be the Grand Floridian. That is his FAVORITE hotel. He was actually excited when we read the news. He was dragging his feet and appeasing me with the Bay Lake Towers / Animal Kingdom options.

IF the Polynesian Resort does become part of the Disney Vacation Club, I feel that would be the BEST FIT. It’s loud. It’s themed. It’s SUPER kid friendly. It’s on the tram. All things I am looking for in a HOME resort.

I know you can trade out to the other properties… but it’s always save to really love your home base right? It’s the ONLY place in the Disney Vacation Club that you are guaranteed a reservation.

So, my question is this — have you heard anything about price / availability / time for either the Grand Floridian Villas or the Polynesian Resort  and the Disney Vacation Clubs? We only have a few days left to consider this purchase!

Thanks so much!!!

Kevin Adams

Saturday 10th of August 2013

Hi

My wife and I had the "pleasure" of a 3 1/2 hour high pressure sales at Holiday Inn Vacation Club at Lake Orange (right next to Disney) last Wednesday at the end of a 4 day Disney trip. I'll spare you the gory details, but bottom line was $42,000 ("only" 20% down, balance financed at 16.5%!!!). My wife was disappointed because she liked the idea, and since we live in South Fl, it would be a big savings since the hotel is always the most expensive part.

As luck would have it, we always have lunch our last Day on our Disney trips at ten Cafe in The GF(my fav hotel in all of FLA and that includes the Breakers or any of the Ritz's down here) I struck up a conversation with the DVC rep there in the lobby, and, lo and behold, the GFV were up for sale - and for less (much) than the Holiday Inn!!! A pleasant hour later with our guide George and we were "home"

Morgan

Friday 26th of April 2013

I just called DVC member services and they said they expect Grand Floridian to open at the end of this year, but they aren't selling points or booking reservations yet. I own at Beach Club, bought through Disney but with points that were "repo'd" so to speak and find it a fantastic value if you are going to Disney resorts. I would have to say that if you want to stay at Grand Floridian you should buy in there, those units will be booked solid for a long time before the 7 month window for non-home DVC members. Also, you can buy less points than you eventually want somewhere and then add on later at a new "home" resort. I plan on buying like 50 points at Grand Floridian just so I can get a night or two for sure. Good luck!!

Traci

Tuesday 23rd of April 2013

If you buy resale, you can no longer use your points for cruises. Some say it is a better deal to pay cash for cruises though. I love my DVC and feel it is a great value. Without it , we would not have been able to go back every year. We love Vero and Hilton Head too. You can not compare the value of Disney to other time shares because you don't get Disney quality. My friends that own any where else can't even get into Orlando unless they own there. we use our points for one person on a cruise and get a cash discount on the others.

Tania

Thursday 11th of April 2013

Have you made your decision already?

Do not worry about buying where you want to stay. We have never stayed at our home resort. I stayed there once before we were members. After we joined, I called to make a reservation and found several openings for FEBRUARY BREAK (one of the busiest weeks in Disney!) I found availability at Old Key West, Saratoga, Animal Kingdom, Bordwalk. The only one that was limited was Bay Lake (with a nice view) So I think you will be find if you want to stay at different places. Just call as soon as your availability opens up. I even canceled ours several months later and booked a different resort and still had options for availability that week. How we got into DVC: My husband & I bought DVC when we were shopping for our honeymoon. Like what you wrote, we figured if we are going to spend X amount on a vacation, we should invest in something like this. We did want to use the RCI right away and nothing was available in the Caribbean because it was Spring Break week. However, a few months later, we were able to get RCI in Hawaii on 2 separate islands (back to back) and then spend 1 night at the new Aulani Resort (amazing by the way!!) I must say I was impressed with the RCI units, they were very clean and maintained well with nice views. As far as staying only on Disney property, I think you are limiting your options as you can travel to tropical and unique destinations for a quarter of the price if you 'paid' for it. When shopping for a home resort, always go with the lowest maintenance possible, unless you don't mind paying extra. Convenience is more important than decor. I agree that the Bay Lake is too modern but it's location is fabulous.

I am very excited to hear about the new Villas at Grand Floridian!!! I am hoping to book that for next year when the availability opens up.

henry

Monday 8th of April 2013

If interested in DVC you should look at resale. Here is a neat new site where you can research contracts available.

If you know when you plan to travel each year it will help. If you think you will be traveling in off peak times, buy a location that is larger and less in demand (SSR or AKV) and use those points at 7 months to book into other DVC resorts. Otherwise, you need to buy where you plan to stay.

We love the EPCOT resorts.

henry

Monday 8th of April 2013

Forgot to give you the link: http://disneydvcresale.com/

This guy created this to search all the DVC resale sites at once. Real time saver...

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