How bad could availability for 1BRs at VGF get, really? Trying to decide BLT or VGF2 direct

[Sir Pellinore]

Hi, long-time lurker here! This forum is such a treasure trove of information. I've managed to learn so much here and apply it to my DVC purchases over the last 2 years: 250 pts at Riviera and 100 pts SSR resale. Now my spouse and I are looking to add a contract on the monorail loop but are conflicted between BLT and VGF2. We almost pulled the trigger on 200 direct BLT pts this morning but decided to think it over more when we saw the concept art for the refurbished VGF units.

In essence, we like both resorts but feel like we like staying in 1BR more and more (or 2BRs depending on how many family or friends we're bringing). The concept art for the refurbished 1-2BRs at VGF look real nice and the color palette looks lovely. But with all the new units being studios, I'm pretty worried about a mad dash for the 1BRs at 8 am when the booking window opens. What are everyone's thoughts on the matter?

On the one hand, owning at VGF would at least give us a chance at trying for the 1BRs. On the other, VGF2 owners presumably want to be near MK which could mean that those who don't get 1BRs+ may switch to BLT at 7 mo, making booking there possibly harder in the future (I know Lake view is often available currently), which could make it more necessary to own at BLT.

Staying in 1BRs or larger is our main factor but here are some of our other (perhaps unique) considerations:

• Dining options are not a factor; we like them both resorts and we don't mind going from one to another to eat. Taking a monorail or walking is not a problem. On any given trip we end up making reservations all over WDW anyway.
• We're not pool people so which pool is considered better doesn't really matter. No kids (yet at least), so splash pads are a factor either.
• CR is one of our favorite resorts because of the history and architecture, but the GF has, I think, the prettiest grounds in all DVC and it's lovely walking there at night when it's lit up.
• VGF 1BRs have nicer theming and is getting refurbished / BLT's either have nicer views (MK) or are less point costly (Lake & Std), and is due for a hard refurb soon that might make it as nice as VGF.

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

 

[McCrae]

The extra bathroom in a 1br at BLT is a big advantage over VGF.… if you stay in a 2Br you have 3 bathrooms.

I own at BLT and often do a split stay between BLT and VGF…never had a problem booking a room. This March spending a week in a 1br at VGF.

 

[kilik64]

Bad. There is a total of 47 1br at vgf. None of those are dedicated and can also become part of 2br res. They are adding enough points to cover 200 more studios. You're gonna have to book at 11 months and most likely get lucky still. Like AKL value lucky.

Go BLT, points chart is cheaper (like 40-60 points a week cheaper for 1br if you get standard or lake). Should not have much issue if any booking a 1br there 11-7 out.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I think availability at VGF for 1BRs will be difficult, there are very few as it is. We had a similar discussion and have decided to go BLT, direct incentives rn are pretty good at 200+ pts.

Love the CR and GF both also, but as you say, if you don't care for pools, you can take advantage of dining, shopping, grounds at both regardless!

 

[KTownRaider]

There are a lot of opinions about the availability of larger units once VGF2 goes on sale. Regardless of whether VGF2 is priced at $207 or $255, that's a lot of money to spend for right to potentially play 11 month hunger games for a 1BR. BLT is no slouch and a solid property virtually every front (better allocation of rooms, point chart, extra bathroom, shorter MK walk), and the incentives right now are excellent. If I were in your position, I would be very tempted to go that direction. Good luck!

 

[Sandisw]

We don’t know how it will play out but adding 2 million points to the resort with no extra 1 or 2 bedrooms will have an impact on some way.

We will be adding on and will also be wanting those larger rooms occasionally but if we have to do 2 studios we will be okay with that too.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I could have written this exact post, except I have a 6yo and my Epcot resort is BWV, not Riviera. My main hesitation in buying BLT right now is that it just doesn’t excite me the way GF does. The building, the walkway, they’re all so utilitarian. So functional and efficient. Whereas the GF seems more whimsical and the walkway, while longer, is prettier. On paper BLT makes more sense. But if I apply rational thinking to DVC too much I’ll end up not buying at all

I don’t think it’ll be impossible to get a 1 bedroom at GF at 7 months most of the year. But if you want to stay there, buy there. This is too much money to not be happy about the purchase. (Reason why I haven’t pulled the trigger on 200 BLT points yet. It doesn’t spark enough joy.)

 

[AGP]

I could have written this exact post, except I have a 6yo and my Epcot resort is BWV, not Riviera. My main hesitation in buying BLT right now is that it just doesn’t excite me the way GF does. The building, the walkway, they’re all so utilitarian. So functional and efficient. Whereas the GF seems more whimsical and the walkway, while longer, is prettier. On paper BLT makes more sense. But if I apply rational thinking to DVC too much I’ll end up not buying at all

I don’t think it’ll be impossible to get a 1 bedroom at GF at 7 months most of the year. But if you want to stay there, buy there. This is too much money to not be happy about the purchase. (Reason why I haven’t pulled the trigger on 200 BLT points yet. It doesn’t spark enough joy.)

I am right there with you. Debating this same thing.. BLT seems to make more sense logically, but I just love the feeling of VGF when I am there… but so worried that I wont be able to get a 1br if we want it (we have kids so typically travel at busy times like school breaks, Xmas, and summer)…. Was hoping we would get pricing on VGF before BLT expires, but seems like that isn’t going to happen now

 

[Sir Pellinore]

I could have written this exact post, except I have a 6yo and my Epcot resort is BWV, not Riviera. My main hesitation in buying BLT right now is that it just doesn’t excite me the way GF does. The building, the walkway, they’re all so utilitarian. So functional and efficient. Whereas the GF seems more whimsical and the walkway, while longer, is prettier. On paper BLT makes more sense. But if I apply rational thinking to DVC too much I’ll end up not buying at all

I don’t think it’ll be impossible to get a 1 bedroom at GF at 7 months most of the year. But if you want to stay there, buy there. This is too much money to not be happy about the purchase. (Reason why I haven’t pulled the trigger on 200 BLT points yet. It doesn’t spark enough joy.)

Yes, you have to be happy with the purchase!

We do think differently though, we love the Contemporary and so BLT would make us happy. I agree there's much more whimsy to VGF, part of its Victorian elegance. I assume you would be okay with studios like Sandisw? If so, then do what makes you happiest!

We would be okay with a studio on a couples trip but we've found that we're always bringing someone. Either friends joining us from various places around the country or family from S. FL--both sets of our parents live down there, plus siblings and an uncle... so I keep booking a studio to start and end up modifying to 1-2BR along the way, which we love because we love to show WDW to friends and family.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I am right there with you. Debating this same thing.. BLT seems to make more sense logically, but I just love the feeling of VGF when I am there… but so worried that I wont be able to get a 1br if we want it (we have kids so typically travel at busy times like school breaks, Xmas, and summer)…. Was hoping we would get pricing on VGF before BLT expires, but seems like that isn’t going to happen now

Would 2 studios not work out for you?

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I am right there with you. Debating this same thing.. BLT seems to make more sense logically, but I just love the feeling of VGF when I am there… but so worried that I wont be able to get a 1br if we want it (we have kids so typically travel at busy times like school breaks, Xmas, and summer)…. Was hoping we would get pricing on VGF before BLT expires, but seems like that isn’t going to happen now

One option is to go under contract for BLT towards the last few days of the current incentives and then see VGF pricing within the 10 day period - I believe you can walk away within 10 days? They’d probably be happy to sell you VGF if you changed your mind about that. I’m considering this.

 

[AGP]

Would 2 studios not work out for you?

It could maybe, but I would still prefer a 1br so my husband and I get a king bed. As long as it has the little pull down bed or sleeper chair in the living room so my kids (boy and girl) don’t have to share a bed. I also like having the washer/dryer and real fridge that can keep milk cold (I’ve heard some people say that the new studios will only have a beverage fridge that you can’t put milk in?). I’d also be worried that they may not honor my request to have the rooms connecting…

 

[DVCsloth]

Hoping that it won't make 1br's difficult at 11 months. When I first heard about VGF2 I was considering adding on, but when I started thinking about studios only, I was not happy.
We book right at 11 months so hoping for the best. Usually book 1 BR's but sometimes Studios. If it ends up being difficult to book, we will just do studio and add more points at CCV.

 

[AGP]

One option is to go under contract for BLT towards the last few days of the current incentives and then see VGF pricing within the 10 day period - I believe you can walk away within 10 days? They’d probably be happy to sell you VGF if you changed your mind about that. I’m considering this.

That’s a good idea

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Yes, you have to be happy with the purchase!

We do think differently though, we love the Contemporary and so BLT would make us happy. I agree there's much more whimsy to VGF, part of its Victorian elegance. I assume you would be okay with studios like Sandisw? If so, then do what makes you happiest!

We would be okay with a studio on a couples trip but we've found that we're always bringing someone. Either friends joining us from various places around the country or family from S. FL--both sets of our parents live down there, plus siblings and an uncle... so I keep booking a studio to start and end up modifying to 1-2BR along the way, which we love because we love to show WDW to friends and family.

We generally prefer 1 bedrooms. I like the washer/dryer being in the same room. We don’t cook but having an actual dining area is useful for eating leftovers!
If you like BLT then it seems like a good choice to buy there. But it’ll likely be easier to get into at 7 months than GFV?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Hoping that it won't make 1br's difficult at 11 months. When I first heard about VGF2 I was considering adding on, but when I started thinking about studios only, I was not happy.
We book right at 11 months so hoping for the best. Usually book 1 BR's but sometimes Studios. If it ends up being difficult to book, we will just do studio and add more points at CCV.

Yeah, I really don't see how the larger units won't get more difficult with 2 million points getting added. That's a lot more people with booking advantage and, even if not every time, from time to time they will want 1BR and up. There will defintely be an impact, I just hope it won't get impossible to book at, say, 9 am 11 month mark.

If that does happen, I wonder if many VGF1 owners will be unhappy since they might feel this wasn't what they signe dup for originally. But only time will tell!

 

[DVCsloth]

Yeah, I really don't see how the larger units won't get more difficult with 2 million points getting added. That's a lot more people with booking advantage and, even if not every time, from time to time they will want 1BR and up. There will defintely be an impact, I just hope it won't get impossible to book at, say, 9 am 11 month mark.

If that does happen, I wonder if many VGF1 owners will be unhappy since they might feel this wasn't what they signe dup for originally. But only time will tell!

That's what I felt about them changing the balance of rooms, don't think they should be allowed to do it. I don't know how it affected SSR with the Treehouses, but it looks like SSR is mostly available at 7 months. Another thing about the Villas, we feel they are a very special place. The main Hotel is very busy, but the Villas are very quiet and off by themselves. I love that we are able to use the hotel amenities, but I really like the feel of the Villas.

 

[RoseGold]

1BR VGF is extremely high point cost, that's the only reason it lasts as long as it does. We just don't know if VGF2 owners are trying to get bang for buck or just trying to get a door between them and the kids. The VGF 1BR is often available long after 7 months. I don't see how 2M new points will matters against the barrage of all the DVC system points.

If you're trying to book for a larger party, I think there's a good argument for the VGF2 rooms. That's where I will be with grandma. I don't want to put her on a sleeper sofa in a 1BR, connecting rooms is perfect for us.

There's also booking a 2BR for family who flake on you last minute. Only takes that happening once to really see the value of two rooms. VGF will be easier to book the studios, but that's balanced by high point cost and probably difficult bookings for larger rooms.

I don't care for BLT's theme, I don't care for the pool, and I find the studios too small. That's why I bought VGF. But I can't deny it is the better mathematical choice. The point chart will never be matched on the monorail.

 

[Her Dotness]

While the finances are important for obvious reasons, I think it can be too easy to get caught up in the practical and lose sight of the fantastical.

Buy where you dream of living, because this is a heart's wish purchase.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I would add on at blt. Noone knows what will happen at gfv for the 1 and 2 bed units but it will be impacted in some way. I think 1 beds will be hit the hardest while connecting studios may supersede 2 bed units.