Three bedroom Grand Villa - chances...? About This Page:

[Brad]

I am a long-time "lurker" on PassPorter, which is my number 1 source of information for all things Disney. I have a question that I would love to get your opinions on. We recently bought into the DVC at Bay Lake Tower, and will be taking our first trip as members this coming December (so excited!). We will be there December 2 through December 10. We are bringing 3 groups of friends with us (all newbies), and we wanted to make it really special by staying in a 3 bedroom Grand Villa. I read here that December is extremely popular with DVC members, and therefore I booked the stay at our home resort (BLT) eleven months out at 9am, with a MK view.

As much as I love the idea of staying at BLT, for the sake of the cost in points (870 points for 8 nights!) I would prefer if we could change our reservation to a Grand Villa at another resort. Our choices in order of preference would be BWV, AKV, OKW, and SS. We would consider doing a split stay (4 nights BLT, 4 nights somewhere else) if that would be more feasible.

So what do you think my chances are? Worst case scenario we already have the Grand Villa at BLT, so I won't be too disappointed. It is just that my sister would like to travel with us next year and I would like the points for that, if possible.

Any personal experiences and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance. :-)

[DVCBird941]

You really never know what is going to be available until you call. Some ppl have been lucky and booked a GV at 4 months while others cant even get one at their 11 month window. If you already have one booked its not that big a deal to test the waters with a call.

IF you have to go on a wait list you will have better luck doing a split stay. Shorter stay WL are more common being booked than a long stay, as with a WL they need to get EVERY night to be able to book for it to go through.

Although IMHO you do have the best view in town for your friends first visit to WDW. Either way Welcome to the boards and enjoy your trip!!

[rella]

We stayed in a grand villa at OKW....it was amazing....it is not my home resort (BWV) and I was able to book it.....You already have a reservation, so you're all set, but why not try...you have nothing to lose.....either way, you'll have a great time.."Welcome Home" and welcome to the boards..

[tjkraz]

OKW is so cheap that I don't think you have a chance. Even during the slow periods they are hard to get at 7 months. And early-December is NOT a slow period in terms of DVC resort reservations.

BWV is also probably not going to happen simply because of their scarcity--there are only 7 Grand Villas at the BoardWalk.

The other two--AKV and SSR--are both decent candidates. Just don't hold out hope for one of the cheaper Standard View GVs at AKV. I think there are only two of them.

[debic]

Hi! Welcome to the boards and Welcome Home! Like others have said if you already have a GV reserved you have nothing to lose by trying to change resorts. If you are not able to change you already have something locked in.

[LLaffinPlace]

Glad to hear from you, Brad, and Welcome Home to BLT!

I stayed there for the first time last October for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and loved, loved, loved it!

[LLaffinPlace]

You could save 153 points by going with Bay Lake View at BLT, which you can check on now with your 11-month window advantage.

[lesabrowning]

We stayed in a Grand Villa at AKV last March, booked it 4-5 months in advance with no problem. I think it is worth a try to call at the 7 month mark and see what is available.
I will say, the Grand Villa at Jambo House was the most amazing place!!

[Brad]

Thank you so much for all of the replies, and for the warm welcome to the board. I will definitely check availability at the 7-month window (May 2) and let you know the result.

Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace

You could save 153 points by going with Bay Lake View at BLT, which you can check on now with your 11-month window advantage.

Yes, I have thought about doing this, and have not ruled this out. The view over Bay Lake is certainly beautiful, and the nightly water pagent is very cool. I guess I just haven't been able yet to let go of the idea of sitting in our private living room, sipping some wine with friends while watching the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom. Decisions, decisions... But at least these are fun decisions. I know that wherever we end up, it will be wonderful!

Anyway, thanks again. I will keep you posted on our progress.

Brad

[LLaffinPlace]

Originally Posted by Brad

Yes, I have thought about doing this, and have not ruled this out. The view over Bay Lake is certainly beautiful, and the nightly water pagent is very cool. I guess I just haven't been able yet to let go of the idea of sitting in our private living room, sipping some wine with friends while watching the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom. Decisions, decisions... But at least these are fun decisions. I know that wherever we end up, it will be wonderful!

I sympathize, Brad. I went through this same conundrum when I reserved the 2BR Bay Lake View last October. I really wanted that MK View. But we caught the fireworks from Top of the World a couple of times and had a great time. The first time we had cocktails and worked our way through all the flatbreads. Being in a GV you will have ready access.

Just something to think about. I agree--whatever you decide you're going to have a great time!

[Brad]

So I called yesterday morning at the 7-month window for our December trip. We decided to go for a split stay to save some points for next year; we wanted to change the first four nights of our 8 night trip and keep the last four nights at BLT, MK view. The idea of watching fireworks from our private living room was just too much to let go of!

Our first choice was OKW due to the spacious layout and LOW points. Unfortunately, night 3 of the four nights wasn't available (drat!), so I put us on waitlist. Second choice was BWV, and nothing was available. Third choice was AKV... and SUCCESS!! We wanted savannah view and the only availability was standard view, but oh well I can live with it I guess. This change will save us 150 points which we can really use for next year's trip with DS and B-I-L. I am so excited I can burst!

One intersting thing I realized is that during Adventure season, the standard view grand villa at AKV is the exact same cost in points as a grand villa at the Saratoga Springs resort. During all other seasons the AKV standard view costs a bit (or quite a bit) more than SSR. So if I look at it that way, I guess I'm getting a pretty good deal.

I am trying not to be too disappointed by the idea of a standard view... I stayed at the AKL a few years ago and loved waking up to the savannah view. Does anyone know what the standard view from the AKL grand villa is like? I have read the generic description of what constitutes a standard view ("pool, gardens or parking area"), but I know there can be a great deal of variability. I guess the good news is that even if it is somewhat less than magical, we will have the BLT MK view to look forward to!

Anyway, I was excited that we were able to change our reservation and wanted to share!

Brad

[Tigger Dancer]

Congratulations!

[chezp]

Congrats!

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by Brad

Does anyone know what the standard view from the AKL grand villa is like?

See image below:



That's one of the wings of Kidani. The pool is on the left. The front desk is at the lower left.

The Standard View Grand Villa(s) are essentially toward the top of this photo, facing outward. If you start counting from the last building segment on the far right, it should be that third segment.

The savanna runs along this section of the resort but it's so narrow there that there is probably little chance of any animals passing through. Might be able to see some by peering off to the left or right from the balcony, but they may not be particularly close.

Sounds like you have a good outlook, though. If you're expecting ZERO animals, you may be pleasantly surprised. But I wouldn't hold out hope for any giraffe feeding just beyond your balcony.

[ilovedisney247]

Sounds like a good change! Congrats!