Hello everyone.
Looking for some opinions on a DVC purchase. I'm currently looking to acquire 200-225 points on the resale market and am having a hard time deciding on the Grand Floridian Villas or the Polynesian Villas. While we understand there are differences between the two, we've stayed at both and enjoy each resort for what they offer in terms of location and amenities. We're a family of 3 with a 13 year old daughter (who is LOVES Disney) and plan on reserving only studios as we don’t spend much time in our room. Which would you choose and why? I'm hoping to get some insight from everyone's opinions. Thank you
Prior to Disney's announcement earlier this year that they will be adding 200 Studios to the Villas at the Grand Floridian (VGF), I would have suggested VGF. VGF only has 47 Studios. VGF is really hard to book if you don't own there.
Conversely, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (PVB) has 360 Studios. Still, it's a popular location, so it's somewhere in the middle of difficulty to book.
With 200 more Studios, VGF will have 247 Studios. Still not as many as PVB, but it's a lot closer than it was. No one can be certain, but I think a VGF Studio will continue to be harder to book than a PVB Studio.
Since you have stayed at both resorts, I don't need to explain the pros and cons of each. You should have a pretty good sense of what both are like.
One other topic to discuss is the annual Maintenance Fee (MF). Less this year's special discount, the VGF MF is $6.81 per point. The PVB MF is $7.05 per point. You mention wanting a 200-225 point contract, so the difference is only $48 per year. That would not be enough of a difference to influence my decision.
Current PVB resale prices are noticeably lower than VGF. If both resorts appeal to you equally, then save the money and go with PVB. But if you like VGF more, than pay the extra and go with VGF.
Keep in mind that if you buy at VGF, you'll probably have a good chance of being able to book at PVB at some point. (Unless you intend to go during DVC's busy season - October to December. For these months, it sometimes can be hard to book the cheaper rooms at your home resort.) But if you buy at PVB, you might have a more difficult time booking at VGF.