Newbie with a ? about Grand Californian

[MouseMadness]

Hi, we just joined DVC recently on a Disney cruise. We are excited and can't wait for our first trip!

Which brings up my question. I just call DVC to schedule a stay at the Grand Californian for mid June. Right now, there is no availability for several days in a row in either a studio or 1 BR. The person from DVC said it was a small resort and books up quickly. So, I opted to waitlist.

I am looking at two different weeks (back to back) but can only be put on 2 waitlists. I chose to waitlist for a studio for both weeks, but would my chances be better to waitlist for a 1 BR? I've never been there so I don't know how many rooms of each they have. Or does it even matter because it will probably never go through

Thanks for you help

 

[elgerber]

Hi, we just joined DVC recently on a Disney cruise. We are excited and can't wait for our first trip!

Which brings up my question. I just call DVC to schedule a stay at the Grand Californian for mid June. Right now, there is no availability for several days in a row in either a studio or 1 BR. The person from DVC said it was a small resort and books up quickly. So, I opted to waitlist.

I am looking at two different weeks (back to back) but can only be put on 2 waitlists. I chose to waitlist for a studio for both weeks, but would my chances be better to waitlist for a 1 BR? I've never been there so I don't know how many rooms of each they have. Or does it even matter because it will probably never go through

Thanks for you help

Can I ask what dates you called for?

 

[Nonsuch]

I am looking at two different weeks (back to back) but can only be put on 2 waitlists. I chose to waitlist for a studio for both weeks, but would my chances be better to waitlist for a 1 BR? I've never been there so I don't know how many rooms of each they have. Or does it even matter because it will probably never go through

The are 23 studios and 23 1-bedroom villas, which pair together to form 2-bedroom lockoff villas. There are also 23 2-bedroom dedicated villas and 2 grand villas

How long are your trips? The longer the stay, the harder it will be to match a waitlist. Some reservations will be cancelled 1 month in advance, to avoid points going into holding.

Read this thread to learn more about VGC:
The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

 

[taaren]

I'm on a waitlist for June 17, booked the 18th since we had to switch weekends after DH's boss moved her vacation. (Before the 7 month window)

We're trying to skimp on points and will be okay with staying off-site if the studio doesn't come through so we didn't even consider another size of room. Your odds would probably be better for the 1 bedroom but a lot of people have reported good luck with waitlists at VGC. Good luck!

 

[mousefan1972]

Since you bought directly from Disney on a DCL cruise, you might want to give your guide a call. Sometimes they can work magic to help you secure your first reservation. When I tried to book our 1st DVC stay at BCV for 4 nights last July, right after we bought BLT in April, nothing was available. I mentioned it to our guide and voila, he secured the reservation for us. It can't hurt to ask! Good luck.

 

[Snurk71]

Some theorize that the 1BRs will be the easiest to get because of the configurations and what the majority of travel party sizes are. For every studio that's rented, a 2BR lockoff became unavailable and the 1BR is now available.

 

[Greysword]

You can also use your points at DLH and PP if need be.

 

[DebbieB]

You can also use your points at DLH and PP if need be.

Careful - once you make a points reservation at DLH or PP, those points cannot be cancelled and used for VGC if your waitlist comes through. They become reservation points and can only be used outside of DVC resorts. Use it only as a last resort or if you decide to giveup the waitlist.

 

[Greysword]

Great catch, Debbie. Thanks!

 

[MouseMadness]

Can I ask what dates you called for?

Well, we were on a waitlist for a studio for June 3rd through the 9th, or June 10th through the 16th.


Thanks for all of your information. I just called and switched to waitlists for a 1BR for June 10th-16th or June 17th-23. I am thinking it will be a longshot since it is for 6 nights, but I will give it a try It's been years since we have been to Disneyland, and the kids are excited to see it, so we wanted some extra time.

I also didn't quite understand the "converting points over", but they guy from DVC that helped me explained it too and now I get it.

He did tell me that people who have the Grand Californian as their home resort book it at 11 months many times to secure a reservation and then will change it at the 7 month window if something else they want becomes available. At least I am on the list if it does.

I'll probably wait a month or two before converting the points over to one of the hotels. No sense in wasting a trip just because I couldn't get in the vacation club portion.

Good luck to others who are on the waitlists!!

Thanks again everyone

 

[joelnkelly]

Hopefully that waitlist comes through for you, we will be out staying at the GCV June 9-16. Were were lucky enough to secure a 2-bedroom for that week. I was sweating bullets the days leading up to my 7 month window date. Maybe if your date comes through the week we are there we can set up a DIS members meeting some point that week!