The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

[k3chantal]

a VGC through an RCI trade??

Hi everyone!
I tried to read throught some of this super long thread, and you all seem quite knowlegeble and friendly.
Maybe this has been answered? but I didn't find it.... so...

I went looking for an Anaheim property to trade my Cabo San Lucas timeshare thru RCI for a week in June 2013 and this property came up twice.

I read there are only 48 units? Is that true? Ouch, that is restrictive.

I am trading in a 1 bd/2bath property at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach in Cabo, which has a very high trade value with RCI, but, have any of you ever even deposited your property or heard of anyone else depositing their property into RCI?

Am I wasting my time? Or maybe is it worth a search for a few months, then if nothing comes up, opening it up to other Anaheim properties?

Thank you for any input!!

Marcy

I haven't heard of your situation but this is what happened for me.
I have successfully used my DVC points for a RCI property in Princevalle, Kauai, Hawaii for a seven night stay. My point of view is that you just need to be open to seeing what you can get. When I called my desired area was Hawaii but I asked what what available on the West Coast and Hawaii. Low and behold, I had two resorts to choose from.

One of your biggest issues is the June date. When kids get out of school in CA; it seems like they all head to DL.

 

[Susie63]

I have two reservations at GCV for 2013.The first was for 10 nights (feb 1-11)in a studio with rented points and we decided to add an extra night (Jan 31)with rented points from a different member at the start of our holiday.If my room request is granted (x504's)....on my first day,is there any chance that I could request that room for my 10 day stay or would they make me check out and start over again.I have the same room requests for my 10 day stay.

 

[TheRobbs]

Has anyone ever hoted a dinner party in one of the Grand Villas? I know it sleeps 12, but how many people could you entertain for a party?

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Hi all, I know we're not to ask specific availability questions, so looking for a more generic answer. We're thinking of heading to DL for spring break 2013, all our home resort points are from WDW so we're waiting for the 7 month mark. I happened to check availability today for the week before (could only see the 7 days after 8/21) and was pleasantly shocked to see almost full availability outside of studios (we're looking for a 2 bedroom). In your experience, is this pretty normal for the time around spring break, and should I therefore remain hopeful for the week of Easter? Perhaps due to high point requirements? Crowd calendars show 9s and 10s that week.....

Thanks in advance for any insights!!

 

[Nonsuch]

Has anyone ever hoted a dinner party in one of the Grand Villas? I know it sleeps 12, but how many people could you entertain for a party?

I hosted a casual dinner for about 16. The dinner table only has 10 chairs, so that would be the limit for a "formal" seated dinner.
This picture shows the table with 8 chairs , but there a 2 more placed in corners of the room.

The grand villa could easily handle 20 for a casual dinner or cocktail party, even more using the balcony chairs (there are 2 on each of the 4 balconies).

 

[Nonsuch]

I have two reservations at GCV for 2013.The first was for 10 nights (feb 1-11)in a studio with rented points and we decided to add an extra night (Jan 31)with rented points from a different member at the start of our holiday.If my room request is granted (x504's)....on my first day,is there any chance that I could request that room for my 10 day stay or would they make me check out and start over again.

When you check in for the first reservation, the registration desk should be able to tell you if the same room has been assigned for the second reservation (or perhaps try to make it the same room).

Check in for the second reservation very early in the morning, the earlier the better (I've checked in at 6AM).
Even though you might need to change rooms, you will be the first person to check in -- which seems to help with room assignments. If switching rooms is needed to get 6504 (or 5504, 4504, 3504), it would certainly be worth the effort.

 

[TheRobbs]

I hosted a casual dinner for about 16. The dinner table only has 10 chairs, so that would be the limit for a "formal" seated dinner.
This picture shows the table with 8 chairs , but there a 2 more placed in corners of the room.

The grand villa could easily handle 20 for a casual dinner or cocktail party, even more using the balcony chairs (there are 2 on each of the 4 balconies).

Thanks very much for your kind reply. I hope I can pull it off.

 

[::danielle::]

a VGC through an RCI trade??

Hi everyone!
I tried to read throught some of this super long thread, and you all seem quite knowlegeble and friendly.
Maybe this has been answered? but I didn't find it.... so...

I went looking for an Anaheim property to trade my Cabo San Lucas timeshare thru RCI for a week in June 2013 and this property came up twice.

I read there are only 48 units? Is that true? Ouch, that is restrictive.

I am trading in a 1 bd/2bath property at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach in Cabo, which has a very high trade value with RCI, but, have any of you ever even deposited your property or heard of anyone else depositing their property into RCI?

Am I wasting my time? Or maybe is it worth a search for a few months, then if nothing comes up, opening it up to other Anaheim properties?

Thank you for any input!!

Marcy

I have traded through RCI but not into a Disney property. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

-Once you deposit a week it cannot be reversed
-You have to maintain your RCI membership through the time of your vacation
-There is often an additional exchange fee and resort fee

Before you deposit your week make sure that there is availability for the dates you are traveling. Availability now for other dates does not mean that your dates will be available. And make your your points are adequate for the number of nights. For WDW DVC properties you are actually trading your week for a 4 day/3 night Sun-Thurs stay. Also, just because the property comes up in the search does not mean your points qualify for the exchange.

Sorry for being so wordy! I just want to make sure that you know how RCI exchanges work!

 

[TheRobbs]

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[dmwang9]

Greetings from a Disneyland novice! Even though I live in San Francisco, I've always regarded WDW as my home and haven't been to DLR nearly enough. I'm booked at VGC for 5 nights (March 3-8, 2013) in a studio using my DVC points. (I was kinda surprised to find availability, but maybe it's not a busy season?) Anyway, I've now started the all-important pre-trip research and was excited to find this thread. I've only had a chance to go through the first 5 pages or so, but I can already tell that there's a ton of good stuff in here.

Thanks! -- Dave

 

[cpster]

Yay and welcome! I'm actually hoping to go around the same time so it's good to hear that here is some availability. It will be another week or two before our resale contract closes and we are in the system. Have a great time!

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

We were able to book march 27-apr 3, soooo excited for our first trip to DL!! Thanks all for sharing all your info on the boards!!! FYI availability still seems wide open for everything but studios (and therefore 2 bd lock offs) - even the studio was only unavailable the 27. Point charges are pretty hefty, but with spring break/Easter I'm still surprised it's so open...

Is it fair to assume it'll be too cold to swim?

 

[k3chantal]

We were able to book march 27-apr 3, soooo excited for our first trip to DL!! Thanks all for sharing all your info on the boards!!! FYI availability still seems wide open for everything but studios (and therefore 2 bd lock offs) - even the studio was only unavailable the 27. Point charges are pretty hefty, but with spring break/Easter I'm still surprised it's so open...

Is it fair to assume it'll be too cold to swim?

Bring a swimming suit. Most likely it will be warm enough but strange weather patterns do happen.

 

[toocherie]

I think the answer is yes, but has anyone gotten a blender while staying at GCV? A group of us gals are going next week in a 2 bedroom and I believe we will need one to adequately prepare frosty adult beverages. Do you just call Housekeeping and request one once you get in your villa?

 

[toocherie]

I have two reservations at GCV for 2013.The first was for 10 nights (feb 1-11)in a studio with rented points and we decided to add an extra night (Jan 31)with rented points from a different member at the start of our holiday.If my room request is granted (x504's)....on my first day,is there any chance that I could request that room for my 10 day stay or would they make me check out and start over again.I have the same room requests for my 10 day stay.

Although it might be a bit of a hassle, you could do a joint call with the two members you are renting points from to Cusomer Service and have the two reservations linked together so you would not have to move. A friend and I did this where we used some of my points for two nights and some of hers for one additional night. You can't do it by yourself--both owners have to be on the line and agree.

 

[Susie63]

Thanks for the replies.I will pack a carry on for the one night stay in case we have to move.Then I won't have to even open our suitcases.I guess I have two shots at getting my dream view.

 

[BlazerFan]

We are at VGC for the Disneyland 1/2 marathon and will be heading home on Tuesday. We may have some unopened groceries left over, at least some bottled water. Of anyone is here past Tuesday, or arriving Tuesday please PM me and I could leave things at the bell desk for you.

 

[cpster]

Bumping us up! We just got word yesterday we finally closed on our resale!

Hopefully we'll be in the system by next week.

 

[nunzia]

Bumping us up! We just got word yesterday we finally closed on our resale!

Hopefully we'll be in the system by next week.

Congrats and Welcome Home!

 

[XMom]

Bumping us up! We just got word yesterday we finally closed on our resale!

Hopefully we'll be in the system by next week.

How did you find a resale? We are interested in a small contract of about 100 points. Staying in a studio for 4 days is a bit confining with the kids. A 1br would work much better! We go every year for the 1/2 marathon and stay Fri-tues.