Demand for VGC during D23 Expo Aug 2013

[wbl2745]

Clearly there will be a demand for VGC during D23 Expo in Anaheim from August 9 to 11, 2013, but my question is whether it would likely be necessary to walk a reservation at 11 months out. VGC is our home resort and I've never had trouble getting a reservation there during the 11 to 8 month window, but I'm wondering if this is different?

Does anyone have any experience with trying to get VGC during the D23 Expo?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We are staying in a studio at the GCV for the Destination D event next weekend. We booked at 7 months and had to WL one night. It came through in March.

While the Destiation D is not as large an event, I think the GCV is a better choice for it than for the Expo. We will be staying near the Convention Center for the Expo, as we did for the prior Expos.

I would expect that if you can't get the nights at 11 months, a WL will come through. I think 7 months will be much tougher. -- Suzanne

 

[DebbieB]

Friends & I are planning to go. We will probably arrive the Sunday before, hoping to get some nights in a studio at 7 months. The weekend nights will be hard, we'll probably move to DLH or PP on cash. We went last year and stayed at DLH the whole week, didn't try for VGC.

 

[franandaj]

We are not planning on staying at the VGC/GCH. First it's too far away from the Convention Center. We have Hilton points so we stay there for free. There's just too much going on that being a couple blocks away makes it tough to get back to the room with packages and after a long long day.

That said, I know a number of people DID stay at the VGC for last years Expo. Studios are hard to get in general. I'll be staying this weekend for Destination D in a 1Br. I was also able to get this in Feb or March when the dates were announced. I had to WL Sunday night, but that came through in June.

 

[DebbieB]

We are not planning on staying at the VGC/GCH. First it's too far away from the Convention Center. We have Hilton points so we stay there for free. There's just too much going on that being a couple blocks away makes it tough to get back to the room with packages and after a long long day.

That said, I know a number of people DID stay at the VGC for last years Expo. Studios are hard to get in general. I'll be staying this weekend for Destination D in a 1Br. I was also able to get this in Feb or March when the dates were announced. I had to WL Sunday night, but that came through in June.

Do you have a reservation for the Hilton? I have Hilton points too but expect that they may not have any rooms open for awards.

 

[franandaj]

Do you have a reservation for the Hilton? I have Hilton points too but expect that they may not have any rooms open for awards.

They will only reserve a year in advance. I have experienced some black out dates at the Hilton in the past, but last year, I got four nights starting with the Thursday before the Expo and ending on Sunday.

 

[TLPL]

We did walk a reservation at 11 months out to reserve a studio last time. We found it perfectly nice to walk to the Expo from the villas.

 

[franandaj]

We did walk a reservation at 11 months out to reserve a studio last time. We found it perfectly nice to walk to the Expo from the villas.

I'm figuring if you are fit and in shape folks, it might not be a problem, but for those of us who are physically challenged, the closer the better. It makes naps a lot easier not to mention package returns.

 

[Stitch1313]

We tried to get into the VGC for the 2011 D23 Expo. I called the moment the lines opened on the morning of the 7 month window. The resort had no availability. We ended up staying at the Disneyland Hotel and had a lovely time. But, I was disappointed as I was looking forward to experiencing the VGC for the first time. I don't expect it will be any different in 2013 since even more people will know by then how much fun the D23 Expo can be.

 

[nunzia]

We are not planning on staying at the VGC/GCH. First it's too far away from the Convention Center. We have Hilton points so we stay there for free. There's just too much going on that being a couple blocks away makes it tough to get back to the room with packages and after a long long day.

That said, I know a number of people DID stay at the VGC for last years Expo. Studios are hard to get in general. I'll be staying this weekend for Destination D in a 1Br. I was also able to get this in Feb or March when the dates were announced. I had to WL Sunday night, but that came through in June.

Agree with this...We'll stay at the Hilton during the actual Expo (have stayed at Jolly Roger for previous Expos so this will be a real move up!) but may stay at VGC after if I decide to have some park time after the event. I like being super close to the convention center during the actual event. (PS Allison..were you Diamond for Destination D..and in the orange group for the Studios and Animation Library portion?? I think I may have seen you )

 

[wbl2745]

As of today the Deluxe Studios as the VGC are booked for the nights of 8/8/13 through 8/10/13. Taking a PP's advice I walked a reservation and was able to get the days I wanted. I noticed that on 9/8/12, the first day you could reserve for 8/8/13 directly, the studios were booked by noon when I checked. I don't know how early they were all gone.

 

[TLPL]

Enjoy your stay!

 

[nunzia]

You will love it there. I'm booked at the HIlton and will be glad to run downstairs and be right at the Convention Center. I will, however, be jealous when I arrive a day early and have to slog over to the parks in what will most likely be horrifically hot weether.

 

[Meriweather]

I own at VGC.......and Monday when I tried for Saturday Aug. 10 in a studio, they were already gone.
We will stay somewhere else.
I did get Sunday through Friday for our DLR vacation.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We did walk a reservation at 11 months out to reserve a studio last time. We found it perfectly nice to walk to the Expo from the villas.

We walked from the DL hotel with no issues.

 

[franandaj]

Do you have a reservation for the Hilton? I have Hilton points too but expect that they may not have any rooms open for awards.

I have one now and had no problem getting it on points at one year out.

We walked from the DL hotel with no issues.

That's funny, it's all in the person making the journey. We rode our scooters from the Hilton to DTD last year for dinner the first night, and thought, "Wow! If we had to go this far back to our hotel room, we'd barely make it!"

 

[lulubelle]

Last time I was with a group of about 10 and we stayed at Candy Cane Inn.
I remember seeing the people stroll in and out of the Hilton and told myself...next time I am staying THERE! Needless to say, yesterday I booked a 2Q Disney View room at the advance pre-paid price of $175/night. I think the villas are too far to walk. My poor feet and legs were very tired after a 12+ hour day at the Expo. I use my VGC points for park days.

Alison, we should plan on a mini-meet in the lobby again - it was fun. We have 11 months to do it!

 

[franandaj]

Last time I was with a group of about 10 and we stayed at Candy Cane Inn.
I remember seeing the people stroll in and out of the Hilton and told myself...next time I am staying THERE! Needless to say, yesterday I booked a 2Q Disney View room at the advance pre-paid price of $175/night. I think the villas are too far to walk. My poor feet and legs were very tired after a 12+ hour day at the Expo. I use my VGC points for park days.

Alison, we should plan on a mini-meet in the lobby again - it was fun. We have 11 months to do it!

DEFINITELY! It was fun last time, we'll have to see what they have planned for the Sorcerers this time. I think there was mention of a show floor tour, but not sure what else. Bret is going to be there again as well as tinkcollector, Marci I think. We saw her at Destination D.

We've been struggling with some serious health issues in the last year and hope they are behind us in the next few weeks so that we get back to enjoying our trios and D23 events. So far we've canceled three WDW vacations in 13 months. Hoping to take the rebooking in January. Plus the Wonder cruise is paid for and non refundable, though we did take out insurance.

I'm hoping maybe a few folks would like to get together, even if it's smaller than last time, it was nice to meet you and your daughter and finally put a face to a name. I still confuse you with toocherie even though I know who you are. As soon as I see the pic in your sig I'm unconfused, but if you take that out I'll be lost!

 

[VA_mouseman]

What are the odds I'll be able to get a studio at VGC for a few nights following D23? I want to to attend the expo, and I'm considering all hotel options. The likely choice is a hotel next to the convention center, but I'd like to stay at VGC if possible. I'm betting that it's fully booked for the three nights of the expo, but what about afterwards? I'll happily switch hotels if the VGC is available. I hope to spend a few extra days in Anaheim to see DL/DCA.

I can't call until the 7 month mark, so for now it's an academic question.

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

DH and I booked a studio at VGC for 8/5-8/12. We've stayed at Grand Californian for both expos. In 2009 we used the transportation from the resort which was very convenient. Last year we walked to and from the convention center. It was about a 20 minute walk each way but thankfully we had no problems.