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

[czmom]

Hi! I am wondering when I need to book a studio for the week after Thanksgiving next year. My dates would be December 1-7. Is this something that should be done at the 11 month mark? Or can I hold off?

I am not a DVC owner, but will be renting points.

Thank you! I just returned from AKV and look forward to staying at VGC.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Hi! I am wondering when I need to book a studio for the week after Thanksgiving next year. My dates would be December 1-7. Is this something that should be done at the 11 month mark? Or can I hold off?

I am not a DVC owner, but will be renting points.

Thank you! I just returned from AKV and look forward to staying at VGC.

For that many nights in a studio, my best advice is to find a VGC owner and book at 11 months. Studios are the hardest to come by and December is a busy month at DL.

 

[aymekae]

A couple of questions for you experts:

How many cars get free parking for a 1 bdr villa reservation? Someone on the Disneyland board thought it was 2, but I thought I should double check here. For any cars that might have to pay, what's the daily rate? And if we have people not booked in our room coming to visit, is the rate the same or different?

I need to change some of the people on the original reservation I booked, and provide the correct addresses (I learned recently this address must match the address on their driver's license). Can I do this through the email form on the website, or do I need to call? (I hate calling!)

Thanks in advance!

 

[bigAWL]

Dues Statements are available on the member website.

Looks like 2013 per point dues are rising from $4.33 to 4.58 (that's a 5.77% increase).

But in Jan 2013 there will also be a $0.88 per point adjustment collected to pay for higher-than-estimated taxes in 2012.

 

[hjgaus]

A couple of questions for you experts:

How many cars get free parking for a 1 bdr villa reservation? Someone on the Disneyland board thought it was 2, but I thought I should double check here. For any cars that might have to pay, what's the daily rate? And if we have people not booked in our room coming to visit, is the rate the same or different?

The first 2 cars @ SELF PARKING are FREE then the 3rd car is $15. ($15 per day is also for ANYONE)
ANYBODY parking in VALET = $22
Also your guest can park @ Downtown Disney - first 3 hours is FREE then they can validate by getting something to eat there to ADD 2 MORE FREE HOURS of parking. Although they could park @ Mickey n' Friends Parking structure IF they will be joining you in the parks. I think it's $15 for all day?


I need to change some of the people on the original reservation I booked, and provide the correct addresses (I learned recently this address must match the address on their driver's license). Can I do this through the email form on the website, or do I need to call? (I hate calling!)

Thanks in advance!

I don't know about emailing the website but I would just call the DVC member service. I've always found them very helpful.

 

[Nonsuch]

How many cars get free parking for a 1 bdr villa reservation? Someone on the Disneyland board thought it was 2, but I thought I should double check here. For any cars that might have to pay, what's the daily rate? And if we have people not booked in our room coming to visit, is the rate the same or different?

2 cars might be correct, but all 5 room keys (the 1 bedroom limit) will have "SELF PARKING" printed on them. Any of these keys may be used to exit parking lot. The key is not scanned, so there is no record of how many cars are parked.

$15 is the daily rate for registered guests, otherwise the rate will be much higher.

 

[oktracy]

NorcalDVC,

I own at VGC, live in the Bay Area and also love Aulani. I am seriously considering buying there. Did you purchase Aulani direct? If so how many points? I bought VGC resale 1 year ago and have a 160 point contract. I would want a minimum 1 bedroom for 1 week every other year at Aulani 308 - 406 points.

 

[aymekae]

Thanks for the explanation on the parking... makes a lot more sense! If someone parks before checking in and getting their key, do they just take a normal parking ticket that they won't end up needing because they will use the key to exit?

 

[Nonsuch]

...If someone parks before checking in and getting their key, do they just take a normal parking ticket that they won't end up needing because they will use the key to exit?

That is correct, but without a key they will not be able to use the area of the lot dedicated for guests of the Grand Californian and will need to park in the multi-story lot behind the Paradise Pier Hotel.

 

[sparkhill]

Hi! I am wondering when I need to book a studio for the week after Thanksgiving next year. My dates would be December 1-7. Is this something that should be done at the 11 month mark? Or can I hold off?

I am not a DVC owner, but will be renting points.

Thank you! I just returned from AKV and look forward to staying at VGC.

You will probably be fine booking anywhere between 11 to 7 months in advance. It will fill up once the 7 month window opens though.

 

[NorCalDVC]

NorcalDVC,

I own at VGC, live in the Bay Area and also love Aulani. I am seriously considering buying there. Did you purchase Aulani direct? If so how many points? I bought VGC resale 1 year ago and have a 160 point contract. I would want a minimum 1 bedroom for 1 week every other year at Aulani 308 - 406 points.

Yes, we did purchase Aulani direct. The closing costs if you buy Aulani resale run at least $900 so you don't save too much unless you buy a large contract. The incentive when we bought was $7 off with a $500 giftcard. We only bought 150 points, but now I wish we had gotten more. The price just went up today to $140 per point. We have over 500 points at VGC, BCV and WL so there is no way my husband will agree to buy more points until we get rid of one of our other contracts.

If you are not in a hurry to buy points and decide to buy direct, I would probably wait until the month before your use year to buy. That way, you get the current year's points without having to pay the dues (they prorate the amount).

 

[oktracy]

Norcal, thanks for your reply and the tip!!! I will keep saving for now but will probably bite the bullet next spring or summer. I did see the current incentives Disney is offering. I think I read somewhere that they might still be available until 1/29/2013 for members. We will see if I get antsy again before the end of January. Enjoy those points!!

 

[oktracy]

Norcal, thanks for your reply and the tip!!! I will keep saving for now but will probably bite the bullet next spring or summer. I did see the current incentives Disney is offering. I think I read somewhere that they might still be available until 1/29/2013 for members. We will see if I get antsy again before the end of January. Enjoy those points!!

 

[czmom]

You will probably be fine booking anywhere between 11 to 7 months in advance. It will fill up once the 7 month window opens though.

Thank you! The 7 month mark is when it opens to DVC members who own elsewhere, correct?

 

[sparkhill]

Thank you! The 7 month mark is when it opens to DVC members who own elsewhere, correct?

Yes, non-VCG owners can start booking 7 months in advance of the first day of the reservation. It really fills up fast right at 7 months though so, if you can find somebody to make the reservation for you now, you will not need to sweat it.

 

[moose615]

Yes, non-VCG owners can start booking 7 months in advance of the first day of the reservation. It really fills up fast right at 7 months though so, if you can find somebody to make the reservation for you now, you ail not need to sweat it.

Even though I am a dvc member I rented points from a VGC member for our Oct trip, with DDs set fall break schedule I didn't want to sweat trying to book the exact days, and it being our first trip to DL I don't regret it for a sec, good idea if your days arnt flexible

 

[JimmyJam838]

That is correct, but without a key they will not be able to use the area of the lot dedicated for guests of the Grand Californian and will need to park in the multi-story lot behind the Paradise Pier Hotel.

Since when do you need a key? I've been there a least a dozen times and have never had to use a key to enter the lot directly across the street. I usually go park our car while my wife is checking in so I normally don't have a key. I've only had to show a key when leaving the lot.

 

[Nonsuch]

Since when do you need a key? I've been there a least a dozen times and have never had to use a key to enter the lot directly across the street. I usually go park our car while my wife is checking in so I normally don't have a key. I've only had to show a key when leaving the lot.

Very often, a key is not needed to enter the lot. The parking attendant will open the gate for a car crossing directly from the Grand Californian. The attendant may also open the second gate into the Grand Californian part of the lot.

If the attendant does not open the gate, take a parking ticket -- which will not be used.

 

[Ciyra]

Thank you for putting all this amazing information in one place.

My husband and I are seriously considering purchasing, but have a question for current owners. Has anyone had any luck booking last minute mid week during the month of February? I'm looking at our "Disney History" and realizing that we often get a wild hair in February and take a last minute mid week trip.

Most of the time we would be pre-planned at the 11 month mark, but I think the gloom of winter starts to get to us!

 

[hjgaus]

Thank you for putting all this amazing information in one place.

My husband and I are seriously considering purchasing, but have a question for current owners. Has anyone had any luck booking last minute mid week during the month of February? I'm looking at our "Disney History" and realizing that we often get a wild hair in February and take a last minute mid week trip.

Most of the time we would be pre-planned at the 11 month mark, but I think the gloom of winter starts to get to us!

Can't say that I've tried too often for last minute but when I have & it's not available I would do the DLR Hotels on points. (If you have purchased direct for usage of the Disney Collection.)
The month of Feb seems like a good off time to enjoy except for the Presidents weekend.