7 month availability at GCV

[dez1978]

Is there any time of year that its possible to get a studio or 1bdrm at GC at 7 months?

Alternatively, do any of the DL hotels offer decent discounts on a cash stay for DVC members? Trying to talk my family into DL instead of WDW in the next couple of years but I need to think thru the logistics of it first. We could always just rent out our points and use the cash to pay for rooms somewhere. Or we have a ton of hilton points we could use too.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Is there any time of year that its possible to get a studio or 1bdrm at GC at 7 months?

Alternatively, do any of the DL hotels offer decent discounts on a cash stay for DVC members? Trying to talk my family into DL instead of WDW in the next couple of years but I need to think thru the logistics of it first. We could always just rent out our points and use the cash to pay for rooms somewhere. Or we have a ton of hilton points we could use too.

Pretty sure VGC is usually waitlist city 12 months out of the year for non-owners. They only have 50 villas, and I think (?) all 2BR are lock-offs. Owners grab everything at 11 months.

ETA looking at availability, it does look like there's a good amount of studio and 1BR availability well within the 11-month booking window for early next year, but not sure what that means or if it is an anomaly.

 

[limace]

I don’t believe all of the 2bedrooms are lock offs but many are. It’s not horrible for owners but gets tight, especially for studios, much after 11 months. 7 is total luck of the draw. If you can be completely flexible and wait to book your airfare-or go with a one bedroom-you’d have a chance. I’d personally either rent points from an owner or do a cash reservation. If you during dapper days, for instance, there are often some pretty reasonable rates there or the DLH. Disneyland is amazing. Go.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I don’t believe all of the 2bedrooms are lock offs but many are. It’s not horrible for owners but gets tight, especially for studios, much after 11 months. 7 is total luck of the draw. If you can be completely flexible and wait to book your airfare-or go with a one bedroom-you’d have a chance. I’d personally either rent points from an owner or do a cash reservation. If you during dapper days, for instance, there are often some pretty reasonable rates there or the DLH. Disneyland is amazing. Go.

Come to think of it, I was in a studio in September that wasn't part of a lock off.

 

[DebbieB]

23 lockoffs, 23 dedicated 2 bedrooms, 2 grand villas. I got a studio at 7 months early May, late September, both a few years ago. 1 bedrooms before D23. I bought a resale January 2020 so I’m booking 11 months now.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I've been to Disneyland twice and my family was able to grab a 1 bedroom at Grand Californian at the 7 month window both times - these trips were both early/mid May. Studios were completely booked up both times. I remember my mom (the DVC owner) remarking that booking Grand Californian was harder than any other resort at 7 months.

I agree with another poster. Renting points or doing a cash reservation if you can afford it is another way to go.

 

[dez1978]

So basically what I'm hearing is Hilton "free" with points is what I should plan for lol

 

[Royal Consort]

I'm an owner at VGC. Seven months is next to impossible. Sometimes you can be lucky to snap up one or so odd days but it's never consistent and mostly unlikely. Wait list and stalking is your best option. Before I bought VGC I didn't bother with 7 months and stayed at the DLH on cash.

 

[MonaMN]

I am curious about this too for next March. Looking at availability now - about 9 months out - there is availability for all room types. We are thinking about a weekday stay for ideally four nights (Monday-Friday) and would prefer a one-bedroom. Not sure what the chances are...

 

[limace]

What time in March?

 

[LilyJC]

I am curious about this too for next March. Looking at availability now - about 9 months out - there is availability for all room types. We are thinking about a weekday stay for ideally four nights (Monday-Friday) and would prefer a one-bedroom. Not sure what the chances are...

We’ve owned VGC for years, but I still like to keep an eye on 7 month availability… Lower point seasons go quickly with owners booking, but I would say that for March in a one bedroom your chances are decent. Points are fairly high, but know you’ll be competing with other non-VGC owners for those potential spring break weeks.

 

[Imkarlawithak2005]

I‘m one of the few who have always been able to get a VGC reservation. I stay flexible on dates and just try to get rooms around the time I want to go. My family has stayed 6 times since 2012 mostly two bedrooms for 5-7 days at a time. Also snagged a one bedroom for a friend for 7 days. if you are flexible, you can get something. One year we wanted to arrive on a Saturday And didn’t get it so we tried the next day and got it so we moved our trip to leave on Sunday. You have to be ready to book right at opening where all you are doing is clicking to book. It’s competitive for sure, but not impossible.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

We have stayed at VGC three times using 7m points. It’s doable, though we have had to be flexible on room size and timing. This past year we even managed to snag a 1BD during Easter week!

 

[MonaMN]

What time in March?

Looking at checking in on probably March 13 or 14.

 

[MonaMN]

We’ve owned VGC for years, but I still like to keep an eye on 7 month availability… Lower point seasons go quickly with owners booking, but I would say that for March in a one bedroom your chances are decent. Points are fairly high, but know you’ll be competing with other non-VGC owners for those potential spring break weeks.

This is encouraging... thanks! I am hoping that by avoiding weekends that our chances go up too. Our plan is to do a day or two of beach/Hollywood/possible visit with friends, then do a few days at DLR. Fingers crossed.

 

[Mrsjoneslilac]

Can someone remind me what time the reservations open up? I’m hoping to get lucky for my end of January birthday

 

[CarolynFH]

Can someone remind me what time the reservations open up? I’m hoping to get lucky for my end of January birthday

8 AM Eastern for online booking, 9 AM Eastern for phone to MS.

 

[LAX]

I have much less experience than others, but had been able to snag a 1 bedroom for 2-3 days right at 7 months on two different occasions. Perhaps I got lucky, but it's not impossible.

LAX

 

[pineapplepalms]

It’s difficult but not impossible. We book VGC often at 7 months, typically 2BRs. We used to book 1BRs and were able to get those too. Studios are much harder to book. Being flexible about dates helps… since we drive, we can adjust our trip if we need to go a day later. Also need to be ready to book right when it opens. VGC is so point-heavy but we love it. Good luck OP!

 

[Wakey]

Is there any time of year that its possible to get a studio or 1bdrm at GC at 7 months?

Alternatively, do any of the DL hotels offer decent discounts on a cash stay for DVC members? Trying to talk my family into DL instead of WDW in the next couple of years but I need to think thru the logistics of it first. We could always just rent out our points and use the cash to pay for rooms somewhere. Or we have a ton of hilton points we could use too.

1 beds are possible, I have booked one 3 years running and go in 2 weeks.