Another Annoying Newbie. Grand Californian

[nunzia]

I've been kicking aorund the idea of buying into DVC. However, here's my big question. I enjoy DLR much more than WDW and rarely even go to WDW. So, I'm very excited about the Grand Californian joining the DVC family. However, since they are only building a very very few DVC villas, it seems nearly impossible to get one when they become available. Here's my question. Once a property has DVC on site, do the rates for staying at the property in non DVC rooms lower? For example, currently it's 23 points per night at DGC, at the cheapest season. Can that be expected to drop when DVC has units there?
23 points a night is pretty darn high, so I can't see that it would be worth my while to get DVC since my primary interest is DLR.
Thanks for any help. This is all quite confusing.
Nancy

 

[CarolAnnC]

Hi and Welcome to the DIS!

When a DVC Resort is paired with an exisiting Resort Hotel, you will not be able to use points at the hotel portion, only the DVC. For example, AKV now exist, so points will not be available to book AKL. The same for BCV and VWL etc.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

According to the 2006-2007 Vacation Planner, to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge during Value Season, the Savanna View cost 33 points on weeknights, and 59 points on weekend nights. Now you can get a Savanna View one-bedroom unit during Adventure Season for 23 points on weeknights, and 45 points on weekend nights. A Savanna View studio during Adventure Season costs 11 points on weeknights, and 23 points on weekend nights. And a Savanna View two-bedroom unit during Adventure Season costs 30 points on weeknights and 60 points on weekend nights.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I may be wrong, but I think OP is asking if the addition of actual DVC villas @ GC will be less points per night than what is currently charged to book it as a hotel room. Well...that's the million dollar question! I think we will see point requirements higher than what is currently in affect @ WDW DVC resorts, but not so high that it might turn people off from buying/staying there. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Okay, just re-read OP's post (so yes...I was wrong!). No, I don't think there will be any reductions in what is currently being charged.

 

[Utahsogreatone]

Hi!

I am to waiting for GCH and can't wait to buy in. Even though there are only 50 rooms it still means that atleast 18,250 weeks can be bought. Since it is points and alot of people start out at the 160 point min. then their could be 1,000 of more time for sale.

Who knows about my math but I thought I would take a stab.

Anyway where can I find the point transfer for GCH hotel part online?

Thanks!

 

[nunzia]

Thank you for your responses and for not mentioning my typo!
OK..so really the only way to make it work, is to try and buy into the DVC when the Grand Californian properties come up. Which means a minimum of 160 points. Yikes. I read somewhere that existing members would get first shot..would it make sense to buy a small reseale somewhere just to get in the game, and then sale it later?
Also..another question, in your figuring for costs, do you feel that the yearly fees make it less reasonable when you compute total cost of ownership? It seems it's about $800.00 a year minimum.
Thanks again,
nancy

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

It may not be a bad idea to buy a small resale (50 pts?) just to get your foot in the door. As you already know, that will allow you to buy less than 160 pts when they start selling GCV. Then you can either sell the contract, or possibly rent the points out to help defray the cost of the points you use yourself.

If your main goal is to only use your pts. @ GCV, then depending on how often you go or what size accomodations you'll need...then you're right, 160 pts. might be way too much. It's just so hard to do any serious planning when we haven't seen any point charts yet (and won't for quite some time).

Also, another thing to consider is whether or not you'll be able to take advantage of Sun-Thur night stays. If you will always have to stay over the weekend, the point requirements might be high enough that you would be better off just trying to book a room through CRO when discounts come out.

If you do decide to buy a small contract via resale, contact the brokers directly and tell them what you are looking for as those are very popular and sometimes never make it onto their websites.

 

[dwelty]

Hi!

I am to waiting for GCH and can't wait to buy in. Even though there are only 50 rooms it still means that atleast 18,250 weeks can be bought. Since it is points and alot of people start out at the 160 point min. then their could be 1,000 of more time for sale.

Who knows about my math but I thought I would take a stab.

Anyway where can I find the point transfer for GCH hotel part online?

Thanks!

DVCMembers does not have it posted yet for 2008. However, you can find it at this link: http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140&Itemid=127

They have added a brand new "Super Value" Category.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Hi!

I am to waiting for GCH and can't wait to buy in. Even though there are only 50 rooms it still means that atleast 18,250 weeks can be bought. Since it is points and alot of people start out at the 160 point min. then their could be 1,000 of more time for sale.

Who knows about my math but I thought I would take a stab.

Anyway where can I find the point transfer for GCH hotel part online?

Thanks!

actually there are 50 units not rooms. the units may consist of 50 studios and 50 1 br's.

dvc is not really sold in weeks so just wanted to be sure you knew that

the 160 minimum really wont apply much at all to GCV. a great majority of these will be add on contracts from existing members.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Thank you for your responses and for not mentioning my typo!
OK..so really the only way to make it work, is to try and buy into the DVC when the Grand Californian properties come up. Which means a minimum of 160 points. Yikes. I read somewhere that existing members would get first shot..would it make sense to buy a small reseale somewhere just to get in the game, and then sale it later?
Also..another question, in your figuring for costs, do you feel that the yearly fees make it less reasonable when you compute total cost of ownership? It seems it's about $800.00 a year minimum.
Thanks again,
nancy

you will have to do the math on that one

cost of 160 minimum(if they keep this rule in effect for GCV)

or cost of what you actually may need say 120, plus cost and time of buying a small resale, plus cost and time of selling it later.

of course there is the fear of many that these points wont even make it to non members, so thats another concern

theres a few options
--you could rent whatever extra points you had from the 160 new GCV
--you could rent the points from the small resale you buy to get in

of course, theres no info out on point charts, point prices, minimum purchase, or actual numbers of rooms. so it makes it all the harder

 

[nunzia]

OK..soooo.. if I buy a very small initial thing, like 25 points at Vero Beach or what have you, then when the DCA comes available I would not need to buy the 160 minimum? I mean, add ons through DVC can be done for any resort, not just your home resort? Of course then there's the cost of closing, etc, for the initial purchase. I do mainly go to DLR, what was that someone mentioned... DCO and discounts? (I don't think I can figure out those initials). Also mid week is perfect for me. I much prefer the parks with less people. I am also thinking the end of the DCA contracts will be at least at 2060, so I'm seeing this as a kind of pre paid vacation for retirement years. So many questions.
Thank you all for all your help
Nancy

 

[nunzia]

PS..any projected date on when these will be complete?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Yes, once you are a member you don't have to buy a minimum of 160 pts. (unless for some reason in the future DVC applies that rule to existing members too -- which would be highly unlikely). CRO is central reservations (ie: calling and booking direct with Disney). One thing to keep in mind though is your add-on will be the same use year of your existing contract, so make sure the use year of any resale contract you buy is one that works with your vacation habits.

 

[ACDSNY]

PS..any projected date on when these will be complete?

I believe late 2009.