Buy VGC resale now or wait and buy VDH direct?

[HIRyeDVC]

Can you book a resort with 11m home resort points and then swap out the points used for that reservation at the 7m mark with non-home resort points?

nope. not possible.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Can you book a resort with 11m home resort points and then swap out the points used for that reservation at the 7m mark with non-home resort points?

A gamble is to try the book and extend method to try and give you a one or two day advantage vs those stalking at 7 months at a busy resort like VGC. Book the first night with your VGC points and right at 7 months if you are lucky and the extra days you want are available you can extend out the reservation to more nights. Of course someone with the VGC points can come in behind you and take the nights if they want them so this is not a good choice for those must due trips in the busy seasons.

 

[AstroBlasters]

A gamble is to try the book and extend method to try and give you a one or two day advantage vs those stalking at 7 months at a busy resort like VGC. Book the first night with your VGC points and right at 7 months if you are lucky and the extra days you want are available you can extend out the reservation to more nights. Of course someone with the VGC points can come in behind you and take the nights if they want them so this is not a good choice for those must due trips in the busy seasons.

I was thinking more along the lines of booking the days I want with VGC points and then going in after the 7m mark and switching out the VGC points for non-VGC points. Then, banking the VGC points for the next year.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I’m not a fan of the “auction” process, but there are some VGC starting at $220/$225:

https://dvcresaleauctions.com/auctions/grand-californian-160-points-august-3gc181p/

 

[limace]

I was thinking more along the lines of booking the days I want with VGC points and then going in after the 7m mark and switching out the VGC points for non-VGC points. Then, banking the VGC points for the next year.

Yeah you can’t get around the home resort priority this way. The only way that works is if there is availability at 7 months which there almost never is at VGC.

 

[Sandisw]

I was thinking more along the lines of booking the days I want with VGC points and then going in after the 7m mark and switching out the VGC points for non-VGC points. Then, banking the VGC points for the next year.

When you book a reservation with home resort points it locks the contract. If you go to modify at 7 months it will not let you remove that as the first contract to use. So no way around it.

I will say that I have had luck in swapping out banked non home resort points when there are still nights available even if they are mid trip by choosing not t as well.

But it hasn’t worked when it’s fully booked. In those cases, I just waitlist the first night at 7 months and hope it comes through using the non home resort points. Then modify the original one and drop that day.

I have had a lot of success but never book VGC so it might not work as well there.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We live in CA, about a 6 hr drive from DL. Our home resorts are VGC (direct and resale), Saratoga (direct), and Aulani (resale). VDH had us intrigued until more info starting slow rolling out; 1) No additional restaurants/QS options. VDH will utilize Downtown Disney as their quick service. If they can work out the kinks and have Downtown Disney restaurants function as room service I would be surprised. We've been to VGC a few times this year, and never felt that it was as easy as ordering room service, or going downstairs to the grab-and-go section near Craftsman Bar & Grill. Where are all these new guests going to eat? 2) No balconies. We stay in 2 bedrooms almost exclusively as we have three young kiddos and really enjoying watching World of Color from our room. 3) Speaking of views... will there be tiered views on the points chart like other resorts, or roll of the dice like at VGC? 4) Speaking of points charts....who knows what VDH will bring to the table. 5) It's not VGC

Isn't there 1 QS place at the Disneyland Hotel? And just 1 at the Grand Californian as well? I haven't stayed at the DLH but I'm assuming it's more of an issue since there are already more rooms there than at the GC. We likes going down to Craftsman Bar and Grill for breakfast. Now I'm wondering if eating QS breakfast at the VDH will be a pain/too crowded.

We were originally dead set on doing resale for VGC but now I'm wondering about VDH as an option.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Isn't there 1 QS place at the Disneyland Hotel? And just 1 at the Grand Californian as well? I haven't stayed at the DLH but I'm assuming it's more of an issue since there are already more rooms there than at the GC. We likes going down to Craftsman Bar and Grill for breakfast. Now I'm wondering if eating QS breakfast at the VDH will be a pain/too crowded.

We were originally dead set on doing resale for VGC but now I'm wondering about VDH as an option.

Disney is probably banking on Disneyland hotel people to eat more at downtown Disney. It’s a shame that they’re adding 350+ new rooms with zero new restaurants.

 

[HappyThoughtsTees]

Isn't there 1 QS place at the Disneyland Hotel? And just 1 at the Grand Californian as well? I haven't stayed at the DLH but I'm assuming it's more of an issue since there are already more rooms there than at the GC. We likes going down to Craftsman Bar and Grill for breakfast. Now I'm wondering if eating QS breakfast at the VDH will be a pain/too crowded.

We were originally dead set on doing resale for VGC but now I'm wondering about VDH as an option.

I believe the current dining at DLH is; the coffee house (QS, mainly snacks), Tangaroa Terrace (QS, my kids weren't fans, but they prefer pretty basic stuff), Goofy's Kitchen (TS), and Trader Sam's (TS). Once the DVC tower is up and running it seems like the inventory at QS could be wiped out fairly quickly each morning. Fingers crossed Food Service department is on top of their ordering!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Honestly, if we decide to buy VDH, I can see us just getting groceries and eating breakfast in our room to save the hassle and time.

 

[Royal Consort]

We were originally dead set on doing resale for VGC but now I'm wondering about VDH as an opoption.

These two properties are so completely different from one another. One is a large mid century tower and isn't attempting to be anything else. VGC is a small boutique DVC craftsman themed unit. I think it's useful to consider both and weigh up options.

Whatever you buy you must be comfortable staying there almost exclusively. Availability at the small VGC isn't going to open up because VDH is released. Technically you can use your points at VGC but the reality is availability will prevent you doing so. VDH will give you direct points for use at future resorts at WDW. I think it comes down to "what property do you like better?" because that's where you're going to stay for 40 (+) years.

Personally, I hoped they'd do much more with VDH than simply a condo tower without studio balconies or increased amenities. I was so disappointed when it was announced I bought more VGC points and I'm perfectly content with that. I also booked a room at the DLH that will have similar views to the new tower and I hated it. That was the clincher to me. But views don't matter to everyone.

 

[KTownRaider]

Disney is probably banking on Disneyland hotel people to eat more at downtown Disney.

I agree that is likely Disney's assumption. My issue with that is it requires you to go through the Downtown Disney entrance security which can be slow (especially in the morning prior to park opening) . DLR security checkpoints still aren't streamlined like WDW's- every stroller/bag is manually opened and searched. This limits your true grab and go/quick service options to DLH's Tangaroa Terrace and Coffee House (which currently closes at 6PM).

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Personally, I hoped they'd do much more with VDH than simply a condo tower without studio balconies or increased amenities. I was so disappointed when it was announced I bought more VGC points and I'm perfectly content with that. I also booked a room at the DLH that will have similar views to the new tower and I hated it. That was the clincher to me. But views don't matter to everyone.

I've liked the views we've had at DLH. Also, DLH is super charming. I hope the rooms at VDH will be also. Haven't stayed at VGC or GCH but will be there in September. That will help me. Unless there's some nice incentive to buy soon after the resort goes on sale but I doubt there will be any for small contracts like what I would want

 

[Royal Consort]

I've liked the views we've had at DLH. Also, DLH is super charming. I hope the rooms at VDH will be also. Haven't stayed at VGC or GCH but will be there in September. That will help me. Unless there's some nice incentive to buy soon after the resort goes on sale but I doubt there will be any for small contracts like what I would want

DLH has been our go-to for cash stays as well in the past. I share your view of its charm. Staying on cash though gives you access to nicer garden, pool, or DTD views. This new tower is built on the worst parcel of land at DLH with many rooms facing powerlines, suburbia, and a car park. Standard view (i.e. in Frontier Tower) has this too but there are more alternative options with the location of the other existing towers (we like Adventure Tower). It's not a 'Disneyland hotel' problem, it's 'where this tower faces' problem.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

DLH has been our go-to for cash stays as well in the past. I share your view of its charm. Staying on cash though gives you access to nicer garden, pool, or DTD views. This new tower is built on the worst parcel of land at DLH with many rooms facing powerlines, suburbia, and a car park. Standard view (i.e. in Frontier Tower) has this too but there are more alternative options with the location of the other existing towers (we like Adventure Tower). It's not a 'Disneyland hotel' problem, it's 'where this tower faces' problem.

Okay, but there will also be many rooms facing the DLH pool, so for those who care about views this should be good. I don't want to look at suburbia and often pay the extra points for the better views at WDW. So I figured if we decide to go with VDH we would just book whatever category faces the rest of DLH.

In the end, if VGC doesn't drop much more (particularly small contracts) and VDH starts out at ~$220 pp as expected, then none of the above will matter as we'll just go with the less expensive option. Especially if that comes with the ease of buying direct. We just want to go every other year or so.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah, view isn't super important to us. Obviously having a nice view is great. But we can take or leave it. We were at the GC last week with standard view and literally looked at the wall from Goofy's sky school. At least it has fake clouds painted on it, I guess?

I've never stayed at the Disneyland hotel and it's been several years since I've even walked on the property. So I'd definitely need to at least get a better look before I'd consider buying. I wonder if they will let people have a tour of a room or something when they open??

 

[ClaraOswald]

Okay, but there will also be many rooms facing the DLH pool, so for those who care about views this should be good. I don't want to look at suburbia and often pay the extra points for the better views at WDW. So I figured if we decide to go with VDH we would just book whatever category faces the rest of DLH.

In the end, if VGC doesn't drop much more (particularly small contracts) and VDH starts out at ~$220 pp as expected, then none of the above will matter as we'll just go with the less expensive option. Especially if that comes with the ease of buying direct. We just want to go every other year or so.

I'm definitely anxious to see what the price will be and how many points per night for each room. We'd like to go once every year or 2. That's basically what we've done since our son was born. But we always stayed on Harbor until our most recent trip.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I agree that is likely Disney's assumption. My issue with that is it requires you to go through the Downtown Disney entrance security which can be slow (especially in the morning prior to park opening) . DLR security checkpoints still aren't streamlined like WDW's- every stroller/bag is manually opened and searched. This limits your true grab and go/quick service options to DLH's Tangaroa Terrace and Coffee House (which currently closes at 6PM).

A pain for sure. For what it's worth, we never grab breakfast at any QS in Grand Cal when we stay. A QS breakfast for 4 would cost $50+! We are happy to make our eggs, spam, musubis, and pancakes in the comfort of our huge villa!

 

[AstroBlasters]

I don't know. I keep telling myself that I need a small 50 point contract at VDH to score 2-3 nights a year. We would mainly use it as a first leg of a 9-10 night split stay between VDH studio, followed by VGC 1BR. But the more and more I think about it, it doesn't make sense to pay $225pp for VDH so that I can book the lower points SV rooms, when I can use my CCV direct points I got for much cheaper to book more expensive view rooms at 7 months. Of course this is all assuming that 7 month availability at VDH will be good. Screw it. I honestly don't need it. I can easily do a studio/1BR split all at VGC, or do a few nights at a good neighbor hotel. VDH just won't be worth $225pp for me! But ask me again in a couple of months and I'll be all over the place again.

What if you can pick up restricted points resale in 2025 @ $130pp? (AKA RIV price levels today) How much more would you pay for VGC unrestricted resale over VDH restricted resale?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

What if you can pick up restricted points resale in 2025 @ $130pp? (AKA RIV price levels today) How much more would you pay for VGC unrestricted resale over VDH restricted resale?

I like where you're going with this. I don't think VDH resale will be the same as Riviera resale, considering there will only be 2 DVC resorts in Anaheim, vice 11 in WDW. Sure both resorts' points will be restricted to only one resort. But the sheer lack of options in DLR has to make a difference. Having said there, there are so many variables including direct price, points chart, etc. Simplistically, I'll say VDH resale will be listed for $170pp in 2025, since direct will probably be around $250+pp. I think that's a fair price gap between direct and resale.

WRT to how much would I pay for VGC unrestricted? I don't think VGC resale price would change much since VGC resale is already de-facto, self imposed restricted, since no VGC owner in their right minds would use VGC points to book anywhere else. I personally am done buying VGC so I'm the wrong person to ask. Keep it coming though. I like this scenario.