California - Questions???

[SplashMom]

We are new DVC owners (purchased in February) but we haven't used any points yet. We have been to WDW many times but we are planning a trip to Disneyland in California in May/June of 2013. Our airfare will be very high so we are planning to go for two weeks.

What are the chances of getting a studio at the Grand Californian for two weeks during that time frame?

Is the GC a good location to visit the other attractions in Southern Cali?

What are other "must do" attractions?

I'm not sure if we should stay there the entire time, although I think we will have to use our points and we would prefer to not have to pay extra for another hotel.

Any thoughts?

 

[disneynutz]

My guess is that your chances are slim. VGC is a very small resort and staying there to visit locations outside of Disney is expensive.

Bill

 

[Cinderpamela]

May/June can be a pretty busy time for the parks but if you have some flexibility with the dates you may be able to get in. VGC fills up super fast at the 7 month opening mark, so I would definitely be online and ready to book right at the 8 am est mark when you window opens up for the dates you want.

Practice ahead of time so you are familiar/clear with how the online system works. Since you will not be able to book all two weeks at once (only 7 days can be booked at one time) you will have to add on consecutive days once you get the initial reservation booked. If you don’t get all the days you want that’s perhaps when you could start looking at booking somewhere else to visit other things in California.

We got our VGC reservation for November by being online right when the 7 month window opened, so I wouldn't say there is no hope but I do feel extremely lucky that I got the dates I wanted.

As far as touring the parks goes, I would highly recommend you check out Hydroguys thread on Disneyland/DCA for WDW vets, it is a must read, packed with tons of great advice and insight to get you started.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

and also his tips compilation has links to all his great advice on various Disneyland Resort events/info.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Weekends in the park are generally the busiest, so those tend to be the best days to plan other excursions. For example when we go in November, we are planning to go to Universal Studios, and do some other sightseeing, rather than deal with the Disney crowds on that day.

I should also add that the studios are the absolute hardest to get of all the rooms due to the lower points requirements... you will have much better luck getting a 1 or 2 bedroom.

 

[JoRo]

Hi

Agreed for sure be ready to book at the 7 month window. You might have a good chance and you can always waitlist. We are a family of 4 and always stay in studio for about a week, yes I would love a 1 bedroom but I like more trips so we manage.

There are also some decent hotels across the street, the best western Park Place Inn Carousel and a few others for sure.

Enjoy DL, its so very special and better then WDW in many ways

 

[DebbieB]

I got the first week of May last year at the 7 month mark in a studio. I also got a reservation for the last week of September this year.

 

[arthur06]

We booked VGC (in a 1br) at exactly 7 months for this November.

We only booked 3 nights at VGC and still deciding on where to book the other 4 nights. We are planning on touring LA and possibly SD and want hotels in those areas.

 

[nunzia]

Can someone refresh my memory? Since online booking started, what time of day are we allowed to book?

 

[Friend of Figment]

We are taking our first trip to Disneyland in November and am using our DVC points to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. The rooms sleep 5 and was less points than the studio at Grand California. We booked 3 weeks ago and had no problem getting a room. For even less points you could stay at Paradise Pier. Plus at Disneyland you do not pay the $95 fee for not staying at a DVC...I believe this is due to Grand California having so few DVC rooms.

 

[dwelty]

As a VGC owner and Disneyland local, I do not see too much difficulty in getting into VGC in May if you call exactly at 7 months. Before memorial day, May is one of the slowest periods. I have also had luck getting a room with my SSR points at 4 months out during off season (may is considered off season). I say go for it.

 

[DebbieB]

We are taking our first trip to Disneyland in November and am using our DVC points to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. The rooms sleep 5 and was less points than the studio at Grand California. We booked 3 weeks ago and had no problem getting a room. For even less points you could stay at Paradise Pier. Plus at Disneyland you do not pay the $95 fee for not staying at a DVC...I believe this is due to Grand California having so few DVC rooms.

That doesn't sound right, so I checked the charts.

Disneyland Hotel is 37 points per night for Nov 1 to 17. A VGC studio is 20 points S-Th, 24 points F-S. Maybe you were comparing a 1 bedroom, which is 39/48.

 

[SplashMom]

Thanks everyone! I am thinking positively and I'm hoping for at least one week (hopefully more).

I had checked the other resorts and they were more points than a studio. It is still an option if necessary, although I would prefer the GC.

I thought we would spend around 5 days in the parks and then explore other places. Is this location central for doing things like Universal, Hollywood, beaches, etc? I am not at all familiar and it feels strange to know so little, lol. I will be doing lots of research but I'm just trying to get started. Thanks for your input!!

 

[joelnkelly]

We booked at the 7 month mark and got a two bedroom for the 9th-16th of next month, i called first thing in the morning to secure the booking though. so by my experience i would say its not that difficult.

 

[Friend of Figment]

Yes I compared it to a one bedroom because that is what we needed. So yes staying at Disneyland Resort is cheaper using points than the 1 bedroom at Grand California. The studio only sleeps 4.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Can someone refresh my memory? Since online booking started, what time of day are we allowed to book?

If you book online you can log on and be ready to book it at 8 am eastern time.

If you call MS you have to wait till 9 am eastern.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Yes I compared it to a one bedroom because that is what we needed. So yes staying at Disneyland Resort is cheaper using points than the 1 bedroom at Grand California. The studio only sleeps 4.

It seems a little apples to oranges to compare a DLH room to a 1 bdrm villa, as the VGC has an extra bathroom in the 1 bedroom, and a full kitchen...

I do love the Disneyland Hotel rooms, especially since they were remodeled, so it's always a good backup plan if we can't get into the VGC. But with a DH that snores my kiddos much prefer sleeping in a separate room, so that 1 bedroom is perfect for us!