disney grand california sale start 1-25-09 for founding members

[Michael623]

Slightly off topic but doesn't the typo in the title of this thread bother any else? I'm not exactly sure when or for that matter whose mouth is next. Is the OP still following this thread?

 

[Lucille1963]

We visit DL for at least a week, but 8-9 days is preferable. We don't do any side trips, we just enjoy Disneyland!

 

[dcfromva]

Something I keep wondering is whether anyone really goes to DLR for a full week? Not that the point requirements still aren't high, but since we only do one 3-4 night DLR trip per year this isn't quite so painful.

Since we are from the east coast, we generally stay 5-7 nights on points at GC at least once a year. The point requirements will definately influence our length of stay. I suppose we could limit our stay to Sun-Thurs nights and go elsewhere (we generally stay at another place or two on our visits anyway). The crowds at DL are generally the highest during the weekend, anyway...

 

[ACDSNY]

I had planned on buy enough points for a 2 bedroom for week in the Fall, but since the points are so high I'm don't think that will happen.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Hi guys!

We actually prefer visiting DL versus WDW, but we're probably in the minority on that one.

I think you would be surprised how many people prefer DLR to DW. Everybody in my family and in my BIL's family prefer DLR except my 8 year old grandson (who really likes the Lego serpent at DTD) I have only been to DW twice and have a third trip planned for June so my experience sample is probably to small to form a good opinion, but customer service on the West Coast just seems to be better overall and there is some little magic thing that happens everytime I cross under the RR tracks and step into DL that I don't get at DW. It just seems more intimate to me. It is probably because I grew up going to DL and have continued taking my son and then my Grandkids there. Plus I really like the GC. I like the Art and Crafts design, the spectacular lobby and the proximity to the parks. I am so ready to buy, so give me a point chart already!

 

[stopher1]

We live in Indiana, but are originally from So. Cal... with family and friends still out there, so we get out there at least annually to visit family (in fact we'll be staying at the GCH on points in just 2 weeks), but I'm out there more than the family is since my employer is also based in Irvine. Having VGC points would be nice given our family's bi-coastal nature of visiting both resorts in any given year - but it's really just a nice to have, not a must have or a true need since we always have somewhere to rest our heads. We certainly don't vacation at Disneyland the way we do at WDW, and honestly we only stay on-site once per year, so 1-2 maybe 3 nights is really all we'd need depending on what the point chart says... of course that doesn't mean I don't want more, but the reality difference between what we want and what we can afford sometimes gets in the way of it all. If we are priced out of it all, it'll still be okay for us because we will still be going and enjoying the parks - but perhaps from the DLH or PPH... I have no doubt in my mind that the $95 transaction fee will begin to apply after the villas open, which will stink, but we'll deal with it as needed.

As far as preferring DL to WDW... you bet I do, but they are both great places to visit. Of course there's much more to see and do on property in FL - but DL is the original, afterall - Walt's park, you know...

 

[drag n' fly]

Something I keep wondering is whether anyone really goes to DLR for a full week? Not that the point requirements still aren't high, but since we only do one 3-4 night DLR trip per year this isn't quite so painful. Our annual DLR trip is seperate from our "real" vacations. It's simply a regular, proactive investment in my sanity (and in family bonding time).

However I could see if I were from the East Coast how I'd love to book a week at VGC and maybe do a side trip to the beach or to San Diego or LA while there . . .

I haven't approached DH yet about the potential 100 pt minimum. I'll cross that bridge if I have too I guess. I'd really love 100 points but I really think that'd be overkill. I keep comforting myself that I can still continue to go to DLR whether or not I stay at GCH. I DO want/need to be able to use my points there somehow once in a while without undue penalty or I will be an unhappy DVC owner/customer.

We always for at least a week. The flight costs for a family of five are high. We see the parks and then use our hotel as a base to do day trips down the coast

 

[drag n' fly]

If dvcnews is correct with the 500 point cap, you still can't spend a week in a two bedroom over magic season without borrowing some points

Well, the HoJo and Best Western Park Place are in our future.

Yup us too! Guess we will wait to see how Hawaii pans out. Not that it is going to be any better



Good luck to everyone purchasing!!!! Im envious

 

[tjkraz]

I would never spend a full week (inc Fri and Sat) at VGC...but then I rarely pay weekend points at WDW either.

I think there is PLENTY to fill 5n/6d at the Grand Californian--especially if trips are limited to every 2-3 years. Those two parks have a LOT more attractions then any two parks at Walt Disney World. In many ways they have the best of the WDW attractions plus many of their own unique experiences (Indiana Jones, DL subs, Matterhorn, Space Mtn, Grizzly River Run, CA Screamin, etc.)

And you can't beat the intimate nature of the entire complex. Getting to DCA from the Grand Californian takes about as much time as walking down to the BoardWalk Bakery from BWV. Downtown Disney is the same distance thru another door. Now THAT is convenience!

 

[dwelty]

And you can't beat the intimate nature of the entire complex. Getting to DCA from the Grand Californian takes about as much time as walking down to the BoardWalk Bakery from BWV. Downtown Disney is the same distance thru another door. Now THAT is convenience!

Actually, depending on where your room is at BWV, it could be LONGER!

 

[amyup]

Well, we only go 3 nights so hopefully we'll be fine with 100 points. We go a couple times a year and will stay somewhere else when our 100 points are gone. I figure I only have 160 points now so I'm going to need more points to stay in Hawaii anyways

Add our family to the list who prefers DL over WDW too!

 

[bethy]

I would never spend a full week (inc Fri and Sat) at VGC...but then I rarely pay weekend points at WDW either.

I think there is PLENTY to fill 5n/6d at the Grand Californian--especially if trips are limited to every 2-3 years. Those two parks have a LOT more attractions then any two parks at Walt Disney World. In many ways they have the best of the WDW attractions plus many of their own unique experiences (Indiana Jones, DL subs, Matterhorn, Space Mtn, Grizzly River Run, CA Screamin, etc.)

And you can't beat the intimate nature of the entire complex. Getting to DCA from the Grand Californian takes about as much time as walking down to the BoardWalk Bakery from BWV. Downtown Disney is the same distance thru another door. Now THAT is convenience!

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE DLR the bestest. I love that you can walk EVERYWHERE! And agree that a person could spend days upon days there. Especially if staying onsite where you could schedule in relaxing pool time, also. I think I read somewhere that WDW only has 10% more actual attractions than DLR does.

For us, since we go once or twice per year - every year - 4 nights satisfies us though since we know we'll be back soon enough. Also as our children get older we figure we can get away with less cushion on either end of the trip. i.e. flying in on the earliest flight on Thurs and home on an evening flight on Sunday. The flight is only 2.5 hours. I would love 4 nights per year at VGC but figure I'll have to settle for 3.

 

[wdw4life]

Has anyone heard from their guide today?

 

[lisah0711]

Well, I received a Fed Ex package from my Guide this morning. I was so excited, I was just sure it was the VGC points chart . . . but alas, no, it was my new Dreams book. Which actually isn't bad to have to look at while we are waiting.

My Guide knows that we are buying. He even mentioned that we have talked about VGC since when I bought in 2007 and it hadn't even been announced then!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Has anyone heard from their guide today?

Yes I just did and the news was not good. Minimum is 100 pts. I am not 100% certain but I think that just killed our add on. I'm extremely disappointed bordering on disgusted since I made a special effort to be assured of having the founding member option. We just don't need 100 more points. Raising the amounts we could buy and raising the minimum expected (I know that wasn't spelled out in the founding member contract) is just wrong I believe. IMO bad show DVC!

 

[bethy]

Yes I just did and the news was not good. Minimum is 100 pts. I am not 100% certain but I think that just killed our add on. I'm extremely disappointed bordering on disgusted since I made a special effort to be assured of having the founding member option. We just don't need 100 more points. Raising the amounts we could buy and raising the minimum expected (I know that wasn't spelled out in the founding member contract) is just wrong I believe. IMO bad show DVC!

You have got to be kidding me. I just didn't think this could really happen. We bought AKV just for Founding member status (not that we couldn't enjoy and use the points.) But our plan was to add 50-75 at VGC to complete our portfolio. We vacation in other locations and so this is really the max $$$ and time we want to commit to Disney. I feel sort of like I was tricked. (yes I know the paperwork had all the contingencies laid out etc.) I just don't know if I can swing 100 pts.

I wish now so much that I had taken my chances and hoped that I could buy in at VGC as a new member. Like everyone here advised me to do.

Between this and the switch from II to RCI I am very frustrated.

 

[toocherie]

The Founding Member addendum is very confusing--in one spot it identifies the "Ownership Interest" being used to establish Founding Member status as being comprised of a minimum of 160 points (remember that later DVC changed this to 100 points for a time?) at either SSR or AKV. Then later in the doc it talks about the Founding Members being offered the opportunity to purchase an Ownership Interest at GCV of "up to" 160 points (see Section 4(c) for those of you who are Founding Members). I know I want more than 100 points (heck--I know I want more than 160 points), so this isn't an issue for me, but for those of you who wanted a smaller add-on if your language is the same I would put up a fuss, because I think the document is drafted such that you have the right to purchase "up to" the 160 points. (And I know DVC was marketed at the time I purchased that 25 points could be added on at a time.) My biggest fear (which doens't appear to be the case) was that because of demand DVC was going to limit Founding Members to 100 points!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It hasn't been too often that I've felt this way b/c I generally know what I'm getting into but I feel suckered on this one. With 25 pt minimum add on's for so many years and no mention of a different minimum on the contract I thought it was unlikely to change. Not impossible but I consided that length of stays at DL are usually shorter although the locals will go more frequently. And considering that the maximum was to be 160 well.....as I said - I was fooled.

I do plan on contacting someone. I don't expect to get anywhere but hopefully they'll think more about changes like this in the future. My trust is shot at the moment.

 

[bethy]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. It's safe to assume that I/we will definitely put up a fuss. But a very carefully calculated and prepared one. Preferably behind the scenes where DVC can't "eavesdrop."

Amen, Kathy. I feel suckered too and it's very hard to admit!

 

[Laurabearz]

It hasn't been too often that I've felt this way b/c I generally know what I'm getting into but I feel suckered on this one. With 25 pt minimum add on's for so many years and no mention of a different minimum on the contract I thought it was unlikely to change. Not impossible but I consided that length of stays at DL are usually shorter although the locals will go more frequently. And considering that the maximum was to be 160 well.....as I said - I was fooled.

I do plan on contacting someone. I don't expect to get anywhere but hopefully they'll think more about changes like this in the future. My trust is shot at the moment.

(((hugs)))