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

[CaliMouseVacationeer]

Is this month dragging by or what?!

Oh my gosh, I'm with you there!!! Waiting each day is such a drag!! My guide said she's going to fax me the official point chart first thing Monday morning, which seems like forever!! Thank goodness for all the boards/news sites.

I'm really hoping they reconsider the minimum. We'll be buying lots of points, just because we're seeing VGC as our "second" home, but I would love to see VGC sell out super fast, and the more neighbors the better. It will give Disney more reason to build on our side of the country!!

 

[BeccaG]

It looks like the point chart is exactly what was rumored previously. Comparing it to other charts, its somewhere in between the BLT lake view and Magic kingdom view points as well as Animal Kingdom Concierge. Unfortunately, all my regular trips would be during the Premier season it looks and the rooms at the Disneyland hotel are about the same size. (Can you tell, I still have not been able to let go of the GCV!! I have to make excuses why its a bad value, and it is, I just don't want to accept it!) For all you folks who are able and willing to pay the money and the points to stay there I hope you have wonderful and magical memories made!

 

[kerickson]

I'll be so happy if the first 2 weeks of Dec are in the Choice Season!! (original rumors were that it moved up to Magic) Love the Christmas decorations but hate the crowds.

 

[ACDSNY]

I'll be so happy if the first 2 weeks of Dec are in the Choice Season!! (original rumors were that it moved up to Magic) Love the Christmas decorations but hate the crowds.

I'm with you, love the Choice Season as it's typically when we travel.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

I'll be so happy if the first 2 weeks of Dec are in the Choice Season!! (original rumors were that it moved up to Magic) Love the Christmas decorations but hate the crowds.

Me too! I love the first two weeks of December. I like October as well. We will have change our April trips. Maybe will we stay off property (Uggghhh) in the spring. It looks like the studios will less points than the rooms were but I would sure like to move up to a 1 bedroom! I'm just dying to give Disney a big chunk of my money!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

I'm with you, love the Choice Season as it's typically when we travel.

I also live in Elk Grove. Every time I see someone wearing something Disney I wonder "Is that ACDSNY?". I was just curious about how many points you are going to get. I'm thinking 200 but I would get more if I could break them down into smaller contracts.

 

[maburke]

Well, I didn't think anything could stop me from buying, but OUCH! on that points chart! We were hoping to get a 1BR every other year at the 4th of July, but with most of the summer in Magic season, I don't know how we could do that. Maybe we could go in June. If a 1BR didn't sleep 5, and we had to be in a 2br, I don't think we could do it at all.

I had got used to the GC hotel rates on points, and the 1-BR rates are a lot higher for July. (Especially since some of the hotel rooms slept 5!)

 

[kerickson]

I just realized Jan 25th, the day VGC goes on sale to Founding Members, is a Sunday. Do guides work on Sundays?

 

[stopher1]

I just realized Jan 25th, the day VGC goes on sale to Founding Members, is a Sunday. Do guides work on Sundays?

Mine does. Her days off vary each week.

 

[stopher1]

Ok so I just read through the chart posted on dvcnews and while it didn't surprise me too much, some parts were better than I expected and some parts worse - but what REALLY took me back were the weekly point values for a Grand Villa... WOW! It's not that we would really consider using a GV at DL, but all I could say was wow after I picked myself up off the floor. Especially the premier season - talk about exceeding even BLT. Ouch. I know there will be folks that want to use one but wow...

 

[kerickson]

I don't know how this compares to other GV resorts, but remember, there's only going to be 2 GV's at VGC. They can pretty much charge whatever they want...

 

[stopher1]

I don't know how this compares to other GV resorts, but remember, there's only going to be 2 GV's at VGC. They can pretty much charge whatever they want...

This is very true, of course they can, they're Disney afterall...but the actual amount still took me back a bit. Over 1300 points for a week in the premier season vs. over 1200 at BLT. The GV's for the premier period (different dates at WDW vs DLR vs the off-site resorts I know) are all quite different and quite interesting when compared together on a straight point basis.

Grand Villas - 1 week's point requirements in the respective "Premier" season:
AKV = 890
BLT = 1287
BWV = 966
OKW = 654
SSR = 869

VGC = 1360

HHI = 580
VB = 782 (classified as "Beach Cottage")

That's just a LOT of points. Obviously each resort has differing amenities/flavors to consider, but on a straight point basis, GCV is by far the priciest, especially when the theme park view isn't even of DL, but rather the more lackluster DCA. (At least BLT guests will be able to see the MK and Wishes from their rooms). I like the theme park entrance aspect, the close proximity walking aspect, I love the theme of GCV, I just don't know if it's truly the resort that is worth the highest point values. But that's just MHO. Just an observation really.

I've given consideration to inviting family members along and using a GV at WDW or even the off-site resorts before, and at one point even thought it would be cool to treat the grandparents and B/SIL and their kids to a GV at DL...but not after seeing the amount that would take.

 

[simmons_m]

Long thread, can someone please direct me to a link that contains the GCV point chart?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[DebbieB]

Long thread, can someone please direct me to a link that contains the GCV point chart?
Thanks,
Mike

Go to dvcnews.com.

 

[kikiq]

GCV is by far the priciest, especially when the theme park view isn't even of DL, but rather the more lackluster DCA. (At least BLT guests will be able to see the MK and Wishes from their rooms). I like the theme park entrance aspect, the close proximity walking aspect, I love the theme of GCV, I just don't know if it's truly the resort that is worth the highest point values. But that's just MHO. Just an observation really.

Do we know where the GVs will be? I was at DCA tonight and saw the rooftop lounge that will overlook the new watershow. If the GVs face the new sunwheel, Calif Screamin', as well the woodsy area of Grizzley Rapids PLUS have front row seats to see the new water/light show, then I don't know it would be THAT lackluster in a few years.

 

[ACDSNY]

I also live in Elk Grove. Every time I see someone wearing something Disney I wonder "Is that ACDSNY?". I was just curious about how many points you are going to get. I'm thinking 200 but I would get more if I could break them down into smaller contracts.

Other than a Mickey watch & jacket I typically don't wear Disney, but you may see my license plate around town as it's the same as my DIS name. As to how many points, I'm still on the fence, I started thinking 100, then went to 160 and then 200. If my grown kids go with us we need a two bedroom so my original thought was 4 nights in a 2 bedroom in the Fall. I guess I better decide soon.

 

[pycees312]

once again on the fence about vgc. i have been going back and forth. now my concern is we'll buy enough for a studio but from the sounds of it due to the high point cost most people will try and book studios and therefore i would be forced into a 1 bedroom that i don't plan to buy enough points for arrrrgghghh.. what shall i do. I had hoped things would be more in line with disneyworld point charts since i was told the founding members cap would be 160 boy was i wrong. i thought for sure they would hike the price keep points low.. and really i guess they just did both (hike price and points)in a very cleaver way...

 

[ACDSNY]

I've given consideration to inviting family members along and using a GV at WDW or even the off-site resorts before, and at one point even thought it would be cool to treat the grandparents and B/SIL and their kids to a GV at DL...but not after seeing the amount that would take.

I've given up the thought of a GV at DL after seeing the point chart.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Ok so I just read through the chart posted on dvcnews and while it didn't surprise me too much, some parts were better than I expected and some parts worse - but what REALLY took me back were the weekly point values for a Grand Villa... WOW!

Prior to BLT, the weekend points for a GV were always pretty reasonable. With BLT, the GV's now get the same big weekend bump the other units get - which they've carried over to the VGC. We'll see if they can get people to pay those rates.

 

[kerickson]

Do we know where the GVs will be? I was at DCA tonight and saw the rooftop lounge that will overlook the new watershow. If the GVs face the new sunwheel, Calif Screamin', as well the woodsy area of Grizzley Rapids PLUS have front row seats to see the new water/light show, then I don't know it would be THAT lackluster in a few years.

Yes, if you look at the expansion model posted by tjkraz, it seems there will be 1 GV facing DCA and the World of Colors show, and 1 facing the pool and Grizzly Rapids. Given they don't have booking categories, you wouldn't know which view you'd get until you check in. And its a big difference. The question is whether you'll really be able to see much in either villa, now sure how high the tree line and walls are at GCH, the villa will be on the 4th floor...