Disneys Grand Califorian Villas?

[dizneekrazee]

Does anybody have any information in the them? Or a site where I can get info? I am looking for an expected release/unveiling date? Expected number of villas to be available? Price range? Anything else I will need to know. I am MORE than interested in them?

Brandy

 

[dbanzai]

Are you currently a DVC member? There is a reception coming up this month for CA/AZ DVC members where they will debut the models, or so that's the way I hear it.

Prices, points lists and specifics have yet to be announced. I'm hoping they are comprable to DVC properties in FL. Nor have points been put on sale yet.

I'd think, if they are debuting the models soon, you should be able to see them next month, and maybe get more information as well.

For a basic description of the program, you buy points for a 50-year timeframe (it should be 50 at GCV as it will be the first offering), and you have that amount of points to use each year. If it's like Florida, the points per night will vary by times of the year and week, as well as the size accomodations you want. The points charts will only change depending on how the holidays fall: So if they announce it will cost 10 points a weeknight during the "value" season, it will cost 10 points through the whole 50 years of the contract. The only extra you have to pay is annual dues for maintenance and such.

 

[kaity230]

Several years ago we booked a DVC villa in FL - but are not DVC members. Will the GCH villas have the same thing? And how does that work - like DVC members get first priority? Thanks!

 

[dbanzai]

It should be the same, yes.

The newer DVC locations, if not all, offer accomodations from studios to three-bedroom villas. Two-bedroom accomodations are usually a studio with a lockoff to an adjacent one bedroom.

DVC members who buy points at GCV will have an 11-month window (from the time of their stay) to book their stays. DVC members who have points elsewhere will have a seven-month window to book. I'm not entirely sure when non-members will be able to book... That's a question I've never had to deal with. I would guess though that it opens to non-DVC buyers around the seven-month point.

 

[pixiewings71]

When we went to the presentation we were told that it was 50 yrs from the date they started selling, so they were down to 48 years of ownership last year. Is that still the case?

 

[kaity230]

Thank you dbanzai!

 

[DebbieB]

There will be 50 2 bedroom lockoffs (which can be reserved as a 1 bedroom and studio separate). Anticipated opening is late 2009. I stayed at Paradise Pier last week, here is a picture of the construction site. They have barely started building structure, so there's a long way to go.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db22b3127ccea95541de78cc00000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

 

[dbanzai]

When we went to the presentation we were told that it was 50 yrs from the date they started selling, so they were down to 48 years of ownership last year. Is that still the case?

That would be the case for SSR or AKV, whichever presentation you went to (I think that would be SSR).

Since GCV isn't even on the market yet, it should be a full 50 years from when it starts operation.

Your welcome!

 

[dizneekrazee]

I am not a DVC member, yet anyway. How do I become one? And what do I need to do? ANd how much does it cost to become a member? I do get their packets and stuff in the mail, but I have not joined, very interested? Are you able to provide me with the costs of what you have done in FL, if that is not asking to much? Just trying to get a "theme" park idea?

Thanks for all the info already provided. I think I understand the points thing, I think.
But I do have one more question about the points: say for example you have 50pts., is that all you are allowed for the year? Do you decide how many points you have each year or is a set number for all?

Thanks,
Brandy

 

[lisah0711]

Are you able to provide me with the costs of what you have done in FL, if that is not asking to much? Just trying to get a "theme" park idea?

SSR and AKV points are about $104 a point, but there are incentives sometimes.

But I do have one more question about the points: say for example you have 50pts., is that all you are allowed for the year? Do you decide how many points you have each year or is a set number for all?

You buy as many points as you need (or can afford ) based on the points chart. For example, I own 150 points at Villas Wilderness Lodge. That is enough points for a 2 bedroom every other year and some points left over to use at DL about once a year. If you are a new DVC member you must buy a minimum of 160 points. You can buy smaller contracts through resale. Also you can bank and borrow your points so you could theoretically use three years worth of points for one trip -- I have to bank some of my points for my every other year trips.

There is a lot of good information on the DVC boards that will help you learn about DVC.

Oh, and if you do become a member -- watch out for the dreaded "disease" addonitis -- because once you buy some points and try DVC you will want more and more points!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[lisah0711]

One more thing, you may qualify for a cast member discount since I see you work for the Disney Store and I understand they belong to Disney again.

(I was a Disneyland merchandise hostess myself many, many years ago!)

 

[mikayla73]

The points charts will only change depending on how the holidays fall: So if they announce it will cost 10 points a weeknight during the "value" season, it will cost 10 points through the whole 50 years of the contract. The only extra you have to pay is annual dues for maintenance and such.

From what I understand it's actually a little bit different. What ever # of points are available for the entire year of points, they can configure any way they want to. They could make it the same # of points for every night. They could make the value season nights 5 points/night and Holiday season 40. However, the total # of point available for the year can never go up.

As for non-members booking, it doesn't really have anything to do with the booking windows. Booking windows only apply to DVC member's not non-members booking a cash reservation It's 11 months if booking at your home resort, 7 months for any of the other DVC resorts.

As for purchasing AKV are offering $8 off per point incentives and SSR is offering $10 off per point with a $500 Disney gift card, if you have the refferal of a current DVC member.

Be sure to check out the DVC portion of the boards, there's a lot of info on there.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Thanks so much guys!! Very informative!!

Brandy

 

[dbanzai]

From what I understand it's actually a little bit different. What ever # of points are available for the entire year of points, they can configure any way they want to. They could make it the same # of points for every night. They could make the value season nights 5 points/night and Holiday season 40. However, the total # of point available for the year can never go up.

I've heard it described both ways... Either way though, it's still worth while: If one were to go up, another category has to go down.

Any CA DVC members know more about the reception coming up? I was first told, I thought even by DVC reps, that they would debut the models for GCV, but I'm just looking at the postcard I received and it seems more focused on the promoting other getaways.