DVC California Updated w/pics 2/15

[mcrabeck]

That was a great scrapbok kit! Thanks for sharing- do you know if you can buy those anywhere?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Three days is definitely enough for DL. Only two parks and everything is very close and easy to get to. However, it is well situation to do other things in the area if you want to do a full week vacation. Universal Studios Hollywood is good (very similar to Orlando) but the BIG difference in CA is that Universal and Disney actually GET ALONG and work TOGETHER to help make guest experiences great. Then of course there is sea world, the whole LA/Hoolywood scene, driving the coast, the wine region of Temeculah, San Diego and all that there is to offer there...it can be GREAT family vacation with half Disney and half other stuff.

Obviously, you know your way around southern California! We won't have a rental car. Will visit LA some for a couple of days, my son lives there. Then will take a shuttle from the airport to GCV for the remainder of the week. Then take the shuttle back to the airport. I have been down that highway 15......I thought our beltways were bad here in Md! Whew....did you know motorcycles can ride in between the lanes (like on the dotted yellow lines)! Made me a nervous reck! But thanks for all your advice!

 

[disneymom8589]

Loved the GCV pictures!! We can't wait for them to be built!!

 

[funatdisney]

I just noticed in the pictures that the new wing is going to be VERY close to Paradise Pier. I think there is going to be a noise issue. People walking along BWV is one thing, but hearing the large roller coaster (California Screamin) over and over again might drive me crazy. They also play a quick and loud 5 second music thing after each car hits the top of the crest. And if you notice the blue tube things at the top of the roller coaster crests, (behind the big ferris wheel and big orange) I found out from a CM that they are "scream shields" to focus the scream noise back into the park (and possibly into the new DVC wing) and away from the "outside world."

What does everyone else think?

I don't think the noise will be an issue. If I remember right, the Screamin' Roller Coaster is not that close. A small part of the tracks be may close, but not a significant length to cause much noise. In addition, DCA usually does not stay open that late. If there is any noise, it would not continue late into the night. If the building is built like the GC, the noise will be small. That Hotel is built solid. I may be taking a day trip down there tomorrow. I'll get on the Golden Zephyr ride to check it out.
We stay there quite often and will be buying as Founding Members. Which means we did buy into SSR. We plan to stay at WDW every even year. Next trip June 2008!

 

[La2kw]

I just noticed in the pictures that the new wing is going to be VERY close to Paradise Pier. I think there is going to be a noise issue. People walking along BWV is one thing, but hearing the large roller coaster (California Screamin) over and over again might drive me crazy. They also play a quick and loud 5 second music thing after each car hits the top of the crest. And if you notice the blue tube things at the top of the roller coaster crests, (behind the big ferris wheel and big orange) I found out from a CM that they are "scream shields" to focus the scream noise back into the park (and possibly into the new DVC wing) and away from the "outside world."

What does everyone else think?

California Screamin' is not that close to the new wing. Mulholland Madness/Goofy's Sky School is a lot closer and could be an issue, though I'm sure there will be some very good soundproofing.

 

[toocherie]

Any idea how many are in the Founder's Club at this point in time?

When I bought in January 2008 I believe my guide said there were approximately 2,500.

There was a separate addendum to my contract dealing with Founders' Club status so if that is not in your paperwork then I don't believe you would get it.

 

[kerickson]

Thanks for the update!

So does that mean I have until Fall 2009 to save money ?! Does it seem as if they won't allow "add-ons" but only full 160 pt purchases? Does anyone know if 4000 people have already purchased from CA?!

My understanding is that the Pre Purchase/Founding members will be able to add on as small as 25pts but no more than 160pts. Once it is available to the rest of the membership, they could add on more. I'm planning on adding on 50pt so I can have preferred booking every few years for a 4-5 night trip. Will be interesting to see the points chart and how difficult/easy it will be to book at the 7mo mark... Was thinking it could be a good idea to buy 2 50pt add ons with the plan to eventually resell 1, but I know a timeshare really shouldn't be looked at as an investment...so I think it will just be 50pts for me (hopefully, gotta start saving!)

 

[kerickson]

I read they are including an observataion deck in the building plans (not sure if it for DL or CA, probably CA given the proximity and plans for a new water light show, or maybe both?). I wonder if access will be limited to the Concierge guests, and if so, will DVC have access? Maybe a Concierge DVC level like AKV?

 

[mello]

And don't forget Legoland! It's great for a change of pace, esp with little ones.

Three days is definitely enough for DL. Only two parks and everything is very close and easy to get to. However, it is well situation to do other things in the area if you want to do a full week vacation. Universal Studios Hollywood is good (very similar to Orlando) but the BIG difference in CA is that Universal and Disney actually GET ALONG and work TOGETHER to help make guest experiences great. Then of course there is sea world, the whole LA/Hoolywood scene, driving the coast, the wine region of Temeculah, San Diego and all that there is to offer there...it can be GREAT family vacation with half Disney and half other stuff.

 

[mello]

Wow, I'd rather have one of those than another bag any day!

Thanks for posting the pics - we don't get to see the progress too often. It's coming right along...

 

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for the update!

So does that mean I have until Fall 2009 to save money ?! Does it seem as if they won't allow "add-ons" but only full 160 pt purchases? Does anyone know if 4000 people have already purchased from CA?!

First, they did the same thing with AKV on the pre-sale, except it was 150 point minimum to become a founding member. With AKV, you could buy less then 160 points at presale, but had to be 150 to be considered for the founding member status.

Second, 50 two bedroom units are alot of points and will not sellout in the first 3 months. It works out to be around 16,760 points per unit, 838,000 total points.

I DVC averages about 1700 contracts a month for new contracts. And another 300-400 for add-ons to existing contracts. Below is the new contract sales averages for 2007. Remeber AKV starting selling in 2007.

 

[bxmetfan]

Can you get the DL incentives over the phone? My guide is in DL and I was wondering if I add on with her over the phone, will I be able to purchase at GCV when it is offered to those members, and if so how many points will I have to add on at AKV or SSR to do so?

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

Nice pics!

 

[toocherie]

Second, 50 two bedroom units are alot of points and will not sellout in the first 3 months. It works out to be around 16,760 points per unit, 838,000 total points.

I DVC averages about 1700 contracts a month for new contracts. And another 300-400 for add-ons to existing contracts. Below is the new contract sales averages for 2007. Remeber AKV starting selling in 2007.

838,000 points translates to just over 5,200 contracts. My understanding is that Founding Member status will be granted to up to 4,000 buyers; now all of them may not buy (or they may choose to add on less than 160 points). I suspect, however, that there are many people like myself who specifically bought now in California so they would have first crack at GCV and intend to buy a full allotment of 160 points. But even if only half sold, or Founding Members elected to purchase less than 160 points, that would mean 2,000 contracts sold and would leave 3,200 contracts to be sold to the general DVC members of which there are more than 100,000. Maybe I'm wrong but I think there will be a lot of demand for these units. I guess the real question is what will be left after it is offered to the general DVC membership and if there are points left to go on sale to the public will they "get it" and purchase? If DVC sells 2,000 contracts a month between new purchasers and add-ons then 3,200 contracts will go pretty quickly . . . .

Time will tell . . . . .

 

[DVC Mater]

Can you get the DL incentives over the phone? My guide is in DL and I was wondering if I add on with her over the phone, will I be able to purchase at GCV when it is offered to those members, and if so how many points will I have to add on at AKV or SSR to do so?

according to the DL guide I talked to, you could buy 160 pts, essentially another master contract, and get founding member status

 

[bxmetfan]

What is the current interest rate if financed through DVC?

 

[AndyJohn1]

We were there President's Day weekend and met with our guide. Per our paperwork, we do have a single-document that "Entitles" us to become a founding member with a guarantee that we will be able to purchase a maximum 160 points during the pre-sale. We must exercise our option during the pre-sale or we lose the right to the guaranteed points and being a "Founding Member"....the only other thing of note is the signed document indicates that "founding members" will receive some type of gift to commemerate the opening value to no more than $100.

 

[toocherie]

the only other thing of note is the signed document indicates that "founding members" will receive some type of gift to commemerate the opening value to no more than $100.

yeah . . . . . maybe it's a $100 coffee cup . . . . .

 

[m4travel]

I would ask about your purchase in 2007. It might have been too long ago. Did you get anything in writing in your contract about the "founding member" opportunity?

When we purchased DVC at Disneyland, we'd never been to Florida, much less WDW! There was nothing about 'Founding Members' because there was no such thing at the time.

However, we've since spoken with the head of DVC sales in California while visiting the Dream Suite in New Orleans Square and he saw no problem with that status.

 

[DVC Mater]

anyone get any new pictures of the construction?