DVC Grand Califorian at 7 month best time??

[smjj]

Wanting to stay there so bad but I hear it is really hard to get at 7 months out. Any advise on best time for the 7 month window and any other tips helpful. Never been to Disneyland or California for that matter, thanks in advance...smjj

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Especially for studios, there is no real "best time." It's always limited by 8AM at 7 months.

This is 2+ year old data, but there is no reason this pattern will ever improve: https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...bedrooms-prepared-2015.3419112/#post-53845188

The one time a studio was available at 7 was likely a blip and not something to look at and say "ooh March!" 1BRs are slightly easier but not really available like 1BRs at WDW are at 7.

 

[karatstravels]

I have always heard the same thing, but booked a 2 bedroom today for mid April and it was wide open availability. Guessing it was because we were taking a 2 bedroom. I was surprised, I was ready to have to be really flexible, but we could have had pretty much any dates in April (with the exception of the Easter long weekend). Good Luck!

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

I also heard it is very difficult. We booked a 1 bedroom beginning of Feb with ease at 7 mo this year. The last 2 wks of Jan still had availability for 1 bedrooms once my 7 mo mark opened in February. Studios were very spotty so I wouldn't hold my breath for one of those especially if you want several nights.

 

[keaster]

I booked a 1 bedroom for March 2018 at the 7 month mark and had no problem...however just days later the availability was filling up.

 

[Granny]

I also just booked a 1BR for next April at VGC. We were flexible with our timing and tried to book a studio for several days. Finally gave up and booked the 1BR which was much more readily available (at almost twice the number of points!). The best bet is to either rent points from a VGC owner to get a studio at the 11 month mark, or else plan on booking a 1BR at the 7 month mark.

 

[Disn3yVision]

We’ve had good luck in January

 

[lawboy2001]

I actually had luck booking a studio at 7 months, I think for the week after Memorial Day. And then I had to cancel so couldn't even benefit from the luck!!
One bedrooms can also be a challenge at times, but much easier to book than studios. This year I booked a 1 br for the last week of August at 7 months.

 

[Buson808]

You need to book at exactly when the booking window opens! On the dot! For me its 2 am hawaii time. 3 years in a row I got a studio or 1 bedroom for a week!

Seriously for the view and location It IS WORTH IT!

 

[bwang123]

for us, one bedroom was available for our days during October but studio was booked. one bedrooms are nice though but lots of points.

 

[NJtoATL]

I stayed in a studio in July, 7 months out. It was a great trip!

 

[smjj]

We would have enough for a 1 bedroom but we are saving as many points as we can for a big 10 member family trip this next Nov. The studio is the only way I think we can swing it. If we can't get a studio we will shoot for a different resort. Just wanted to try it having never been to Disneyland before and wanting to stay at The Grand Californian...smjj

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have been successful for a 3 night stay in May, (2014) and in October. This year it was October, a 1 bedroom for 3 nights before our EBPC cruise. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the cruise and the stay because of my operation.

 

[WDWLODGE]

I also just booked a 1BR for next April at VGC. We were flexible with our timing and tried to book a studio for several days. Finally gave up and booked the 1BR which was much more readily available (at almost twice the number of points!). The best bet is to either rent points from a VGC owner to get a studio at the 11 month mark, or else plan on booking a 1BR at the 7 month mark.

Staying at the VGC was a priority for us. We opted to rent points from a VGC owner at 11 months for our trip last September. We then turned around and rented some of our points to offset the cost.

 

[Granny]

Staying at the VGC was a priority for us. We opted to rent points from a VGC owner at 11 months for our trip last September. We then turned around and rented some of our points to offset the cost.

That strategy makes total sense. I've heard it's not always easy to rent points from VGC owners since there are so few of them. But the strategy is very sound and probably provides the best shot at VGC studios.

 

[karatstravels]

We would have enough for a 1 bedroom but we are saving as many points as we can for a big 10 member family trip this next Nov. The studio is the only way I think we can swing it. If we can't get a studio we will shoot for a different resort. Just wanted to try it having never been to Disneyland before and wanting to stay at The Grand Californian...smjj

If you have never been before the Grand Californian is well worth it - just for location alone. If you are a WDW vet it will be like staying inside the park. Amazing how close everything is. I remember one visit, once we got our son to bed, telling my husband I was just going to run and do Tower of Terror a couple of times before closing. Everything is right there.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We would have enough for a 1 bedroom but we are saving as many points as we can for a big 10 member family trip this next Nov. The studio is the only way I think we can swing it. If we can't get a studio we will shoot for a different resort. Just wanted to try it having never been to Disneyland before and wanting to stay at The Grand Californian...smjj

If your flexible just try booking the studio whenever you get a chance to be online at 8 am. People do cancel so you can also use the RAT to look and see if there's any availability that has opened up that you might book.

IMO weekdays are always easier as weekends are popular for the local owners to book so I think there's generally a few more room(s) available on weekdays. Also dates that have local AP's blacked out might be easier. If I were looking to book I'd think of March-May for best chance to try and get a studio. 1BR's and 2BR's are easier to book.

 

[momandmousefan]

We snagged 4 days in 1 bedroom this past September but we had to grab it first thing when the reservations opened. We couldn't string anything longer than that. Apparently there are very few actual DVC rooms there other DVC properties, and studios are especially coveted.

I will say the park view was actually kind of meh (even on the 4th floor we had trees and the trash dump to see in the park.lol) The view from the 6th floor balcony and the convenience entering the park were AWESOME though!!

 

[seelyt2]

We booked a 1 bedroom at 7 months out (right at 8 a.m. Eastern) for 5 nights in mid-August last year.

 

[Happy99]

I keep seeing 8am for booking, I am assuming that is the earliest it can be booked on the 7 month window? Doesn't open at midnight or something like that correct? We are looking for a 2b villa for mid May 2018 at VGC. Friday-Tuesday stay. Do you log in before 8am and just refresh once 8am arrives?