DVC Grand Californian Rooms not Available - Even at the Window???

[David Raguso]

Are there like 5 DVC rooms here? Im trying to comprehend how its so impossible to get a room at a hotel at even the earliest possible time to book, the morning of the day thats exactly 7 months out?? I've tried waiting lists for this resort in the past and that doesnt help either.

I know I can book the other two resorts or even non dvc rooms at the californian with points but when we pay thousands of dollars for DVC, its not right to have to squeeze a family of 5 or more into a room that isnt suitable for 5 or more when Ive done everything possible to book as early as possible.

Really hoping after Grand Floridian, DVC takes it back to the west coast to bring more rooms there where its desparately needed.

Ive seen Florida get tough to book as well over the past 5 years Ive been a member but nowhere near as tough as Cali.

 

[bwvBound]

Use the Waitlist. I've booked 10 nights this calendar year (3 separate trips) at VGC via Waitlist.

Edited to add: There are 48 two-bedroom equivalent units at this resort and two Grand Villas. Most of the 2BR units are lockout units allowing separate use of the 1BR and Studio portions but others are dedicated 2BR units. I agree, I'd like to see more DVC in the West!

 

[SpaceMountain77]

After Aulani sells out, perhaps one of the many DLR DVC rumors will become a reality:

(1) the addition of the Tomorrow Tower at the Disneyland Hotel

(2) the conversion of hotel rooms to DVC villas in the VGC wing

(3) the rasing of Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel and construction of an early 20th century California boardwalk resort, complete with DVC villas, to compliment the theming of Paradise Pier

 

[David Raguso]

Isnt Paradise Pier new? Would they really tear that down? Has that really been a rumor going around?

I have heard the rumor about a DVC tower at Disneyland hotel, at least that seems to make more sense.

 

[DebnChrisinPA]

We stayed there last week for the first time. It's absolutely beautiful - maybe the nicest of the DVC resorts - but there are VERY few DVC rooms considering the size of the resort. According to the floorplan the front desk gave us, there are only about four one-bedroom units on each floor. We were able to get most of the week at seven months and waitlisted Monday night. It took a couple of months but did come through for us and another family that was with us and was doing the same thing. Waitlist your stay and be patient. It's definitely worth it. And BTW - the one-bedroom will sleep five very comfortably.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Isnt Paradise Pier new? Would they really tear that down? Has that really been a rumor going around?

I have heard the rumor about a DVC tower at Disneyland hotel, at least that seems to make more sense.

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, originally Emerald of Anaheim, was built in 1984 by the Tokyu Group. Disney purchased the hotel in 1995 and christened it the Disneyland Pacific Hotel. With the addition of DCA, it was later reimagined to compliment Paradise Pier and its name changed again.

From a future development perspective, I would bet that Disney loves Paradise Pier as much as it loves the Contemporary's South Garden Wing.

 

[Meriweather]

7 months......probably a lot of people booked at 11 months. I have even had a problem getting what I want then.....depends on time of year and what is going on around the area.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, originally Emerald of Anaheim, was built in 1984 by the Tokyu Group. Disney purchased the hotel in 1995 and christened it the Disneyland Pacific Hotel. With the addition of DCA, it was later reimagined to compliment Paradise Pier and its name changed again.

From a future development perspective, I would bet that Disney loves Paradise Pier as much as it loves the Contemporary's South Garden Wing.

But Paradise Pier has that cool roof top swimming pool.

 

[SuperRob]

I was able to book our four night trip in September right at the 7-month mark. I was nervous though, because I was checked every day for a week leading up, and the Saturday BEFORE our trip was booked up solid. Luckily, it seems to be the weekends that are popular, because I got Sunday through Thursday without issue. It is booked up solid for the same time period now, though, since it's only a couple months away.

But yeah, there are few DVC units at the Grand Californian, and I've heard it can be a real bear to get in there. I feel pretty fortunate that the dates worked out for my wife and I, since it's our anniversary trip. It helps that we wanted to save the points by not staying on a weekend, not to mention the lower crowds during the week.

 

[Breyean]

But Paradise Pier has that cool roof top swimming pool.

Yet it's on the 4th floor and the room we had a couple of years ago looked right out over it!

 

[SpaceMountain77]

But Paradise Pier has that cool roof top swimming pool.

Yes, it does and the California Streamin' water slide and boardwalk billboards are great thematic touches, but the hotel grounds and surrounding parking lots have enough space for a true, Disney-themed hotel.

Disney wants a 3rd gate in Anaheim, which will necessitate additional hotels. Moreover, with Paradise Pier's transformation from modern California to early 20th century, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel no longer fits thematically.

If Disney was to ever completely raze a resort, it would be Paradise Pier.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I own a small contract at VGC- and have never gotten the 1 bedroom because I can't get it at the 7 month window when I can combine my points. So I am endlessly stuck with the studios I can book at 11 months.

And the wait list has NEVER come through for me, either. Not once.
I was already on the wait list for Labor Day weekend when someone else running Dumbo posted that they called and got the 1 bedroom. Ticked me off to no end. Thanks a LOT, MS!! Grrrrr.
I really need to add more points there...someday...

 

[myxdvz]

Are there like 5 DVC rooms here? Im trying to comprehend how its so impossible to get a room at a hotel at even the earliest possible time to book, the morning of the day thats exactly 7 months out?? I've tried waiting lists for this resort in the past and that doesnt help either.

I know I can book the other two resorts or even non dvc rooms at the californian with points but when we pay thousands of dollars for DVC, its not right to have to squeeze a family of 5 or more into a room that isnt suitable for 5 or more when Ive done everything possible to book as early as possible.

Really hoping after Grand Floridian, DVC takes it back to the west coast to bring more rooms there where its desparately needed.

Ive seen Florida get tough to book as well over the past 5 years Ive been a member but nowhere near as tough as Cali.

What season/time were you trying to book? What room type?

As there's only 1 DVC at DLR, it will be tougher to book than any WDW resorts. Depending on your season - owners could have booked there at 11 months.

I've done VGC at 7 months (6 even), but it's off season, so I know it's not impossible. But if you're doing holiday or weekends -- it will be tougher because the owners will be all over it.

Thus, buy where you want to stay. Or rent your points out and rent VGC or trade with VGC owners if anyone is willing.

 

[Starr W.]

I see lots of availability for 2brs at VGC when I can go(which is school schedule). Actually stayed there last November for one of the kids' long weekends.

 

[taaren]

Yep, not many rooms there. I own there and find that if I don't book right at the 11 month mark, what I want is often not available. I just had my wait list come through that I created in February for a December trip.

I'm trying to train the people I travel with most to let me know when they want to go at least a year out, but that's an uphill battle.

As others have mentioned, the traffic patterns there are a little different as there are many West Coasters who own who plan weekend trips, so I get the impression Thurs-Sun nights are in slightly higher demand than Mon-Wed.

 

[myxdvz]

I'm going to assume you tried to book today - you said EXACTLY 7 months. Thing is 7 month window for President's Day Weekend started last Friday, so the dates around this would be busy. If you're trying for President's day, then you missed the 7 month window by a few days already since people would have been booking reservations since 7/14 for that Valentines/Pres Day's weekend 2-fer.

Just to prove its the dates, and not really just the resort - I tried to book VGC in January (not MLK, not weekend), so picked 1/20-1/24 and it's still all available -- at 6 months.

 

[Starr W.]

I booked a 2br for a Fri-Tues stay. But I was on right at 8am, since I already had the airfare booked.

 

[Greysword]

VGC is very small in comparison, which is why there is no $25 booking fee for transferring to the Disney Collection at DLR. Using points at PPH and DLH are viable options that many on the West coast use, themselves (unless you are a resale buyer after the March date).

I know I can book the other two resorts or even non dvc rooms at the californian with points but when we pay thousands of dollars for DVC, its not right to have to squeeze a family of 5 or more into a room that isnt suitable for 5 or more when Ive done everything possible to book as early as possible.

To be forward, I hate this entitlement mentality. No, you didn't pay thousands of dollars to get a room at VGC, the owners of that resort did. You get the leftovers; period. If it doesn't fit with your schedule, then buy points at the resort and then you are entitled to the extended booking window, since it is the true owners of the VGC villas, whom are booking the rooms that you want.

VGC is a perfect example of why it is critical to buy where you want to stay and it proves the value of direct purchased points over resale for those who travel to DLR frequently.

Bottom line, the only people entitled to a room at any given resort are the owners of that resort. The rest of us are graciously permitted to book there if there is left over availability.

 

[DebbieB]

Are there like 5 DVC rooms here? Im trying to comprehend how its so impossible to get a room at a hotel at even the earliest possible time to book, the morning of the day thats exactly 7 months out?? I've tried waiting lists for this resort in the past and that doesnt help either.

I know I can book the other two resorts or even non dvc rooms at the californian with points but when we pay thousands of dollars for DVC, its not right to have to squeeze a family of 5 or more into a room that isnt suitable for 5 or more when Ive done everything possible to book as early as possible.

Really hoping after Grand Floridian, DVC takes it back to the west coast to bring more rooms there where its desparately needed.

Ive seen Florida get tough to book as well over the past 5 years Ive been a member but nowhere near as tough as Cali.

11 months is the earliest time to book. It's 4 months past that. Everything possible would be owning points there and booking at 11 months.

 

[TosaTrio]

We just got back from a 5 night stay VGC. I booked exactly at the 7 month mark in the morning and had the choice of all room types. We didn't have specific dates we had to go. When I checked mid days earlier nothing was available. The key was being flexible.

BTW, it is a lovely resort! Good Luck!