Earthquake in Anaheim. Reconsidering GCV?

[LIFERBABE]

Geologists have reportedly moved their timetable up by 20 years and now predict a major quake in Ca in the next 10 years.

We are heading out to DLR in 2 weeks and seriously thought about viewing the models and looking at purchasing if we really liked the area. We live in Texas so we are about equal driving distance from Ca or Fl.

Now Im thinking about that little clause in the POS that says if your resort becomes uninhabitable, you can't use your points at other resorts

We will still look, but the thought never crossed my mind. (Probably because I dont live with that threat everyday)

Thankfully, this was not the big one, but it really threw their communications for a loop.

P.S. My MIL is beside herself about this trip (repo) we are taking. I told her the ports and she had something negative to say about each one. I said "Aruba" she said "They still havent found Natalee" I didnt dare say Colombia and now the quakes in Anaheim. You'd think the only channel she gets is CNN!

I told her we probably won't even get off the ship in most places!

 

[Chuck S]

I grew up in the L.A. area, and was there for the Sylmar 6.6 quake in 1971. They've been predicting "the big one" for decades. No one knows when it will hit, just like the Balcones fault line here in Texas, or the New Madrid fault in the Central US. The only sure thing is, they will move violently sooner or later.

The good thing is, new construction in CA is designed to withstand a pretty good shake.

 

[kikiq]

I've been through quite a few major quakes in Southern California and I will repeat what Chuck S said. All new construction in California have earthquake reinforced structural "bones" and the GCV is not going to be high rise. It's amazing how people react to earthquakes that may or may not happen every year, but those same people live with hurricanes and tornadoes that happen EVERY year.

It's what you are used to.

 

[DVC Jen]

I've been through quite a few major quakes in Southern California and I will repeat what Chuck S said. All new construction in California have earthquake reinforced structural "bones" and the GCV is not going to be high rise. It's amazing how people react to earthquakes that may or may not happen every year, but those same people live with hurricanes and tornadoes that happen EVERY year.

It's what you are used to.

Exactly! We lived in southern cali for 8 years - 3 of those within walking distance of disneyland.

We have severe weather with the threat of tornados - distructive hail and damaging winds so much more often here than we ever had earthquakes in southern cali.

I wouldn't worry about it any more than we worry about that F5 that is predicted to hit downtown Dallas/Ft. Worth.

 

[moredisneyplease]

I've been in SoCal for the past 25 years and I've been through the Northridge quake and all of the other smaller ones that have come since then...including the small one the other day. I personally think that the probibility of a major hurricane hitting WDW is about the same as a major quake hitting us/DL.......it will happen at some point in time we just dont know when.

If that issue is what is going to deter you from buying DVC then you need ask yourself if you are REALLY interested! Natural disasters are a part of every day life and if the thought of being caught in one (or having to deal w/ your home resort being shaken up) is going to keep you home then you might as well plant your booty down next to your MIL and watch CNN all day long!

Take the tour when you're down here in a few weeks and enjoy yourself!

 

[drusba]

Cal gets earthquakes, Florida and South Carolina (DVC sites) get hurricanes (many places in Texas can get those), much of the middle of the country gets tornados. There are floods, wildfires, and crippling blizzards in many places, Northwest coast you can even get a volcano. If you think through all the possible disasters, you are likely to conclude (correctly) that there is no place in the US that is truly safe from disaster. Thus, it is not something that should ultimately control the decision -- except, of course, we all know California is very soon going to sink into the ocean.

 

[bobbiwoz]

According to many geologists, Yellowstone NP is due for some major natural turmoil. Honestly, that thought HAS given me pause about visiting there, however, I'm braving it. We're going at the end of August.

These things do cross my mind every so often, I am an experienced worrier, (does anyone remember the nuclear attack drills of the 50's? Put your head down on your desk and arms over your head!)

I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise. Our family has always loved to visit Aruba, as a port or for a week's vacation. I'm sure the other ports will be great as well.

Bobbi

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, we had earthquake drills & nuclear attack drills when I was in school. Apparently all anyone really needs for their safety is a school desk, they can stand up to anything.

 

[dwelty]

Everyone here makes great points, I would just like to add a few. I have lived 38 years in the LA area and have lived through several earthquakes. None have done any damage to my home, I have not even had anything fall off a shelf. Unless you are right at the epicenter, they are no big deal, and even if you are at the epicenter, the chances of a modern structure colapsing or even becoming uninhabitable are extremly low. All of the distruction you see after a major earthquake has been in buildings built before 1970, and even most of those are fine.

The greatest earthquake in California was the 1906 San Fransisco quake and even then only about 10% of the building suffered major damage (and this was with no building codes, with unreinforced brick buildings) The majority of the destruction was the fire afterwards.

Remember this, Disneyland park has been around for 53 years and it has never experienced damage during a quake. I would not make my decision to buy DVC at Disneyland based on this. I actually think there is a greater risk for hurrican damage at a Florida DVC than earthquake damage at GCH. About 6 months ago I spoke to one of the construction supervisors working on the GCH villas, He said the footings go down 26 feet! There are 2 below grade floors that are for parking. That's alot of Rebar and concrete. That thing is not going anywhere.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

The sizemologists (how do you spell that?) at Cal Tech said that there is a 99% chance a devestating earthquake will happen within the next 30 yrs. Now that is very scary. I hope my son comes home from LA, but he loves it out there too much to leave. Maybe this last quake will change his mind.

 

[wdw4life]

I have not changed my mind on buying into GCV. I just turned 40 this year and I've been hearing about the "big one" since I can remember. In elementary school we were told that we were going to fall into the ocean at any moment because you don't know when the "big one" is coming. I will take earthquakes over any other natural disaster any day. We really don't get many that can even be felt. I think as an adult there have maybe been two that made me get to a "safe" place. My take is that anywhere I move is going to have their own set of disasters. I'd rather take my chances with an earthquake.

 

[ransom]

I was born and raised in CA, and lived through many earthquakes, big and small.

I now live in the Midwest, where tornadoes are common. I own a home here.

I vacation in Florida, where hurricanes are frequent and expected to increase. I own DVC there.

I'm thinking So. Cal. earthquakes and the latest "predictions" aren't going to affect my plans either way.

 

[kikiq]

Yes, we had earthquake drills & nuclear attack drills when I was in school. Apparently all anyone really needs for their safety is a school desk, they can stand up to anything.

I'm a teacher in SoCal at an older school. For the earthquake drill, we STILL use the desk to "duck and cover". Those desks are SOLID after all these years.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thanks all, I was just wondering if the recent quake prompted anyone else to rethink purchasing.

I know after VB almost got washed away, there was alot of concern about owning there. Disney did take care of most of the damage, without a special assessment, if I recall correctly.

We do live in Texas, and severe weather is the norm, so I understand living with the constant threat of something and not worrying about it.

Earthquakes are new to me! I feel totally unprepared except for my trip to Univ. Studios EARTHQUAKE attraction!

We really do not want to purchase more AKV points to be founding members for GCV but I am excited to view the models!

 

[JimMIA]

A friend of mine, who lives only a few minutes from DL, says Southern California has four seasons: Riot, Fire, Mudslide, and Earthquake.

But he's lived there for more than 20 years and loves the place. Whereever you go, you'll have some kind of natural problem.

Right now, in the middle of hurricane season, we here in Miami are looking at a potential disaster. We may get stuck with Manny Ramirez! I'll take an earthquake or hurricane any day over Manny. You can rebuild after a hurricane; you can't fix stupid.

 

[toocherie]

LOL--I live/work about 15-20 miles from the epicenter of the the quake earlier this week. At the time it hit I was walking through a parking garage with a client and didn't even feel it. I got in the car, tried to make a phone call (using my handsfree device of course) on the phone I had just gotten the night before and the call didn't go through. I was SO mad and drove directly to the Verizon store, trying to call all the way. I walked in full of piss and vinegar and said "this phone you sold me doesn't work!" The guy behind the counter said, "ma'am, no one's phone is working right now because of the earthquake." Me: "Earthquake, what earthquake?" Him: "Ma'am, we just had a major earthquake about 20 minutes ago." Me: "We did?" Literally, he thought I was nuts (and so did everyone else). I plan to buy at GCV. I've been through several quakes in my 50+ years and earthquakes would not be a reason to stay away from California.

 

[BeccaG]

A friend of mine, who lives only a few minutes from DL, says Southern California has four seasons: Riot, Fire, Mudslide, and Earthquake.

As a so cal. resident who has lived no more than 55 minutes from Disneyland for the last 23 years, I appreciate this quote!

And no, the earthquake will not stop me from buying GCV points. (Although wondering if I will ever use the 11 month booking window might.)

The OP's question does bring up a good point though. Do the east coast DVC resorts carry flood insurance and will the new resort carry earthquake insurance?

 

[drusba]

Just an historical tidbit. One of the strongest known earthquakes in continental US took place in 1811 to 1812, first major shock in December, second in January, and the third, believed to be the worst, in February, with hundreds of after shocks. Each major tremor is believed to have been in stength at least the equivalent of the Great San Francisco earthquake of 1906.


That earthquake orginated on the New Madrid fault in Missouri, the tremors were felt east to the Carolinas and Washington D.C. It is believed that if the same happened today, even Dallas would suffer significant damage (so living in Texas does not eliminate the risk).

 

[dwelty]

Just an historical tidbit. One of the strongest known earthquakes in continental US took place in 1811 to 1812, first major shock in December, second in January, and the third, believed to be the worst, in February, with hundreds of after shocks. Each major tremor is believed to have been in stength at least the equivalent of the Great San Francisco earthquake of 1906.


That earthquake orginated on the New Madrid fault in Missouri, the tremors were felt east to the Carolinas and Washington D.C. It is believed that if the same happened today, even Dallas would suffer significant damage (so living in Texas does not eliminate the risk).

Excellent point! Another interesting tidbit, there have been several tornadoes here in Southern California. Most of them are category 1 level. but in the 60's a category 3 hit Riverside (not far from Disneyland) and killed 6 people!

So almost anything can happen anywhere.

 

[La2kw]

I've lived in L.A. for 45 years and "the Big One" has always been predicted to occur within the next 10 years. Also, California is supposed to break off and sink into the Pacific ocean. I had nightmares about that one when I was a kid. It still hasn't happened. Earthquakes are a fact of life, and our construction codes have improved with every earthquake. I remember the Sylmar earthquake, the Northridge earthquake, and the Whittier earthquake. I also remember the Loma Prieta in San Francisco, though we didn't feel that one down here. We did feel the latest one in Chino Hills, but we are quite a distance away and there was no damage here. It has not scared me off of living here, and I have no desire to live anywhere else. I have not had any damage to any of my properties, though my inlaws did have a brick wall fall down and a bunch of dishes break during the Northridge earthquake. They live about 4 miles from Northridge. Most injuries from earthquakes happen due to people panicking and not taking cover, or getting cut from broken glass due to no shoes or taking a risk around broken glass.

I'm also a teacher, and we do practice earthquake drills and we do take cover under those desks still.

None of this would stop me from purchasing points at GCV. It'll probably be one of the safest buildings in L.A. since it is brand new and up to date with all the codes.