First Time/DVC-Curious

[MartyParty]

Interesting, i didn't know that. I wonder why.?

I think you cannot modify online but you can if calling DVC. I think it’s something to do with different Disney servers or databases.

 

[Genie+]

Above is my BWV resale - the options to book VDH, RIV and CFW don’t show up.

Below is VGF direct (on the modify existing reservation page), it shows everything but AUL, VGC and VDH are greyed out


DVC really needs to fix that or the page should note a call is required for those resorts. Not just left for members to guess what is going on. It looks like you can’t book them. At least if it was noted to call, members wouldn’t waste time checking if they’re doing something wrong or misunderstanding some booking aspect, and wasting time that puts them at further disadvantage.

 

[Chili327]

After finally doing the west coast, I can firmly say book it. It gives great perspective into both lands, and what is similar and what is very different. My recommendation is fly in and do 3-4 days at DL, fly to Aulani (use as a base and travel the island) for 8-10 days, then fly back to Vegas for 3 before heading home. Dream trip.

That does sound like a dream!!
But maybe WDW instead of Vegas… or after Vegas depending how it goes. lol

 

[AstroBlasters]

Y'all are super thorough! Thank you!

Here's a hypothetical question, if I were to make an 11-month booking, but then I saw a reservation that I immediately wanted at 7 months, is it easy to instantly cancel the 11-month one and grab the 7-month one? I'm envisioning a scenario in which I buy AK but then see a Grand Californian opening during the holidays and try to grab that.

The odds of getting something at Grand Cal at 7m is very low. There just isn’t much inventory to start with…. This is why the buy in price is so high.

And with a WDW resale you are completely shut out of VDH.

 

[lilsonicfan]

VGC must be stalked at 7 months and even then a studio is next to impossible, but a 1BR or higher is sometimes possible... that being said, the 1BR and 2BRs are point heavy. In the lowest season, a 1BR is 235 pts for a week.

 

[Sean81995]

That does sound like a dream!!
But maybe WDW instead of Vegas… or after Vegas depending how it goes. lol

sounds awesome. just be aware that if you do Vegas in the Summer, it might be quite miserable outside.

 

[Sean81995]

VGC must be stalked at 7 months and even then a studio is next to impossible, but a 1BR or higher is sometimes possible... that being said, the 1BR and 2BRs are point heavy. In the lowest season, a 1BR is 235 pts for a week.

When I look at the historical availability charts, it does seem like 1 bedrooms are frequently available at grand californian around the holidays? And yes I'm sure it's because it's like 60-75 points a night. But how accurate are these charts? For what it's worth, we'd only go for 2 or 3 nights. As a local, and since the parks are small and close together, I don't know that we need more than 2-3 days... at least until the expansion really takes off.

 

[lilsonicfan]

When I look at the historical availability charts, it does seem like 1 bedrooms are frequently available at grand californian around the holidays? And yes I'm sure it's because it's like 60-75 points a night. But how accurate are these charts? For what it's worth, we'd only go for 2 or 3 nights. As a local, and since the parks are small and close together, I don't know that we need more than 2-3 days... at least until the expansion really takes off.

The availability charts are fairly reliable, but it's also important to know that the data for them is pulled right before the 7 month mark (I believe) so that while it might be true that the room is available at 7 months + 1 day, it may take fast fingers to book it at exactly 7 months, and it may be not be available at 7 months - 1 day.

But over the holidays, I do think it's a bit less crazy to book due to how high the point cost is. I looked casually for a friend at the 7 month mark for Christmas, and a 1BR was still available for a day or two after that.

 

[Chili327]

sounds awesome. just be aware that if you do Vegas in the Summer, it might be quite miserable outside.

Nah, its triple digits here for 90% of the summer, so I'm used to it. Vegas will be like home, but with a pool.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Y'all are super thorough! Thank you!

Here's a hypothetical question, if I were to make an 11-month booking, but then I saw a reservation that I immediately wanted at 7 months, is it easy to instantly cancel the 11-month one and grab the 7-month one? I'm envisioning a scenario in which I buy AK but then see a Grand Californian opening during the holidays and try to grab that.

As someone who bought CCV first with the hopes of VGC booking sat 7 months and thought people were just exaggerating, they aren't. You can for sure get 1 night here and there but consecutive days is very hard.

 

[VGCgroupie]

sounds awesome. just be aware that if you do Vegas in the Summer, it might be quite miserable outside.

Vegas is miserable these days just because it's Vegas. It's dirty and nothing like the Vegas of 15 years ago.

 

[Chili327]

Vegas is miserable these days just because it's Vegas. It's dirty and nothing like the Vegas of 15 years ago.

Truthfully, i haven't been in 15+ years, & just from seeing things on TV, etc it doesn't look like Vegas anymore... Actually I remember last time i was there Aria(?) was new & I wasn't feeling it at all. So maybe i'd skip it all together.

 

[Heroes_or_Villains]

If you're booked at WDW, or Aulani, it will not let you modify to a Disneyland resort because they're in completely different locations.

You CAN modify from Hilton Head to a WDW resort or VB.

Learn something new every day. I did not know this! Thanks for the info!!

 

[Heroes_or_Villains]

When I look at the historical availability charts, it does seem like 1 bedrooms are frequently available at grand californian around the holidays? And yes I'm sure it's because it's like 60-75 points a night. But how accurate are these charts? For what it's worth, we'd only go for 2 or 3 nights. As a local, and since the parks are small and close together, I don't know that we need more than 2-3 days... at least until the expansion really takes off.

Trying to get anything at the 7 month mark (ESPECIALLY big holidays) at VGC is a pain in the you know what. If you're super diligent, maybe you will have a slight hope. I ended up buying both VGC (resale) and VDH (direct) even though the contracts were very spendy because I didn't want the headache of having to walk reservations or not get the 1 & 2 bedrooms that I wanted. We also have an infant so getting contracts that could get us into the 1 & 2 bedroom categories at both resorts (which generally have high point requirements even in the lowest season - compare VGC which is 31 points for 1bdrm or 46 for 2bdrm with AKV's 20 and 28 points for a standard view 1 and 2 bdrm, respectively) was important to us.

 

[atthebeachclub]

If you're booked at WDW, or Aulani, it will not let you modify to a Disneyland resort because they're in completely different locations.

You CAN modify from Hilton Head to a WDW resort or VB.

Yes; I asked Member Services about this the other day. No modifications from one coast to another; you can cancel and rebook though!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yes; I asked Member Services about this the other day. No modifications from one coast to another; you can cancel and rebook though!

Super interesting. Thanks for updating

 

[Cybertruck]

This is another insightful post. Thank you. Can I ask what the problem is with bringing strollers on buses? Is there a no stroller policy? We haven't taken our son on public transportation yet (that's not how we get around in our neighborhood really). I get that buses can get packed and it might be annoying for other travelers, but our stroller folds up so it's not a huge space sucker: it's smaller and more narrow than an adult. I'm also from NYC and am used to riding packed buses and subways so the cramped factor doesn't bother me so much.
Also, I was considering VGF. I've always wanted to stay there and the monorail + MK proximity are big pluses. Food options seem cool too and my wife digs that it has a spa. But what do you mean it's still tough to get at 11 months around xmas? If we tried for a one-bedroom owning there and couldn't get one, then that would be a non-starter for me.
Thanks again!

I have traveled with a scooter and wheelchair for 10 years now. It is actually one the reason we frequently travel to WDW. All the transportation is accommodating. It is very rare when a bus was unable to accommodate both us. Never a problem on the monorails. More frequently the boat from Hollywood Studios to Rosa Mexicano at the Dolphin we encounter a capacity problem. I always walk back from lunch. We consider travel part of the adventure. I guess we are all just wired that way. On many bus trips I have offered to hold a stroller so parents can focus on their kids. When young our kids loved the busses and we took strollers everywhere. Now that they are all adults like myself (although I reminded frequently, I need to grow up) walking to a park is our preferred method.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I have traveled with a scooter and wheelchair for 10 years now. It is actually one the reason we frequently travel to WDW. All the transportation is accommodating. It is very rare when a bus was unable to accommodate both us. Never a problem on the monorails. More frequently the boat from Hollywood Studios to Rosa Mexicano at the Dolphin we encounter a capacity problem. I always walk back from lunch. We consider travel part of the adventure. I guess we are all just wired that way. On many bus trips I have offered to hold a stroller so parents can focus on their kids. When young our kids loved the busses and we took strollers everywhere. Now that they are all adults like myself (although I reminded frequently, I need to grow up) walking to a park is our preferred method.

We will be traveling with my mom possibly using an electric scooter as she ages. What do you think of as the easiest DVC locations to navigate using mobility tools like these? She can walk now, but WDW is a lot of walking when over 80 with a bad back. Any tips?

 

[intamin]

We will be traveling with my mom possibly using an electric scooter as she ages. What do you think of as the easiest DVC locations to navigate using mobility tools like these? She can walk now, but WDW is a lot of walking when over 80 with a bad back. Any tips?

I’d try to go with places that do not solely rely on buses but especially avoid resorts with an internal bus loop if you’re planning on going into the parks like SSR or OKW. BCV, BWV, BLT come to mind obviously but I think the monorail resorts and RIV would be fine as well.

 

[AstroBlasters]

When I look at the historical availability charts, it does seem like 1 bedrooms are frequently available at grand californian around the holidays? And yes I'm sure it's because it's like 60-75 points a night. But how accurate are these charts? For what it's worth, we'd only go for 2 or 3 nights. As a local, and since the parks are small and close together, I don't know that we need more than 2-3 days... at least until the expansion really takes off.

In addition to the other valid points mentioned above:

https://dvcfan.com/dvc-resorts/best-and-worst-dvc-room-availability/?amp=1

Grand Californian​

Best: Everything at Grand Californian is difficult to get. It is the smallest DVC Resort with only 23 of each category with the exception of Grand Villas where there are only two. To get a room here, your best options are 1 bedrooms because of their high point costs and off-season such as summer.

Worst: Studios and Grand Villas will be the hardest to book. For Disneyland, the holidays are most popular season, especially Halloween time.