First time renter with questions

[keltiesmom]

E are in the early stages of planning our next trip to the land. We are traveling with another family, it looks like a 2 bedroom suite would fit us perfectly. How quickly do 2 room suites at the grand Californian sell out? I imagine we will need to rent from an owner there for the 11 month window, is that correct, or is it not so hard at the 7 mth window to get a 2BR? We are looking at September 2015 so we've got lots of time.

 

[disneynutz]

You need to rent from someone who owns there, VGC books quickly due to the small number of DVC rooms. There are only 23 dedicated 2 bedroom units.

Bill

 

[sechelt]

There are 23 dedicated and another possible 23 lock-offs, although the studios go very fast so the lock-offs would be really tough to get at 7 months. The dedicated 2 bedrooms are usually the last to get booked and, in September, I think you have a good chance at getting in exactly at 7 months. However, if you want to be safe, I agree you should rent from an owner.

 

[keltiesmom]

There are 23 dedicated and another possible 23 lock-offs, although the studios go very fast so the lock-offs would be really tough to get at 7 months. The dedicated 2 bedrooms are usually the last to get booked and, in September, I think you have a good chance at getting in exactly at 7 months. However, if you want to be safe, I agree you should rent from an owner.

Thanks! I just talked to DH about it and he's not sure about renting, but knowing there is a possibility of getting it at 7 months makes me happy. Is there ever a point rate variance based on someone's home resort? Like do people just a blanket price for renting or would say an owner from SSR rent for less per point than an owner from GCV?

 

[sechelt]

You can rent from individuals or go through a broker, like David's. Each individual owner decides what they want to charge but David's has a flat rate. Not sure what it is right now. Check out the rental section and you'll get an idea of what points are going for. You'll need to be logged in to see it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks! I just talked to DH about it and he's not sure about renting, but knowing there is a possibility of getting it at 7 months makes me happy. Is there ever a point rate variance based on someone's home resort? Like do people just a blanket price for renting or would say an owner from SSR rent for less per point than an owner from GCV?

Just be aware that you won't be able to cancel or change your reservation and get a refund. It's a done deal.

 

[keltiesmom]

Just be aware that you won't be able to cancel or change your reservation and get a refund. It's a done deal.

We are aware of this, our main problem is we are traveling with another group who might not be ready to book at 11 months out. Definitely something to keep in mind though.

 

[DizneyLover]

We just closed on our first DVC purchase and it is the GCV, which coincidentally fell right at the 7 mo window for us to book early September for our first stay. I booked Tuesday and had availability for every category. I was very nervous that I would not get my membership packet in order for us to book before the 7 month window. We had a specific Sept 1 arrival in a studio that we wanted, be booked on February 4 and was able to get our studio.

 

[tjkraz]

We had a specific Sept 1 arrival in a studio that we wanted, be booked on February 4 and was able to get our studio.

And a day later--on February 5--Studio, One Bedroom and Two Bedroom villas at VGC are fully booked for September 1. Sept 3 and 4 are also unavailable in several room sizes.

Typically there WILL be some availability right at 7 months. But the inventory is always low (it's low to begin with) and rooms will disappear quickly.

There are many stories of 7 month booking success at VGC but it's still very much a crap shoot.

 

[crisi]

To have a good chance (and not a certainty, merely a better chance) of getting GCV at seven months you need to have an owner lined up and WILLING TO CALL first thing when the seven month window opens. For every hour that passes from the time member services opens, your chances of getting that room diminish.

Also, you'll need to be clear - sometimes one day, or two days, from a reservation are missing. Are you willing to split stay and move hotels? Sometimes people here report success booking, but the are defining success as a few nights, the rest of their nights are spent offsite. Being willing to move will increase your chances of a few nights at GCV, but won't be convenient with two families.