GCH "Villas" ?? & Disney Vacation Club questions

[MagicalMomAZ]

Can ANYONE stay here? I see some have kitchens & large floorplans. DO you HAVE to be a Disney Vacation Club member to stay here?

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/...pectsGrandCalifornianAccommodationsDetailPage

If I'm not a member - is it worth it to become one if you only go once every 1-2 yrs? Can you share w/ another family member?

 

[spacegirlbobbie]

those aren't available until fall, my mom's a dvc member and just asked about them monday

I belive dvc members get to book them first and if they arnt full they will open the up to everyone (not 100% on that)

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Well, Fall or Winter was our ETA! Here's hoping "this economy" gives newcomers a chance to try it out!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I've been a DVC owner for 15 years and use it extensively - 4 times/year at DL alone....

It's going to be rough to get a room there if you aren't DVC - there are too few units. There are 100 hotel rooms, but since they are designed as lockoffs and can be configured into 3 different styles - studios, 1 bedrooms, and 2 bedrooms, the average number open will be about 60.

There are an awful lot of DVC members chomping at the bit to stay here.....

As far as if it's worth it? There are many folks that buy into DVC and only go every 1-2 years. You can share with your family and friends, but you will hold all liability should something happen during their stay. (Ask me about the kids who was on grandma's points when he and his school buddies flooded our entire building at OKW when we were there during a holiday break one year....)

 

[ACDSNY]

Nov 30, 2009 is the expected opening date.

 

[nunzia]

..and just to add..if for some reason VGC owners don't rent all the rooms and then regular DVC members leave some as well, then Disney will have them available for regular reservations. They also hold a certain percent out to be able to use for cash reservations. So, you certainly may have a chance to get them. If you buy DVC with the Grand Villas as your home resort you will have an 11 month booking advantage. The points to stay are pretty high. It could certainly be worth it for you to buy a contract. If you don't think you need the Disney minimum buy in which is 160 at VGC, then you can always wait for a resale, or buy a small resale at another resort to get in the system (I did this), then buy VGC as an add on and only get the points you need.
I agree..the rooms are beautiful and it will be wonderful to stay in them.

 

[Disney Princess]

Everyone here has offered great input and advice. I just wanted to add that before deciding if it is worth it, or if you have questions on resale, buying from Disney, etc. you may want to visit the DVC sections of this site. There are a lot of really nice people who can help you out when figuring out # of points, size of unit, and just questions in general for how it works.

 

[disney4metoo]

If I remember correctly there are only 48 rooms available. Actually there is 51 rooms, but Disney has reserved 3 rooms for itself.

I think it will be very difficult to rent one of these units! I also think it will be difficult for owners to reserve the dates they want because it is so small. After the 7 month mark, many other DC members will want to come and stay! We will have to wait and see!

Is it worth it to become a member? In my personal opinion yes! We bought VGC and can't wait until they open! However, the points needed are high compared to other DVC Villas. We just live closer to Disneyland than WDW (we own AKV too), so for us it made sense. Each person has to decide for themselves, if it is worth it.

For us since our kids are late teens, we are thinking of the future too! Our kids like rides and it is a way to connect with them as they enter into their early adult life. My son will graduate next year and then off to college! We hope to come together for a great vacations at either park! We also are getting use to the idea of being empty nesters! It is much better than I thought it would be! My DH and I have been a few times without our kids to DL this year! It was very fun!

When they decide to marry, we hope we can make an annual trip either DL or WDW. If they decided to have children, it will be time to rent the grand villa!

 

[jpeka65844]

Wow! Those are classy lookin'! I'd decorate my house like that!

Hope to tour them in July!

 

[Burnt Toast]

Actually, it's technically about 50 units... yah, not that many rooms As a non-DVC member you might be able to reserve one of these rooms, but that's after the the VGCH "owners" get their shot and then the rest of the DVC membership get a shot as well. Might be a little tough with the smaller base of rooms available compared to like, a full-fledged DVC resort at WDW.

 

[disney4metoo]

Actually, it's technically about 50 units... yah, not that many rooms As a non-DVC member you might be able to reserve one of these rooms, but that's after the the VGCH "owners" get their shot and then the rest of the DVC membership get a shot as well. Might be a little tough with the smaller base of rooms available compared to like, a full-fledged DVC resort at WDW.

Thanks you are correct! 48 dvc units and 2 other units Disney has kept for itself.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Actually, it's 2 Grand Villas and 48 "2-bedroom equivalents" meaning that there are in actuality 48 studios and 48 1 bedroom lock-off units. These can be combined in a variety of patterns depending on the week and how many of each accomodation are needed.

Therefore, on a random day, they could have 24 2-bedrooms (a combination of 1 bedroom and studio - unlocked to make the 2 bedroom), leaving 24, studios, and 24 1-bedrooms to also be in inventory. That number changes on demand.

Better odds, but still not very a big selection....

 

[disney4metoo]

I am currently looking at the paperwork. It reads: 2 Grand Villas, 23 two bedroom villas, 23 two bedroom villas lock off one bedroom and studio, Total number of vacation homes 48.

 

[pycees312]

will these rooms be avail for cash? I think so but the price will be sky high and you may not see them avail on the Disney website im sure you would have to call planning but i maybe wrong we shall see. but in the begining i really feel Disney will hold a number of rooms for rent with hopes you'll love it so much you'll buy.
I happen to be a proud DVC member of Animal Kingdom , SSR and the Grand Cali villas and it's worth it to me. it's not even about money... but these boards provide lots of info so read up and enjoy.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I am currently looking at the paperwork. It reads: 2 Grand Villas, 23 two bedroom villas, 23 two bedroom villas lock off one bedroom and studio, Total number of vacation homes 48.

Ahh - thank you for the update. I see that they've changed it in the construction process. That wasn't the original configuration they advertised, as they were originally going for more flexibility.

This still means that it's the example I gave before - at one time they could rent outa total of 69 vacation homes. The lockoff means that they could lock the door between the two halves and rent

• 23 2-bedrooms
• 23 1-bedrooms
• 23 studios

Still - not enough extra rooms to make them easier to get. We members all know how hard it is to book the smaller resorts....

 

[disney4metoo]

will these rooms be avail for cash? I think so but the price will be sky high and you may not see them avail on the Disney website im sure you would have to call planning but i maybe wrong we shall see. but in the begining i really feel Disney will hold a number of rooms for rent with hopes you'll love it so much you'll buy.
I happen to be a proud DVC member of Animal Kingdom , SSR and the Grand Cali villas and it's worth it to me. it's not even about money... but these boards provide lots of info so read up and enjoy.

Hi Pycees,

I had called the Grand Californian Hotel for regular room rates for June and the results for 5 nights were:
Standard view $370.00 night with tax $2127.00
Deluxe view $425.00 night with tax $2443.75
Concierge room $645.00 night tax $3708.75
One bedroom suite $885.00 night with tax $5088.75

I wonder how much the two bedroom villas will go for if they rent them? $$$$$$$$$$