Grand Cal Availability

[AwfulWaffle]

I am assuming my answer will be not likely but I have to ask. Any realistic chance at pulling off a few days, studio or 1BR, here in early/mid June at the 7 month window? I am guessing Hilton Anaheim will be primary backup but we want to stop in and do a couple of days at Disneyland, first timers, before going to Aulani. Thanks.

 

[PalmettoPath]

It's definitely possible. We go every second year or so and get three nights in July or August for exactly those options. The trick for us is to not be picky about when the three nights are. So if it's a Tues, Weds, Thurs that we can get for example, then we book the trip around that. We usually do three nights DLR and then four nights at either Coronado at the Hotel Del, or the Hyatt at Huntington Beach.

 

[AwfulWaffle]

The trick for us is to not be picky about when the three nights are

Unfortunately this part will be tricky as airfare during the summer months to Hawaii from the east coast are usually at their lowest during the 7-10 month window so my flight will already be secured before I even get to the 7 month mark. Luckily I am okay with a non Disney resort since that’s our norm away from Disney definitely so not the end of the world if we can’t secure one. Just glad to know there’s always a chance

 

[lilsonicfan]

I’m guessing you’d have better luck with 1BR over studio. Have you seen the DVC field guide availability tables? https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Have you seen the DVC field guide availability tables

I have not, very cool stuff. Thanks.

 

[MagicDVC]

Definitely 1br over studios and be ready to book right at 7 months. Always put a waitlist in as you never know but glad you have an alternative plan in place. If you have unrestricted points, you could try VDH.

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Definitely 1br over studios and be ready to book right at 7 months. Always put a waitlist in as you never know but glad you have an alternative plan in place. If you have unrestricted points, you could try VDH.

Thanks and yes I will be at 7 with a cup of coffee. No unrestricted points yet but that may change once they announce the direction that Poly 2 will take. No other restricted resorts do it for me enough to pay the premium price per point (current incentives are tempting but not for VGF).

 

[lilsonicfan]

Thanks and yes I will be at 7 with a cup of coffee. No unrestricted points yet but that may change once they announce the direction that Poly 2 will take. No other restricted resorts do it for me enough to pay the premium price per point (current incentives are tempting but not for VGF).

You might want to even book it earlier and walk it, although walking at 7 months is no guarantee.

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Thanks. I likely won’t walk one but good to know there is a good possibility that I can score a room/waitlist during this period. If not I am sure I will find ways to use those points at WDW because Aulani is the real vacation here. This quick stop is just to break up the long flight for the two year old

 

[kboo]

Thanks. I likely won’t walk one but good to know there is a good possibility that I can score a room/waitlist during this period. If not I am sure I will find ways to use those points at WDW because Aulani is the real vacation here. This quick stop is just to break up the long flight for the two year old

I feel your pain, and this last trip our 2 year old was 7! If your dates are flexible... I have managed to get 1-2 nights right at 7 months at VGC - once pre-pandemic, I think in a 1BR, and once for April of this year, a whole week! and boy did it hurt to give up those nights because the family decided to go to Aulani instead!

 

[AwfulWaffle]

So I just gained access to the member portal this weekend. All I can say is wow, this is one tough resort to get at 7 months. 1BR or Studio. I will certainly try but not holding my breath, I didn’t realize how little DVC inventory there was at this resort. I may just rent some points to be safe and save mine for CCV at Christmas. Thanks for the tips all.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Your best chance is a 2BR in July or August. But the points chart is sky high

 

[intamin]

I feel your pain, and this last trip our 2 year old was 7! If your dates are flexible... I have managed to get 1-2 nights right at 7 months at VGC - once pre-pandemic, I think in a 1BR, and once for April of this year, a whole week! and boy did it hurt to give up those nights because the family decided to go to Aulani instead!

At that point I'd tell them tough luck, you guys can swim there from Grand Cal because I'm not giving up this reservation

 

[AwfulWaffle]

At that point I'd tell them tough luck, you guys can swim there from Grand Cal because I'm not giving up this reservation

Yes I already have my Hilton reservation with points booked just in case. First year as a Disney owner so I had no idea how tough GCV is until I saw how it looked in the portal. Not as essential to be on-site at this park I don’t think but a little more convenient with a baby. But will look just in case, I can always have points credited back

 

[DebbieB]

It will be interesting to see what happens with VDL opening.

 

[CWTC]

We have generally had decent luck getting VGC right at 7 months when the booking window opens - we stay in 1 bedrooms and go during less popular times (usually in late January). I will say this is the only time I will walk a reservation: if we want to arrive on a Saturday, I try for the Monday before we want to arrive and modify daily. If we can’t get the exact dates we want, we waitlist and stalk the website for availability. Our back up is usually the Westin Anaheim.

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Our back up is usually the Westin Anaheim.

I wish I had greater flexibility but my dates are locked-in the moment that Delta releases flight data to Hawaii 11 months out. Now that I have access to the member portal, first year owner, I can see already that a studio certainly will never happen and 1BR has a "small" chance at the 7 month window. I guess it was the optimist in me being like okay new member, how else can I use this purchase. Hopefully the next time I hit up Hawaii we will have direct points from Poly2 and can just book at VDH and pay the transient tax. We are hoping for Hilton Anaheim as our primary backup but they haven't released availability beyond April yet. Either way, I can't wait to see Disneyland for the first time regardless of where I lay me head!

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I wish I had greater flexibility but my dates are locked-in the moment that Delta releases flight data to Hawaii 11 months out. Now that I have access to the member portal, first year owner, I can see already that a studio certainly will never happen and 1BR has a "small" chance at the 7 month window. I guess it was the optimist in me being like okay new member, how else can I use this purchase. Hopefully the next time I hit up Hawaii we will have direct points from Poly2 and can just book at VDH and pay the transient tax. We are hoping for Hilton Anaheim as our primary backup but they haven't released availability beyond April yet. Either way, I can't wait to see Disneyland for the first time regardless of where I lay me head!

There really aren't too many bad options at DLR, in or out of the "bubble." The bubble is so small and there are so many great properties that are even closer than DLH. Using points at VGC is obviously the best choice but it's also why it's so hard to get in. Every DVC owner that doesn't own there is thinking the same thing.

 

[nlenguyen]

Our next trip we have 2 nights VDH and 2 nights VGC. To make it easier we could have done 4 nights VDH, but the savings of TOT and the ability to walk outside the door into the theme park is awesome and family is willing to move during the trip to stay in those rooms

 

[tidefan]

We stayed at the Element Anaheim last month and really enjoyed it. Would 100% stay there again…