Grand Cal, seriously $800 .....

[PirateBrigade]

You are right on topic. Many of the exaggerated claims made by timeshare salespersons have actually come true for VGC owners. The increases in GCH room rates has driven similar increases in the value of VGC points. Points could be purchased for below $100, when VGC opened in 2009. Resale prices are currently close to $300. Combined dues since 2009 are about $70. VGC owners from 2009 can sell now and make a large profit with all stays at VGC for a decade "free". Of course this is a very simplified analysis and ignores the opportunity cost of the money used to purchase.

I think the lowest price someone reported, after incentives, was $81/pt.

Like a lot of real estate, it just comes down to luck!

In 2009, though…it was the heart of the recession (Lehman Bros. went bankrupt in the fall of 2008 + all the ensuing chaos), there was no SWGE/Cars Land — literally the parks were dozens and dozens of acres smaller, annual passes were cheap, etc…

It took some guts (and not being upside down on your actual home) to buy DVC in those dark times.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It is. People seem to love the Grand but I haven’t been able to tell why exactly it’s “worth” so much more. The rooms seem about the same size from pictures. The location is a little closer, but not all that much closer (not $250+ closer). You can make use of the restaurants and stuff even if not staying there…

Like if the Grand literally had a monorail stop in it/directly outside it and you could use that for Early Morning hours to get in the park, AND you were able to pull a boarding group for new/highly popular rides before the general public, and maybe if they gave 30 days earlier booking for Chefs Counter at Napa Rose… maybe then the Grand would be worth the extra price.

But as it stands, the DLH has beautiful grounds (even if you don’t swim, they look wonderful walking around), possibly better general views since the towers are taller (I’m not talking about $1000+ theme park view rooms at the Grand), Trader Sam’s, pretty good location (full bubble, no walking along a parking lot like PP)…

I could see Grand having certain rooms being more expensive by a decent amount (view rooms, etc) but I’m a little surprised the lowest rooms aren’t more like +$50/night over DLH instead of such a huge jump.

The location is not "a little" closer. It's waaaaaaaay closer.

To put it in Walt Disney World terms, it's like staying at the Contemporary versus staying inside Space Mountain.

 

[nutshell]

Supply and demand, and everyone has different interests and opinions. There you go. Thread over.

 

[Malcon10t]

The location is not "a little" closer. It's waaaaaaaay closer.

To put it in Walt Disney World terms, it's like staying at the Contemporary versus staying inside Space Mountain.

As someone who stays at both, it is 7 mins further.

 

[kappyfamily]

Grand California is the best, so top dollar

I’m literally laying in bed here now at GCH and I really couldn’t disagree with you more. It really isnt the best or top dollar. If being truthful. Is it nice, yes. But top dollar doesn’t have peeling wallpaper in the bathroom and a super loud pocket sliding door with chips all over it and paper thin walls. We left a top dollar JW Marriott two nights ago, yes a 12 minute walk, but THAT was top dollar…..at literally half the price. All you are paying for here is location. Period. For some that’s worth it and that’s totally fine. We travel a lot and stay at super nice places, so “top dollar” to us is not really this.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But top dollar doesn’t have peeling wallpaper in the bathroom and a super loud pocket sliding door with chips all over it and paper thin walls.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. I've only stayed there once, in 2019, and that was not my experience. The place was gorgeous and in great shape at the time (minus the pool refurb they were doing).

 

[GeneralTso]

It's about the location and the vibe there. We love it.
Try and wait for a 25% off rooms deal. They drop seasonally.
Renting DVC points is also a great way to go, plus you'll get a villa! More space and a kitchen (if that interests you at all).

GC during Halloween and Christmas is drop dead gorgeous.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I think the lowest price someone reported, after incentives, was $81/pt.

Like a lot of real estate, it just comes down to luck!

In 2009, though…it was the heart of the recession (Lehman Bros. went bankrupt in the fall of 2008 + all the ensuing chaos), there was no SWGE/Cars Land — literally the parks were dozens and dozens of acres smaller, annual passes were cheap, etc…

It took some guts (and not being upside down on your actual home) to buy DVC in those dark times.

I hadn’t thought about the Great Recession and the great risk that people took back then to buy VGC. Fast forward to 2023 when DLT goes on sale. What’s your take on the demand and pricing?

 

[DLgal]

As someone who stays at both, it is 7 mins further.

Distance wise, that poster was 100% right, though. It's about 1500 feet between the GCH entrance at DtD and the nearest DLH tower. It's also 1500 feet between Space Mountain and the Contenporary resort at WDW.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Three issues regarding renting VGC points:

1) Availability -- it's exceedingly difficult (practically impossible) to book specific dates with certainty < 7 months ahead, you will need home resort priority months 7-11. If you're flexible and can snag open dates as they come up as cancellation windows come around, it's possible (need lots of luck).

2) Non-refundability -- most sellers will not allow cancellation & refunds due to the nature of DVC points, you will want to obtain trip insurance to cover cancellations. The $800-$1000/night cash rates for GCH automatically include a provision to cancel with full refund up to X # of days prior to the reservation (built-in trip insurance).

3) Cost -- I have seen distressed points and some sellers rent for < $18/pt, but given the cash rates on the hotel side, a lot more VGC owners are independently renting at higher rates, or renting existing stays. For a 25 point/night stay, I personally charge about $600/night, which comes out to $24/pt. Those that sell through brokers usually have a lower cost basis (i.e. original owners).

Example 1, this is a listing for a studio stay at VGC 10/16-10/22 on a point rental site:

$3,472.00
$578.67 PER NIGHT
6 NIGHTS, 1 ROOM
INCLUDES TAXES AND FEES
STUDIO STANDARD - VGC

That is a 124 point reservation, so the cost per point on this one is $28/pt.

Example 2, 11/26-11/28 studio:

$2,072.00
$1,036.00 PER NIGHT
2 NIGHTS, 1 ROOM
INCLUDES TAXES AND FEES
STUDIO STANDARD - VGC

This is a 74 point reservation, so cost per point is also $28/pt.

So I would say, given the three constraints above, it would be very difficult (almost impossible) to get a pre-planned trip 7-11 months in advance for <$20/pt. GCH pricing drives VGC pricing, but you really might get lucky by an unsuspecting DVC owner who just dumps their points with a rental site and doesn't ask any questions.

How does one ”independently” rent out their VGC points? Is it easy to do?

 

[PirateBrigade]

How does one ”independently” rent out their VGC points? Is it easy to do?

Yes and no, it's generally more risk for a buyer/traveler than a seller/owner -- by renting with an agency/broker, they hold the money in escrow and will release it once the buyer/traveler checks in, to ensure compliance by the seller.

If an unscrupulous seller wanted to scam someone, they'd take money up front, book the listing, and cancel it/leave the other person out in the cold. If the seller only took a deposit, an unfaithful buyer could just skip out on the rental, and the DVC points go into holding, or are completely spoiled depending on the scenario.

This is why it's "cheaper" to some people, it's a risk discount -- you trade certainty/flexibility for money.

I rent out my AUL points via agency, but because my VGC points are so much more valuable, it's rare that I rent them out at all. But when I have, it's been this way:

1) Friends/family -- easiest, but I still get payment up front, and let them know about the various deadlines for points and have them keep me abreast of plans. I'm more involved in their planning, so if there's any risk of them needing to cancel, I'll use fresh points and make sure their trip happens before the banking deadline.

2) Friends of friends/family -- I'm more strict and less hands off than above.

3) DVC subforum on DISboards -- there's a marketplace on here, it's pretty robust. I have not completed a transaction on here, I've only inquired and it was as a buyer of points.

 

[SherylLC]

How does one ”independently” rent out their VGC points? Is it easy to do?

There's a forum here at DISboards.
https://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-transfer.29/I've rented from an owner and also as an owner rented my points.

 

[SherylLC]

As someone who stays at both, it is 7 mins further.

When Downtown Disney is crowded it can be longer. And no matter what, they are seven HARD MINUTES. People walking slowly 5-6 abreast; strollers & electric chairs banging into ankles; being shoulder to shoulder with other guests. When we return to the Grand we always cut through CA Adventures....so much faster & easier just to completely skip DTD.

But I get what Malcon10t is saying, and I'll add that compared to WDW, ALL OF THE HOTELS ARE CLOSE!

 

[HIRyeDVC]

There's a forum here at DISboards.
https://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-transfer.29/I've rented from an owner and also as an owner rented my points.

Is there a fee to be an owner on Disboard? Seems very complex. Do you find it trustworthy?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Yes and no, it's generally more risk for a buyer/traveler than a seller/owner -- by renting with an agency/broker, they hold the money in escrow and will release it once the buyer/traveler checks in, to ensure compliance by the seller.

If an unscrupulous seller wanted to scam someone, they'd take money up front, book the listing, and cancel it/leave the other person out in the cold. If the seller only took a deposit, an unfaithful buyer could just skip out on the rental, and the DVC points go into holding, or are completely spoiled depending on the scenario.

This is why it's "cheaper" to some people, it's a risk discount -- you trade certainty/flexibility for money.

I rent out my AUL points via agency, but because my VGC points are so much more valuable, it's rare that I rent them out at all. But when I have, it's been this way:

1) Friends/family -- easiest, but I still get payment up front, and let them know about the various deadlines for points and have them keep me abreast of plans. I'm more involved in their planning, so if there's any risk of them needing to cancel, I'll use fresh points and make sure their trip happens before the banking deadline.

2) Friends of friends/family -- I'm more strict and less hands off than above.

3) DVC subforum on DISboards -- there's a marketplace on here, it's pretty robust. I have not completed a transaction on here, I've only inquired and it was as a buyer of points.

Yeah, I don’t think I have the stomach for renting out my points outside of a trusted broker. Sounds very risky for a few more dollars in profit. Besides, I can’t see myself renting out any VGC points at this point. They’re like gold!

 

[Aladora]

How does one ”independently” rent out their VGC points? Is it easy to do?

I've rented DVC points 4 times now, twice at AKL and twice at VGC, although the second VGC trip is not until next March. I've done all of the rentals privately and have (so far, fingers crossed!) had zero issues at all. I think I found the owner twice from here and twice from another DVC owner site. It was super easy, I just contacted the owner with my room size and dates and they made the booking. After that, I just sent them the $ via Paypal. It is definitely hard to find someone with points to get VGC but I was lucky enough to find owners who were willing to try at the 11 month date and I have managed to get what I wanted each time.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Yeah, I don’t think I have the stomach for renting out my points outside of a trusted broker. Sounds very risky for a few more dollars in profit. Besides, I can’t see myself renting out any VGC points at this point. They’re like gold!

It definitely adds security! You can always tell the broker the price you want, or just book a popular weekend 7-11 months from now and list that instead of getting a measly $16-18 per point as advertised.

To eliminate risk on your end in a private transaction, just require payment up front 100% via a method that does not provide a refund.

 

[Rich M]

It definitely adds security! You can always tell the broker the price you want, or just book a popular weekend 7-11 months from now and list that instead of getting a measly $16-18 per point as advertised.

To eliminate risk on your end in a private transaction, just require payment up front 100% via a method that does not provide a refund.

I have heard its hard to get GCV trying to rent points from someone. is this still the case?

 

[SherylLC]

Is there a fee to be an owner on Disboard? Seems very complex. Do you find it trustworthy?

There is no fee if you are a frequent poster. I lapsed a little and had to pay $99 for 2 or 3 listings.

As they say, there is an element of trust involved for both parties. I haven't done a ton but I haven't been burned yet.

 

[jujubiee4]

I’m literally laying in bed here now at GCH and I really couldn’t disagree with you more. It really isnt the best or top dollar. If being truthful. Is it nice, yes. But top dollar doesn’t have peeling wallpaper in the bathroom and a super loud pocket sliding door with chips all over it and paper thin walls. We left a top dollar JW Marriott two nights ago, yes a 12 minute walk, but THAT was top dollar…..at literally half the price. All you are paying for here is location. Period. For some that’s worth it and that’s totally fine. We travel a lot and stay at super nice places, so “top dollar” to us is not really this.

Does JW have a shuttle to and back? How much was parking? New hotel right?