Grand Californian Availability Question

[DisneyPiPhi]

Hi, all! We are new DVC members and this is my first post on the board. I did some searching, but am looking for some support with a specific question that I didn't see answered.

We have a January DLR trip scheduled at Grand Californian, not using our points or renting points. It's just a regular hotel reservation. We would like to reschedule this trip to a week when we can use our points to stay at Grand Californian.

Now, I realize that VGC reservations are difficult to find when that is not our home resort. But our travel dates are very flexible.

Here is my question: is there a week that is more likely to become available if we waitlist? And, can anyone say from past experience a week they've been able to get VGC at 7 months?

Thanks!

 

[cedricandsophie]

We just got three nights at the GC for mid may in a one bedroom with no problem. Using points. A studio was not available. We are coming back from aulani and wanted to stop at Disneyland on the way back to Chicago. So we had no flexibility in our dates. I did see that anything later in May and into summer was pretty full. You can go online and look at upcoming availability for all resorts.

 

[bwvBound]

You can likely put together a week in a 1BR by stalking the RAT .. but I'd advise starting that search right at the opening of the 7-month window. Snag each night, one by one, as they are available. Starting now for January 2019 would take quite a measure of pixie dust.

(We are DL locals. I've used our SSR points at VGC many times ... but generally for 2 or 3 night stays; mostly 1BR units.) Good luck!

 

[Frederic Civish]

I have been able to schedule VGC twice, both reservations in August. But they were for dedicated 2 bedrooms. Studios were much harder to get. I went online and tried to book at 8 AM exactly 7 months in advance, and was unable to get a studio or a lockoff.

 

[DebbieB]

A week waitlist would be very difficult, especially 2 months out. For a waitlist to come through, all the nights have to open at once and no one ahead of you on the waitlist. Shorter waitlists are easier.

 

[Shellyred8]

I was able to get 4 nights in a Studio right at 7 months out, but I feel I was very lucky to get this, as there wasn't much else available. Also, this was back in 2016.

Good luck!! The rooms are great if you can get one!

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Note: Star Wars is set to open in the summer. I think May 1bedroom is a safer bet. Once SWL opens I’m expecting to get shut out. We have been very lucky at 7 mos for 1 and 2 beds in the past.

 

[pineapplepalms]

We've been able to book 3 weekend trips at VGC this year using our SSR points at a few days to a few weeks out through a combination of WL and stalking (2 stays in a studio and 1 in a 1BR). We were also able to book a 1BR for 5 nights next May at less than 7 months out, although when I checked again a week later none of the dates were available anymore. The shorter the WL the better the odds - I did single night WL for our weekend trips, so if your dates are flexible you could try to string together 1 night at a time through WL and stalking (better chances before SWL opens). 1BR availability also seems to be much better and I love that their 1BR has the Murphy bed and 2 full baths.