Grand Californian DVC Question

[JJ2017]

Is there any way to check DVC availability without having to start the process with a third party rental agency? Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

Is there any way to check DVC availability without having to start the process with a third party rental agency? Thanks!

Not unless you are a DVC member. Even then, checking availability now will not assure that there is availability when the DVC member actually goes to book.

 

[Lauren in NC]

Is there any way to check DVC availability without having to start the process with a third party rental agency? Thanks!

No. For VGC, in general, if you're within 7 months, it's booked. For instance, right now there's no availability for studios or 1 bedrooms until August 2019. 2 bedrooms have scattered availability during high point times (spring break) but then it's pretty much booked until July. If you're looking for something in that 8-11 months from now window AND the rental agency has VGC points to rent, then there's a good chance.

 

[JJ2017]

No. For VGC, in general, if you're within 7 months, it's booked. For instance, right now there's no availability for studios or 1 bedrooms until August 2019. 2 bedrooms have scattered availability during high point times (spring break) but then it's pretty much booked until July. If you're looking for something in that 8-11 months from now window AND the rental agency has VGC points to rent, then there's a good chance.

Ok. Thanks. We are around 11 months out. Have to decide.

 

[Zooey]

Ok. Thanks. We are around 11 months out. Have to decide.

We booked 11 months out with a rental DVC service and we got our room. Worked out very well.

 

[franandaj]

No. For VGC, in general, if you're within 7 months, it's booked. For instance, right now there's no availability for studios or 1 bedrooms until August 2019.

I just got a one bedroom for March 31-April 2nd today....used up all the rest of my 2018 points, especially the ones that couldn't be banked!

 

[bcwife76]

I just got a one bedroom for March 31-April 2nd today....used up all the rest of my 2018 points, especially the ones that couldn't be banked!

You're checking in the day we check out! Maybe you'll get our 1-bedroom (that was I was shocked to snag at 7 months lol)

 

[Skjhjb]

We booked 11 months out with a rental DVC service and we got our room. Worked out very well.

Ugh - still crossing our fingers! We were on the list for them to check at 11 months out, studio was available, but no points to rent were. Now we are on the list for a 1 bedroom suite for the same dates, as all the studios are booked for our days. Still waiting for somebody to decide to rent us their points though.

 

[BecAus]

I came across this availability calendar the other day (when I googled) It was at 'DVC Vacations' - you can put in dates and it shows what's available. I have no idea if it's correct or a load of garbage - maybe you guys are familiar with it / the website? Sorry, no idea how to do a link otherwise I would do so here : )

I am from Aus - we are staying DVC at GCH next July for 3n. I rented points / booked through DVC rental store. Not done so before so am really hoping all goes to plan and our reservation is what we have received confirmation for, I'm a little nervous about it.
I put in the request just before 11mths for a studio. They couldn't confirm immediately but we waited and they got back to me in a few days with a confirmed request / booking.
Given we are likely going to be there just after SWL opens - we arrive 8 Jul - I thought on-site would be a good choice and hopefully some advantage to staying on-site.
Price is painful though, particularly with our crappy $$ rate - but the trip is for our 25th Wedd. Ann so I decided to just do it and not worry about the obscene cost : )
I hope all goes well with our booking / trip!

Best of luck with your request Skjhjb - cross my fingers you get the reservation confirmed you are hoping for!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

We are DVC members, and surprisingly found 1-bedroom availability at VGC about 30 days out from our January trip. It is a fun surprise to be able to use our points!

 

[Nonsuch]

I came across this availability calendar the other day (when I googled) It was at 'DVC Vacations' - you can put in dates and it shows what's available. I have no idea if it's correct or a load of garbage - maybe you guys are familiar with it / the website? Sorry, no idea how to do a link otherwise I would do so here : )

Links to that site are not allowed.

I am from Aus - we are staying DVC at GCH next July for 3n. I rented points / booked through DVC rental store. Not done so before so am really hoping all goes to plan and our reservation is what we have received confirmation for, I'm a little nervous about it.
I put in the request just before 11mths for a studio. They couldn't confirm immediately but we waited and they got back to me in a few days with a confirmed request / booking.
Given we are likely going to be there just after SWL opens - we arrive 8 Jul - I thought on-site would be a good choice and hopefully some advantage to staying on-site.
Price is painful though, particularly with our crappy $$ rate - but the trip is for our 25th Wedd. Ann so I decided to just do it and not worry about the obscene cost : )
I hope all goes well with our booking / trip!

While the DVC Rental Store is expensive ($468 for 1 night July 8), that is a large savings over a GCH hotel room for $852 (standard view).
David's DVC Rental (a board sponsor) is less expensive ($416), but DVC Rental Store pays owners more -- so more VGC owners might use that site (I have no personal experience with either site)

In case anyone has not found it: VGC Superthread
Also, VGC floorplans are linked in my signature

 

[BecAus]

Links to that site are not allowed.

Thanks nonsuch - lucky I'm not 'techy' enough to do it then : ) I did wonder though that maybe it wasn't allowed. I just found the calendar I saw there interesting : )
Sorry about that.

Yes, I know the savings is good through either of those compared to direct with GCH - there's just no way I could do it with them direct, (that's $1200 AUD - PER NIGHT!!!.)
With our AUD at the moment though it just hurts : ) We normally stay off-site, although my son and I did a split stay last time and did 2n at DLH. Whilst it was nice enough, I wasn't sure it was really worth it even compared to us staying the rest of the time at D.I.&S.
However, given that it is likely SWL will have just opened when we get there, on this occasion, I thought there is a good chance it will be very worthwhile to stay onsite, have EMH and also not have to deal with Harbor entrances.

I did try both the mentioned companies - I would have no problem using or recommending either - but when they both came back with no availability initially and we were going to waitlist, David's - according to their T&C's offered me my deposit back. It seemed a bit silly to be holding a deposit with both so I just waitlisted with DVC rental and we were lucky to get a reservation a few days or maybe it was a couple of weeks later.

I think I have read that link to VGC super thread but I will have another look, thanks for posting it. I did a lot of looking around here and everywhere for info when I booked.

 

[KPeterso]

Ugh - still crossing our fingers! We were on the list for them to check at 11 months out, studio was available, but no points to rent were. Now we are on the list for a 1 bedroom suite for the same dates, as all the studios are booked for our days. Still waiting for somebody to decide to rent us their points though.

That is the hardest part. Since you are in the 7-11 month window, they have to find a VGC owner willing to rent out those points. As a VGC owner, I can tell you my VGC points will never ever be for rent. If I was to consider renting my points, it would be SSR followed by my AKV points. I can always make VGC points work though since I am local to Disneyland. I believe a lot of VGC owners are similar to me and have all VGC points earmarked for our own stays there. I have even had trouble at 11 months getting what I want, so it can be a hard reservation! I wish you the best of luck and hope you get it.

 

[Skjhjb]

That is the hardest part. Since you are in the 7-11 month window, they have to find a VGC owner willing to rent out those points. As a VGC owner, I can tell you my VGC points will never ever be for rent. If I was to consider renting my points, it would be SSR followed by my AKV points. I can always make VGC points work though since I am local to Disneyland. I believe a lot of VGC owners are similar to me and have all VGC points earmarked for our own stays there. I have even had trouble at 11 months getting what I want, so it can be a hard reservation! I wish you the best of luck and hope you get it.

Thanks for that. I had a feeling we may be up against nobody wanting to rent to us. If we have to pay Disney direct, so be it. It's my 50th birthday dammit - I want to stay on site! LOL