Grand Californian question

[ClaraOswald]

We are not DVC members nor have we ever rented points so excuse my ignorance on all of this.

But how far in advance would I need to attempt to book if I wanted a Studio Villa for 1 week? Obviously it's way too late for our upcoming June trip. But I'm wondering when I need to try to book for any future visits. Wish I had thought to do it for this trip! We can't afford the price of the regular onsite rooms so renting points would be our only option if we wanted to stay on-site.

I'm also not entirely sure on WHERE I search if I wanted to rent points to stay at the GC. It's all a bit confusing to me.

 

[Van@Disney]

you pretty much need to find someone to book for you 11 months out. There aren’t many rooms and they go fast. You can look on this page under dvc rental or use a hird party company. Either way it will be $19 or $20 per point.

 

[Marionnette]

We are not DVC members nor have we ever rented points so excuse my ignorance on all of this.

But how far in advance would I need to attempt to book if I wanted a Studio Villa for 1 week? Obviously it's way too late for our upcoming June trip. But I'm wondering when I need to try to book for any future visits. Wish I had thought to do it for this trip! We can't afford the price of the regular onsite rooms so renting points would be our only option if we wanted to stay on-site.

I'm also not entirely sure on WHERE I search if I wanted to rent points to stay at the GC. It's all a bit confusing to me.

Chances of renting a VGC studio are extremely slim. People who own there have trouble booking for themselves and are not likely to go through the trouble of stalking availability or putting in a waitlist like they would for their own use.

But if you want to make the attempt, you will want to do a private rental through someone who owns at VGC and line them up no less than 11 months ahead of your intended travel dates

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'll add that a private rental for VGC may very well be more than $20pp because owners know the worth of those bookings.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yikes, I had no idea it was like that! Maybe I'll have to let the dream of staying on-site die.

 

[Marionnette]

Yikes, I had no idea it was like that! Maybe I'll have to let the dream of staying on-site die.

It's because there are so few studios at VGC (23) and VGC is (currently) the only DVC resort at DL. The Disney Land Tower is supposed to be built soon and that will add 350 DVC units to the DL area. That might improve availability for both members and renters in the future so don't give up hope.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Staying on site at Disneyland isn't all that essential. VGC and GC are lovely but there are so many decent hotels with shuttles or that are an easy walk.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Staying on site at Disneyland isn't all that essential. VGC and GC are lovely but there are so many decent hotels with shuttles or that are an easy walk.

Yeah, we've stayed at the Desert Inn the last 3 trips with another one planned this year.

Besides Candy Cane Inn, do you know of others with a dedicated shuttle?

 

[DonMacGregor]

The Disney Land Tower is supposed to be built soon and that will add 350 DVC units to the DL area.

Well, considering they broke ground almost year ago, I'd say it's beyond the "supposed" stage now...LOL

 

[Marionnette]

Well, considering they broke ground almost year ago, I'd say it's beyond the "supposed" stage now...LOL

View attachment 653641

They "broke ground" for Reflections, too, LOL. But TBH, I should have said that DLT should be completed soon.

 

[Narcoossee11]

There are only 49 rooms at VGC

 

[dhorner233]

I have a simular question:

I have 58 points I'd like to use. I am 7 months out from this Oct. I can see available nights coming up next week and again in Nov. Any tips on how to get them?

I am afraid they will be gone when the people who can book 10 days out get them?

I assume it's best to call, esp. since I have to pay for 2 points to make get 60 points/3 nights. I assume you must call at exactly 6 AM EST?

If I'm looking at Oct. 18 - 20, I can book on March 18, at 6 AM EST?

There are available dates, as of now in Oct., Nov and Jan. that I could use. But I can see, as soon as the 7 month window passes over the calendar, they are all wiped away.

I know it's a long shot but any suggestions?

 

[Marionnette]

I have a simular question:

I have 58 points I'd like to use. I am 7 months out from this Oct. I can see available nights coming up next week and again in Nov. Any tips on how to get them?

I am afraid they will be gone when the people who can book 10 days out get them?

I assume it's best to call, esp. since I have to pay for 2 points to make get 60 points/3 nights. I assume you must call at exactly 6 AM EST?

If I'm looking at Oct. 18 - 20, I can book on March 18, at 6 AM EST?

There are available dates, as of now in Oct., Nov and Jan. that I could use. But I can see, as soon as the 7 month window passes over the calendar, they are all wiped away.

I know it's a long shot but any suggestions?

A. You cannot book 10 days out. 7 nights is the maximum and they would need to be consecutive nights.

B. By the time that you call, those nights would be gone. Best to book as many nights as you can and then call. Even better, purchase those one-time use points ahead of time. I'll let @Sandisw explain how. She does an excellent job.

C. Member Services opens the phone lines at 9 AM Eastern Time. We just switched to daylight savings time early this morning. So for you, a call to MS would be at 9 AM EDT, not EST. However, I strongly recommend booking online at 8 AM EDT on 3/18 for 10/18.

 

[Sandisw]

I have a simular question:

I have 58 points I'd like to use. I am 7 months out from this Oct. I can see available nights coming up next week and again in Nov. Any tips on how to get them?

I am afraid they will be gone when the people who can book 10 days out get them?

I assume it's best to call, esp. since I have to pay for 2 points to make get 60 points/3 nights. I assume you must call at exactly 6 AM EST?

If I'm looking at Oct. 18 - 20, I can book on March 18, at 6 AM EST?

There are available dates, as of now in Oct., Nov and Jan. that I could use. But I can see, as soon as the 7 month window passes over the calendar, they are all wiped away.

I know it's a long shot but any suggestions?

To add about OTU points. You simply call ahead of time and book a fake night that uses about the same number of points you want.

It does not matter where, just that it is in the same UY as the trip you want but at least 31 days or more out.

Once you buy them to book, you go online and cancel that night, and the points are now in your account to use online at the 7 month window.

For example, you call today, and book any random night you can in early October, buy the points, and then cancel it.

Now, you have what you need to include those in your trip and get to book at 8 am the morning of your window.

 

[dhorner233]

To add about OTU points. You simply call ahead of time and book a fake night that uses about the same number of points you want.

It does not matter where, just that it is in the same UY as the trip you want but at least 31 days or more out.

Once you buy them to book, you go online and cancel that night, and the points are now in your account to use online at the 7 month window.

For example, you call today, and book any random night you can in early October, buy the points, and then cancel it.

Now, you have what you need to include those in your trip and get to book at 8 am the morning of your window.

I think I understand. I would need to find something that is exactly 60 points, (which is what I'm hoping to use at the Grand CA), right? Obviously there is nothing at the GC, so it will take some research to figure out where I could book exactly 60 points.

Edit: I found 5 nights at Old Key West for 12 points/night = 60.

Call to book that bogus booking. Then cancel it. All 60 points will go back into my account. Then at 9AM EST/6 AM for me in PST, hope to book my 3 days in Oct. or, I will have another chance in Nov. But the points will just stay there in my account.

If I end up not being able to book anything, can I bank all 60 points? I have to bank them by May 30th.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[Marionnette]

I think I understand. I would need to find something that is exactly 60 points, (which is what I'm hoping to use at the Grand CA), right. Obviously there is nothing at the GC, so it will take some research to figure out where I could book exactly 60 points.

Call to book that bogus booking. Then cancel it. All 60 points will go back into my account. Then at 9AM EST/6 AM for me in PST, hope to book my 3 days in Oct. or, I will have another chance in Nov. But the points will just stay there in my account.

If I end up not being able to book anything, can I bank all 60 points? I have to bank them by May 30th.

Thank you for your help!!

OTUPs cannot be banked. They expire at the end of your UY.

 

[Sandisw]

I think I understand. I would need to find something that is exactly 60 points, (which is what I'm hoping to use at the Grand CA), right? Obviously there is nothing at the GC, so it will take some research to figure out where I could book exactly 60 points.

Edit: I found 5 nights at Old Key West for 12 points/night = 60.

Call to book that bogus booking. Then cancel it. All 60 points will go back into my account. Then at 9AM EST/6 AM for me in PST, hope to book my 3 days in Oct. or, I will have another chance in Nov. But the points will just stay there in my account.

If I end up not being able to book anything, can I bank all 60 points? I have to bank them by May 30th.

Thank you for your help!!

You can only buy up to 24 OTU points. So, the drawback of buying ahead of time is that you don’t get what you want and they have to be used for another trip before your UY ends.

Plus, you don’t need to book something for the same number of points of the trip, but only for the number of OTU points you might need because you don’t have enough of your own points to book what you want.

 

[dhorner233]

Update: I called DVC and was thrilled to be connected to a very nice CM immediately! No wait time!!!

I do not need to get those extra 2 points because my use month/year? is Oct. so for travel after Oct. 1, I will have those 58 points plus my 2022 points. I can just use 2 points (or more if I want) from my 2022 points.

So now it's just a matter of availability. I see every available date wash away as the 7 month deadline moves across the calendar and the CM said there was only one room left for 10/18-20/22 so it would be a miracle.

AND I need to be on the phone at 5 AM PST. The DVC phones open at 9 AM EST but the webpage opens at 8 AM. Important fact.

So, I banked my points since I'm not going to use them before Sept. 30 and will hope for the best.

Thanks you all for your help!

 

[dcfromva]

To add about OTU points. You simply call ahead of time and book a fake night that uses about the same number of points you want.

It does not matter where, just that it is in the same UY as the trip you want but at least 31 days or more out.

Once you buy them to book, you go online and cancel that night, and the points are now in your account to use online at the 7 month window.

For example, you call today, and book any random night you can in early October, buy the points, and then cancel it.

Now, you have what you need to include those in your trip and get to book at 8 am the morning of your window.

It sounds like dhorner233 was able to solve her situation, but I was wondering with the OTU points (for future reference) if could you modify your original reservation and accomplish the same thing?

 

[Sandisw]

It sounds like dhorner233 was able to solve her situation, but I was wondering with the OTU points (for future reference) if could you modify your original reservation and accomplish the same thing?

Yes, as long as you are modifying the reservation within 7 months and the room was not booked during home resort period.

In order to replace a home resort booking with OTU points that are in your account, there must be at least some of the nights still available because the home resort contract will be locked and must still be used first.