Grand Californian Super Thread

[blackjackdelta]

We rented points at $10/point because I wanted to stay in a 1 bedroom villa not being a member. Now we do not want to stay anywhere else. We can only get away once a year so a DVC membership does not spec out to be worth the 50 year contract. So we will try and rent when we can go.
Jack

 

[DmaxHawk]

Oh, me too. In theory it sounds like a good deal to rent using someone else DVC points. In practice I can't figure it out. I want to rent or buy some points so I can stay at the hotel, regular room or villa whatever, I don't care. If it is really as cheap as it sounds why doesn't everyone just do that? What am I missing?

Hate to say it, but DVC at the Grand has been sold out since October..

 

[gweeptrish]

Hate to say it, but DVC at the Grand has been sold out since October..

You don't have to have GC points to stay at the GC. I'm staying there this next month on rented Saratoga Springs points.

All that means is that you can't buy new DVC points with GC as your designated home resort & the privs that go with that. You can still buy into DVC and still stay at the GC.

 

[DmaxHawk]

You don't have to have GC points to stay at the GC. I'm staying there this next month on rented Saratoga Springs points.

All that means is that you can't buy new DVC points with GC as your designated home resort & the privs that go with that. You can still buy into DVC and still stay at the GC.

Yes I realize that, that's why I said DVC at the Grand has sold out

I probably should have done a better job of explaining. Thanks

 

[disneyfan67]

Yes I realize that, that's why I said DVC at the Grand has sold out

I probably should have done a better job of explaining. Thanks

I'm sure you know about the resale market, but don't forget that Disney also gets back contracts from members who financed them through Disney and can't afford the monthly payments and fees. It's just like repo man collecting a car from someone who quit making payments. It doesn't hurt to call and see what's available or what coming down the road. In this economy we had for the past 3 years, you can't tell me there hasn't been some DVC foreclosures. FYI, anyone with a pulse can get a DVC contract through Disney because they don't do credit checks, openly tell you this, and you only need a small amount down. Heck they even allow you to put the down payment on a credit card and will recommend this to you, if you don't have the money up front. A lot of people got caught up in buying in and then later realised it's not as affordable as the salesperson makes it out to be.

I was shocked how easy it is to get into and we looked into DVC in 2004 and I'll bet I got a phone call every 7 months or so because they knew I was hooked. I kept telling the salesperson who was in charge of my district and calling me, that I'm saving up and paying in cash. The guy kept telling me now is the time and there was always some incentive that was going away soon and you don't want to miss out.

It took me 6 years, but I finally was able to do it. I'm looking to do an add on later this year and if a GCV comes up say for 60 points or more, I think I may jump on it. You never know when something may turn up.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

I'm sure you know about the resale market, but don't forget that Disney also gets back contracts from members who financed them through Disney and can't afford the monthly payments and fees. It's just like repo man collecting a car from someone who quit making payments. It doesn't hurt to call and see what's available or what coming down the road. In this economy we had for the past 3 years, you can't tell me there hasn't been some DVC foreclosures. FYI, anyone with a pulse can get a DVC contract through Disney because they don't do credit checks, openly tell you this, and you only need a small amount down. Heck they even allow you to put the down payment on a credit card and will recommend this to you, if you don't have the money up front. A lot of people got caught up in buying in and then later realised it's not as affordable as the salesperson makes it out to be.

I was shocked how easy it is to get into and we looked into DVC in 2004 and I'll bet I got a phone call every 7 months or so because they knew I was hooked. I kept telling the salesperson who was in charge of my district and calling me, that I'm saving up and paying in cash. The guy kept telling me now is the time and there was always some incentive that was going away soon and you don't want to miss out.

It took me 6 years, but I finally was able to do it. I'm looking to do an add on later this year and if a GCV comes up say for 60 points or more, I think I may jump on it. You never know when something may turn up.

The Timeshare Store currently has some listed. I'm glad to see that so far it is holding its own on resale pricing. Hopefully it will be able to do that for a long time since it is such a small DVC resort. That 11 month banking window is nice to have during the more popular times at DL.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

I'm sure you know about the resale market, but don't forget that Disney also gets back contracts from members who financed them through Disney and can't afford the monthly payments and fees. It's just like repo man collecting a car from someone who quit making payments. It doesn't hurt to call and see what's available or what coming down the road. In this economy we had for the past 3 years, you can't tell me there hasn't been some DVC foreclosures. FYI, anyone with a pulse can get a DVC contract through Disney because they don't do credit checks, openly tell you this, and you only need a small amount down. Heck they even allow you to put the down payment on a credit card and will recommend this to you, if you don't have the money up front. A lot of people got caught up in buying in and then later realised it's not as affordable as the salesperson makes it out to be.

I was shocked how easy it is to get into and we looked into DVC in 2004 and I'll bet I got a phone call every 7 months or so because they knew I was hooked. I kept telling the salesperson who was in charge of my district and calling me, that I'm saving up and paying in cash. The guy kept telling me now is the time and there was always some incentive that was going away soon and you don't want to miss out.

It took me 6 years, but I finally was able to do it. I'm looking to do an add on later this year and if a GCV comes up say for 60 points or more, I think I may jump on it. You never know when something may turn up.

What is the "small amount down" required?

 

[disneyfan67]

What is the "small amount down" required?

About $1500 total, give or take for a standard 160 point contract, if I remember correctly. $500 to get the paperwork started.

When the Disney DVC guy at WDW tried to get me to by on the spot in 2004 and finance me, he told me 500 bucks would get the ball rolling and he would take credit cards. I could then come up with the other 1000 in 3 payments if I had to and use a credit card for that too, if needed. He called back several times in the following years saying the same thing. I found it to quite scary how easy it was to buy and I wisely decided to wait and save up to purchase it in cash. We finally became owners in 2010 and I haven't regretted since.

 

[nunzia]

Yes I realize that, that's why I said DVC at the Grand has sold out

I probably should have done a better job of explaining. Thanks

..but I'm sure they will get some to sell...my friend talked to a guide on a cruise in November and he said, yes, it was sold out but they still get points to sell (ROFR, defaults, etc., I'm sure)

 

[DmaxHawk]

..but I'm sure they will get some to sell...my friend talked to a guide on a cruise in November and he said, yes, it was sold out but they still get points to sell (ROFR, defaults, etc., I'm sure)

Correct,
The press release said that if you want to buy points for the Grand, you will be put on a waiting list. I'm assuming this is what the wait is for.

 

[wbl2745]

Correct,
The press release said that if you want to buy points for the Grand, you will be put on a waiting list. I'm assuming this is what the wait is for.

We added on in September for our August UY. Somewhere, perhaps on this board, I had read that the August UY was sold out, but when I called, they had some points. You never know when the points are there. I'd call DVC periodically and watch the resale lists.

 

[Nonsuch]

...FYI, anyone with a pulse can get a DVC contract through Disney because they don't do credit checks, openly tell you this, and you only need a small amount down. Heck they even allow you to put the down payment on a credit card and will recommend this to you...

The entire purchase can be put on a credit card, even split onto multiple cards. It would be crazy to finance a DVC purchase on a credit card, but charging can get some credit card rewards.

Disney carries the financing, so they do not need to make credit checks.

There are many threads on this board (and other boards) about the merits of DVC, but here is my simple view related to the Grand Californian:
If you expect to stay at the Grand Californian Hotel at least once a year, then consider buying a DVC membership at the Grand Californian Villas.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

There are many threads on this board (and other boards) about the merits of DVC, but here is my simple view related to the Grand Californian:
If you expect to stay at the Grand Californian Hotel at least once a year, then consider buying a DVC membership at the Grand Californian Villas.

Really? Interesting...

 

[blackjackdelta]

.

Disney carries the financing, so they do not need to make credit checks.

Since they do carry their own credit, they do credit checks on everyone to see if you are able to make your payments and they do disqualify people if their minimums are not met.

Jack

 

[toocherie]

If you expect to stay at the Grand Californian Hotel at least once a year, then consider buying a DVC membership at the Grand Californian Villas.

Agree, but only if you are able to book at least 8-9 months out. Once the 7 month window hits it is hard to get a reservation.

 

[disneyfan67]

The entire purchase can be put on a credit card, even split onto multiple cards. It would be crazy to finance a DVC purchase on a credit card, but charging can get some credit card rewards.

Disney carries the financing, so they do not need to make credit checks.

There are many threads on this board (and other boards) about the merits of DVC, but here is my simple view related to the Grand Californian:
If you expect to stay at the Grand Californian Hotel at least once a year, then consider buying a DVC membership at the Grand Californian Villas.

Oh I know how hard it is to get into the GCV with points, trust me.

I still think of adding on points through a small contract at GVC, but the only problem is that it requires a lot points to stay in a 1 bedroom and small contract ain't going to cut it. I just don't feel comfortable in having two large contracts, even though I would love to own at GVC. I''m getting to point where I love going to Disneyland and I'm kind of burnt out of WDW. I really enjoyed my first trip to DL last year and I'm looking forward to this years trip.

It's kind of ironic about my love of the Grand Californian. I stayed in a regular room for one night last summer just to say I did it, then moved over to the DLH for the rest of my stay. I didn't care for the size of the room at the GC and felt it was too small for the price I paid. I did love walking around the resort, found it super convenient, and thought it was beautiful. I didn't think I would stay there again, until I saw a 1 bedroom villa and that sealed the deal for me. I can't wait to see the look on my wife's face when she walks into the GC for the first time and sees how cool it is and how easy it is to get to the parks. Should be a great vacation.

 

[franandaj]

The entire purchase can be put on a credit card, even split onto multiple cards. It would be crazy to finance a DVC purchase on a credit card, but charging can get some credit card rewards.

We put both of our contracts on our Disney Visa. It got us a nice chunk of rewards points and we could keep our money in the bank earning interest for another six months.

 

[momjkm]

I am a WDW nut and the Wilderness Lodge is my 1st choice resort. Has anyone stayed at both the WL and the GC and how do they compare? Going in July... feel like I would be cheating on WL if I stayed at GC lol...
Jill

 

[Nonsuch]

Oh I know how hard it is to get into the GCV with points, trust me.

This morning I booked a 3 day stay in a 1 bedroom villa for the first week in March
Less than 2 months away, so I am very happy to get any room
In the first 3 weeks of March, one studio was available for 2 consecutive nights and one 1 bedroom was available for 5 nights.

I still think of adding on points through a small contract at GVC, but the only problem is that it requires a lot points to stay in a 1 bedroom and small contract ain't going to cut it. I just don't feel comfortable in having two large contracts, even though I would love to own at GVC. I''m getting to point where I love going to Disneyland and I'm kind of burnt out of WDW. I really enjoyed my first trip to DL last year and I'm looking forward to this years trip.

You could always sell your WDW points and buy at the Grand

...I did love walking around the resort, found it super convenient..

It's great spend an entire vacation at the Grand, and not drive a car or ride a bus or even cross a street

...I didn't think I would stay there again, until I saw a 1 bedroom villa and that sealed the deal for me. I can't wait to see the look on my wife's face when she walks into the GC for the first time and sees how cool it is and how easy it is to get to the parks. Should be a great vacation.

My wife loves the 1 bedroom, which is the main reason we bought at the Grand

 

[daneenm]

I am a WDW nut and the Wilderness Lodge is my 1st choice resort. Has anyone stayed at both the WL and the GC and how do they compare? Going in July... feel like I would be cheating on WL if I stayed at GC lol...
Jill

So funny, this is how we felt about WL and what made us stay at YC instead! GCH is our favorite at DLR.