Grand Californian villas with rented DVC points?

[ValpoCory]

I definitely agree with this thread that renting DVC points at the VGC is a great way to get an on-site immersive experience without paying the high prices. If you go private between 7.5 and 11 months before your arrival date, you can easily find an owner to rent you points at $12 per point. With a little perseverance, you can find an owner selling at $10 per point. I am so happy with my $10/point DVC owner for my upcoming trip. A great asset to my growing list of trusted $10/point or less DVC owner contacts that I will use for future Disney trips. We paid $1070 for 6 nights at the VGC in January 2013. So that's $178.33 per night, final price.

Of course, before the rent, familiarize yourself with vetting techniques to use when researching prospective DVC owners. Check county comptroller's websites, check their online presence, references, phone calls, etc.

 

[BensDaddy]

The studios have plastic plates and cutlery, along with a coffeemaker and the usual condiments that accompany that. I don't remember seeing any other condiments.

Thanks! That's a big help. I guess we can just pick up a few packets of ketchup downstairs somewhere. Did you happen to notice if they provide dish-soap or anything to keep those plates and cutlery clean?

Thanks again.

 

[taaren]

Thanks! That's a big help. I guess we can just pick up a few packets of ketchup downstairs somewhere. Did you happen to notice if they provide dish-soap or anything to keep those plates and cutlery clean?

Thanks again.

I don't remember seeing any, and since they are meant to be disposable I'm guessing there won't be but they may be in the room just for the coffee maker? It wouldn't be the worst idea to just add to your order a set of paper plates/cups/etc from Vons so you know for sure you won't run out ...

 

[ValpoCory]

Thanks! That's a big help. I guess we can just pick up a few packets of ketchup downstairs somewhere. Did you happen to notice if they provide dish-soap or anything to keep those plates and cutlery clean?

Thanks again.

Watch this. While the plates and cutlery are disposable, the cups and mugs are not. You can see a sponge and dish-soap at the 3:12 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2nG3FQNu48

 

[BensDaddy]

Watch this. While the plates and cutlery are disposable, the cups and mugs are not. You can see a sponge and dish-soap at the 3:12 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2nG3FQNu48

That's great info. Thank you!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

That's great info. Thank you!

There are also some supplies in the store at White Water Snacks. When we stayed in a 2 BR last May, 3 of us brought coffee, but no one bought filters so we had to make a quick trip down there.

Housekeeping will replace paper plates, etc on request. Enjoy your stay -- Suzanne

 

[lifesgr8]

It does not hurt to keep trying. I booked trips in January and March this year inside 30 days
Of course, January - March are off season (not Summer, Halloween or Christmas).

weird!! Ive been on a waiting list for January 2013 for about a year.... and nothing?!

 

[forevercruising]

So, I am wondering since the studio doesn't have a full kitchen is it equipped with plates, silverware, and any condiments?

Hello! We just returned from a five night stay in a VGC studio. Although there are some plates, etc. in the studio, we decided to pick up all of the plates, napkins, cutlery, and condiments that we needed at Whitewater Snacks, when we would go there to buy snacks, etc. Whitewater is just past the pool area -- very convenient to the villas. There is an area with small plates, utensils, napkins, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, etc. out for you to pick up and take back to the room; it is a breeze.

If you do want additional condiments, etc., there is a small selection in the small "store" in Whitewater Snacks. (NOTE: Whitewater has no paper bowls -- just small paper plates. The cashier happily allowed us to take a few paper/plastic cups back to the studio, which we used for "bowls" for oatmeal; they worked great!)

In fact, we usually stay in a 1 bedroom and order groceries from Vons; this time, while in a studio, we were glad we did not order groceries -- we just picked up the little we needed, like milk, which was reasonably priced (we went through two half gallons), and a few plates, napkins, cups, and utensils at Whitewater. We found it very convenient and all we needed.

We never did use the microwave and we did not use any of the "provided" cups, plates, etc., which were in the studio cupboard.

I hope this helps!

 

[JeffB13]

Since we're talking about when to book, I figure this might be the place to ask.

We are thinking about renting points for an upcoming trip and staying in one of the two 3 bedroom Grand Villas. How far in advance do those book up?

 

[taaren]

Since we're talking about when to book, I figure this might be the place to ask.

We are thinking about renting points for an upcoming trip and staying in one of the two 3 bedroom Grand Villas. How far in advance do those book up?

You'll probably want to have an owner who has VGC points book that for you right at the 11 month mark ... So line them up 12+ months in advance.

 

[Nonsuch]

We are thinking about renting points for an upcoming trip and staying in one of the two 3 bedroom Grand Villas. How far in advance do those book up?

It can be difficult to find an owner renting enough points for a Grand Villa.
Please post your experience.

 

[starry_solo]

Wow, this thread is pretty old at 7 months (lol).

Problem with the Grand Villa is that it takes so many points so finding a DVC owner with that many points to rent out is difficult. Since it takes so many points, this might be the one opportunity that a WDW-DVC owner (with that many points) can book at the 7 month mark (and you'd want him/her to book exactly at the 7 month mark). Start looking ahead approximately one year out and see if any VGC members are available. If not, have a back-up WDW-DVC owner with that many points available.

Most DVC rentals (if not all) are non-refundable. There's a thread about trip insurance not being available for timeshare rentals. You want to check with the owner whom you rent from about their policies. Most say that you will have to try to re-rent your reservation and collect the money, then provide them (the owner) with the information for the new guests.

 

[ValpoCory]

It can be difficult to find an owner renting enough points for a Grand Villa.
Please post your experience.

Hi Nonsuch. Your links in your signature no longer work. Can you please update them? Thank you.

Nonsuch -- VGC Mapmaker
VGC floorplan -- 1-page 6-page

 

[disneydeb64]

We were very tempted to rent points through DVCR for our trip next year. My research was showing me we could save upwards of $600 for a weeks stay at GCH. What stopped us in our tracks: ALL SALES FINAL. It makes us extremely nervous to plunk down $$$$ to book a non-refundable vacation. Should we have to cancel for any reason, we're out of luck. Looks like we'll be sticking with AAA.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

We were very tempted to rent points through DVCR for our trip next year. My research was showing me we could save upwards of $600 for a weeks stay at GCH. What stopped us in our tracks: ALL SALES FINAL. It makes us extremely nervous to plunk down $$$$ to book a non-refundable vacation. Should we have to cancel for any reason, we're out of luck. Looks like we'll be sticking with AAA.

it is nonrefundable because you are renting points from an owner, not from Disney. While that may seem like a risk to you, it is also a huge risk to us as owners. If a renter were to back out less than 30 days out, the points are put into a holding account and their use is very limited. It would also be a pain to find renter at that point. Renting DVC points requires trust and a good contract.

 

[Nonsuch]

Hi Nonsuch. Your links in your signature no longer work.

Links are fixed
Enjoy

 

[danimaroo]

So here's a question for you guys... My husband and I are considering DVC at some point, but it'd be through a resort at WDW. That being said, is it relatively easy to book VGC at the 7 month mark? Even in say mid -November (non-Thanksgiving week) through early December? Just curious in case there are years we decide to use some points for a DL trip.

 

[starry_solo]

So here's a question for you guys... My husband and I are considering DVC at some point, but it'd be through a resort at WDW. That being said, is it relatively easy to book VGC at the 7 month mark? Even in say mid -November (non-Thanksgiving week) through early December? Just curious in case there are years we decide to use some points for a DL trip.

No, it isn't relatively easy to book VGC at the 7 month mark. Especially the ones that take the lowest number of points. What you can do is look for someone who owns at VGC and is interested in transferring their points to you (for a per point fee) and then you can have control over your own reservation and book at the 11 month mark.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

So here's a question for you guys... My husband and I are considering DVC at some point, but it'd be through a resort at WDW. That being said, is it relatively easy to book VGC at the 7 month mark? Even in say mid -November (non-Thanksgiving week) through early December? Just curious in case there are years we decide to use some points for a DL trip.

I am a DVC owner at Old Key West at WDW. This year we wanted to stay at the VGC the week before Christmas in a studio. As I literally was online booking the studio someone was just seconds ahead of me and booked it before I hit submit. We were able to get a 1 bedroom but because the cost of the points is so high we will only be at the Villas for 3 of our 6 nights. It is very difficult to get a studio at VGC at 7 months out....at least from my experience.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

We own at VGC and have seen the popularity soar this year with the opening of Carsland. We used to be able to book a few months out with the exception of the more busy times of year, but now it seems that it books up almost immediately when the 7 month window opens to all DVC members no matter what time of year. November and December are very popular since most people love the holiday season at the parks. It will also depend on the size of villa you are looking for and for how long you want to stay. Studios are very hard to come by. Short answer, it is not relatively easy to book at 7 months out, but you will need to book right at the 7 month window if you want your complete reservation.