Grand Californian Villas...

[AC7179]

I am so new to DVC and still quite about the whole thing.

We like to go to Disneyland every year, or every other year. I have a new little one, making our party my mom, my husband, my 2 daughters any myself. I'd like to stay at GCH but I don't want someone in a sleeping bag, so we stay at the PPH.

For a week, or six nights, at VGC, about every year. How many points are we talking about? I know the cost isn't out yet, but with dues and things, about how much money is a contract like that going to cost? Any ides, or is it simply too soon to tell? How much would a contract like that cost at, say, the Boardwalk Villas?

Thank you ALL for your help...........you all seem so knowledgable. DVC is kind of intimidating for a newbie.

 

[salmoneous]

It's way to early to know. But taking some wild SWAGS:

A 1BR in the new building of the AKV will get you one king sized bed, one pullout couch, one pullout chair and a pack-n-play. The older DVC units don't have the pullout chair. We can guess GCV and all newer resorts will get the chair.

Point cost depends upon view and season at AKV/BWV, and we can guess GCV will be the same. About 170-270 points will get you a week in a 1BR at AKV for all but the most expensive season (Christmas/Spring Break). If you are willing to go 6 nights and drop a Fri/Sat, its down to about 130-210 points.

Right now you can buy new AKV points for $96 after incentives. For GCV, figure that points will be a little more expensive. We can also assume that the points/night will be a good bit more than AKV

Throw all that into the mix, and I get a ballpark price of $20,000 - 200 points at $100 each - will get you 1 weekend and 5 weeknights in a GCV.

 

[AC7179]

Thanks so much! And how many years of points does that get you? Is it 20? So that would be about 1000 per year, plus dues?

 

[gppnj]

Is there any ballpark estimate as to when GCV points will go on sale?

 

[dianeschlicht]

It would be 50 years, not 20. You buy the contract outright or on a loan and pay it off plus the maintenance fees each year.

 

[dwelty]

It's way We can also assume that the points/night will be a good bit more than AKV

Why does everyone always assume that when a new resort opens up, the points requirements go up as well. The history of DVC does not bear this out.
With the exception of OKW (the first resort with a low point requirement) the points have remained fairly steady with BC, WVL, exactly the same, and Boardwalk and AKL similar to each other based on view (Except Concerge, this is a new option for a DVC, with perks that can command a higher point structure). While I agree the original purchase price per point might be higher (it always is) I do not think the overall point requirement will be much different than any other DVC resort. A substantial difference in points requirements for GCH or even Hawaii would be a red flag to buyers during the sales process. This could hurt sales. When Disney wants to make more money, they always do it with an increase in the initial points sale.
The one thing that might be a little different with GCH is that based on guest traffic patterns at DLR weekend points may be even higher than the same days at WDW, but I also see that weekdays would be appropriately lower. I expect that the point chart will come out soon.

 

[GoofyasGoofy]

Something that is already pretty nice at Grand California is that they have rooms that fit 5 people. I have also recently found out that you are allowed a ninth person in a two bedroom at any DVC resort. The bedding is not provide (Bring an air matress) but the fact that it is within the rules is absolutely great!

 

[CarolAnnC]

DVC two bedroom villas hold 8 occupants plus a baby under 3 in the pak n play.

Please keep this thread off the topic of occupancy as that discussion is limited to the Ongoing Discussion thread stuck on top of the boards.

Thank you.

 

[raidermatt]

Why does everyone always assume that when a new resort opens up, the points requirements go up as well. The history of DVC does not bear this out.

I agree. While we won't know for sure until they release a point chart, I think it's likely that points/night will be in the same ballpark. What will likely increase is the cost per point.

 

[bxmetfan]

When will the points chart come out?

 

[bxmetfan]

And when will GCV go on sale?

 

[Caskbill]

I don't think GCV can go on sale until they have been built. Something about California law? Unless DVC can do pre-sales in CA, it could be a long time before sales start. Point charts would have to be available by the time sales start, but most likely earlier.

It'll be interesting to see the point charts. They'll need to base them on expected guest patterns at DL. As mentioned that could mean a larger difference between Weekday and Weekend points.

It might also mean that DL DVC will not have the same 'seasons' as WDW, just like VB and HH have different 'seasons' than WDW.

Big interest will be the dues. We know California is expensive for almost everything (at least compared to the Midwest) so dues may be quite a bit higher.

Also, wondering if California property taxes will be included in dues or not. We own Marriott in Palm Desert (just outside Palm Springs) and have to pay the property taxes directly to the State. They are not part of Marriott's dues. Don't know if this is just a local thing, or if all of California is like that.

Just some things to watch...

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

When will the points chart come out?

I spoke with my guide yesterday and told him we would be interested in an add-on and then asked about points chart, points cost, room layouts, and when sales would start. He said he figures sales will start in the first part of 2008-could January/February/March. He's just not sure. He said he hasn't seen the room layouts or any points charts yet and did not anticipate being able to stay in the new GC villas until very late in 2009.

 

[ACDSNY]

I don't think the dues will be higher since GC will not have transportation costs like WDW DVCs do. If you go by the info in the press releases they mentioned around $600 per year ($3.75 point based on 160 points).