Grand Californian - Why is it

[cal2net]

that it costs so many points to stay here? Kidani is our home resort but we would love to head in the opposite direction. We managed to get into Aulani last summer at the 7 month mark and use a reasonable amount of points.
Just curious as to why.

 

[Judique]

that it costs so many points to stay here? Kidani is our home resort but we would love to head in the opposite direction. We managed to get into Aulani last summer at the 7 month mark and use a reasonable amount of points.
Just curious as to why.

I would think that it is a high demand product. And that it is a small resort so costs for the basics are higher because there are not so many units to spread the cost over. The dues from the point cost cover the operating expenses...I hope you understand what I am trying to say.

 

[DebbieB]

Each resort that opens seems to have higher points than the one before.

Grand California is the flagship resort at DL, similiar to Grand Floridian. For May, studios at GCH are 20 points each, VGF are 24 or 29.

 

[drusba]

I am not sure how Aulani can be considered better. As noted the newer the resort, the more the points. You also have particular issues because it is California where your construction and legal compliance costs during construction can be significantly higher than in Florida, likewise property values.

 

[cal2net]

Thanks for the info & it makes sense now but would still like to stay there someday, hopefully sooner than later if we can manage the points.

 

[luv2sleep]

I know it's a lot of points but it's totally worth it. The location and easy access to your room is awesome. I loved not having to walk far to get back to our hotel and not having to take the bus or tram anywhere. It's like having a BLT at every park. It's even closer than BLT!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I know it's a lot of points but it's totally worth it. The location and easy access to your room is awesome. I loved not having to walk far to get back to our hotel and not having to take the bus or tram anywhere. It's like having a BLT at every park. It's even closer than BLT!

And that's the beauty of the Disneyland Resort. WDW is sooooooo spread out.

As to the OP's question, I believe a large part of the reason is in the limited number of units.

- Dreams

 

[McCrae]

It's all about differences in quality.

We have stayed at both VGC and Kidani. We liked both resorts and will stay at both of them again.

VGC overall is just much better. Rooms are very similar in layout, quality of furniture is roughly the same, but the big difference is the overall quality of the facilities.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

that it costs so many points to stay here? Kidani is our home resort but we would love to head in the opposite direction. We managed to get into Aulani last summer at the 7 month mark and use a reasonable amount of points.
Just curious as to why.

Point creep is happening with all the new resorts but you also need to be aware of the seasons. Aulani has higher average point costs than VGC so there's something strange about your comparison unless it's looking at different seasons and Aulani's cheapest room category- ie low season at Aulani and high at VGC and the Aulani Standard or Garden view. Also Aulani currently does not have a difference in points between weekends and weekdays so if you're comparing different days that will also factor in.

 

[DizDaD7]

I noticed this as well... Higher points to stay here. But I was able to get a studio during presidents week here, and the points arent as high as other weeks...This being a popular week & busy too I presume, Why is it low, I don't know, but I'm happy it is & don't have to take the kids out of school to enjoy this either..

 

[DebbieB]

It's all about differences in quality.

We have stayed at both VGC and Kidani. We liked both resorts and will stay at both of them again.

VGC overall is just much better. Rooms are very similar in layout, quality of furniture is roughly the same, but the big difference is the overall quality of the facilities.

I agree. Of all the DVC resorts I have stayed at (all WDW except SSR), VGC is the best by far. Love the rooms, love the lobby.

 

[DonnaL]

Loved VGC when we were there last January. Our 1 bdrm was a 4th floor park view....we were directly in front of the Mickey wheel....awesome. We just pulled the sheer curtin across the balcony doors and left the heavy drapery open when going to sleep at night....all the park lights would be on and music playing....and then I would wake up about 4:00 a.m.....it would be quiet and only some night lights on in the park. We have every intention of visiting every few years during our retirement.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I agree. Of all the DVC resorts I have stayed at (all WDW except SSR), VGC is the best by far. Love the rooms, love the lobby.

Agree completely. Just returned from our fourth trip and we love it. Well worth the points. We will be going back in March.

HBC

 

[las3888]

While we also own at BLT, VWL and BWV, we LOVE VGC. I do think the high cost is because DL is built on such a tiny plot of land so there is just such limited space to build anything on, so real estate comes at a premium price. Plus it is considered the flagship of DL (rightly so). You might keep in mind that while it's a lot of points per night, most trips to DL are not a week in length (roughly) like they are at WDW. There are just 2 parks and no water parks, boating activities, bike rentals, DisneyQuest, etc. It's a condensed WDW trip--I feel you can do almost as much but only need to stay for half the time so in the end it costs about the same!!!

In all honesty, it is so easy to get around DL at VGC. I timed the walk from the ride 'Soarin' to my room (forgot something) and it took me literally 4 minutes to get there.

It's definitely worth checking out--you could stay just a few nights at DL then spend a few nights at the beach or elsewhere in SoCal. That's what we tend to do.