HELP! Waitlist experience for VGC (Grand California Villas) GCV

[cathicool]

I posted this on the disneyland forum, but someone there suggested I try here as well......



About 2 weeks a go I had us all set to go to WDW at the end of Sept. But we ended up booking DCL Mexican Riviera at the end of Sept and will now be doing Disneyland instead! So I called DVC member services and cancelled my WDW ressie. I needed a ressie at Grand Californian, but I was only able to get 1 of the 3 nights. i was waitlisted--priority waitlisted-- for a 1 br for the other 3 nights. (I even did them individually, spanning more than 1 DVC contract). I did this a good week ago. But now I'm obsessed with checking my email to see if the waitlist has come thru!

1st.....what exactly is the priority waitlist? I was told it means I'm at the top of the list. So how many other people are on this list? And I guess I'm at the bottom of that list?

2nd....how often do waitlists even come thru at VGC? It's such a small place. I'm looking for a 1br.

3rd...Anyone have any other suggestions as a back-up plan. I've only been to DL once- like 20 years ago. I have a child who has multiple (and some severe) food allergies and I really need a kitchen-y set up. I have a ressie at BW Raffles, for a great rate, but it's not close, nor does it have a kitchen. We haven't stayed in a traditional hotel room in the last 10 years! We are a family of 5!

Thanks!!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I never heard of a priority waitlist, only a waitlist.

 

[cathicool]

hmmmm...I never heard of it either. After the supervisor put me on it (--and I had to have a supervisor do it, the agent at member services could not do it), I called back an hour later and had that agent go over my waitlists. She said they are listed as priority waitlists as well. But the agent couldn't eloborate on what that meant. OMG! Are they yankin' my chain??? LOL!

so has anyone had a GCV waitlist come thru???

 

[TravelingJen24]

We have tried twice this year for waitlists at the GCV and neither came through. We ended up at DLH one time and paid cash the other. It is such a small resort it may be hard to get to the top of the list. However, the point value for DLH is not that bad if you have no other choice. Good luck.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

[snip]3rd...Anyone have any other suggestions as a back-up plan. I've only been to DL once- like 20 years ago. I have a child who has multiple (and some severe) food allergies and I really need a kitchen-y set up. I have a ressie at BW Raffles, for a great rate, but it's not close, nor does it have a kitchen. We haven't stayed in a traditional hotel room in the last 10 years! We are a family of 5!

Thanks!!!!

You might try reserving at the Residence Inn Maingate. It will probably be more expensive than BW Raffles, but it is closer, nicer and it has both a kitchen and a hot breakfast. When we stayed there, we usually walked to the Park. The ART shuttle is also an option. Having this as a back-up may help releive the stress and give you a chance to have the WL work. Enjoy your trip -- Suzanne

 

[the donut]

I'm one for 3 for waitlists for VGC.

I'm interested in this priority waitlist concept. I've got a waitlist request in for January 2012. If someone's going to cut to the front of the line for a VGC villa, it might was well be me! How did you get them to put you on it? Just by asking? Offering up your first born? Any trick to it?

 

[DebbieB]

I've heard of priority waitlists when there is an error that causes someone to lose a reservation. I don't know why in your case if you just changed your plans.

 

[cathicool]

My DVC account is a wreck! The IT dept has been working on resolving the issue since February. I'm thinking that is why I was offered some additional help (priority waitlist). The last I spoke to member services, I was quite upset- as I've been promised a call back on like 5 different occassions and noone ever called. I think there is a new supervisor involved and this person seems to be able to get some things resolved more timely. But my account is still a mess....ghost reservations, missing points, crazy things........

I'll check out the Ramada Maingate. Thanks for the suggestion!