HELP! Waitlist for VGC GVC (Grand California Villas). NOW WHAT???? see post 40

[cathicool]

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!!!!

 

[ToodlesRN]

You might get a better repsonse if your in the DVC section there are tons of DVC members at VGC! Not sure what they meant by priority waitlisted, DVC only has one waitlist that I have heard of or been on. Since VGC is a smaller dvc resort not sure what the likelyhood of getting your dates? Another option is to use your points and book at DLH or PP that way you get your full 3 nights without all the worrying.

 

[DahliaRW]

If you need a kitchen, look into the residence inns. You'll probably have to utilize a shuttle, but you get a kitchen. Make a backup ressie there (refundable) and cross your fingers that the villas open up!

 

[rentayenta]

I've had good luck but haven't tried this close. I agree with checking out the DVC section. I'd also look into other hotel options. You are right the GCV are few so to be safe, I'd have a back up plan. You can use your points at the DLH and PPH too if there is availability.

 

[DahliaRW]

I just looked and some of the hotels across harbor within walking distance do have kitchens. So you do have some options when it comes to back up plans if you're willing to stay offsite.

 

[taaren]

VGC is my home resort and we bought to make the 11 months reservations, but we usually end up wanting to add a night we were unsure about before we buy our flights so that's usually in the 6 months range or sometimes just make last minute trips. Have waitlisted 3 times, not once has it come through ... others here have reported them coming through, but maybe its just the times we list for? Late May/early October?
You can use points at Paradise Pier or DLH but its really expensive.
I'd do what previous posters recommended and book Marriott Residence Inn if you want a 1 bedroom with a kitchen as a backup.

No clue what a priority waitlist is. Sorry.

 

[Nonsuch]

Have waitlisted 3 times, not once has it come through ... others here have reported them coming through, but maybe its just the times we list for?

I have waitlisted 3 times, none have come through. The 3rd is still pending for this September
I own at VGC, but often make plans on short notice.

The OP has one day reserved, but I would advise them to NOT split the stay. Changing rooms is a big waste of time, and I will never do it again

 

[blackjackdelta]

I just got back from a week stay in a 1 bedroom and it was fabulous. I rent points every year but I suspect it will be even more difficult in 2012. We have stayed at RI Maingate and it was very nice and large.

Best of luck,

Jack

 

[cathicool]

Waitlist has come through for 1 night! I originally booked the night of 9/29(1br) and waitlisted for 9/28 and also for 9/30 and also for 10/1, using multiple contracts since you can only have 2 waitlists per contract.

I called DVC this morning and the night of 9/28 has come through! So now I have 9/28-9/30 in a 1br. Also, while on that call, a 2br became available for 9/30-10/1, so I grabbed it. (The agent checked it out- I guess it's a dedicated 2br, or else it should've matched my waitlist request for the 1br that night). I can cancel it if the 1br comes through. It was only 16 points higher than the 1br, and if a 2br became available for 10/1 then I'd take that and split the stay (1st 2 nights in 1br, last 2 nights in 2br). I've got some points that are expiring at the end of Sept, so I'd rather use them than lose them--and still not have a place to stay!

By the way, I didn't get an email notifying me of the waitlist match. (I did get an email for the 9/29 night I booked originally).

I have to say, it was very exciting to hear the waitlist match! Hoping for more pixie dust and the night of 10/1 matches soon, too.

Thanks all.....love all your help and comments!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Waitlist has come through for 1 night! I originally booked the night of 9/29(1br) and waitlisted for 9/28 and also for 9/30 and also for 10/1, using multiple contracts since you can only have 2 waitlists per contract.

I called DVC this morning and the night of 9/28 has come through! So now I have 9/28-9/30 in a 1br. Also, while on that call, a 2br became available for 9/30-10/1, so I grabbed it. (The agent checked it out- I guess it's a dedicated 2br, or else it should've matched my waitlist request for the 1br that night). I can cancel it if the 1br comes through. It was only 16 points higher than the 1br, and if a 2br became available for 10/1 then I'd take that and split the stay (1st 2 nights in 1br, last 2 nights in 2br). I've got some points that are expiring at the end of Sept, so I'd rather use them than lose them--and still not have a place to stay!

By the way, I didn't get an email notifying me of the waitlist match. (I did get an email for the 9/29 night I booked originally).

I have to say, it was very exciting to hear the waitlist match! Hoping for more pixie dust and the night of 10/1 matches soon, too.

Thanks all.....love all your help and comments!

I am glad that you managed to get 3 nights sorted out. I keep my fingers crossed for the last night.

Corinna

 

[disneydenisel]

Wow, looks like you had a lot of pixie dust today, hurray for getting most of your WL nights at VGC !

We were on the waitlist for over 6 months for one night in June and did not get it. We switched to the PPH for the one night and it wasted a good chunk of our day. The PPH was 38 pts, one point less than a VGC 1 bedroom. Sigh. It was still a fun trip, but a pain to pack and move and wait (our PPH room was not ready by 3 as promised).

 

[cathicool]

I hope we don't have to move resorts! I really hope I can get the night of 10/1 to come through. It's not available via cash either! I'm thinking if it doesn't come through, then we will go off property, since we will be going to the disney wonder on 10/2 anyway. 9/30 was key because I really want to do Mickey's Halloween Party. And if we don't get the 1br for the night of 9/30, we will have to move from the 1br to the 2br for that night. But it's still better than switching resorts!

 

[cathicool]

Matched today for the 1BR for the night of 9/30-10/1. Released the dedicated 2br for that night. So now we have 9/28-10/1 (3nights) in a 1br. on the waitlist for 10/1-10/2 and also 9/27-9/28 in 1 or 2 br's.

Have my fingers crossed......

 

[dolphingirl47]

Matched today for the 1BR for the night of 9/30-10/1. Released the dedicated 2br for that night. So now we have 9/28-10/1 (3nights) in a 1br. on the waitlist for 10/1-10/2 and also 9/27-9/28 in 1 or 2 br's.

Have my fingers crossed......

Congratulations on your waitlist coming through. I continue to keep my fingers crossed for the last two nights.

Corinna

 

[cathicool]

...

 

[cathicool]

Congratulations on your waitlist coming through. I continue to keep my fingers crossed for the last two nights.

Corinna

Thank you, Corinna! I think we are on the same cruise, 10/2 Wonder- correct?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Yes, indeed. I am the person who started the cruise meet thread and is organizing things like the Fish Extender Exchange, Secret Mickey and the Scavenger Hunt.

Corinna

 

[cathicool]

Yes, indeed. I am the person who started the cruise meet thread and is organizing things like the Fish Extender Exchange, Secret Mickey and the Scavenger Hunt.

Corinna

I thought so! Can't wait to meet up! No other waitlist requests came thru today.....hoping tomorrow for something to come in! This will be our first trip to DL. My kids are really excited....I'M REALLY excited!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I thought so! Can't wait to meet up! No other waitlist requests came thru today.....hoping tomorrow for something to come in! This will be our first trip to DL. My kids are really excited....I'M REALLY excited!

For us it will be our 4th trip to Disneyland, but the first one staying onsite. We managed to get a studio at VGC from September 26th to October 2nd and then again from October 9th to 13th at 7 months out. I hope that we will be equally lucky for after our Hawaii cruise next year.

Corinna

 

[cathicool]

For us it will be our 4th trip to Disneyland, but the first one staying onsite. We managed to get a studio at VGC from September 26th to October 2nd and then again from October 9th to 13th at 7 months out. I hope that we will be equally lucky for after our Hawaii cruise next year.

Corinna

wow! that's a great trip you have planned! where did you stay off-site? I have a child with some special needs- including a bunch of food allergies, so a kitchen is pretty much non-negotiable for us. (still waiting for 10/1-10/2 to match for us! or else we will be sleeping in the lobby that night!)

I hope the hawaii cruise is really nice! I looked at that one too, but when the Magic was announced to be in NY, we opted for that for 2012. So we have the 3 2nighters to nowhere reserved and 2 canadian cruises reserved. Hubby's in a panic!!! I don't expect to do all 5- I'm thinking 2 of the 2 nighters and 1 canadian....all with no airfare- AND, the 2 nighters will be just he and I (no kids). We almost did an alaskan cruise-- but my parents bailed out at the last minute, plus the air from NY to Vancouver was pretty steep. Without other adults, it just makes it financially crazy with 3 kids to pay for them as adults (the 1st and 2nd cruisefare in the 2nd cabin). The mexican riviera was a different pricing structure for us, so it was "ok" that we have 5 people in 2 cabins. We tried the Family stateroom once, but that price is insane too and there is so much more room with 2 connecting cabins. Do you have children?

Our Oct 2 thread is verrrryyyyy long! I haven't had time to read it all! But you've done a great job keeping everyone motivated!