Likelihood of Studio at Grand Cali at 7 months out?

[meryll83]

Hoping for 5 nights in April in a studio (avoiding Easter and spring break), how likely is it we’ll be able to secure this?

 

[Frederic Civish]

I don't own at VGC, but I have stayed there, and I have tried many other times to reserve. I have even been PARTLY successful a few times, but never for anything near as long as the length of reservation you want. In my experience, studios are almost impossible to get at 7 months.

I once said that Bigfoot is more likely to walk through the lobby of the Grand Californian than for Non VGC owners to be able to stay at Grand Californian by exchanging in with their DVC points.

That is a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. The trouble is, not only are there only about 50 units (75 if you count the Lock offs as two units) but it is such an incredibly desirable place, quite likely the single most desirable DVC Resort anywhere. Grand Californian is an amazing resort with some advantages (access directly into Downtown Disney and into California Adventure) that no other Disney resort has EVER had. And, it is the only DVC property in Disneyland. Add to that the fact that Disney has sold an awful lot of their Aulani points to people in California, by 'suggesting' to the Aulani purchasers that 'they could always use their points to stay at Grand Californian, at 7 months, if there is availability.' So there is demand on top of demand on top of demand. It is a perfect storm of incredible desirability, and almost no availability under the best of circumstances.

So, I don't want to be a Dickie Downer, but I think there is almost as much chance of it snowing at Disneyland, as you getting 5 nights in a studio at the 7 month window.

That being said, most of the units DO have some availability right up to the cusp of the 7 month window. This often includes Studios, 1 Bedrooms and 2 bedrooms. But, to have any chance at all, you will need to be online, ready to go, right at the tick of the clock at 8 AM Eastern Time (5 AM California Time) at the opening of the 7 month window on the appropriate day. If you are GOOD at doing it, AND lucky, you might be successful. You can greatly increase your chances by starting as early as you are willing to, considering the extra work, and try every morning to get it until you are successful, and then walk it all the way into place. It is true that the VGC owners can still jump past you, and block your 'walk,' but there is also a decent chance they won't, so you should probably try that.

 

[mom2rb]

I started right at 7 months for this September. After a week, I had 1 night in a 2 bedroom and 3 in a 1 bedroom. After 3 months, I had 4 nights in a 1 bedroom. As of last week, I have 5 nights in a 1 bedroom. I just assumed that I wouldn’t get it and was checking out other hotels in the area. It was a very nice surprise.

 

[meryll83]

Thank you both.
I’m going to see whether I can get a rental booking via David’s to get something secured now...

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Thank you both.
I’m going to see whether I can get a rental booking via David’s to get something secured now...

Rental will be even harder unfortunately. As others have mentioned, you need to be sitting at your computer right when the clock hits 8 am. Owners will not typically do that for renters because they don’t get compensated for the extra effort. Maybe if you go directly through the owner (rather than David’s) they might try for you.

If possible, a better option would be to rent through someone who owns at VGC and have them book earlier than 7 months.

 

[DVC Doctor]

your best hope is to get a rental from someone that own CGC and book at 11 months, but April is 10 months away, so there may actually be limited availability even now.

 

[DVC Doctor]

FYI - I just checked VGC for 2020 studio and is 100% sold out for December and January and it is 100% available after February 20

Interesting, Feb 1-13 is available, but Feb 14-19 is sold out, so I assume Feb 14-19 is some school holiday in california

Thus at exactly the 7 month window, VGC 100% sells out

Don't forget the Star Wars is a huge draw now

 

[starry_solo]

^^ Feb 12 is Lincoln's birthday, Feb 17 is President's Day. Since 2/12 falls on a Wednesday, my guess is that the school's push it to the Friday (the 14th) and do a long weekend for the holiday.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

FYI - I just checked VGC for 2020 studio and is 100% sold out for December and January and it is 100% available after February 20

Interesting, Feb 1-13 is available, but Feb 14-19 is sold out, so I assume Feb 14-19 is some school holiday in california

Thus at exactly the 7 month window, VGC 100% sells out

Don't forget the Star Wars is a huge draw now

VGC usually has reasonable inventory 8+ months out. It’s one of the nice things about owning there, unlike some resorts where you can still get locked out at 11 months

Edit: regarding February, some schools in California have “Ski Week” in February

 

[meryll83]

Rental will be even harder unfortunately. As others have mentioned, you need to be sitting at your computer right when the clock hits 8 am. Owners will not typically do that for renters because they don’t get compensated for the extra effort. Maybe if you go directly through the owner (rather than David’s) they might try for you.

If possible, a better option would be to rent through someone who owns at VGC and have them book earlier than 7 months.

your best hope is to get a rental from someone that own CGC and book at 11 months, but April is 10 months away, so there may actually be limited availability even now.

Yes, this is what I’m hoping can get arranged through David’s - it looks like there’s availability at the moment still, so fingers crossed someone is able to help!

 

[RedVines2001]

Like others have said 7 months at VGC is tough. But to give you a sliver of hope, I was able to secure a 3 night stay in a VGC studio 3/31 to 4/3 at seven months with my CCV points.

And yes, I got up at 0450 in the morning, opened multiple windows with multiple browsers with the reseveration page all loaded with my dates ready to go and when my computer clock clicked to 0500 hours I clicked the make reservation button. The first window told me I was too early so I waited ten seconds and clicked the second window, which SLOWLY starting loading. You can actually see the web traffic slow down the website. It’s crazy. But then I was rewarded with a successful reservation. The adrenaline is what I imagine gambling junkies feel in Vegas.

So anyways, yeah it’s possible but don’t get your hopes up and be ready to make it an operation. After my stay there I decided it was totally worth it and I picked up a 100 point VGC contract shortly after thinking that prices will only go up once Galaxy’s edge opens.

Good luck! Let us know if you are successful.