New to DVC - Purchase VGC versus DLT or both

[MagicalMommaOf2]

I own BWV direct and VGC resale. DLT looks nice but VGC is closer to the parks and I’ve been pretty lucky getting a park view studio or 1 bedroom by request. Not looking to add points, I thought VGC at $180 might be too much when I bought it in early 2020.

Since I can’t use my VGC points at DLT, may try to get it at 7 months with my BWV points, just to try it. But I think I’ll be mainly at VGC.

$180 LOL If there is one thing I have learned while shopping my VGC contract, it seems the price never ever goes down!

 

[Paul Stupin]

Ha! Now I see why you want VGC price to go down! But really though, you just gotta jump on it no matter the UY. I also have March but I jumped on 2 June UY contracts at the beginning of the year and I’m so glad I did. Now I kinda want June UY for DLT so that I could have March UY for Orlando and June UY for Anaheim.

Not bad advice! And, as has been noted many times, it’s not like I’d be using the points elsewhere.

 

[Paul Stupin]

While I do see what you are saying about the pool getting smaller, one thing I want to point out is that the one of the only reasons we bought at VGC even though we still intend to buy at DLT was booking availability. We knew that trying to use DVC points at the 7 month mark at VGC was not going to work. I don't see that changing and if that's the case then people will STILL be forced to buy resale if they want to stay at the Grand. Neither of us know for sure! I just wanted to share why we bought a resale contract versus just waiting and buying one large one at DLT.

Excellent point. I don’t see that changing either. Would love it if DVC took over another wing of GC, but with the city of Anaheim having to approve, it’ll probably never happen.

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

Excellent point. I don’t see that changing either. Would love it if DVC took over another wing of GC, but with the city of Anaheim having to approve, it’ll probably never happen.

That would have been nice, like how they added to the GF but it seems like around here we are just lucky to get what we get. Hoping the new DT disney expansion is geared towards the hotel guests like another poster suggested. I hope the buy in price is surprisingly lower at the DLT than we fans are anticipating because as you can imagine VGC ate a large portion of my point budget lol. If DLT came in under $250 I would be happy as a clam!

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Excellent point. I don’t see that changing either. Would love it if DVC took over another wing of GC, but with the city of Anaheim having to approve, it’ll probably never happen.

That would have been nice, like how they added to the GF but it seems like around here we are just lucky to get what we get. Hoping the new DT disney expansion is geared towards the hotel guests like another poster suggested. I hope the buy in price is surprisingly lower at the DLT than we fans are anticipating because as you can imagine VGC ate a large portion of my point budget lol. If DLT came in under $250 I would be happy as a clam!

VGF turning Big Pine Key into VGF2 was a response to the hotel side not being able to get enough reservations on the cash side, a problem not probably experienced at GCH. But I can’t imagine the jubilation if that were to ever happen.

And DLT selling below $250pp? I’m hoping for that but I’m fully prepared for $275pp with very little incentives. I just think the demand for another Anaheim DVC is so massive, Disney will test the limit on this one. I’m also bracing myself for a ridiculously high points chart and annual dues. Disney take my money!

 

[Drewski77]

VGF turning Big Pine Key into VGF2 was a response to the hotel side not being able to get enough reservations on the cash side, a problem not probably experienced at GCH. But I can’t imagine the jubilation if that were to ever happen.

And DLT selling below $250pp? I’m hoping for that but I’m fully prepared for $275pp with very little incentives. I just think the demand for another Anaheim DVC is so massive, Disney will test the limit on this one. I’m also bracing myself for a ridiculously high points chart and annual dues. Disney take my money!

As someone who owns at VGC and takes some quick trips and pays rack rates, I agree that Disney is unlikely to convert any additional cash rooms to DVC, the demand is just too high on the cash side.

Hence why VGC keeps going up in value, and my guess is Disney probably wishes they could turn the DVC Villas into more cash rooms.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

As someone who owns at VGC and takes some quick trips and pays rack rates, I agree that Disney is unlikely to convert any additional cash rooms to DVC, the demand is just too high on the cash side.

Hence why VGC keeps going up in value, and my guess is Disney probably wishes they could turn the DVC Villas into more cash rooms.

2060 will be a sad year for VGC owners

 

[DaleFan]

REALLY? I hope that is the case, if so THANK YOU!

I'm pretty sure! If it is you, then please know all my paperwork is returned and my understanding is it should close this week! Bittersweet for me, but so excited for you! We are exploring other areas and just not that interested in Disney right now, but I'm sure we will be back at some point.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I just want everyone to know that I’ve now reached “DIS Veteran” status. What I say now really matters . J/K. Aloha everyone! Thanks for letting me part of the conversations.

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

I'm pretty sure! If it is you, then please know all my paperwork is returned and my understanding is it should close this week! Bittersweet for me, but so excited for you! We are exploring other areas and just not that interested in Disney right now, but I'm sure we will be back at some point.

I really hope it is, you have no idea what it means to my family. We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Our 4 year old is autistic, his life can be so difficult for him at times and I constantly worry about how the world will see him. He worked so hard to learn to wear a mask during the pandemic which kept him from both disney parks and even the disney store...We finally got him tolerating it so that we could take him back and he had such an amazing time. We plan to make so many amazing memories so thank you for sharing part of your magic with us. big hugs!

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

I just want everyone to know that I’ve now reached “DIS Veteran” status. What I say now really matters . J/K. Aloha everyone! Thanks for letting me part of the conversations.

you are such a JOY to converse with. thank you for all that you have added to this conversation. Have a great week.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

you are such a JOY to converse with. thank you for all that you have added to this conversation. Have a great week.

What can I say. Joyful people attract other joyful people. Welcome home VGC neighbor! Perhaps our families will meet one day at our home. We have trips lined up for next April, July and September. Grand Cal rocks!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Here's today's view of the DLT construction. No activity with the holiday weekend.

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

Here's today's view of the DLT construction. No activity with the holiday weekend.

feels like its taking a bit to go Vertical lol. my excitement is definitely growing! thanks so much for update pic!

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

What can I say. Joyful people attract other joyful people. Welcome home VGC neighbor! Perhaps our families will meet one day at our home. We have trips lined up for next April, July and September. Grand Cal rocks!

perhaps! we certainly share travel timelines! lol thank you for the welcome! PLEASURE to be your neighbor!

 

[DonMacGregor]

feels like its taking a bit to go Vertical lol. my excitement is definitely growing! thanks so much for update pic!

Hotels have a ton more below-grade infrastructure than, say, an office building of similar size. Basements and sub-basements tend to have more facilities, requiring more EMP work (food prep, housekeeping, laundry, etc.). Plus, there's likely quite a bit of shared infrastructure (chillers, etc.) that need to be tied into the existing buildings. Once it starts going vertical, things will progress quickly.

The foundation looks to be sitting on caissons that needed to be drilled, filled with steel, then poured, rather than driven piles. Having not seen the foundation design or soils reports, that could be either by choice (takes much longer, but is far less noisy) or necessity (soil composition). That probably led to slower progress earlier in construction, which has added to the general feeling of slow progress. And, they're doing it right in the middle of a full resort hotel.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

perhaps! we certainly share travel timelines! lol thank you for the welcome! PLEASURE to be your neighbor!

we actually dropped our July trip and are going in February instead. As you will soon find out, VGC points chart is brutal, especially during the summer.

 

[RedVines2001]

Just found this thread. OP I’m in a similar situation as you. Norcal. Two kids. Bought 100 points VGC in 2019. Also have a direct Copper Creek contract. More than likely going to sell that. Now I’m debating if I want to add more points to VGC or wait to buy DLT.

I agree with Drewski77 that VGC will not drop in value because of DLT. While I understand the counterpoint that DLT will provide an alternative Disneyland DVC option with a much larger point pool I don’t think the demand for VGC will be offset. VGC is still considered the flagship and is still considered the superior product by many.

Me personally I don’t consider VGC better than Disneyland Hotel. Just different. Both have pros and cons. Yes VGC is closer and has the entrance into DCA but the extra walk to DLH is negligible. Seeing the concept art for DLT makes me think I’m going to love the rooms there. They each have their unique feel to it and I enjoy them both. If you feel the same way then I think you made the right decision.

And yes. Points don’t go far at VGC

 

[Paul Stupin]

Just found this thread. OP I’m in a similar situation as you. Norcal. Two kids. Bought 100 points VGC in 2019. Also have a direct Copper Creek contract. More than likely going to sell that. Now I’m debating if I want to add more points to VGC or wait to buy DLT.

I agree with Drewski77 that VGC will not drop in value because of DLT. While I understand the counterpoint that DLT will provide an alternative Disneyland DVC option with a much larger point pool I don’t think the demand for VGC will be offset. VGC is still considered the flagship and is still considered the superior product by many.

Me personally I don’t consider VGC better than Disneyland Hotel. Just different. Both have pros and cons. Yes VGC is closer and has the entrance into DCA but the extra walk to DLH is negligible. Seeing the concept art for DLT makes me think I’m going to love the rooms there. They each have their unique feel to it and I enjoy them both. If you feel the same way then I think you made the right decision.

And yes. Points don’t go far at VGC

I just got back from a brief stay at the Disneyland Hotel, and in my opinion it really doesn’t compare to the Grand Californian. VGS is amazingly themed and once you’re on the grounds it feels like a whole different world, whereas the Disneyland Hotel to me feels like four generic towers with zero theming. Trader Sam’s is fun but not enough to make up for the blandness of everything else. Of course a stay there is always fun, but its no VGC.

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

Hotels have a ton more below-grade infrastructure than, say, an office building of similar size. Basements and sub-basements tend to have more facilities, requiring more EMP work (food prep, housekeeping, laundry, etc.). Plus, there's likely quite a bit of shared infrastructure (chillers, etc.) that need to be tied into the existing buildings. Once it starts going vertical, things will progress quickly.

The foundation looks to be sitting on caissons that needed to be drilled, filled with steel, then poured, rather than driven piles. Having not seen the foundation design or soils reports, that could be either by choice (takes much longer, but is far less noisy) or necessity (soil composition). That probably lead to slower progress earlier in construction, which has added to the general feeling of slow progress. And, they're doing it right in the middle of a full resort hotel.

fascinating! thank you for sharing your knowledge on that! My last stay I did not notice the noise but I will be back in January and I am curious if its a bit louder.