New to DVC - Purchase VGC versus DLT or both

[MagicalMommaOf2]

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.

oh friend, My husband and i were just talking about how nobody tells you when you are looking to buy DVC, that after you fork over 40k you can't go on a "free trip" for a year lol because of use years and all the calendar coordinating etc. I mean i know it will be soooo worth it but its just a bit brutal trying to get it all worked out, the benefit is that the reservation system at disneyland helps keep you focused since you can't just go on a whim anymore. We booked our FIRST dvc trip in August!

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

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.

I just booked my very first DVC trip for August at VGC!!!!! WE ARE SO EXCITED. it will be our first time staying, in the meantime I will be at disneyland hotel until then since I can't justify the rack rates lol. Thanks for the input, it ices the burn of the initial cost of DVC

 

[MagicalMommaOf2]

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 totally understand! I ended up buying 160 at VGC and I am hoping to buy another 100 at DLT (kids LOVE the waterslides at disneyland hotel) and being that according to concept art we will be close enough to pool hop I think that will be worth it. I certainly don't expect the points to be "cheap" but at least less than VGC. I also wanted to buy direct so that we could use the points at WDW if need be since they took that away.

If I might ask why are you selling copper creek? I am looking to buy at WDW now because I recently priced out a trip and it almost pencils to buy a small contract and bank for a year. Have you stayed there or did you just buy to use at the 7 month mark?

 

[RedVines2001]

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.

There's nothing I would disagree with in your assessment. I may be in the minority but I'm OK with DLH not being super themed. It is still a very nice hotel. I totally understand the view that DLH is just a tower hotel with some Disney memorabilia slapped onto it but to me, the hotel itself IS the theme as it was the original and the history is so rich. While it doesn't have the proximity to the parks as the Grand, it's still a great location and I can stay within the bubble on my vacation. I would pay a premium to stay on property and to have that Disney touch and customer service. I’m a little worried about the latter as of late but I’m hopefully the new DLT would be a fresh start in that regard.

 

[DonMacGregor]

There's nothing I would disagree with in your assessment. I may be in the minority but I'm OK with DLH not being super themed. It is still a very nice hotel. I totally understand the view that DLH is just a tower hotel with some Disney memorabilia slapped onto it but to me, the hotel itself IS the theme as it was the original and the history is so rich. While it doesn't have the proximity to the parks as the Grand, it's still a great location and I can stay within the bubble on my vacation. I would pay a premium to stay on property and to have that Disney touch and customer service. I’m a little worried about the latter as of late but I’m hopefully the new DLT would be a fresh start in that regard.

All of this right here, with the bold in particular. It's the rich history: it's Jack and Bonita Wrather, it's the Garden Rooms, and the Travelport, the miniature golf course and the old Olympic sized pool (which sat right about where Earl of Sandwich is now), and all the other things that came before the hotel in its current form. It's not super themed because it existed before all of that, and to start tacking too much on would be a dishonor and turning a back to history. For those of us who grew up in Anaheim, the hotel IS Disneyland as much as anything in the Park, and it's perfect.

I think everyone should watch one of the several excellent documentaries that tell the story and history of the hotel.

 

[Paul Stupin]

There's nothing I would disagree with in your assessment. I may be in the minority but I'm OK with DLH not being super themed. It is still a very nice hotel. I totally understand the view that DLH is just a tower hotel with some Disney memorabilia slapped onto it but to me, the hotel itself IS the theme as it was the original and the history is so rich. While it doesn't have the proximity to the parks as the Grand, it's still a great location and I can stay within the bubble on my vacation. I would pay a premium to stay on property and to have that Disney touch and customer service. I’m a little worried about the latter as of late but I’m hopefully the new DLT would be a fresh start in that regard.

Good points all! I just remembered, though, another element of our stay in the Fantasy Tower at DLT last Thursday night. Whenever anyone in the rooms on either side of us, or directly above us or on either side, flushed the toilet, we heard it.

 

[limace]

We own at VGC and love staying there-the Craftsman style is my husband’s absolute favorite. I must admit I prefer the vibe of the DLH-I like the history, the mid century touches, the pool, Trader Sam’s. You’ll pry my VGC points out of my cold dead fingers but I truthfully don’t love how dark the rooms are.

 

[limace]

And I’ll also add that folks talk a lot about increased distance to DLH-and it’s amazing just walking out the door into DCA-but I would guess that DLH is closer to the parks than probably any WDW resort is to a park. We haven’t stayed at BLT but BWV didn’t seem any closer to a park to us than DLH.

 

[DonMacGregor]

We own at VGC and love staying there-the Craftsman style is my husband’s absolute favorite. I must admit I prefer the vibe of the DLH-I like the history, the mid century touches, the pool, Trader Sam’s. You’ll pry my VGC points out of my cold dead fingers but I truthfully don’t love how dark the rooms are.

I'm hoping with the heavy MCM design elements of the new DVC tower, and the strong MCM vibe of the remodel plans for the west end of DTD, that we might see a further return to those roots in DLH proper. I know they just had a soft goods refurb, but there is an obvious mid century vibe going on in and around that resort. I think it's clear that Disney is very well aware of and respectful of the hotel's history.

 

[RedVines2001]

I totally understand! I ended up buying 160 at VGC and I am hoping to buy another 100 at DLT (kids LOVE the waterslides at disneyland hotel) and being that according to concept art we will be close enough to pool hop I think that will be worth it. I certainly don't expect the points to be "cheap" but at least less than VGC. I also wanted to buy direct so that we could use the points at WDW if need be since they took that away.

If I might ask why are you selling copper creek? I am looking to buy at WDW now because I recently priced out a trip and it almost pencils to buy a small contract and bank for a year. Have you stayed there or did you just buy to use at the 7 month mark?

I had bought my Copper Creek contract direct from Disney in 2018 after I had just gotten off a Disney Cruise and was in WDW for four days. Both my kids had their birthdays on that vacation and it was one of the best trips I've ever taken. Needless to say I was on a Disney high. I ended up taking a DVC tour and bought Copper Creek on impulse. Didn't know much about the resort itself but that's what they were selling at the time.

Had I done my research properly I would not have bought direct. I was all about using DVC for DCL at the time, come to find out it's a terrible value. At the time I also wanted to do more WDW trips but when it came down to it my wife is not a fan of Orlando weather or long WDW trips in general. She much prefers a quick drive down to Disneyland for a few days and back. I never stayed at Copper Creek. I've only used my points to trade for Port Orleans Riverside (long story), Aulani and got lucky at 7 months at VGC (felt like I won the lottery).

I'm completely sold on DVC but realize that I'm wasting money on a Copper Creek contract since WDW is going to be few and far between, especially since flying to Florida is that much more daunting after Covid. Also the resell prices for Copper Creek is almost about the same what I paid for direct so I'm happy to offload it without losing money from my impulse purchase.

I think the biggest factor for me is my travel patterns. When the kids were younger it was easy to pick up and fly any time of the year. Now they're a little older, they have activities and we don't pull them out of school anymore. It's just not easy to burn Copper Creek points. I have a lot of points stacked up on my Copper Creek contract and I'm debating trying to burn it on a Aulani trip (or WDW if I can convince the wife) this summer or just sell it. A DL trip though is still at least a quarterly thing so I would definitely be able to burn DLT or VGC points. Staying onsite turns a quick weekend DL getaway into a proper vacation.

Also if you buy resale VGC points you are able to use those at WDW, although you're not going to want to. The resale restrictions only apply to new resorts such as Riviera and DLT. If you plan on taking WDW trips at least once every three years then it might be worth while to looking into a WDW resort contract. But I found the advice of buy where you want to say is very relevant when it comes to us West Coast ppl.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you want any other input.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

@RedVines2001 it sounds like selling it is a good idea in your situation. I would probably burn the points on a trip, then sell it stripped after your trip.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I had bought my Copper Creek contract direct from Disney in 2018 after I had just gotten off a Disney Cruise and was in WDW for four days. Both my kids had their birthdays on that vacation and it was one of the best trips I've ever taken. Needless to say I was on a Disney high. I ended up taking a DVC tour and bought Copper Creek on impulse. Didn't know much about the resort itself but that's what they were selling at the time.

Had I done my research properly I would not have bought direct. I was all about using DVC for DCL at the time, come to find out it's a terrible value. At the time I also wanted to do more WDW trips but when it came down to it my wife is not a fan of Orlando weather or long WDW trips in general. She much prefers a quick drive down to Disneyland for a few days and back. I never stayed at Copper Creek. I've only used my points to trade for Port Orleans Riverside (long story), Aulani and got lucky at 7 months at VGC (felt like I won the lottery).

I'm completely sold on DVC but realize that I'm wasting money on a Copper Creek contract since WDW is going to be few and far between, especially since flying to Florida is that much more daunting after Covid. Also the resell prices for Copper Creek is almost about the same what I paid for direct so I'm happy to offload it without losing money from my impulse purchase.

I think the biggest factor for me is my travel patterns. When the kids were younger it was easy to pick up and fly any time of the year. Now they're a little older, they have activities and we don't pull them out of school anymore. It's just not easy to burn Copper Creek points. I have a lot of points stacked up on my Copper Creek contract and I'm debating trying to burn it on a Aulani trip (or WDW if I can convince the wife) this summer or just sell it. A DL trip though is still at least a quarterly thing so I would definitely be able to burn DLT or VGC points. Staying onsite turns a quick weekend DL getaway into a proper vacation.

Also if you buy resale VGC points you are able to use those at WDW, although you're not going to want to. The resale restrictions only apply to new resorts such as Riviera and DLT. If you plan on taking WDW trips at least once every three years then it might be worth while to looking into a WDW resort contract. But I found the advice of buy where you want to say is very relevant when it comes to us West Coast ppl.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you want any other input.

I think selling CCV makes sense in your case.

We too kind of bought on impulse prior to our first WDW trip. But since we live in HI, we quickly realized the difficulties of traveling to Orlando. DL has always been our home park but also quickly realized after that we couldn’t stay at VGC with our CCV points so we bought VGC resale. We also later bought BLT resale because of its amazing location to MK. We love the theming of CCV but I‘m afraid we will never stay there because of the limited transportation options. But selling CCV at this point seems unreasonable because it’s our blue card access. I dunno. I’m thinking maybe I’ll buy 150 points direct at DLT and sell my CCV or BLT then.

 

[Royal Consort]

I am staying at the DLH right now, sitting having a coffee and watching construction. I debated whether to wait for DLT or buy VGC now. I opted to add on VGC and I am so thankful I did. We currently have the view over suburbia that the majority of DLT rooms will have. No thanks. I have more of an issue where the tower is located on property than anything else. Pity because I genuinely love the Disneyland Hotel and I agree you can't claim a lack of theming when this is the hotel that started it all. Lack of balconies and compromised views really are the deal breaker for my taste. Also a bit of a pity the tower has removed the crackle effect that was featured in the original concept art.

 

[limace]

I agree re balconies-so disappointed by that and by the very few larger units.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I am staying at the DLH right now, sitting having a coffee and watching construction. I debated whether to wait for DLT or buy VGC now. I opted to add on VGC and I am so thankful I did. We currently have the view over suburbia that the majority of DLT rooms will have. No thanks. I have more of an issue where the tower is located on property than anything else. Pity because I genuinely love the Disneyland Hotel and I agree you can't claim a lack of theming when this is the hotel that started it all. Lack of balconies and compromised views really are the deal breaker for my taste. Also a bit of a pity the tower has removed the crackle effect that was featured in the original concept art.

As much as I LOVE DLH, I couldn't agree more with this.

That "suburbia" you speak of across Walnut St. is the former Jeffrey-Lynn neighborhood which was, in the 80's, the neighborhood with the second-highest crime rate in Anaheim, just behind the Chevy Chase neighborhood in north Anaheim (affectionately nicknamed "The Jungle" for very good reason). While Jeffrey-Lynn underwent a HUGE cleanup in the 90's, it's still about 99% apartment homes built back in the 60's, and while the crime rate has improved, the socio-economic situation hasn't.

 

[RedVines2001]

@RedVines2001 it sounds like selling it is a good idea in your situation. I would probably burn the points on a trip, then sell it stripped after your trip.

Yeah. Right after I made that post I looked at the point charts. My points would go so much further at WDW than Aulani; one week in a two bedroom vs one week in a one bedroom. I brought up the idea of visiting Universal to the wife also and she's on board with WDW for summer. Looks like I'll be splurging points.

I think selling CCV makes sense in your case.

We too kind of bought on impulse prior to our first WDW trip. But since we live in HI, we quickly realized the difficulties of traveling to Orlando. DL has always been our home park but also quickly realized after that we couldn’t stay at VGC with our CCV points so we bought VGC resale. We also later bought BLT resale because of its amazing location to MK. We love the theming of CCV but I‘m afraid we will never stay there because of the limited transportation options. But selling CCV at this point seems unreasonable because it’s our blue card access. I dunno. I’m thinking maybe I’ll buy 150 points direct at DLT and sell my CCV or BLT then.

I thought about the blue card issue also and was thinking the same thing as you; maybe wait till I buy DLT before I sell CCV. But honestly the blue card perks are only for WDW. I get AP discounts at DL. There's no member lounge at DL and they cancelled all the DVC afterhours parties (I don't see them bringing them back anytime soon). My only reservation is I'm worried Copper Creek resale prices would drop and I wouldn't break even. Then again, it can also go up.

I am staying at the DLH right now, sitting having a coffee and watching construction. I debated whether to wait for DLT or buy VGC now. I opted to add on VGC and I am so thankful I did. We currently have the view over suburbia that the majority of DLT rooms will have. No thanks. I have more of an issue where the tower is located on property than anything else. Pity because I genuinely love the Disneyland Hotel and I agree you can't claim a lack of theming when this is the hotel that started it all. Lack of balconies and compromised views really are the deal breaker for my taste. Also a bit of a pity the tower has removed the crackle effect that was featured in the original concept art.

I never thought about the view. My travel style doesn't include a lot of time in the hotel room for DL trips so it might not be that big of a deal but it's definitely something to consider.

 

[RedVines2001]

As much as I LOVE DLH, I couldn't agree more with this.

That "suburbia" you speak of across Walnut St. is the former Jeffrey-Lynn neighborhood which was, in the 80's, the neighborhood with the second-highest crime rate in Anaheim, just behind the Chevy Chase neighborhood in north Anaheim (affectionately nicknamed "The Jungle" for very good reason). While Jeffrey-Lynn underwent a HUGE cleanup in the 90's, it's still about 99% apartment homes built back in the 60's, and while the crime rate has improved, the socio-economic situation hasn't.

I don't know Anaheim but it certainly looks like a cleaned up neighborhood. I've spent lots of time in similar looking neighborhoods and the architecture is universal.

Headscratcher on why they didn't just flip the tower around so most of the rooms are facing the pool. I'm imagining Bob Chapek saying "Because $#!* you. Give me your money".

 

[DonMacGregor]

I don't know Anaheim but it certainly looks like a cleaned up neighborhood. I've spent lots of time in similar looking neighborhoods and the architecture is universal.

Headscratcher on why they didn't just flip the tower around so most of the rooms are facing the pool. I'm imagining Bob Chapek saying "Because $#!* you. Give me your money".

Oh, it's cleaned up a vast amount. I'm just saying the view isn't going to be like looking out over any of the vistas afforded by any other DVC property. Plenty of good, hard-working people there now, but it is most definitely a lower working class neighborhood.

 

[RedVines2001]

Oh, it's cleaned up a vast amount. I'm just saying the view isn't going to be like looking out over any of the vistas afforded by any other DVC property. Plenty of good, hard-working people there now, but it is most definitely a lower working class neighborhood.

Yeah the Google street view doesn't show inside the neighborhood so I'm guessing it's all a private apartment community now. Regardless of the type of neighborhood it is I don't think DVC member would prefer that over a pool view.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Yeah the Google street view doesn't show inside the neighborhood so I'm guessing it's all a private apartment community now. Regardless of the type of neighborhood it is I don't think DVC member would prefer that over a pool view.

It's got gates up blocking the interior streets and alleys (that I think are actually still public streets) to cut down on the crime. There was a TON of drug dealing and the attendant ancillary crime that goes with that. Growing up in Anaheim, it just wasn't someplace you'd go unless you were looking for "something" specific, or just trouble in general.