Planning for Grand Californian

[BWV Dreamin]

Lived in So. CA for 8 years. Been to DL enough to know that it doesn't compare to WDW. In fact, I'd probably recommend that folks going to DL chop a day off of what they envision spending at DL and visit Knotts Berry Farm.

We don't need to go through each and every one of the attractions you've listed, but Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - come on - be for real - this is a reason to allocate an extra day? There's a reason WDW got rid of it.

We simply disagree. You like DL and want to explore every little bit of it - fine for you. I feel that any DVC member who visits WDW once a year will be disappointed with DL in general. The attractions that are the same as WDW are done on a smaller scale. The things which are unique can easily be taken in with one day and still leave enough time to explore.

You raise a very good point. I will be traveling with adults, so the little kid rides I would probably pass by. I am figuring probably 2 days Disneyland and 1 day California Adventure, then 1 day just relax at the resort (see Garden Walk if its ready).

 

[nunzia]

Please note--I don't believe the program is that you have to be a California DVC member to be able to buy GCV first--you have to have bought your points during the promotion at the DVC office in California--so if you were from Wisconsin and bought your points during a trip to Disneyland you would be Founder's Club too--conversely, an existing California DVC member would not be unless they bought during the promotion too.

That was my understanding as well. You had to actually be present at the DLR DVC and buy there, no matter where you are from. I'm surprised that they are saying over 3,000 founders are already in..That seems like alot of full DVC contracts sold in a fairly short time..of course I don't know when the Founders Club thing started, but it seems the first we heard about it was only 3 or so months ago. Either alot of people want alot points to own 160 at SSR or AKV and add on at GCV, or we will see alot of resales coming up after GCV come on line.

BTW I have been to DL and DCA many times and 4 days is about right IMO..You need time to ride Indy a few extra times and Soarin and have an ice cream or two...

 

[tinkryansmom]

Thank you everyone.

I will talk to DVC while I am at DLR in 2 weeks. While I think I could get DH to agree to a small HH or VB contract right now - given the prices I see on resale list and assuming they pass ROFR - I don't think he will go for 160 contract right now.

When the time is right I suppose...

 

[kerickson]

Please note--I don't believe the program is that you have to be a California DVC member to be able to buy GCV first--you have to have bought your points during the promotion at the DVC office in California--so if you were from Wisconsin and bought your points during a trip to Disneyland you would be Founder's Club too--conversely, an existing California DVC member would not be unless they bought during the promotion too.

The above is true that you have to purchase at the California location, but I don't know if you had to have purchased during the promotion window. We just closed on a SSR contract we purchased when we were at Disneyland. We received a 'GCV Founding Member' addendum in our contract docs laying out the terms of the GCV Founding Member program. Basically we will be allowed to purchase up to 160 points 60 days prior to being offered to the DVC membership/public, have our name listed as a founding member, and will receive a founding member 'gift'. It didn't detail whether the general membership will have an advance purchase timeframe as well. I decided to buy in now because I assumed that per point rate would increase by mid 2009 and the annual dues will be higher at GCV (we'll see if that ends up being true)

Kim

 

[snowbunny]

I confess I am a little bit mystified over the GC excitement. I love Disneyland - love Mr. Toad and the Matterhorn, have wonderful memories of traveling to DL as a family when my parents were still young - but, DL is a small island surrounding by the parking lot known as Anaheim.

If I'm going to southern California there are many far more interesting locations to stay; maybe one night in the Disneyland Hotel for old times sake but I can't imagine buying points to stay for several nights at a time in Anaheim...oh well I guess that's more points for the rest of you

 

[rodserry]

I confess I am a little bit mystified over the GC excitement. I love Disneyland - love Mr. Toad and the Matterhorn, have wonderful memories of traveling to DL as a family when my parents were still young - but, DL is a small island surrounding by the parking lot known as Anaheim.

If I'm going to southern California there are many far more interesting locations to stay; maybe one night in the Disneyland Hotel for old times sake but I can't imagine buying points to stay for several nights at a time in Anaheim...oh well I guess that's more points for the rest of you

Just talked to sales at DL. Yes you can be from anywhere but you have to purchase through DL sales. THey said 90 day window for preferred purchase of GCV when it comes on the market. It will be my contract too, which is great because otherwise they can always change the rules on ya the last minute.

I live in San Diego and I am thrilled to have a resort here. It's close to the ocean and Knott's Berry Farm and there is a ton to do in the area (aside from DL). I love that we will still be in the DVC system but we won't need to fly 3000 miles every year to enjoy it. And HI will be awesome. I think people on the East coast take WDW for granted a little. We here on the West COast appreciate the DVC presence!

Rod

 

[DVC Mike]

I'm going to buy some GCV points just for nostalgia. I was born and raised in Orange County, and spent most of my youth going to DL. I'm going to buy enough points to do a 5-night trip every 3 years, for old times sake...

 

[Laurabearz]

90 day head start to buy GCV's??? 90 days??? That is absurd!!! It seems to me those founding members should have a month to buy, then let the rest of us at them.

:::wanders off muttering::: 90 days... boo

 

[rodserry]

90 day head start to buy GCV's??? 90 days??? That is absurd!!! It seems to me those founding members should have a month to buy, then let the rest of us at them.

:::wanders off muttering::: 90 days... boo

I'd agree with you but it's not a small decision. We won't know pricing, details of the rooms or points for each season till they offer it to us (I am assuming). 90 days seems like a reasonable time to assimilate all that and make a decision. Maybe 60 would be ok too. 30: too short and too much pressure.

Just my thoughts. Rod

 

[tinkryansmom]

90 day head start to buy GCV's??? 90 days??? That is absurd!!! It seems to me those founding members should have a month to buy, then let the rest of us at them.

:::wanders off muttering::: 90 days... boo

 

[Laurabearz]

I'd agree with you but it's not a small decision. We won't know pricing, details of the rooms or points for each season till they offer it to us (I am assuming). 90 days seems like a reasonable time to assimilate all that and make a decision. Maybe 60 would be ok too. 30: too short and too much pressure.

Just my thoughts. Rod

Give me the point charts and about 15 seconds and I am ready to sign on the dotted line, opps I mean on the Mickey heads and palm trees

 

[SanDeeKath]

Give me the point charts and about 15 seconds and I am ready to sign on the dotted line, opps I mean on the Mickey heads and palm trees

Meeee tooo. But my bank account manager (AKA DH) might think otherwise. He may perhaps un-sign me! 90 days should be enough time for hypnosis to work.

Kath

 

[toocherie]

Give me the point charts and about 15 seconds and I am ready to sign on the dotted line, opps I mean on the Mickey heads and palm trees

As someone who works with a lot of real estate documents, I have to say I thought the Mickey heads and palm trees were inspired! You can't believe how many people are incapable of following simple instructions of where to sign and date (and don't even get me started about notarization!) I asked my guide if I could utilize their system and he laughed and said I might have a trademark problem, so I guess I will have to come up with my own icons=-

 

[nunzia]

Give me the point charts and about 15 seconds and I am ready to sign on the dotted line, opps I mean on the Mickey heads and palm trees

I second that.

 

[kikiq]

Give me the point charts and about 15 seconds and I am ready to sign on the dotted line, opps I mean on the Mickey heads and palm trees

After spending the weekend at GCH, my DH has agreed to add-on, so put those point charts in front of us too!

 

[drag n' fly]

We are adding on as founding members because we live in Alberta. Quick trip for us! Of course once Hawaii is available....another add on!

 

[wendyinoc]

I almost thought about buying, but I live 20 minutes from Disneyland
However, I will be buying Hawaii when that opens!!

 

[SanDeeKath]

I almost thought about buying, but I live 20 minutes from Disneyland
However, I will be buying Hawaii when that opens!!

Hey, we live an hour away and we are still planning on buying! We drive there for a day trip all the time but we can't wait to just "get away" and spend the night at the resort.

We also do mini-getaways in Coronado and other local San Diego hotels even though we live 20 minutes away. It's just nice to have a place to go away from the usual home responsibilities (sometimes just DH and I and leave the kids with a sitter). So no worries -- you can still buy!