Planning for Grand Californian

[disney-super-mom]

Since my son lives in LA, but his place is way too small, thought we'd fly out on Friday, visit Sat thru Monday and stay somewhere in LA, then check into GCV Tuesday, and fly home Friday. Thinking this would give us time to visit Hollywood and still give us 2 1/2 days to see Disneyland. Does this seem like a good plan?

I seriously can't imagine touring DL/DCA in 2.5 days. It's just not enough time to actually "experience" the parks. You'll only just get a taste of the parks in that amount of time. Yes, there's only two parks there, but there's a ton of attractions packed into those two parks.

There's still things at DL/DCA that I've never done or seen, and I've been there a lot.

For a first time visitor, I would recommend no less than 3 full days: 2 days at Disneyland, and 1 day at DCA.
(3 days is even pushing it, and that's doing it commando style. 4 days would be perfect.)

I hope you have a wonderful time in California.

 

[Laurabearz]

Now while there may only be 50 two bedroom equilvants I think that equates to at least 600,000 points...

So for a split second when I heard California dvcers get first crack at GCV, I was bummed, but now... I dont think they will buy 600,000 points...

Our plan is to Buy GCV first then sell a contract...

 

[rodserry]

Hi there,

New here so sorry about the newbie question. What are CA DVCers? People who buy direct from Disney and live in CA? Or can one buy resale and live in CA and be a CA DVCer? We too are in escrow on a DVC property resale at 50 points to get into the system before CA opens (OKW). We live in San Diego and would very much like to purchase at GCV. Thanks.

Now while there may only be 50 two bedroom equilvants I think that equates to at least 600,000 points...

So for a split second when I heard California dvcers get first crack at GCV, I was bummed, but now... I dont think they will buy 600,000 points...

Our plan is to Buy GCV first then sell a contract...

 

[toocherie]

I just bought SSR here in Calif. and specifically one reason was to get first crack at GCV. My guide told me (if I recall) that there will be 6,500 memberships available at GCV and the first four thousand will be "reserved" for people who buy DVC in California (i.e., either AKV or SSR). I believe something like 2,500-3,000 of the "Founder's Club" at it is called have been reserved so far. You have the right to buy up to 160 points. The remainder of the memberships (i.e., points not bought by Founder's Club members and the other 2,500 memberships) will be offered first to the other existing DVC members (100,000+). Anything remaining will go on sale to the general public. By my calculation, 6,500 memberships at 160 points each would be 1,040,000 points. However (and I could be wrong) depending on the state of the economy and whether those initial 4,000 members actually exercise their options to purchase, I was not confident that points would be available for the general public to purchase--which is why I decided to pull the plug and buy DVC now.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I seriously can't imagine touring DL/DCA in 2.5 days. It's just not enough time to actually "experience" the parks. You'll only just get a taste of the parks in that amount of time. Yes, there's only two parks there, but there's a ton of attractions packed into those two parks.

There's still things at DL/DCA that I've never done or seen, and I've been there a lot.

For a first time visitor, I would recommend no less than 3 full days: 2 days at Disneyland, and 1 day at DCA.
(3 days is even pushing it, and that's doing it commando style. 4 days would be perfect.)

I hope you have a wonderful time in California.

Thanks!! I have never been to Disneyland, so I don't have a guage as to how long to stay. I have already been to Hollywood, so I really don't need 3 days to see it. Maybe I'll stick with my original plan and visit my son over the weekend, and check in on Monday to GCV, fly home on Fri.

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[Laurabearz]

Hi there,

New here so sorry about the newbie question. What are CA DVCers? People who buy direct from Disney and live in CA? Or can one buy resale and live in CA and be a CA DVCer? We too are in escrow on a DVC property resale at 50 points to get into the system before CA opens (OKW). We live in San Diego and would very much like to purchase at GCV. Thanks.

Welcome to the DIS!! SO happy you found us!

To be honest, I dont know a whole lot of details about it, since I knew we wouldnt qualify, I didnt really pay attention to is... but I think it was part of the AKV villas promotion in California, that if you bought AKL in California, with the 160 minumum buy in, you got first crack at GCV.

I could be wrong... but I think it went something like that...

 

[Laurabearz]

If the first time visitor has already been to the Magic Kingdom at WDW then 1 day for Disneyland should be enough.

I strongly disagree.. DL needs at least 2 solid days to explore. Shorten Hollywood, unless it cuts into time with your son

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[rodserry]

I just bought SSR here in Calif. and specifically one reason was to get first crack at GCV. My guide told me (if I recall) that there will be 6,500 memberships available at GCV and the first four thousand will be "reserved" for people who buy DVC in California (i.e., either AKV or SSR). I believe something like 2,500-3,000 of the "Founder's Club" at it is called have been reserved so far. You have the right to buy up to 160 points. The remainder of the memberships (i.e., points not bought by Founder's Club members and the other 2,500 memberships) will be offered first to the other existing DVC members (100,000+). Anything remaining will go on sale to the general public. By my calculation, 6,500 memberships at 160 points each would be 1,040,000 points. However (and I could be wrong) depending on the state of the economy and whether those initial 4,000 members actually exercise their options to purchase, I was not confident that points would be available for the general public to purchase--which is why I decided to pull the plug and buy DVC now.

Thanks for the update. That's good to know. So I can call the 800 number directly? I hope I don't have to make a trip to DL just to buy. No time for that right now. Plus it's pouring (for a change). May I ask what sort of promotions I should be looking for to purchase SSL or AKV directly from Disney? We own Starwood so this is a bit of a different system and we are learning lots.

Thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to participating. I'll update everyone once I talk to DVC directly. I just hope they don't "BS" you the way the Starwood TS sales people try to every time I talk to them about a new purchase.

Rod

 

[toocherie]

Thanks for the update. That's good to know. So I can call the 800 number directly? I hope I don't have to make a trip to DL just to buy. No time for that right now. Plus it's pouring (for a change). May I ask what sort of promotions I should be looking for to purchase SSL or AKV directly from Disney? We own Starwood so this is a bit of a different system and we are learning lots.

Thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to participating. I'll update everyone once I talk to DVC directly. I just hope they don't "BS" you the way the Starwood TS sales people try to every time I talk to them about a new purchase.

Rod

My understanding was that you had to buy DVC from Disney in California to qualify--don't know if you can call direct to the 800 number and get the same offer. I got $10 off a point for SSR and they were offering $8 off a point for AKV--which is pretty much what everyone else seems to be getting. Plus a one-time allotment of developer points based on the number purchased (for 160 point purchase you got one-time allotment of 100 developer points). Don't know if this is allowed (maybe DVC Mike or someone who has more experience can tell us) but I would be happy to give you the name and number of my guide here in Calif. and you can call him direct if that will help) (just don't want to break any DVC rules!)

 

[disney-super-mom]

If the first time visitor has already been to the Magic Kingdom at WDW then 1 day for Disneyland should be enough.

I'm not sure if you've ever visited DL, but just so you know, DL has 30% more attractions vs. the MK.

Here are attractions only found at DL (not at the MK or anywhere at WDW):

Indiana Jones
Matterhorn
StoryBook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Pinocchio
Roger Rabbit's CarToon Spin
Davey Crockett's Explorer Canoes
Chip 'n' Dale's Treehouse
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Pirate's Lair (located on Tom Sawyer Island)
Sailing Ship Columbia

And of course most will want to ride the headliners found at both parks, not only because they're great rides, but it's fun to experience the differences:

Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Pirates
Haunted Mansion

And then there's all the non-headliner rides at Disneyland that are either also at the MK or at other WDW parks. Some may want to skip these, some may not. There's several of course, and I won't list all of them, but off the top of my head.....

.....Peter Pan, Teacups, Dumbo, Snow White, It's A Small World, Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Astro Orbitor, Autopia, Innoventions, Winnie the Pooh, Jungle Cruise, the original Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland Railroad (which has a unique element not found at WDW), etc......

I'm not sure what WDW vet could only spend 1 day at DL, but a true Disney fan could spend days and days there.

 

[rodserry]

My understanding was that you had to buy DVC from Disney in California to qualify--don't know if you can call direct to the 800 number and get the same offer. I got $10 off a point for SSR and they were offering $8 off a point for AKV--which is pretty much what everyone else seems to be getting. Plus a one-time allotment of developer points based on the number purchased (for 160 point purchase you got one-time allotment of 100 developer points). Don't know if this is allowed (maybe DVC Mike or someone who has more experience can tell us) but I would be happy to give you the name and number of my guide here in Calif. and you can call him direct if that will help) (just don't want to break any DVC rules!)

Thanks for the info! I'd love your contact but I can't PM you for some reason. Says post count too low. I will try again in a bit. Rod

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Welcome to the DIS!! SO happy you found us!

To be honest, I dont know a whole lot of details about it, since I knew we wouldnt qualify, I didnt really pay attention to is... but I think it was part of the AKV villas promotion in California, that if you bought AKL in California, with the 160 minumum buy in, you got first crack at GCV.

I could be wrong... but I think it went something like that...

I will check this out when we are done there in 2 weeks. But really don't want to buy in at 160 points.

May try what other posted suggested and buy a small contract and then just add on at GCV.

Decisions, decisions..

Thanks for your input and knowledge everyone.

 

[tinkryansmom]

You could buy a small contract as small as 25 points and do an add on of 25 points if you wanted assuming you pay cash, 50 points to add on if you finance.

Ok after looking at the current resale listings I have another question. To jump in right now there are some really cheap, small contracts available. But most are HH or VB.

If I most likely will continue to travel off season are these 2 resorts a bad option for me to get in to DVC with?

And then from your previous post, I can call Disney directly when GVC comes available and just add on points. Right?

Sounds too easy. I must be missing something. When you add on do you want all of your use years to be the same? That is the confusing part to me.

 

[Laurabearz]

Ok after looking at the current resale listings I have another question. To jump in right now there are some really cheap, small contracts available. But most are HH or VB.

VB has the highest dues, not sure about HHI. Most small point contracts never make it to the resalers websites. They keep a wait list of people who are interested in them, and when one pops up, they are given a call, so you may want to contact some of them with your desired UY and resort/contract size.

If I most likely will continue to travel off season are these 2 resorts a bad option for me to get in to DVC with?

Other than dues and a higher chance of hurricane damage, all points are just points at the 7 month window.

And then from your previous post, I can call Disney directly when GVC comes available and just add on points. Right?

First the people who bought in California from Disney get to buy the points, then hopefully points are offered to current memebers (I already have a call into my guide) before opening up to the public. IMO there will be points available to the public, and that current DVC members will NOT buy up all the points at GCV. Many more are excited about Hawaii.

Read both of toocherie's posts about the details of the DCV early buy in deal.

Sounds too easy. I must be missing something. When you add on do you want all of your use years to be the same? That is the confusing part to me.

If you add on 160 or more points you can have a different master contract and any UY you would like. Under 160 points and it needs to be in your exisiting UY. I suggest reading up on BANKING rules before selecting the UY that suits you the best.

 

[disney-super-mom]

The attractions that are the same as WDW are done on a smaller scale.

I really think you need to educate yourself, and that's all I'm going to say about this.

 

[Dean]

Ok after looking at the current resale listings I have another question. To jump in right now there are some really cheap, small contracts available. But most are HH or VB.

If I most likely will continue to travel off season are these 2 resorts a bad option for me to get in to DVC with?

And then from your previous post, I can call Disney directly when GVC comes available and just add on points. Right?

Sounds too easy. I must be missing something. When you add on do you want all of your use years to be the same? That is the confusing part to me.

Dues would bother me too but for a smaller package, it doesn't matter as much. I do think HH will rise to the level of VB over time. If you truly plan to go off season and do plan ahead at the 7 month window, you should be OK with this plan. It's a gamble but not a big one, IMO. Otherwise you seem to have it down and would have the same option to buy DVC as any other non CA member.

 

[toocherie]

Otherwise you seem to have it down and would have the same option to buy DVC as any other non CA member.

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.