Preview rooms for Disney's Villas at the Grand Californian

[Disney_Villain]

According to DVCnews.com: "The current plan is then to open the models to the public in August, at which time DVC may well begin sales of points at Disney's Villas at the Grand Californian."

Have the model rooms for Disney's Villas at the Grand Californian been opened again? I am going to be there in 5 days and would love to see these rooms.

 

[bethy]

Yes they are and they are giving tours of them to anyone who requests one as far as I've heard. I'm going in Sept and plan on touring them.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Yes they are and they are giving tours of them to anyone who requests one as far as I've heard. I'm going in Sept and plan on touring them.

Thanks Bethy!

 

[heatherleigh]

I saw the DVC desk when we stayed at the PPH last year, but didn't really know what it was about. I still don't. I'm going to order the dvd for it this week though, so I can find out. It may be something for my family to look into. I'm not sure if it would be cost effective though, considering we only go to Disney once per year. If it is worth it for annual visits, I will buy in. I did appreciate that the people at the DVC desk were not pushy in the least.

My husband thinks all time shares are a scam, but I know that isn't the case. I had a friend who was selling them in LV, and he even purchased a couple at a good price. Since we only take Disneyland vacations (for the most part) this might work for us.

 

[DahliaRW]

How do you request a tour?

 

[mikayla73]

I saw the DVC desk when we stayed at the PPH last year, but didn't really know what it was about. I still don't. I'm going to order the dvd for it this week though, so I can find out. It may be something for my family to look into. I'm not sure if it would be cost effective though, considering we only go to Disney once per year. If it is worth it for annual visits, I will buy in. I did appreciate that the people at the DVC desk were not pushy in the least.

My husband thinks all time shares are a scam, but I know that isn't the case. I had a friend who was selling them in LV, and he even purchased a couple at a good price. Since we only take Disneyland vacations (for the most part) this might work for us.

We bought DVC. It was the best TS experience that I have had. The people were all wonderful and my guide answered all my questions. We even left and came back the next day to sign the papers. Most TS's wouldn't let you out of the building if they thought you were going to buy. It gives you time away from them and time to change your mind.

We like to vacation at Disney also. We have used our points to stay at GCH and DLH in DL and SSR (and BWV soon!) in WDW. You can also use the points to trade out to Interval International, Disney Cruises, Adventures by Disney, and a few other places. A lot of people will tell you that it is not worth trading out. I think it is an individual choice and maybe even a case by case basis depending on the individual vacation you are planning and what other resouces you have. We have not traded out, but I wouldn't say I never will. We just can't seem to not stay at Disney with our points, so we don't have to worry about it! LOL

How do you request a tour?

Just go to one of the many kiosks around the DLR and ask for one. They'll set up your time for pick up and drive you over to the DLH to meet with a guide there. My guide is at DL and she is wonderful!

I'd do some looking around on here and the many other sites that have tons of DVC info so you are prepared and know what questions you need to ask. Getting the video is a good intro to it also.

 

[Whidbey5]

We took the tour in July. We went to BOB (Big Orange Building) and asked to see the models. We did have to show our DVC card. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

 

[mikayla73]

We toured them in Aug. We contacted out guide so we could see them. I don't think they'll just let you go over there and go in them by yourself. You have to have a guide with you. Now whether or not you can see the models without taking a tour if you are not a DVC member, I don't know.

 

[bethy]

I do have a guide even though we haven't bought in yet and she did grudgingly tell me that she'd give us a tour. She doesn't want us to hold out for VGC but instead wants us to buy Animal kingdom villas NOW. We don't do WDW tough so for us it's Villas at Grand Californian or nothing at all.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I toured them last week, they are SO nice! I do have photos. They are not that great, I felt sort of rushed. (not by the DVC guides). I thought they were SO nice.

http://dvcgrandcalifornianpreviewcenter.shutterfly.com/

 

[caygrayloremomma]

Ummkay- so how does this work then. You buy points not an actual suite in the villa- is that correct? I suppose we should get more information next time we go down- I am just curious as to how hard it is to get a booking- for us summer is the only time that we can go so I am wondering if it is worth it. Also you get 160 points per year at base level- is that right?

 

[DahliaRW]

I'm just curious what they're like. I figure if I tell them I'm interested in DVC I can get a tour. I am interested, though I doubt we would buy. Of course, I'd have to take time off from DL to do so...which is the bigger problem!

 

[bethy]

Ummkay- so how does this work then. You buy points not an actual suite in the villa- is that correct? I suppose we should get more information next time we go down- I am just curious as to how hard it is to get a booking- for us summer is the only time that we can go so I am wondering if it is worth it. Also you get 160 points per year at base level- is that right?

When you buy into DVC you are officially assigned to and are buying into a "home resort." The difference is that the membership dues differe slightly from resort to resort - dictated by upkeep costs and payroll, etc. But the difference that matters to me is that at your home resort only you can book a vacation up to 11 months ahead of time. You can book at any other DVC resort 7 months ahead of time. So if the resort is booked up by "home resort" DVC members between 7 and 11 months ahead of your dates then you won't be able to get a reservation there. Since the VGC will only have 48 2 bedroom units (21 can be split as lockoffs) and 3 grand villas then I think it will be booked up much of the time. Heck the GCH is at least 90% full year round. So you alternate resorts if you couldn't get into the VCG are all in WDW. Or you will be able to use your points at PPH and DLH (probably not GCH at that point) but the points required to do that are not set and are renegotiated and seem to increase each year. So not such a good deal.

THEN, even if you are able to get the option to buy and afford VGC you'd have to be willing to book your vacation 7-11 months head of time (more like 9-11) to guarantee your reservation there. A lot of people don't book DLR vacations that far out . . .

There is oodles more info over on the DVC boards. Currently the minium buy in is 100 points. It remains to be seen if that will be the case when VGC goes on sale. Or even if 100 points would be enough to secure you very many nights there.

 

[lisah0711]

If you are already a DVC member you can stop by the office and they will show you the models anytime that they are open. If you aren't a DVC member then they will probably make you sit through the spiel and meet with a guide before they showed them to you. The spiel is very low key and not high pressure at all. I saw the models twice last week and they are very, very nice.

 

[stagemomx3]

We toured the Saratoga and Animal Kingdom rooms at WDW last March, and I'm for sure going to make seeing the GC rooms a priority in December!

 

[Tink6666]

Ummkay- so how does this work then. You buy points not an actual suite in the villa- is that correct? I suppose we should get more information next time we go down- I am just curious as to how hard it is to get a booking- for us summer is the only time that we can go so I am wondering if it is worth it. Also you get 160 points per year at base level- is that right?

You can always request the information on DVC to give you a breakdown of points, financing options, etc. The book you get with it is really cool! Here is the website to arrange for a tour, either at home or at a park http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/tour/prospectsArrangeTourPage?id=ProspectsArrangeTourPage&bhcp=1

They also have resale at a lower price on this website http://www.dvc-resales.com/#DVC-MAIN-TMSHR-resales-link

I have not figured out how to save the money for my DVC yet, but I'm working on it!!!