Question re: Grand Californian and DL Disney Collection?

[DVCFan1994]

I am trying to plan a trip to DL for the Avengers race weekend. I have been watching the resort availability tool and it is not looking promising. I definitely want to use points, so I am considering using them for a hotel room via the Disney Collection. I know this isn't a great use of points, but it is my best option for this trip.

My preferred reservation is 11/11 - 11/16 (We-Mon) in a 1 bedroom. As of right now the Saturday is unavailable. Is there any chance this would come through on the waitlist? I am guessing no since it is the night before the half marathon.

If I make a reservation via the Disney collection, and go with one of the hotels for the whole period, can I still connect a waitlist? Meaning could I waitlist the whole stay in a 1BR at VGC and drop the Disney Collection if it comes through? In 20 years we have never used our points outside of DVC resorts so I am unfamiliar with that reservation process for Disney Collection.

If anyone has other advice on my best bet for this reservation, I'd welcome it.

 

[erionm]

If I make a reservation via the Disney collection, and go with one of the hotels for the whole period, can I still connect a waitlist? Meaning could I waitlist the whole stay in a 1BR at VGC and drop the Disney Collection if it comes through? In 20 years we have never used our points outside of DVC resorts so I am unfamiliar with that reservation process for Disney Collection.

If you wait listed the Villas and it came through, you would have to call MS to cancel the Disney Collection Reservation.

Keep in mind that points returned from a cancelled Disney Collection Reservation can only be used for another Disney Collection reservation. They can't be used for DVC Resort Reservations, nor for World Collection Exchanges.

 

[DVCFan1994]

If you wait listed the Villas and it came through, you would have to call MS to cancel the Disney Collection Reservation.

Keep in mind that points returned from a cancelled Disney Collection Reservation can only be used for another Disney Collection reservation. They can't be used for DVC Resort Reservations, nor for World Collection Exchanges.

I didn't know that. I tried to look up guidelines on the DVCwebsite for using the Disney Collection, but couldn't find them. Since I have no plans to use Disney collection again, this is a one time thing, I guess I'd better be sure we are comfortable with that option before I make the reservation. Thanks for the information.

Are Disney Collection reservations hard to trade for? Meaning can I wait until say 4-5 months out and watch for availability @ VGC to open up or see if my wait list comes through if I go that way?

 

[DebbieB]

It's very unlikely a waitlist will come through on a race weekend. Did you buy resale after 3/2011? If yes, you can't use those points for Disney Collection.

Info on Disney Collection, see pages 5 & 6:

https://dvc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...itsguide/01-12-2015-Member-Benefits-Guide.pdf

 

[DVCFan1994]

It's very unlikely a waitlist will come through on a race weekend. Did you buy resale after 3/2011? If yes, you can't use those points for Disney Collection.

Info on Disney Collection, see pages 5 & 6:

https://dvc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...itsguide/01-12-2015-Member-Benefits-Guide.pdf

No our family's points are direct purchase mostly from the 90s. OKW, BWV - cheaper than today's resale Thank you for the link. I don't see an explanation of the "reservation points" policy that these would become if I decide to go the Disney collection route. I assume they have to be used in the use year they were taken from?

 

[erionm]

I don't see an explanation of the "reservation points" policy that these would become if I decide to go the Disney collection route. I assume they have to be used in the use year they were taken from?

That information can be found on the Modify/Cancel page on the member website: Vacation Planning > Modify or Cancel a Reservation > Disney Collection (tab) > click right arrow to expand 'Disneyland Resort Hotels' section.

 

[DVCFan1994]

That information can be found on the Modify/Cancel page on the member website: Vacation Planning > Modify or Cancel a Reservation > Disney Collection (tab) > click right arrow to expand 'Disneyland Resort Hotels' section.

Thank you! I totally missed the tabs at the top of the page! I knew it had to be there somewhere. Thanks for your help!

 

[wench]

I had July 18th waitlisted at VGC. That's the night after the 60th & it was booked up at 7 months. I was able to get it, but that was because I also stalked the site & saw just the one night suddenly had availability. Whether my waitlist would have matched or it would have gone to someone else is hard to say. But, 1 night does sometimes pop up even during the very busy times. Good luck!