So I stayed at the GCH this weekend

[dianeschlicht]

You are correct on DLR. I think that PPH is another D:R resort, I can't remember the name for the life of me. I have never been to DLR, but I hope to be someday.

DLR= DisneyLand Resort
PPH= Pacific Palasades Hotel?

 

[lisah0711]

I spoke with a guide about the GCV. He confirmed that sales will initially be open to members who bought their
master contract at DLR only. He said that there is a clause in those contracts guaranteeing that those members will be able to buy 160 points before the rest of the membership is able to purchase. He also said that once sales are open to the rest of the members that it will be open to everyone, general public included. So anyone who bought their master contract elsewhere or just did an add on at DLR will be on the same playing field as a non member.

I was there last week staying on points too and was told the same thing by a California guide. I called my guide this week and asked if this was true but he didn't know anything about it. Basically his response was even if its true, don't worry there will be plenty of points for everyone. I agree with those who think its a slap in the face to the rest of the DVC members who didn't buy in California. Start the hue and cry now!

 

[wdw4life]

Points will still be available for the rest of us to buy when all is said and done.

I don't know when they started including this Founding Member document but I believe it is completely a marketing tool. DVC is out nothing by doing it and it would seem like a great incentive to new members who really want GCV. Just tell them that if they buy now at DLR that they get first shot ay buying there and are guaranteed at least 160 points will be available to them. And even if they don't plan on using the points they are buying now at WDW that often they can always use them at the 7 month mark to book GCV or just trade out. If someone is on the fence it may be just enough to get them to buy. It's a win win.

 

[nunzia]

Well, this is a little upsetting. So basically what all this means, if true, is:
1.You must buy your master contract at DLR to get first grabs
2. Therefore your first contract at DLR has to be for 160 points somewhere else, making, most likely, a Florida locale your home
3. Then you are allowed first grabs as an add on at DGC

This seems like a way to just sell more points. I've been intending to buy a small contract to get my foot in the door, then just do an add on at DGC of say, 100 points, since that, combined with the other, would be all I'd need.
I hope your guesses are right and that there'd be enough to go around, since DCA is my favorite, and really only, place to stay at DLR.
Someone said there is no shortage of nearby and much cheaper places to stay at DLR..true. However, once you stay at DGC you are hooked. The convenience and ambience are unbeatable for DLR. I wouldn't even want to stay at DH or PPH.

 

[disneylover1955]

I think this whole thing is way too funny.... I say take your chances and wait. When you can't get in for you 11 month home priority send me a PM and I might just rent you points.

I think its funny how someone goes and takes a tour, asks the guide a question, does not hear what they want to hear and all of a sudden someone is lying...

Guys just dont buy it and take a chance..... good luck to all.

 

[drag n' fly]

We are buying AKV at DL in a few weeks. I will post an update when we get back.

 

[lisaviolet]

It's like when AKV went on sale. Members has first choice......

I'm confused. No sarcasm. How is this like AKV? The founding members for AKV did not have first dibs on another property. They just get their name on a tapestry. DVC allows current members (ie. all) to have first dibs on new properties. This is how DL is different.

 

[grizbuzz]

When I visited Disneyland in September, I never saw anyone talking to the DVC guides at kiosks. I stopped by just to pick up a DVC perk booklet, but these kiosks definitely weren't hopping. My bet is that they really need to give people a reason to buy into DVC at DL now. Most DL regulars who might be interested in DVC would be inclined just to wait until GCV goes on the market. This sales tactic creates a sense of urgency....if you want GCH you'd better by now and you'd better buy here...otherwise you might not get a chance.

I'm hoping this is no more than a marketing ploy and that there will be definitely enough points for everyone interested in buying later. Otherwise, there may be many disgruntled DVC owners, including me.

 

[lisaviolet]

I think this whole thing is way too funny.... I say take your chances and wait. When you can't get in for you 11 month home priority send me a PM and I might just rent you points.

I think its funny how someone goes and takes a tour, asks the guide a question, does not hear what they want to hear and all of a sudden someone is lying...

Guys just dont buy it and take a chance..... good luck to all.

I'm a tad triggered here. Actually very triggered by your post. I'm wondering if you know the background and the emotion involved. And it's not for me. I won't be purchasing. No moulah. However, there are a myriad of longtime (and recent and potential in the west) DVC members that have been waiting and waiting for this day...DVC at Disneyland.

And I can't speak for them. But I will . I would think that this is a huge disappointment. Big one. Probably not just the change DVC has made ie. DVC members, all, had first dibs at new properties (not sure how far back...). Of course, DVC is a business and can do whatever they want. But disneylover, I would think people are shocked (hence the disbelief that you noted in your post) and disappointed that they never heard about the change or for others the chance to change their buying choices if they had known DVC would suddenly change the way they market/sell a new property for existing members.

Enjoy your purchase. I'm envious. My brother is in Rancho Cucamonga and I was waiting for a DVC there to nab at 7 months. I doubt that will be possible until they build more. Too bad.

 

[ACDSNY]

I'm a tad triggered here. Actually very triggered by your post. I'm wondering if you know the background and the emotion involved. And it's not for me. I won't be purchasing. No moulah. However, there are a myriad of longtime (and recent and potential in the west) DVC members that have been waiting and waiting for this day...DVC at Disneyland.

And I can't speak for them. But I will . I would think that this is a huge disappointment. Big one. Probably not just the change DVC has made ie. DVC members, all, had first dibs at new properties (not sure how far back...). Of course, DVC is a business and can do whatever they want. But disneylover, I would think people are shocked (hence the disbelief that you noted in your post) and disappointed that they never heard about the change or for others the chance to change their buying choices if they had known DVC would suddenly change the way they market/sell a new property for existing members.

I agree. We sat on the fence for many years because we felt we would not be able to go to WDW often enough to make DVC feasible. Now because we were assigned at FL guide for our master contract we purchased by mail we have to wait for GC.

I hope those purchasing now realize their points from SSR or AKV they are buying will only be useable at the 7 month booking window, not the 11 months.

 

[wdw4life]

I am offended by that post disneylover1955. I've been wanting a DLR DVC since I bought in 4 years ago. Would I have waited to buy in if I knew what was going to happen? I'm not sure. I love SSR and I certainly paid less than what it is selling for now so I did get a better deal.

Those of us who have eagerly been anticipating the first DLR DVC have a right to be upset about this whole "Founding Members" deal. There wasn't even a DVC presence at DLR when I bought. In fact, SSR wasn't even approved to sell in California. I had no choice but to buy in person when I was at WDW. So through no fault of my own I feel like I'm being punished. In the end I know I will able to still do an add on because not all the points will be tied up in this guarantee. It's not the end of the world but I certainly had a WTH moment when I was told this.

 

[disneylover1955]

Well I can see how you all feel, and I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. I just think that alot of times we think that everyone is lying when something is told to us by the guides when in ded thier not.

I asked numerous people in Disneyworld about this program and no one knew. Duh... why would that apply there. I even saw the document.

I am juts saying it was a great opportunity for me and my family, and we took it.

I have been looking at this for two years and finally took the dive, care to join me? I heard there is plenty of room in the pool.... at this point anyway.

Im sorry again if I offended...

 

[wdw4life]

I don’t begrudge you the opportunity to buy in. If I was a new member and was interested in the GCV I would do it too. The ill feelings are directed towards the way DVC has set this up.

I think the skepticism from some people comes from two things. The guides in Florida don’t appear to know anything about this and, to my knowledge, DVC has never set up sales for a new property like this before. Existing members have always been giving preference over new members when it comes to the initial sales. Now I can understand in theory why the WDW guides may not have been told about this but it still makes no sense. There are members who have already called their Florida guides to express interest in buying GCV points when sales begin. This is pretty important information for those guides be able to relay during that phone call. It's going to come as quite a surprise to those who don't know about it. I personally believe it to be true but others like to wait for “official” confirmation.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Just subscribing. Thanks for the pics! We plan to stay there in the first 6 months of its opening...assuming we can get a reservation!

 

[wdw4life]

Just subscribing. Thanks for the pics! We plan to stay there in the first 6 months of its opening...assuming we can get a reservation!

You're welcome! Even with this snafu I'm so excited about GCV. 2009 can't come fast enough!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You know, anyone that is really upset about this needs to contact the powers-that-be @ DVC. They are almost treating DLR like it's a separate entity when we were lead to believe it was one-for-all, and all-for-one as far as DVC properties were concerned. Perhaps this is a new trend?

 

[dwelty]

I am one who owns a master SSR contract purchased at DLR. I still think this stinks. I was ready to take my chances with every other member for points. I could take the attitude of "great, I will get my points, who cares what happens to anyone else" However, I think this sets a horrible president,
Someday, I might be at the other end of this. Points should be open to all members period.

 

[wdw4life]

You know, anyone that is really upset about this needs to contact the powers-that-be @ DVC. They are almost treating DLR like it's a separate entity when we were lead to believe it was one-for-all, and all-for-one as far as DVC properties were concerned. Perhaps this is a new trend?

I was considering writing a letter to voice my displeasure. Maybe I'll try to do that sometime this week.

I was thinking this may be the future of how DVC handles highly anticipated new resorts. I don't know at what point the guides started telling potential new members about the Founding Members program. Were they telling them before GCV was announced or did they come up with it after?

When I met with the DVC salesperson at the kiosk to set up my meeting with the guide there were three different groups of people who came up to inquire about the GCV. This was during the 10 minutes I was talking to the salesperson. None of them displayed any interest in SSR or AKV. They just wanted to know about GCV. So if sales are slowing at DLR now because a lot of people are waiting for GCV I can understand why they came up with it.

I can see this same situation happening if they ever announce CRV. I hope it doesn’t but I can imagine it well. Once they announce it how much will sales for AKV slow at WDW? I would bet there are quite a few people waiting for that before buying in. “Oh you only want GCV/CRV? Well, if you buy now I can get you in on the ground floor once sales begin. We have this Founding Members program where you will get first shot once it goes on sale”. DVC is out nothing. The people who only want that particular resort were going to wait regardless. But there are probably a good percentage they can get to buy with that kind of enticement.

 

[AuntieM03]

I don't own DVC yet but I am considering buying when the Grand Californian goes on sale. However, I would not buy 160 points at WDW just for the honor of being a Founding Member. It does seem unfair that those who are DVC members and have been anticipating GCH will not have the opportunity.

 

[50 years Too!]

I really think, as previous posters have stated, that this is a desperate measure to try to sell AKV and SSR to Californians. For those who bite, it probably is an emotional purchase that they might regret. (Of course, unless they really wanted WDW resorts).
Several of these purchasers will probably reconsider adding on GCV so soon after that large investment, and decide to just take their chances booking GCV at 7 months.
I really don't think this sales tactic will have that much impact on sales of GCV's. I'm sure anyone who wants to buy when sales are first available will be able. At least I hope so!

Deb