The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[mike9950]

I was talking with my guide about trying to add more points for VGC and she told me that it was just about sold out and i could go on a wait list. anyone else hear this? Has anyone ever been on a wait list for DVC before? how long until points became available?

Wow, I just added on about a week ago and was told they only had less than 50 points total left for the December use year. I would assume you would get your points, but not until a few weeks. I'm sure many people start a add-on or purchase, and then cancel for whatever reason which makes the points available again for your potential. Good luck I would get on the list for sure.

 

[ajf1007]

The trip to and from San Diego is becoming more and more busy and congested. The only time it really takes about two hours is in the middle of the night. I don't remember what day you're planning to come up, but Tues & Wed aren't too bad, all the other days, it's pretty thick most of the time both ways. Between LA & San Diego is a popular commute.

Thanks!
Well we were planning on doing that trip on Monday, but I can move things around and do it on Tuesday. So I'm guessing that I should plan for a 3 hour each way commute? I'm more concerned about getting there at a reasonable time, getting home I'm thinking we will leave around 9pm so hopefully that will be the 2 hours commute time. I've heard about this crazy traffic so I guess I'll have to just sit back and relax and accept it when we get in the car. We were going to do a day in LA too, geez....maybe I'll just send the boys and I'll relax by the pool that day.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

There is so much I love about DVC, but... I've been a little annoyed that we don't get much of a DVC discount on DLR AP's. We get $20 off an initial premium pass (maybe off a deluxe as well?)- which is the same as a AAA discount. At WDW if we buy an AP it's $100 off- 20%! And we get no discount on renewals at DLR...but a WDW renewal for DVCers is 30% off. Crazy! So I wrote an email to DVC asking about the disparity.

The next day I got a phone call back from a very nice CM in customer service, I think. He definitely understood my concern, and said he'd pass it along to the higher-ups who decide on the DVC perks. He also suggested I encourage fellow VGC owners to call and express their concern as well- if enough members are pointing out the disparity, it's more likely to get changed. If we could have a discount on APs like we can at WDW, it would definitely make our VGC stays more economical!

So if you'd like to see an AP discount- jot off a quick email to DVC via the "contact us" spot on the member website!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was talking with my guide about trying to add more points for VGC and she told me that it was just about sold out and i could go on a wait list. anyone else hear this? Has anyone ever been on a wait list for DVC before? how long until points became available?

I heard there's a waitlist for any points except Mar and Apr UY.

 

[mike9950]

Does anyone know if they raised the price per point up to $120? I heard the incentives expired on the 15th?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Does anyone know if they raised the price per point up to $120? I heard the incentives expired on the 15th?

The price was raised to $120. There are still incentives. Actually, if my numbers are correct the incentives stayed the same but b/c of the price increase you now pay $8/pt more.

 

[godalejunior]

Wow, I just added on about a week ago and was told they only had less than 50 points total left for the December use year. I would assume you would get your points, but not until a few weeks. I'm sure many people start a add-on or purchase, and then cancel for whatever reason which makes the points available again for you use. Good luck I would get on the list for sure.

Wow, we just added on 75 points Dec. use year two weeks ago....I was worried about sell out. Glad we did! Also wanted to do so before the price increase.

 

[peloha86]

I was talking with my guide about trying to add more points for VGC and she told me that it was just about sold out and i could go on a wait list. anyone else hear this? Has anyone ever been on a wait list for DVC before? how long until points became available?

There is a long wait list for add on's for June and December 2009 UY. Other months are sold out entirely.
It depends on your use year, for example, my use year is June 2009 and that's the only month and year I can add on. I can put myself on the long waitlist and see what comes through. Or if I want to purchae a new contract, I need to purchase at least 160 points for whatever month is availble. Feb 2010 is still availble to purchase a new contract, the last month is April 2010. There is a lot of "pending" activity out there so I would put myself on the waitlist, you may need a $500 deposit to hold your spot.
Good Luck!

 

[mfortis]

I was talking with my guide about trying to add more points for VGC and she told me that it was just about sold out and i could go on a wait list. anyone else hear this? Has anyone ever been on a wait list for DVC before? how long until points became available?

You could always purchase a resale. There are plenty available.

 

[peloha86]

We had a very nice time...so here it goes!

We arrived Monday morning, tiered and hungry because we drove all night but still got caught in the LA traffic on 5 south.
We got our keys, ate at Storyteller's, (loved the food there) went shopping at Food 4 Less, renewed our AP's and at 4 pm our room was finally ready!

Mickey Mouse had decorated the room for my nephew's 8th birthday and left a whole box full of Star Wars toys. He was so tickled! I was tickled just being back at "home"...They had given us a nice view of Paradise Pier because of the Mickey package we purchased. The view was great, esp for WOC.

We needed more towels so I purchased another towel set for $6.00. It included 4 large/medium/small and 1 foot towels. The staff member that brought us the towels just gave us 5 large towels. I told him that it was incorrect. He know nothing of a "towel set". I decided to keep the towels and call mousekeeping instead. She apoligized for the mixup and that the charge would be taken off the bill.

2 major changes at VGC I noticed since my first stay last year...
1) Follow up calls
Everytime we made a request, it was followed up by a service call to make sure we were well taken care of. My elderly father in law was with us and they made sure he was well taken care of also.
2) Glass tops on the large tables.
We were staying in a 1 BR and noticed that the tables had glass on them because the wood kept on getting scratched. Much easier to clean.

We celebrated our 22 years of "togetherness" with the WOC dining package at Ariel's grotto. Since our dining group was 6, the waitress gave us double appetizers and dessert. The waitress gave us our tickets and the end of our dinner. For us it was worth the dinner and preferred seating for the show... My husband is fickle but he loved this place and would do it again..The lines were waaaaaay long for FP's then long again to line up for the show.
I think the WOC staff are finally getting the seating down. First you have to show your ticket, then you walk over to the section on your ticket, then another WOC staff takes your ticket and lets you in. You can go in and out as long as you have a ticket.

The next day we went to Universal Studios. It definately had a different feel, we preferred Disneyland, it seemed more friendly there.

Then on our fourth day, I forgot where I parked the car, so I flagged down a maintenance guy driving a golf cart and he helped me find my car! Thank goodness for key fobs...

Upon checkout, I reviewed our bill, noticed that we were charged for the towels for 3 nights, but they took it off without argument.


all in all, they took such good care of my in-law, driving him all around in a golf cart because he has a hard time walking long distances. (He didn't go in the parks) Addonittis!!!

So there you go,
and home to the new additions to VGC! You'll love it here!

 

[nunzia]

You could always purchase a resale. There are plenty available.

Where have you found VGC resales available? I've only seen a few on the mailing lists I'm on..

 

[gkrykewy]

Where have you found VGC resales available? I've only seen a few on the mailing lists I'm on..

big banner at the top of the page.

 

[mfortis]

Where have you found VGC resales available? I've only seen a few on the mailing lists I'm on..

True, they don't come up to often. The link above (The Timeshare Store) has at least 5 right now. http://www.**********.com also has 5 or so. Although they maybe double listings.

 

[4Vals]

after reading through most of the posts and gathering a lot of great information (thank you) i thought i would ask this:

post your favorite room-# was it a studio, 1bdr etc/view and why,

i know some were posted previously but thought we could group some together.

 

[trampslady]

So, we bought at GCV when it was first offered at 100 points thinking we will bank and borrow to get our trips in. We've only every stayed at the Grand Californian when visiting Disneyland, so we know it's the only place we want to stay.

Normally, I've a very forward planner, but we just decided on a weekend trip on September 23 for three nights. I had to waitlist for all three nights in a studio. Anyone been paying attention enough to offer insight on how waitlists are faring out there?

 

[nunzia]

big banner at the top of the page.

Right..I'm on their mailing list... There are a few..but still, not alot. (yet).

I am also waitlisted in Sept..for Destination D Sept 23 -27..I think there may be a few of us on that waitlist . I have heard of some going through, but I think the place is going to be as popular as we thought and it will get harder and harder to get in.

 

[bigAWL]

after reading through most of the posts and gathering a lot of great information (thank you) i thought i would ask this:

post your favorite room-# was it a studio, 1bdr etc/view and why,

i know some were posted previously but thought we could group some together.

I was thinking it would be great if someone who has gathered a lot of information about VGC, and likes to keep up with this thread, would start a new one with all the general FAQ info on the first page (photos, maps, point charts, descriptions of ammenities and restaurants, links to room reviews and trip reports). Maybe that person could occasionally update the first page as info changes. Heck, I'd even be willing to take it on and try to do updates... if only I had the information to begin with.

 

[Nonsuch]

Heck, I'd even be willing to take it on and try to do updates... if only I had the information to begin with.

All the information you need is in this thread
Once you read all 200 pages, you will no longer need a FAQ
There is also a thread about the Grand Californian Hotel which is only 50 pages long

 

[franandaj]

Normally, I've a very forward planner, but we just decided on a weekend trip on September 23 for three nights. I had to waitlist for all three nights in a studio. Anyone been paying attention enough to offer insight on how waitlists are faring out there?

I highly doubt that the waitlist will come through for that weekend. It is the weekend of Destination-D and I know that Nunzia has been on the waitlist for that weekend since March, I assume there are others who are waiting as well...I happened to luck out and get a 1br way back when.

 

[clansac]

Just bought VGC today for our first time! We're so excited- we've been debating for years and finally decided to go for it.

I just wanted to say thanks for all the fabulous, detailed information here. I knew exactly what questions to ask and what to expect. Can't wait for our first trip, which likely won't be until next summer! We're plan a year ahead people- DVC will be perfect for us!