The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[Grumpygrandpa]

...Is anyone else here surprised that the villas haven't sold out yet? I really thought they would be by now.

Count me as one who is surprised. I thought it would be sold out by now. I wonder how close they are to selling out. Anybody have any guesses?

 

[utahkennedys]

Count me as one who is surprised. I thought it would be sold out by now. I wonder how close they are to selling out. Anybody have any guesses?

We bought about 2 weeks ago but I remember thinking when it was announced that it would sell out with lightening speed and even my closing docs said they estimate only 2500 members total compared to like 50,000 members at SSR! That is a small group of people. Even DH who doesn't love DVC like me things it's a great bargain right now and that maybe we should have bought more points!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

maybe we should have bought more points!

Ummm....I think that is a pretty common feeling. I know I have it. I'm hoping to buy some more down the road sometime. Maybe resale.

 

[pycees312]

in addition to the economy the marketing strategy is also at play here.
If it were not for the boards I would have not known about GVC. I never got a mailing until two weeks ago.
But you have to think about the people who visit Disneyland annually who may have toured before in thier minds all they know about is is the resorts in Florida. And since Disney won't seek out purchasers it's up to the customers to approach the booths. It's still not quite known that VGC is there.
I introduced two families to DVC and had them speak to my guide. Both families were waiting on VGC. and nothing had been sent to them but they did get info on BLT. So again marketing has a great deal to do with all of this.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

in addition to the economy the marketing strategy is also at play here.
If it were not for the boards I would have not known about GVC. I never got a mailing until two weeks ago.
But you have to think about the people who visit Disneyland annually who may have toured before in thier minds all they know about is is the resorts in Florida. And since Disney won't seek out purchasers it's up to the customers to approach the booths. It's still not quite known that VGC is there.
I introduced two families to DVC and had them speak to my guide. Both families were waiting on VGC. and nothing had been sent to them but they did get info on BLT. So again marketing has a great deal to do with all of this.

You know, I think you may have something here. I would not have known about the Villas if not for disboards. Even on the member website VGC seems to be an afterthought.

 

[rmonty02]

Count me as one who is surprised. I thought it would be sold out by now. I wonder how close they are to selling out. Anybody have any guesses?

When I talked to our guide in the middle of April, he said they sold 20% in the first 2wks. And expected to be sold out in 1-2 months. So if things are slow maybe 4-5 months?

 

["Got Disney"]

in addition to the economy the marketing strategy is also at play here.
If it were not for the boards I would have not known about GVC. I never got a mailing until two weeks ago.
But you have to think about the people who visit Disneyland annually who may have toured before in their minds all they know about is is the resorts in Florida. And since Disney won't seek out purchasers it's up to the customers to approach the booths. It's still not quite known that VGC is there.
I introduced two families to DVC and had them speak to my guide. Both families were waiting on VGC. and nothing had been sent to them but they did get info on BLT. So again marketing has a great deal to do with all of this.

I frequent DL often and they have been talking about the villas. But only at the booths. They do come out in the crowd close to them and ask if they would like to view the new villas but people just say no for the most part and move on.

The villas are really nice. Living in SD I was planning on buying there but the point chart is to high IMO...this may be one reason along with only 2 parks. I stay at the Grand know and being that it is not a DVC we pay through the nose on points ( staying concierge 7 days in July) and will save points when we start staying in the villas. But still for a one bedroom and up for DL is still too high. If it were at WDW where you have more than 2 parks...higher points would not bother me as much.

I am waiting on Hawaii to buy again. We have 400 pts and want at least 600 so will get another 200 than. Meantime we will use our points at the Grand or the other 2 hotels at DL.

We are only an hr away and can go anytime even at a days notice. I am so happy for all of you that bought there. It is very beautiful. I think it is one of the best that DVC has to offer us. Sure wish they made more there. I would have also reconsidered if that were the case. I was also worried that if I bought there getting in with such few units would be very hard.

Have a great time when you go if there is room I may be staying in the room next to you.

 

[dwelty]

in addition to the economy the marketing strategy is also at play here.
If it were not for the boards I would have not known about GVC. I never got a mailing until two weeks ago.
But you have to think about the people who visit Disneyland annually who may have toured before in thier minds all they know about is is the resorts in Florida. And since Disney won't seek out purchasers it's up to the customers to approach the booths. It's still not quite known that VGC is there.
I introduced two families to DVC and had them speak to my guide. Both families were waiting on VGC. and nothing had been sent to them but they did get info on BLT. So again marketing has a great deal to do with all of this.

I totally agree with this. We just spent two weeks at WDW and they had NO information on VGC, not even a photo in the book that they have at each kiosk. I think they figure that the Disneyland sales center should have something on site to sell, and the longer they have units to sell the better.

 

[DVCGeek]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";31804543]I am waiting on Hawaii to buy again. We have 400 pts and want at least 600 so will get another 200 than. Meantime we will use our points at the Grand or the other 2 hotels at DL.[/QUOTE]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your plans, but once VGC opens I think they will stop letting you use points at the Grand Cal. Hotel... (i.e. cash only starting in 2010)

 

["Got Disney"]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your plans, but once VGC opens I think they will stop letting you use points at the Grand Cal. Hotel... (i.e. cash only starting in 2010)

You are correct. I will have to us my points if I want to stay at the Grand in the Villas and no more Concierge. But can still use my points at the DL hotel or Paradise Pier and stay their. Its not the Grand for sure...love the Grand...but if I cant get into the VGC than I still have another option for staying on sight.

If it meant not being able to use my points ever at the grand than I would have considered more about adding. But since I can still stay there on the points I do have. We are fine.

But it would have been nice with all the rooms they have at the Main grand that they left that option open that you can still stay there but staying in the Main building will still cost you more points than the villas or studio in the DCV building....but we wont turn you way if the villas are all filled up.... would have been at least an option.

 

[VallCopen]

460 points here... Wish I could get more but we want to make sure we will like this, don't see why we wouldn't because we love Disneyland and we love upscale accomodations. My guide told me that they still have a lot to sell but thought they would sell out by next year? I can't wait to book our first vacation. Congrats to all.

Can anyone tell me how to get a Grand Villa logo on my page? Thanks!!

 

[Longhairbear]

I totally agree with this. We just spent two weeks at WDW and they had NO information on VGC, not even a photo in the book that they have at each kiosk. I think they figure that the Disneyland sales center should have something on site to sell, and the longer they have units to sell the better.

That's interesting to learn. I recall my guide called and suggested I buy points at VGC from a CA guide, as they could give me a better incentive than she could from FLA.

 

[stopher1]

460 points here...

Congratulations & Welcome Home!

 

[rmonty02]

Can anyone tell me how to get a Grand Villa logo on my page? Thanks!!

I just got this question answered myself. Click on the link below and you should find what you need.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=15084060&postcount=8

And Welcome Home Neighbor!!!

 

[VallCopen]

Thanks for the welcome!!! I clicked on the post but I don't see Villas at Disney's Grand Californian ???? Maybe I just don't see it.

 

[toocherie]

Hey all--just got a head's up from my guide that GCV owners WILL have a two-week priority for booking when booking starts June 7th and that the villas will be ready for occupancy September 23rd~!~ Woohoo!

 

[stopher1]

Hey all--just got a head's up from my guide that GCV owners WILL have a two-week priority for booking when booking starts June 7th and that the villas will be reading for occupancy September 23rd~!~ Woohoo!

I just got off the phone with my guide too! She told me the same thing! Opening 2 months early - that's cool!!

 

[tjkraz]

Yup!

The news will probably hit DVCMember.com by the end of the day.

 

[pycees312]

doing the happy dance! To bad it won't be open for the D23 Expo!

 

[grizbuzz]

Hey all--just got a head's up from my guide that GCV owners WILL have a two-week priority for booking when booking starts June 7th and that the villas will be ready for occupancy September 23rd~!~ Woohoo!

I just got off the phone with my guide too! She told me the same thing! Opening 2 months early - that's cool!!

My oh my! What good news today!
I just may have to rethink my plans and squeeze in a Halloween visit.
I saw (and heard) those constructions workers on Saturday. They are busy building and building. Probably some good incentives to get that work done early.

Thanks for the update!
-Jen