The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[toocherie]

So toocherie, inquiring minds want to know...did you get your cruise booked?

I DID! We are booked on the December 5th cruise. Because my Mom is disabled we needed a handicapped accessible cabin and they were sold out of the incentive cruise handicapped cabins on the December 5th cruise (they had them the week before, but that was Thanksgiving weekend and I didn't want the hassle of traveling then). they did, however, have the next category up (with the balcony) and we were able to upgrade for $175 per person (or $350 total). We have a huge cabin on deck 6 with a roll-in shower, but it's at the back of the ship (and I've heard mixed things about that) but for $350 plus airfare I won't complain. Now I have to figure out if I want to go one, two or three days early and where I want to stay. I think it would be a good idea to get back there and let my Mom rest for a day or so before we get on the ship.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

I DID! We are booked on the December 5th cruise. Because my Mom is disabled we needed a handicapped accessible cabin and they were sold out of the incentive cruise handicapped cabins on the December 5th cruise (they had them the week before, but that was Thanksgiving weekend and I didn't want the hassle of traveling then). they did, however, have the next category up (with the balcony) and we were able to upgrade for $175 per person (or $350 total). We have a huge cabin on deck 6 with a roll-in shower, but it's at the back of the ship (and I've heard mixed things about that) but for $350 plus airfare I won't complain. Now I have to figure out if I want to go one, two or three days early and where I want to stay. I think it would be a good idea to get back there and let my Mom rest for a day or so before we get on the ship.

We took my elderly disabled DMIL to DL a year before she passed away. She went on Soarin and Monsters INC. and loved them both. It was a lot of work for my wife and I but that trip sticks out as one of the most special we ever took and my DGC remember Grandma B because of all of the photos that we have from that trip. I hope you and mom enjoy your cruise

 

[nunzia]

Has anyone spoken to their guide recently? How are sales going?

My guide said there would be enough for non founders to get what they wanted, but that they would probably sell out fairly quickly after that...I hope I get mine..still nervous..23 more days to sweat it out...

 

[DVCGeek]

My guide said there would be enough for non founders to get what they wanted, but that they would probably sell out fairly quickly after that...I hope I get mine..still nervous..23 more days to sweat it out...

Same here on the still nervous part!

My guide (in FL) and a fellow guide friend of hers from CA that mine added to a conference call both assured me there would some available for non-founders but probably not for long. My guide is off on March 25th so I'm calling her on the 24th to confirm what incentives look like and then she is supposed to call me first thing on the 26th to "do the deed". I was also later assured by someone higher up the food chain @ DVC that I'd be able to buy the 40 point add-on I want come the end of March.

 

[DoOverDreams]

Has anyone heard when they are going to be allowing reservations to start? I imagine MS will be insane that day, even worse then the BLT fiasco!

With so few units it's going to be fun trying to get a 1 bedroom!

Thanks.

 

[DVCGeek]

Has anyone heard when they are going to be allowing reservations to start? I imagine MS will be insane that day, even worse then the BLT fiasco!

I'm sure it will be! That's why I'm delaying my first stay until my 35th BD- mid. Oct. 2010! I'm thinking a studio won't be too crazy then and that the MS phone lines should be quieter. That will also mean a new record for me- three upcoming Disney reservations at once! (Nov./Dec. '09 + Jan./Feb. '10)

 

[ACDSNY]

I DID! We are booked on the December 5th cruise. Now I have to figure out if I want to go one, two or three days early and where I want to stay. I think it would be a good idea to get back there and let my Mom rest for a day or so before we get on the ship.

How wonderful a X-mas time cruise! I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[forevercruising]

Has anyone heard when they are going to be allowing reservations to start?

Yep. . . 07 June 2009 . . . It will be a busy day, indeed!

 

[DoOverDreams]

I'm sure it will be! That's why I'm delaying my first stay until my 35th BD- mid. Oct. 2010! I'm thinking a studio won't be too crazy then and that the MS phone lines should be quieter. That will also mean a new record for me- three upcoming Disney reservations at once! (Nov./Dec. '09 + Jan./Feb. '10)

Hmm, delaying might not be a bad idea. Better then going through the call/busy/hang up/call/busy routine for half a day!

Yep. . . 07 June 2009 . . . It will be a busy day, indeed!

Cool! Thank you! Just out of curiousity, did your guide tell you or did you hear through the grape vine?

 

[forevercruising]

Cool! Thank you! Just out of curiousity, did your guide tell you or did you hear through the grape vine?

My guide first, then, I confirmed three different times, with three different Quality Assurance representatives; the QA reps are usually the "final word" on "dates" like this, so, I am confident that 07 June is the day!

 

[minniemoms]

I am kinda sick. Here I have these incentive points to use, and DH just got a new job so we can't go for a while. Plus as a photographer, we are coming into my busy time of year with weddings coming up..... Ahhhh I want to go and use my incentive points so bad. So are many of you booking long trips, or several short trips in "our" new place??

 

[kerickson]

I am kinda sick. Here I have these incentive points to use, and DH just got a new job so we can't go for a while. Plus as a photographer, we are coming into my busy time of year with weddings coming up..... Ahhhh I want to go and use my incentive points so bad. So are many of you booking long trips, or several short trips in "our" new place??

We took the cruise incentive and plan to go Dec 2010. We already had 3 DLR trips planned this year (using our free APs) and a 7night Western Cruise, so we figured we'd book far out to make best use of the incentive.

We only bought 100pts, so I plan to book 3-4night stays every year or two. We are hoping our 1st trip will be either this Dec or next June.

We'll then extend our stays or plan additional trips using our SSR points at 7mo lmao: ) or at the other two DLR properties. Once Hawaii is on board I'm hoping to snag that at 7mo or trade VGC for Hawaii points at least once.

 

[The Rivers' Rats]

I am kinda sick. Here I have these incentive points to use, and DH just got a new job so we can't go for a while. Plus as a photographer, we are coming into my busy time of year with weddings coming up..... Ahhhh I want to go and use my incentive points so bad. So are many of you booking long trips, or several short trips in "our" new place??

We just used up our incentive points reserving a trip (made the call yesterday, in fact) for the end of September. We are going to take one last trip to the Grand Californian and decided to stay Conceirge level (Park/Pool view no less) for the first, and likely the last, time.

I can't wait for this trip, however it will be hard staying so close to the villas as they near completion without being able to stay there. Oh well, I guess we need to start planning the next trip already...

 

[kerickson]

We just used up our incentive points reserving a trip (made the call yesterday, in fact) for the end of September. We are going to take one last trip to the Grand Californian and decided to stay Conceirge level (Park/Pool view no less) for the first, and likely the last, time.

I can't wait for this trip, however it will be hard staying so close to the villas as they near completion without being able to stay there. Oh well, I guess we need to start planning the next trip already...

Hey River Rats
We're staying GCH Concierge in early May. I'll let you know how it is! We had to cancel a WDW trip and had lots of points to use by end of July, so we figured we'd splurge on our last GCH trip and go concierge! I don't expect much except the benefits of breakfast items, snacks during the day and waters to take into the parks. Everything I'll have with my first Villa stay...

 

[minniemoms]

Was there lots of availability when you called? I want to go, but just didn't know if they were already full??

 

[DVCGeek]

Hey River Rats
We're staying GCH Concierge in early May. I'll let you know how it is! We had to cancel a WDW trip and had lots of points to use by end of July, so we figured we'd plurge on our last GCH trip and go concierge! I don't expect much except the benefits of breakfast items, snacks during the day and waters to take into the parks. Everything I'll have with my first Villa stay...

We did that in mid. - Nov. with our BLT Dev points. I'd say your expectations are accurate. I wouldn't have paid cash for it vs. a 'regular' level room, but since we already had the 2-night trip scheduled @ Paradise Pier on cash it was certainly a nice upgrade! $500 for 'low' end hotel vs. "free" (we hadn't originally planned on joing DVC in Oct., much less DPs) for Park View Conceierge? You do the math!

 

[dcfromva]

We took a tour of the model and it is beautiful!
I can not wait to stay there!

 

[stopher1]

So I just had to post here tonight. Even though it's not 100% for real yet (not a founding member), I'm in FL at WDW this week and met with my guide earlier. Now that the 100 pt min has been changed back to the 25/50 for cash or financing, we are back on track to purchase at VGC. Yay. We have family in So Cal that we stay with regularly when we go out there (in-laws), and we never do a week at DL, so we didn't need 100 pts and will be happy with our 60 pts there after the official purchase on the 26th. Gave all the information for the 26th so that the paperwork can be processed asap that morning. She told me that there is no separate time period for existing DVC members who are non-founders and the general public - so it will be open to anyone as of the 26th, and the incentives are probably going to change before then anyway, so not getting that cruise is not a disappointment to us at all, and less cash out is a good thing too. I just had to share my excitement.

 

[lisah0711]

Glad to hear that things worked out for you. Congratulations and welcome home!

 

[kerickson]

So I just had to post here tonight. Even though it's not 100% for real yet (not a founding member), I'm in FL at WDW this week and met with my guide earlier. Now that the 100 pt min has been changed back to the 25/50 for cash or financing, we are back on track to purchase at VGC. Yay. We have family in So Cal that we stay with regularly when we go out there (in-laws), and we never do a week at DL, so we didn't need 100 pts and will be happy with our 60 pts there after the official purchase on the 26th. Gave all the information for the 26th so that the paperwork can be processed asap that morning. She told me that there is no separate time period for existing DVC members who are non-founders and the general public - so it will be open to anyone as of the 26th, and the incentives are probably going to change before then anyway, so not getting that cruise is not a disappointment to us at all, and less cash out is a good thing too. I just had to share my excitement.

Looking forward to wishing you a Welcome Home on the 26th!