The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

[jockotaco]

I've gotten a 2 bedroom for the Saturday following Thanksgiving through Tuesday at 7 months. It's possible but not guaranteed. Have a backup plan or use David's and book right away.

 

[sparkhill]

I think you have a good shot at 7 months. We just booked two 1BR's for those exact dates since we have some extended family joining us. Hope to see you there!

David's does not often have VGC points so that may not even be a realistic option. Good luck.

Okay first snag. The person I know that will rent points to me is not a VGC home owner. So...... we can only book at the 7 month window. Anybody have any incite as to if that would even be possible? Looking for Nov 30 - Dec 5th so 5 nights...... I can try Davids and book now, but the deal my friend is offering is a 50% or so savings over Davids.

Thanks for any info guys!!!!!!

 

[disneydenisel]

Did you have to take the number of points in the contract or could you request a certain number of points since it's through Disney? We are looking to add on 60 or so points so we can get a 1 BR every September instead of a studio.

We asked for a specific number of points and had to request a specific UY, too. So you can only get on the list for a certain amount and UY and it will only match if that comes up. When Disney buys back a contract, they can then split up the contract any way they want to, so if they buy back 160 points, they can offer it to the next people on the waitlist if it matches the UY and the people requested 50 points. Then they will sell them 50 points and look at the next person on the list and if they wanted 110 or less and the same UY, they would offer it to them. I think this applies to add-ons, whereas first time purchases probably have a minimum amount of points. Add-ons have to be a minimum of 25.

The wait seemed long at the time, but we had offered on a number of contracts and been ROFR'd, so it was not so bad in the end.

 

[disneydenisel]

Heavenly. Still trying to convince the DH we need to get on the list.

Getting on the list is easy, and you can always change your mind once your rep notifies you that the points are available. I was told that the lists were so long, they weren't even taking credit card information anymore (they used to take this and then charge the deposit on it). This may have changed since the last time I got on a waitlist, which was in December....

 

[XMom]

We asked for a specific number of points and had to request a specific UY, too. So you can only get on the list for a certain amount and UY and it will only match if that comes up. When Disney buys back a contract, they can then split up the contract any way they want to, so if they buy back 160 points, they can offer it to the next people on the waitlist if it matches the UY and the people requested 50 points. Then they will sell them 50 points and look at the next person on the list and if they wanted 110 or less and the same UY, they would offer it to them. I think this applies to add-ons, whereas first time purchases probably have a minimum amount of points. Add-ons have to be a minimum of 25.

The wait seemed long at the time, but we had offered on a number of contracts and been ROFR'd, so it was not so bad in the end.

Thank you so much for that information. We have 100 points there with a December use year and would like to add on either 60 or 80 so that we can stay in a 1br for our yearly visit Labor Day weekend. My husband accidently booked a 1BR for this year not realizing that I got it from a waitlist last year. Now we are short on points for the following year. Guess we may just have to suck it up and stay off-site!

 

[Nonsuch]

We asked for a specific number of points and had to request a specific UY, too. So you can only get on the list for a certain amount and UY and it will only match if that comes up. When Disney buys back a contract, they can then split up the contract any way they want to, so if they buy back 160 points, they can offer it to the next people on the waitlist if it matches the UY and the people requested 50 points...

Although Disney can split the points, I wonder why they cannot also change the UY. The distribution of points across UY at VGC is unpublished, and the small number of resold points would make very little difference.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Although Disney can split the points, I wonder why they cannot also change the UY. The distribution of points across UY at VGC is unpublished, and the small number of resold points would make very little difference.

When they declare units they also declare them into particular UY's. How or why they decide on what UY that is is a mystery but it would become part of the declaration of the unit as a whole which is why I assume it could not be changed. But points sold are a representation of a percentage of the resort - not a fixed item so if DVC wishes to place the points back in a pool and resell a different interest in the resort that's within their ability.

 

[lwanthony]

So we decided we couldn't risk the wait, so we found another DIS'er who could rent us points. Not sure if she cares or not so she will be un-named, but she has been awesome to work with and we are SO excited for our week at the VGC!!!!! We did ask for her to do a room request for us, but not sure how we did. we asked in order for rooms 6504,5504,4504,3504. After that we were not sure, so if you have any studio locations to suggest that would be super!!!!!

 

[cseca]

We came home from a wonderful trip at VGC for 5 nights during the busiest time of the year. We are blessed to have been able to try GV this time around. The resort is still great as usual but the GV room was a bit rundown I think. Don't get me wrong we still loved the villa. We were even doubly blessed with the accessible room which means park view. But I was expecting a little more updated a little.

I guess our last stay was at GFV so we were a bit spoiled with the newness. I have to say everyone in our group were quite impressed with the view and villa. We were able to spend a good chunk of family time in our room. That was great. Everyone has space to stretch out and the kids had an absolute ball with the pool table.
We had an extra room for our group but everyone ends up spending most of the time in the GV.

Overall it was really an over the top trip for us. But DH and I are totally happy to be able to do that. No way would we be able to do something like this without DVC. My parents were so happy to be able to spend time with their grand kids everyday in the big room... I really wish they would do no bit more updating though. I know that will costs us members more but it would have been worth it I think considering this is DL flagship hotel.

Anyways, Just want to share our experience this time around... GFV is really a great location. Glad we own there even if it needs a bit more sprucing up.

 

[kristinebarboza]

anybody on this thread an owner of the grand californian villas that rents out their points
if so please pm me
thanks

 

[Nonsuch]

...we asked in order for rooms 6504,5504,4504,3504. After that we were not sure, so if you have any studio locations to suggest that would be super!!!!!

Those are the only studios with a view of WOC

It's hard to say what is the best approach for room requests. You could keep your list short, essentially an "all or nothing" strategy. If you submit a longer list, that might actually reduce you chances of getting one of those 4 villas.

5510, 4510, 3510, have a Paradise Pier view, but not WOC.
5516, 4516, 3516, have a Redwood Creek view (and sunrise)
5509, 4509, 3509, have a Pool view

 

[Nonsuch]

When they declare units they also declare them into particular UY's. How or why they decide on what UY that is is a mystery but it would become part of the declaration of the unit as a whole which is why I assume it could not be changed...

Thanks for that clarification, makes (some) sense
I might do some more research next month, after my non-Disney vacation.
VGC is divided into only 25 units, so I only need to determine the UY of each unit to know how all points are distributed.

 

[sparkhill]

The resort is still great as usual but the GV room was a bit rundown I think. Don't get me wrong we still loved the villa.

We stayed in the same room right after Thanksgiving and our impression was exactly the same. I was really surprised that the best room at VGC was a bit rundown. I guess lots of people pack into these rooms causing much more wear than the one and two bedroom units.

It was still an incredible opportunity to stay in the room and we will always have great memories.

 

[cseca]

We stayed in the same room right after Thanksgiving and our impression was exactly the same. I was really surprised that the best room at VGC was a bit rundown. I guess lots of people pack into these rooms causing much more wear than the one and two bedroom units. It was still an incredible opportunity to stay in the room and we will always have great memories.

The WOC view every night was pretty credible wasn't it?

 

[Nonsuch]

...The resort is still great as usual but the GV room was a bit rundown I think.

We stayed in the same room right after Thanksgiving and our impression was exactly the same. I was really surprised that the best room at VGC was a bit rundown. I guess lots of people pack into these rooms causing much more wear than the one and two bedroom units.

That's rather sad news
Perhaps not enough time is allowed to properly clean the GV, also the high points cost results in many short visits.

The 1-bedroom villas seem to be holding up quite well, I have not noticed much "wear and tear"

 

[Syndrome]

The 1-bedroom villas seem to be holding up quite well, I have not noticed much "wear and tear"

Thats good news
We have a 1 bdrm reserved for 5 nights in July ! Cant wait !!!
The only requests we made were a high floor and park view .

 

[lwanthony]

So, now that I have rented points for VGC and have a confirmation # I have a question. In the past if I made a regular reservation I would take advantage of vacation planning at the hotel and have them help with tickets, tours, dining reservations, Fantasmic desert seating, in room celebrations etc..... Can I still do that as a renter? I mean, I have a confirmation number and a reservation under my name, but will they even talk to me if I am not the owner?

-Lane

 

[aymekae]

Getting super excited! We leave tomorrow (though don't check in till Thursday). I have a few last minute questions (as per my usual!)

• When registering for Vons.com for grocery delivery, what address/phone number do I use? My own didn't work.
• We have two 2-bdr villas, and 3 babies/toddlers who need pack and plays. I'm assuming there is only 1 in a villa, and we'll need to request the 3rd? Do I do this at check-in?
• If we drop off our bags with bell services in the morning, how does it work? Do we call them when we're in the room for bag delivery? How much should we tip?
• I have extended family joining us. If they want to take advantage of merchandise delivery to the resort, can they do that without using their room key to charge it to? And if not, can they put their own credit card for their room key so it doesn't get charged to us (the members)?

 

[pharm55]

Getting super excited! We leave tomorrow (though don't check in till Thursday). I have a few last minute questions (as per my usual!)

• When registering for Vons.com for grocery delivery, what address/phone number do I use? My own didn't work

When I was there in August I used the address of the GCH - re phone number - I used my cell - one thing though they were supposed to deliver between 6-7pm BUT actually showed up 3 hours or so early before we arrived. I got a call on my cell from bell services at VGC to let me know and they wanted to know when I would be arriving. They just kept the food in the fridge/ freezer etc as appropriate.

 

[pharm55]

2016, that's planning ahead! The GV has a great view of WOC, and January is a common time for WOC refurb.

Booking HA will guarantee the Park View.

What does HA stand for?