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

[HappyThoughtsTees]

Well they're doing something on the backend - Pre-April1 when they updated the accessible rooms, they opened APril 29-May 1st dates - and I booked two rooms -- those are canceled

Still have May 2 and May 4th dates

Just talked to MS via chat online. They said "At this time new bookings have been paused for the Grand Californian Villas. At this time we do not have any updates to confirmed reservations at the resort". When I pressed the issue a bit (nicely) they basically said my reservation is confirmed "as is" at this time, and if something changes someone will reach out to you.
So frustrating. It must be a mess over there.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I am furious at the announcement that VGC bookings will not be given some kind of priority or special bucket like WDW owners. Did they even consult with DVC? It shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how DVC works. It's not like we can just cancel a reservation if we don't get park reservations. They better have calendars up for 11 months plus 10 days, but I'm sure they won't. It is especially infuriating given that they probably should have (and had a duty to) open the hotel as soon as it was permitted by the state/county. By not doing so, IMO they have shown that the hotel and parks are inextricably linked. Also very bad optics for potential new purchasers of the DH tower. This is how much you will be valued. As I mentioned over in the DL threads, I'm writing them right now.

 

[KPeterso]

Park reservation information up -- NO guarantees being offered. Specifically says - get tickets and reservations theme park first before making hotel reservations.

This is the piece that has me most angry. I booked some reservations 11 months out (and still having APs available at the time). And now it says to not make hotel reservations until you get park tickets. Kind of unfair when we need to book so far out as a part of DVC.

 

[montreid]

I believe they should offer theme park ticket purchases ahead of April 15 at least so that reservations can be made April 12-15 period.

-DVC is selling tickets for WDW so we know they have capabilities to sell tickets.

Suggest: Writing to DVC team - Terri Schultz and her team does a wonderful job on trying to make things right.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

So this is what I ended up sending to both Disneyland parks through the website and DVC member satisfaction directly (slightly different versions). I would have sent to Ken Potruck and Terri Schultz if I had their direct emails:

I am extremely upset by the announcement today that no preference or special bucket of park reservations will be given to DVC VGC owners with existing reservations. I question whether anyone even consulted DVC when making this announcement, as it demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding how DVC works. To secure VGC reservations at most times we need to make reservations 11 months ahead of time. It is probably the hardest reservation to get in all of the DVC program. Due to DVC rules, these reservations cannot just be changed or dropped without possibly losing points or having those points restricted. This was recognized when WDW opened as DVC and resort guests were given a special bucket of park reservations.

VGC DVC has been closed well beyond the time it should have opened. I would even argue that DVD had a duty to its owners to open VGC as soon as it could. There is nothing in the state of CA that has prevented it from opening months ago (as other timeshare in the area did). The fact that it didn't open shows that you think it is inextricably linked to the parks, which should at a minimum guarantee DVC reservation holders access to park reservations or presumably would open you to a lawsuit for not opening long ago. The disparate treatment of west coast DVC owners from WDW owners is horrible customer service and especially bad optics given the impending sales of a DVC tower at the DH. It hardly feels as if we are valued members/owners.

I get that we are a small group, but that does not make it acceptable to treat us differently than WDW DVC owners (of which I am also a part) or to utterly disregard how the DVC system works. I hope that DVC is lobbying Disneyland to reconsider this decision ASAP or make clear that park reservation calendars will be open at least 11 months + 10 days ahead of time. I have existing VGC reservations in September and January that I need to secure park reservations for when the system opens on April 12/15.

 

[montreid]

I believe if DVC is able to negotiate access to ticketing on 4/12 to give three days of purchase and reservation, that would be a reasonable accommodation to reserve days as same nights.

 

[KPeterso]

So this is what I ended up sending to both Disneyland parks through the website and DVC member satisfaction directly (slightly different versions). I would have sent to Ken Potruck and Terri Schultz if I had their direct emails:

I am extremely upset by the announcement today that no preference or special bucket of park reservations will be given to DVC VGC owners with existing reservations. I question whether anyone even consulted DVC when making this announcement, as it demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding how DVC works. To secure VGC reservations at most times we need to make reservations 11 months ahead of time. It is probably the hardest reservation to get in all of the DVC program. Due to DVC rules, these reservations cannot just be changed or dropped without possibly losing points or having those points restricted. This was recognized when WDW opened as DVC and resort guests were given a special bucket of park reservations.

VGC DVC has been closed well beyond the time it should have opened. I would even argue that DVD had a duty to its owners to open VGC as soon as it could. There is nothing in the state of CA that has prevented it from opening months ago (as other timeshare in the area did). The fact that it didn't open shows that you think it is inextricably linked to the parks, which should at a minimum guarantee DVC reservation holders access to park reservations or presumably would open you to a lawsuit for not opening long ago. The disparate treatment of west coast DVC owners from WDW owners is horrible customer service and especially bad optics given the impending sales of a DVC tower at the DH. It hardly feels as if we are valued members/owners.

I get that we are a small group, but that does not make it acceptable to treat us differently than WDW DVC owners (of which I am also a part) or to utterly disregard how the DVC system works. I hope that DVC is lobbying Disneyland to reconsider this decision ASAP or make clear that park reservation calendars will be open at least 11 months + 10 days ahead of time. I have existing VGC reservations in September and January that I need to secure park reservations for when the system opens on April 12/15.

If you google, you can find their email addresses. Or at least Terri Schultz. That is how I have found it before.

 

[KPeterso]

I believe if DVC is able to negotiate access to ticketing on 4/12 to give three days of purchase and reservation, that would be a reasonable accommodation to reserve days as same nights.

I would be ok with that as an option for my July and November trips. I don't mind a day visit if I go into the general pool but my VGC reservations should be considered for the theme park reservations.

 

[SeaDis]

Tossing this out: Is it possible a subsequent Park Pass announcement is coming for VGC and Park Passes? And then another announcement for GCH (and later other resort guests, once those open)?

1) We received dedicated emails from DVC to communicate previous re-opening efforts. Including this in the main announcement/marketing for a relatively small group of guests might create confusion.
2) There is language/disclaimer that the Park Pass system is subject to change.
3) There is language that capacity may be held back and released later.
4) Last week they added the WDW functionality to link your DVC reservation for the first time. Why? (thanks Montreid for that scoop)

5) Ticket prices are the same and old tickets are honored. Tying park access to big $$$ GCH stay in the main announcement would be pure money grab (optics). But they can easily change this quietly a couple weeks later (i.e. for the Summer) after everyone has had an equal chance at re-opening days.
6) Overall: They are clearly integrating the WDW Park Pass system to the DL website, and that "bucket" functionality is available and seems to work well. Fingers crossed for some more news/clarity to come.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

If you google, you can find their email addresses. Or at least Terri Schultz. That is how I have found it before.

It's on its way to her. Let's hope it helps.

 

[DisneyDad0315]

Park reservation information up -- NO guarantees being offered. Specifically says - get tickets and reservations theme park first before making hotel reservations.

I have a 2 bedroom reservation for a couple of days in May. I'm keeping it, even if I do not get Disneyland tickets. I'll enjoy Downtown Disney and the pool area. Hopefully I can get a theme park view

 

[peppy20]

With you all in sharing a bit of anger and frustration. My hopes of getting tickets are near 0. But the mindset it to go anyway and enjoy the resort, downtown Disney and the surrounding area. Might even check out knotts for the first time in 30 years. Hope we all have good luck getting the tickets we want/need.

 

[boscoj]

I really hope they have some type of theme park guarantees for VGC reservations! Unlike normal hotel res that can be cancelled easily, it can get pretty messy for owners and their points if we have to cancel at the last minute due to unavailability at the parks......

 

[DisneyDad0315]

I really hope they have some type of theme park guarantees for VGC reservations! Unlike normal hotel res that can be cancelled easily, it can get pretty messy for owners and their points if we have to cancel at the last minute due to unavailability at the parks......

I believe Disney announced today that a reservation at VGC does NOT guarantee a park ticket. I’m still going even if I don’t get park tickets.

 

[montreid]

I believe Disney announced today that a reservation at VGC does NOT guarantee a park ticket. I’m still going even if I don’t get park tickets.

That's why all the uproar is the past page. No theme park guarantee reservation for any Disney hotel/timeshare. They specifically call is out on the blog - secure theme park ticket and reservation BEFORE making hotel arrangements.

 

[KPeterso]

That's why all the uproar is the past page. No theme park guarantee reservation for any Disney hotel/timeshare. They specifically call is out on the blog - secure theme park ticket and reservation BEFORE making hotel arrangements.

That statement is the part that I take biggest issue with. It is just not how it works for DVC. We book 7-11 months out for the most part.

 

[wbl2745]

Although off topic, you still can't make reservations at VGC. Have they completely messed this up?

 

[Mathmagicland]

With the WDW reopening, they had separate buckets of tickets for hotel guests aside from APs & the rest of the ticket holders. Don’t understand why that is not happening here. I can only guess it might be related to the SWGE opening when some people were selling spots on hotel reservations to those who had no intention of staying there & no connection to the reservation holder....padding room reservation occupants with many more than actually stayed over.

 

[upritbass]

The announcement doesn’t set anything in stone, so there is still time for them to make changes. Just like they did for food, shopping and delivery at GC. As of yesterday, they announced that there will be some food and shopping available in the hotel and that shopping purchases can be delivered to your room.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

As I mentioned earlier, I emailed Disney Parks and DVC yesterday, and I just had a very nice follow up call with DVC. I think it would definitely help if they heard from some other concerned VGC owners as well--especially anyone potentially impacted by a trip in the next 60-90 days. So send those emails!

I'm going to post in the speculation thread as well as i think I saw some people with upcoming reservations over there. Specifically, I asked for a special bucket for DVC and that the reservation calendar be extended far beyond 60 days to accommodate owners who own a very inflexible product (this is what WDW does and I reiterated that it was wrong to have different rules for the West Coast just because we are a small group).