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

[LAX]

They probably had to first decide what they were going to do - cancel or provide other options and then negotiate with the the Disneyland hotels for rooms and with the rooms involving what sounds like several months that probably took a bit of time.

Even at a discount, the "cost" of a hotel room is probably more than an equivalent size villa. Who is going to end up paying for the extra "costs" of those rooms?

LAX

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Even at a discount, the "cost" of a hotel room is probably more than an equivalent size villa. Who is going to end up paying for the extra "costs" of those rooms?

LAX

I would hope that it's the DVC property management and not the association. I don't know what if any restrictions the hotels are under so maybe they threw DVC a bone especially since the current DLR lead is the old DVC VP.

 

[dragonflymom]

I too was wondering how the hotel rooms and gift cards would be paid for...worried that it would mean increased dues for VGC owners!

 

[upritbass]

Even at a discount, the "cost" of a hotel room is probably more than an equivalent size villa. Who is going to end up paying for the extra "costs" of those rooms?

Nobody. DVC and Disney Hotels are different groups, so the accountants will get together, figure out the conversion factor between Villas and hotel rooms, and presto!change-o! everything balances out. But ... once you choose the hotel option, your points can't be put back into DVC if you decide to cancel the reservation.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Nobody. DVC and Disney Hotels are different groups, so the accountants will get together, figure out the conversion factor between Villas and hotel rooms, and presto!change-o! everything balances out. But ... once you choose the hotel option, your points can't be put back into DVC if you decide to cancel the reservation.

Agreed. I realized I did not specify that I was referencing DVC management covering any higher costs that Disney hotels felt they needed for the rooms beyond exchanging for points required for the VGC villas themselves. @LAX is correct that normally those exchanges would require more points than the Villa rooms.

 

[montreid]

Interesting thought process. So reservation points aren't too bad though, right? So far studio reservations made and converted to hotel points and you cancel -- those points remain and availability on the GCH side for rooms are a lot more readily available than VGC studios.

The compromise isn't bad and still allows flexibility upon cancellation. What's missing here aside the loss of some villa benefit for 1BR and larger folk --- studio reservations --- not so bad?

 

[AZMermaid]

Usually a Grand Cal room using reservation points is many more points than a studio. In 2020, Summer weekend is 69 points for standard view hotel room vs 24-32 for a studio, depending on early vs late summer. The seasons don't match up exactly and I couldnt find the chart for 2021. So presumably, you’re getting a “deal” currently, but if you need to cancel, it’ll cost you twice as many points to rebook.

 

[montreid]

Usually a Grand Cal room using reservation points is many more points than a studio. In 2020, Summer weekend is 69 points for standard view hotel room vs 24-32 for a studio, depending on early vs late summer. The seasons don't match up exactly and I couldnt find the chart for 2021. So presumably, you’re getting a “deal” currently, but if you need to cancel, it’ll cost you twice as many points to rebook.

The way I would see it happen once the conversion happens, the reservation points bump to whatever the value for the hotel room is; say the 69points. So cancel or moving the reservation AFTER the conversion will remain the 69 points. -- not 32 DVC vacation points.

I doubt the reservation system is robust enough to discount a room reservation points and hold it there. The conversion will happen at the switch. My thinking is future changes simply stay on the hotel reservation side with the appropriate reservation point currency to KIS for the future Hotel side CM. -- all assumptions though!!!

So have to make decisions on what to do on several bookings --- Still wondering openly why hotel/DVC reservations aren't given theme park reservation priorities.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The way I would see it happen once the conversion happens, the reservation points bump to whatever the value for the hotel room is; say the 69points. So cancel or moving the reservation AFTER the conversion will remain the 69 points. -- not 32 DVC vacation points.

I doubt the reservation system is robust enough to discount a room reservation points and hold it there. The conversion will happen at the switch. My thinking is future changes simply stay on the hotel reservation side with the appropriate reservation point currency to KIS for the future Hotel side CM. -- all assumptions though!!!

So have to make decisions on what to do on several bookings --- Still wondering openly why hotel/DVC reservations aren't given theme park reservation priorities.

I very much doubt that is what is happening, So once you accept the hotel room and the points are converted to reservation points and then if you decided to cancel you would need to use more points if you rebooked for a different time. It's almost certainly a one time discounted "rate" on the hotel rooms for those who booked during the time they had incorrect inventory loaded.

 

[RoseGold]

So have to make decisions on what to do on several bookings --- Still wondering openly why hotel/DVC reservations aren't given theme park reservation priorities.

Maybe the tickets will fix this problem for them. If your party can't get tickets, you will cancel your overbooked 2BR? Problem solved!

That's the only explanation I have as to why no one has picked up a phone on a 70 point/night reservation in July.

 

[vacay77]

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).

I emailed a week or so ago, and I didn't get anywhere - not even free Mickey bars, lol. But I'm not a CA resident. We had a stay booked at VGC booked for the end of May. Then they announced that the parks are only going to be open for CA residents. I was frustrated even then, so I can completely understand your frustration if you are a CA resident and it doesn't guarantee admission into the theme parks. I decided to just cancel our reservation and we are going to the Aulani instead. But I couldn't even cancel our reservation due to the whole snafu going on right now with overbooking.

 

[vacay77]

“While we cannot guarantee park access / tickets due to severely limited capacity as mandated by the state of California, DVC Members staying at DLR were accounted for in how tickets will be distributed. My best advice is to be diligent in making your park reservations as another part of your vacation planning process. We are hopeful and optimistic that capacity in the parks will grow quickly over time and this will become a limited or non-issue soon. We also will likely extend the advanced booking window as California allows non-residents to visit our parks.”

This was the reply I got. Not exactly an answer, but the “how tickets are distributed” is interesting. It indicates to me there will be buckets of tickets like WDW... so assuming the hotel bucket is big enough to cover all the rooms, it might be stressful, but doable.

What does the bucket of tickets refer to? I'm relatively new to all this.....

 

[Mathmagicland]

What does the bucket of tickets refer to? I'm relatively new to all this.....

In Florida when WDW reopened, there were three reservation buckets - APs, WDW hotel guests, and the rest. CA does not have a reservation bucket for hotel guests.

 

[Drewmama]

Is there anywhere online I can see prices and make reservations for pool cabanas?

 

[Nonsuch]

Is there anywhere online I can see prices and make reservations for pool cabanas?

I have not seen official prices posted online, and you must call the hotel to book.

Some information I previously posted:

I paid $350 for a full day in June 2018.

Some cabana details:

• A fruit tray and a few bottled waters are included, but other food and drinks are extra.
• A server is dedicated to the 6 cabanas
• Capacity is 8 guests inside the cabana
• Outside the cabana is a patio table with 5 chairs and 2 loungers and 2 umbrellas
• There is a small fridge, a TV and ceiling fan

 

[vacay77]

In Florida when WDW reopened, there were three reservation buckets - APs, WDW hotel guests, and the rest. CA does not have a reservation bucket for hotel guests.

Thank you!

 

[LAX]

Nobody. DVC and Disney Hotels are different groups, so the accountants will get together, figure out the conversion factor between Villas and hotel rooms, and presto!change-o! everything balances out. But ... once you choose the hotel option, your points can't be put back into DVC if you decide to cancel the reservation.

I have been told many times that different units of Disney don't cut each other slacks. Thus, DVD/DVC just can't offer perks/discounts that are controlled by other units (ie: Parks). In order for DVD to offer its members perks such as a discount on park tickets/passes (or other things), it must negotiate with other units and they often costs "money." Since the hotel rooms are controlled by a different unit, I can't imagine them offering a DVD a sweetheart deal on those rooms if above is true. Thus my question on who is responsible for the differences. If there are any accounting tricks that DVD can use to fix this snafu, then it doesn't make any sense not to use the same tricks to offer deals/promos that can benefit different units of Disney.

LAX

 

[guerrero5]

Is there anywhere online I can see prices and make reservations for pool cabanas?

I didn’t find any when I looked yesterday, so I called and was given the price of $318 for a half day (4 hour window) and $369 for a full day (9:30-6pm).

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I emailed a week or so ago, and I didn't get anywhere - not even free Mickey bars, lol. But I'm not a CA resident. We had a stay booked at VGC booked for the end of May. Then they announced that the parks are only going to be open for CA residents. I was frustrated even then, so I can completely understand your frustration if you are a CA resident and it doesn't guarantee admission into the theme parks. I decided to just cancel our reservation and we are going to the Aulani instead. But I couldn't even cancel our reservation due to the whole snafu going on right now with overbooking.

Such a bummer all around. I'm sorry that your trip had to be cancelled--and that you didn't get anywhere with CS--but Aulani is definitely a great consolation prize, LOL! Hope you are able to get through soon. Aloha!!!

 

[Evita_W]

I have been told many times that different units of Disney don't cut each other slacks. Thus, DVD/DVC just can't offer perks/discounts that are controlled by other units (ie: Parks). In order for DVD to offer its members perks such as a discount on park tickets/passes (or other things), it must negotiate with other units and they often costs "money." Since the hotel rooms are controlled by a different unit, I can't imagine them offering a DVD a sweetheart deal on those rooms if above is true. Thus my question on who is responsible for the differences. If there are any accounting tricks that DVD can use to fix this snafu, then it doesn't make any sense not to use the same tricks to offer deals/promos that can benefit different units of Disney.

LAX

I think a lot of the normal rules have gone out the window during times of COVID, so this may simply be able to be avoided right now.