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

[Sydnie]

Hi All! I just wanted to come here and introduce myself

I'm Alison (27) and my DH is Thomas (29). We just took the plunge and joined the official waiting list for VGC We hemmed and hawed about what to do and finally decided to buy direct from Disney so we could use our points at the other hotels since we heard sometimes even with the 11month window it's hard to get rooms. For a $20 difference per point Disney just seemed the way to go. We've requested a 120pt contract with a June UY and our guide seemed to think we'd get the call within the next couple of months since Disney is ROFRing at VGC a lot these days.

We can't wait to officially be owners of our new "home" so I thought we'd come here and say hi in the meantime

 

[franandaj]

Hi All! I just wanted to come here and introduce myself

I'm Alison (27) and my DH is Thomas (29). We just took the plunge and joined the official waiting list for VGC We hemmed and hawed about what to do and finally decided to buy direct from Disney so we could use our points at the other hotels since we heard sometimes even with the 11month window it's hard to get rooms. For a $20 difference per point Disney just seemed the way to go. We've requested a 120pt contract with a June UY and our guide seemed to think we'd get the call within the next couple of months since Disney is ROFRing at VGC a lot these days.

We can't wait to officially be owners of our new "home" so I thought we'd come here and say hi in the meantime

Welcome! You'll love the Grand. It is nice to have the option to trade out to the other hotels in case you can't get in the villas. We're done adding on, but if we did we would go direct from Disney just so that our points were all the same and none of them were "second class resale points".

 

[Sydnie]

Welcome! You'll love the Grand. It is nice to have the option to trade out to the other hotels in case you can't get in the villas. We're done adding on, but if we did we would go direct from Disney just so that our points were all the same and none of them were "second class resale points".

Thanks! And may I say I love that you spell your name right

 

[BrianM]

Hi All! I just wanted to come here and introduce myself

I'm Alison (27) and my DH is Thomas (29). We just took the plunge and joined the official waiting list for VGC We hemmed and hawed about what to do and finally decided to buy direct from Disney so we could use our points at the other hotels since we heard sometimes even with the 11month window it's hard to get rooms. For a $20 difference per point Disney just seemed the way to go. We've requested a 120pt contract with a June UY and our guide seemed to think we'd get the call within the next couple of months since Disney is ROFRing at VGC a lot these days.

We can't wait to officially be owners of our new "home" so I thought we'd come here and say hi in the meantime

Very cool. We're thinking of doing the same for the exact reasons you mention. I thought you had to buy 160 points as an initial purchase (I guess I'm assuming this is your first purchase - if not my apologies!). Did they make a policy change?

Thanks and good luck with a speedy process!

 

[franandaj]

Thanks! And may I say I love that you spell your name right

I noticed that about you too, but I wasn't going to go there just yet!

 

[Sydnie]

Very cool. We're thinking of doing the same for the exact reasons you mention. I thought you had to buy 160 points as an initial purchase (I guess I'm assuming this is your first purchase - if not my apologies!). Did they make a policy change?

Thanks and good luck with a speedy process!

We are first time buyers, they are letting you buy as few as 50pts to start a membership now!

If you do decide to buy please add your information to this thread, I think it will be great to have a centralized location for wait times

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2760728

 

[BrianM]

Who has info on point requirements at DH or PP? Although not generally considered the best use of points, it seems to be a reason why a lot of west coasters are looking to purchase direct (me included).

Also, are there booking windows for those too or based strictly on room availability?

Thanks!

 

[Sydnie]

My brochure has the point values as follows;

DLH: Standard View Room: 27-48 pts per night depending on season
Premium View: 33-61 pts per night depending on season

PP: Standard View Room: 25-40 pts per night depending on season
Park View Room: 30-54 pts per night depending on season

I *think* it's just based on availability, but someone who has done it can chime in for sure

 

[franandaj]

I was reading a thread yesterday from a couple who was in their motorhome, had no idea when they would be arriving in CA and were able to get a room two days before arrival at PP, then switched to the DLH for another couple days.

 

[the donut]

My brochure has the point values as follows;

DLH: Standard View Room: 27-48 pts per night depending on season
Premium View: 33-61 pts per night depending on season

PP: Standard View Room: 25-40 pts per night depending on season
Park View Room: 30-54 pts per night depending on season

I *think* it's just based on availability, but someone who has done it can chime in for sure

It is based on availability, and FWIW, DVC points do not fall into the discount category, i.e. there may be availability on DVC points even when a sale category (like the AP discount) is sold out. And as discussed elsewhere, the rule of 4 does not apply. I've booked the DLH the day before we went down.

I snagged a pic of the points chart in case anyone wanted more detail.

ETA: Added 2011 as well. Hadn't really noticed how much the point prices had gone up before this post. Wow.

 

[franandaj]

I can't believe my luck! We have an event on 9/28 and didn't want to have to drive home so I had put in a WL for a studio. Today I decided to up my chances by putting in an additional WL for a 1BR. To my surprise it was available! I was in the process of checking to upgrade my weekend stay when my phone dropped the call. When we reach the bottom of the Grapevine, I'll call back.

 

[sarahk0204]

We are planning a trip to VGC for July 2012. We were originally going to stay for 4 nights in a 1 bedroom. However, now we are looking at 3 nights to conserve points for a December 2012 WDW visit. We'd likely switch to a good neighbor hotel for our last night at DLR.

My question concerns parking at VGC. How long can your car stay in the VGC lot on check out day? Do you have until midnight, or just check out time (11:00 AM)? TIA!

 

[Sydnie]

You can stay until midnight :yes: We switched out on the last day-drove over to the good neighbor hotel and dropped off our stuff, then drove back at parked at VGC to spend the rest of the day at the parks. That way when we were done we just drove to the other hotel instead of having to walk the mile to it.

 

[TLPL]

I have a few questions about my first ever home stay next month. I have never stay on site in DLR before, so I have no idea what kind of perk we are entitle to. I have heard many perks before: Magic Morning, Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness, FASTPASS tickets, and the specially created return line for The Little Mermaid..... can someone help me out?

 

[kikiq]

I have a few questions about my first ever home stay next month. I have never stay on site in DLR before, so I have no idea what kind of perk we are entitle to. I have heard many perks before: Magic Morning, Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness, FASTPASS tickets, and the specially created return line for The Little Mermaid..... can someone help me out?

We just returned from VGC this weekend. We took advantage of the MM, FP and getting WOC tickets at the GRR entrance to DCA. I don't know if they do this way all the time, but my DH went down on Saturday morning and he actually told them 10:15 show, Blue section and that's what they wrote on the WOC FP. If you go the DLR DIS board, read Hydroguy's WOC thread, Disneyland 1951 has provided a map of the viewing area. We used our blue ticket to stand by the fire hydrant, since my DH does not like getting soaked.

 

[TLPL]

my DH went down on Saturday morning and he actually told them 10:15 show, Blue section and that's what they wrote on the WOC FP.

So Did your DH go down by himself and able to get FP for your whole family? or do you all have to go in the park to get it? I read somewhere they hand out FP at the private entrance also, I want to know exactly what I should do.

 

[kikiq]

So Did your DH go down by himself and able to get FP for your whole family? or do you all have to go in the park to get it? I read somewhere they hand out FP at the private entrance also, I want to know exactly what I should do.

He went to the DCA entrance that's by the "private" entrance from the Grand. He didn't even have to go into the park, he was by himself waiting to go into the park to take a walk. You will have to find out when they are opening that entrance and get there a little earlier since they have been known to let folks in earlier than posted. Have your room key with you. My DH got 5 FPs.

 

[JimmyJam838]

One person can get the fast passes, but everyone has to enter either DL or DCA with the tickets to activate them for the day first.

 

[disneydenisel]

Last month, we were told that all of us had to show up for the WOC fastpasses, so the kids were in their pajamas and we walked down, got the passes, and went back to finish breakfast. It would have been nice for one of us to get them instead!

 

[disneydenisel]

So does shampoo get replenished or do we get charged? If we are staying 5 nights, the one bottle of shampoo, or even two, isn't going to be enough for four of us. I never have to bring my own when we go to our other timeshares, and at WDW they always give us more if we ask.