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

[minniecarousel]

OMG!

Finally - we can book hotel rooms at the Grand Californian again. I remember before the Villas were built, we could stay on points at the Grand. Then, when the Villas were built, we could no longer book the hotel rooms there. Just read this in the newest "Disney Files".

 

[taaren]

Thanks for the links. Youn mention points being distributed in Dec 2059. But now that I look closely at it, I think the first UY when the resort opened was Sep 2009. If those contracts get 50 years of points, their last points would come in Sep 2058. If there are Aug UYs then they would get their last points in Aug 2059. Depending on how DVD handles it, I suppose it's in the realm of possibilty for the Sep UY people to bank their last points into the the final 5 months of the life of their contract. On the other hand, Aug UY people only have 6 months to use that final traunch of points (instead of the 2 months for Dec).

Never noticed that before. However, I am a June UY, we bought in June of '09, and we vacationed on some of those points that we bought in November of '09, we did not borrow. I think everybody that bought their points received them on opening day regardless of their UY (although I must have had them in June since I remember making the reservation within a few days of buying the contract). I guess that means the last points we will get will be in January of '58? Anyhow, I found the threads interesting to follow but didn't have anything to add. Its neat to wonder about but still anybody's guess until 2040 or so ...

 

[WDWLinda]

Hi Everyone...I'm new to renting points but my 7 month window comes up 3/23 and hopefully I'll be able to find points and put in a request at VGC for a 2 bdrm villa in Oct. Any recommendations on what to request as far as views, room #s, etc? Do you prefer the 2 room lock-off or the dedicated 2 bdrm suite? We'll have my husband and I, our 2 sons and my m-in-law.

Thanks!
Linda

 

[bigAWL]

Never noticed that before. However, I am a June UY, we bought in June of '09, and we vacationed on some of those points that we bought in November of '09, we did not borrow. I think everybody that bought their points received them on opening day regardless of their UY (although I must have had them in June since I remember making the reservation within a few days of buying the contract). I guess that means the last points we will get will be in January of '58? Anyhow, I found the threads interesting to follow but didn't have anything to add. Its neat to wonder about but still anybody's guess until 2040 or so ...

That's interesting. I didn't know they were selling earlier use year months than Sep before opening. I didn't buy until July 2010, but I got Sep UY including 2009 points. Anyway, I was just trying to make some calulations based on how many points I would get over the life of the contract, and when I would get them. More of a theoretical exercise, since I don't have any idea if my kids will still be involved or not. But it is an interesting issue.

 

[the donut]

Hi Everyone...I'm new to renting points but my 7 month window comes up 3/23 and hopefully I'll be able to find points and put in a request at VGC for a 2 bdrm villa in Oct. Any recommendations on what to request as far as views, room #s, etc? Do you prefer the 2 room lock-off or the dedicated 2 bdrm suite? We'll have my husband and I, our 2 sons and my m-in-law.

Thanks!
Linda

Availability is generally better for the dedicated 2BR as the studios are very popular and tend to book out fast. I just took a peek at the calendar for October and the first week is pretty booked up already with only 1 night available here or there. October is popular!

 

[Disney Princess]

Disney ROFR'd our add-on contract. We were actually surprised as we didn't think they had been taking much back. We already have our 100 points, but those extra 50 were going to be so nice. Guess I'll have to keep looking for that perfect contract.

 

[bigAWL]

Disney ROFR'd our add-on contract. We were actually surprised as we didn't think they had been taking much back. We already have our 100 points, but those extra 50 were going to be so nice. Guess I'll have to keep looking for that perfect contract.

Are you willing to share the price per point that was agreed to?

 

[monami7]

Just booked our first trip home! We are going the last week in Jan. We were at throw hotel in 2010 and fell in love.

I know it is far off but I cant wait! I am calling tomorrow to request a high floor theme park view.

 

[Nonsuch]

Ooops!! I just looked at my reservation. We are staying in a 1 bedroom, not a 2. After all these years as a family of 6, I forgot that only 4 of us will be there.

So, can you help with with 1 bedroom villa room requests? Thanks!

This is the request I made for our most recent trip:

Prefer a high floor with Paradise Pier Park View.
The room order of preference is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508, 3502, 5514, 4514, 3514, 2522, 2508, 2502, 2514

We received our 6th choice: 3508

 

[Susie63]

Finally I have my reservation in hand.After missing out on one private rental,no points through a vendor,the third time was the charm. Thanks to everyone on this thread for all the info and especially Nonsuch for the maps and room referrals.I can't wait to stay at the GCVillas. I promise to treat your home with the utmost respect

 

[jujashmom]

Any info on which days of the week go first?

Plannng a trip for February 2013. I have enough VGC points to get 2 nights at 11months, but will have to wait on the other 4 nights to use my AKV points at the 7 month window.
We are planning on staying Sat 2/2 thru Fri 2/8.

Would it be better to reserve Sat 2/2 and Sunday 2/3 now and then wait to get the other days. We need a 1 bedroom.

Thanks!!

 

[monami7]

We are going at that time too! I just booked a 1 br Jan. 25 to Jan 2. We could pass at checkout! Lol I would think the weekends would book first. But it is hard to know. I can honestly say that this is why we bought at vgc. I never wanted to wonder anymore. At wdw I really don't care where we stay! But at dl I need my 3 INCH THICK LOUNGE CHAIRS!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Any info on which days of the week go first?

Plannng a trip for February 2013. I have enough VGC points to get 2 nights at 11months, but will have to wait on the other 4 nights to use my AKV points at the 7 month window.
We are planning on staying Sat 2/2 thru Fri 2/8.

Would it be better to reserve Sat 2/2 and Sunday 2/3 now and then wait to get the other days. We need a 1 bedroom.

Thanks!!

We recently did 2 WL at VGC. For a 2 BR in May, I could book the Friday night, but not the Sat or Sunday. That WL just came through, even though I only booked it in January.

The second WL was for a Studio in August. We could book the Sat - Monday nights, but not the Friday night. This was right at the 7 month window.

When trying to book at 7 months for June, 2011, I could book Fri-mon but not Thursday.

All this goes to show that availability really depends.

If I were you, I would book the last 2 nights, so if you can't book the earlier days, you will end your stay in a great VGC room. I think mid-week in February will be available at 7 months, especially in a 1 BR, which are the easiest to book. If I have to switch hotels/rooms, I would much rather do it early in my stay rather towards the end. -- Suzanne

 

[Disney Princess]

Are you willing to share the price per point that was agreed to?

We agreed to $85/point. Our TTS salesman said that Disney hadn't ROFR'd much at all and thought we'd have no problem. We'll keep searching for a new contract to bid on.

 

[marlouwrig]

We will be staying at VGC for the first time at the beginning of October, flying into LAX. We are non drivers and wonder what the best transfer options are.
Does DL have an equivalent to the WDW Magical Express?

 

[Susie63]

Will I be able to add things like the Fantasmic dessert pkg and dining reservations to my rental without bothering the owner?

 

[Disney Princess]

We will be staying at VGC for the first time at the beginning of October, flying into LAX. We are non drivers and wonder what the best transfer options are.
Does DL have an equivalent to the WDW Magical Express?

Disneyland does not offer a free shuttle service to onsite guests. There is a Disneyland Express that is operated by Greyhound (?), but you have to pay to use it. It is scheduled at specific times. You can Google to find that information. We've used Super Shuttle twice with excellent success. It isn't fancy, but it works. You may want to post your questions on the Disneyland forum of the DISboards. Many people there have extra information that might help.

Will I be able to add things like the Fantasmic dessert pkg and dining reservations to my rental without bothering the owner?

Yes, all dining and "extras" reservations are made apart from your resort reservation. If I remember correctly, they didn't even ask for my resort reservation number when I called to book things.

 

[DebbieB]

Disneyland does not offer a free shuttle service to onsite guests. There is a Disneyland Express that is operated by Greyhound (?), but you have to pay to use it. It is scheduled at specific times. You can Google to find that information. We've used Super Shuttle twice with excellent success. It isn't fancy, but it works. You may want to post your questions on the Disneyland forum of the DISboards. Many people there have extra information that might help.

It's GrayLine. I used it once from LAX, it's not bad. They take everyone to the Disneyland Hotel and collect the money there. They then direct you to the bus to your final destination, they serve more than just the Disney owned hotels. From LAX, I like it better than SuperShuttle because it's more comfortable for the longer drive. From SNA, I use SuperShuttle.

http://graylineanaheim.com/shuttles.shtml

 

[marlouwrig]

Thanks for the info. Its given me options to consider for our trip

 

[boiseflyfisher]

It's GrayLine. I used it once from LAX, it's not bad. They take everyone to the Disneyland Hotel and collect the money there. They then direct you to the bus to your final destination, they serve more than just the Disney owned hotels. From LAX, I like it better than SuperShuttle because it's more comfortable for the longer drive. From SNA, I use SuperShuttle.

http://graylineanaheim.com/shuttles.shtml

Just wanted to add that you can prebook and pay online for a discount. You just print out your receipt and show it to them when you arrive at DH. They will give you a little voucher for your return trip to LAX.