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

[Nonsuch]

Chances of getting a one bedroom and studio at 7 months the first week of Dec......any thoughts?

It's going to be very difficult
No Studio Dec 2-8, No one bedroom Dec 4-6.

Candlelight will most likely be Dec 6-7 and many owners (like me) specifically book that weekend. Last year at 8 months in advance I could not book a one bedroom for the first weekend in December, so this year I booked at 11 months

 

[hjgaus]

Chances of getting a one bedroom and studio at 7 months the first week of Dec......any thoughts?

Definitely greater if you put your 2 requests together to make the ONE - 2 bedroom!!! Trying grabbing online or by phone ASAP!!

 

[rentayenta]

It's going to be very difficult No Studio Dec 2-8, No one bedroom Dec 4-6. Candlelight will most likely be Dec 6-7 and many owners (like me) specifically book that weekend. Last year at 8 months in advance I could not book a one bedroom for the first weekend in December, so this year I booked at 11 months

Thank you for checking. Mind looking at the next week, same days? And for a 2 bedroom.

 

[rentayenta]

Definitely greater if you put your 2 requests together to make the ONE - 2 bedroom!!! Trying grabbing online or by phone ASAP!!

So try for a 2 bedroom. That works too.

 

[franandaj]

So try for a 2 bedroom. That works too.

Jenny,
The 2 bedroom units are the last to fill up. Technically you're not supposed to ask about availability on these threads. But no one monitors email.

You know, why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?

 

[hjgaus]

So try for a 2 bedroom. That works too.

Yes.... when I was recently looking (like daily) for ANY openings from NOW til the end of 2014 there seem to be a pattern of more 2 bedrooms available than 1 bed or studios. I snagged 3 studios for 3 different months (so rare) and 3 - 2 bedrooms also different months but needing to purchase MORE points for one of them. This is our year of planning on the fly so kinda just collecting weekends with the lower end of the point scale (not enough points - so sad) otherwise we would ALWAYS stay in a 2 bedrooms rather than the studios!

Hope you get what you are seeking for!

 

[carissa1970]

Have not gotten the 1st floor yet but I'm sure it WILL happen sooner than I would like! Oh well, still lovin' my DVC!!!

We got a first floor studio once that opened up onto such a nice, peaceful area. We loved it, and would take it every time if we could. We had a 5th floor with a great view once, and now that we've experienced that, we are good letting our son have a little more free space using the patio.

 

[carissa1970]

It's going to be very difficult No Studio Dec 2-8, No one bedroom Dec 4-6. Candlelight will most likely be Dec 6-7 and many owners (like me) specifically book that weekend. Last year at 8 months in advance I could not book a one bedroom for the first weekend in December, so this year I booked at 11 months

I still don't understand how I have lived in southern CA my whole life, been to DL a gazillion times, and never knew they had Candlelight here??

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny, The 2 bedroom units are the last to fill up. Technically you're not supposed to ask about availability on these threads. But no one monitors email. You know, why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?

Hahahahahaha!!!! I didn't want to bug you again!

 

[rentayenta]

Yes.... when I was recently looking (like daily) for ANY openings from NOW til the end of 2014 there seem to be a pattern of more 2 bedrooms available than 1 bed or studios. I snagged 3 studios for 3 different months (so rare) and 3 - 2 bedrooms also different months but needing to purchase MORE points for one of them. This is our year of planning on the fly so kinda just collecting weekends with the lower end of the point scale (not enough points - so sad) otherwise we would ALWAYS stay in a 2 bedrooms rather than the studios! Hope you get what you are seeking for!

Thank you for the insights! You've got some good luck. We're on the waitlist for GCV. And I agree, there are never enough points. I'll be borrowed into 2015 for this trip.

 

[pharm55]

I checked in at 7 last spring break, saw the room # on the signature slip and asked the CM if there might be a higher floor available. He made a comment (nicely) that I must know where the room # is on the form and moved me to the 4th or 5th floor. This was supposed to quote the poster commenting on testing Nonesuch's theory... Sent from my SAMSUNG-Note2 using DISBoards

Can you enlighten me on where the room # is on the signature slip? So by reading the comments am I correct in assuming that even tho you may have put a request in for a higher floor if you don't check in early enough in the day you are not likely to get what you want? Flying in from Canada we don't have any choice but to arrive in the late afternoon unless we specifically came a day early to stay elsewhere I guess.

 

[sechelt]

Can you enlighten me on where the room # is on the signature slip? So by reading the comments am I correct in assuming that even tho you may have put a request in for a higher floor if you don't check in early enough in the day you are not likely to get what you want? Flying in from Canada we don't have any choice but to arrive in the late afternoon unless we specifically came a day early to stay elsewhere I guess.

My experience has been different from most here. I've made four reservations, three for a studio, and have always gotten what I requested. We've never checked in early and, actually, one of the times was 11:00 p.m on a Friday night in late August. For that one, we were given 6504.

I always request five or six specific room numbers rather than 'higher floor'. I think it increases your chances of having the request fulfilled.

 

[hjgaus]

My experience has been different from most here. I've made four reservations, three for a studio, and have always gotten what I requested. We've never checked in early and, actually, one of the times was 11:00 p.m on a Friday night in late August. For that one, we were given 6504.

I always request five or six specific room numbers rather than 'higher floor'. I think it increases your chances of having the request fulfilled.

I have done both & sometimes all at once - sometimes they choose to honor it OR deny it! It's been a total hit OR miss in these 4 years but I guess all that matters is being persistent with ALOT of patience in between !!!

 

[Nonsuch]

Can you enlighten me on where the room # is on the signature slip? So by reading the comments am I correct in assuming that even tho you may have put a request in for a higher floor if you don't check in early enough in the day you are not likely to get what you want?

The room number is printed on the small form you must sign (the only form), in the upper left quadrant (not the corner). The number is clearly visible, no secret decoder needed

Villas are assigned several days in advance, and the CM assigning rooms certainly attempts to follow requests
A guest checking in early, that does not like his initial assignment, can request a change. As a result, guests checking in later might not receive their requested view (although a requested view might have been initially assigned).
In some cases, guests checking in early are not allowed to swap rooms -- perhaps because a CM aware of advanced requests does not want his work "undone" or it's simply not possible.

Best strategy is to request specific room numbers in advance, and check in early. A little pixie dust also helps

 

[jerseygal]

HOPING for a FUN, 4 NIGHT GETAWAY for my husband and I, first time CHILDLESS to WDW during the first 2 weeks of December!

Would LOVE TO STAY AT VGF, but if not already have our 4 night booked for JAMBO, our home! CANNOT WAIT for WDW during the HOLIDAY TIME!
Wow, feel like we are OVER THE HUMP....Youngest DS will be entering college in August! Time for Mom and Dad to have some FUN!!!

 

[Snurk71]

HOPING for a FUN, 4 NIGHT GETAWAY for my husband and I, first time CHILDLESS to WDW during the first 2 weeks of December!

Would LOVE TO STAY AT VGF, but if not already have our 4 night booked for JAMBO, our home! CANNOT WAIT for WDW during the HOLIDAY TIME!
Wow, feel like we are OVER THE HUMP....Youngest DS will be entering college in August! Time for Mom and Dad to have some FUN!!!

I think you're in the wrong thread/wrong coast. ;-)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-Note2 using DISBoards

 

[Cinderpamela]

Super excited!! Just managed to get a trip to the VGC booked for Thanksgiving time!! Checking into a studio (hoping for theme park view) Friday Nov 28th thru Tuesday Dec 1!!!

Another 7 month window success story!

Now I am off to search for Nonsuch's recommended list for studios with a theme park view.

 

[hjgaus]

That's great news for you!! Here's sprinkling some pixie dust your way so you get the room you wish for!

 

[NJShoreDad]

Super excited!! Just managed to get a trip to the VGC booked for Thanksgiving time!! Checking into a studio (hoping for theme park view) Friday Nov 28th thru Tuesday Dec 1!!!

Another 7 month window success story!

Now I am off to search for Nonsuch's recommended list for studios with a theme park view.

Another 7-month window success here as well. Last week was able to get a 2 bedroom dedicated for Thanksgiving week. Our first trip to DL!,

 

[Cinderpamela]

Another 7-month window success here as well. Last week was able to get a 2 bedroom dedicated for Thanksgiving week. Our first trip to DL!,

That's great NJShoreDad! Sounds like our trips will probably overlap. See you at the VGC!