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

[Mathmagicland]

I read on a different thread that the VGC studios now only have the beverage fridges (just like the rooms on on the hotel side.) Is this what others have noticed too?

As dumb as it sounds, that makes a big deal to me when it comes to considering buying/renting with the intent to stay in a studio. (And I wonder if it will be the same at the VDH studios too.)

Same when I was there earlier this month - the studio had the regular mini fridge.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Good to hear. I hope it stays that way!

 

[VegasDisneyMom]

I read on a different thread that the VGC studios now only have the beverage fridges (just like the rooms on on the hotel side.) Is this what others have noticed too?

As dumb as it sounds, that makes a big deal to me when it comes to considering buying/renting with the intent to stay in a studio. (And I wonder if it will be the same at the VDH studios too.)

I checked out on 1/31 and it was a mini fridge not a beverage cooler.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Can anyone tell me where I can find what the historical price per point was for VGC? I'm just curious what it was when it was offered direct. Also what it has gone for resale in the years since then. Has it pretty much stayed the same? I know there's no way to predict the future, I was just curious what it's been like since it opened but not sure where to get that info.

Thanks!

 

[bluecruiser]

Can anyone tell me where I can find what the historical price per point was for VGC? I'm just curious what it was when it was offered direct. Also what it has gone for resale in the years since then. Has it pretty much stayed the same? I know there's no way to predict the future, I was just curious what it's been like since it opened but not sure where to get that info.

Thanks!

I bought VGC direct at the beginning, it was $112 per point. Current direct price is $310 per point but is pretty much unavailable from Disney due to limited supply and high resale demand/price.

I have history for several years of resale prices for the December use year (I'm on a mailing list with a resale broker for contracts with that use year). Of course, the prices below are what people listed their contracts for, but since VGC points are in higher demand I'd guess the final price was not much different.

Date listed: Contract points $Price per point (points remaining in each use year)
Sep 2022: 150 points $290/point (150 points 2022, 150 points 2023)
Apr 2022: 100 points $297/point (62 points 2022, 100 points 2023)
Feb 2022: 125 points $295/point (121 points 2022, 125 points 2023)
Nov 2021: 50 points $320/point (56 points (24 borrowed) 2021, 26 points 2022, 50 points 2023)
Jul 2021: 75 points $295/point (40 points 2021, 75 points 2022)
Jul 2021: 160 points $290/point (160 points 2021, 160 points 2022)
Dec 2020: 130 points $239/point (260 points 2020, 130 points 2021)

You can probably find resale price history on some of the DVC resale sites, possibly including the board sponsor - DVC Resale Market.

 

[ehh]

Can anyone tell me where I can find what the historical price per point was for VGC? I'm just curious what it was when it was offered direct. Also what it has gone for resale in the years since then. Has it pretty much stayed the same? I know there's no way to predict the future, I was just curious what it's been like since it opened but not sure where to get that info.

Thanks!

This is the best I've been able to piece together (for a 200pt contract) from blog-type postings online:

 

[bigAWL]

This is the best I've been able to piece together (for a 200pt contract) from blog-type postings online:
View attachment 741826

I purchased in 2010 while on a cruise. The cruise incentives at the time gave us 480 pts at $90/pt.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Wow....I didn't realize they sold out that quickly. But I guess that makes sense since there are so few rooms.

Thanks for the info. It's really interesting to see how much the price has changed. Now if only someone could tell me what resale will be one year from now...that would be great. Ha!

 

[Nonsuch]

Wow....I didn't realize they sold out that quickly. But I guess that makes sense since there are so few rooms.

It actually sold rather slowly. While VGC was under construction, the DVC agents were encouraging potential buyers to buy in Florida and add VGC when available (since add-on would get first access). While this was a typical timeshare sales tactic, it might have been good advice -- except the Mortgage Crisis happened.

Thanks for the info. It's really interesting to see how much the price has changed. Now if only someone could tell me what resale will be one year from now...that would be great. Ha!

VDH is likely to have some effect on VGC resale, but rather depends on VDH price and the economy in general. VDH is mostly Studios and Pods, so likely a better fit for buyers that only want smaller villas.

 

[ehh]

VDH is likely to have some effect on VGC resale, but rather depends on VDH price and the economy in general. VDH is mostly Studios and Pods, so likely a better fit for buyers that only want smaller villas.

I think a factor is how much VDH has already had on VGC resale, too. It's possible the 'VDH penalty' is already fully or mostly baked into the current VGC price.

 

[ClaraOswald]

So I was under the impression that the 2024 refurbishment was an official thing. But is that not the case? Are people just assuming a refurb will happen in 2024?

I worry that there's no incentive for them to do refurbishments in any timely matter since all of the DVC rooms are sold out. But maybe I'm just a pessimist.

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

So I was under the impression that the 2024 refurbishment was an official thing. But is that not the case? Are people just assuming a refurb will happen in 2024?

I worry that there's no incentive for them to do refurbishments in any timely matter since all of the DVC rooms are sold out. But maybe I'm just a pessimist.

It was listed as 2024 at one point and then at the annual meeting this year when they showed the schedule it mysteriously disappeared. It’s certainly in need. Some speculate that once VDH is done they will send crews over there but that would be before 2024 so unlikely. At the same time since VDH opens in 2023 it will be nice for them to not be on the exact same refurb schedule but offset by a year or two.

 

[ehh]

Somehow the 2023 - 2024 (and +7yrs, +14yrs, etc.) schedule is very heavy for refurbs across the DVC portfolio, with VDH adding to it:

Confirmed

• BLT opened 2009, 14yr at 2023, hard goods refurb confirmed in 2024
• BWV opened 1996, 28yr at 2024, hard goods refurb scheduled late 2023 - early 2024
• HHI opened 1996, 28yr at 2024, hard goods refurb confirmed for 2023
• BRV opened 2000, first hard goods refurb delayed to 2022, still in progress currently (early 2023)
• BCV opened 2002, 21yr soft goods refurb in progress currently (2023)
• VRB opened 1999, soft goods refurb confirmed for 2023

Potential

• VDH opens 2023, now its 7yr and 14yr will be in this window
• VGC opened 2009, 14yr in 2023 (hard goods refurb in 2024 semi-announced)
• AKV Jambo opened 2007, 14yr in 2021 but hard goods refurb has not yet happened, nothing announced
• AKV Kidani opened 2009, 14yr at 2023 but nothing announced
• SSR Treehouses opened 2009, 14yr at 2023 but nothing announced
• CCV opened 2017, 7yr soft goods should be 2024 but nothing announced
• OKW opened 1991, last hard goods refurb in 2017-2019 (around 28yrs), due for soft goods 2024-2026ish
• Poly2 opening 2024, supposedly

Only resorts that aren't in the 2023-2024 whirlwind:

• VGF opened 2013 and got a soft goods in 2021; VGF2 opened 2022
• AUL opened 2011 and while it might get a hard goods in 2025 according to the 14yr rule, its soft goods was done in 2021 so it's unlikely
• Poly opened 2015, 7yr soft goods should have been 2022 but was moved slightly early to 2021
• RIV opened 2019, 7yr soft goods would be 2026
• SSR non-Treehouses opened 2004, 21yr soft goods would be 2025 but 14yr hard goods happened 2019-2021

 

[CarolynFH]

At the beginning of DVC in 1991, the refurb schedule was 12/25, and the Capital Reserves dues amounts were based on that. It was 2016 before they altered the plan to 7/14, and they’ve been playing catch-up ever since in dues and in work schedules. COVID-19, issues with delays (including SSR prepandemic), and Poly and VGF jumping ahead of BRV in line didn’t help. So I think they don’t want to announce anything too far in advance, since we’ll take “tentative” plans as “promised” and scream when it doesn’t happen.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Wow....I didn't realize they sold out that quickly. But I guess that makes sense since there are so few rooms.

Thanks for the info. It's really interesting to see how much the price has changed. Now if only someone could tell me what resale will be one year from now...that would be great. Ha!

On a 150 point contract:

@ $200pp: $5.55 per year amortized
@ $240pp; $6.67 per year amortized

Scenario 1) Buy @ $240 and rent out year 1 at $23/pp.

$32,550

Scenario 2) Wait one year and buy at $200/pp.

$30,000

That’s $72 per year if most people’s pessimistic case comes true. Not that big of a deal IMO.

Also, when you start the buying process it will take 2-3 months and then you can’t go on vacation for another 8+ months.

So, I’d rather get points now and rent 2023 (banking points if needed) and have complete flexibility with 2024 schedule.

 

[ClaraOswald]

On a 150 point contract:

@ $200pp: $5.55 per year amortized
@ $240pp; $6.67 per year amortized

Scenario 1) Buy @ $240 and rent out year 1 at $23/pp.

$32,550

Scenario 2) Wait one year and buy at $200/pp.

$30,000

That’s $72 per year if most people’s pessimistic case comes true. Not that big of a deal IMO.

Also, when you start the buying process it will take 2-3 months and then you can’t go on vacation for another 8+ months.

So, I’d rather get points now and rent 2023 (banking points if needed) and have complete flexibility with 2024 schedule.

I need to look into more about how renting out works. I saw someone say if you rent it out to someone and they damage things....YOU get saddled with that bill. That makes me nervous.

Also -- I hadn't even thought of it that way. I also need to consider that we were planning to try renting a studio for next June, which would be almost $3000, I think. So if we were to be able to secure a contract at a higher price now...it would actually maybe even out more if we're not having to pay that $3000 for a rental. Hmm....gotta do some more math ASAP, I think!

 

[MissMet]

Can anyone tell me if the studio refrigerators have a freezer area that we’d be able to freeze our ice pack in before heading to the airport? We’re in a 1-bed but have to move to a studio the last night so I’m hoping it has that little freezer box that could fit an ice pack in. I tried searching but no luck. Thanks!

 

[AstroBlasters]

I need to look into more about how renting out works. I saw someone say if you rent it out to someone and they damage things....YOU get saddled with that bill. That makes me nervous.

Also -- I hadn't even thought of it that way. I also need to consider that we were planning to try renting a studio for next June, which would be almost $3000, I think. So if we were to be able to secure a contract at a higher price now...it would actually maybe even out more if we're not having to pay that $3000 for a rental. Hmm....gotta do some more math ASAP, I think!

As in June 2024?

 

[Royal Consort]

On a 150 point contract:

@ $200pp: $5.55 per year amortized
@ $240pp; $6.67 per year amortized

Scenario 1) Buy @ $240 and rent out year 1 at $23/pp.

$32,550

Scenario 2) Wait one year and buy at $200/pp.

$30,000

That’s $72 per year if most people’s pessimistic case comes true. Not that big of a deal IMO.

Also, when you start the buying process it will take 2-3 months and then you can’t go on vacation for another 8+ months.

So, I’d rather get points now and rent 2023 (banking points if needed) and have complete flexibility with 2024 schedule.

Lol. This all makes me feel better for adding on to VGC near the top of the market as I've already had three trips with those points. Two of those trips for a week at a time.

 

[ClaraOswald]

As in June 2024?

Yeah. I was planning to put a request in a rental site right away this year for June 2024.