The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 3.0

[ehh]

Any updates on when the refurb might be @ehh?

Earliest inventory disruption was mid October, though others reported that removed inventory may have been returned later. Considering inventory returning to available is ~invisible to me and how I monitor inventory, I don't have a great sense of the current start date.

I think April is still looking pretty certain for Floor 1. Floors 4/5 murkier, but likely Jan/Feb. Other floors are harder to discern but I wouldn't be surprised if they started at 5+6 and worked their way down.

No signs of inventory disruption in July (and maybe even June?), indicating it should be wrapped up by then.

My best guess at this point? Starts early Jan (a few days after New Year's), and wraps ups late May to late June.

 

[nalababybear]

Definitely April with both hearing and wheelchair rooms out for the month.

Our FB forum has the mantra 'buy buy buy' . Very hard to resist addonitis.

We have three use years!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Definitely April with both hearing and wheelchair rooms out for the month.

Our FB forum has the mantra 'buy buy buy' . Very hard to resist addonitis.

We have three use years!

Ohhhh what’s the group called? As if I’m not already in enough FB groups haha

 

[tx911]

Earliest inventory disruption was mid October, though others reported that removed inventory may have been returned later. Considering inventory returning to available is ~invisible to me and how I monitor inventory, I don't have a great sense of the current start date.

I think April is still looking pretty certain for Floor 1. Floors 4/5 murkier, but likely Jan/Feb. Other floors are harder to discern but I wouldn't be surprised if they started at 5+6 and worked their way down.

No signs of inventory disruption in July (and maybe even June?), indicating it should be wrapped up by then.

My best guess at this point? Starts early Jan (a few days after New Year's), and wraps ups late May to late June.

Hopefully wrapped up before the 70th!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Earliest inventory disruption was mid October, though others reported that removed inventory may have been returned later. Considering inventory returning to available is ~invisible to me and how I monitor inventory, I don't have a great sense of the current start date.

I think April is still looking pretty certain for Floor 1. Floors 4/5 murkier, but likely Jan/Feb. Other floors are harder to discern but I wouldn't be surprised if they started at 5+6 and worked their way down.

No signs of inventory disruption in July (and maybe even June?), indicating it should be wrapped up by then.

My best guess at this point? Starts early Jan (a few days after New Year's), and wraps ups late May to late June.

Much appreciated.

 

[Dobermanns]

Got room ready text at 2:38pm while I was on the 5 South. Went straight to room and unlocked door with my phone.
Must admit. VGC feels more like home still than VDH (was just there for Halloween race weekend).

 

[AstroBlasters]

Got room ready text at 2:38pm while I was on the 5 South. Went straight to room and unlocked door with my phone.
Must admit. VGC feels more like home still than VDH (was just there for Halloween race weekend).

and you can use your AUL-S points at VGC!

 

[Dobermanns]

and you can use your AUL-S points at VGC!

Yes! This stay was actually booked 11 months ago for tomorrow’s OBB. The AUL-S points might end up getting some usage at WDW since my brother now says he wants to head east

 

[AstroBlasters]

So I am looking at a stretch in early August 2025 at VGC vs. VDH

VGC 1BD 208 points, 2 BD 280 points
VDH 1BD 168 points, 2 BD 260 points

VGC 2BD is a 35% increase to move from 1 to 2 BD whereas VDH is a 55% increase. WOW!

On a straight line comparison between the resorts VGC costs 24% more in points than VDH for a 1BD, whereas it only costs 8% more on the 2BD.

So… VGC seems like a SIGNIFICANTLY better value for someone looking at 2BDs because of the small delta in points vs the offsetting higher dues and additional TOT….

However, could we say that VDH is the better value for the 1BDs?

Studio for VGC and VDH PV were exactly the same. 104.

VGC GV 608 vs VDH GV 580….

 

[VGCgroupie]

So I am looking at a stretch in early August 2025 at VGC vs. VDH

VGC 1BD 208 points, 2 BD 280 points
VDH 1BD 168 points, 2 BD 260 points

VGC 2BD is a 35% increase to move from 1 to 2 BD whereas VDH is a 55% increase. WOW!

On a straight line comparison between the resorts VGC costs 24% more in points than VDH for a 1BD, whereas it only costs 8% more on the 2BD.

So… VGC seems like a SIGNIFICANTLY better value for someone looking at 2BDs because of the small delta in points vs the offsetting higher dues and additional TOT….

However, could we say that VDH is the better value for the 1BDs?

Studio for VGC and VDH PV were exactly the same.

VGC GV 608 vs VDH GV 580….

Is the 40 point savings worth $482? Hmmm

Edit: yeah I think it’s worth it. You can bring that $482 down by paying with GC’s too.

Financially it’s worth it… but to me staying at VGC will always be better than VDH so there’s that aspect too when looking at costs.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Is the 40 point savings worth $482? Hmmm

Edit: yeah I think it’s worth it. You can bring that $482 down by paying with GC’s too.

Financially it’s worth it… but to me staying at VGC will always be better than VDH so there’s that aspect too when looking at costs.

I agree, especially when starting your day in DCA with the VIP side entrance.

It just seems to be accepted wisdom that studios and 2BDs are the best values in DVC and that 1BDs and GVs are the worst relative values. This holds true for VGC, but perhaps DVC has caught on and is making the newer point charts more equitable across room types.

If applying a value of $15pp then the savings per night is $150… The TOT per night… about $103 to $120… I guess that blows up my “value argument”….

The TOT on the 2BD…$187-$210 a night. Definitely not worth a $75 spread at $15pp….

 

[VGCgroupie]

It just seems to be accepted wisdom that studios and 2BDs are the best values in DVC and that 1BDs and GVs are the worst relative values. This holds true for VGC, but perhaps DVC has caught on and is making the newer point charts more equitable across room types.

We fit nicely in a 1 bedroom so that would work well for us.

I still haven’t studied point charts much so thank you for posting this, when we need a 1 bed that might be the time to book at VDH and save VGC points for when we need 2 bedrooms.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

So I am looking at a stretch in early August 2025 at VGC vs. VDH

VGC 1BD 208 points, 2 BD 280 points
VDH 1BD 168 points, 2 BD 260 points

VGC 2BD is a 35% increase to move from 1 to 2 BD whereas VDH is a 55% increase. WOW!

On a straight line comparison between the resorts VGC costs 24% more in points than VDH for a 1BD, whereas it only costs 8% more on the 2BD.

So… VGC seems like a SIGNIFICANTLY better value for someone looking at 2BDs because of the small delta in points vs the offsetting higher dues and additional TOT….

However, could we say that VDH is the better value for the 1BDs?

Studio for VGC and VDH PV were exactly the same. 104.

VGC GV 608 vs VDH GV 580….

You got me curious about this and I took a look at the point charts for our upcoming trips this October and next June (both Thursday-Monday):

October 2024:
VGC

• Studio 88 points
• 1 BR 174 points
• 2 BR 234 points
• GV 478 points

VDH

• Preferred Studio 98 points
• 1 BR 172 points
• 2 BR 258 points
• GV 554 points

June 2025:
VGC

• Studio 88 points
• 1 BR 174 points
• 2 BR 234 points
• GV 478 points

VDH

• Preferred Studio 110 points
• 1 BR 180 points
• 2 BR 276 points
• GV 620 points

So while it does seem like the VDH 1BRs are a better "value" relative to the other categories, it could be offset by the point chart seasons.

 

[ehh]

So I am looking at a stretch in early August 2025 at VGC vs. VDH

VGC 1BD 208 points, 2 BD 280 points
VDH 1BD 168 points, 2 BD 260 points

VGC 2BD is a 35% increase to move from 1 to 2 BD whereas VDH is a 55% increase. WOW!

On a straight line comparison between the resorts VGC costs 24% more in points than VDH for a 1BD, whereas it only costs 8% more on the 2BD.

So… VGC seems like a SIGNIFICANTLY better value for someone looking at 2BDs because of the small delta in points vs the offsetting higher dues and additional TOT….

However, could we say that VDH is the better value for the 1BDs?

Studio for VGC and VDH PV were exactly the same. 104.

VGC GV 608 vs VDH GV 580….

The 1BR at VDH are at a noticeably discounted ratio compared to other resorts, whereas the 2BR are not.

Studio :: 1BR :: 2BR ratios are typically approximately 1x :: ~2x :: ~2.75x for any given view, with the 1BR range being 1.91x - 2.12x (not including PVB's newest rooms) and the 2BR range being 2.56x - 2.88x at WDW resorts.

However, at VDH, the ratio for equivalent view is 1x :: 1.73x :: 2.59x. Near the bottom of the rankings for 2BR but way below 2nd lowest for 1BR.

Curiously, they kinda kept the 1x :: 2x :: 2.75x ratios at VDH, but misaligned the views. SV Studio :: PV 1BR :: PV 2BR works out to 1x :: 1.98x :: 2.97x.

On top of all that, VGC's ratios have high seasonal variance, though August is a standard 1x :: 2x :: 2.71x.

 

[AstroBlasters]

The 1BR at VDH are at a noticeably discounted ratio compared to other resorts, whereas the 2BR are not.

Studio :: 1BR :: 2BR ratios are typically approximately 1x :: ~2x :: ~2.75x for any given view, with the 1BR range being 1.91x - 2.12x (not including PVB's newest rooms) and the 2BR range being 2.56x - 2.88x at WDW resorts.

However, at VDH, the ratio for equivalent view is 1x :: 1.73x :: 2.59x. Near the bottom of the rankings for 2BR but way below 2nd lowest for 1BR.

Curiously, they kinda kept the 1x :: 2x :: 2.75x ratios at VDH, but misaligned the views. SV Studio :: PV 1BR :: PV 2BR works out to 1x :: 1.98x :: 2.97x.

On top of all that, VGC's ratios have high seasonal variance, though August is a standard 1x :: 2x :: 2.71x.

It never crossed my mind that the delta between the 1BD and 2 BD would vary throughout the seasons.

The whole purpose of this exercise was to see if adding VDH would help add some Villa availability to the family portfolio and if we could also take advantage of the low point season to mitigate the impact of the higher dues and tax. Especially when I can get MB on 2023 points with a DEC UY and the cost pp for 200 points would be in the high $170s

After looking at 1BD and 2BD availability of VDH vs VGC at the current 8-11m window, the point charts when the kids have school breaks, and the TOT….. I feel good about my decision to add on the additional 125 VGC resale points at $230pp.

 

[VGCgroupie]

@tx911 do not check the aggregator site

 

[tx911]

@tx911 do not check the aggregator site

lol, I think I left skid marks racing to check the aggregator site after reading this

 

[Mathmagicland]

New item in Acorn Gifts today - $79.99 before any discounts.

 

[Mathmagicland]

A few months ago, the Disney Files magazine had a mention of the new Golden Vine House - Welcome Home Center (in the former Blue Sky Center building) near to the Trattoria, with complimentary art print by Bret Iwan, official voice of Mickey, while supplies last. I stopped by yesterday and was surprised to find there are still some left. You have to ask inside for the Mickey & Pluto print. This is more a sales center, rather than a lounge.

 

[Chili327]

@tx911 do not check the aggregator site

lol, I think I left skid marks racing to check the aggregator site after reading this

Does your saved searches look like mine. lol