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

[Royal Consort]

Just a general comment. Although it doesn't hurt to have discussions with guides, they are simply a point of sale. They will smile, nod, say the empathic responses called for in the moment but all correspondence needs to be directed upwards to william.c.diercksen@disney.com to have any success of a genuine response from DVC.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Just a general comment. Although it doesn't hurt to have discussions with guides, they are simply a point of sale. They will smile, nod, say the empathic responses called for in the moment but all correspondence needs to be directed upwards to william.c.diercksen@disney.com to have any success of a genuine response from DVC.

Hmmmmm...... Perhaps it definitely wasn't my guide who also told me that we should also copy Shannon Sakaske in addition to Bill - shannon.sakaske@disney.com

Although I do agree that I've had interactions with a good handful of guides who definitely fit your description there are some exceptions. I was told that he (Shannon) might be a bit more responsive than Bill and would be a great person to express these concerns to.....

I'm just holding my barrage until I see it in person in a few weeks. I do hope my (almost) 800 points for the week is worth it......

Edit - @ajiuo as you see to be having the best traction and sorta making some progress consider looping this email into the mix if you think it may be helpful. You can also be my hero and tell me if it works.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Hmmmmm...... Perhaps it definitely wasn't my guide who also told me that we should also copy Shannon Sakaske in addition to Bill - shannon.sakaske@disney.com

Although I do agree that I've had interactions with a good handful of guides who definitely fit your description there are some exceptions. I was told that he (Shannon) might be a bit more responsive than Bill and would be a great person to express these concerns to.....

I'm just holding my barrage until I see it in person in a few weeks. I do hope my (almost) 800 points for the week is worth it......

Edit - @ajiuo as you see to be having the best traction and sorta making some progress consider looping this email into the mix if you think it may be helpful. You can also be my hero and tell me if it works.

My guide has been reaching out to me a bit more since we’ll be back at Aulani in a month. She reached out again to tell me that she keeps seeing VGC direct points pop up that aren’t in my Use Year, but is excited to call when my Dec UY comes around.

Here is my email response that included attached screenshots from the DIS:

“
Ashley,

Thank you for reaching out. I have to let you know that I have strong concerns about the recent VGC remodel and the decision to not do any touch up’s to the bathroom during a hard refurbishment.

I’ve attached photos below that show a peeling shower head with years of water stains, missing grout in the bathtubs, and wallpaper peeling off the wall. ”

That was sent on Wednesday and I have not seen a response.

 

[AstroBlasters]

It doesn’t hurt to also respond, without snark, to any of DVC’s instagram and twitter posts.

 

[VGCgroupie]

That's odd. Who said the kitchens had not been touched? Our 1BR kitchen had all new appliances/stove/oven/dishwasher and USB ports...

Numerous reports online and photos. What was your room number?

 

[AstroBlasters]

Numerous reports online and photos. What was your room number?

People have said that they were in villas where the appliances hadn’t been replaced?

Is this just the studio folks?

 

[VGCgroupie]

People have said that they were in villas where the appliances hadn’t been replaced?

Is this just the studio folks?

I cant remember what room but it was same microwave so possibly a studio.

 

[VGCgroupie]

People have said that they were in villas where the appliances hadn’t been replaced?

Is this just the studio folks?

Found this so in this room the appliances appear new. https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...owners-lovers-group-3-0.3952273/post-65983700 To be perfectly honest personally I would have thought doing the bathroom would have been money better spent as well as time. You take rooms out of service for a refurb, appliances can be switched in a day.

 

[KimMcGowan]

What are the chances that I can find a Thursday through Saturday night at the 7 month mark in Late January or February? Since we are resale on both of our contracts we can only consider Grand Californian. I appreciate any help (insights) you can give.

 

[VGCgroupie]

What are the chances that I can find a Thursday through Saturday night at the 7 month mark in Late January or February? Since we are resale on both of our contracts we can only consider Grand Californian. I appreciate any help (insights) you can give.

What room type? A studio for that many nights is slim to none. Be ready to book right at the opening of the 7 month mark. Commercial renters love to rent out VGC especially with non VGC points. 1 beds are your easiest bet since the value isn't as good commercial renters dont really scoop these up. Sorry for the sad reality of west coast DVC bookings. If you don't get the days you want try waitlisting individual nights.

 

[AstroBlasters]

What are the chances that I can find a Thursday through Saturday night at the 7 month mark in Late January or February? Since we are resale on both of our contracts we can only consider Grand Californian. I appreciate any help (insights) you can give.

shooting straight…. not high for a studio, but if you are going to try that’s probably the time of year to do it.

One downside of that time of year is that a lot of the park goes under refurb.

 

[Girlstar30]

What are the chances that I can find a Thursday through Saturday night at the 7 month mark in Late January or February? Since we are resale on both of our contracts we can only consider Grand Californian. I appreciate any help (insights) you can give.

I kind of just see vgc as keep an eye out for cancelled dates from owners that you can scoop up...

 

[KimMcGowan]

Thanks all! I would prefer a studio to save points but am not averse to a 1 Bedroom. (We just had a 1 Br at Aulani and it was awesome ). I may just need to see if anyone ever has points for sale or transfer.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Thanks all! I would prefer a studio to save points but am not averse to a 1 Bedroom. (We just had a 1 Br at Aulani and it was awesome ). I may just need to see if anyone ever has points for sale or transfer.

1 bedroom right at 7m at that time of year (possibly walking a few days before to get to the weekend) gives you the highest probability chance.

 

[cruisehopeful]

What are the chances that I can find a Thursday through Saturday night at the 7 month mark in Late January or February? Since we are resale on both of our contracts we can only consider Grand Californian. I appreciate any help (insights) you can give.

It's just for 2 nights? If it's not available, I think wait-list has a good chance to come through. I've been waitisting VGC whenever I book VDH (because I don't want to pay the tax) and my wait list frequently comes through. I mostly go on weekends and holiday times. Of course, you can rent from someone. Another option would be to book a hotel room (if you would be okay with it) and wait-list for the studio and one bedroom.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I got a call back in regards to my email about the refurbishment. Not sure what to make of it since people are being told so many different things. She said the refurb was not complete and that it was a soft good that was done and not hard goods, that they are working on figuring out how to do the bathrooms since VGC is so small, not budget wise but taking rooms out of service wise. She did say that if you are concerned you should certainly email because that will allow them to know that people are pushing for this to be done and it could help get it done sooner rather than later.

 

[scoobdoo]

and it could help get it done sooner rather than later.

translation: it will be years from now before this is done

 

[VGCgroupie]

translation: it will be years from now before this is done

Was also stated just like you are mad about bathrooms, others complain about rooms being taken out of service and availability. I was caught off guard by the call and was not on my game or I would've said if you cut of the head of the commercial renting snake then maybe that wouldn't be as much of an issue. But of course I came up with that after the call had ended.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Was also stated just like you are mad about bathrooms, others complain about rooms being taken out of service and availability. I was caught off guard by the call and was not on my game or I would've said if you cut of the head of the commercial renting snake then maybe that wouldn't be as much of an issue. But of course I came up with that after the call had ended.

I really don’t think commercial renting is that huge of an issue at Grand Cal inside of the home resort window.

It’s a small resort, so availability will always be an issue.

Soft goods? New appliances,
floors, and a Murphy bed are soft goods?

 

[VGCgroupie]

I really don’t think commercial renting is that huge of an issue at Grand Cal inside of the home resort window.

Lots of people must decide they dont need their reservations then and post them on social media. I dont post screenshots here out of respect but I have seen people posting 10 reservations for rent at the Grand all at once many within 7-11 months. Saw another this week renting all of her points at 11 months her history leads me to believe this isnt just an off year. There is another that actually has a website dedicated to renting their points at 11 months. But as for the call we didn't talk about availability when, it was just people complain that there isn't availability when rooms are being refurbed.