Trying to book Grand Californian, any hints?

[snyderla]

Ok, I now know you can book online an hour before member services opens. I attempted a trial run today for my dates-I need 10/03-10/09-so I looked at 10/01-10/08 to see if any of my dates are available. Up until 7:59 this morning our arrival dates and the dates I could view were still available. At promptly 8am I submitted my search again. Friday the 3rd is no longer available. So that means I now need to wait until March 4th to try to book the rest of my dates. I'm confused by why the 2 dates before the 3rd are available (which I don't need) and the dates after are. It's not in the 7 months booking window yet for the 3rd. The same thing happened for my original dates in September and I only ended up with 2 of the 6 nights we need. I thought that since I was waiting to call MS to book before, and I now know to book online instead, well I thought I had figured it out. LOL. Does anyone have any hints for booking Grand Californian? Even if I can just end up with Sunday to Thursday at GCH, that would be ok. Maybe it's just a weekend issue? Any suggestions? Please and thank you!

This is a one time trip-we regularly go to WDW due to family in Florida, but my DH & I want to see Walt's park.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Ok, I now know you can book online an hour before member services opens. I attempted a trial run today for my dates-I need 10/03-10/09-so I looked at 10/01-10/08 to see if any of my dates are available. Up until 7:59 this morning our arrival dates and the dates I could view were still available. At promptly 8am I submitted my search again. Friday the 3rd is no longer available. So that means I now need to wait until March 4th to try to book the rest of my dates. I'm confused by why the 2 dates before the 3rd are available (which I don't need) and the dates after are. It's not in the 7 months booking window yet for the 3rd. The same thing happened for my original dates in September and I only ended up with 2 of the 6 nights we need. I thought that since I was waiting to call MS to book before, and I now know to book online instead, well I thought I had figured it out. LOL. Does anyone have any hints for booking Grand Californian? Even if I can just end up with Sunday to Thursday at GCH, that would be ok. Maybe it's just a weekend issue? Any suggestions? Please and thank you!

This is a one time trip-we regularly go to WDW due to family in Florida, but my DH & I want to see Walt's park.

Maybe because someone has a longer trip than another guest. So the two days you see still open weren't needed. You are looking at seven months out, not eleven months out.

 

[DebbieB]

Ok, I now know you can book online an hour before member services opens. I attempted a trial run today for my dates-I need 10/03-10/09-so I looked at 10/01-10/08 to see if any of my dates are available. Up until 7:59 this morning our arrival dates and the dates I could view were still available. At promptly 8am I submitted my search again. Friday the 3rd is no longer available. So that means I now need to wait until March 4th to try to book the rest of my dates. I'm confused by why the 2 dates before the 3rd are available (which I don't need) and the dates after are. It's not in the 7 months booking window yet for the 3rd. The same thing happened for my original dates in September and I only ended up with 2 of the 6 nights we need. I thought that since I was waiting to call MS to book before, and I now know to book online instead, well I thought I had figured it out. LOL. Does anyone have any hints for booking Grand Californian? Even if I can just end up with Sunday to Thursday at GCH, that would be ok. Maybe it's just a weekend issue? Any suggestions? Please and thank you!

This is a one time trip-we regularly go to WDW due to family in Florida, but my DH & I want to see Walt's park.

Gay Days at Disneyland is October 3 to 5, that maybe why you are having a problem with that weekend.

I'm 3 for 3 for VGC, I typically want to stay Saturday or Sunday to Friday. I've found Friday to Friday is easier to get, so I book that and then drop the days I don't want.

 

[Cinderpamela]

We love Walts park and the Grand Californian! I hope you can get a reservation!

You didn't say what category you were looking at? If its a studio then keep in mind that there are only 23- 2 bedroom lock offs (that are then divided into studios/1 bedrooms to create that booking category) at the VGC. I would imagine that owners are moving their reservations around before the 7 month window opens up and thats why you are seeing shifting.

If there is an event going on... in this case it sounds like its Gay Days...it can be harder to get since there are only 23 and the studios are the toughest to get because of the low points requirement.

Things also can flux so it pays to keep checking back.

The other option is to use your points to book one of the Disney Collection hotels (DL Hotel or Paradise Pier) as long as your points are unrestricted. There is no fee at Disneyland Disney Collections hotels.... unlike at the other parks Disney Collection Hotels.

It costs more points to do Disney Collection .... about the number of points that it is for a one bedroom.

 

[snyderla]

Thank you everyone. I am trying for a studio. I know there are very few so it's going to be a miracle if we get one! LOL. It's a lot more stressful trying to book DLR than WDW. But we are determined to do it!

 

[Nonsuch]

Gay Days at Disneyland is October 3 to 5, that maybe why you are having a problem with that weekend.

Gay Days could be the reason, I booked a 1 bedroom (at 11 months) specifically for that weekend. We book that weekend so our friends can take advantage of the low Gay Days rate at GCH (also DLH and PPH).

 

[snyderla]

I noticed on the calendars that it's Gay Days when we arrive, hopefully I can at least get Oct. 5-9 on DVC, then we could book a room maybe on cash those first 2 days.

 

[Nonsuch]

I noticed on the calendars that it's Gay Days when we arrive, hopefully I can at least get Oct. 5-9 on DVC, then we could book a room maybe on cash those first 2 days.

That is a good plan. At least one day (Oct 3, 4, 5) must be part of a reservation to take advantage of the Gay Days rate.
Request a VGC view (or specific room numbers) in advance, and check in very early (~6AM) -- very easy since you are already at GCH.
The October 3 Halloween Party will sell out, so buy tickets in advance.

 

[snyderla]

Woohoo! I got it! We get to go to Disneyland and stay at The Villa's at Grand Calfornian! Thank you so much to everyone on the boards who helped by giving me suggestions and information! We are so excited!

 

[tfc3rid]

The 11 month Window means most at Grand Cal but never give up...

 

[Cinderpamela]

Woohoo! I got it! We get to go to Disneyland and stay at The Villa's at Grand Calfornian! Thank you so much to everyone on the boards who helped by giving me suggestions and information! We are so excited!

YAY!! So happy for you!