Villa Concierge Cost at Grand Californian

[bbeagle]

I can't find this information anywhere.

If I booked a DVC Villa through dvcrentals, can I add on concierge lounge access? I'm a non-DVC member. How much does it cost, and can I do that upon check in?

It would seem that having 6-9 guests in a 2-bedroom would make the concierge worth it? Are there any ages where kids are free in concierge with adult access? We have kids 2, 4 and 5 at the time we're planning.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Malcon10t]

I can't find this information anywhere.

If I booked a DVC Villa through dvcrentals, can I add on concierge lounge access? I'm a non-DVC member. How much does it cost, and can I do that upon check in?

It would seem that having 6-9 guests in a 2-bedroom would make the concierge worth it? Are there any ages where kids are free in concierge with adult access? We have kids 2, 4 and 5 at the time we're planning.

Thanks for any help!

Last time I had heard, concierge was about a $200-250 a night add on. It isn't per person.

 

[larina]

It is my understanding that the villas don't offer concierge.

 

[Nonsuch]

If I booked a DVC Villa through dvcrentals, can I add on concierge lounge access? I'm a non-DVC member. How much does it cost, and can I do that upon check in?

It will not hurt to ask when checking in, but villa guests have not been able to add concierge.

It's great you were able to rent points for a 2-bedroom
Renting at VGC has been difficult, so I have a few questions (if you don't mind):
How far in advance did you book?
How many total points did you rent?

It can be difficult when renting, but try to make a view request
More information can be found in the VGC Superthread

 

[bbeagle]

It's great you were able to rent points for a 2-bedroom
Renting at VGC has been difficult, so I have a few questions (if you don't mind):
How far in advance did you book?
How many total points did you rent?

I said 'if'.... I haven't secured anything yet. I hope I do.

We're looking to go in a slow February time, and we're 7-8 months out now. From what I've read, if you get your request in for a slow time before the 7 month mark, you have a chance at securing it. I'll let you know if we get it. Maybe they're sold out already? We hope not.

We are looking at renting 286 points for the 2-bedroom. We will be trying in the next week.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I can't speak to the villas, but to add concierge is per room, not per person, so the kids' ages shouldn't matter. We had 11 of us staying in a 3 bedroom suite (non-villa) and the cost of concierge was for the entire suite, so for us, it was completely worth it.

 

[Nonsuch]

I said 'if'.... I haven't secured anything yet. I hope I do.

Sorry, I missed the "if"

We're looking to go in a slow February time, and we're 7-8 months out now. From what I've read, if you get your request in for a slow time before the 7 month mark, you have a chance at securing it. I'll let you know if we get it.

Not many VGC owners are renting, and rental companies are generally not able to combine points from multiple owners. Once the 7-month mark passes, the much larger inventory of rental points from other resorts becomes available. Basically, make your request before 7-months and keep your fingers crossed.

...Maybe they're sold out already? We hope not.

It is against DIS rules to request members to check availability, but since you did not ask: Dedicated 2-bedrooms are available every day in February

 

[bbeagle]

It is against DIS rules to request members to check availability, but since you did not ask: Dedicated 2-bedrooms are available every day in February

Why, Thank you. It looks like we have a good chance then. I think the day the 7 month period starts, I can find people that can rent me points.

A couple questions about that:
1) Can ANY DVC owner see the availability of other resorts 11 months out, just can't book them, or will they only start to see the availability 7 months out?

2) Say I had a vacation Feb 1 - 7, would I be able to book that on July 1 (7 months out from the START of the stay), or July 7 (7 months out from the END of the stay, as July 7 is now 7 months out)?

Thanks!

 

[Sully14]

I have OFTEN complained about DVC members not being allowed to purchase concierge service at all 3 DLR hotels. In fact, I was ranting to the DVC saleswoman two days ago...who promised me some FP's to soothe my disappointment.

I have gone to the DVC folks, the Hotel Management, and anyone else I could find.

For the GCH, I was officially told I would have to book a club level room and that comes with concierge. It's also nearly double the points !

For the DLH and PPH, I was told several times that DVC owners who use points CAN NOT ever purchase, for cash, any concierge service. Last summer I witnessed a very ugly argument in the PPH concierge lounge when they ordered a DVC owner to leave. Not a very nice Disney experience for sure.

People who pay cash for their rooms at any of the 3 hotels can pay for concierge access depending on availability when you register. Nobody gave me a firm price, but their approximate guesstimates were about $100 for PPH, $150 for DLH, and $200 for GCH.....but I was told they could fluctuate upwards.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Why, Thank you. It looks like we have a good chance then. I think the day the 7 month period starts, I can find people that can rent me points.

Just want to make sure to clarify, from what I am reading you are saying you are going to contact Davids once the 7 month window opens.... it is best to have Davids service all queu'd up and ready to book your rooms before the 7 month window opens. That way when the window opens they can go in and get the reservation first thing in the morning. That gives you the best chance.... and it helps that Feb won't be as high demand of a time.

 

[bbeagle]

Just want to make sure to clarify, from what I am reading you are saying you are going to contact Davids once the 7 month window opens.... it is best to have Davids service all queu'd up and ready to book your rooms before the 7 month window opens. That way when the window opens they can go in and get the reservation first thing in the morning. That gives you the best chance.... and it helps that Feb won't be as high demand of a time.

Thanks for trying to help and make sure I get the reservation. I do love all the helpful people on this board. I do think I understand the process though.

I'm going to contact David's BEFORE the 7 month window opens up. I think I have little chance of getting it BEFORE 7 months, as there are fewer DVC Grand Californian owners. Then, at the 7 month mark, when other DVC points are available, hopefully David can help me acquire the points from other DVC owners.

 

[Nonsuch]

1) Can ANY DVC owner see the availability of other resorts 11 months out, just can't book them, or will they only start to see the availability 7 months out?

DVC owners can only view dates that they are able to book.

2) Say I had a vacation Feb 1 - 7, would I be able to book that on July 1 (7 months out from the START of the stay), or July 7 (7 months out from the END of the stay, as July 7 is now 7 months out)?

You may book 7 months from the start of your stay, July 1 in your example.
Only 1 week beyond 7 months (or 11 for home resorts) can be booked.

 

[Nonsuch]

I have OFTEN complained about DVC members not being allowed to purchase concierge service at all 3 DLR hotels.

I would also love to add concierge, particularly with a large villa. Which is likely the problem, if many of the 2 and 3 bedroom villa guests added concierge the lounge would be overcrowded.

...Last summer I witnessed a very ugly argument in the PPH concierge lounge when they ordered a DVC owner to leave. Not a very nice Disney experience for sure.

Sneaking into the concierge lounge is theft, so I certainly would not expect a "nice Disney experience"

 

[Cinderpamela]

Thanks for trying to help and make sure I get the reservation. I do love all the helpful people on this board. I do think I understand the process though.

I'm going to contact David's BEFORE the 7 month window opens up. I think I have little chance of getting it BEFORE 7 months, as there are fewer DVC Grand Californian owners. Then, at the 7 month mark, when other DVC points are available, hopefully David can help me acquire the points from other DVC owners.

Oh good, I just wanted to make sure! Hope you get it, you will love the VGC!

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Thanks for trying to help and make sure I get the reservation. I do love all the helpful people on this board. I do think I understand the process though.

I'm going to contact David's BEFORE the 7 month window opens up. I think I have little chance of getting it BEFORE 7 months, as there are fewer DVC Grand Californian owners. Then, at the 7 month mark, when other DVC points are available, hopefully David can help me acquire the points from other DVC owners.

I think the issue is that most GCV owners don't rent their points through David's as they only pay owners $11 per point. GCV owners can pretty easily rent their own points out for $13-15 per point during the advanced booking window(7+-11months). Have you looked at the DVC-Rent/Trade board in the DVC section of DIS? You can't post an ISO but you can respond to points for rent posts. You won't see the rent/trade board unless you are logged in. You may even be able to line someone up to book online for you right when the 7 month booking window opens. Online booking starts an hour before phone booking, so finding someone who will get online right when the window opens is important.

You do have one thing working for you, you are looking for a 2br. They are the last to book up. Good luck!

 

[ToodlesRN]

I have OFTEN complained about DVC members not being allowed to purchase concierge service at all 3 DLR hotels. In fact, I was ranting to the DVC saleswoman two days ago...who promised me some FP's to soothe my disappointment.

I have gone to the DVC folks, the Hotel Management, and anyone else I could find.

For the GCH, I was officially told I would have to book a club level room and that comes with concierge. It's also nearly double the points !

For the DLH and PPH, I was told several times that DVC owners who use points CAN NOT ever purchase, for cash, any concierge service. Last summer I witnessed a very ugly argument in the PPH concierge lounge when they ordered a DVC owner to leave. Not a very nice Disney experience for sure.

People who pay cash for their rooms at any of the 3 hotels can pay for concierge access depending on availability when you register. Nobody gave me a firm price, but their approximate guesstimates were about $100 for PPH, $150 for DLH, and $200 for GCH.....but I was told they could fluctuate upwards.

Another DVC member to vote for concierge rooms! Before the GCV were built members were able to use there points and book concierge rooms as I was tempted and never did now I wish I did!

 

[Sully14]

I would also love to add concierge, particularly with a large villa. Which is likely the problem, if many of the 2 and 3 bedroom villa guests added concierge the lounge would be overcrowded.


Sneaking into the concierge lounge is theft, so I certainly would not expect a "nice Disney experience"

The person who came into the lounge was a DVC owner who honestly thought they could use it. When questioned, he gladly offered to pay cash for the service. He seemed to think he could purchase the amenity. It escalated to the point where it was disruptive to those of us eating breakfast...but what the DVC owner was arguing was the exact points I had been told in the past. I actually think he really believed he had access to the lounge, and was more than willing to pay for it when told he did not have access.

Looking back, I think they should have just allowed him and his family to get their morning snack (one time) and told them that they don't have access for any future snacks , and to take it up with management in the lobby.

I have a DVC and over the years have been told different explanations about the policy. This summer ( 4 weeks away !) we are using DVC points to stay at all 3 hotels on the same trip, just for the fun of it ! And of the 3 hotels, our family favorite is actually the PPH concierge !

 

[Malcon10t]

And of the 3 hotels, our family favorite is actually the PPH concierge !

We have yet to stay there. What do you like about the PPH concierge?

 

[larina]

The person who came into the lounge was a DVC owner who honestly thought they could use it. When questioned, he gladly offered to pay cash for the service. He seemed to think he could purchase the amenity. It escalated to the point where it was disruptive to those of us eating breakfast...but what the DVC owner was arguing was the exact points I had been told in the past. I actually think he really believed he had access to the lounge, and was more than willing to pay for it when told he did not have access.

Looking back, I think they should have just allowed him and his family to get their morning snack (one time) and told them that they don't have access for any future snacks , and to take it up with management in the lobby.

I have a DVC and over the years have been told different explanations about the policy. This summer ( 4 weeks away !) we are using DVC points to stay at all 3 hotels on the same trip, just for the fun of it ! And of the 3 hotels, our family favorite is actually the PPH concierge !

I'm sorry, but I disagree. It is NOT included, and that isn't hard to find out. A simple phone call and/or web search finds the answer, "no." I understand that DVC owners think it should be, but it isn't. I imagine the reason you can't pay for it is that Disney realizes this would overcrowd the lounges. The situation, as you've described it, just reeks of entitlement to me. The man should have graciously said, "Oh, I'm sorry I thought it was included. Can I pay for it? No, okay, thanks have a good day. Oh, do you have a recommendation for where I can buy food/supplies to make my own or a good place to buy breakfast?" and been on his way. Making a scene and making other uncomfortable while trying to get your way is manipulative and thoughtless to those you are disturbing. He should be ashamed of himself, a grown man acting like that in public.

I don't really have an opinion either way, it seems like DVC owners should be able to pay for concierge, unless the concern is overcrowding, in which case I say, " good looking out Disney!"

 

[Nonsuch]

The person who came into the lounge was a DVC owner who honestly thought they could use it.

Likely got that idea from a timeshare salesman (DVC guide)

I have a DVC and over the years have been told different explanations about the policy.

My theory: Concierge is a money maker, but the larger profit comes from the hotel room. The availability of concierge attracts some "big spenders" who expect that level of service and convenience. DVC members have already committed to spending money with Disney, so there is no need to "attract" them.

...This summer ( 4 weeks away !) we are using DVC points to stay at all 3 hotels on the same trip, just for the fun of it ! And of the 3 hotels, our family favorite is actually the PPH concierge !

Your definition of "fun" is different than mine
After a room change from a villa to a hotel room at the Grand, I will never do it again. Too much time without a room

It might be fun to try the other hotels, but I just love coming "home" to the Grand