Wait list or stalk Villas at Grand Californian (VGC)?

[noisycricket]

I'm on the VGC wait list for a unit during D23 (yeah, I know...moonshot or no shot) and it got me wondering-- do people have better luck with stalking or waitlisting VGC units?

Still trying to get the hang of all things DVC, and just want to get people's thoughts/experiences.

 

[Sandisw]

I haven’t booked that place, but the wisdom is always do both.

 

[CaliAdventurer]

I got one waitlist to come through ever and that was for NYE, one night. I gave up and purchased there.

 

[CarolMN]

I do both when I can't book what I want the first time. Good luck!

 

[KPeterso]

I bought there after a few failed waitlist attempts. But that said since purchasing there, I have had luck on 1 night waitlists several times in the last few years. I am hoping for either a night in July or November to come through on the waitlist to extend short staycations an extra day to use up some banked points from another contract.

 

[bwvBound]

I do both. I've been getting 10-12 nights per year at the Grand Cal using SSR points. Most of our stays are only 2-nights ... but we got a lovely 3-night reservation over Thanksgiving weekend last year ... and I held/dropped a 4-night reservation for this coming August.

Yes, your intent, given the D23 Expo, is a moonshot ... but certainly worth a try! I'd strongly suggest having off-property plans also booked with option to cancel. Here is a sprinkle of Pixie Dust for your hopeful stay!

 

[bwvBound]

Adding completely different thought ...
Here is a nudge towards reconsidering the hope/plan of VGC for the D23 Expo?

FWIW, we've attended the D23 Expo since its inception. We stay closer to the Convention Center. The Expo is good deal of walking and an overwhelming load of sights, sounds, information, waiting, struggles, joys ... emotions.

Frankly, you might be too tired to really enjoy the Grand Cal??

• Some sessions start queueing overnight in the underground area. Will you give up a night a the Grand Cal to join that queue?
• Will you relish leaving the Grand Cal early (5a?) to join a conference queue?
• Will you enjoy trudging back to the Grand Cal in the early morning hours having stayed for a midnight screening event?

Unless you give up big moments of the Expo ... you won't likely be spending much time in the room or at the resort ... ??

 

[starry_solo]

Adding completely different thought ...
Here is a nudge towards reconsidering the hope/plan of VGC for the D23 Expo?

FWIW, we've attended the D23 Expo since its inception. We stay closer to the Convention Center. The Expo is good deal of walking and an overwhelming load of sights, sounds, information, waiting, struggles, joys ... emotions.

Frankly, you might be too tired to really enjoy the Grand Cal??

• Some sessions start queueing overnight in the underground area. Will you give up a night a the Grand Cal to join that queue?
• Will you relish leaving the Grand Cal early (5a?) to join a conference queue?
• Will you enjoy trudging back to the Grand Cal in the early morning hours having stayed for a midnight screening event?

Unless you give up big moments of the Expo ... you won't likely be spending much time in the room or at the resort ... ??

Agreed, I parked in the Toy Story lot so I could get in-and-out privileged of parking and even that was a trek (I had planned to head to DTD after and park at the Mickey & Friends structure, but was too tired to do so)...

 

[noisycricket]

Belated thanks for all the info. Guess I'll let fate decide whether I'll be at VGC or at a hotel closer to the Convention Center.

 

[Shelly S]

I have had a lot of luck with one night waitlists in the past. So far this year I have been stalking for a mid Sept trip with waitlists in place and have only been able to secure 1 night out of the potential 9 I want. I have always got all my nights in the past but have back up plan this time. Usually I see a lot more nights pop up as available, but not this year.