The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

[crvetter]

Does anyone know how hard it is to rent points here after Christmas? We are looking into buying a resale since we have a large family of 7 and normally stay at a resort in a 2 bedroom condo in Newport which is only 20 minutes away. But the last few times the traffic from parking/tram has added so much extra time. But we wanted to stay here first to see if we liked it before we made the investment. We generally go from December 28-January 4th since we have 2 kiddos with birthdays during that time.

Renting points in general is difficult because you need availability and a VGC owner, as renting at 7 months is very difficult. The brokers have long lists for here and it is a small resort. The best bet is to try and rent directly from a VGC owner. Though my guess is most VGC owners are like myself and bought for exclusive point usage there.

This thread will give you an idea on the availability

https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-bd-charts-september-2019-2-bd-added.3689931/

 

[montreid]

2BR is wide open AFTER 7 months for owners to book into. --- including new years. That said, for you Dec 28-Jan 4 week -- 7 nights = 606 points. You're probably NOT going to find anyone with those amount of points for a rental. That's some really point heavy nights. Most contracts run 140-250 at VGC from what I've seen lately.

 

[crvetter]

2BR is wide open AFTER 7 months for owners to book into. --- including new years. That said, for you Dec 28-Jan 4 week -- 7 nights = 606 points. You're probably NOT going to find anyone with those amount of points for a rental. That's some really point heavy nights. Most contracts run 140-250 at VGC from what I've seen lately.

I would disagree it is wide open, especially that week, which usually was filled at 7 months + a couple days early(since they get walked). VGC quickly fills at 7 months in pretty much all room categories if it is available. But as you said the limitation here is needing 606 points.

For instance 12/31/2019 was sold out on 5/28/2019 which was 3 days early. It’s really a matter of a renter getting an owner to book right at 8 am if trying for the 7 month window (something the brokers don’t seem to do).

 

[montreid]

I would disagree it is wide open,...

It's (2BR) is wide open for the home resort owners. no dates are closed off at 7M-11M at this time -- including those dates queried earlier.

The chances of a non-home resort owner getting 7 days in VGC at any time is going to be difficult. Couple that with the high point need for a rental -- highly unlikely but you can always ask a broker to put it out there.....it's only $$$ after all!

Edit : just a little math: VGC ~ $20per point * 606 = $12,000 for one week.

 

[crvetter]

It's (2BR) is wide open for the home resort owners. no dates are closed off at 7M-11M at this time -- including those dates queried earlier.

The chances of a non-home resort owner getting 7 days in VGC at any time is going to be difficult. Couple that with the high point need for a rental -- highly unlikely but you can always ask a broker to put it out there.....it's only $$$ after all!

Edit : just a little math: VGC ~ $20per point * 606 = $12,000 for one week.

Okay I agree (my posts state the difficulty after 7 months), but your post was unclear and wanted clear up for the OP. This was the confusing part for me (maybe you meant “before 7 months”?):

2BR is wide open AFTER 7 months for owners to book into.

 

[Nonsuch]

... just a little math: VGC ~ $20per point * 606 = $12,000 for one week.

GCH 2-bedroom suite is over $19,000 for one week.
VGC 2-bedroom villa is far superior to a GCH 2-bedroom suite, the suite I had last year had a very poor layout.

 

[xelysecia]

It's (2BR) is wide open for the home resort owners. no dates are closed off at 7M-11M at this time -- including those dates queried earlier.

The chances of a non-home resort owner getting 7 days in VGC at any time is going to be difficult. Couple that with the high point need for a rental -- highly unlikely but you can always ask a broker to put it out there.....it's only $$$ after all!

Edit : just a little math: VGC ~ $20per point * 606 = $12,000 for one week.

Thank you for this info. This is why we were looking at buying since I know we will always need a large amount of points to stay. On another thread, someone had mentioned that if we bought too late this year we may not be able to book this same year since the reservations would likely be gone by the time we closed.

 

[franandaj]

Does anyone know how hard it is to rent points here after Christmas?

I would say the possibility is pretty slim. I was pricing rental points for a friend last night. His trip will be in Summer 2021 and with my F&F discount a two bedroom was going to be $600+ per night because it was a somewhat ridiculous amount of points. If you want to stay that many nights, you may have to rent from multiple owners because that week is the most expensive points wise. Not many folks own that many points.

That being said, I can't imagine that you wouldn't LOVE it! I just checked out yesterday aand I never get tired of staying there!

 

[montreid]

Typically takes 6-8 weeks to close -- so you're cutting it REALLY close for the VGC resales -- that, along if you can find any at all. Fidelity has one , but they can be slow in processing things at things. -- but beggars can't be choosers on this right now

Like said above - will probably need several sources to get you where you want -- you can put in a request at Dave's rentals

 

[disland7]

Thank you for this info. This is why we were looking at buying since I know we will always need a large amount of points to stay. On another thread, someone had mentioned that if we bought too late this year we may not be able to book this same year since the reservations would likely be gone by the time we closed.

I had a friend put in a request for October, 1 bedroom (252 points) at a rental company and as it was coming close to the 7 month window it was less and less likely of getting an owner with that amount of points. I'm going to Disney World this year so I rented from someone else and did the 7 month window and then rented my points to him instead. VGC is a really small resort and owners tend to bank and use their points themselves here (and it happens to be my very favorite of the resort). It is also fairly difficult to find resale contracts for it. Good luck!! It would be difficult to find a contract you want (or multiple contracts to get number of points) and close and get through ROFR. I have 7 people in my family also and staying in a 2 bedroom walking distance to all the Disney action is such an unforgettable experience - a dream come true for me.

 

[LAX]

I apologize if this has been covered upthread. How many 2BRs are there at VGC? Of those, how many are dedicated vs. lockoff?

LAX

 

[Nonsuch]

How many 2BRs are there at VGC? Of those, how many are dedicated vs. lockoff?

VGC has:
23 dedicated 2-bedroom villas
23 lockoff 2-bedroom villas (studio + 1-bedroom)
2 grand villas

 

[LAX]

In general, 1BR is usually the last to go at most resorts. How much more difficult would it be to get a 2BR vs. 1BR at 7 months? Is it closer to trying to get a studio, which is often impossible? Since I really have one shot to try to get something right at the 7 month window, if I try for a 2BR and miss, it's unlikely I would be able to grab a 1BR at that point (I know I might not get it even if I try that first). Not sure if it matters, I am going to try for a short stay (2-3 nights) next summer. TIA.

LAX

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

In general, 1BR is usually the last to go at most resorts. How much more difficult would it be to get a 2BR vs. 1BR at 7 months? Is it closer to trying to get a studio, which is often impossible? Since I really have one shot to try to get something right at the 7 month window, if I try for a 2BR and miss, it's unlikely I would be able to grab a 1BR at that point (I know I might not get it even if I try that first). Not sure if it matters, I am going to try for a short stay (2-3 nights) next summer. TIA.

LAX

I think 2BR's are a bit easier especially in the summer when points are high. Are the dates you are trying for after the DL AP blackout dates start? That will also make it a bit easier.

 

[LAX]

I think 2BR's are a bit easier especially in the summer when points are high. Are the dates you are trying for after the DL AP blackout dates start? That will also make it a bit easier.

Thanks for the info about AP blackout. I hadn't thought about that. If I have similar chances of landing either one, then I would try for a 2BR. If a 2BR might be easier, it would be even better! All this may turn out to be moot because of the points "crisis" that is currently brewing.

LAX

 

[xWilliam]

What's the minimum transfer most gcv owners will do? My points are tied up for other vacations and I don't want to deal with renting or 7 month availability. I'm thinking at least 100-200 points.

I'm not in a rush yet, just want info before 11 month mark comes

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

What's the minimum transfer most gcv owners will do? My points are tied up for other vacations and I don't want to deal with renting or 7 month availability. I'm thinking at least 100-200 points.

I'm not in a rush yet, just want info before 11 month mark comes

I think it just varies person to person. Some will do less if they just have a smaller amount they won't use. If an owner has a larger amount they want to rent or transfer then they will usually want to do a larger amount since it's restricted to 1 transfer per UY so they don't want to "waste" that one transfer on a small number of points

 

[wehrengrizz]

I'm guessing this is a crazy question...but I'm in need of advice/thoughts please!
Situation: DH and I have 5 kiddos. We've been fortunate to visit the parks on both coasts, and just purchased DVC (at AKV) last fall. We have not yet been able to use our contract, and were planning a trip in January 2021. We have current reservations at AKV for a 2BR/Savanna view for 7 nights. Today being the 7 month mark, I (for no good reason) looked and saw that VGC has 2BR availability for the same time frame. We'd do 6 nights instead of the 7, because that's more comparable with points, and we also don't "need" as many park days, so we'd probably drive to the beach or visit new places on our "off" days. We live in ND so we're truly not near either park anyway. We will use military tickets if available.
thanks for reading this far. I am curious opinions on if I should modify to VGC and IF we needed to swap back to AKV it would probably still be an option in a few months....I would assume the only reason to swap back would be ticket restrictions or park availability (this is why I was thinking of swapping anyway, but who wants to pass on the possibility of VGC?!) I've been to DLR 5x and stayed at PPH and good neighbor hotels in the past, and our kids have stayed at a GN hotel and walked to the parks.
Thank you for any thoughts!!

 

[AZMermaid]

My (total guess) is a hotel stay will be more of a guarantee of park entry at DL than WDW. Either way, you’ll need park reservations (probably). It’s also much quicker to get to the room at VGC if you or the kids need a mask break. As you know the parks themselves are a different experience, so that’d be a personal preference. I dont think either is a bad option, but you’re right that switching back to WDW would be much easier to do, even if AKL filled, SSR is usually available, especially for May.

 

[AZMermaid]

One thing is DL has Grad Nites about half the nights in late May. So the parks can be busier with teens. Since you mentioned beach days, you could plan around these. We’ve stayed during them and it wasnt too crazy. If noise is an issue, request a quiet room. The rooms that face paradise pier- you can hear Goofys sky school late into the night!