Grand Californian Super Thread

Thanks for all the great feedback. It's good to know that you ended up enjoying the room.

Did you still move rooms and if so did you end up liking the new room better? I hope I am not sounding too picky. I have stayed in some nice places before but never paid over $500 for a room, so I want to make the most of it and get my money's worth.
We didn't move, we ended up staying where we are. Mostly because of the hassle of moving rooms but also it seemed to have a slightly larger balcony than what we had the year before and that was fantastic. At night I really enjoyed the peace sitting out there.


There are 6 rooms without a balcony, and all are courtyard view.
Your Premium Pool (or Park) View room will have a balcony :thumbsup2
I had no idea... do they just have a window there? This is the room type we booked so I am hopeful we don't end up without a balcony. 😲
 
I'm really hoping on my next trip we can swing one night in one of the signature suites at the Grand. One of the only things I haven't done yet and so wanting to do it!!
 
Question: For the dates we are looking at (early November), the rental company said a 1-BR villa is available but they need to find the points. Does that sound like it's likely or unlikely to happen? First time trying this and I'm nervous!
 
Question: For the dates we are looking at (early November), the rental company said a 1-BR villa is available but they need to find the points. Does that sound like it's likely or unlikely to happen? First time trying this and I'm nervous!

It's possible, I don't know about likely. Here's my math on it:

For the weekend of November 6-8, 2020, a 1 bedroom DVC unit requires 96 points to rent.
Retail cost for a 1 bedroom suite for that same weekend on the Disney website is $4228.

That means, to me, my 96 points are worth $44/point. That's a tough sell if Dave's or another company is only offering me $18/pt, even if, say, I discount that by 15% and call it the price of letting a reputable third party handle my points (i'd still want $37.40/pt).

That means, IMO, the only way this will get filled is if a) someone had a pretty low cost basis for the points (i.e. original buyer during the recession @ $81/pt after incentives), b) isn't really paying attention to the retail rates (maybe they stopped going a long time ago), and c) owner just wants to offload the points and cover their maintenance fees.

Stranger things have happened, best of luck to you!
 


It's possible, I don't know about likely. Here's my math on it:

For the weekend of November 6-8, 2020, a 1 bedroom DVC unit requires 96 points to rent.
Retail cost for a 1 bedroom suite for that same weekend on the Disney website is $4228.

That means, to me, my 96 points are worth $44/point. That's a tough sell if Dave's or another company is only offering me $18/pt, even if, say, I discount that by 15% and call it the price of letting a reputable third party handle my points (i'd still want $37.40/pt).

That means, IMO, the only way this will get filled is if a) someone had a pretty low cost basis for the points (i.e. original buyer during the recession @ $81/pt after incentives), b) isn't really paying attention to the retail rates (maybe they stopped going a long time ago), and c) owner just wants to offload the points and cover their maintenance fees.

Stranger things have happened, best of luck to you!

Interesting, thank you for breaking it down for me!
 
It's possible, I don't know about likely. Here's my math on it:

For the weekend of November 6-8, 2020, a 1 bedroom DVC unit requires 96 points to rent.
Retail cost for a 1 bedroom suite for that same weekend on the Disney website is $4228.

That means, to me, my 96 points are worth $44/point. That's a tough sell if Dave's or another company is only offering me $18/pt, even if, say, I discount that by 15% and call it the price of letting a reputable third party handle my points (i'd still want $37.40/pt).

This is why I never want to rent out our points and my wife doesn't understand why. To me, my points are worth far more than the $14-$16 per point on-line rental companies are offering DVC owners to rent out their points. Why go through the hassle of paying lump sum / getting a loan for DVC points, paying maintenance fees year after year, just to give someone else lodging for half off? I joined DVC for my vacation planning, not to plan someone else's vacation.

Question: For the dates we are looking at (early November), the rental company said a 1-BR villa is available but they need to find the points. Does that sound like it's likely or unlikely to happen? First time trying this and I'm nervous!

I'd put this more in the unlikely category. My wife and I have never been able to book at VGC at the 7 month window (except that one time when a last minute trip to Disneyland resulted in a 2 Bedroom Villa--likely to never happen again!). So you'd have to have an owner willing to part with their VGC points to hit the owners only window for the next two months. And you have to have an owner willing to take just $15-16 a point from the online company. Definitely have other lodging secured. If it works out for you, then fantastic! But I wouldn't count on it.
 


It's possible, I don't know about likely. Here's my math on it:

For the weekend of November 6-8, 2020, a 1 bedroom DVC unit requires 96 points to rent.
Retail cost for a 1 bedroom suite for that same weekend on the Disney website is $4228.

That means, to me, my 96 points are worth $44/point. That's a tough sell if Dave's or another company is only offering me $18/pt, even if, say, I discount that by 15% and call it the price of letting a reputable third party handle my points (i'd still want $37.40/pt).

That means, IMO, the only way this will get filled is if a) someone had a pretty low cost basis for the points (i.e. original buyer during the recession @ $81/pt after incentives), b) isn't really paying attention to the retail rates (maybe they stopped going a long time ago), and c) owner just wants to offload the points and cover their maintenance fees.

Stranger things have happened, best of luck to you!

I like this breakdown. I am a VGC owner and will never rent my VGC points. SSR or AKV maybe - VGC never! The amount I would be paid for the rental points is entirely too low for a resort like VGC. I would need around $25-35 to make it worth my while. But I use my VGC points every year so not a worry about ever renting them.
 
This is why I never want to rent out our points and my wife doesn't understand why. To me, my points are worth far more than the $14-$16 per point on-line rental companies are offering DVC owners to rent out their points. Why go through the hassle of paying lump sum / getting a loan for DVC points, paying maintenance fees year after year, just to give someone else lodging for half off? I joined DVC for my vacation planning, not to plan someone else's vacation.

Show her my post :teacher:

As for last minute... my biggest home run at VGC was a 1 bedroom suite available for (I think) 34 points on a Saturday night and it came up at the 7 day cancellation point. I made a frantic call to a third party site to use someone's distressed points for $12/pt = $408.

My heart rate was through the roof until it was confirmed. Just some dumb luck that was never repeated again!
 
I like this breakdown. I am a VGC owner and will never rent my VGC points. SSR or AKV maybe - VGC never! The amount I would be paid for the rental points is entirely too low for a resort like VGC. I would need around $25-35 to make it worth my while. But I use my VGC points every year so not a worry about ever renting them.

It makes me realize even more that the resale price of $200/pt leads to a break even point of about 4.5 years.

I think the traditional break even point has been 7-10 years for those that buy direct.
 
It makes me realize even more that the resale price of $200/pt leads to a break even point of about 4.5 years.

I think the traditional break even point has been 7-10 years for those that buy direct.

I have 2 50 point contracts for VGC. I bought one direct back in 2009 or 2010 (I think) for around $110 a point if I remember right. And then my second one in 2017 for $153 a point (paid a little more since small contract and I was not willing to lose it over a small amount). So at this point, I feel like I am far ahead on my points. And I use them, no renting these precious points out!
 
Question: For the dates we are looking at (early November), the rental company said a 1-BR villa is available but they need to find the points. Does that sound like it's likely or unlikely to happen? First time trying this and I'm nervous!

I made my request to rent at the 11 month mark (last November for this September). Just like you, it was available but I waited about 4 to 6 weeks to find a person who would rent. Got it and I am pleased.
Like owners have said, many would rather use their points than rent them out. That's what I do with my Marriott Kaanapali 2 bedroom timeshare. But a good number of owners do seem to offer their points for rent. it seems like from all the things I have read that you are VERY likely to get what you want at the 11 month mark. You are now at the 9 month mark and I would think its still quite possible. Just be patient. Doesn't hurt to try.
 
I'm staying at the VGC in early April, and I have a late-afternoon flight on my check-out day, which is Day 6 of my trip, so I don't want to use a park ticket that day.

What I have been unable to find out is if there are lockers and showers in the pool area for using after you don't have access to your room. Thanks!
 
I'm staying at the VGC in early April, and I have a late-afternoon flight on my check-out day, which is Day 6 of my trip, so I don't want to use a park ticket that day.

What I have been unable to find out is if there are lockers and showers in the pool area for using after you don't have access to your room. Thanks!

There are no lockers at GCH/VGC. We bring a backpack or small duffle to use as a day bag for late departures. Then you can check luggage with Bell Services and head to the pool, etc. If it's a busy check-in day, the lobby can be slammed with early arrivals in that 10-noon time frame and a line may form to check bags; so just allow some time for that if needed. Hopefully it's just a walk-up. At pickup time, do allow 10-15 mins for them to retrieve bags when it's time to leave for airport.

Yes there are pool showers near the pool slides in the NW corner of the VGC wing. And keep in mind the guest laundry if you want to dry pool stuff before packing up.
 
There are no lockers at GCH/VGC. We bring a backpack or small duffle to use as a day bag for late departures. Then you can check luggage with Bell Services and head to the pool, etc. If it's a busy check-in day, the lobby can be slammed with early arrivals in that 10-noon time frame and a line may form to check bags; so just allow some time for that if needed. Hopefully it's just a walk-up. At pickup time, do allow 10-15 mins for them to retrieve bags when it's time to leave for airport.

Yes there are pool showers near the pool slides in the NW corner of the VGC wing. And keep in mind the guest laundry if you want to dry pool stuff before packing up.

Thank you for this information. I'll certainly use the luggage storage, but was hoping they had small lockers for a purse or phone. Maybe I'll just skip swimming that day or go early enough that I can pop back into the room before checking out, then I won't have to worry about it. I'll go explore Downtown Disney and the interesting things in the lobbies of the DLH buildings.
 
Thank you for this information. I'll certainly use the luggage storage, but was hoping they had small lockers for a purse or phone. Maybe I'll just skip swimming that day or go early enough that I can pop back into the room before checking out, then I won't have to worry about it. I'll go explore Downtown Disney and the interesting things in the lobbies of the DLH buildings.
If you need a locker, there are locker rentals outside DL park, just west of the gates.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/locker-rentals/
 
It's possible, I don't know about likely. Here's my math on it:

For the weekend of November 6-8, 2020, a 1 bedroom DVC unit requires 96 points to rent.
Retail cost for a 1 bedroom suite for that same weekend on the Disney website is $4228.

That means, to me, my 96 points are worth $44/point. That's a tough sell if Dave's or another company is only offering me $18/pt, even if, say, I discount that by 15% and call it the price of letting a reputable third party handle my points (i'd still want $37.40/pt).

That means, IMO, the only way this will get filled is if a) someone had a pretty low cost basis for the points (i.e. original buyer during the recession @ $81/pt after incentives), b) isn't really paying attention to the retail rates (maybe they stopped going a long time ago), and c) owner just wants to offload the points and cover their maintenance fees.

Stranger things have happened, best of luck to you!

you really can’t make that direct price comparison. For one, the retail booking is cancellable, the David’s rental is not. The retail booking also includes daily housekeeping, There is also some risk and loss of control with the rental booking. These things all have a price associated with them. (Especially the housekeeping has a real price, and the cancellability would be equal to an insurance cost.). Probably David’s could charge another few dollars per point, but not anywhere near what you calculated. As an owner (at WDW not GCH), If I can’t use the points for whatever reason, renting them out is a nice option to have.
 

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