Originally Posted By retlawfan I just got off the phone with Member Services. I got my reservation for opening night at Disney's Grand Californian Villas on September 23, 2009. Anyone else going for opening night?
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub CAn anybody make a reservation? What are the rates? Are you guaranteed to be in that wing? ANd finally are they having a ceremony?
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I am sorry I just realized you made your reservation with Member Services and not the hotel. So I just checked DVCMember.com and it says on the website the date is 11/30/09. Is the Grand your home resort? Is the September date a preview for owners?
Originally Posted By retlawfan The 11/30 date is the old estimated opening date. THat has been moved up to 9/23. DVC members with the Grand as their home resort can make reservations starting today, and DVC members with other resorts as their home resort can start making reservations on the 21st (of June). Points vary depending on room type and season of travel, as with any DVC resort. I don't know about cash reservation costs, but I know that they are available at other resorts, so I would assume that it would be the same there. I cannot imagine they'll be any cheaper than regular rooms at the Grand, so as not to cram more people in that wing than the regular hotel. I have not heard of an official ceremony, but hopefully they'll do something.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Thanks for the info! Can you have a LP Meet in your Hotel Room? We can make a Celebrate Ceremony! I will have to visit DVC next trip on the 4th of July. ANyway Congratulations it will be special.
Originally Posted By ImTempest Congratulations!!!! Totally envious, wish it was me (maybe next year)! Have a magical time!!
Originally Posted By Kala I wish I could go!! We are goin in Dec and staying at the Grand w/ reservation points, not the villas, it's all good. I'll be waiting for your trip report!!pictures please!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 We have our reservs for mid October After watching the construction for the past several months (a few times from rooms at PPHI was surprised to learn that the new rooms overlooking the pier are for DVC, the rest are new CA Grand guest rooms. I'm really interested to see the new layout of the whole area. retlawfan, do you happen to know how many DVC rooms there are?
Originally Posted By retlawfan There are 50 DVC rooms, and an additional 200 Grand Californian hotel rooms. My understanding is that the rooms facing the park are DVC rooms, and the regular hotel rooms are not. I cannot confirm this yet though.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Thanks retlawfan! We were told that all DVC rooms face the park. If you are on a lower floor you will see the DVC pool and there is a viewing area on an upper floor for World of Color. Wow, only 50 DVC rooms? I'm surprised at that number. Do you know if this is common for a DVC resort? Nice that DLR got 200 more rooms though!
Originally Posted By retlawfan Yes, all DVC rooms face the park. That part is cool. I would have been very upset to invest in it, and get a city view. I have no idea about other resorts. I have never stayed anywhere except DL. Oh yeah, BUMP. Anyone else going to be staying at the Villas for opening night, September 23rd? I cannot be the ONLY LPer, can I?
Originally Posted By Hound I won't be there for the opening. You'll have to take pictures for all of us. I'm using my points in December for Christmas at the Grand and Candlelight.
Originally Posted By retlawfan Remember, after December DVC points will only be able to be used at the Grand for the DVC Villas. They will no longer be able to be used for regular rooms.
Originally Posted By Hound Of course, you could always book a room for the normal $$$ instead of points.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 For the past SEVERAL months (couple of years, I can't remember now) we have been watching the building progress while staying at PPH. It's been oddly exciting watching it We won't be staying there until October and we can't wait. We stopped this week and talked to a guard who said they were having "soft openings" next week. She said the Villas were stocked and she loved the silverware We are new to DVC and I can't seem to find any interesting info online. Is there anyplace on the website that I can ask or read other members questions and suggestions? Our DD belongs to another Timeshare and there are blogs to read about the different places to stay. I was able to finally get an answer about whether DVC members can get early entry as we are "sort of" staying at the Grand. The answer is yes
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo amazedncal2 - there are two boards that are good for DVCers. My preferred is a general timeshare board, but it is great if you want to read about where you could trade into once/if you get tired of DVC properties, but it has a DVC section too: <a href="http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54" target="_blank">http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/f...php?f=54</a> The other is not my fav as they are not as laid back as LP, but it has some good info on DVC: <a href="http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7" target="_blank">http://www.disboards.com/forum....php?f=7</a> Hope they are useful for you, and enjoy your ownership!
