Hey guys -- It's Grand CA Villas time!!

[Carl D]

To the OP-
This is my main reason for not purchasing at GCV-- That is why I felt this line of discussion was appropriate for this thread.

I apologize if you think it went too far off the beaten path.

 

[wmmmmm]

How many points do you have to purchase for premium passes?

It's 220 points and higher. That means for another $4280, I can get two free APs. The problem of getting 220 points for me was that I wanted 2-bedrooms during Magic Season for three or four nights. Three nights is 186 and four is 248 so I would have to purchase either 180 or 240. So for me, to get the free APs, it would cost an addition $6420 and that's a little too much.

 

[SDKath]

Carl,

Good point. However I do think this is an internet myth. For example I just called today to get 7 nights in a 2BR at AKV booking the 25th of Dec on. Now this is the peak of peak seasons. I had absolutely no problems reserving this week. I was on hold for exactly 3 minutes and by 10 minutes all was done and the ressie is good to go. I called at 10am PST, not 6am.

I also had him check BCV and BWV and they both had plenty of availability for this week. So I guess I just get bored with people saying the reservation system is bad so don't buy. I think there should be other factors to making a decision to buy (like cost per night, MFs, location and all the usual things people think about before spending $10,000+

With that in mind, DH is heading up to GCV as I type this to buy our 400 points at DL! I can't wait for our first trip. Now to figure out what to do with 400 developer points that expire in September.

Katherine

 

[Twinkstarr]

Carl,

Good point. However I do think this is an internet myth. For example I just called today to get 7 nights in a 2BR at AKV booking the 25th of Dec on. Now this is the peak of peak seasons. I had absolutely no problems reserving this week. I was on hold for exactly 3 minutes and by 10 minutes all was done and the ressie is good to go. I called at 10am PST, not 6am.

I also had him check BCV and BWV and they both had plenty of availability for this week. So I guess I just get bored with people saying the reservation system is bad so don't buy. I think there should be other factors to making a decision to buy (like cost per night, MFs, location and all the usual things people think about before spending $10,000+

With that in mind, DH is heading up to GCV as I type this to buy our 400 points at DL! I can't wait for our first trip. Now to figure out what to do with 400 developer points that expire in September.

Katherine

Like you I've never had a problem booking DVC. 99% of the whining I've heard over the years about it comes from BWV owners who are not on the ball at 11 months and can't get standard view rooms.

 

[Carl D]

I agree that most reservations will not be affected by the new booking system.
That said, I believe there is real potential for booking problems when it comes to certain areas.. AKV concierge, BWV BW view, AKV value, and BWV grand villas come to mind. To a lessor extent, because there are only 50 units I would put GCV in that category, at least until the initial craze is over with.

 

[SDKath]

OK, DH just signed the contracts. 480 points!

He is at DL right now. He is picking up a point chart so I will be sure to post it when he comes home.

Here are other tidbits:

1) $107 per point after $5 per point discount, 100 pt minimum add on
2) 2 APs usable at either DL or WDW (you have to specify which one you want when you purchase). You get 2 APs if you buy more than 220 points. The passes are for the unlimited use for 1 year starting when you activate it (not necessarily the day you buy).
3) MFs are $3.82 and will start when the Grand opens, anticipated to be Nov or Dec 09.
4) The developer points (1pt per pt purchased) have to be used and travel completed by Oct 3rd. It can be used for the Disney Collection (Fairmont NY, Hotel Del Coronado, Grand Waileah Maui....) or SSR only or banked with RCI for 2 years of exchange time. It cannot be used for the cruise.
5) They anticipate selling out by next month based on the number of contracts they have written up so far and the people waiting to pick up contracts in the next few days.
6) If you have purchased points at DL for AKV or SSR and are a founding member, they WILL guarantee that you can buy up to 160 points during the 60 day window, so there is no rush IF you only want 160 points.
7) You can buy up to 500 points per family (but only the first 160 are guaranteed during the 60 day window).

That's about all. I will post as DH gives me more info. BONUS for me: I get 50,000 SPs because I charged the transaction on my Starwood Am Ex card. 2 free round trip tickets!!! I am thinking the Grand Waileah looks good for a free trip this summer.

Katherine

 

[wmmmmm]

Finally!

Points finally showed up today at dvcmembers.com Guide said we should be getting the fed-ex package maybe by Wednesday. Now to decide when we'll make our first trip. I think Thanksgiving may be a little optimistic.