May 2nd, 2023 - DVC The Villas @ Disneyland Hotel

[LilyJC]

That's one advantage to driving a low, short car, an electric car, or a motorcycle.

This is totally off topic for this thread, but noooo… Prius are a huge target for catalytic converter theft. And they can do it in record speed. Our neighbors had their Prius parked out on the street. We heard the alarm start complaining one night, my husband ran out to yell at them, and it was already too late. Our Prius is our extra car, but we now keep it locked up on our side yard when not in use

Definitely something to be said for the more protected on property parking lots…

 

[soniam]

This is totally off topic for this thread, but noooo… Prius are a huge target for catalytic converter theft. And they can do it in record speed. Our neighbors had their Prius parked out on the street. We heard the alarm start complaining one night, my husband ran out to yell at them, and it was already too late. Our Prius is our extra car, but we now keep it locked up on our side yard when not in use

Definitely something to be said for the more protected on property parking lots…

I am referring to fully electric vehicles, like Teslas, not hybrids, like Prius. Since hybrids still have a gas combustion engine, they still need a catalytic converter. Plus, they are a little high off the ground to allow room for batteries. For short, low cars, I am thinking of sports cars. Motorcycles and scooters (Vespas) don't have the same emissions standards or requirements, so they don't usually use a catalytic converter to control emissions.

 

[JASBE06]

This is happening everywhere. I have read of police vehicles in the police secure lot here having their catalytic converters stolen, especially the SUVs. That's one advantage to driving a low, short car, an electric car, or a motorcycle. Now I only have to worry about some of our vehicles.

For sure, I was partially joking. But If my wife goes with just the kids she says she does feel safer in the Disney bubble. The VDH are a bit further from the parks but I see that as a positive in some situations. The VGC rooms can be very loud with a park facing room, especially around a party or grad night with the world of color blazing in your room at 1am

 

[soniam]

For sure, I was partially joking. But If my wife goes with just the kids she says she does feel safer in the Disney bubble. The VDH are a bit further from the parks but I see that as a positive in some situations. The VGC rooms can be very loud with a park facing room, especially around a party or grad night with the world of color blazing in your room at 1am

I agree about the feel. It's not terrible, but I would much rather walk back to DLH through Downtown Disney than walk down Harbor or even further to a hotel near the convention center. I have done it by myself at night, but there were a lot of people around. Plus, we just had a horrible experience staying on Harbor our first trip. It really tainted the experience. I have stayed near the convention center for D23 Expo, and that was fine. I would have to convince my husband to stay near it if he ever goes to a convention with me. I do like VGC, at least what I have experienced of the restaurants/common areas, but DLH just won our hearts on the first visit.

 

[Kidguile]

Will Disney Forward happen before 2074?

 

[mz-s]

My wife and I have never visited Disneyland, and plan to only be occasional visitors in the years to come (perhaps once or twice over the next decade, if that). Similar to our plans at Aulani. So it does not make sense for us to add on there as we have not added on at Aulani.

 

[casualmuppet]

Just bought ours. Was looking to do 100-125... The 150 incentive convinced me to bump it up, so I did a 100 and a 50 pt contract so I have the option to sell just 50 in case it end up being too many points.

 

[eeg]

We are buying. To people asking "who is this for" - West coasters who love Disneyland! And yeah, even the very nicest alternatives in Anaheim (we've recently done JW Marriott, Westin) just aren't the same and are still pretty expensive. You think you're fine in the Candy Cane Inn going park commando until you spend a week at the Grand California - completely different kind of vacation. And rack rates are bonkers, especially for rooms that sleep 6 (which is what we need). Plus, getting to California is much less expensive for us than Florida so if you factor that in, the California resorts make sense for us.

I will say that when we saw the dues & tax info, we ended up picking up a VGC contract resale. We planned to go all-in on VDH with 300 points since resale VGC are so expensive, but we decided to split between VGC resale and VDH direct given that VGC dues are lower (and tax priced into dues). We've had reasonably good luck booking VGC with SSR points, but it's a huge stress and hassle. So now we will alternate between the two California resorts with those points & use our SSR points for Florida & Aulani.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

We are buying. To people asking "who is this for" - West coasters who love Disneyland! And yeah, even the very nicest alternatives in Anaheim (we've recently done JW Marriott, Westin) just aren't the same and are still pretty expensive. You think you're fine in the Candy Cane Inn going park commando until you spend a week at the Grand California - completely different kind of vacation. And rack rates are bonkers, especially for rooms that sleep 6 (which is what we need). Plus, getting to California is much less expensive for us than Florida so if you factor that in, the California resorts make sense for us.

I will say that when we saw the dues & tax info, we ended up picking up a VGC contract resale. We planned to go all-in on VDH with 300 points since resale VGC are so expensive, but we decided to split between VGC resale and VDH direct given that VGC dues are lower (and tax priced into dues). We've had reasonably good luck booking VGC with SSR points, but it's a huge stress and hassle. So now we will alternate between the two California resorts with those points & use our SSR points for Florida & Aulani.

Exactly! West Coaster here, and never been to WDW. Been to DL dozens of times. Last 10 years, minimum 2X a year for 4-5 days each time. "But DLR is a two day park" Yeah, if you bust your hump! We like to take it slow, 4-5 days is enough to leisurely do both parks, the amenities in the hotels, and downtown disney, without leaving more exhausted than we came. It's so much less expensive to drive (or fly, our preferred method), than to fly all of us to Florida. We bought into DVC originally for Aulani to go every year. Zero interest in buying into the Florida resorts. We've floated the idea of maybe one year using Aulani points to go to WDW so the kids can experience it once. But other than that, not really interested. When we heard about VDH we got excited as we go multiple times a year, and spending 4-5 days, 3-4X a year in a DLH 1 or 2 bedroom adds up! We're already paying the TOT tax at DLH (or VGC) so it's not a big deal.

We're all in at VDH. If at some point down the line VGC comes back to earth, might get one there too resale, but not paying $330+ a point that's for sure.

 

[eeg]

Exactly! West Coaster here, and never been to WDW. Been to DL dozens of times. Last 10 years, minimum 2X a year for 4-5 days each time. "But DLR is a two day park" Yeah, if you bust your hump! We like to take it slow, 4-5 days is enough to leisurely do both parks, the amenities in the hotels, and downtown disney, without leaving more exhausted than we came. It's so much less expensive to drive (or fly, our preferred method), than to fly all of us to Florida. We bought into DVC originally for Aulani to go every year. Zero interest in buying into the Florida resorts. We've floated the idea of maybe one year using Aulani points to go to WDW so the kids can experience it once. But other than that, not really interested. When we heard about VDH we got excited as we go multiple times a year, and spending 4-5 days, 3-4X a year in a DLH 1 or 2 bedroom adds up! We're already paying the TOT tax at DLH (or VGC) so it's not a big deal.

We're all in at VDH. If at some point down the line VGC comes back to earth, might get one there too resale, but not paying $330+ a point that's for sure.

Yep. Can easily spend 4-5 days at Disneyland & Cal Adventure OR do in a quick weekend getaway which is why they are so great. Lots of good shows, lots of rides (more rides per park than any Florida park), lots of good food. We do love the Florida resorts too and get there pretty often, but for West Coasters Disneyland makes a ton of sense.
We picked up a VGC for $269 (had a chance to buy one last year at $220, oops!). Looking at the VDH PPP now that's feeling pretty high but happy to own in both places and alternate.

 

[Kidguile]

Any mention of the luggage set still ?

 

[princesscinderella]

Any mention of the luggage set still ?

My guide said no bonus gift that they are aware of. Maybe they will change the gift that comes in the mail? I think its a waterbottle and pop socket currently, used to be a backpack.

 

[Ruttangel]

Fascinating what people will accept, nearly $12pp in dues and $230pp.
I wonder if PVB2 or Cabins are $15 in dues and $250pp if people could still talk themselves into buying it

 

[lilsonicfan]

But then they transition to the "Well, we would never stay there anyway. You can get a room at the Vagabond Inn or Castle Inn for $200 a night and it comes with 2 bagels and a juice box. Plus, Harbor Blvd. hotels are closer to the main entrance." argument.

I'm one of those "stay on Harbor" people! I feel attacked LOL

 

[pineapplepalms]

Fascinating what people will accept, nearly $12pp in dues and $230pp.
I wonder if PVB2 or Cabins are $15 in dues and $250pp if people could still talk themselves into buying it

It’s not really the same thing though. There are so many resorts at WDW, and DLR only has VGC which is tiny and now VDH, with no future resorts in the pipeline.

 

[PrincessKL]

Fascinating what people will accept, nearly $12pp in dues and $230pp.
I wonder if PVB2 or Cabins are $15 in dues and $250pp if people could still talk themselves into buying it

People who would pay rack rate at PVB2 and do not want to stay anywhere else will probably talk themselves into it. Not sure about the cabins though, maybe people who have to take their dog on vacation?

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

I'm one of those "stay on Harbor" people! I feel attacked LOL

That’s the thing though! I am legitimately going to stay on Harbor instead. I wanted to do this but the price structure doesn’t work for me and the lack of onsite benefits makes it an easier call than it would have been otherwise. I have earned too many Hyatt points.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

We've floated the idea of maybe one year using Aulani points to go to WDW so the kids can experience it once

It’s so different. I don’t want to tell anyone what to do but you really should very strongly consider this. I like Disneyland more but I’d be sad if my kids never saw WDW.

 

[Dobermanns]

Another west coaster / local and VGC owner here, just purchased 150, split into 100 and 50
Don’t need the blue card as we already have it. Just liked the $20 discount plus CM discount at 150.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

It’s so different. I don’t want to tell anyone what to do but you really should very strongly consider this. I like Disneyland more but I’d be sad if my kids never saw WDW.

That's kinda how we feel. I never made it there as a kid, but they only had WDW and Epcot at the time. Just wondering what would be the ideal age? Before they're jaded teenagers ?