The Official VILLAS at DISNEYLAND HOTEL (Discovery Tower) Owners and Fans Info Thread

[NorCalFanatic]

I’m hitting myself that I didn’t buy into DVC earlier!!!! Especially VGC. I’m based out of northern CA so the west coast resorts make the most sense!

We’re west coast based as well! AUL and VDH made most sense to us. So bummed we missed out on GCV as well but honestly at the time we weren’t in as good of a position as now to buy in, and had no idea about DVC. We only found out about it visiting Aulani. If prices come down some more on resale we’ll likely grab a small GCV contract. Seems like the $320 craziness is over.

 

[Batuuwanderer]

We’re west coast based as well! AUL and VDH made most sense to us. So bummed we missed out on GCV as well but honestly at the time we weren’t in as good of a position as now to buy in, and had no idea about DVC. We only found out about it visiting Aulani. If prices come down some more on resale we’ll likely grab a small GCV contract. Seems like the $320 craziness is over

I hope it is too! It looks like the frenzy is dying down so I hope you find what you are looking for. I guess I shouldn’t have updated my banner so soon as I am still waiting to close on my VGC contract but it’s a long close (sept) with an international seller but I was just so happy I jumped the gun. I have true addonitis and I swear I’ll stop after I close on this subsidized Aulani contract!
But ask me again after our stays at VDH!

 

[NVDISFamily]

I swear I’ll stop after I close on this subsidized Aulani contract!

sorry I post this every now and then... seemed appropriate

I blame Pete and his crew for our DVC addiction. We went from no points to a few in a short time....

 

[Batuuwanderer]

sorry I post this every now and then... seemed appropriate

I blame Pete and his crew for our DVC addiction. We went from no points to a few in a short time...

Omg these folks (and all with addonitis) are my kindred spirits! Love the rationalizations!

 

[Alyleth]

Plus one for add-on-itis. West Coaster here as well and have 2 contracts at Aulani. We usually go to WDW because there are ALWAYS rooms available somewhere! We were going back and forth on if we wanted points at VDH. I pointed out that it's a 2 hour flight for us, and if we get on a 6a flight, we can get into the parks well before noon (I personally did boots-on-the-ground RESEARCH to confirm). So, we decided to wait until our upcoming December cruise to get points, as the incentives have always been great on our cruises. Then the numbers came out, and the early purchase incentives. Well, we have already purchased points and set up a quick jaunt in early November with the kiddo (yay for early-release Fridays!). I'm probably going to book time in Feb during the crazy Prez day mid-winter school break for just me and my kiddo (Hubby will be doggo sitting for our Orlando besties). Next decision is... do we get Magic Key AP?

 

[ahintz]

Thanks for creating this thread! Northern California family here - we bought Aulani resale and love it, and are excited to have a home at Disneyland now! I tried to book the first week of January, but it was already sold out by the time I got my points last month (while we were vacationing at the Aulani). Probably will have our first visit sometime next summer when my wife (who is a teacher) is off from school! Looking forward to seeing all the reports about the resort from folks who stay this fall!

 

[Kenito]

Can't wait for my first visit! Have a studio booked for September 30th, so hoping they finish building on time! I then have 1x a month Saturday visits booked though March 2024 (using up all my 150 pt allotment). Goal is 1 Saturday night a month at VDH using VDH and BLT direct points. If availability using BLT points doesn't work out, will likely try for a resale VGC contract once prices settle down and go back and forth between VDH and VGC stays.

 

[Batuuwanderer]

Can't wait for my first visit! Have a studio booked for September 30th, so hoping they finish building on time!

Wow! You’ll be one of the first people to experience the magic! Please make sure to tell us all about it. Perhaps additional pictures for us to drool over.

 

[Kenito]

Wow! You’ll be one of the first people to experience the magic! Please make sure to tell us all about it. Perhaps additional pictures for us to drool over.

For sure! I will post pics that same day.

 

[Batuuwanderer]

Next decision is... do we get Magic Key AP?

Do it, do it! More reasons to stay at VDH. (But only if you want to. )
I don’t have an AP either because we do little weekend trips here and there. I committed to a few longer stays at WDW in fall 2023 and next summer 2024, I plan to commit to the sorcerers pass and then get the Magic Key AP 2025 (But I’m gambling since Disney taketh away before)

 

[Gina Renae]

View attachment 774937

Awesome resource/content coming soon - much provided by amazing DisBoard owners like you!
These first few pages/posts will be continually updated with information, photos and helpful links.
Have an upcoming stay? Post and I'll add you to the "Be Our Guest" list - post #2

Promotional Video:
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Photos
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Address:
1150 West Magic Way
Anaheim, California 92802
Phone: (714) 778-6600

Map:
View attachment 774948

Aerial Photos (coming)
Point Charts: 2023, 2024

ROOMS
Floorplan Layout: (coming)
Floor Plans: (coming)
Video Room Tours: (coming)
Views from Rooms: (coming)
Coffee makers info: (coming)


View attachment 774986

FOOD!
VDH Food/Beverage:
Palm Breeze Bar: (coming)

Disneyland Hotel Dining & Lounges:
Goofy's Kitchen: Breakfast | Dinner
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill: Breakfast | Lunch/Dinner
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar: Lunch | Dinner
The Coffee House: Menu
In Room Dining: Menu

Downtown Disney Dining
Disney link

Nearby suggested off-property dining
(coming)

Pools:
General Pool info page
VDH: Palette Pool: (coming)
VDH: Steamboat Willie Splash Pad: (coming)
DLH: D Ticket Pool: (coming)
DLH: E Ticket Pool: (coming)
DLH: Monorail Pool & Slides: (coming)
Cabanas

VDH Specific Facilities:
Fitness Center: (coming)
Grill Area: (coming)
Community Hall: (coming)
Guest Laundry Room: (coming)

VDH Recreation
(coming)

General Disneyland Property:
Amenities/General Info
Front Desk: (coming)
Guests Services: (coming)
Bell & Valet Services: (coming)
Rose Court Garden: (coming)
Adventure Lawn: (coming)
Frontier Lawn: (coming)
Tenaya Stone Spa @ Grand Californian
Fantasia Shop: (coming)
Small World Gifts and Sundries: (coming)
Outdoor Fireplace: (coming)

Transportation:
(coming)

Pre-Opening and Opening Information / Memories:
DisBoards Waiting For Disneyland Hotel DVC Thread
Opening date: Sept 28, 2023 (in theory).

Thanks to the following where information/photos were extracted: The Dis / DVC Fan, Disney Parks Blog.

This is so perfect! Thank you ever so much!

 

[NVDISFamily]

I don’t have an AP either because we do little weekend trips here and there. I committed to a few longer stays at WDW in fall 2023 and next summer 2024, I plan to commit to the sorcerers pass and then get the Magic Key AP 2025

I highly recommend we all make regular recommendations to our guides that Disney really needs a "Welcome Home" Annual Pass (that's just my silly name for it) for us crazy people who own at WDW and Disneyland. 1899.00 would be a fair price for DVC members? Make it equal to the good passes (Believe MK and Sorcerers) at both parks?

I know Iger said no to the old version of this, but I think Disney could get around this with the DVC requirement by saying DVC members get a special pass as the program is on both coasts... and don't you want to spend 30k plus to become a member too....

 

[ehh]

I highly recommend we all make regular recommendations to our guides that Disney really needs a "Welcome Home" Annual Pass (that's just my silly name for it) for us crazy people who own at WDW and Disneyland. 1899.00 would be a fair price for DVC members? Make it equal to the good passes (Believe MK and Sorcerers) at both parks?

I know Iger said no to the old version of this, but I think Disney could get around this with the DVC requirement by saying DVC members get a special pass as the program is on both coasts... and don't you want to spend 30k plus to become a member too....

I think it would be great if a 2-coast pass came back, but I think the hard part about that kind of 2-coast pass is creates a semi-paradox with blockout dates and 'upgrades'.

A combo Believe+Sorcerers pass would have some notable blockouts on both coasts, but also can't be upgraded to passes with no/fewer blockouts because it's more expensive than those passes. Or upgrades would be very expensive because it would split the pass into two, back at regular non-combined prices.

Not saying it makes it impossible or even a bad idea, but I'm not sure how comfortable they'd be with that situation from a Guest Services point of view. In an effort to help an uninformed and dissatisfied guest, the only fixes/upsells are splitting the passes (which would be potentially big money) or suggesting regular day tickets to cover blockout dates. Maybe limiting it to DVC owners would minimize this as they're likely slightly more informed?

Or maybe they resume selling a top-tier combo pass that just combines Incredi-Pass and Inspire for $2499 or something. I never quite understood why they stopped selling the Premier Passport.

(as an aside why are the pass names so terrible...the name sets aren't memorable and have no inherent hierarchy)

 

[laurafoureyes]

Hi! I obviously rarely post on here, but we bought in to VDH in the rest week of it being offered to members. Also own at CC (direct) and BLT (resale).

Came here because I was looking if anyone knew when more rooms were going to be declared soon. I know there were 61 or so rooms moved to DVC inventory when the resort went on sale. Going to try to book a 1bd or 2bd soon, and there are only a handful of those bookable by points right now.

 

[CarolynFH]

Hi! I obviously rarely post on here, but we bought in to VDH in the rest week of it being offered to members. Also own at CC (direct) and BLT (resale).

Came here because I was looking if anyone knew when more rooms were going to be declared soon. I know there were 61 or so rooms moved to DVC inventory when the resort went on sale. Going to try to book a 1bd or 2bd soon, and there are only a handful of those bookable by points right now.

Declarations depend on how fast points are selling - DVD wants to stay ahead of demand. So if what you want isn’t available when you try to book, be sure to waitlist. When a declaration is made and more villas open for booking is a good time for your WL to fill. I can’t prove it, but I’m pretty sure I benefited from declarations when Poly and CCV were in active sales!

 

[ehh]

Hi! I obviously rarely post on here, but we bought in to VDH in the rest week of it being offered to members. Also own at CC (direct) and BLT (resale).

Came here because I was looking if anyone knew when more rooms were going to be declared soon. I know there were 61 or so rooms moved to DVC inventory when the resort went on sale. Going to try to book a 1bd or 2bd soon, and there are only a handful of those bookable by points right now.

In addition to the 61 rooms declared in Phase 1, Phase 2 has also been declared. I'm still working on getting the Phase 2 Condo Plan documents, but based on what was disclosed in Phase 1 Condo Plan documents, we can deduce Phase 2 includes at least the following 11 rooms:

• 2 Duos (likely SV)
• 4 Studios (likely SV)
• 2 2-Bedroom Dedicated
• 3 2-Bedroom Lock-offs

We know, in filings where they estimate the operating budget for 2023, that they based the operating budget on 72 rooms being available and declared. Original 61 + the 11 'known' from Phase 2 do add up to 72, so it might be all we get declared into 2023 inventory.

That said, Phase 1 + Phase 2 accounts for a little over 20% of points, and only ~11% of points have shown up in deeds recorded with Orange County so far.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

In addition to the 61 rooms declared in Phase 1, Phase 2 has also been declared. I'm still working on getting the Phase 2 Condo Plan documents, but based on what was disclosed in Phase 1 Condo Plan documents, we can deduce Phase 2 includes at least the following 11 rooms:

• 2 Duos (likely SV)
• 4 Studios (likely SV)
• 2 2-Bedroom Dedicated
• 3 2-Bedroom Lock-offs

We know, in filings where they estimate the operating budget for 2023, that they based the operating budget on 72 rooms being available and declared. Original 61 + the 11 'known' from Phase 2 do add up to 72, so it might be all we get declared into 2023 inventory.

That said, Phase 1 + Phase 2 accounts for a little over 20% of points, and only ~11% of points have shown up in deeds recorded with Orange County so far.

One would think we are going to see a large additional declaration soon if they’re already 60% through the declared points with just the recorded deeds, considering the velocity it’s sold at so far. As I understand it until they file, they have the flexibility to do more or less whatever in terms of declaring the next phase.

 

[ehh]

One would think we are going to see a large additional declaration soon if they’re already 60% through the declared points with just the recorded deeds, considering the velocity it’s sold at so far. As I understand it until they file, they have the flexibility to do more or less whatever in terms of declaring the next phase.

Impossible to see, the future is.

Small preview of this past week's recorded deeds: things have slowed. Friday's recorded deeds won't show up on OCRW until Monday evening, which is when I'll do my weekly update, but based on the current 4-day sample of last week the current run rate is ~3,300pts per day, or ~16.5k/wk (5 recording days per week), or ~74k/mo (4.5 weeks per month).

74k/month is still beyond what RIV/VGF are selling at and pretty good numbers, but well down from the peaks of initial sales. At the current rate they may sell another ~400k this year, which will require more points to be declared (~700k have been declared and ~360k have shown up in recorded deeds). Or maybe things slow down further and they won't need to declare more into 2023 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

From what we 'know' about Phase 3, it's likely at least the following:

• 6 Studios (likely SV)
• 13 Studios (likely PV)

...which adds up to ~160k points (~5% of total) and should safely get declarations into 2024. But declaring an additional 19+ rooms in 2023 would also mean that their operating budget estimates are wrong.

So I don't know if they're trying to play chicken with it to avoid having to redo some operating budget finance work, or what. I don't even know if those estimates are all that important for dues (the context they're presented in POS) or if the operating budget scales smoothly with declarations, meaning an negligible difference on dues. Or if estimates just kind of mean nothing anyway--what they end up spending is what matters.

I also don't know what declaration pattern they'll use. What I mean by that: from what I've seen there's at least 2 types of declarations/inventory additions.

1. New inventory added to all dates
   • This is what we saw with Phase 2 VDH declarations, where waitlists were fulfilled en masse and it seems the declared rooms were available for every date reservations were available
   • If online booking tool were available at the time, this would show up as a lot of inventory suddenly available for every date
2. New inventory added to future dates, where only reservations after a certain date can benefit from the declaration. Think of it like a pre-scheduled declaration.
   • I've seen this monitoring inventory at Riviera, where only dates after a certain date have increased inventory.
     • The most recent RIV inventory increase was 5/3/24* and dates after
       • *there was some weirdness on 4/20/24 too, I don't want to derail the thread
   • This means waitlists prior to the 'effective' date are not fulfilled by the declaration and there is no mass inventory availability event. If the effective date is 11mo + 7d, then no waitlists are fulfilled at all.
   • I have not seen the paperwork for the 5/3/24 inventory addition filed on the FL Orange County Comptroller site yet.
     • In fact, the last RIV declaration that was filed, on December 16, 2022, indicates a declared inventory well below what was available for booking even for dates as early as Feb 2024 (when I started monitoring RIV inventory). This indicates they've been pre-scheduling Riviera declarations for some time.
     • I don't know when filings are due for the 5/3/24 inventory expansion

tl;dr: the more I monitor the inventory and paperwork, the more I realize the rabbit hole is very deep BUT, I think there's a chance they may try to stick with current VDH inventory through the end of 2023 and future VDH declarations may only impact future availability and not fulfill 2023 waitlists. One or more of those 'future declarations' may have already happened, too. I suppose we'll know more in about 11 days when the online booking tool is live.

 

[ehh]

Just thought of another factor in potential 2023 inventory: cash bookings.

If they got greedy and booked the remaining ~254 rooms (326 total minus 72 declared) for cash on any date, or even had a combination of bookings across dates, then they can't declare that inventory into DVC because they're already using it for cash bookings. I really hope they didn't do this.

2024 cash booking at DL aren't available yet, so they have way more freedom there.

 

[Kidguile]

I am no expert - how does the Magical Beginnings factor in this (if at all)?

I did it with my purchase so would they be renting out the declared unit(s)/(points) with the Magical Beginnings to the public on top of the undeclared units?