DVC @ Disneyland is now official!

[DVC Mike]

Responding to a growing demand for guest accommodations in Anaheim, the Disneyland Resort today celebrated an expansion of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa that will increase accommodations by more than 30 percent and will include the first Disney Vacation Club villas in Anaheim.

This expansion, scheduled for completion in late 2009, will involve 300 union construction jobs and result in 100 new hotel jobs. It underscores Disney's long-term commitment to growing and investing in Anaheim. The expansion also marks the latest in a series of major additions to the Resort that include the newly launched Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's California Adventure.


"This expansion underscores our commitment to growing and investing in both the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Resort Area," said Ed Grier, president of the Disneyland Resort. "These new hotel rooms and villas will give more people the opportunity to enjoy the immersive vacation experience Disney is known for. We know that our guests value being able to stay in the middle of the magic with our world-class theme parks, shopping and dining just steps away."


The 2.5-acre expansion on the hotel's south side will add more than 200 new hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas. Those vacation villas, to include kitchens, living and dining areas and other home-like amenities, will mark the West Coast debut of Disney Vacation Club, Disney's innovative vacation-ownership program.


"For more than 50 years, the Disneyland Resort has been investing in our community and they have helped us build a world class resort destination in which all of Anaheim can be proud," Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle said. "Thanks to Disneyland and the Anaheim Resort Area, Anaheim boasts one of the fastest growing markets in the country for hotel occupancy."


Other elements planned for the project include a rooftop deck for viewing fireworks, a new swimming pool and about 300 underground parking spaces. Peter Dominick of 4240, architect for Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as well as Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is designing the ambitious expansion. It will reflect the same California Arts & Crafts architecture of the existing hotel, which immerses guests in a turn-of-the-20th-century California experience.


Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa currently features 745 guest rooms, including 44 suites. Upon completion of the expansion project, the hotel will feature 945 guest rooms, including 44 guest suites, and 50 Disney Vacation Club two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas.

[Maleficent's Dad]

Great news!
Where'd you get the info???

[Carol]

Where'd you get the info???

The article is posted on the Disneyland Media site. You can read the entire article here.

[Mushu11756]

It sounds like good news but it only mentions 50 2 bedroom DVC... the rest of the rooms are to be hotel rooms.... I did not see anything about studio or 1 bedroom DVC..

For a small park I would not even bother using my point's on a 2 bedroom there.... If I misunderstood the article someone please let me know... Thanx

[SignguyTom]

50 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas

Could this mean they might be like the 2BR at BWV with a studio and a 1BR connected? Maybe...? Hopefully...?

[Figment!]

Another Article:

Disney Plans To Expand Hotel

Grand Californian will get 250 more units, including first vacation club villas.

By SARAH TULLY
The Orange County Register
September 18, 2007


ANAHEIM – Disney is planning to expand the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, its high-end lodge in the Disneyland Resort, by adding about 250 units, including the first vacation-ownership villas, the company is expected to announce today.

The expanded hotel would grow by 2.5 acres, stretching south of the hotel that opened in 2001 alongside Downtown Disney and Disney's California Adventure theme park. The Grand Californian already has 745 rooms.

The first Disney Vacation Club units on the West Coast – 50 two-bedroom-equivalent villas – would be part of the new area. The club is a vacation-ownership program that includes other Disney locations and associated members.

"This expansion underscores our commitment to growing and investing in both the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Resort Area," said Ed Grier, Disneyland Resort president, in a prepared statement.

[sillyolbear]

Nice new DVC option. Thanks for the info.

[NewmanFamily6]

How exciting! My family has never been to Disneyland before and we will be able to go now thanks to our DVC!

[Deesdisney]

Yes. I have been waiting for this. Now I will have to buy in two places. When will they go on sale?

[DVC Mike]

The "50 two-bedroom-equivalent villas" are probably 2-BR "lock-offs" that can either be a 2-BR or a 1-BR and a studio.

Although not mentioned in the press release, the guides were told there were would be a few 3-BR Grand Villas as well. We'll have to wait for more details.

[Ian]

This is excellent news. Now we're just a cheap Southwest flight and some tickets away from another visit to DL!

[DVC Mike]

I was surprised that DVC is now claiming that "sales, profits and membership have doubled since 2003" (according to Jim Lewis), and that there are now 350,000 DVC members.

[lockedoutlogic]

I was surprised that DVC is now claiming that "sales, profits and membership have doubled since 2003" (according to Jim Lewis), and that there are now 350,000 DVC members.

Wow...since DVC told us there was 120,000 members last November.....they had a HECK of A YEAR!!!!

...or the info is completely false...which it is.

[tundramom]

The Grand Californian is a stunning facility. I'm sure the new addition will be equally gorgeous.

[DVC Mike]

Wow...since DVC told us there was 120,000 members last November.....they had a HECK of A YEAR!!!!

...or the info is completely false...which it is.

Maybe DVC is getting creative with how they count their membership? Could it be that they now count all the contacts (including associate members) on the contract?

[J.T.Toad]

I am not sure how to start this reply to the great news about the new Villas at the Grand Californian as I realize that you are all so very excited.

In replying to my post, Please keep this in mind. I am a proud member of the Disney Vacation Club.

A little about myself, a California native living in Anaheim for two years, been to Disneyland at least 100 times.

The first thing you have to consider is size does matter. Unlike WDW the only thing that separates Howard Johnson’s Motor lodge and the Monorail is Harbor Blvd. Howard Johnson’s is probably one forth the cost and is very nice. From Motel row It is a 5 minute walk to the turn style at Disneyland. Right next to Howard Johnson’s Motor lodge is McDonalds and a family style restaurant Milleys that have every day pricing. Unless you are dead set on staying at the Grand California Villas I would consider selling your points and staying at, First Choice Disneyland Hotel, Second choice Howard Johnson’s.

JT

[Mushu11756]

Na I rather stay at Disneyland then HOJO'S

[DVC Mike]

A little about myself, a California native living in Anaheim for two years, been to Disneyland at least 100 times.

The first thing you have to consider is size does matter. Unlike WDW the only thing that separates Howard Johnson’s Motor lodge and the Monorail is Harbor Blvd. Howard Johnson’s is probably one forth the cost and is very nice. From Motel row It is a 5 minute walk to the turn style at Disneyland. Right next to Howard Johnson’s Motor lodge is McDonalds and a family style restaurant Milleys that have every day pricing. Unless you are dead set on staying at the Grand California Villas I would consider selling your points and staying at, First Choice Disneyland Hotel, Second choice Howard Johnson’s.

I too am a native of California and lived Orange County (Anaheim, Fullerton, Brea, Placentia and Yorba Linda). As a local, I visited DL dozens and dozens of times during the 30 years I lived there. I just hopped in the car and drove there; in 15-20 minutes I was there.

It's also true that it's a shorter walk from some offsite hotels than the Disneyland Hotel.

That said, there is something to be said for staying at the DVC at the GC, and having a view of DCA and being able to have your own entrance to DCA. You are right in the middle of the DL resort.

While I hope to be able to use my points for a future stay at GCV, I don't plan on buying points there.

[Septbride2002]

Very Exciting! I forsee a trip to Disney Land in 2010!!!

~Amanda

[BrerGnat]

So, are they actually going to SELL these 50-odd units or are they just going to be available for current DVC owners to use? I ask because currently, at Disneyland Resort, the DVC booths are selling the Saratoga Springs DVC units. I just wonder if they'll actually open up these units for new sales to people who want this to be their home resort?

Also, I wonder how they will price these (if they do sell them to new members) in comparison to the WDW properties. I would think that they will either command a premium price, or they will be cheap in comparison to say, Saratoga Springs or AKL DVC.