It is not often that a single DVC resort refurbishment becomes a recurring headline, but the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa have done exactly that. After a year filled with questions, concerns, and spirited discussion among owners, Disney Vacation Club has now confirmed a second phase refurbishment beginning in late 2026.
This confirmation came directly from today’s DVC Condo Association Meeting, where Bill Diercksen, senior vice president and general manager of DVC, addressed the topic before any Member questions were asked. Bill shared that although the initial refurbishment was intended to preserve the signature craftsman style of the resort, Member feedback made it clear that the work fell short of expectations, especially regarding the bathrooms. As a result, DVC will return to the villas in late 2026 for a targeted second phase refurbishment.
The full scope has not yet been finalized. Bathroom renovations appear to be the priority, while questions surrounding kitchenettes, additional charging solutions, and other interior updates remain open.
This marks a major shift from speculation to confirmation and places the Grand Californian back into the spotlight for a second significant project within only a few years.
Why the Second Phase Matters
Earlier this year, DVC members began noticing something curious. The initial refurbishment, previously described as a complete interior update, appeared relatively modest compared to other hard goods refurbishments across the DVC portfolio.
Murphy beds were added, and flooring was updated in the villas. However, much of the original furniture, lighting, cabinetry, appliances, and all of the bathrooms remained unchanged. For a premier resort with some of the highest point charts and demand in the system, the lack of depth this complete hard-goods refurbishment displayed raised questions and anger across the community.
Even more concerning, member reports surfaced in the months following the refurb showing maintenance issues inside bathrooms, including mold and water intrusion. Although isolated issues can occur in any resort, these examples added urgency to the growing belief that significant work was still needed.
Member Feedback Helped Spark Today’s Announcement
The acknowledgment from leadership today makes it clear that owner feedback played a direct role in shaping this second phase. Bill stated plainly that the earlier refurbishment did not meet the standard that members expected and that DVC is taking steps to correct course.
This aligns with the analysis published earlier this year by DVC Fan contributor Ryan Chung, who provided an in depth look at the Grand Californian’s refurbishment scope and capital reserve structure. His research raised thoughtful questions about how much of the budget was used and why the project appeared more limited than comparable refurbishments at Bay Lake Tower and Boulder Ridge. You can read that analysis here.
What We Still Do Not Know
While the acknowledgment of a second phase is encouraging, several major questions remain.
How did the resort end up here?
Was the first refurbishment under scoped, overly conservative, or constrained by other resort wide priorities? Were budget decisions made that limited what could be updated? These are the kinds of questions that members will likely continue to raise in the months ahead.
Who will pay for the second phase?
This is the question at the center of member concern. Will dues increase to support the added work. Or, as often agreed upon in past annual meetings, when expenses exceed collected annual dues, will Disney cover any overages linked to the change in plans?
Given the small number of villas at VGC, even modest cost increases can translate to meaningful dues impacts. Today’s meeting acknowledged the need for more work, but the financial structure behind it was not yet outlined.
How extensive will the updates be?
The focus appears to be the bathrooms, but members also wanted clarity on charging ports, kitchenette layouts, lighting upgrades, and furniture improvements that were notably absent in the last refurb. Bill emphasized that the full scope is still being evaluated, suggesting more news may arrive in early 2026.
What This Means for Owners
The confirmation of a second-phase refurbishment is a positive sign that DVC is responsive to the concerns of its West Coast members. The Grand Californian is a signature property within the DVC portfolio, and its villas should reflect the level of quality and comfort that owners expect.
At the same time, this announcement raises understandable questions about how refurbishment planning is executed and how budgets are managed. Owners will want to know not only what will be updated next but also how the association will ensure this situation does not repeat in future refurbishment cycles.
The Road Ahead
For now, members have reason to be cautiously optimistic. DVC has acknowledged the shortcomings of the earlier project and has committed to taking action. The 2026 second phase could finally deliver the meaningful updates that many believe should have been included the first time.
We will continue to monitor this evolving story. Stay tuned to DVCFan.com and the DVC Fan Facebook Group for more updates from this year’s Condo Association Meetings and for further news as refurbishment details are finalized.
