The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

[Nonsuch]

...I was wondering if the Villa's had a separate laundry area or if there was just one. (I know the studio's are the only one's that don't have washer/dryeres in the rooms) I'm not sure if I will do laundry while I'm there, but it's good to know.

My post showing the two laundry rooms

 

[Anal Annie]

Links to the VGC floorplan are in my signature
It's not too late to make a request. The highest priority seems to go to the earliest reservations, but making a request in advance is certainly better than requesting a view while checking in.


These are all the 1 bedroom villas that face Paradise Pier and WOC. The second floor rooms will have a rather limited view.

Just clarifying if I can....earliest reservations or earliest requests?? When I initially made our reservation I simply asked for a WOC view if possible. Then later (just 2 or 3 weeks ago) after reading here that you could request specific rooms I sent an email to request specific villa numbers. I of course made the reservation promptly at 7 months....So do you think they will they look at the date I made the reservation with just "a WOC view" or the date I sent the email with the villa numbers?

 

[podsnel]

This is a WONDERFUL thread, thank you SO much for helping me get ready for our 1st DL visit (and stay at GCV) this August! I have a question, though- when you all request a certain number villa, where do you email that to? What's the address? Thanks-

Ellen

 

[carissa1970]

This is a WONDERFUL thread, thank you SO much for helping me get ready for our 1st DL visit (and stay at GCV) this August! I have a question, though- when you all request a certain number villa, where do you email that to? What's the address? Thanks-

Ellen

I called the hotel directly, not knowing who I should have talked to, and the CM was very helpful, even telling me he knew a better room than the one I was asking for, and was able to tell me if anyone had requested certain rooms yet. We got the room he suggested!

 

[podsnel]

I called the hotel directly, not knowing who I should have talked to, and the CM was very helpful, even telling me he knew a better room than the one I was asking for, and was able to tell me if anyone had requested certain rooms yet. We got the room he suggested!

Thank you!!! I will call them later today when CA wakes up!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Just clarifying if I can....earliest reservations or earliest requests?? When I initially made our reservation I simply asked for a WOC view if possible. Then later (just 2 or 3 weeks ago) after reading here that you could request specific rooms I sent an email to request specific villa numbers. I of course made the reservation promptly at 7 months....So do you think they will they look at the date I made the reservation with just "a WOC view" or the date I sent the email with the villa numbers?

I think Nonsuch means the earliest reservation, so if you booked right at 7 months you should be up pretty high on the queue.

 

[Nonsuch]

I think Nonsuch means the earliest reservation...

Based on various posts in this thread, earlier reservations receive some priority for villa assignment.

 

[TifffanyD]

Hi all - the information here has been amazing!

I put in a room request right when we booked at 7 months so hopefully we will get lucky. But even if we don't it will be an awesome trip!

 

[hjgaus]

Based on various posts in this thread, earlier reservations receive some priority for villa assignment.

Hello everyone! Back from our LAST 3 nights @ VGC - at least until 2015! Once again this tip DID NOT work for us . We were assigned room #4518 (only one floor above where we stayed back in August which was #5518) Funny how back when I made this ressie the 1st of 3 reservations that it was my LAST of three (ressie back in Jan.) was the ONLY one honored. Not sure but maybe because we didn't check in earlier than 5pm on Saturday thus EVERYONE else checking in earlier than that got their requests honored on spot as they checked in? Oh well! All we CAN do is just keep trying to put room # requests EVERYTIME! Still we had an AWESOME time!! Some friends stop by for a visit so we took them to the 6th floor observation deck for WOC (our 1st time there also) then as soon as we returned to our room the DL fireworks show was on which was very nice - just turn your head left from our balcony to see !! We also decide to use the BBQ for steak & kabobs!! Some strange & interesting comments while holding the platter of steaks while in the elevator but who cares!! We spent more time in our villa than in the park but so well worth our time cuz our last visit was 1 night & we did not really enjoy the room then! We also chose NOT to invite anyone to stay with us so my boys got to stretch out in their OWN room for a change! Our LAST time to use our DL AP's is coming up shortly & we shall MISS being in our own backyard for awhile but at least I will have the disboards to keep me in the DLR spirit until 2015!!! Hope everyone planning for the VGC has a GREAT time as we did!! NOW looking forward to WDW & BCV this coming Christmas!!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Not sure but maybe because we didn't check in earlier than 5pm on Saturday thus EVERYONE else checking in earlier than that got their requests honored on spot as they checked in?

That might be part of it... we checked in at 6:30 am and got one of our top choices, so I would guess that your theory might be right.

 

[TifffanyD]

Oh man we are flying in so probably won't be there early... :/

 

[Snurk71]

I made our recent stays reservation 11 months out, made specific room requests, checked in at 7 am, and didn't have a room anywhere close to what we requested. So my experience was that the earlier made reservation didn't get any kind of priority.

 

[Anal Annie]

I think Nonsuch means the earliest reservation, so if you booked right at 7 months you should be up pretty high on the queue.

Based on various posts in this thread, earlier reservations receive some priority for villa assignment.

But not as early as VGC owners who booked at like 10 or 11 months out.

 

[cpster]

My post showing the two laundry rooms

Thanks! We'll be staying in a studio and will probably do at least one load. I've read that we can get tokens from the front desk. Should we plan on bringing our own HE soap?

Also, how do trash bags in unit work? Do we need to bring some? And toilet paper?

It's our first stay as owners.

Thanks!

 

[cpster]

I made our recent stays reservation 11 months out, made specific room requests, checked in at 7 am, and didn't have a room anywhere close to what we requested. So my experience was that the earlier made reservation didn't get any kind of priority.

What day of the week did you check in?

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks! We'll be staying in a studio and will probably do at least one load. I've read that we can get tokens from the front desk. Should we plan on bringing our own HE soap?

Also, how do trash bags in unit work? Do we need to bring some? And toilet paper?

It's our first stay as owners.

Thanks!

I don't know if these machines are HE or just regular?! I have read some posts where people recommend using those new Tide Pod things 'cuz they apparently work in either?! I just got a new HE washer but haven't tried the pods (yet). I may tho before we go so I can decide if I want to bring 2 or 3 for our trip to DL & Aulani this summer.

DVC units always include a supply of travel size toiletries in the bathroom along with TP, tissues, paper towels, 1 reg. cloth dishtowel, a small kitchen sponge and a tiny bottle of Palmolive (sometimes I think it's been watered down tho). I don't recall if there are extra trash bags maybe stored in the bottom of the trash cans maybe. We've always managed to be OK using the existing trash cans (and maybe a spare shopping bag from some of our purchases). They come in on Day #4 and empty the trash & supply new towels so we've never had a problem going that long. I know at WDW there are also recycling cans so that cuts down on the amount of actual trash too. I am assuming DL will offer recycling as well.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That might be part of it... we checked in at 6:30 am and got one of our top choices, so I would guess that your theory might be right.

I've never checked in before 1PM and have gotten requests met, although not always. One single time I was told that they had people who had checked in early begging to be switched to the room I was assigned but since I had booked before them they didn't switch it. This was a CM that has been there for awhile and I'd guess it varies between who you get. Still, very nice I thought and something I wish would occur across all DVC.

 

[Chereya]

I don't know if these machines are HE or just regular?! I have read some posts where people recommend using those new Tide Pod things 'cuz they apparently work in either?! I just got a new HE washer but haven't tried the pods (yet). I may tho before we go so I can decide if I want to bring 2 or 3 for our trip to DL & Aulani this summer.

DVC units always include a supply of travel size toiletries in the bathroom along with TP, tissues, paper towels, 1 reg. cloth dishtowel, a small kitchen sponge and a tiny bottle of Palmolive (sometimes I think it's been watered down tho). I don't recall if there are extra trash bags maybe stored in the bottom of the trash cans maybe. We've always managed to be OK using the existing trash cans (and maybe a spare shopping bag from some of our purchases). They come in on Day #4 and empty the trash & supply new towels so we've never had a problem going that long. I know at WDW there are also recycling cans so that cuts down on the amount of actual trash too. I am assuming DL will offer recycling as well.

I use the All packs for laundry - they're kind of like a dishwashing tablet. So convenient, especially for travel! I'm just going to pack mine in a hard sided disposable plastic lunch container.

I remember someone mentioning that they like to bring their own TP. Is the regular TP kind of thin and junky?

Does check in day count as Day #1 when I count to expect T&T service? We're checking in on a Sunday so should I expect Mousekeeping on Wednesday? If I bring my own large size trash bags, should I unload them all and leave them by the door? How much do others normally tip for a 2br villa?

I'm leaving for my trip in exactly a week!!! Still trying to tie up my packing - ACK! Having 8 people in the 2br villa and trying to make sure I remember everything I might need is driving me a little

 

[Nonsuch]

I've never checked in before 1PM and have gotten requests met, although not always. One single time I was told that they had people who had checked in early begging to be switched to the room I was assigned but since I had booked before them they didn't switch it.

This implies that a guest checking in earlier and also having an earlier reservation could "steal" a room assignment from a guest checking in later

 

[Nonsuch]

...If I bring my own large size trash bags, should I unload them all and leave them by the door?

You do not need to gather the trash for housekeeping, but if you have excess trash there is a "trash room" on the first floor

...How much do others normally tip for a 2br villa?

I would leave $10 on T&T, and $10 on checkout. $20 if I was feeling extra magical