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

[Lauren in NC]

I was wondering if anyone has had success booking a studio at VGC for the Disneyland Half weekend at the 7 month mark?

I don't remember what the timing was but it was less than 7 months by the time we received our points last year (we bought resale). I was able to piece together a few nights around the weekend itself using the waitlist (including Sunday night) but not Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

 

[nostalgic4disney]

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of.

 

[chrisaman]

I would be amazed if you get a room for that weekend. It books a couple days after 11 months usually

 

[Baklava]

I got IN!!!!

We are Northern California natives but we bought our points at the Poly on our first WDW trip this January. I have always wanted to stay at the GC and now I have a week in December booked in a 2 bedroom villa!

This will be our very first DVC stay and we're super excited! Now to scour the thread for tips!

 

[Nonsuch]

...We are Northern California natives but we bought our points at the Poly on our first WDW trip this January. I have always wanted to stay at the GC and now I have a week in December booked in a 2 bedroom villa!
This will be our very first DVC stay and we're super excited! Now to scour the thread for tips!

It's a good idea to skim through this thread, but I'll summarize a few tips:

• Make a view request with Member Services (email or call), I have had good results using specific villa numbers.
• Check in early (if possible).
• When checking in, let the CM know this is your first DVC visit. You may get a welcome packet with lanyards (or other small gift).

Welcome Home!

 

[Baklava]

It's a good idea to skim through this thread, but I'll summarize a few tips:

• Make a view request with Member Services (email or call), I have had good results using specific villa numbers.
• Check in early (if possible).
• When checking in, let the CM know this is your first DVC visit. You may get a welcome packet with lanyards (or other small gift).

Welcome Home!

Is it best to do a view request ASAP or closer in?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Is it best to do a view request ASAP or closer in?

When you do the request shouldn't make a difference other than you don't want to do it just a few days before. When you know what you want you might as well contact MS with it.

 

[chrisaman]

Yes and make sure u do specific room numbers. Last time I requested as high of a room as possible, didn't care about view. They gave me a first floor room. So from now on I am requesting specific room numbers

 

[wbl2745]

A little off topic from the previous post, but I usually request a ground floor room. I really like being able to walk directly to the room without waiting for the elevator or taking the stairs. The porch outside the room is also a little larger than the balconies on the upper floors. Not surprisingly, we always get our request.

 

[wbl2745]

We're 38 days out from staying in a Grand Villa! I'm retiring and we are having the whole family join us. We'll be sure to post some pictures.

 

[Nonsuch]

... I usually request a ground floor room.
...Not surprisingly, we always get our request.
...We're 38 days out from staying in a Grand Villa!

You will not be requesting a ground floor room this time

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time in the GV.
My only (rather obscure) advice, the coffee maker uses cone filters (or at least it did when we stayed several years ago). All other villas use basket filters.

 

[dcfromva]

We have an upcoming trip in June.
Do they still offer these interactive experiences at the Grand Californian? (Does anyone know which days?)

• Learn to Draw Mickey Class
  It's your chance to be an Animator! Learn to draw one of Disney's most famous characters—Mickey!
• Washcloth Creations
  Our in-house experts will show you how to make your very own magical creations out of a simple washcloth.

 

[Nonsuch]

• Learn to Draw Mickey Class
  It's your chance to be an Animator! Learn to draw one of Disney's most famous characters—Mickey!
• Washcloth Creations
  Our in-house experts will show you how to make your very own magical creations out of a simple washcloth.

Learn to Draw Mickey is at 8:30AM on: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday.
There was no information about Washcloth Creations in my check-in packet from last month (April), likely no longer offered (but you should check with Guest Services).

 

[ckb_nc]

Stayed over the Memorial day weekend - unit 4518. Great unit that was in very good shape. Biggest compliant was the TV reception on ESPN (wow huh). Loved the proximity to the parks especially DCA, We changed into out bathing suits, rode Grizzly Falls three times in a row Friday afternoon (aptly renamed Grizzly Freeze) then hoped into the hot tub. Being able to get in a park in minutes was amazing. After leaving, I was wondering if you could leave your room at BLT and be in MK faster than GCH and DL? Maybe but not by much.

It was a case where the resort totally made the vacation.

 

[alltwelve]

Hey guys! Unfortunately I just had to cancel a 2-night stay September 27th-29th, so if anyone wants to go on the dvc site and grab it, a studio is now available!!!

 

[MrJT]

I've got a question about the TVs in the rooms. Specifically in the one or two bedroom villas, in the living room. Do the TV's have an HDMI port on them? I'm planning on a family game night on our first night before hitting the parks, and I would like to run it off my laptop, with Powerpoint, through the TV screen.

 

[Nonsuch]

..,Do the TV's have an HDMI port on them?,,,

All the TVs in the villas have an HDMI input. The inputs from the back of the TV are connected to a small box at the front, but are often disconnected by prior guests.

This is a good question, since many TVs at GCH do not have HDMI inputs (the standard did not exist when the TVs were upgraded from CRT to LCD).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

......After leaving, I was wondering if you could leave your room at BLT and be in MK faster than GCH and DL? Maybe but not by much.......

It is faster at VGC than BLT.

 

[MrJT]

All the TVs in the villas have an HDMI input. The inputs from the back of the TV are connected to a small box at the front, but are often disconnected by prior guests.

This is a good question, since many TVs at GCH do not have HDMI inputs (the standard did not exist when the TVs were upgraded from CRT to LCD).

Thanks

 

[maburke]

There are only 2 Grand Villas at VGC. They are two-story units, and both have a pool table for your added enjoyment - 1 is theme park view, the other isn't. Both will amaze you!

Okay, I just checked out of the "other" Grand Villa, and I need to correct the record. At first I was very disappointed that we didn't have the famous "theme park view" GV, but the one that faces the pool actually has a fantastic view of the fireworks! After the first night, when we watched them in the park, we spent every night with all our lights out and the curtains open at the two-story tall windows and enjoyed the view. So from now on, we should call them "Paradise Pier view" and "Fireworks view"!

Our trip was absolutely fantastic. I thought four nights in a GV would be a once in a lifetime trip, but it was so great, we're just going to have to do it again! Sorry to all my renters who thought I'd have extra VGC points anytime soon!