A few thoughts about VGC and DLR

[Maistre Gracey]

I just returned from a combination trip to Walt Disney World and The Disneyland Resort. We actually flew from New York to Orlando, spent seven nights at VWL, then flew from Orlando to Santa Ana for another six nights at VGC.

I’m posting this to highlight some of the small differences between DLR and WDW. That may not seem DVC related, but it truly is as that’s a main factor in deciding where to purchase a DVC home resort.

Here are some of the reasons I added on at The Grand Californian instead of a Walt Disney World resort:

My three favorite Disney resorts are Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the Grand Californian. Of those three, I like the theme of the WL and AKL more than the GC, but still LOVE the Grand Cal. That said…
With so many cutbacks at WDW, it was nice to see that DLR has maintained some of the little things from the past that, IMO, help make Disney a special place.
A couple small examples: The pens in the villas are nice, green, themed pens that say “Disney’s Grand Californian Resort”, NOT the all too familiar “Disney Parks”. Remember when WDW pens had the resort logo??
The outer wrapping on the toilet paper actually had the same thing, plus the resort tree logo.
I realize these things are hardly Earth shattering, and are certainly not a reason to spend thousands for an add-on, but it is an insight to the general management differences between The Grand Californian and the WDW Resorts. You know, the little things that WDW has let slip away over the years..
There is also the matter of resort merchandise. Yes, The Grand Cal still has plenty of resort specific merchandise (but not as much as they once did). The Wilderness Lodge has a little (and will continue to carry it); The Beach Club has none (and are not getting any in the future). I’m not sure about the other DVC Resorts. I’m not talking about DVC merchandise, but rather the resort specific merchandise.
I actually spoke with CM’s who were in the know at these three resorts.

Interesting tid bit: When you check in at security entering the Grand Cal, they radio ahead to bell services. The instant we got out of our car they called us by name and they knew we were staying in the villas. Impressive to say the least.

Disneyland v Magic Kingdom?
This may not sound overly DVC related, but I assure you it is. This is a main reason we added on at VGC instead of a WDW DVC resort.
If you’ve haven’t been to both parks, I strongly advise you do so. Honestly.. It’s not even close. The overall theming at Disneyland is superior to Magic Kingdom. Most of it can’t be put into words; you just need to see it for yourself.
That said, did you know the mainstreet vehicles still run at Disneyland? In general DL has many more attractions than MK, including the resurrected 20,000 Leagues subs that is now the Nemo attraction. We won’t even get into the Pirate’s of the Caribbean. On a side note, Adventureland is beautiful, and not occupied by that Aladdin spinner abomination.

If you haven’t been to Disneyland, or the Grand Californian, I highly recommend it.

Just one Member’s opinion…
MG

 

[DVC Mike]

I enjoyed my stay last year at GCH, and enjoyed my overall visit to DLR. I'm glad I added on at VGC and look forward to staying there every other year.

Regarding WDW and DLR, I try not to compare them. They are each unique experiences and I enjoy both.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!

 

[JimmyJam838]

Interesting tid bit: When you check in at security entering the Grand Cal, they radio ahead to bell services. The instant we got out of our car they called us by name and they knew we were staying in the villas. Impressive to say the least.

We've stayed 4 times and have yet to have that happen. Maybe it's because we usually check in on a Sunday and is usually very busy.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We've stayed 4 times and have yet to have that happen. Maybe it's because we usually check in on a Sunday and is usually very busy.

Interesting... We are 3 for 3. Each time we went through the security shack using a car service. Not sure if that makes a difference.

MG

 

[ACDSNY]

MG,

It nice to hear WDW vets enjoying their trip to VGC and DLR as they'll always be my favorites! We have so many memories wrapped up in DL that my heart will always be with the west coast original.

We enjoy our WDW trips too, but they are much different than our DL trips. It's hard to explain why, they're just two different types of vacations.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Yup, 2 totally different experiences to be sure. I do think the "welcome home" vibe feels more authentic in Disneyland. It is just a more intimate experience and VGC really captures that feeling for me. The location of the Villas is simply unmatched from my exposure to other DVC properties. The building where the villas were built is close to the lobby, the pool gates are steps away from the elevator, not a big treck across some expansive resort, the private park entrance is unique and feels, well, homey. It is a gem, that has been largely overlooked by the general DVC crowd and that is just fine by me. I would own 500 points here if I could!

 

[mrsswat]

we're going out to DL/GCV for the first time ever in a few weeks!! Your input makes me more excited to get there!

 

[3DisneyKids]

MG--we were at DL the same time as you. And without question, VGC is my favorite DVC resort, hands down. Granted, I haven't stayed at BLT yet, but I have been to all of the others.

I echo many of your praises--especially the name thing! It was incredible! We happened to check in during a slow time--we were the only party checking in at that time and I was with my three young children. So we got the attention of all of the front desk and bell services CM. So they all knew my name from when I checked in. And let me tell you--for the next 4 days I was greeted BY NAME everywhere I went. Talk about impressive! I checked in with the kids and we spent 2 days there before my husband arrived. And he kept looking at me every time I was addressed by name, like "What on Earth did you DO that they all know you?!?!?" It was pretty funny!

And the CMs simply spoiled my kids! Balloons and coloring books and signed character photos and lanyards and pins and on and on and on.

As for the *magic* factor that MG mentioned, I honestly think it has to do with the fact that Walt was THERE. He built that park, walked those walkways and so on. And you feel that.

I am in the middle of writing up all of my observations and will post them in a new thread once complete. But the bottom line is this--anyone who considers him/herself a Disney fan MUST plan a trip to DLR. Without question. It is simply a MUST DO.

 

[stopher1]

MG:

So glad you enjoyed your stay at DL. While I love WDW, DL is my first love. Of course I grew up in So Cal, and worked at DL, but even still - it was Walt's park. There are many similarities, but so many wonderful differences as well.

Last year DW and I stayed for our first time at the Grand Cal in a hotel room (long before the villas opened), and then I absolutely adored my first stay in villa stay last fall, and cannot wait to return this fall for a short studio stay, and then later a longer 2 bd stay with my family. They are all so excited to get to stay there as well in December. It truly is a wonderful resort - and you and other pp's are so right - WDW vets truly need to experience it for themselves to truly understand.

 

[kikiq]

We just checked out today from a lucky last minute stay in a 1 bdrm Sunday night. I listed my brother's family and my DD so they could swim Sunday afternoon. Cooked in the villa and with my entire family around the table (10 of us minus my dad and one DD) we decided that the VGC was the place to be.
The CMs spoiled my DGD. I noticed that when I checked in, the CMs were saying Welcome to the Grand and when they found out we were DVC, it changed to Welcome Home and several CMs actually came over. My DSIL who thinks SSR is the greatest says that VGC has now become her vacation spot

Oh and MG...about your "other" thread...it happen to me last night. I started giggling and couldn't even begin to explain to my family why. Yes, I "slipped" a little too. Maybe it's just the villas, hadn't happen to me in the hotel section.

 

[dis-happy]

What a great trip you must have had!

One more item for the amenties list: when we stayed at GCV last December I was SO IMPRESSED with the nice logo robe hanging in the closet. Felt very 5* resort to me.