first stay at VGC

[DISNEYFOURME]

So excited we were able to book spring break 2011 in a one bedroom at VGC! Hadn't put much research into it because I wasn't sure there would be any availability. But now.. I need details..lol. We only went once to Disneyland and that was for one day and that was 10 years ago!! So my first question .. is there a location I should be requesting?? Any other info would be great. Let the loss of sleep begin as I jump into this planning!!

 

[minniecarousel]

Considering there are only about 40 units, there isn't much to request! You'll have either a view of the California Adventure Park or the pool and green area. Not sure how they handle requests because of the limited number of units. Call MS & ask.

(BTW - I'm sure you will enjoy the property! It's amazing and so close to both parks!)

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi DISNEYFOURME,
CONGRATS! The pixie dust was at hard at work. I apologize I do not have any information on DL or VGC as I have never been. Hopefully I will make it soon and then I will be asking you for advice! Have a great trip and congrats again.

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

thanks.. I am excited and will be all consumed with this as we get closer. I am hoping there will be enough to do since we plan on staying 8 nights. Though we have only used our DVC membership 3 times, we are pro's at WDW over all the years we have been going. I will feel a bit off not knowing a thing about WDL! Thankfully I have this board to start lurking at!!

 

[nunzia]

There are two B I G threads you might find of interest. First, on the DVC Mouselaneous (sp) page is a large VGC Owners group thread and on the Disneyland board is a large Grand Californian thread..has general info about the hotel and villas..and since they are combined it woud be very infromative. I know you'll love it!

 

[mdsd8700]

There are two B I G threads you might find of interest. First, on the DVC Mouselaneous (sp) page is a large VGC Owners group thread and on the Disneyland board is a large Grand Californian thread..has general info about the hotel and villas..and since they are combined it woud be very infromative. I know you'll love it!

That is GREAT advice and I completely agree. We had a 4 night stay at the VGC in July and all I can is WOW and more WOW! It was our first DVC stay but we have been to WDW many times staying in all the deluxe resorts as well we had been to DLR 3 times prior staying in all 3 of the onsite hotels including the Grand Californian. We too had 1 bedroom villa and it was amazing. I can't wait to go back.

We had requested, high floor, theme park view. We certainly had pixie dusk sprinkled on us with that request. Our room overlooked DCA on the 5th floor and it was a fantasic view, could even seen WOC from the balcony.

DLR is much smaller than WDW and although there are the two parks and the downtown area, you will need to venture beyond the resort if you are going to be there for 8 nights. Even though we have been there before 3 days is plenty to cover everything. However California is filled with fun and interesting things to do (which is why we love it, we get our dose of Disney, but can do other things too). There are great threads about what to do in California, just look for them when you are in the Disneyland section of this site.

You will love the VGC and I know your trip is going to be awesome. I am excited for you and would love to have you post your thoughts when you return from your Spring Break trip.

 

[AZDisFamily]

VGC is great (we own there). All the villas are either park, pool or garden view. Last Feb we stayed in a 2brdm lockoff on the ground floor. For our group it was perfect - we had 4 adults, 4 kids (ages 5 - 9) and 1 infant.

We have had friends stay in DCA view rooms in the standard Grand Californian Hotel and their only complaint was that very late at night, they wanted to leave their balcony window open and could not due to noise from the cleaning crews. Other than that, they said it was great.

DL is much smaller than WDW, and really can be "covered" with a 3 day park-hopper. The nice thing is no bus to go from one park to another, you just walk right in. VGC has its own entry right into DCA which we use all the time. You will need to show your room key to use that entrance.

I think that is it If you have any other questions, just ask!

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

thanks all for the info!! I am excited to see all the new sites and plan a new adventure (though I will miss visiting WDW next year). I am so thankful for these boards and all you smart people!! I will for sure be posting about our trip and probably will be asking more dumb questions along the way!! We did call today and got the rest of our trip booked (could only book 5 nights due to two contracts) and requested a higher floor with park view.. we will see if we too get some pixie dust! lol! It sounds like we have more free time this trip so I guess we can just have a relaxing Disney trip (imagine that) and enjoy the resort!

 

[franandaj]

As the PP said, Park view, high floor. The people who say that you can cover the resort in 3 days are going non-stop from open to close. I do agree that it's easier to cover DLR than WDW and you will want to do other things if you're there for eight days, but you may want to take some time to enjoy the resort. The pool is awesome! The weather in March is usually quite nice, perhaps you might want to spend a half day at the pool.

You'll probably want a car for some of the days, you can easily rent one at the resort for a day or two so that you can see some things off site. I wouldn't be doing my civic duty if I didn't get in a plug for Long Beach. We have a wonderful aquarium where you can learn all about the native species to the Pacific Ocean, there's the Queen Mary which is an interesting half day trip, and the newly revitalized downtown/Pike area has lots of interesting restaurants (lots of chains too) and a very nice park/marina to stroll along the ocean and just relax. There's other nice beach cities as well, Newport, Laguna....you could visit Knott's Berry Farm and have dinner at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Restaurant or venture up into LA for Universal Studios.

You could take in a movie at the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Blvd, dine at the Disney Soda Fountain next door and walk around browsing the stars on Hollywood Blvd. and go shopping at Hollywood & Highland. You could take a graveyard tour (in a hearse) where they drive you past places famous celebrities died. There is also the Farmer's Market at the Grove shopping center which has plenty of shops and restaurants.

There's tons to do...or you could just take your time at the parks, enjoy the resorts and restaurants and just relax!

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Wow!! Thanks for all the info!! Sounds like you know a thing or two about the area!! LOL! You are full of great ideas.. I can't wait!! Thanks again!

 

[dparksfan]

I agree with the previous post to go to the El Capitan in Hollywood/Disney's Soda Fountain (attached to each other), which is across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theater. That was a pleasant surprise after we went there during a stay at nearby Universal Studios. I've rented a car from Alamo which is located in Downtown Disney, which is an easy walk across the street from the front of the Grand Californian. If not, there is probably enough to do at the resort. You will be surprised how contained DL is compared to WDW. Living in California, we go to DL a few times a year (extended weekends), vs. WDW which is a vacation! So take some time to plan your DL trip and you can definitely have a great time! Weather in the Spring is usually pretty nice, so spending some time at the resort/pool will be nice. My kids BEGGED to hang out at the pool during our GC stay...glad we did that! Have a great time!

 

[franandaj]

Wow!! Thanks for all the info!! Sounds like you know a thing or two about the area!! LOL! You are full of great ideas.. I can't wait!! Thanks again!

I live here!




And I still own at VGC!

 

[adminjedi]

Congrats - you will have a wonderful time.
When we booked our June 10 trip to DL, I was a little bummed knowing we would miss all we love about DW. However, staying at VGC made it an amazing trip. We loved it so much and the proximity to the parks made DL magical again!