GCV's Trip Report!

[momof3poohlovers]

We spent one night at the GCV's on the 5th of July after checking out of PPH. All I can say is this resort is just so beautiful. We had a 2 bedroom lock off and were on the first floor with a pool view, although we had a lot of trees obstructing our view. I actually liked our view as it felt very private. The room was absolutely gorgeous. I think I like it the best out of all of the resorts we have stayed in. It was very comfortable and there were 8 of us (one was an infant). I walked over from the PPH and checked-in about 6 AM. It was DD's 16th birthday and Linda, the CM who checked us in gave me some balloons and a picture signed by the characters that said "Happy Birthday" for my DD. It's funny, we were staying Concierge at PPH and when I asked at the concierge desk if I could get some balloons to decorate the room for DD's birthday, I was told they don't do that anymore, if I wanted balloons, I would have to order and pay for them from an outside company. Oh well, wasn't that big of a deal and I didn't even ask the CM at GCV for them. She just brought them out. Kind of funny how different the resorts are.

My only "complaint" which is not really a complaint is that my only request when I checked-in that morning was an early check-in. I even said I would take a dumpster view if I could get a room ready before 4 PM. She said they had a lot of people checking out that day and it shouldn't be a problem but she couldn't guarantee it. I totally understood and we headed to the park for early entry. They were supposed to call or text me when my room was ready. I called and checked when I hadn't heard anything by 4 PM. I was told the room would be ready anytime after 4 PM (it was exactly 4) and they would text us when it was done. I called again at 5 PM and it still wasn't ready. We wanted to all take showers before going to dinner to celebrate DD's birthday since we had been in the parks since 7 AM and were getting anxious. Finally at almost 6 PM, I called again and it was ready. I am not sure how long it had been done as they never texted. Because it was so late, we were running late to get back for WOC. By the time we entered the Blue section, it was already 8:15 PM so we had a really bad view. I know that the rooms aren't supposed to be ready until after 4 PM but I just find it ironic that my only request was a first available room and ours isn't done until 6 PM. Oh well, we survived and had a great time. I love living so close to GCV and will definitely stay there again. Overall, the front desk CM's were great, the room and resort beautiful, and the ambiance so relaxed. DD ended up having a great time. It was definitely much better than our experience at PPH.

 

[disneynutz]

Seems like the Disney's room ready issues are the same at WDW and DL.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

Alot depends on if rooms were empty the night before and if people check out early. When I was there in May, my friend stayed at PPH the night before, walked over to GCV at 7:00am and our room was ready about 9:45am. And it had an awesome park view! I couldn't believe it when she called me when I was connecting in Phoenix! It was a hot day and I was trying to think of a way to change clothes before checking my bag at bell services, turned out I went straight to the room when I got there! My guess is the people who had it the night before checked out early that morning.

 

[Alexander]

I still swear that the larger the villa, the later it is ready. Since the OP had a 2 bedroom, it took much longer to clean than a studio would have. Also, depending on how quickly the previous guests left. The one bedroom may have been vacated and cleaned, but the connected studio may not have had the guests leave as quickly and the mousekeeper left to clean other rooms and then came back. Just a hypothesis!

 

[TravelingJen24]

We have been members since 2004 and I find that the DVC rooms are always ready later than regular rooms. I think it has a lot to do with the type of stay us DVCers like to enjoy. This includes bringing in food, possibly cooking in the room and spending a lot more time just hanging out in the room. This can definitely make for a more dirt intensive environment. I feel bad for housekeeping for when they have to come in after a family has been there for a week or so. Since there is only towel services in the meanwhile, there is definitely a big mess to clean up. I can totally understand why it takes so much longer. However, I can definitely not say that I am always patient.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

In our 4 stays at GCV so far, our room has never been ready before 4pm. That said, we love our home!!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I still swear that the larger the villa, the later it is ready. Since the OP had a 2 bedroom, it took much longer to clean than a studio would have. Also, depending on how quickly the previous guests left. The one bedroom may have been vacated and cleaned, but the connected studio may not have had the guests leave as quickly and the mousekeeper left to clean other rooms and then came back. Just a hypothesis!

The fact that it was a lockoff could be a factor too. One side could have checked out early but not the other.

 

[McCrae]

I have had similar problems at VGC, when I asked why I was told that it was because they cleaned the main hotel as a priority and DVC rooms later.

I love the resort and have visited many times.... This does though still drive me mad!

 

[JimmyJam838]

We haven't had very good luck with getting our room early either. Only once out of the 8 trips to VGC we've had has our room been ready before 4 which was in May. We arrived around 2:30 and it our 2 BR was actually ready. All the rest have been in 1 BRs or studios.

 

[wbl2745]

In our 4 stays at GCV so far, our room has never been ready before 4pm. That said, we love our home!!!!

Some with us. We've stayed there twice and both times the room was ready around 4:00 PM. We also love our home!

 

[nunzia]

One time our room wasn't ready until 5:45..a studio..checked in on a Wednesday in May. Already dreading August when we walk over from the Jolly Roger after the Expo and then have dinner reservations at 4:40 for WOC so know we won't have our room by then...wonder if we'll get in before we have to line up at the WOC cattle call..