Gifted 6 night stay at Disney's Grand Californian need help

[Shrunkenheadned]

Hello everyone - My Husbands boss just gifted us points through club intrawest for the Grand Californian in Sept. for 6 nights. We have the confirmation so we are going. But I have a few questions that maybe you can help me with.

1)How much do we need available on a Credit Card for incidentals etc. I do not plan on charging to the room but would like to know so that we are all ready to go.

2) Internet connection paid or free? I will probably have to work so this is important.

3)What if any perks do we get that members have?

4) Anything else I should know? We have never stayed at a DVC property before so we are supper excited!

Thanks

 

[wbl2745]

Hello everyone - My Husbands boss just gifted us points through club intrawest for the Grand Californian in Sept. for 6 nights. We have the confirmation so we are going. But I have a few questions that maybe you can help me with.

Although I'm a Disney fanatic, I think that six nights at VGC and DLR will be a little long. I'd look at what else you'd like to do in the area. Some things to consider based on your interests:

• The Getty Museum in Malibu has a great collection.
• If you have kids with you, Legoland in Carlsbad, just down the cost is a lot of fun.
• The beaches in September should be nice.
• Touring Hollywood can be interesting.

1)How much do we need available on a Credit Card for incidentals etc. I do not plan on charging to the room but would like to know so that we are all ready to go.

That depends on what you plan to do. I'd purchase your theme park tickets before you get there either on-line at the Disneyland web site or through AAA. Check both to see what types of deals you can get. In general those options will be cheaper than purchasing at the gate.

Are you going to eat every meal out at a table service restaurant? When staying at DVC we tend to purchase breakfast stuff and make that in our room. We also only have one table service meal per day. We like eating at the bakeries, the fruit carts, the Bengal BBQ to name a few cheaper options.

If you're going to eat out for every meal, that's going to cost a lot more. Breakfasts could run $10 to $20 per person if you go to the character meals or Storyteller's Cafe. The Napa Rose will run you $50 to $100 per person depending on what you order. The restaurants in Downtown Disney will probably be $15 to $35 per person depending.

Tour will cost around $50 to $80 per person depending on the tour. The Segway tour of DCA is a lot of fun! There's a tour of the GCH which is free. I really enjoyed that.

2) Internet connection paid or free? I will probably have to work so this is important.

We were at VGC two weeks ago and the internet was free for DVC. There was a wired connection in the desk in the bedroom and wireless everywhere else.

3)What if any perks do we get that members have?

All guests at the DLR hotels can enter DCA an hour early to pick up WoC tickets. A couple of attractions (Soaring) are open. You can also use the Magic Mornings at DL to get an hour jump on the rest of the visitors.

GCH and VGC guests can take a walk through DCA at about 7:30. It is a fast paced walk meant for exercise, but it is nice being in the park when it is empty.

There are BBQs on the ground floor and a viewing deck on the 6th floor of the VGC for guest's use.

Obviously the pools and hot tube at the GCH are for guests' use.

I don't know if you get the DVC discounts at the restaurants in the area. Storyteller's Cafe gives DVC a 10% discount.

4) Anything else I should know? We have never stayed at a DVC property before so we are supper excited!

Thanks

I'd look at the Disneyland threads for more information about the park. Everyone has their favorite attractions, things to do, and places to eat.

 

[Shrunkenheadned]

Thank you very much for your response.

One more question for you. Do you know if at the VGC they will want to put a hold on our credit card and if so how much?

We've been to Disneyland many many times but this is a first for on property. I think we are more excited about just resting and relaxing next to Disneyland and DCA then trying to go anywhere else. But thanks for the input.

Thanks again

 

[arthur06]

I don't think that they put a hold on your card or they might just charge it $1 to make sure its active.

They will bill your card at a certain point. I think its $1,000 or $1,500 if you spend over that amount. This is a reason that many people are afraid to rent out points. If the person using the points does not pay there bill, it is the owner that is reliable for payment.

 

[Disney Princess]

What a nice boss! I can't answer your questions, but I did want to say that we don't think 6 days is too long. We are going for 6 days in May. We will just slow down our pace and enjoy more of the resort. In September, you'll want to enjoy some pool time and maybe do some of the activities that the hotel offers. When you check in, you'll get the activities information for the week you're staying. If you are interested in other Southern California activities, do them, but we think 6 days is okay!

As far as "perks" go, I'm not sure how it will work at DLR. There have been recent reports from WDW that in order to receive DVC discounts and perks (like at restaurants and such) members have to show their blue member ID card. I have no personal information that could say whether or not that is true at DLR, but be prepared.

 

[disneydenisel]

It sounds like a fantastic gift and WOW, you will love being at DLR for 6 nights! The weather should be nice and you can hang out at the pools or Downtown Disney when you aren't in the parks. Nice ! We have just two nights in June and I know that won't be enough time to do much at all!

Just curious, how does one use Club Intrawest points for DVC?

 

[lilpooh108]

For DVC perks, you do have to show your blue member ID number for restaurant discounts and discounts for purchases at the stores in DTD. Most CMs at DLR are not familiar with DVC.

Congrats on your upcoming stay, what a nice boss!!

 

[Shrunkenheadned]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Club Intrawest is interesting. Here is how it was explained to me via my husbands boss. She has X amount of points a year with them, she can trade into a few different vacation club properties. IE Disney DVC, Hilton Grand Vacation Club, RCI. When she does she is looking for someone at those other vacation properties who want to trade into Club Intrawest. When that happens and it is the same amount of time the transaction is approved. There are sometimes an additional few included. Ours was $180.00 for DVC. But COME ON only $180.00 for 6 nights at VGC, how could we say no. We have stayed at Hilton Grand Vacation club in Las Vegas before and that was no additional charge. So it just depends on the Vacation Time Share property.


We did not think that we would be able to get DVC but thought "lets try" and WOW we got it!

So we are super excited but have never stayed DVC before. When we stayed in Las Vegas we had to put a $200.00 hold on our Credit Card for room incidentals which is why I was asking what we would have to have on our credit card for Disney's VCG.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[mdsd8700]

Although I'm a Disney fanatic, I think that six nights at VGC and DLR will be a little long. I'd look at what else you'd like to do in the area.

I will agree with this statement. Although everyone might not feel this way, with only the two parks and DD Disney to occupy your time 6 days can be long. Of course there is the pool and they have wonderful cabanas you can rent and a lovely spa to take advantage of. We have been to DRL for as little as 2 days and up to 8 days. The 2 days trip was actually enough to see everything we wanted (but had been there before so I am sure that helped). Our first trip was the 8 day trip and we did so many other area things (Legoland, Hollywood, BB game) as well as completely cover DLR. Although using VGC as a home base can work out well you really have to plan for traffic if visiting other cites (LA, San Diego) as the traffic can be an absolute nightmare.

When we stayed we requested high floor, theme park view and were lucky enough to receive it. When you stay at VGC you have a "private" entrance to DCA and many of the villas overlook the park. It really is an added perk to have the sights and sounds of DCA right out your door.

I agree with others who say to check out the Disneyland portion of the boards, there is a ton of information over there and many people who can give you tips and tricks.

Your husband's boss is a very generous person and I am sure your trip will be wonderful! Enjoy.

 

[kikiq]

4) Anything else I should know? We have never stayed at a DVC property before so we are supper excited!

Thanks

If you haven't found it already go to the Grand Californian thread on the Disneyland board and the VGC owners thread on this board. The villas can take the same tours and activities as the hotel. I live 30 minutes from Disneyland and I could stay 6 nights at the VGC. Relaxing at the pool, morning powerwalk through DCA, spa time, there are several tours of the hotel and taking your time to visit the parks. My goodness, one night you could watch WOC from the VGC viewing patio and another get a fast pass or buy a picnic lunch take it back to the villa to eat and then go see WOC in the park.

Are you staying in a studio or one bedroom? I can totally see staying 6 nights in an one bedroom. You could get groceries, cook breakfast and sit on your balcony. If you are lucky enough to get a DCA view, eat while the park opens or have drinks as the sun sets over the Paradise Pier part of the park. Or if you have a view of WOC, to sit with drinks/snacks and watch it from your balcony. Sit in the bar downstairs, or enjoy the piano by the fireplace. And in September, it's actually good pool time.

Have a good time!!! Relax...

 

[Sandisw]

Just a word of caution about the internet. While we do get it free as DVC members staying on points, you may or may not get it with your trade reservation.

If you are charged, normally you would have to show your DVC member card to get the charges removed. Since you won't have that, you would have to pay.

There have been people staying at WDW who have not been charged, so there is a chance you won't be either, but it is really for DVC members so it can be hit or miss. Just want you to be prepared, just in case.

Sounds like a great trip.

 

[M4travels]

Just a word of caution about the internet. While we do get it free as DVC members staying on points, you may or may not get it with your trade reservation.

If you are charged, normally you would have to show your DVC member card to get the charges removed. Since you won't have that, you would have to pay.

There have been people staying at WDW who have not been charged, so there is a chance you won't be either, but it is really for DVC members so it can be hit or miss. Just want you to be prepared, just in case.

Sounds like a great trip.

The great thing about the Grand Californian - no internet charge to anyone at anytime.

 

[HtomSirveaux]

The great thing about the Grand Californian - no internet charge to anyone at anytime.

Any idea about DLH? I knew I forgot to check on something...

 

[M4travels]

Any idea about DLH? I knew I forgot to check on something...

Don't know but I will be at the Paradise Pier March 20/21 and will check it out and get back to you if you'd like me to do so.

Michael

 

[the donut]

Any idea about DLH? I knew I forgot to check on something...

No charge for wireless in any DLR resort hotel, be it GCH, DLH, or PP. It's actually completely unsecured. Sometimes we'll stop in for a quick check of the traffic when we go for a day trip.