Grad nights and Grand Californian Villa

[Julylady]

I was thrilled to secure a 1-bedroom villa at the Grand Californian for June at the 7-month window. However, I recently realized that there are Grad Nights for two of the dates we are there.

Do the grads go to both parks or just DCA?
How noisy is it in the villas facing DCA?

I am thinking I might be better off requesting a Mariposa pool view to avoid the noise?

THANKS in advance for any advice!

 

[Nonsuch]

Do the grads go to both parks or just DCA?

Grads arrive in the afternoon and are allowed to park hop, mixed in with regular guests. Many grads will be in DL until the start of the Grad Nite party (generally 10PM), when they are required to be in DCA only.

There have been many posts about problems with the teenagers, and some people are specifically avoiding Grad Nites. I experienced no issues while visiting during a Grad Nite (May 2013), but the increased number of teenagers was quite obvious.

How noisy is it in the villas facing DCA?

There have been posts about noise, particularity screams from Goofy's Sky School. I stayed at GCH (not the villas) during Grad Nite and went to the 6th floor patio around midnight, Paradise Pier was almost empty (only a few grads could be seen).

I would always request a park view, Grad Nite or not.
More information on specific view requests can be found in the VGC Superthread
(VGC maps are linked in my signature)

 

[PoohsFan1]

When we were there this past June, we had a Theme Park view and the only time we heard a lot of noise coming from PP was if we had our balcony door opened. When the door was closed, we didn't hear anything. We did see a lot of teens during the day at DL but once the night came around, it wasn't that bad. The only real problem we encountered with the grads was when we were eating at Blue Bayou (we had a table next to the water) and there were grads screaming and yelling at all the diners. It did get really annoying but we dealt with it.

 

[kerickson]

We were in the villas facing PP last June and I did notice the noise from Goofy's sky school, but World of Color is even louder (but so cool to watch from your balcony!). Windows are pretty sound proof so you should be fine. The views are amazing and worth a little extra noise. Plus, I love hearing the screams and giggles from the rides, reminds me where I am!

 

[bobbiwoz]

How do you find out if there are Grad nights during your stay?

 

[Airb330]

I'd avoid grad nights at all costs. We're not high maintenance but it was far too crowded to the point we just wanted to leave. We also were at GCV facing the park--one night the screams from the wild mouse coaster went on until 3 am. We used to live in the city and noise doesn't generally bother us but it was quite noticeable.

The teens themselves were overall fine, sure some were obnoxious but that's true with any demographic. It was the crowds that were the problem.

I actually had such a bad experience in early May at DL that I wrote Disney and they really made our next trip to WDW special. They didn't have to but it shows a) they care and b) they knew the grad nights we're disruptive to the average guest.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'd avoid grad nights at all costs. We're not high maintenance but it was far too crowded to the point we just wanted to leave. We also were at GCV facing the park--one night the screams from the wild mouse coaster went on until 3 am. We used to live in the city and noise doesn't generally bother us but it was quite noticeable.

The teens themselves were overall fine, sure some were obnoxious but that's true with any demographic. It was the crowds that were the problem.

I actually had such a bad experience in early May at DL that I wrote Disney and they really made our next trip to WDW special. They didn't have to but it shows a) they care and b) they knew the grad nights we're disruptive to the average guest.

Good for you that Disney gave you some pixie dust!

I see that the third ( final) night of our stay is a grad night. Oh well, we will do as much as we can during the first part of our stay.

 

[Julylady]

OP here. Thanks for the insights. I am going to go ahead and request a DCA view.

 

[shaunacb]

OP here. Thanks for the insights. I am going to go ahead and request a DCA view.

OP, how did it go? Reviving this old thread because we are going home to VGC in May 2019 during grad nites, and I’m wondering how loud the DCA view 1 bedrooms will be. Should I request the usual WOC view or pool view?