Grand Californian... How does it stack up?

[surgefest]

How does the Villa's at the grand californian resort compare to other Dvc resorts??? i know there wasnt much room to build.. What are the different views like? and what are the chances of getting a theme park view room??? I've read the rooms are slightly larger.... Anything you can tell me about your stay or your knowledge of the place would be greatly apprecaited. Thanks!

 

[Djsgoofy]

I haven't stayed at any of the WDW resorts -just visited most. I have stayed at VGC twice (GV & Studio). The building, decor, details of VGC are spectacular. Staying there gives you the complete Disney immersion that I so like about WDW. I think it is the classiest and most comfortable of all of the DVC resorts I have seen. No matter what view you get, it will be nice. There are no parking lot views. They are either park or pool. I believe there are more park views than non-park. We were able to get the park view for both visits. One of the best aspects is the closeness to the parks. I would recommend VGC for everyone. I always recommend at least a walk through for those who can't stay there. The beauty and details of the Grand Californian is worth the time to see.

 

[Reddog1134]

No matter what view you get, it will be nice. There are no parking lot views. They are either park or pool.

That's not entirely true. We got a nice view of a cement sidewalk and a wooden fence. Of course, we were on the first floor. If we were higher up, we would have had a nice park view.

 

[jaurban]

That's not entirely true. We got a nice view of a cement sidewalk and a wooden fence. Of course, we were on the first floor. If we were higher up, we would have had a nice park view.

We must have had your room! We stayed in late May and even with the first floor, thought the quality of the rooms, decor, furniture, woodwork on the doors, etc.. was exceptional. My DH remarked about the nice, solid wood doors between rooms and even on the closet. The location can't be beat. The pool, although we did not swim - a bit chilly - was lovely with great lounge chairs with nice cushions. The wifi was free everywhere. And, even with the park noise - they were testing the Swings and WoC late at night, we did not hear a thing with the doors closed.

I would stay here again in an instant.

 

[wildernessDad]

We just added on 50 points there for a stay once every three years. It's tough waiting for next year to go, but must be disciplined.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

How does the Villa's at the grand californian resort compare to other Dvc resorts??? i know there wasnt much room to build.. What are the different views like? and what are the chances of getting a theme park view room??? I've read the rooms are slightly larger.... Anything you can tell me about your stay or your knowledge of the place would be greatly apprecaited. Thanks!

Personally I think it is the best done DVC resort and the location could not be better. It is at the flagship resort at DL so you benefit in the common areas. Love the cushions on the pool chairs! The Villa's themselves are beautiful and done with quality furnishings and finishes. I've had a pool view and a PP view and really am not concerned about getting one over the other. I still want to try the Redwood Creek trail view though. There are more theme park views than pool views so odds are better for that.

I'm uncertain about the actual square footage of the rooms but the design has a few touches that certainly make them feel larger.

There is quick service dining and two other restaurants at the hotel itself as well as some food being available at the bar. They also have poolside drink service. Then if you want to walk another 100 yards or so you can be dining in DCA or DTD. A little further walk and you're dining in DL.

 

[mopee3]

Personally I think it is the best done DVC resort and the location could not be better. It is at the flagship resort at DL so you benefit in the common areas. Love the cushions on the pool chairs! The Villa's themselves are beautiful and done with quality furnishings and finishes. I've had a pool view and a PP view and really am not concerned about getting one over the other. I still want to try the Redwood Creek trail view though. There are more theme park views than pool views so odds are better for that.
Then if you want to walk another 100 yards or so you can be dining in DCA or DTD. A little further walk and you're dining in DL.

We stayed in DCV the first few days of May this year. The biggest complaint when we got back home was it was too short of a stay.
The resort looks a bit like Wilderness Villa's in DW and I understand they were designed by the same person. DVC is more formal and a bit fancier than WV and it's much easier to get to the parks, just a short walk, than in Orlando. We wished the monorail stopped at the resort, it goes right through it, but it's still a short walk to the station.
The room was wonderful, 1 bedroom facing DCA on 5th floor, and reminded us of AKV at Kidani, big and well done.
We thought we would miss the size of DW and the different parks but nope it's more condensed and so easy to go from one to the other by walking. We loved the DCA entrance from the resort.
Napa Rose was the only resturant in the resort we ate at so can't really talk about the food. We did eat at Steakhouse 55 in Disneyland Hotel a number of times and loved it.

Caio

moe

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

All of these positive posts are making me soooooooo excited for our trip!

 

[Longhairbear]

Room service runs 24/7 at VGC also.

 

[disneyfanforever]

We just got back from staying there for the first time and it was fantastic. We were in a studio on the 5th floor with a pool view. The feel of it reminded me of Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was just beautiful and talk about location! You walk out one door and you are actually in California Adventure, and you walk out another door and you are in Downtown Disney. Disneyland is also just a short walk away. We couldn't believe how close everything was compared to WDW. I can't wait to go back there again!

 

[mrsswat]

and you guys have gotten me really excited to have made the choice to stay there!

 

[mdsd8700]

Have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the responses. We are going there in 19 days and it is pretty much all I have been thinking about for a couple of weeks and now after reading all this I even more excited about staying there! I can't wait.

 

[Pakey]

I thought the villas and the resort were amazing. I would have been happy just hanging out at the resort, never going into the parks.

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

I've only heard great things about the Grand California Resort. Enjoy your vacation there, I'm sure it will be AWESOME.

 

[harpetj]

We have stayed at SSR, OKW, and BW at WDW and bought VGC bc we live on the west coast....it is by far our favorite. For all of the reasons listed above and more. We have 2 small children, so it is much easier to stay at VGC and walk in/out of the parks without having to use Disney transportation like at WDW. The Grand is so classy that you feel like you are really splurging on a fantastic vacation. Storyteller's Cafe has table service and it is very reasonable for lunch and dinner (we haven't eaten there for breakfast yet). So far we have stayed in just a studio, but have a 6 night 1 bedroom stay booked for September and I can not wait to go. I feel like I am wishing away my summer just to get there. You will enjoy every minute of the Grand!

 

[minniecarousel]

My only regret at the Grand Californian is that we can't stay at the hotel part on points anymore. We just bought at the VGC and couldn't get a room for this summer. We were able to book at Paradise Pier Hotel on points (which are more than a studio at VGC!) Disneyland Hotel takes even more points, so we didn't even consider it.