Grand Californian Super Thread

[Nonsuch]

...since I want/need the 2-queen/sofa bed room, I believe I am stuck with getting a standard room in the front.

A request for a daybed room is not guaranteed, so if you "need" a 2 queen + daybed you might consider PPH or DLH.

 

[Nonsuch]

I wish you could get a one bedroom villa that has 2 queen beds as opposed to the king and couch bed. :-/

The beds in the villas are selected to appeal to DVC owners.
The 1 bedroom layout (with king bed and 2 full baths) was an important factor when buying at VGC. I also like that all villas have a common layout, so there is no uncertainty with bed arrangement (which is often the case when staying in the hotel).

 

[franandaj]

I checked the pricing for our stay which was 174 points for 10/19-10/23, best case at $10/pt is $1740. Basically, the same price as a standard room at the current rack rate. I know I can at least get a AP discount, not to mention what other offers might be going on then, if there are any. I don't really need the amenities of the villa, but it would have been cool.

I'm very confused. Are you staying 4 or 5 nights? I can't seem to figure out what size villa you are pricing. If it's anything bigger than a studio (and those can't sleep five), there's no comparison between a regular room and a villa. The villas have at least two bathrooms, a jacuzzi tub, walk in shower and laundry facilities. Even if you don't use the kitchen, you have two TVs and a TON more space. Also there are no "room" taxes for the Villas (which could be a couple hundred dollars on the price of room you are talking about), not to mention "self parking" is free (again $20 per night adds up).

Just sayin' there's a lot of hidden fees that should be considered. Plus your family's comfort and personal space. Besides the Villas can also be much quieter with less traffic. Granted you don't get maid service every day, but you can wash your towels and have clean ones every day.

It's certainly up to you. However there is that thing once you stay in the Villas you won't want to stay anywhere else!

 

[AC7179]

The beds in the villas are selected to appeal to DVC owners.
The 1 bedroom layout (with king bed and 2 full baths) was an important factor when buying at VGC. I also like that all villas have a common layout, so there is no uncertainty with bed arrangement (which is often the case when staying in the hotel).

That's interesting that you feel that way. For us, the room layout is the very reason we are NOT buying into DVC, as since there are no layouts offering the two queens for a one-bedroom, my family of 5 would probably need to get a 2 bedroom which is less economical. I can't imagine I'm alone in that, although maybe the majority of people feel the way you do. Regardless, I'm sad it's keeping us from enjoying the beautiful resort!

 

[AC7179]

The beds in the villas are selected to appeal to DVC owners.
The 1 bedroom layout (with king bed and 2 full baths) was an important factor when buying at VGC. I also like that all villas have a common layout, so there is no uncertainty with bed arrangement (which is often the case when staying in the hotel).

Sorry, one more question. Are all the layouts the same? I thought the dedicated 2 bedroom was different than a studio\1 bedroom combination, yet both are 2 bedroom villas?

 

[nicolispicoli]

A request for a daybed room is not guaranteed, so if you "need" a 2 queen + daybed you might consider PPH or DLH.

Agreed. I know there is a limited number of queens with sofa beds, so I may just stick with DLH. We always stay there and the layout is perfect. I might save the GCH for when it's just my DH and DD with me as opposed to my sister, mom, nephew, me and DD. thanks for all the info though!!

 

[nicolispicoli]

I'm very confused. Are you staying 4 or 5 nights? I can't seem to figure out what size villa you are pricing. If it's anything bigger than a studio (and those can't sleep five), there's no comparison between a regular room and a villa. The villas have at least two bathrooms, a jacuzzi tub, walk in shower and laundry facilities. Even if you don't use the kitchen, you have two TVs and a TON more space. Also there are no "room" taxes for the Villas (which could be a couple hundred dollars on the price of room you are talking about), not to mention "self parking" is free (again $20 per night adds up).

Just sayin' there's a lot of hidden fees that should be considered. Plus your family's comfort and personal space. Besides the Villas can also be much quieter with less traffic. Granted you don't get maid service every day, but you can wash your towels and have clean ones every day.

It's certainly up to you. However there is that thing once you stay in the Villas you won't want to stay anywhere else!

My mistake, we are departing on 10/23, so I should have said 10/19-10/22. Sorry about that! You make a great point about taxes too, I'm still going to continue inquiring about points on the DVC side. I've noticed I don't see GCV members renting points. I'm guessing it's way less common? Or if I wanted that, check more closely to that 11 month mark? I've been planning, but didn't think GCV was affordable on my radar, but I fear now I've missed the boat!

 

[franandaj]

That's interesting that you feel that way. For us, the room layout is the very reason we are NOT buying into DVC, as since there are no layouts offering the two queens for a one-bedroom, my family of 5 would probably need to get a 2 bedroom which is less economical. I can't imagine I'm alone in that, although maybe the majority of people feel the way you do. Regardless, I'm sad it's keeping us from enjoying the beautiful resort!

Personally I wouldn't considering buying into a place that wouldn't give me a Master Bedroom similar to what I have at home. No one but me and my spouse ever sleeps in our bedroom, and we would feel second rate if accomodations that should be luxury had any different arrangement. A family of five can easily sleep in a one bedroom at the VGC, BLT and AKV(Kidani). All the other one bedroom resorts offer accomodations for four in the one bedroom.

Sorry, one more question. Are all the layouts the same? I thought the dedicated 2 bedroom was different than a studio\1 bedroom combination, yet both are 2 bedroom villas?

All one bedrooms, dedicated two bedrooms have the same layout. The studios can be a mirror image of each other. This can create a problem as one side of the bed has a very small passage to access the bed. If the wrong person has that side of the bed facing the wall it creates a problem for us. We will no longer sleep in the studios because of this. Since studios can be laid out in either direction, there could be a small difference in the layout of a Two bedroom lockoff, one studio could be reversed from another unit.

 

[Breyean]

Personally I wouldn't considering buying into a place that wouldn't give me a Master Bedroom similar to what I have at home. No one but me and my spouse ever sleeps in our bedroom, and we would feel second rate if accomodations that should be luxury had any different arrangement. A family of five can easily sleep in a one bedroom at the VGC, BLT and AKV(Kidani). All the other one bedroom resorts offer accomodations for four in the one bedroom.



All one bedrooms, dedicated two bedrooms have the same layout. The studios can be a mirror image of each other. This can create a problem as one side of the bed has a very small passage to access the bed. If the wrong person has that side of the bed facing the wall it creates a problem for us. We will no longer sleep in the studios because of this. Since studios can be laid out in either direction, there could be a small difference in the layout of a Two bedroom lockoff, one studio could be reversed from another unit.

OKW sleeps 5 in a 1 bedroom.

 

[franandaj]

OKW sleeps 5 in a 1 bedroom.

That's good to know, I wasn't aware of that fact. I can't imagine how five people share one bathroom, we won't even do three, but I'm glad that DVC has situations that work for everyone!

 

[franandaj]

My mistake, we are departing on 10/23, so I should have said 10/19-10/22. Sorry about that! You make a great point about taxes too, I'm still going to continue inquiring about points on the DVC side. I've noticed I don't see GCV members renting points. I'm guessing it's way less common? Or if I wanted that, check more closely to that 11 month mark? I've been planning, but didn't think GCV was affordable on my radar, but I fear now I've missed the boat!

Well since we live close and have become spoiled by staying overnight, we will NEVER have enough points!!!! I'm now trying to shift my reservations made before 7 months with VGC points over to other contracts, but they are sold out, so I can't switch them. I want to save my VGC points to use in case they bring back F&W next year. I plan to have as many weekends as I can booked with my VGC points and then try with other resorts.

There just seem to be all kinds of things that keep coming up at VGC, D23 events, opening premieres, I'm not sure how many other are as obsessed with their points, but most of bought at VGC because we wanted/needed that 11 month advantage for ourselves!

Good luck to you thoough, after staying in the Villas, regular hotel rooms are just not nearly as much fun!

 

[AC7179]

Personally I wouldn't considering buying into a place that wouldn't give me a Master Bedroom similar to what I have at home. No one but me and my spouse ever sleeps in our bedroom, and we would feel second rate if accomodations that should be luxury had any different arrangement. A family of five can easily sleep in a one bedroom at the VGC, BLT and AKV(Kidani). All the other one bedroom resorts offer accomodations for four in the one bedroom.



All one bedrooms, dedicated two bedrooms have the same layout. The studios can be a mirror image of each other. This can create a problem as one side of the bed has a very small passage to access the bed. If the wrong person has that side of the bed facing the wall it creates a problem for us. We will no longer sleep in the studios because of this. Since studios can be laid out in either direction, there could be a small difference in the layout of a Two bedroom lockoff, one studio could be reversed from another unit.

So the dedicated 2 bedroom has 2 beds in the second bedroom where the lock off has one and a sofa bed, plus an extra fridge and bar?

 

[nunzia]

That's good to know, I wasn't aware of that fact. I can't imagine how five people share one bathroom, we won't even do three, but I'm glad that DVC has situations that work for everyone!

We easily fit 5 adults in a 1 BR..the single male (luckily a bit short) slept on the Murphy bed. Totally spoiled in that massive room with the lovely Master suite...DH and I do studios just fine, along with a grandkid or 2, but would like more points to be able to get 1BR more often.

 

[watkinsme]

we are going to be staying in September. We have a late night flight back home and were thinking of spending the day before we leave at the pool. I know most of the WDW pools have a shower area, do the pools at GCH have a shower. If not do you have any other ideas for our last day there (we will not be visiting the parks that day...) I do plan on doing a little bit of shopping and we plan on eating a late lunch maybe but other than that....

 

[Nonsuch]

So the dedicated 2 bedroom has 2 beds in the second bedroom where the lock off has one and a sofa bed, plus an extra fridge and bar?

That's correct

The dedicated 2 bedrooms have a slightly better selection of views. The "T" shape of the building partially obstructs the view of several studios, and lockoff 2 bedrooms. It might be easier to get a requested view with a dedicated, since a lockoff is actually a request for 2 rooms.

 

[Nonsuch]

Personally I wouldn't considering buying into a place that wouldn't give me a Master Bedroom similar to what I have at home. No one but me and my spouse ever sleeps in our bedroom, and we would feel second rate if accomodations that should be luxury had any different arrangement.

Well put, I feel the same way. My wife and I have separate bathrooms at home, so the 2 baths in the 1 bedroom is just like home

 

[mrsw94]

I know I can probably find the answer on the DVC thread, but it took me almost 2 weeks to read through this thread, so I haven't even started on that one yet!

Anyway, how do I tell from my reservation if our DVC 2 bedroom is a dedicated room or a lock off?

Thanks!

 

[mrypg]

Need to rent Grand for October 14-21 or September 29-October 6

Studio size or 1 bedroom


Also would trade out Hyatt properties or cash

 

[Nonsuch]

Need to rent Grand for October 14-21 or September 29-October 6
Studio size or 1 bedroom
Also would trade out Hyatt properties or cash

You will have better results on the DVC-Rent/Trade Forum

 

[Nonsuch]

...how do I tell from my reservation if our DVC 2 bedroom is a dedicated room or a lock off?

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