Grand Californian Super Thread

[Nonsuch]

...We'd just got off a 13 hour flight from Sydney and hadn't slept. She checked and found us a room available straight away - when we entered we were blown away by the pool and theme park view (5th floor), it was fantastic!

That's a double win, a room available at noon and an upgraded view
Post some pictures of your view

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

We will be there from the 24th to the 26th (before our Disney Cruise). We originally were going to stay at Homewood Suites where we've stayed before but my BF and I just gt engaged so we decided to splurge and upgrade to be onsite!

We aren't telling my kids though - my oldest has been wanting to stay at the GCH forever and I always tell him it's too much money. He is going to be so excited when we pull up to it!

 

[meg8182000]

Hi - very excited as I just booked a 1 bedroom villa for August 14th - 18th!

I've stayed at the GCH twice before but this will be my first time staying in one of the villas. Just looking for a little advise about room location. I've requested a high floor but does anyone have any recommendations on a specific location to request and why you thought it was great room?

Thanks,

meg

 

[Nonsuch]

I've stayed at the GCH twice before but this will be my first time staying in one of the villas. Just looking for a little advise about room location. I've requested a high floor but does anyone have any recommendations on a specific location to request and why you thought it was great room?

This is the request I make: "Prefer a high floor with Paradise Pier Park View.
The room order of preference is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508, 3502, 2522, 2508, 2502"

These are my reasons for the room order, your preference might differ:
6502: one of only 3 villas (1 of each type) on the 6th floor
5508, 4508: might provide a slightly better angle for WOC viewing
5502, 4502: stayed in 5502 twice, it's a great view
3508: 3rd floor, but better WOC angle
3502: stayed in 3502, 3rd floor is high enough to see the WOC
2522: 2nd floor below the Grand Villa, good angle for WOC view (might be too low)
2508, 2502: 2nd floor

Rooms x502 are nearest the elevators.
I have not stayed in a 2nd floor villa, but the 2nd floor is high enough to see over the fence.

More information about VGC:
The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

 

[meg8182000]

This is the request I make: "Prefer a high floor with Paradise Pier Park View.
The room order of preference is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508, 3502, 2522, 2508, 2502"

These are my reasons for the room order, your preference might differ:
6502: one of only 3 villas (1 of each type) on the 6th floor
5508, 4508: might provide a slightly better angle for WOC viewing
5502, 4502: stayed in 5502 twice, it's a great view
3508: 3rd floor, but better WOC angle
3502: stayed in 3502, 3rd floor is high enough to see the WOC
2522: 2nd floor below the Grand Villa, good angle for WOC view (might be too low)
2508, 2502: 2nd floor

Rooms x502 are nearest the elevators.
I have not stayed in a 2nd floor villa, but the 2nd floor is high enough to see over the fence.

More information about VGC:
The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

Nonsuch - thank you so much for your recommendations! Really appreciate all the details. I know that requesting specific rooms are not garanteed but figured it's always worth a shot to ask for what you want and then cross fingers.

 

[franandaj]

Nonsuch - thank you so much for your recommendations! Really appreciate all the details. I know that requesting specific rooms are not garanteed but figured it's always worth a shot to ask for what you want and then cross fingers.

Meg,
I see you're going to the Expo...are you going on the regular tickets or do you have any of the upgraded passports? We should have a DISmeet for people who are going to the Expo!

 

[meg8182000]

Meg,
I see you're going to the Expo...are you going on the regular tickets or do you have any of the upgraded passports? We should have a DISmeet for people who are going to the Expo!

Hi franandaj - just sent you a PM.

 

[funatdisney]

Booked a 2 bedroom at the VGC for Dec. 18 to the 21st.

we are going for Christmas time at DLR! I know it will be crowded, but I can manage that and the yuletide feel of the GHC at Christmas is mighty special.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Booked a 2 bedroom at the VGC for Dec. 18 to the 21st.

we are going for Christmas time at DLR! I know it will be crowded, but I can manage that and the yuletide feel of the GHC at Christmas is mighty special.

Congrats!
I hope the wait goes by really fast for you guys!

 

[funatdisney]

Thank you, DmaxHawk. It will seem long at times, but I can forget it for a while now that I have the room booked.

The next trip to book (and the last for this year) is for Oct. I can't book this one until March, since I have to use my SSR points.This one will be hard to book since many of the rooms will be booked at the Villas. At least I got the more important dates booked.

 

[meg8182000]

Booked a 2 bedroom at the VGC for Dec. 18 to the 21st.

we are going for Christmas time at DLR! I know it will be crowded, but I can manage that and the yuletide feel of the GHC at Christmas is mighty special.

Congrats on your Christmas booking! I've been to WDW a few times at Christmas time and love but have never been to DL at that time. Have a great time!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We are still trolling for points for a 1 bedroom in August but not much luck so far. Would hate to miss my August trip this year.

Jack

 

[funatdisney]

We are still trolling for points for a 1 bedroom in August but not much luck so far. Would hate to miss my August trip this year.

Jack

Hope you get your points. Is it because you are renting and can't find the right price?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Hope you get your points. Is it because you are renting and can't find the right price?

Its is because I am renting, no one seems to have the number of points so far. I can not even find a member to check my dates even though we are more than 7 month's away.

Jack

 

[funatdisney]

That's a bummer. Is it getting more difficult to rent these days? I have rented before way back when before I became a member. When I started to rent (due to the economy), I had no problem renting them either.

It must be frustrating. What are your dates? I can call and see if they are available. PM me.

 

[esmerelda51]

I am older and tend to spend more time in the room. Can you tell me how extensive the channels are. At WDW they are not very extensive.

 

[brergnat]

I am older and tend to spend more time in the room. Can you tell me how extensive the channels are. At WDW they are not very extensive.

It's about the same as WDW. VERY basic line up of the most relevant cable channels (like CNN, ESPN, etc.), and all the local channels. BUT, there is a DVD player in every room, so bring along some movies to watch if you anticipate lots of time in the room!

 

[Disney Princess]

Its is because I am renting, no one seems to have the number of points so far. I can not even find a member to check my dates even though we are more than 7 month's away.

Jack

I'm wondering if fewer owners at GCH are renting their points right now? I know waiting until the 7 month window makes it more stressful to get what you want, but at 7 months maybe you'll have more owners with lots of points to rent that can get you in. Good luck!

 

[godalejunior]

Its is because I am renting, no one seems to have the number of points so far. I can not even find a member to check my dates even though we are more than 7 month's away.

Jack

How many points do you need?

 

[franandaj]

I'm wondering if fewer owners at GCH are renting their points right now? I know waiting until the 7 month window makes it more stressful to get what you want, but at 7 months maybe you'll have more owners with lots of points to rent that can get you in. Good luck!

I think most of us bought our points knowing that everything would be booked at 7 months. Many owners live within driving distance so it makes it a very affordable trip, especially if you already own an AP, my points are all gone for 2010 UY and I've already started on using up 2011.