I miss WDW since moving to the west coast

[Scotch]

DH and I used to live in the midwest, an hour away from cheap 2 hour nonstop flights on Airtran from the Moline aiport. Until this past Dec., we visited WDW at least once a year (twice on a couple of years) for 8 years and spent a week before Xmas each year for the past 5 years (usually at our beloved BCV). Then we moved last summer to a city with no nonstop flights (unless we want to drive to Seattle, 4 1/2 hours away). No more inexpensive airfare options (for a family of 4) -- I see nothing in the less than $400/ea range when I narrow down to our preferred flight times. All flying options require an entire day of flying and connecting, which is a big pain in the *** when you've got two little ones. So we didn't go to WDW this December; instead we went to DL. Because the points cost at VGC is so outrageous compared to the point costs during comparable times in WDW, we stayed in a suite at the Ramada Inn across the street. While our location was super and DL/DCA was just the perfect size for the kids, I missed the entire Disney-DVC experience. Given the cost of airfare from here to MCO and the awful flight days, I don't see ourselves planning a trip back to WDW anytime before 2011 or 2012 when DS2 turns at least 4 or 5 just to make the trip less painful and more worthwhile (in terms of what he can do at the parks).

I see other DVC owners here who must travel all day to reach WDW. Even setting aside the cost, how do you tolerate the long flight days with little kids? (Or perhaps you don't. Maybe those of you do so because you have older kids or you keep those kids at home!)

I keep thinking I need to book a stay at the VGC, but each time I check the points requirement for dates we can travel -- DH is a teacher -- I just gasp in shock. I just can't seem to do it.

 

[stopher1]

I keep thinking I need to book a stay at the VGC, but each time I check the points requirement for dates we can travel -- DH is a teacher -- I just gasp in shock. I just can't seem to do it.

Yes those point requirements at VGC are high - but oh boy is it a wonderful resort / experience. And once World of Color opens at DCA, the viewing will be phenomenal. There will be the exclusive viewing platform, or you'd have the option of sitting on your balcony watching too - that is, if you want to watch it from the resort instead of inside the park. Plus the soundtrack will play right on your in-room tv.

The rooms are wonderful, the theming execution is fantastic - and yes, you are just steps away from both theme parks.

Even if you only break down and do it once - I say you've got to try it!

 

[TagsMissy]

I feel your pain.. we travel from BC to WDW and often drive across the border to Seattle for 'cheap' flights compared to at home. I guess I am just used to it but I do get jealous of the cheap flights from the east!

 

[kikiq]

Yes those point requirements at VGC are high - but oh boy is it a wonderful resort / experience. And once World of Color opens at DCA, the viewing will be phenomenal. There will be the exclusive viewing platform, or you'd have the option of sitting on your balcony watching too - that is, if you want to watch it from the resort instead of inside the park. Plus the soundtrack will play right on your in-room tv.

The rooms are wonderful, the theming execution is fantastic - and yes, you are just steps away from both theme parks.

Even if you only break down and do it once - I say you've got to try it!

He's right. The points are high but he's right. We thought we could just "get by" with our SSR points, but now we are back on the wagon to get our VGC points. Do it once and request an upper floor villa. He's so right.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We are in Central California and drive about 4 hours to LAX in order to get non-stop flights to WDW. We are lucky, though, that those fligths can be pretty cheap (around $250). We usually plan on 2 days to get to WDW and 2 days to get home, so WDW is usually a 2 week vacation for us. -- Suzanne

 

[dvc_john]

DH and I used to live in the midwest, an hour away from cheap 2 hour nonstop flights on Airtran from the Moline aiport.

I feel your pain. As a Q-C resident, I use those Airtran flights from Moline a lot!

 

[dwelty]

We fly from Southern California and usually can find flights from $250.00 or less. (It must be the large number of airports in our area that makes the prices more compedative) at any rate we have small kids and choose an airline with connecting flights about half way (continental-Houston) and American-Dallas) this gives us a break half way and lets the kids eat lunch and get some exercise). If I were flying from Washington or Oregon, I would try for a connection in Denver to break it up a little. Good luck, sorry the flights are so expensive for you.

 

[bwvBound]

We tend to take the first direct flight from LAX if flying as a couple ... or fly SAN>DFW>MCO if flying with family for reasons stated in previous post: stopping midway provides a chance to stretch the legs and grab some lunch.

We've been fortunate finding airfare <$250 pp for the past many years. (I do recall when flights were closer to $600 in the late 80's. I so wanted to plan a trip to Orlando but could NOT justify the airfare.)

 

[Scotch]

And once World of Color opens at DCA, the viewing will be phenomenal. There will be the exclusive viewing platform . . .

By "exclusive" you mean exclusive to DVC? I need to go research when the World of Color opens; I suspect when it does I'll have a tougher time booking a stay since that is not our home resort. You are almost tempting me! When I complained to DH the nth time about the much higher point cost for VGC he asked me "Are you saying I'll never get to stay there??"

I feel your pain.. we travel from BC to WDW and often drive across the border to Seattle for 'cheap' flights compared to at home. I guess I am just used to it but I do get jealous of the cheap flights from the east!

I, too, am jealous of the east coasters! Those DISers go multiple times a year and can even hop on the train or just drive a day to reach WDW. I did suggest that we consider moving eastward instead of westward, but then DH reminded me of all the snow, blizzards, hurricanes, etc. and I must admit I'm happy to have a mild 40's to 50's F January/February.

He's right. The points are high but he's right. We thought we could just "get by" with our SSR points, but now we are back on the wagon to get our VGC points. Do it once and request an upper floor villa. He's so right.

Is there something more special about an upper floor villa or are you refer to the better view? Do all units at VGV have a view out to the DCA or do some face the interior courtyard of the resort?

We are in Central California and drive about 4 hours to LAX in order to get non-stop flights to WDW. We are lucky, though, that those fligths can be pretty cheap (around $250). We usually plan on 2 days to get to WDW and 2 days to get home, so WDW is usually a 2 week vacation for us. -- Suzanne

It is really hard for us to plan 2 week vacations. But how I'd love to do that at some point!

I feel your pain. As a Q-C resident, I use those Airtran flights from Moline a lot!

We loved the QC airport for its convenience and perfect size (to avoid congestion and long security lines)! I don't think we ever needed to arrive at the airport before an hour before checkin.

. . . at any rate we have small kids and choose an airline with connecting flights about half way (continental-Houston) and American-Dallas) this gives us a break half way and lets the kids eat lunch and get some exercise). If I were flying from Washington or Oregon, I would try for a connection in Denver to break it up a little. Good luck, sorry the flights are so expensive for you.

if flying with family for reasons stated in previous post: stopping midway provides a chance to stretch the legs and grab some lunch.

Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking a stopover is a pain but you are right, a longer stopover is actually a good idea for a cross country trip. Now if only the airfare would go down. You know, even a flight down to Orange County or San Diego usually costs us around $220/each up to $300+/pp for holiday travel. And you folks are getting to go to MCO for that fare! I am so jealous.

 

[stopher1]

By "exclusive" you mean exclusive to DVC? I need to go research when the World of Color opens; I suspect when it does I'll have a tougher time booking a stay since that is not our home resort. You are almost tempting me! When I complained to DH the nth time about the much higher point cost for VGC he asked me "Are you saying I'll never get to stay there??"

Not just exclusive to DVC - but exclusive to DVC members staying at VGC. No member staying over at the PPH or DLH would be able to access it. Kind of like the TOTWL at BLT, you'll have to actually be staying at VGC, on points, in order to use the WOC Viewing Platform.

Here's a look at some of the testing that has been going on recently at DCA for WOC... obviously pics alone won't display kinetics of movement, but they are quite impressive by themselves. WOC is, I think, going to live up to the hype it's been gettig recently. And my guess is, that yes, once WOC opens, it will get harder to get ressies without the 11 month window - but probably even more so once the major construction at DCA subsides and once the new Little Mermaid attraction and CARS Land open.

These are both from the same thread - just different pages

Page 138 (starting at post #2070)

Page 141 (starts right at the top)

Some of the sight lines from individual rooms will be marred a bit by the various DCA shops & trees, but the viewing platform is above all of that, and is supposed to be obstruction free

And finally here's a peek at the platform itself (scroll way down to post #8 to see it)

Is there something more special about an upper floor villa or are you refer to the better view? Do all units at VGV have a view out to the DCA or do some face the interior courtyard of the resort?

And to answer this other question, no they do not all have a theme park view. 73% of the villas have a theme park view, the rest will be pool /inner courtyard views. Upper floors will get you the best views into DCA. The park's fence line itself goes up to the 2nd floor, and then there are the perimeter buildings, trees & such to look over. Upper floors will then look over those park-perimeter things.

 

[Scotch]

OMG those photos! I don't know whether to thank you or be upset that you brought them to my attention (as I otherwise haven't bothered to read all the posts re VGC and DCA here.) I also love that rental cabana option; if only there were a view of a sand beach, too! Maybe I'll go see if the 2011 points chart changes to VGC would make a trip a bit more points affordable.

 

[stopher1]

OMG those photos! I don't know whether to thank you or be upset that you brought them to my attention

 

[DVCTiff]

I hear ya! We bought in when we were living in NY. We used to fly TED which was so cheap.

Now we travel from Seattle - sometimes we take a red eye (we don't have kids) and sometimes we use up a day but DH is a CM so we use his discount to book a hotel the night before we check into our DVC.

Even then, we try to use miles or a companion fare ticket.

 

[Kuzco]

I feel your pain. As a Q-C resident, I use those Airtran flights from Moline a lot!

Me too!

 

[kikiq]

Is there something more special about an upper floor villa or are you refer to the better view? Do all units at VGV have a view out to the DCA or do some face the interior courtyard of the resort?

Now I was happy with our studio but my DH really wanted a theme park view to see how much of the World of Color he would see. Here's our view from a 2nd floor studio.

Looking to the left

Looking straight. I can envision me watching the kids play on that structure and then calling them in to dinner

Looking to the right

 

[ssxa]

I feel your pain. We live in Hawaii, and want to plan a trip in early October to use our points at VGC. Just airfare for us is over $700 each! (Family of 4, thus $3000!) That includes 5hrs of air travel with a 7 and 5 yr old. Was thinking about visiting WDW, but the thought of 12hrs in the air is just too much. That and $1100 per ticket! Decisions, decisions...

 

[bethy]

There are several reasons I prefer DLR to WDW and the long flight is one of them. I too, live in the PNW.

It's all a matter of perspective. We bought in to VGC because it seemed like an incredible deal compared to staying at the Grand Californian Hotel year after year. And for better, bigger accomodations! I'm used to Disney vacations being expensive, I guess.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I feel your pain. We live in Hawaii, and want to plan a trip in early October to use our points at VGC. Just airfare for us is over $700 each! (Family of 4, thus $3000!) That includes 5hrs of air travel with a 7 and 5 yr old. Was thinking about visiting WDW, but the thought of 12hrs in the air is just too much. That and $1100 per ticket! Decisions, decisions...

So, fellow Hawaii person, how do you do it? Do you book airfare first then book VGC at 7 months? Or do you book hotel first then search for airfare? I'm new at this DVC thing and it seems the logistics are a little more difficult because of how far we have to travel.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Is there something more special about an upper floor villa or are you refer to the better view? Do all units at VGV have a view out to the DCA or do some face the interior courtyard of the resort?

This is the night view from one of the fifth floor Grand Californian Villas that face the PP area:

These are more recent pictures that I took from our 4th floor villa, while they were testing the new World of Color lagoon show (WoC) at California Adventure (previously posted on another thread):

There are photos of the inward facing pool view rooms somewhere on the GCV DVC thread, and I happen to think that the nighttime view from those rooms are very nice, too (lighted pools, etc.)!

 

[Pakey]

We have no direct flights from our home in California to WDW. We travel to WDW with our young grandson (we prefer it to DLR). We leave early a.m. We try to arrange to have our layover be mid-US to cut the 2 flights evenly. We either change in Dallas or Salt Lake and we make sure to have a long enough layover so that he can burn some energy at the airport. Between that and the backpack of activities that we take, he always does fine.