Just Back from VCG

[mdsd8700]

We just returned from our first stay at the Villas at the Grand Californian. I had posted quickly on Monday when we had arrived and gotten settled in our room. I was so excited that I had to share with those who would understand. What can I say except WOW! Pixie Dust was everywhere, not only was our room ready at 12:30 our 1 bedroom villa overlooked DCA right at the Golden Zephyer. The view was amazing, the room was more beautiful than any pictures on line could possibly convey. Our room was 5508. It was our first DVC stay and I can see why once you've gone DVC you can never go back. The first thing I said after we got settled was "We need more points!" The whole thing was a suprise for our kids (DS 16 and DD 13) and they didn't want to leave the room and the view! They were just thrilled. They didn't know we had become DVC Members and we had a basket with DVC mugs and some other goodies sent to the room to "Welcome them home". It was pure Disney Magic.

We could see World of Color from our room, but of course the view wasn't as good as watching it in the seating area of Paradise Pier. So let me talk about World of Color and our dining experience at Wine Country Trattoria. First, WOC, it was AWESOME! All 4 of us thought it was excellent and enjoyed every moment of the show!! DH and I were just at the Bellagio in April with a room overlooking the fountains, so we seen that show several times over and we loved it. WOC of color is beyond that. It is Bellagio on steriods. DH said WOC makes Bellagio look like a garden hose. My kids although older and have seen Fantasmic and Fireworks shows 10 and times over thought this was by far the best. That could be because it was new and they had never had seen it before. I would definately put it on my "to see" list for our next DLR visit whenever that may be. FYI we got there exactly at 8:30 for the pre show. There was plenty of room in the back of the preferred viewing area. We could have pushed our way up closer if we wanted, but were fine in our spot which was great. No complaints. I would say we were standing about 2/3 of the way back front the front of the fence.

Now on to the WOC dinner. Again we were at Wine Country Trattoria. I have read many of the reviews here so I didn't expect much, maybe that is a good thing and worked in our favor. I thought the food was good. Not excellent, but solid. Certainly enjoyable, yes overpriced for what we got, not much food for the price. However we paid for the view more than the food and for that the package worked as it should. My DD 13, although an "adult" by Disney Dining standards wouldn't eat anything on the menu (DD son 16, wouldn't touch the salad) so I knew she would order from the kids menu but was prepared to pay the adult price. Our server who was very nice, said no problem and let her order from the kids menu and charged us only the kids price. I thought that was very nice of him. He was tipped well. She ordered noodles with sauce on the side.....as I said not much of palette.

Overall the trip was fantastic. I was so excited before we left (spent 3 days in Phoenix before hand) and it lived up to and exceeded my expectations. The VCG made Disneyland even more magical and I didn't think that was possible!

Thanks for letting me share my experience, I just had to tell people that I knew would totally understand my joy......even after I have gotten home!

Disney Rocks

 

[Brancaneve]

I'm glad you had a wonderful time! I do agree that having DVC enhances the whole experience, especially in WDW. We have yet to try VGC but are really looking forward to it!

 

[disneymama83]

Wow! After reading your post I had to look for a video on youtube to see what the VCG looks like. They are REALLLLLLY nice! Glad you had a magical experience!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We will be there in 3 weeks in a 1 bedroom, glad you had a great experieence.

Jack

 

[mdsd8700]

We will be there in 3 weeks in a 1 bedroom, glad you had a great experieence.

Jack

I am excited for your upcoming trip, you are going to LOVE it. Would love to hear about your experience when you get back. Have Fun!

 

[megsablue]

That's awesome that you had such a good time - DH & I bought into the VGC last December when we were at DL and we're using our points to stay in a 2 bedroom (all they had two months out) for a night, before we move to DLH (unless our waitlist comes through *fingers crossed*).

Do you happen to know if the DVC members only lounge in GCH open yet? We're hoping it is because it would be nicer to watch from there with a glass of wine...

 

[mdsd8700]

I didn't even know anything about a DVC members only lounge. No one mentioned it to us upon check in, but then again I didn't know to ask. We went on the 6th floor deck that gave a great view of the park, but we were lucky enough that our room gave pretty much the same view although at a different angle. The deck was just that a deck, no amentities to speak of, just the view as I said. If there was lounge and we missed it, I will be bummed, but it will just give me all the more reason to go back.

 

[kahluacream]

Thanks for posting! Your review got me really excited for our stay at VGC next week.

Quick question: Could you hear any park noise with the DCA park view, or was the room quiet?

TIA!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I am excited for your upcoming trip, you are going to LOVE it. Would love to hear about your experience when you get back. Have Fun!

Thank you for your well wishes. We are not members, but excited about our stay.

Jack

 

[megsablue]

My DH just emailed our DVC guide to find out - I swear she said something about a lounge with food & beverage service, but perhaps I was combining the Top of the World Lounge at BLT with the deck at VGC. She's out of the office until Tuesday, so I'm sure it will be a couple of days until we hear back from her - I'll let you know what she says! I'm sure that if there was something like that open, they would have said something at check-in - perhaps I'll have to take my own wineglass from the villa up to the deck!

 

[ACDSNY]

mdsd8700 - It's great to hear your family had a wonderful trip and a fantasic stay at the VGC. I enjoy hearing others appreciate the villas like we do.

Thank you for your well wishes. We are not members, but excited about our stay.

Jack

Your not a member yet, but I'm predicting that will change after your Aug visit. I think we're all hoping the villas live up to the expectations we've given you.

 

[mdsd8700]

Thanks for posting! Your review got me really excited for our stay at VGC next week.

Quick question: Could you hear any park noise with the DCA park view, or was the room quiet?

TIA!

There was construction (Ariel ride) close to the outside of our room, although it didn't hinder our park view much (maybe because we were higher up). The construction started before the parks were open, but as long as the doors were closed you couldn't hear anything from that. Like being in a vault As far as regular park noise, again we could hear nothing with the doors closed. WOC could be heard slightly but not enough to be bothersome and we were alseep by the last show and again didn't hear a thing. Of course if the doors were open during the show it was almost booming.....which was actually very cool I would say the noise was not an issue in any way and the view was amazing!

 

[mdsd8700]

perhaps I'll have to take my own wineglass from the villa up to the deck!

I like the way you think What a fun idea. Let me know if I missed something or not.....like I said....all the more reason to go back!

Enjoy your trip

 

[lulubelle]

So glad you had a magical time. I know we always do. I am always counting down until our next stay "home". Thanks for sharing!