Just booked Villas at Grand Californian!

[Steamboat Girlie]

So we decided to watch the new planning dvd's section all about Disneyland this morning. It got us thinking, hey let's go!
So instead of doing the AKV thing in January, we will be spending the week at VGC! The 7 month officially opened last week, but I called this morning and was able to reserve a one bedroom for Jan. 23-30.
I am totally excited. I've only been to Disneyland once and it was before CA was even built.
We are looking forward to a more relaxing trip. With only 2 parks to cover, we hope to have a little more time to stop and smell the roses!

 

[Nikisha421]

Have fun and enjoy your trip we called last July at the 7month window so we could get in for Presidents Week 2010...it was our first time in California...it was awesome...the best part was that the hotel was so central...walk right into the park or downtown disney....Have a great time!!!

 

[nunzia]

Great time to go! You'll have a wonderful time.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

Great time to go! You'll have a wonderful time.

I was wondering about the weather. But anything beats New England in January!

 

[mdsd8700]

With only 2 parks to cover, we hope to have a little more time to stop and smell the roses!

You will definately have time to stop and smell the roses and then some!! The thing I love most about DLR is the fact it is smaller in size and scale to WDW. Of course I love WDW but every couple of years we go to CA just to change things up. We still get our Disney fix, but a whole host of other things to do as well. This is our 4th trip to DLR but our first at VGC, also in a one bedroom! We are totally excited about staying in DVC. We stayed in the hotel 7 years ago, but this is even better now that we are members. So happy that you were able to get a ressie! Enjoy your trip.

 

[bwvBound]

I'm thrilled for your successful reservation! Please forgive me ... but I can tell you for certain that my roses aren't blooming during your travel dates. Hopefully, the gardeners at DLR have some magic available to them ...

 

[carlbarry]

I was there January 24-28 of this year, as my first trip home! As soon as I got my points in November 2009 I booked a studio. Used it as an excuse to visit my uncle and aunt in Culver City. The weather was great, except for the one day it started to rain at 1 pm until evening.

 

[godalejunior]

It is a great time to go....we have gone that week for the last four years!

 

[jeffl]

We were there in a one bedroom in early June (3rd floor pool view). It was only 3 days, but I have to say it was one of our best Disney vacations. I just LOVE arts & crafts/mission style architecture, so this was decor nirvana for me. The room seemed much roomier than our stays in 1 bedrooms at SSR and BWV... and the direct park/downtown Disney access is AWESOME. Can't give it a much higher recommendation.

 

[arthur06]

We were there in a one bedroom in early June (3rd floor pool view). It was only 3 days, but I have to say it was one of our best Disney vacations. I just LOVE arts & crafts/mission style architecture, so this was decor nirvana for me. The room seemed much roomier than our stays in 1 bedrooms at SSR and BWV... and the direct park/downtown Disney access is AWESOME. Can't give it a much higher recommendation.

what part of Iowa are you from... seems to be a few of us floating around today...

Mason City here!

 

[princessbride6205]

How exciting! I LOVE DLR - there's just something about being in the land of the original magic. The proximity of everything is a treat as well. I've had 2 business trips to Anaheim in the last month so the good times are fresh in my mind. VGC is one of my favorite Disney resorts - just gorgeous. I've been to CA in December/early January, and like you've said - anything is better than a northern winter! You might be in a jacket or a sweatshirt, but it's doubtful you'll need snow boots and a down coat!

 

[karebear06]

I would love to stay at vgc one day. I notice you are staying for 7 days, so will you spending the entire time at disneyland or will you be taking day trips to other destinations. So I have some questions for anyone who has been. How many days need to be spent at disneyland to complete everything? What other destinations are close in proximity? We would love to plan a trip to disneyland one day, but unfortunately we are only WDW experts, not DL experts.

Thanks

 

[ajf1007]

Congrats! We're heading to DL at the VGC for the first time in October so I can totally understand your excitement as I'm with ya! You should head over to the Disneyland portion of this board and read up. I've read many trip reports over there that helped me alot. We're planning a few days for DL and a few days for day trips to LA, San Diego and Santa Monica.

 

[buckeyejennifer]

Yeah! We've also been pondering a trip to Disneyland to stay at VGC. I'm thrilled to hear that you were able to book at the 7-month window--I was concerned about that. I'll be anxious to hear about your trip and your planning as the dates draw near!

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I would love to stay at vgc one day. I notice you are staying for 7 days, so will you spending the entire time at disneyland or will you be taking day trips to other destinations. So I have some questions for anyone who has been. How many days need to be spent at disneyland to complete everything? What other destinations are close in proximity? We would love to plan a trip to disneyland one day, but unfortunately we are only WDW experts, not DL experts.

Thanks

We plan on staying the entire time at the Disneyland Resort area. We won't be renting a car. We have 2 little ones, so we will be taking it SLOW. We like to head to the parks for rope drop until around noon. Then nap a bit, and then hit the parks again. Because we'll be there for a week, and there are only 2 parks, we won't feel the need to be so "commando" like we usually are.

 

[adminjedi]

Today is our last day of 8 days here at VGC. I have to say, it is one of the nicest hotels DVC has to offer. We have a 2br Villa and it is fabulous. We love having the extra full bath in the living area, which by the way seems larger than most. The pool chaise loungers are awesome - so comfy! We usually do WDW and this was more of a relaxing resort vacation. I am surprised though, we went to the parks every day at some point - for lunch and a ride or two, or evening entertainment and rides. It worked out great for us and our 5 sixteen to twenty-six-year-old kids. You will most certainly enjoy your stay!

 

[ACDSNY]

You'll love the VGC with your little ones as it's so quick to go back for naps. Have a wonderful trip. We miss you by a day, as we check out on 1/23.

 

[kerickson]

We plan on staying the entire time at the Disneyland Resort area. We won't be renting a car. We have 2 little ones, so we will be taking it SLOW. We like to head to the parks for rope drop until around noon. Then nap a bit, and then hit the parks again. Because we'll be there for a week, and there are only 2 parks, we won't feel the need to be so "commando" like we usually are.

Our first family trip a few years ago with two little ones we stayed offsite and did it commando style and didn't start repeating attractions until day 5. Now we stay at VGC and prefer your more relaxed approach. We head into DL or DCA until about 1pm, head back to VCG for lunch, pool, naps. Last time the park closed at 8pm most nights so we didn't make it back. Instead we watched free movies in the room and enjoyed parades/shows from our DCA view balcony! The last night we stayed in DL until 10:30pm to enjoy the fireworks. This will be our routine from now on.

The pool chaise loungers are awesome - so comfy!

We loved the pool loungers so much that last summer we went and bought similar ones for our pool. Now we feel like we are at VGC every day!