Live from VGC! Checked in to GCH yesterday!

[dvcaddict!]

Good Morning Everybody! today is opening day and i am really excited. It is 730 in the morning right now and they are having a private opening ceremony at the pool area from the pictures with all the disney "suits". There is lots of food and drinks for all of them and the main disney big wigs are here, including our own Jim Lewis(President of DVC). They are doing a golden ribbon cutting ceremony and mickey was supposed to help but didn't show up : / They are letting all the cast members tour the rooms before opening them to the public today, so they are telling us check in is at 4p. At the beginning of the ceremony, a lady sang a song about the villas and cast members waved butterfly flags and dvc flags from all the balconies. I will post later and put more pics up when we check in. Bye

 

[mamilovesdisney]

Are there going to be any special events going on today for the Grand Opening. I am more than willing to ditch work

 

[dvcaddict!]

Yay, thanks for posting them. These shots look nice. What do the banners say? Something about the villas, but it's not very clear.

The banners just say The Villas at the Grand Californian Grand Opening. Pretty nice.

 

[DenLo]

Really, you can't get into the building until your 4 PM check-in? No DVC members for the grand opening? I think I'm missing something here?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Really, you can't get into the building until your 4 PM check-in? No DVC members for the grand opening? I think I'm missing something here?

Heck - we're just temporary owners of it for the next 50 or so years. Why should we get invited?!?!?

 

[TLPL]

Do they have crazy pin traders lining up for hours to get the LE opening day pin there also?

 

[disney4metoo]

Really, you can't get into the building until your 4 PM check-in? No DVC members for the grand opening? I think I'm missing something here?

Me too! No VGC owners either! Check in should be earlier for the first day!

 

[kerickson]

Really, you can't get into the building until your 4 PM check-in? No DVC members for the grand opening? I think I'm missing something here?

Did BLT members participate in the BLT ribbon cutting ceremony? If yes then I agree it's strange...

 

[dvcaddict!]

We have finally checked in at the Villas at the Grand!!! They had told us the room wouldnt be ready till 4 but we got a text message at noon that it was ready We are in room number 4516 and it is a studio. It is so nice. Everything smells so new and looks so perfect. We have a theme park view that looks out at Grizzly Peak and Tower of Terror. It looks directly into the brother bear play area. We are on the fourth floor and it seems like the best views would be from the third floor up for park views from our point of view. The observation deck is open and is located on the sixth floor. It offers the best view possible of all of california adventure. The rooms facing paradise pier area of the park are awesome, especially when the construction is complete for world of color and the little mermaid. Included are photos of our studio room and the view from our balcony.

 

[wdw4life]

Are there going to be any special events going on today for the Grand Opening. I am more than willing to ditch work

There is a wine and cheese party tonight from 6-8. You have to RSVP for it though.

 

[disney4metoo]

There is a wine and cheese party tonight from 6-8. You have to RSVP for it though.

Thanks for the update! How did you find out about the wine and cheese at check in? Is there going to be any festivities through the weekend?

 

[wdw4life]

Thanks for the update! How did you find out about the wine and cheese at check in? Is there going to be any festivities through the weekend?

You would think they would have told me at check in but no. I only found out because I asked at the DVC desk in the lobby if they were having any festivities. He didn't mention anything other than the party tonight, but maybe they will be doing it through the weekend.

 

[disney4metoo]

You would think they would have told me at check in but no. I only found out because I asked at the DVC desk in the lobby if they were having any festivities. He didn't mention anything other than the party tonight, but maybe they will be doing it through the weekend.

I hope so, I am ready! Let the festivities began!

 

[twinklebug]

OMG - OK, now I know I have to visit... it looks and feels like home just form your pics

... and the view from your balcony... *sigh*

Can you get some night pics? Pretty Please?

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

Woo Hoo! What a great experience for you to be the first!

The view is very different than the pool/park view we've had when staying at the Grand Californian the past few years. You have quite a bit more of the side of the park away from California Screamin!

I didn't realize that the pool/jacuzzi would be added right next to the existing pools. Makes sense though now that I think about how they had the construction fencing up and the way it looks all together!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and all the great pictures! Have a great stay!

How much longer until April 12?

 

[DenLo]

Our first view! Thanks for sharing your photos. Have a wonderful stay!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Love the pictures! We'll be staying in a studio in February so I was especially excited to see those. The theme park views are going to rock when World of Color is showing!

 

[disneydawn6]

Is there a free laundry for DVC'ers in a studio?

 

[BigEeyore]

WOW! The studio is beautiful and roomy, and what an amazing view! Hope you are having a great time!
What is the estimated completion date for World of Color and the other planned expansions?

 

[SoCalKDG]

WOW! The studio is beautiful and roomy, and what an amazing view! Hope you are having a great time!
What is the estimated completion date for World of Color and the other planned expansions?

May 2010 for WOC, 2011 for Little Mermaid (plus new Star Tours at DL by this time as well), and 2012 for Carsland(includes 3 new rides).