Live from VGC! Checked in to GCH yesterday!

[kerickson]

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).

I thought WOC was March 2010? Am I mistaken or has this changed? We are going end of April and I thought it was going to be running by then...

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Kerickson - I hope you are right and that WOC will open in March. My first visit home will end of March beginning of April. I am looking forward to the new show being a part of my first visit home.

Dvcaddict - Thanks for the posts and the pics!

 

[kerickson]

Kerickson - I hope you are right and that WOC will open in March. My first visit home will end of March beginning of April. I am looking forward to the new show being a part of my first visit home.

Looking at the DCA Expansion tracker on Miceage, the projection was that the lake would be filled around Sept 9 with WOC opening March 2010. I think the new date to fill the lake is Oct? so that might mean a delay to the opening date. I'm hoping they will try to get it up by Spring Break though...

 

[pycees312]

thank you so much for the pics. This makes me want to book a quick trip just because...

 

[ebr@vgc]

per the dvc host in the gch lobby, there will be receptions held on saturday and sunday from 6-8 pm at the grand villa. we attended last night. giveaways included: dvc backpack, ground breaking commemorative shovel ornament, dvc luggage tags. mickey and minnie in attendance. wine, beer, soft drinks, cheese, fruit.

as for opening day buttons and such, the cast members are wearing commemorative buttons with a depiction of the hotel. they're not for sale but someone mentioned there might be some available at the front desk. there is a limited edition grand opening pin depicting the hotel and chip & dale for sale. it seems to be sold out at most pin locations but we found one by the pin shop near the monorail.

 

[disney4metoo]

per the dvc host in the gch lobby, there will be receptions held on saturday and sunday from 6-8 pm at the grand villa. we attended last night. giveaways included: dvc backpack, ground breaking commemorative shovel ornament, dvc luggage tags. mickey and minnie in attendance. wine, beer, soft drinks, cheese, fruit.

as for opening day buttons and such, the cast members are wearing commemorative buttons with a depiction of the hotel. they're not for sale but someone mentioned there might be some available at the front desk. there is a limited edition grand opening pin depicting the hotel and chip & dale for sale. it seems to be sold out at most pin locations but we found one by the pin shop near the monorail.

The party is in a Grand Villa? How do we RSVP?

 

[ebr@vgc]

we rsvpd with the guide in the lobby. if you're at the resort i believe you can rsvp by dialing dvc2. or you can give your guide a call, i'm sure.

 

[disney4metoo]

per the dvc host in the gch lobby, there will be receptions held on saturday and sunday from 6-8 pm at the grand villa. we attended last night. giveaways included: dvc backpack, ground breaking commemorative shovel ornament, dvc luggage tags. mickey and minnie in attendance. wine, beer, soft drinks, cheese, fruit.

as for opening day buttons and such, the cast members are wearing commemorative buttons with a depiction of the hotel. they're not for sale but someone mentioned there might be some available at the front desk. there is a limited edition grand opening pin depicting the hotel and chip & dale for sale. it seems to be sold out at most pin locations but we found one by the pin shop near the monorail.

What was the view like in the Grand Villa?

 

[rmonty02]

I LOVE IT!! and want more

Thanks.

 

[ebr@vgc]

What was the view like in the Grand Villa?

it has a view of the pool.

 

[kerickson]

If I remember correctly one of our DIS friends is staying in a Grand Villa at opening, so they must have the PP view! Can't wait to hear/see more TRs!

Thanks to everyone onsite who has taken the time to post!

 

[ebr@vgc]

i can't post pics or links but if you look at dvdaddict's earlier pic post, you'll see one of the grand villas in the 2nd picture down. it's the long windows on the left side of the pic. i believe the other faces DCA.

 

[tallgalaz1]

Nice photos. Thank you for sharing.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Looking at the DCA Expansion tracker on Miceage, the projection was that the lake would be filled around Sept 9 with WOC opening March 2010. I think the new date to fill the lake is Oct? so that might mean a delay to the opening date. I'm hoping they will try to get it up by Spring Break though...

Agree. Looks like they are a month behind. Maybe middle of April.

 

[dvcaddict!]

Hey everyone!

So this is my second day in the villas at Grand Cal and things are just about perfect. They had a member gathering yesterday in the Grand Villa facing the mariposa pool and it was amazing. They spared no expense in there at all let me tell you. They gave away lots of DVC merchandise at the event including a backpack, little dvc shovel, and fancy luggage tags. Mickey and Minnie showed up as well and they had lots of snacks like wine and cheese and a chocolate cake with the Grand Cal villas art on it. It was a great event because it was just a member gethering. They werent trying to sell you anymore points or anything like that. The location of the villas is the best among all dvc resorts hands down. Its a five minute walk to DCA and Downtown Disney and a ten minute walk to Disneyland. We have a view on the side of the villas facing Grizzly Peak and Tower of Terror which is astounding. Depending on how high your room floor is you look down directly into the Brother Bear Redwood Trail play area. You are practically in the park. The paradise pier views are the best however looking DIRECTLY out onto World of Color. Once the water show is done, that view will directly challenge the BLT park view for best view in all of the Disney Vacation Club resorts. I will be posting a trip review as soon as I return home for everyone and will be happy to answer any questions about the villas before I leave. See you later....

 

[rmonty02]

Hey everyone!

So this is my second day in the villas at Grand Cal and things are just about perfect.

Sounds like you're having a great time. I'm totally jealous. I just have a couple of logistical questions. How did the parking work out? Is the free lot really out of the way? And did they have grocery items at White Water Snacks? Where they expensive?

Ride ToT en extra time for me Woo-hoo!

 

[disneydawn6]

Can you check and see if the landry room has free washers and dryers for DVC members? Thanks!

 

[ebr@vgc]

Sounds like you're having a great time. I'm totally jealous. I just have a couple of logistical questions. How did the parking work out? Is the free lot really out of the way? And did they have grocery items at White Water Snacks? Where they expensive?

Ride ToT en extra time for me Woo-hoo!

i know the question wasn't directed at me but i'll throw in my 2cents. parking is $17 for valet and free for self across the street. they will let you pull up to the porte-cochere to unload, check-in, etc and then you can drive your car across the street. it's about a 5 minute walk back and there is a walkway from the front of the building to just north of the dvc units so you don't have to go further north into the lobby to get to your room. even though parking is across the street, you need to pull up to the gate/kiosk at gch to get your parking permit. you're allowed two cars per reservation. parking was fairly ample. it's not ideal but it's doable.

groceries are available at white water. we purchased a little cup of cereal (fruit loops) for around $1.75. with milk it was $3.50 or so. they have eggs, milk, cheese, frozen pizzas. i think the pizzas (slightly larger than personal size) were about $7 or $8. probably better off ordering pizza from the many joints near dlr.

one more item of note: many, if not most, dvc member key cards were not reading at the pool gates. by the end of wednesday, guest services was handing out a separate pool key to dvc members. they were very aware of the problem but am unsure if the problem was fixed.

 

[dvcaddict!]

Can you check and see if the landry room has free washers and dryers for DVC members? Thanks!

Called the front desk and they said that the washer and dryer room was coin operated and that there is a machine that dispenses the coins in exchange for dollar bills. ill check down there later to see myself since it was closed opening day for some reason....

 

[ACDSNY]

This is so exciting to get our first glimpse of home. I can't wait for our visit in a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.