My List of positives for VGC (updated since we are now owners!)

[dwelty]

Ever heard of "June Gloom?" June is usually cloudy and often rainy. This is not the hot, Florida rain, but often a cold rain. We tend to avoid Disneyland in June.

I dissagree with this statement. Having grown up in Cerritos, CA 15 min from Disneyland. "June Gloom" Means cloudy mornings that burn off into hazy sunshine in the afternoon. There is no rain. You can look at the rainfall stats for Anaheim to back that up.

 

[dwelty]

I have to say the Weather is a big thing for us. We like to take vacations during the summer and WDW is out for us due to the high humidity. True it can get warm in SoCal in the summer, but NOTHING like the swealtering humidity of Orlando. Great thing is it always cools off in the evening. We have been there in August and had to put sweaters on the kids while they were waiting for the electrical parade. This would not be a concern in Orlando in August.

 

[stopher1]

And I'm getting more excited about that rooftop viewing area for World of Color... I think what I'll have to do one time is have my DW get seats (or however they're going to do it) on the viewing platform and I'll run over to DL and get a Dole Whip - and with all the will power in the world - walk back to the viewing area without eating more than a bite and savor it during that new show... yeah, right, something tells me that whip won't make it that far without eating more than just one bite - I do so love Dole Whips!

Maybe we need to encourage the good folks at the GC to start selling the whips too... even sell them down by the kids watching area...maybe they could even change the name of the kids center from Pinocchio's Workshop (or whatever it is) to Adventureland Outpost or something like that - working with kids in volunteer settings at church I would say it probably would be appropos in the paid staff's minds

 

[justkeepswimmin]

There are plenty of reasons to go to WDW, but NOT because of the churros! We can't figure out how they did it, but they are not good!!! They have plenty of other great food, but you've got to get churros at DL.

Katrina

So true! In general, I find the food at WDW to be be better than at DL but the WDW churros DO NOT compare to the ones in DL! Hmm...superior corn dogs and churros-seems like I will need to update the list of VGC positives .

 

[justkeepswimmin]

You are entirely correct!! This thread just cemented it further into my brain, lol. My daughter leaves for wdw in a few hours and I leave on the 14th. On the 18th we have a meeting with our guide set up as we are fairly certain we are going to add on!!
TIA

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[LIFERBABE]

open..open..open...That's me "patiently" waiting for my Guide to shower, get dressed, go in to work, retrieve her countless voicemails from her week away from work, and CALL ME!

I never thought I would be so excited about adding on at Disneyland, but after our third trip there just last weekend, we realized how much we enjoy the resort, and it will feel MUCH more like a resort when the villas open.

We live in Dallas, so another advantage for us is pretty much equal proximity between WDW and DL. Choices. Gotta love that!

Oh, and the fact that DL has those heavenly corn dogs that WDW doesn't. That, alone, is worth the trip!

Us too! We are in Fort Worth We must have the same guide also!

oh! Will VGC have concierge?
I really liked DLR and the weather was gorgeous. There is so much to do in that area also. I like the idea of having a West Coast base.

Have to try the corn dogs next trip!

 

[DVC Mike]

I have to say the Weather is a big thing for us. We like to take vacations during the summer and WDW is out for us due to the high humidity. True it can get warm in SoCal in the summer, but NOTHING like the swealtering humidity of Orlando.

Same here. Having VGC means I can schedule Disney trips during our WDW off-season (June-Sept).

 

[SoCalKDG]

You are entirely correct!! This thread just cemented it further into my brain, lol. My daughter leaves for wdw in a few hours and I leave on the 14th. On the 18th we have a meeting with our guide set up as we are fairly certain we are going to add on!!
Can anyone tell me how far the DTD entrance from GCV is to disneyland? I only entered the Grand Californian from the park, to eat at Napa Rose (which was fabulous) and the counter service rest. (can't remember the name, but loved it). TIA

3-5 minutes max.

 

[kerickson]

Us too! We are in Fort Worth We must have the same guide also!

oh! Will VGC have concierge?
I really liked DLR and the weather was gorgeous. There is so much to do in that area also. I like the idea of having a West Coast base.

Have to try the corn dogs next trip!

No, VGC will not have concierge.

 

[tjkraz]

Here's the lay of the land for anyone who may be curious:

Yellow = Disneyland
Blue = Disney's California Adventure
Green = Grand Californian. Approximate location of Villa wing is solid green box. Notice how it is right up against DCA
Disneyland Hotel = Red
Paradise Pier = Pink
Downtown Disney = Orange

And I also included two purple lines showing the access paths to the two theme parks from the Grand Californian. GC to DCA is nothing...it's like walking to a hotel restaurant or the gift shop. GC to DL is 5 minutes tops. It's a short trip through the tail end of Downtown Disney (past their "World of Disney" shop) and through the entrance plaza.

 

[trampslady]

Us too! We are in Fort Worth We must have the same guide also!

oh! Will VGC have concierge?
I really liked DLR and the weather was gorgeous. There is so much to do in that area also. I like the idea of having a West Coast base.

Have to try the corn dogs next trip!

Just spoke with my guide, Michelle, a couple of hours ago. I just love her!

Yes, we are in Dallas, and I really never thought we'd be so interested in Disneyland, but we really have enjoyed our visits, and it will be so nice to have the villa amenity after a day in the parks.

Unfortunately, I don't think the villas will have the concierge perk, but I'm anxious to try it at AKV ASAP!

 

[WDWfantasy]

Here's the lay of the land for anyone who may be curious:

Yellow = Disneyland
Blue = Disney's California Adventure
Green = Grand Californian. Approximate location of Villa wing is solid green box. Notice how it is right up against DCA
Disneyland Hotel = Red
Paradise Pier = Pink
Downtown Disney = Orange

And I also included two purple lines showing the access paths to the two theme parks from the Grand Californian. GC to DCA is nothing...it's like walking to a hotel restaurant or the gift shop. GC to DL is 5 minutes tops. It's a short trip through the tail end of Downtown Disney (past their "World of Disney" shop) and through the entrance plaza.

On all of our stays at GCH we have never been able to use that gate near the WOD store. It is always closed and locked. You have to exit out GCH near the conference room area and go through a breezeway. You come out between the old Libby Lu store (now vacant) and the Sephora Store. Am I missing out on some secret way to access entry by WOD?? Thanks for posting the photo

 

[tjkraz]

On all of our stays at GCH we have never been able to use that gate near the WOD store.

You're probably right. I couldn't tell exactly where the entrance was located from that overhead shot. It's in that general area somewhere.

 

[stopher1]

You're probably right. I couldn't tell exactly where the entrance was located from that overhead shot. It's in that general area somewhere.

It's just to the right of where the curved buildings are (near the G dot marker), where your orange and green lines turn to go south...

 

[dcfromva]

Am I missing out on some secret way to access entry by WOD?? Thanks for posting the photo

We've taken the stairs down from that wing (from the 4th floor) and it dumps you out near the WOD store, but the door locks and you can't get back in that
way....

 

[justkeepswimmin]

We've taken the stairs down from that wing (from the 4th floor) and it dumps you out near the WOD store, but the door locks and you can't get back in that
way....

Okay, we stayed in this wing and tried to get out this way but my oldest dd, who is a bit of a rule follower, was all paranoid that we were not supposed to be going out this way so we turned back. Is this an "official" exit? I too have tried the door back in but it was always locked.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Here's the lay of the land for anyone who may be curious:

Yellow = Disneyland
Blue = Disney's California Adventure
Green = Grand Californian. Approximate location of Villa wing is solid green box. Notice how it is right up against DCA
Disneyland Hotel = Red
Paradise Pier = Pink
Downtown Disney = Orange

And I also included two purple lines showing the access paths to the two theme parks from the Grand Californian. GC to DCA is nothing...it's like walking to a hotel restaurant or the gift shop. GC to DL is 5 minutes tops. It's a short trip through the tail end of Downtown Disney (past their "World of Disney" shop) and through the entrance plaza.

Thanks for this post tjkraz! I cannot wait to stay in the big green rectangle with a fresh churro in hand! The churro cart set up near the Redwood Creek Challenge trail is just as convienient as any WDW resort quick service IMHO !

 

[dcfromva]

Okay, we stayed in this wing and tried to get out this way but my oldest dd, who is a bit of a rule follower, was all paranoid that we were not supposed to be going out this way so we turned back. Is this an "official" exit? I too have tried the door back in but it was always locked.

I figured it was official for folks who took the stairs.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

I figured it was official for folks who took the stairs.

You know, I am now wondering if we were using the wrong stairwell. The one we took was closer to the WOD entrance that is nearest DLH. I think the one everyone refers to is the one at the other WOD entrance, towards La Brea Bakery. I probably should have walked down to the end of our hall and took that set of stairs and it would have made more sense.

 

[dwelty]

Same here. Having VGC means I can schedule Disney trips during our WDW off-season (June-Sept).

Mike, this was our reasoning as well. It's a long strech from a may trip to an October trip. VGC solves that problem. Plus we can finally drive to a DVC resort instead of taking a 5 hour flight!