Newbie trying to figure it all out - VGC??

[HIRyeDVC]

Because I'm antsy and just dreaming of our future trips....I've come up with more questions.

When we stayed at the Grand Californian in February, we didn't have a car. Next time, we plan to drive so we'll need to park. I was looking at the map on google and wondering...is that the only parking lot for the hotel? It seems really small.

View attachment 746253

actually, I parked at the Paradise Pier hotel parking, not DLH.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We don't leave much once we're there. But we will definitely make a Target/grocery run after getting checked in, at least. Though I am thinking about getting some groceries delivered this time maybe. Or at least the heavy bottled water so we don't have to schlep that from the parking lot. But I prefer to pick out our own produce so some sort of grocery run will be needed. We will likely eat most breakfasts in the room. Is everyone going to look at us funny for hauling in our own food/water?? We normally stay off-site and just park right in front of our room so this will be different, for sure.

 

[Chili327]

When we stayed at the Grand Californian in February, we didn't have a car. Next time, we plan to drive so we'll need to park. I was looking at the map on google and wondering...is that the only parking lot for the hotel? It seems really small.

I think there is an underground lot for VGC... no.?

 

[ClaraOswald]

I think there is an underground lot for VGC... no.?

Maybe. But I wonder if it's for anyone or just valet or staff?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I think there is an underground lot for VGC... no.?

Maybe. But I wonder if it's for anyone or just valet or staff?

There's a parking garage off to the side of the main entrance but it's only for valet. All self-parking is across the street.

 

[AZMermaid]

That lot you see at the hotel- I think that is Valet, or maybe disability parking. All guest parking is at PPH. There might be a garage- my husband always drops us and all our junk off and goes and parks the car. Sometimes we let bell services bring it up and sometimes we just do it ourselves. One thing is you need a room key to get in the walkway. You can do it on your phone.... but my husband forgot last time to connect his account to the reservation. Luckily the CM believed him. I bet it happens a lot.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Maybe there's a temporary lot near the front for people to park while checking in?? If my husband drops us off before we check-in, how the heck would he be able to get back to us since we wouldn't have a room key yet?

We've never used bell services. Do they bring your bags up right away or is there a wait?

 

[limace]

We have never had a problem finding a parking spot. You pull up, leave car there while you check in, unload etc and then one person parks the car. It’s easy.

 

[AZMermaid]

Maybe there's a temporary lot near the front for people to park while checking in?? If my husband drops us off before we check-in, how the heck would he be able to get back to us since we wouldn't have a room key yet?

We've never used bell services. Do they bring your bags up right away or is there a wait?

No- they leave the car in the pull through. I am not actually sure if you can leave it there while checking in- sometimes the line is super long. Maybe they tell you to pull it forward. We now check in online and use the app for the room key until we see a short line in the lobby and then go get hard keys. If the room is ready- you can go straight there with your phone and he can use his phone at the gate after he parks the car. If it's not ready yet... I think the app key would still work at the gate, but I am not actually sure.

If your room is ready- yes they bring it pretty quickly. Like within 10-20 minutes or so. If you check in and the room is not ready (say before 4) and they are holding them while you do other things (parks, pool, DTD, eating).... it can take a bit longer once you call- maybe 30 minutes.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Maybe there's a temporary lot near the front for people to park while checking in?? If my husband drops us off before we check-in, how the heck would he be able to get back to us since we wouldn't have a room key yet?

We've never used bell services. Do they bring your bags up right away or is there a wait?

It depends on what time you arrive. Usually you call them once you check in and get to your room.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Because I'm antsy and just dreaming of our future trips....I've come up with more questions.

When we stayed at the Grand Californian in February, we didn't have a car. Next time, we plan to drive so we'll need to park. I was looking at the map on google and wondering...is that the only parking lot for the hotel? It seems really small.

View attachment 746253

What’s the over/under on you booking a trip with your new points in 2023!

I foresee a Dec Grand Cal weekend trip in your future!

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Maybe there's a temporary lot near the front for people to park while checking in?? If my husband drops us off before we check-in, how the heck would he be able to get back to us since we wouldn't have a room key yet?

We've never used bell services. Do they bring your bags up right away or is there a wait?

yes, there is a small temporarily lot where you can park while you're checking in

 

[CarolynFH]

Is everyone going to look at us funny for hauling in our own food/water??

I doubt it. VGC guests have been bringing groceries in for years.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We have never had a problem finding a parking spot. You pull up, leave car there while you check in, unload etc and then one person parks the car. It’s easy.

No- they leave the car in the pull through. I am not actually sure if you can leave it there while checking in- sometimes the line is super long. Maybe they tell you to pull it forward. We now check in online and use the app for the room key until we see a short line in the lobby and then go get hard keys. If the room is ready- you can go straight there with your phone and he can use his phone at the gate after he parks the car. If it's not ready yet... I think the app key would still work at the gate, but I am not actually sure.

If your room is ready- yes they bring it pretty quickly. Like within 10-20 minutes or so. If you check in and the room is not ready (say before 4) and they are holding them while you do other things (parks, pool, DTD, eating).... it can take a bit longer once you call- maybe 30 minutes.

Ah, I didn't know we could leave our car in the pull through when checking in. Last time, even though there wasn't a line, check-in did take us a little while.

Have you had success with getting room requests and using the online check-in? I know there aren't tons of rooms so we won't be super picky so maybe it doesn't matter much anyway.

What’s the over/under on you booking a trip with your new points in 2023!

I foresee a Dec Grand Cal weekend trip in your future!

I wish! I don't think there will be studio availability in December so we should be safe...ha! Plus, my husband really wants to drive and we can't pull our son out of school for that many days in December (we take 3 days to drive each way.)

 

[AZMermaid]

Have you had success with getting room requests and using the online check-in? I know there aren't tons of rooms so we won't be super picky so maybe it doesn't matter much anyway.

I use the Chat feature on the DVC website to add in a request. It is easier than calling! If you do that- don't make any additional during online check in- it will override the original request. I am not sure there are even options during VGC check in.
But yeah- with so few rooms, I know it is just a request. But I have gotten it more often than not.

 

[kboo]

Is everyone going to look at us funny for hauling in our own food/water?? We normally stay off-site and just park right in front of our room so this will be different, for sure.

LOL no. I'm more a WDW person and every trip I say I will cook more (we are usually in 1-2br units now) and I always get a grocery delivery, and every trip I cook less and less.

Another thing to consider - we have some Brita filter water bottles that we carry and refill. There are lots of water stations throughout, and with a bottle that filters the water you can refill pretty much anywhere. (and I will get cups of ice to make it cold too)

 

[HIRyeDVC]

So the biggest negatIve of VGC is that there is no refillable mug station. It’s a travesty. I wonder if VDH will have them.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah, at WDW we always liked grabbing hot chocolate in our mugs at the end of the day.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Yeah, at WDW we always liked grabbing hot chocolate in our mugs at the end of the day.

at Aulani, I wear my mug like a necklace. I even wear it in my sleep.....

 

[ClaraOswald]

We did stop and get hot chocolate in the lobby one night but it ended up being WAY too chocolatey. So the next night we stopped at Craftsman for their hot chocolate. It's just the powder in the machine like at a gas station. But...it must have been all out because we just got hot water. So disappointing. We did manage to get some from there another night though.

But yeah...nightly 'free' hot chocolate would be better.

Great...now I'm craving hot chocolate.