OMG!!! The Villas at GC!!!

[mrsw94]

I am jumping up and down with excitement!

We are going on a family vacation in October to the happiest place and my FIL just called and said we are staying in a 2 room Villa at the Grand Californian!

Apparently he found a broker of some sort and got a really amazing deal. We will be there Oct 13-19. Wow!!

Can anyone tell me what we can expect? I have NO idea!!

 

[Davids-Coco]

Here's a really long place to start... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2592085

It sounds like he found someone to rent points from. If it is a rental then there will not have daily housecleaning without paying extra. On the 17th, you will have trash service and given fresh towels. You will also get more shampoo stuffs that day. There is a vacuum if you need it.

There are floor plans out there and there are two different types of 2 bedrooms - one is a dedicated 2 bed with one door to the outside world. The second is a lock off room where there is an adjoining door between a 1 bed and a studio to make a 2 bedroom with two doors to the outside world. They are booked individually, so which one depends on the booking, not a request.

When staying as DVC, you still get the resort perks of any on-site guest. So early entry and use of the California Adventure turnstiles at the Grand are available too.

Have a great time. We arrive soon after you for our third trip in 365 days "home".

 

[mrsw94]

Here's a really long place to start... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2592085

It sounds like he found someone to rent points from. If it is a rental then there will not have daily housecleaning without paying extra. On the 17th, you will have trash service and given fresh towels. You will also get more shampoo stuffs that day. There is a vacuum if you need it.

There are floor plans out there and there are two different types of 2 bedrooms - one is a dedicated 2 bed with one door to the outside world. The second is a lock off room where there is an adjoining door between a 1 bed and a studio to make a 2 bedroom with two doors to the outside world. They are booked individually, so which one depends on the booking, not a request.

When staying as DVC, you still get the resort perks of any on-site guest. So early entry and use of the California Adventure turnstiles at the Grand are available too.

Have a great time. We arrive soon after you for our third trip in 365 days "home".

Thnaks so muhc. That is fabulous info. I'm guessing we'll find out the room number once my FIL finalized the reservation. At this point, we NEVER thought we'd be able to stay at the GCH, so adding the excitment of the Villa's has put us over the moon!

Thanks for the housekeeping info. My FIL rented a place in Lake Tahoe last Sept and they had a similar arrangement. Now we just have to decide how many days to get our tickets for! Our original plan was to spend 1 day at Knott's, but I think we may nix that plan!

 

[joelnkelly]

yep, sounds like you got a 2 bedroom villa in the DVC wing, we are going in June and staying in a 2 bedroom. Enjoy and remember to take care of the place as if it was your home.

 

[mrsw94]

yep, sounds like you got a 2 bedroom villa in the DVC wing, we are going in June and staying in a 2 bedroom. Enjoy and remember to take care of the place as if it was your home.

Absolutely!

 

[blackjackdelta]

. I'm guessing we'll find out the room number once my FIL finalized the reservation. !

Room number is finalized when you checkin unless it is a different system then the past.

Jack

 

[mrsw94]

Room number is finalized when you checkin unless it is a different system then the past.

Jack

That makes sense. At this point, they could give us the worst Villa in the place and we'd be thrilled!

 

[blackjackdelta]

That makes sense. At this point, they could give us the worst Villa in the place and we'd be thrilled!

You will absolutely love them.

Jack

 

[mrsw94]

You will absolutely love them.

Jack

Jack-any suggestions as to what we should make sure to do or see in the GCH? We've never stayed on property before only on hotel row across the street. We're traveling with a 4 &1/2 and 10 year old, so I know we'll spend some time at the pool!

 

[pixiewings71]

Jack-any suggestions as to what we should make sure to do or see in the GCH? We've never stayed on property before only on hotel row across the street. We're traveling with a 4 &1/2 and 10 year old, so I know we'll spend some time at the pool!

Well, I'm not Jack but......they have story time by the fireplace, ask the CM's for information, visit the pool for sure! They also have a piano player in the lobby, again, ask a CM for details. Just walk the hotel itself, the lobby, look up, go to the second floor and walk, then look down into the lobby. GCH is amazing!!!! It's beautiful, we go and sit in the lobby when we stay on "hotel row" or anywhere in Anaheim. The GCH also has a small bar, if you are so inclined you can get an adult beverage and take it into the lobby/seating area to enjoy, that's nice if you can time it with the piano player.

 

[Davids-Coco]

There will be a listing of activities for the hotel in the room when you get in. It isn't hard to get into any of them, so you should be able to do it. They do some early entry things with Build a Bear, Sephora and Ridemakers (I believe) if any of those are on your radar. There is a trail challenge, scavenger hunt, etc. I can't find my paperwork or else I would give you more specifics.

 

[mrsw94]

There will be a listing of activities for the hotel in the room when you get in. It isn't hard to get into any of them, so you should be able to do it. They do some early entry things with Build a Bear, Sephora and Ridemakers (I believe) if any of those are on your radar. There is a trail challenge, scavenger hunt, etc. I can't find my paperwork or else I would give you more specifics.

How GREAT!! We are driving down from the BAy Area and I have a feeling we'll be leaving bright and early to maximize our time!

Do we get early entry with our room? I know our passes will have one day, but I thought I'd heard that was different when you stayed 'on property'?

 

[Disney Dreams]

You will love The Grand Californian. DH and I live locally and we have done a "getaway" to the GCH a few times. We have a friend watch the pup, we tell everyone we are out of town, no one knows where we actually are, and we just enjoy wandering about the grounds at the GC and enjoying the evening and part of the next day at the Park. One of our favorite things to do is just as pixiewings said: Sit in the lobby and listen to the piano player play, people watch, and relax. It's a beautiful place.

Enjoy,
Dreams

 

[bumbershoot]

How GREAT!! We are driving down from the BAy Area and I have a feeling we'll be leaving bright and early to maximize our time!

Do we get early entry with our room? I know our passes will have one day, but I thought I'd heard that was different when you stayed 'on property'?

Yes, staying onsite gives you access to the Magic Mornings during your stay. If you guys get there on a MM day early enough (though that would require driving overnight or getting in the day before and staying somewhere else) you can take part in it, and on every other MM day (usually Sat Sun Tues Thurs), including your day of checkout, as well.


Definitely find out about the activities going on in the hotel, and try to spend some time in the lobby just relaxing. There's a TV in the corner of the lobby with kid-sized chairs, and they play classic Disney cartoons (same as at all Disney resorts I've been to so far), and I've never seen kids NOT bursting out laughing at those things...they are timeless! And give the kids something to do in the lobby while the parents sit with a glass of wine. I'm not a GCH-lover, but the lobby is quite nice (best part of the resort, IMO).

 

[nunzia]

They also have some sort of Tour..Art of the Craft? I'm not at home so don't have a Grand daily schedule handy..but it gives you info on how it was built in the craftsman style and I've heard it's really neat. Also..they have the powerwalk thing in DCA before it opens if one of you can get away. We spent some time in the Arcade this past trip and kids had fun, also don't forget Whitewater Snacks for quick meals and some grocery items (super exepensive) You can also order from a local gorcery store..Vons? and there is an ABC closeby and also Wonderland market for other grocery items and alcohol. I really love my second home and know you will too

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Congratulations on getting the villas. Here're a couple of links you might like to check out:

Enhance your stay at the Grand Californian Villas:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/grand-californian-hotel/grand.htm

Grand Adventures are available for guests of the Disneyland Resort hotels. Activities are free, unless otherwise noted. The schedule varies by day, but the activities can include:

Get Up & Go Power Walk - Walk while enjoying the sights and sounds of Disney California Adventure before opening.
Rise and Stretch with Pilates
The Beauty Studio at Sephora - Guests will receive a consultation of their choice with beauty expert, personal shopping time and a goodie bag. Nominal fee of $45, which will be placed on a gift card to be used towards a same-day, in-store purchase.
Be Your Own Super Star - Undergo a complete transformation at Disney Studio 365. Cost is $39.95.
Washcloth Creations - In-house experts from Housekeeping will show you how to make your very own rabbit or other creations out of a washcloth.
Build-A-Bear Workshop - Customize your own bear and have exclusive shopping time. Minimum $10 bear purchase required.
Learn to Draw Mickey Mouse Class
Art of the Craft Tour - A guided walking tour of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

http://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/resorts/grand-californian-villas/

 

[mrsw94]

Those look amazing! My DD10 might enjoy the make-over. We'll have to look into that for her.

DH came home tonight and said he wants to get a massage at the spa!!

 

[Susie63]

It is exciting isn't it!!!! Yay for the Villas. I have 10 months to go

 

[Nonsuch]

Here's a really long place to start... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2592085

Take some time to read this thread, it should answer many questions you might not have even thought to ask
If that's not enough, read the original owners thread

I would recommend making a view request in advance. The DVC owner must make the request to member services.

 

[jlmarr]

Apparently he found a broker of some sort and got a really amazing deal.

Please tell us about that broker and the deal.