Pics and Mini TR From our stay at a studio at VGC 9/29-10/2

[ccigliano]

Thanks so much for posting your trip. Living in NY, I have only been to DL twice, once as an overnight/1 park day trip from Palm Springs before the CA existed and the other after a business trip in LA and with a few days at the Paradise Pier Hotel. If only the DVC annual passes were good for both parks. Looking at where you're from (AZ) can I assume the DL is drivable for you? That would be great especially now that you own VGC. Thanks again.

 

[mcrabeck]

Loving your review! Thanks for all the great pictures

We are thinking of coming out to DL next summer, we were thinking of pairing it with the Grand Canyon or San Diego. How did you like your San Diego trip?

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Thanks so much for posting your trip. Living in NY, I have only been to DL twice, once as an overnight/1 park day trip from Palm Springs before the CA existed and the other after a business trip in LA and with a few days at the Paradise Pier Hotel. If only the DVC annual passes were good for both parks. Looking at where you're from (AZ) can I assume the DL is drivable for you? That would be great especially now that you own VGC. Thanks again.

Yes, it is a very manageable drive, 7-8 hrs, depending on traffic. We had been waiting for DVC on the West coast because we do not get to Orlando enough to justify ownership there. When VGC opened, it was a no brainer as we go to DL all the time and like to stay on property and the resort hotels at DL are expensive. Tack on 15% room tax and nightly resort fees and the savings were a no brainer.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Loving your review! Thanks for all the great pictures

We are thinking of coming out to DL next summer, we were thinking of pairing it with the Grand Canyon or San Diego. How did you like your San Diego trip?

We LOVE San Diego. We lived there for 3 years so it is familiar to us and this trip we did not even do Legoland/ Sea World/ Zoo (though those are fun) but instead spent time at the beach and took the kids to Old Town and Balboa Park. San Diego is one of my absolute favorite cities to visit any time of the year.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi! I am really enjoying your trip report. Thank you for sharing your photos with us. Your family is adorable. I can't believe the view you had from your room. Wow! I wonder how many studios have that view?

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Hi! I am really enjoying your trip report. Thank you for sharing your photos with us. Your family is adorable. I can't believe the view you had from your room. Wow! I wonder how many studios have that view?

The view was spectacular! From what I can tell by looking at the map, there are 3 studios that face Paradise Pier per floor on this side of the building but I think 3rd floor and up offers the best views and since the GV takes up 2 floors where a studio/ 1bdrm would be, the number is a little less. Just to warn people though, the construction noise on this side is noticeable and audible, even in the middle of the night. My dd was having trouble sleeping (not bc of the noise, at least I don't think that was why she was up but who knows ) so I was up often tending to her and heard a lot of activity outside. I may not request this view at christmas bc of this and aim for a more tranquil Grizzly Peak facing room as my parents are coming with us and are a little less noise tolerant. The Villas really did get choice placement at the hotel.

 

[podsnel]

Love your report and all the pics!! I am so happy for you, it sounds like you are truly going to enjoy being a DVC member. I know that feeling you were talking about- the one where you realize that this place is your new home that you will return to again and again to make memory after memory...awesome, isn't it?!

 

[BigEeyore]

Thanks for all the great pictures! Your pics really show how beautiful GCH is. You cannot beat that location! Love those pool chairs. Your daughters are really cute. Looking forward to more!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Excellent trip report, with fabulous photos! We are staying in a studio in February for my BIG birthday, and I will request your room for sure! World of Color should be getting ready for it's opening by then so I hope the construction will be a little less- but who knows. Either way that is the view I want! I LOVE the Paradise Pier view at night. Way better than the MK view at BLT, at least what I have seen so far.

Hoping with our stay to convince DH to add on at VGC!!!! It just looks amazing. I can't wait to find out more about those cabanas. Wow. And those pool chairs! How awesome is all that?!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Love your report and all the pics!! I am so happy for you, it sounds like you are truly going to enjoy being a DVC member. I know that feeling you were talking about- the one where you realize that this place is your new home that you will return to again and again to make memory after memory...awesome, isn't it?!

Yes, it is wonderful! This trip really did feel different for me. I think this is what people talk about when they refer to the emotional component of owning DVC that can not be quantified on any spreadsheet/ cost breakdown.

Thanks for all the great pictures! Your pics really show how beautiful GCH is. You cannot beat that location! Love those pool chairs. Your daughters are really cute. Looking forward to more!

Aw, thanks! Those pool chairs rock. Seriously, they are the best I ever encountered.

Excellent trip report, with fabulous photos! We are staying in a studio in February for my BIG birthday, and I will request your room for sure! World of Color should be getting ready for it's opening by then so I hope the construction will be a little less- but who knows. Either way that is the view I want! I LOVE the Paradise Pier view at night. Way better than the MK view at BLT, at least what I have seen so far.

Hoping with our stay to convince DH to add on at VGC!!!! It just looks amazing. I can't wait to find out more about those cabanas. Wow. And those pool chairs! How awesome is all that?!

Yes, I think the 502/504 series of studios/ 1 bdrms offer the best views of PP from 3rd floor on. I have seen some pictures from the studio/ 1 bdrm 508/510 location that is also on the PP side, and it also has a great view of the pier but the Mickey Wheel seems to be partially obstructed by the Golden Zephyr. With the lighting effects on the Mickey Wheel, I liked having a clear view of it. It was mesmerizing as others have said. According to the map, there is also a PP facing studio/ 1bdrm in units 520/ 522 but I have not seen any pics from these and as the top 2 floors of this location is the Grand Villa, I suspect only 1 or 2 of the units below this would afford a view of the pier.

I have a Feb birthday too! You lucky duck- I am dying to spend my bday at DL! VGC points would make a fantastic bday present, no?

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Aw, thanks! Those pool chairs rock. Seriously, they are the best I ever encountered.

I'll have to second that!

I can't believe how happy I am with the VGCs...they aren't perfect (*cough* parking *cough*), but, gosh, they have exceeded my expectations in so many ways...

 

[kid-at-heart]

Great job with the photos! I really appreciate you including the inside of drawers and closets. Love the pool chairs!

 

[Kris10luvsDisney]

Awesome trip report! Loved all of the pictures. We are going to San Diego in Feb. and are planning on a day trip to DL (it will be the first time there for all of us NY'ers!) and after seeing your TR, I may have to try to convince everyone to maybe try to stay overnight at GCV. It's so beautiful, and you are right on top of the parks!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

I have to agree with everyone else about your cute kids. You guys look like a nice family!

I'll have to second that!
I can't believe how happy I am with the VGCs...they aren't perfect (*cough* parking *cough*), but, gosh, they have exceeded my expectations in so many ways...

ITA! (even with the parentheses part).

 

[peloha86]

Oh cool! I love San Francisco and look forward to pictures of the new museum!

(I'm still learning the in's n out's of quoting on the dis boards...)

I have the pics of the Disney museum in San Francisco. I will be positing them here and in the Disboards under northern california adventures.

Again, great job with the details of the VGC!

 

[disneydawn6]

I also took the path that continued on from the grills and found that it lead to an emergency exit to the pool. Since there was a card reader at the gate, I did try and use it but my key did not open this gate.

I was there last weekend too and my key opened the gate to the pool. After the pool was closed however late at night, it did not open the door.

 

[disneymom8589]

Your TR and pictures are great! Thank for sharing all of the details of GCV! I only hope we can get in at the 7 month window some time! We're going to DLR in December, but staying off-site this time.

 

[disneydawn6]

We were your neighbors for a few days! Oct 1-4 in studio right down the hall 3510. It was a PP view but the building was blocking half of Mickeys wheel. The zephyr was also in front of it. Our friends however were on the 5th floor in a dedicated two bedroom right next to the elevator 5500 I think. They had a spectacular view of the whole park..... I wish I had taken lots of pictures like you But looking at yours makes me think of the wonderful time we had. We went to the first night of Mickeys Trick or Treat Party and had a wonderful time.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

I'll have to second that!

I can't believe how happy I am with the VGCs...they aren't perfect (*cough* parking *cough*), but, gosh, they have exceeded my expectations in so many ways...

I have to agree with everyone else about your cute kids. You guys look like a nice family!



ITA! (even with the parentheses part).

Isn't it nice when something exceeds your expectations (well with the exception of the parking issue, ITA that should be the same for us west coast DVCers )

 

[justkeepswimmin]

I also took the path that continued on from the grills and found that it lead to an emergency exit to the pool. Since there was a card reader at the gate, I did try and use it but my key did not open this gate.

I was there last weekend too and my key opened the gate to the pool. After the pool was closed however late at night, it did not open the door.

Hmm..good to know. Maybe my key wasn't active yet or I could have inserted it incorrectly. I get confused about where we can exit and enter because just about every entry point but the main one says "emergency exit" but everyone uses them anyway . We cut across the pool frequently to get to the private DCA gate. Made that walk even better

We were your neighbors for a few days! Oct 1-4 in studio right down the hall 3510. It was a PP view but the building was blocking half of Mickeys wheel. The zephyr was also in front of it. Our friends however were on the 5th floor in a dedicated two bedroom right next to the elevator 5500 I think. They had a spectacular view of the whole park..... I wish I had taken lots of pictures like you But looking at yours makes me think of the wonderful time we had. We went to the first night of Mickeys Trick or Treat Party and had a wonderful time.

How funny! I KNEW other DISers had to be there. we so wanted to go to the Halloween Party but it had sold out. Glad you guys had fun. I thought the 510 series of room had some partial obstruction of the Mickey wheel but that 5th floor view sounds lovely. Did you guys enjoy the villas?