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

[justkeepswimmin]

(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!

Yeah! I will go look for them. Thanks! Did you enjoy it?

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

Thanks! I love those kind of details so I went a little crazy. Everything still felt so new. A couple drawers smelled as though they had never even been opened!

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!

You definitely should! DL is an amazing park and I cannot imagine a better way to experience it for the 1st time then with a stay at VGC. It is like sleeping in the parks.

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.

Your odds of 7 month bookings are pretty good right now. This last stay was total last minute and I had no problem getting in. I think that will change in a few years and especially with WOC opening but who knows. When are you going in December? We return Dec 6-9th, this time to a 2 bdrm lockoff with my parents. I predict a constant state of point borrowing in my future !

 

[peloha86]

I'm having isuues trying to load up the pics from the Disney Museum!
I'm not giving up...Maybe I just need some pixie dust...
I will figure this out!

The museum is so beautifully done. To me, it almost makes you feel like you're at Disneyland, then you look out the window and there's the Golden Gate Bridge. It really gives you an appreciation of what inspired Walt Disney and his passion for optimism.

I'll get back to you as soon I can!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Day 2-California Adventure -Note: All the good villa pics were taken on the 1st day, before our room got over run with all our stuff but took some park pics.

Neither park opened till 10 am on this day which at first I was a little disappointed about but actually ended up really enjoying taking it slow. My 2 year old made us all laugh because as soon as she woke up, we got her out of the pack n play and she immediately climbed into her stroller and proclaimed "Ride rides". I had to take a picture, it was too cute.

I spent the morning uploading pictures and drinking coffee out on the balcony. There was a lot of construction noise and activity in the morning but I didn't really care because I was just so happy to be there .


We did not make the private walk to the toy story ride that I found out about when we got back but we did ride soarin' and then stopped to pin trade at the entrance to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

After the girls swapped some pins, we made our way to the Toy Story ride. Even though the park had just opened, it had quite a line but the cue moved relatively fast and it was better than our FP wait for this ride back in March at WDW. Great ride. Love the Mr. Potato Head Guy!

Look out! 2 year old with a virtual paint canon!!

After Toy Story, my 4 year wanted to do Mullholland Madness as she was finally tall enough. Jon and I HATE this one but he was a good sport and went on it with them. The Villas are located pretty much behind Mullholland Madness. The WOC observation deck is clearly visible in this pic but look how close the exterior of the building is to the parks. Seriously, if that ride ever got stuck, you would be able to smell people grillin' burgers on those grills

While waiting for them to finish riding the chiropractor's job security plan (It is really that jerky), I took a shot of where our room was. We had left a pool towel hanging slightly on the right of the balcony. If you look at this pic, our room (3504) was in the first row of rooms w/ balconies immediately to the right of the lamp post and 4 down from the top.

Here is a close up with my somewhat limited Point & Shoot camera. Kinda cool that I could get THAT close to our room.

The kids did a few other things in the Paradise Pier area before we decided to take a break for lunch. Because the hotel was right there, the girls actually said they preferred to go back to the room and eat . We had some microwave friendly food available so our wallets were more than happy to oblige them. We did of course take a quick trip on the Grizzly River Run which is right next to the private entrance to the GC. That ride gets your seriously wet and there is nothing better than a quick walk, practically across from the ride to the entrance of your hotel. We were positively loving the convenience of our new DVC resort.

Within 5-10 minutes of getting off the ride, the kids were back in our studio relaxing while waiting for lunch. No long walk to the entrance or a parked car, no trams or busses or boats to wait for. If you have not been to DLR, this is the intimacy and convenience that will make you fall in love with Walt's 1st park.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

I'm having isuues trying to load up the pics from the Disney Museum!
I'm not giving up...Maybe I just need some pixie dust...
I will figure this out!

The museum is so beautifully done. To me, it almost makes you feel like you're at Disneyland, then you look out the window and there's the Golden Gate Bridge. It really gives you an appreciation of what inspired Walt Disney and his passion for optimism.

I'll get back to you as soon I can!

No worries! Sounds wonderful. I think I am going to plan a SF trip in the next couple years and that will be a must do! Have a great night!

 

[BigEeyore]

Thanks for a great update!
Does that Mulholland Madness ride make enough noise to be a problem for hotel guests? It looks similar to Primeval Whirl at AK, and that is a pretty noisy attraction!

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Within 5-10 minutes of getting off the ride, the kids were back in our studio relaxing while waiting for lunch. No long walk to the entrance or a parked car, no trams or busses or boats to wait for.

We did "commando style" park visits at WDW two years ago, with our (then younger) kids...it didn't work out so well!

At DLR, we can go back and forth to and from the hotels and DD so easily, and even park-hop several times a day (which we did frequently on our last trip!)

With DVC, annual passes, and the close proximity to the parks, we feel no need to rush!

 

[peloha86]

Preview of Disney Museum pics...Working on info, etc...Will post under "Disneyland"
then "California and the West"...

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found the pixie dust!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

After Toy Story, my 4 year wanted to do Mullholland Madness as she was finally tall enough. Jon and I HATE this one but he was a good sport and went on it with them. The Villas are located pretty much behind Mullholland Madness. The WOC observation deck is clearly visible in this pic but look how close the exterior of the building is to the parks. Seriously, if that ride ever got stuck, you would be able to smell people grillin' burgers on those grills

While waiting for them to finish riding the chiropractor's job security plan (It is really that jerky), I took a shot of where our room was. We had left a pool towel hanging slightly on the right of the balcony. If you look at this pic, our room (3504) was in the first row of rooms w/ balconies immediately to the right of the lamp post and 4 down from the top.

Have to agree about Mullholland Madness. Way too jerky!!! My cute little DGD will want to ride it 4 or 5 times in a row. It makes me dizzy (not in a good way). Grandpa is too soft to tell her no.

 

[TMB1203]

This makes me want to go back to DL and stay there. It looks beautiful!
I LOVE the pool chairs at GC.
I have been trying to find something comparable for our house and can't find anything close to them.

 

[TLPL]

I am wondering what kind of DVC Merchandise they have to offer there? Any logo stuff?

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Preview of Disney Museum pics...Working on info, etc...Will post under "Disneyland"
then "California and the West"...

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found the pixie dust!

Thanks! These are great. What a view in that last one. Cannot wait to go here!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Thanks for a great update!
Does that Mulholland Madness ride make enough noise to be a problem for hotel guests? It looks similar to Primeval Whirl at AK, and that is a pretty noisy attraction!

You know, during the day, the sounds from the ride just sort of blended in with the atmosphere of the park so really, not too bad. I think the construction noise when the parks were closed was probably worse and less expected.

We did "commando style" park visits at WDW two years ago, with our (then younger) kids...it didn't work out so well!

At DLR, we can go back and forth to and from the hotels and DD so easily, and even park-hop several times a day (which we did frequently on our last trip!)

With DVC, annual passes, and the close proximity to the parks, we feel no need to rush!

I know! Isn't it great? My kids seemed less rundown this trip and I think the villas had a lot ot do with that.

Have to agree about Mullholland Madness. Way too jerky!!! My cute little DGD will want to ride it 4 or 5 times in a row. It makes me dizzy (not in a good way). Grandpa is too soft to tell her no.

Aw, you are a good grandpa! My 4 yr dd loves it so we each took a turn with her too but 4 or 5 times in a row, I am not sure I could do that!

This makes me want to go back to DL and stay there. It looks beautiful!
I LOVE the pool chairs at GC.
I have been trying to find something comparable for our house and can't find anything close to them.

They are heavenly. I think it is so cute to see people heading down to the pool in the GC robes and then plop down on one of those comfy chairs. It feels like a true resort.

I am wondering what kind of DVC Merchandise they have to offer there? Any logo stuff?

I bought a DVC window sticker for my car in the GC gift shop (Acorn I think) All the DVC stuff was very general, nothing specific to VGC yet . They also had coffee mugs, hats, t shirts and wind breakers with the DVC logo.

 

[VallCopen]

So I have to ask, if you had it to do over would you still pick the park view even with the construction going on? Is the view worth the noise or would you change your view? We are going in 3 weeks and have a 2 bedroom park view requested and I am trying to decide if we should switch to a pool view. We own a construction company (heavy equipment) and are use to the noise but we do like it more quiet at night (we live in the country and never hear outside noises). I have packed a noise maker that I use for my 2 year old, since I have a loud 12 year old, but will that be enough? What is your opinion? Thanks for the help.

 

[Longhairbear]

I am wondering what kind of DVC Merchandise they have to offer there? Any logo stuff?

We got good quality ballcaps with logo.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

So I have to ask, if you had it to do over would you still pick the park view even with the construction going on? Is the view worth the noise or would you change your view? We are going in 3 weeks and have a 2 bedroom park view requested and I am trying to decide if we should switch to a pool view. We own a construction company (heavy equipment) and are use to the noise but we do like it more quiet at night (we live in the country and never hear outside noises). I have packed a noise maker that I use for my 2 year old, since I have a loud 12 year old, but will that be enough? What is your opinion? Thanks for the help.

You know, the only time it really bothered me was in the morning. I like to sit out on the balcony and drink my coffee and all that construction activity did not make this very peaceful. I am still debating requesting the view again for this very reason. At night, it is truly spectacular to look at but in the day time it was harder to forget you were basically overlooking a construction site. If you are used to peace and quiet at night, I imagine the pool view would be lovely. I also think the rooms facing Grizzly peak/ Redwood Creek Challenge Trail may be quieter. I have read reports of hearing the owl sounds and things that they pump into that area. The 518 dedicated 2 bdrms would face this area as well as 514/516 if you have a 2 bdrm lock off.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

So I have to ask, if you had it to do over would you still pick the park view even with the construction going on? Is the view worth the noise or would you change your view? We are going in 3 weeks and have a 2 bedroom park view requested and I am trying to decide if we should switch to a pool view. We own a construction company (heavy equipment) and are use to the noise but we do like it more quiet at night (we live in the country and never hear outside noises). I have packed a noise maker that I use for my 2 year old, since I have a loud 12 year old, but will that be enough? What is your opinion? Thanks for the help.

I'm not going to be able to go until next spring, but I have a feeling the the pool / grizzly peak view will end up being my favorite even after the construction is done. Can't wait to be able to go and start living the magic in person. I sure appreciate all of the photos and TRs that are being posted on the boards! Thanks again to everyone.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

I'm not going to be able to go until next spring, but I have a feeling the the pool / grizzly peak view will end up being my favorite

I'd have to say, the pool view is very nice too, and a bit more peacefull...at night the pools are lighted, and it's a really nice, serene view, and a bit more quiet.

The I've only seen the challenge trail view in pictures, but even THAT looks nice (trees), with recorded hoot-owls sounds playing (at least that's what I've heard).

We go back for 3 nights in late January, and although I will PROBABLY request a PP view room, I would be happy with almost any room at the GCV!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

After an 1 hour or so of downtime my older girls were getting antsy and since our 2 year old was taking a good nap, I decided to take them down to DCA and to what I refer to as the hotel playground "Redwood Creek Challenge Trail". Much like GRR, this attraction is very close to the GC private entrance. I would bet it is actually closer to the Villas than some of the main pools at some of the more spread out DVC properties at WDW. The theming is extraordinary. Peaceful, rustic music, owl hoots and trees and foliage that make you feel like you are in a national park. In addition to the traditional rope climbing structures, there are also CM supervised activities including the very fun Smoke Jumps.

My 4 yr old dd was actually tall enough for these this trip so here are pics of her 1st run

She hung on for dear life but she LOVED it!

Another CM supervised activity is the rock climbing area, which is really more for little kids in difficulty but my oldest still had fun.

I love this playground and I could easily see myself or my dh taking the girls down here to kill an hour while one of us prepares dinner. The 2 bears from Brother Bear also make the rounds here every hour or so and there are some other theming elements from this movie that the girls enjoy. To me, this beautiful play area is yet another amenity of the the Villas and the theming really suits the hotel.

 

[VallCopen]

Justkeepswimmin and Grumpy Grandpa thanks for the advice. Since I only sit on the balconey at night (not a coffee or morning person) and the views are so spectacular at night, I am going to stay with the PP view (no guarantee anyway). I am hoping the noise at night isn't to bad with the door shut though???? We just got word from my brother tonight that my 12 year old nephew can go with us, and this will be his first trip to Disney and maybe last for some time so I thought he would love to see the PP view at night. Oh how difficult, peaceful view, lovely view or awesome view??? Thanks again!! I will let you all know in about 5 weeks what we chose and got....

 

[Fellowship9798]

My 4 yr old dd was actually tall enough for these this trip so here are pics of her 1st run

She hung on for dear life but she LOVED it!

My family took advantage of this VGC "play area" and DS4 also did Smoke Jumpers. We nearly had a heart attack as he hit the end of the line and swung around like a crazy pendulum, nearly falling off but he held on and made it through safely.