Questions for VGC opening guest

[funatdisney]

Went to the Acorn Gift Shop. There was a small section devoted to DVC merchandise. Things like DVC cups and shirts.

 

[funatdisney]

Here are some pics of the pool area:

Here is the hot tub:

The cabanas:

 

[funatdisney]

I was getting ready to cook dinner and found this:

Thought it cool to find wine glasses.

Also, just a note, the pots and pans are in a drawer just below the oven. Took me a while to find them!
Now on to dinner.

 

[kikiq]

Oh, thank you for all the pics. It's so nice to see the room views. Made my day after standing in a NO ac room teaching! Can't wait for my birthday visit.

 

[disney4metoo]

I was getting ready to cook dinner and found this:

Thought it cool to find wine glasses.

Also, just a note, the pots and pans are in a drawer just below the oven. Took me a while to find them!
Now on to dinner.

Thank you so much for the pictures! I am so excited beyond belief!

How is the kitchen stocked?

 

[disney4metoo]

Great view dvcaddict1!

We will be going to the Member reception at 6pm. Until then we are planning on hanging out in out room. Thia trip is not a park trip. This trip is devoted to our new home! Hope to meet other DISboard folks this evening.


I was able to go and get a quick bite to eat at Whitewater Snacks. There was frozen pizzas, lasagna and macaroni and cheese in the freezer. There was a small (very small) section fr selling dry goods like peanut butter and jelly. In the refrigerator section was milk, dozen eggs and other items for sale.

I am planning to cook dinner in our room tonight. We will have tri-tip pieces, baked potatoes and sour dough Mickey from DCA. Our very first home cooked meal in room 5502!

Wow, I am so excited for you!

 

[funatdisney]

Just got back from the Member Gathering. And what a gathering it was. It was held in one of the two grand villas. Wine and cheese was served with a chocolate cake. Got to meet lots of DVC members. Here are some pics of the grand villa:
This is one of the bedrooms located on the second floor of the grand villa. There is a mirror of this bedroom on the other side of this floor. In between these rooms is a play room with a pool table

Here is the kitchen. This event was catered and so the CM were working out of this room.

this ia a view of the window in the living room which is on the first floor.

Also learned from my guide, that there are freezers and refrigerator in Bell Services. You can have your perishables stored in these if your room is not yet ready.

 

[walter]

We were at the gathering last night also. The GV was amazing! I believe the hit of the night was the TV within the mirror of the master bath. One story that was told to me was an "A" actor is a big Disney fan and stayed with his family quite frequently at this resort in their favorite room. When the DVC addition started to be constructed, his favorite view became obstructed. So he called down to the desk to see what was going on and they stated that this addition was for DVC members. He wanted to know what that was and they transferred him to a sales rep. Low and behold he bought a substantial amount of points to guarantee his view (I heard approx. 3 x's a week's points). There are only two GV's at this resort.

 

[nunzia]

Wow! Loving all the photos and TR. Only disappointment is that the merchandise is generic DVC and not resort specific..hopefully that will change by May.

 

[funatdisney]

How is the kitchen stocked?

The kitchen is well stocked with everything you need to cook or bake, but it is just the basic elements of a kitchen. I had no trouble cooking my dinner last night and it was yummy! The burners are electric burners and heat up fast.

I couldn't find salt and pepper, so I would bring that.

 

[disney4metoo]

We were at the gathering last night also. The GV was amazing! I believe the hit of the night was the TV within the mirror of the master bath. One story that was told to me was an "A" actor is a big Disney fan and stayed with his family quite frequently at this resort in their favorite room. When the DVC addition started to be constructed, his favorite view became obstructed. So he called down to the desk to see what was going on and they stated that this addition was for DVC members. He wanted to know what that was and they transferred him to a sales rep. Low and behold he bought a substantial amount of points to guarantee his view (I heard approx. 3 x's a week's points). There are only two GV's at this resort.

The "A" actor is suppose to be Nicholas Cage. That is what I heard! To think I get to stay in a VGC Grand Villa before Nicholas Cage!

 

[dvcaddict!]

Hey everyone!

So this is my second day in the villas at Grand Cal and things are just about perfect. They had a member gathering yesterday in the Grand Villa facing the mariposa pool and it was amazing. They spared no expense in there at all let me tell you. They gave away lots of DVC merchandise at the event including a backpack, little dvc shovel, and fancy luggage tags. Mickey and Minnie showed up as well and they had lots of snacks like wine and cheese and a chocolate cake with the Grand Cal villas art on it. It was a great event because it was just a member gethering. They werent trying to sell you anymore points or anything like that. The location of the villas is the best among all dvc resorts hands down. Its a five minute walk to DCA and Downtown Disney and a ten minute walk to Disneyland. We have a view on the side of the villas facing Grizzly Peak and Tower of Terror which is astounding. Depending on how high your room floor is you look down directly into the Brother Bear Redwood Trail play area. You are practically in the park. The paradise pier views are the best however looking DIRECTLY out onto World of Color. Once the water show is done, that view will directly challenge the BLT park view for best view in all of the Disney Vacation Club resorts. I will be posting a trip review as soon as I return home for everyone and will be happy to answer any questions about the villas before I leave. See you later....

 

[dcfromva]

We checked into a pool view studio on opening day.

(View from our room)


There was an unexpected fireworks show last
night at around 10Pm (at Disneyland). I had
already gone to sleep, so it was a real
surprise. . We could see the fireworks from
our room!

Some things I have discovered:
There is just one trash collection room for VGC
and it is one the first floor.

The laundry room for the villas was locked (it is
just around the corner from the trash room.)
It is not operational, yet. I looked inside and
did not see any machines installed, yet. (Until it
is finished, Guest services said to get tokens from
the front desk to use at other coin operated laundry
which is located on the 2nd floor and can be accessed by
the elevator by the Napa Rose.)

There are two really awesome looking bar-b-que
units just outside from where the (villas) laundry is
located. They are huge and they look like they are
gas grills.

In the studio unit:
The in room safe is electronic. You select the numbers
each time you lock it.

There are paper plates and plastic utensils.
There was confusion about the coffee cups which
translated into no coffee cups at all upon arrival.
We called housekeeping and they brought 2
ceramic coffee cups for us. Kitchenette equipment
is pretty standard for a studio.

One really nice touch: they provide 2 bathrobes
just like staying in the hotel part of the Grand.

The Internet in the studio:
There is pretty good wifi coverage throughout
the hotel. There is also a cable on the
table to plug into your computer. There are
two electrical outlets right nearby.

DC (still on eastern time )

 

[dcfromva]

bar b que unit

 

[dcfromva]

How is the check-in process at the Grand Californian?

It is the same check in area as for hotel guests. There are different
procedures to check in a DVC guest, but the CM seemed to be well
trained. Check in was very smooth (and quick). My sister had some
trouble with her room keys to access the pool area. She received a dedicated
key to pool area from the front desk to solve the problem.

Please describe the self-parking process - where were you directed to park and how long was the walk?

Self-park is across the street from VGC. It is about a 5min walk to the villas. (Seems longer when it is 100 degrees outside)[/QUOTE]

If you used bell services to deliver your bags to your room, how long did it take?

We used bell services twice to take groceries to the room. It was the same
person both times and I walked up with him--so there was no wait.

Are there any guest services in the DVC area? Are there any dedicated CM's for the DVC section? If so, what is their overall attitude with the opening?

I did not see any.

Where is guest laundry located? Are the machines HE (high efficiency)?

First floor of the villas (as noted above, not finished, yet--you can get tokens from the front desk for the other laundry facilities in the hotel).

Do the trash rooms have separate bins for paper/plastic/glass?

There were two bins for trash and one for plastic/glass. Didn't see anything for paper& cardboard, yet.

Is there a Community Hall? Please describe the activities available. Do you have pictures??

I didn't see one.

In some construction photos there appears to be a viewing area for the World of Color? How is the accessed?

It is on the 6th floor. (I also saw a men's and women's restroom in the viewing area.)

What was your room number, room size and view?
How much noise you can hear in your room (from other guests rooms, the hallway, outside fireworks, etc)

Could you see fireworks at Disneyland? What do you anticipate your view will be for the World of Color?

We have a pool view studio on the 4th floor. No to viewing of WOC, but YES to the fireworks! Pool view is nice and quiet (but the fireworks woke me up. )
My sister has a theme park view 1BR. YES to viewing WOC, but no to the fireworks. She says the park view is cool, but you can hear a little bit from the park (ie screaming from Mulhulland Madness and during the night some construction noise). Still, she says for the view, it is worth it.

Is there an ice maker in the freezer?

No. There are two ice cube trays in the freezer section and there are ice machines on every floor. (In our studio, there is one tiny ice cube tray )

Are the in-room washers HE or traditional models?

Traditional stacked models.

Where are the internet jacks? If there is more than 1, are they all "hot"? (i.e., do they all work?)

There is one in the 1BR in the MBR, 3 electrical outlets nearby (incorporated in the desk)
There is one in the studio, with 2 electrical outlets nearby (on the table)

How comfortable is the sleeper sofa? (0-10 scale with 0=bed of nails and 10=so comfortable I never got out of bed the whole trip )

My niece gives it a 7.

Please provide a picture of the in-room safe (i.e., can it fit a laptop computer?) Can someone post a measurement? Or - what size is your laptop and did it fit?

It seems pretty spacious to me. It is electronic where you program the numbers yourself. (Hopefully numbers you can remember. )

Is there the same "perk" of getting to go to MM whenever available your length of stay that is available to those staying onsite in the hotels?

Yes.

 

[queenie82]

PROPER BBQs!!!!!

This is exciting!
I wish the WDW DVCs would put them in.

 

[SanDeeKath]

Thank you so much to those of you who have posted pix and shared info so far. We are on our way tomorrow right after lunch and the kids' Sat. morning ballet (can't miss that, even for Mickey ). We should be there by 2 and hope to be in the park by 3. I will take lots of pix of our 1br and the pool area, etc. Projected to be 94 degrees tomorrow.

I wasn't going to take my laptop but DH convinced me, saying that my DISboard friends are "counting on me" to post.

Katherine

 

[SanDeeKath]

Just checked in this afternoon! IT'S HOT HERE! In the high 90s. OY. So here are a few basic things to add to the info above. I also took a ton of pix but forgot the darn USB cable to transfer them from my camera to the computer. SIGH.

Anyway, valet parking is $17/24 hours. Super fast and efficient, with in and out privileges. Free parking is a pretty long ways away, across the street, and is free. But it's not really across the street. It's more like a city block since you have to walk OUT of the hotel part and then over the 4 lane highway and then walk to the lot from there. Not easy in 95 degrees. Basically no parking at all at the resort or hotel anymore...

The villas are one branch of the Grand CA hotel. You check in at the hotel's main lobby like everyone else. If you have not been, the lobby is SPECTACULAR by the way. 6 stories with large wooden beams, gorgeous skylights and windows, huge hearth, etc. all in Craftsman style. Classy all the way. No Mickey or primary colors anywhere. You walk down the same hallways as the hotel guests (to the left when you face the check in area). The villas are on the far left, most with a spectacular view of CA Adventure. Those that don't face the themepark face the pools. Still a lovely view with CA Adventure further behind. The pool area is now much bigger with an additional pool and spa. Anyone can use any pool (including the large hotel pool with the slides that my kids love so much). No fences or separation walls....

Basically, the villas are the hugest rooms in the hotel, LOL. I have a new hotel map that has the new layout that I will post as soon as I get home. The villa studios appear to be standard hotel rooms judging from the layout. The 1 bedrooms about 2.5 times the hotel room size and the 2 bedrooms look 4-5x the standard hotel room size. Compared to the many hotel rooms on the map, the villas look like gynormous suites! There are only about 8 villas per floor. Much of the contruction last year seems to also be added hotel rooms (which I didn't realize since I thought it was all villas....

You can by the way buy park passes at the hotel lobby, which is super convenient as you avoid any and all lines. The GCV has a private entrance to CA Adventure (and is directly on top of Downtown Disney) so it's a few seconds to get into the park with no lines or to get to the many shops and food places at DTD. They also allow you to upgrade passes at the lobby (which we did since we had CA Select passes and turns out this weekend is a blockout). It was $45 for a one day upgrade. If you want to upgrade the annual pass, just get the 1 day upgrade at the lobby and then apply that credit to an annual pass upgrace once inside DL. Again, no lines and very conveniently done with a room charge.

My DH is telling me that there are very little lines at the park right now. It's Saturday. Tomorrow is early admission (park opens at 8 so we get to go in at 7). I believe this is only 3-4 days of the week. Sun and Tue for sure.... And it's only for guests of the DL hotels and the Villas.

More later....

Katherine

 

[funatdisney]

Katherine, what is your room number? What size unit do you have? I am curious where the villas are located. I was there last Wednesday, so I have an idea of the lay out of the new wing.

BTW, we will be there tomorrow, but have a standard hotel room (MS made a mistake with my studio reservation; they were able to get me a room on the hotel side without me using more points for the point difference) Maybe I will see you there.

 

[toocherie]

the villas are the hugest rooms in the hotel, LOL. I have a new hotel map that has the new layout that I will post as soon as I get home. The villa studios appear to be standard hotel rooms judging from the layout. The 1 bedrooms about 2.5 times the hotel room size and the 2 bedrooms look 4-5x the standard hotel room size. Compared to the many hotel rooms on the map, the villas look like gynormous suites! There are only about 8 villas per floor. Much of the contruction last year seems to also be added hotel rooms (which I didn't realize since I thought it was all villas....

My DH is telling me that there are very little lines at the park right now. It's Saturday. Tomorrow is early admission (park opens at 8 so we get to go in at 7). I believe this is only 3-4 days of the week. Sun and Tue for sure.... And it's only for guests of the DL hotels and the Villas.

More later....

Katherine

My guide told me that the 48 villas take up the same amount of space as 160 hotel rooms . . . thought that was interesting.

Magic Morning is Tuesday Thursday Saturday and Sunday for one hour before scheduled park opening to the public.