The Official VILLAS at DISNEYLAND HOTEL (Discovery Tower) Owners and Fans Info Thread

[VGCgroupie]

Let me start this post with coffee is very important to me!

Not so pro tip if you wake up at 5am and decide to be nice and make coffee for everyone and not just yourself be sure to stick around and not head back to the bedroom. 10 cups of coffee made with bottled water all over. There was either a part missing or the carafe was too small and the drip part wasn’t triggering and water filled up the area where you put the coffee packs.


They brought us a new machine but Keurig only and the next morning I realized none of the cups in 2 bed kitchen fit in the small Keurig only machine. Kind of comical since I NEED coffee in the am. My husband realizes I am nicer with coffee so he fanagled the machine to give me coffee into a glass by standing there while the machine heated up and made coffee by pressing his hand on the bottom so it recognized a cup being there. Crisis averted!

They did send me up some fancy fancy smart waters since my husband asked for bottled water when requesting a new machine. All in all I’m not mad at all but just a heads up if you aren’t a morning person and don’t want to spend your morning with a mess.

 

[Bucketfoot]

We're still a couple of months away, but where do we park when we arrive at VDH?

I'm guessing in one of the lots north of the hotel and south of the Mickey & Friends parking structure. It looks like I would enter from Magic Way.

 

[Wedgeout]

We're still a couple of months away, but where do we park when we arrive at VDH?

I'm guessing in one of the lots north of the hotel and south of the Mickey & Friends parking structure. It looks like I would enter from Magic Way.

Correct entrance from Magic Way. Self parking is entire lot on west side of entrance. The roof is also an option when it’s open.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Sorry but I'm way too lazy to read all 111 pages of this thread.

I recently asked my husband if he would ever want to rent points or anything to stay at VDH, just to see what it's like. (We only have resale points.) He said he thinks the walk is way too far for his liking.

So I went to Google maps to see what the walk looks like. And I'm not quite sure which paths/walkways people take from the villas to get to the parks. Anyone have a map showing all of this?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Sorry but I'm way too lazy to read all 111 pages of this thread.

I recently asked my husband if he would ever want to rent points or anything to stay at VDH, just to see what it's like. (We only have resale points.) He said he thinks the walk is way too far for his liking.

So I went to Google maps to see what the walk looks like. And I'm not quite sure which paths/walkways people take from the villas to get to the parks. Anyone have a map showing all of this?

Here's a map of the Pixar Pier entrance. I HATED the walk. But the more I stay there the less it bothers me.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...rs-and-fans-info-thread.3923658/post-65989000

 

[Canchaser143]

Sorry but I'm way too lazy to read all 111 pages of this thread.

I recently asked my husband if he would ever want to rent points or anything to stay at VDH, just to see what it's like. (We only have resale points.) He said he thinks the walk is way too far for his liking.

So I went to Google maps to see what the walk looks like. And I'm not quite sure which paths/walkways people take from the villas to get to the parks. Anyone have a map showing all of this?

https://www.disboards.com/threads/walking-to-the-park-dvc-in-ca-vs-wdw.3962409/

It really isn't as bad as most make it out to be. I do it with a stroller and take the kiddos back for midday naps.

 

[MartyParty]

Sorry but I'm way too lazy to read all 111 pages of this thread.

I recently asked my husband if he would ever want to rent points or anything to stay at VDH, just to see what it's like. (We only have resale points.) He said he thinks the walk is way too far for his liking.

So I went to Google maps to see what the walk looks like. And I'm not quite sure which paths/walkways people take from the villas to get to the parks. Anyone have a map showing all of this?

Hi Clara, I've done this calculation many times over. There is a whole thread section on it somewhere showing walking distances at the California Parks vs WDW. Overall both California parks are short walks. VGC tend to spoil as its hard to beat being right next to DCA.

Here is the map I've been updating periodically. Actual times vary. Distance calculated using Good Earth. For DL the newly opened gate by the hotel helps for reduced security lines. The Pixar gate for DCA I feel is well known by now. While both these gates benefit Disneyland Hotel area, I imagine it also helps take some of the security line wait away from VGC proper.

We own at BLT (MK entrance) and VDH (DL entrance) and find the walks to be about the same. But I totally get it. We've stayed a few times at VGC and walking distance and time is never a thought. Depending on the security lines for DCA its likely 5-10 minutes and for DL closer to 10 if starting the clock as you walk out the VGC DVC door to your room.

 

[DonMacGregor]

We’ve done this exercise before. The walk from the front door of Bay Lake Tower to the center of the MK entrance is around .5 miles. The distance from the front door of the VDH tower to the center of the DL entrance is .53 miles. So around an extra 200 or so feet.

The walk from the Ariel statue outside BCV is only .31 miles (taking the back path), but curiously the walk from the far end of BWV is the same as VDH at .56 miles.

 

[MartyParty]

I will add that having the new Din Tai Fung restaurant near the new DL hotel entrance and the already existing Trader Sams / Tangaroa Cafe as lunch or evening stops makes it nice. Breaks up the "head back to the room...such a long walk...etc.)".

We've stop at all three for mid-day breaks or just prior to going back out for the evening. And if Trader Sams is too busy just hit Tangaroa for some drinks by the fireplace under the tiki torches. And while I'm thinking about it, my daughter and I hit up the Palm Breeze bar this last trip before heading up to the room.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Thanks, all. Very helpful! It seems so much farther when I look at the map but then, mile-wise, I guess it isn't.

Where do you go through security to get into DTD?

And if the Pixar entrance closes in the afternoon, do you just head towards the main gates to get into DCA?

 

[Canchaser143]

I will add that having the new Din Tai Fung restaurant near the new DL hotel entrance and the already existing Trader Sams / Tangaroa Cafe as lunch or evening stops makes it nice. Breaks up the "head back to the room...such a long walk...etc.)".

We've stop at all three for mid-day breaks or just prior to going back out for the evening. And if Trader Sams is too busy just hit Tangaroa for some drinks by the fireplace under the tiki torches. And while I'm thinking about it, my daughter and I hit up the Palm Breeze bar this last trip before heading up to the room.

View attachment 940463

I am soooooo excited for Din Tai Fung during our next trip in May!

 

[MartyParty]

I am soooooo excited for Din Tai Fung during our next trip in May!

Let me say our youngest daughter is by far the biggest fan of dumplings and noodles. My wife is a classic pizza, burgers, and chicken gal. My oldest and I are open to everything.

Having said all the above the quality of the food, freshness, presentation, and service are sooooo good. It was super busy every day all the time. I think we eventual figured out how to book a time on their app or may while passing by the restaurant. You'll need to book a time to get in.

Highly recommend. Planning to make this a part of our regular trips.

 

[MartyParty]

Where do you go through security to get into DTD?

It's not super obvious but the pedestrian gate is parallel to the Adventure Tower. Just follow the walkway to the gate. Once going through that then walk across Downtown Drive. We were at VDH for four days and it wasn't till day three that we notice the new entrance.

And if the Pixar entrance closes in the afternoon, do you just head towards the main gates to get into DCA?

Pixar as an entry closes at noon but it's still open to exit after noon time. I don't think it use to be that way. Disney always changing things to keep you on your toes.

As for existing through VGC or the main DCA gate just depends on where we're at in the park and what we want to do next.

Google Maps and Earth still have the construction showing but its all completed. Here is an arial view. I circle the Saucers Hat for reference.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Just popped over to VDH. Much more relaxed vibe than the hustle and bustle of GC lobby today…. Waiting for the text that our Trader
Sam’s table is ready….

 

[MartyParty]

Just popped over to VDH. Much more relaxed vibe than the hustle and bustle of GC lobby today…. Waiting for the text that our Trader
Sam’s table is ready….

I'd say save me a seat Astro but I'm a 3 hour flight away. Until we bought and stayed at VDH I never experienced the different vibe. Love VGC for the northwestern woods vibe. Love VDH and hotel area for the south pacific southern California vibe.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Just popped over to VDH. Much more relaxed vibe than the hustle and bustle of GC lobby today…. Waiting for the text that our Trader
Sam’s table is ready….

Over the weekend the DLH lobby and grounds were poppin! But there was many dance/cheer competitions going on at the hotel.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Over the weekend the DLH lobby and grounds were poppin! But there was many dance/cheer competitions going on at the hotel.

Yeah, it can be crazy during conventions….. but Trader Sam’s had a very Olelo Room vibe to it tonight….. live music and all!

 

[AstroBlasters]

I'd say save me a seat Astro but I'm a 3 hour flight away. Until we bought and stayed at VDH I never experienced the different vibe. Love VGC for the northwestern woods vibe. Love VDH and hotel area for the south pacific southern California vibe.

Would have been happy to share a beverage with you! Safe travels!

 

[Disfamwa]

We just did a split a stay between VDH and VGC. It was our first time staying at the Disneyland hotel, and we liked it a lot—the vibe is so good at night with all the tiki torches lit and the awesome landscaping. The improvements to downtown Disney also make the walk more enjoyable!

I still think we would prefer to stay at VGC, but will be totally happy and excited to stay at VDH in the future too!

 

[VGCgroupie]

We just did a split a stay between VDH and VGC. It was our first time staying at the Disneyland hotel, and we liked it a lot—the vibe is so good at night with all the tiki torches lit and the awesome landscaping. The improvements to downtown Disney also make the walk more enjoyable!

I still think we would prefer to stay at VGC, but will be totally happy and excited to stay at VDH in the future too!

Our DTD walk was much better this time around too. I think having all the new areas tricks the mind into thinking you aren’t walking as far