The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[Nonsuch]

They are telling me that brand new DVC members have to start with a 160 point contract.

I am a brand new DVC member, and split my initial VGC purchase.

Looking at the recorded deeds, it is common to split purchases.
Search the records for "DISNEY VAC"

 

[Longhairbear]

We got a one bedroom for Food & Wine at DCA. We'll be eating in the parks, and test cooking in our DVC. Diets to resume after...LOL.

 

[nunzia]

We got a one bedroom for Food & Wine at DCA. We'll be eating in the parks, and test cooking in our DVC. Diets to resume after...LOL.

I'll also be thee in a 1 BR during F&W (decided to upgrade to gift my inlaws to a stay. Whoo Hoo!!) and after staying in a 1 BR am sure will want some points) Anyone know when the events will start to show up on the F&W page? Would really like to try a couple.

 

[JackandSally79]

I was on my way to visit my brother in AZ this past weekend and at the last minute decided to stop by DLR and check out my new home for the first time. Wow! The villas really are a seamless addition to the Grand. We couldn't book anything at the villas on the day of (not too surprising) so we stayed at PP and had dinner at storytellers. My DGK's were great about not having time to do the parks and we had a lot of fun just cruising DTD and hanging out in the great room at the GCH and exploring our new home. I noticed that the viewing deck in the Villas is still not opened yet. Does anybody know if they are going to wait for the WOC show before they open the viewing deck? Just curious.

We just came back yesterday and we went up to the viewing deck. There was a mousekeeper up there...so that's maybe why the door was open.
Here's some pictures.

 

[nunzia]

PS..there is a link to very cool F&W info in the Disneyland section

 

[CustardTart]

Just popping by to say "hi!"

We purchased 100 points at VGC yesterday and can't wait to make our first reservation for Easter 2011...

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

We just came back yesterday and we went up to the viewing deck. There was a mousekeeper up there...so that's maybe why the door was open.

Thanks for the pics. I really am looking forward to my first trip at the end of March.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Just popping by to say "hi!"

We purchased 100 points at VGC yesterday and can't wait to make our first reservation for Easter 2011...

Congrats! and welcome to your west coast home!

 

[preedymtnwest]

Hi, all.

We arrive for our first VGC trip on Feb. 14 for 7 days and I just saw on the DLR boards that all but the Mariposa pool is closed? Has anyone heard about that? If the other two pools are closed, can we still cut across to get to DCA without walking all the way around? (Oh, the inhumanity! ;-)

If the Redwood Pool/slide is closed, are we allowed to hop to DH pool?

Any info/rumors are appreciated!

TIA.

 

[Quilter007]

I think they are allowing hopping to the DLH pool -- can't remember which thread I read it on. I would call & confirm. Wouldn't mind hopping to the PP pool -- did you know it's on the roof?

 

[franandaj]

I'll also be thee in a 1 BR during F&W (decided to upgrade to gift my inlaws to a stay. Whoo Hoo!!) and after staying in a 1 BR am sure will want some points) Anyone know when the events will start to show up on the F&W page? Would really like to try a couple.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/specialEvents/detail?name=FoodWineSignatureEventsPage

Within the last couple days the website for 2010 DCA Food & Wine was updated to include some of the Signature Events for this year's festival as well as some changes for the Seminars & Demonstrations, and the new "Taste of California" Marketplace.

The biggest change appears to be the new "Taste of California" Marketplace which appears to be an effort to bring our festival more in line with the "tasting plates" found at the Epcot F&W Festival. Our food laws are very different from Florida which is what prevents our Festival from having Kiosks set up around the park.

It appears that there are less Signature events than in years past. So far no Celebrity events have been announced, (although they may yet to be confirmed), Michael Jordan is no longer conducting the Wine Seminars, Taste is now one night only, and Sweet Sundays have almost doubled in price.

They have omitted one of the winemaker dinners and substituted a brew maker dinner, which sounds quite interesting. Lastly, the complimentary beer, wine and spirit seminars, are now subject to a $1 cash fee payable in the queue.

Has anyone attended the DCA F&W Festival before? Any thoughts on these changes?

 

[franandaj]

Ooops slow computer...sorry for the duplicate post

 

[bumbershoot]

Wouldn't mind hopping to the PP pool -- did you know it's on the roof?

Well, it's on A roof. I think it's on top of the, oh, 3rd floor? On an offshoot. There are plenty of floors of rooms that look down on the rooftop pool!

 

[tjkraz]

Hi, all.

We arrive for our first VGC trip on Feb. 14 for 7 days and I just saw on the DLR boards that all but the Mariposa pool is closed? Has anyone heard about that? If the other two pools are closed, can we still cut across to get to DCA without walking all the way around? (Oh, the inhumanity! ;-)

If the Redwood Pool/slide is closed, are we allowed to hop to DH pool?

Any info/rumors are appreciated!

TIA.

Yes, everything is closed except Mariposa. Expected to run through March 20.

I can't speak from first-hand experience but if they are actively working on the other two pools, they will probably have that part of the pool blocked off. I doubt you'll be able to cut through there.

Hopping to the DLH and PP pools is permitted during the refurb.

 

[preedymtnwest]

Yes, everything is closed except Mariposa. Expected to run through March 20.

I can't speak from first-hand experience but if they are actively working on the other two pools, they will probably have that part of the pool blocked off. I doubt you'll be able to cut through there.

Hopping to the DLH and PP pools is permitted during the refurb.

Thanks for all the responses!

I kinda feel like a poor cousin sometimes with VGC/DVC. It seems that the east coast-centric MS isn't always up to speed on the west coast. When I stayed at BCV last February, we were sent notification that parts of Stormalong would be closed during our stay, but nothing from MS on the Redwood Pool closure.

I guess all the refurbs are the tradeoff for going when it's not too hot and the kids have vacation!

 

[junglejoy]

I paid $92 for 220 points, this price came from the webcast in early December.
This is the webcast VGC price list.
You have the $94 webcast price for 160 points
My guide is Linda Duran.

I was told the best I could get was $97 a point. Any tips on how to get this better pricing?


And another question... Do DVC members get discounts on Disneyland APs? Thanks!

 

[Longhairbear]

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/specialEvents/detail?name=FoodWineSignatureEventsPage

Within the last couple days the website for 2010 DCA Food & Wine was updated to include some of the Signature Events for this year's festival as well as some changes for the Seminars & Demonstrations, and the new "Taste of California" Marketplace.

The biggest change appears to be the new "Taste of California" Marketplace which appears to be an effort to bring our festival more in line with the "tasting plates" found at the Epcot F&W Festival. Our food laws are very different from Florida which is what prevents our Festival from having Kiosks set up around the park.

It appears that there are less Signature events than in years past. So far no Celebrity events have been announced, (although they may yet to be confirmed), Michael Jordan is no longer conducting the Wine Seminars, Taste is now one night only, and Sweet Sundays have almost doubled in price.

They have omitted one of the winemaker dinners and substituted a brew maker dinner, which sounds quite interesting. Lastly, the complimentary beer, wine and spirit seminars, are now subject to a $1 cash fee payable in the queue.

Has anyone attended the DCA F&W Festival before? Any thoughts on these changes?

We have been every year and the changes are for the better. Especially the marketplace. Last year one special item was at each counter, or table service eatery. It was not "festival friendly", as you had to go to Award Weiners for one item , and then over to Taste Pilot's for another etc. Plus they were full portions, not "tasting size".
The change for those items, all in one place, is what they used to do.

 

[stopher1]

I just read on another website that I follow that "work on a new private DVC entrance into DCA is under construction". Has anyone else seen this yet? That's pretty cool if true. The photo seems to indicate it will be right near the BBQ grill area, between Mulholland Madness & the former Souvenir 66 shop.

 

[nunzia]

I was told the best I could get was $97 a point. Any tips on how to get this better pricing?


And another question... Do DVC members get discounts on Disneyland APs? Thanks!

As of now we get a $20.00 discount on new DLR APs, nothing on renewals.
Another entrance?? That would be neat. I can't get my head around the new wing at all..I'm going with newbies in May and they are going to wonder why I can't find anything at the Grand

 

[Nonsuch]

I was told the best I could get was $97 a point. Any tips on how to get this better pricing?

Ask your guide for the webcast price. If they say no, you could wait for the next round of promotions. Assuming you don't already have plans for a VGC trip.

Keep checking all the DVC boards for promotions, which is how I found out about the webcast. My guide quoted $97, even though the webcast had already announced lower prices -- in fact the webcast was repeated on the same day. My guide did not tell me to watch the webcast, although she was aware of the prices.

World of Color will help VGC sales. There will be thousands of people standing for WOC, almost in the shadow of VGC. This will help sales, even without new incentives.