The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[bumbershoot]

Question for VGC owers: What is the best way to get to DLR from LAX (or other ones)?? Since they don't have Magical Express at DLR, do we HAVE to rent a car? Any easier/ inexpensive way to get to and from the resort?

There's a ton of info about this on the DLR forum. A nice place to start is Hydroguy's tips. If you scroll down in his list of URLs, you'll see a link to info about airports and ground transportation. A wealth of info!

Discounted price offered to me for a cab to LAX was $75. It was just me, so that was NOT a bargain.

I've used Super Shuttle and Grayline's Disneyland Resort Express, and both have pros and cons. SS drivers are absolutely insane, and i'm hoping that the no-texting laws have slowed down their overuse of technology while driving.

Grayline worked well for me each time I've used them, exactly as expected (they generally go first to DLH, deal with the money there, and some people will switch buses then, but that bus should then go straight to the Grand and then on to different hotels and motels), but others have been trapped in a bus ride from Hades, with a driver NOT doing what they are supposed to do.

Have fun reading HydroGuy's tips and the tips he links to!

 

[wbl2745]

Question for VGC owers: What is the best way to get to DLR from LAX (or other ones)?? Since they don't have Magical Express at DLR, do we HAVE to rent a car? Any easier/ inexpensive way to get to and from the resort?

You didn't mention where you were coming from, but if it is feasible I'd suggest flying into any airport other than LAX. The John Wayne Airport in Orange County is the closest to the Disneyland resort, but can also be busy, particularly during rush hour. My absolute favorite airport is the Long Beach Airport. It hasn't been enlarged or remodeled since the 1960s and only has I believe 10 gates total in the whole airport. Although that might not seem like an advantage, on average it's about 20 minutes from getting off the plane with carry-on luggage to driving out of the airport in a rental car, including a pit stop in the terminal. Try that at LAX!

It is a little further away from the Disneyland Resort area than Orange County airport, but the main (only!) road out of the airport turns into Ball Road, which is on the north end of the Disney property. If you take that route there's a Ralph's along the way to pick up groceries. The drive without stopping at the market is about 30 minutes.

Friends don't let friends fly into LAX.

 

[minniemoms]

I agree. I would NOT do LAX, unless you can't help it. I usually drive, BUT I have flown into Ontario and Orange. They are both much nicer drives than LAX. I haven't done Long Beach. Orange had a Disney Express Bus I thought? But Ontario did NOT. They had a super shuttle or something like that.

 

[franandaj]

My absolute favorite airport is the Long Beach Airport. It hasn't been enlarged or remodeled since the 1960s and only has I believe 10 gates total in the whole airport. Although that might not seem like an advantage, on average it's about 20 minutes from getting off the plane with carry-on luggage to driving out of the airport in a rental car, including a pit stop in the terminal. Try that at LAX!

Friends don't let friends fly into LAX.

Yay Long Beach Airport! All my friends fly in to visit me there on Jet Blue and say it's one of their favorites as well. I didn't know That street (Wardlow, I think) turned into Ball Road! You learn something every day!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Question for VGC owers: What is the best way to get to DLR from LAX (or other ones)?? Since they don't have Magical Express at DLR, do we HAVE to rent a car? Any easier/ inexpensive way to get to and from the resort?

How many people in your group? That will help determine what the least expensive route will be.

For the past couple of years I've been flying into LAX b/c that's the only direct route remaining for us and I haven't found it to be a hassle. I take a shuttle (either Super or Red - whichever comes first) to the resort and then I've taken the Grayline DL express back to the airport. Both are easy. Prior to that I always elected to fly into SNA (John Wayne/Orange Cty) which is a bit closer but that will be a shuttle or the DL express bus as well. Overall I have found little added inconvenience in flying in at LAX.

If there are several in your party then either a Taxi, Limo or car rental will be your best options.

 

[Nonsuch]

Some video from my visit last month.
The World of Color testing was shot from room 5502.
There are also some daytime videos of back patio area.

Corrected video link

 

[forevercruising]

We had the good fortune to stay in unit #6504 on opening night. Here is a stitched panorama of the view from the balcony:

The roof to the left won't obscure World of Color at all, although the angle might not be ideal for seeing the images on the rear mist screen. It should be a better angle than the 6th floor viewing platform, though.

Squidmo: Thank you VERY much for the excellent picture, showing such an accurate view! This answers my questions.

Your help is much appreciated!

 

[DisneyHeather]

I called this morning and changed my 1 bedroom reservation to a 2 bedroom reservation with a request for a PP view. It's using almost 2 years worth of points and I'll probably regret it when we have to go back down into the 1 bedroom but now my aunt can come. I'm too excited

And I might end up adding some points to my contract if there's good deals when I'm on the EBTA next month.

 

[TLPL]

Hey thanks for all your answers. We are just 2 of us, flying out from Buffalo, NY. We usually go with Southwest airlines, that's why I ask about LAX. But I know they do fly to other aiports in the area.

 

[DisneyHeather]

Hey thanks for all your answers. We are just 2 of us, flying out from Buffalo, NY. We usually go with Southwest airlines, that's why I ask about LAX. But I know they do fly to other aiports in the area.

I fly Southwest into Orange county when I go and the cost is usually the same as to fly into LAX

 

[squidmo]

Question for VGC owers: What is the best way to get to DLR from LAX (or other ones)?? Since they don't have Magical Express at DLR, do we HAVE to rent a car? Any easier/ inexpensive way to get to and from the resort?

Supershuttle also runs a "Business Express ExecuCar" service from both LAX and SNA where you get your own private car (it's a minivan, actually). They will pick you up right outside baggage claim and take you straight to your hotel. Here's a direct link for the service. It also comes up as an option when you request a quote on the SuperShuttle.com website:

http://www.execucarexpress.com/

We used them last time and it was MUCH better than using the regular Supershuttle service. I just checked, and it's currently $72 each way for LAX and $50 each way from SNA, for up to 5 people. Since we are a family of 4, it's almost the same price as taking the regular supershuttle (which would be $64 LAX / $40 SNA total for the 4 of us), and you don't have to share with anyone. I'd highly recommend it over the bus or a regular shuttle if you have 4 or 5 people.

 

[lulubelle]

That is great advice and information, Squidmo.

 

[SoCalKDG]

The Zephyr definately looks like it is going to be in the way of WOC from that angle.

90% of the action is to the left of the Zephyr. The new viewing area inside the park is actually way to the left of the Zephyr as well. No matter what room you are in you will be watching the show at an angle. The best view will still be inside the park in the planned viewing areas.

Get a pool view room and you can actually watch the Disneyland Fireworks.

 

[Longhairbear]

90% of the action is to the left of the Zephyr. The new viewing area inside the park is actually way to the left of the Zephyr as well. No matter what room you are in you will be watching the show at an angle. The best view will still be inside the park in the planned viewing areas.

Get a pool view room and you can actually watch the Disneyland Fireworks.

We also love the Grizzly Peak views, and the wilderness sounds coming from it at night. Especially the third floor, it's like being out in the wilderness, and a perfect match to the decor.

 

[barngro]

We've had both views now having just returned from a week in a 1 bedroom with a theme park view after spending a week at Christmas with a pool view. In all honesty I prefered the tranquility of the pool view, sitting on the balconey enjoying the beautiful music they pipe in. It's probably because I'm a little older now and Disney music seems to be what attracts me more than anything to Disneyland. Sounds crazy, but that's just me.

 

[donmil723]

Supershuttle also runs a "Business Express ExecuCar" service from both LAX and SNA where you get your own private car (it's a minivan, actually). They will pick you up right outside baggage claim and take you straight to your hotel. Here's a direct link for the service. It also comes up as an option when you request a quote on the SuperShuttle.com website:

http://www.execucarexpress.com/

We used them last time and it was MUCH better than using the regular Supershuttle service. I just checked, and it's currently $72 each way for LAX and $50 each way from SNA, for up to 5 people. Since we are a family of 4, it's almost the same price as taking the regular supershuttle (which would be $64 LAX / $40 SNA total for the 4 of us), and you don't have to share with anyone. I'd highly recommend it over the bus or a regular shuttle if you have 4 or 5 people.

I'm glad to hear from someone who has used this service. I just booked it for our family of 4 for our arrival in June. If I had booked it when I first saw it I could have gotten it for $61.00. I am paying $72.

Did you call after you got your bags? And, how long after that before they picked you up? Also, how much did you tip your driver?

Thanks!

Donna

 

[letitsnow]

I called this morning and changed my 1 bedroom reservation to a 2 bedroom reservation with a request for a PP view. It's using almost 2 years worth of points and I'll probably regret it when we have to go back down into the 1 bedroom but now my aunt can come. I'm too excited

And I might end up adding some points to my contract if there's good deals when I'm on the EBTA next month.

what days did you cancel for??? i'm wait listed for june...

 

[DisneyHeather]

what days did you cancel for??? i'm wait listed for june...

I didn't cancel I kept the same dates in November just upgraded from a 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom.

 

[squidmo]

I'm glad to hear from someone who has used this service. I just booked it for our family of 4 for our arrival in June. If I had booked it when I first saw it I could have gotten it for $61.00. I am paying $72.

Did you call after you got your bags? And, how long after that before they picked you up? Also, how much did you tip your driver?

Thanks!

Donna

Yep, we called right after we picked up our bags and they told us to go right outside baggage claim to be picked up- you don't have to drag your bags upstairs to the shuttle area. They were there in under 10 minutes (I'm guessing closer to 5 minutes- it didn't feel like a long wait at all), and the whole thing went really smoothly. We prepaid the tip online when we paid for the reservation, and I seem to recall we tipped 15%.

I was bummed the price went up too- we are also going in June, and I liked the $61 price back in September better. But it's still worth it at $72.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We've had both views now having just returned from a week in a 1 bedroom with a theme park view after spending a week at Christmas with a pool view. In all honesty I prefered the tranquility of the pool view, sitting on the balconey enjoying the beautiful music they pipe in. It's probably because I'm a little older now and Disney music seems to be what attracts me more than anything to Disneyland. Sounds crazy, but that's just me.

We have no interest in a pool view, we are hoping for a high floor park view. My kids never want to swim when we are there.

Jack