The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[toocherie]

definitely trash bags--we were only there two nights and I needed to take the trash out (used one of the plastic laundry bags in the closet!)

I always take a flashlight.

Ziplocs are a necessity too (which I didn't remember this time).

One question--are studios supposed to have a dish towel? We had paper towels but I would have really liked a dish towel.

One more tip--there were no wine glasses in the studio but I called down to guest services and they delivered them right away. At first they said "oh there will be a fee" and when I said "are you sure about that?" they called back and said "oh, sorry, DVC members aren't charged for four wine glasses they'll be right up."

So I think the learning curve is continuing for VGC.

Edited to add: we needed wine glasses because of course a nice bottle of wine is a necessity too! And I had a great view overlooking Paradise Pier--we could watch the World of Color testing. So my streak of bad room locations has been broken!

 

[stopher1]

Edited to add: we needed wine glasses because of course a nice bottle of wine is a necessity too! And I had a great view overlooking Paradise Pier--we could watch the World of Color testing. So my streak of bad room locations has been broken!

Yay! That's great. Happy to hear that.

 

[franandaj]

I hope we're as lucky next weekend! Single digit dance!

We're booked for Friday and Saturday (which I booked as soon as I purchased the add on), but I just found out last week we want to stay Sunday too and I got on the wait list, anyone think I have a shot in heck of Sunday coming through, studio or 1 br?

 

[yensid9111]

Long time lurker here...first time poster. I learned so much here on the DISboards after our original AKV purchase. Just bought 150 GCV points (3 contracts of 50 each) and was wondering...does the GCV have dedicated and lock-off 2 bedroom units or are they all lock-offs? Also, should we expect any booking problems of a 2 BR in June 2011 if booking at the 11 month window? thanks so much!

 

[toocherie]

I hope we're as lucky next weekend! Single digit dance!

We're booked for Friday and Saturday (which I booked as soon as I purchased the add on), but I just found out last week we want to stay Sunday too and I got on the wait list, anyone think I have a shot in heck of Sunday coming through, studio or 1 br?

You have a better shot than a Friday or Saturday--but it's so late that it might not come through. Good luck--do you have a back-up plan? Maybe Disneyland Hotel for one night?

L Also, should we expect any booking problems of a 2 BR in June 2011 if booking at the 11 month window? thanks so much!

They have both lock-off and dedicated 2 bedrooms at VGC. You should have no problem booking at 11 months for June.

 

[franandaj]

You have a better shot than a Friday or Saturday--but it's so late that it might not come through. Good luck--do you have a back-up plan? Maybe Disneyland Hotel for one night?

Yeah, we have a back up plan....make that looooong drive back down the 22 to Long Beach and stay at home!

 

[Nonsuch]

Updating a topic from page 150 of this thread

...If only I could get a Unit Floor Plan drawing for it to complete my collection and find out what type it is and where!!! I want to know the room numbers so I can take pictures of "my" doorknobs in October. Argh...

single page pdf
6 page pdf

These are the UNIT numbers show in your Purchase Agreement. We are all purchasing a percentage ownership of a specific unit. Points are an easy way to symbolize this ownership

If anyone is curious (like me) and wants to obtain more details, this is what I did:
On page 35 of "The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel Component Site Public Offering Statement" there is a "Summary of Documents Not Delivered to Purchasers".
I sent an email to Member Administration requesting item 4 "Survey, Floor and Plot Plans".
It took about a month to receive a copy of the 95 page "Condominium Plan for the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel a Leasehold Condominium"

 

[SoCalKDG]

Here is the complete World of Color show. Please note there are spoilers. Then again the view isn't that good thus seeing the real show should be a huge jump up from this video.

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-1024.asp

It should be noted that this states that the video was taken from the Paradise View Terrace on the 6th floor. Looking at the angle this seems correct. The bad news is that this is a terrible view and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't go up here to watch the show. From the terrace you can't see any of the projections which are obscured by the Zephyr and are at a bad angle. Then again I may change my mind to just to hear the music and see the water special effects.

Looking at the layout map as well as photos, I'd say rooms 2500, 3500,4500,5500 and 6500 will have a poor view of the show. The rest should be average to pretty good, but really the best view of the show will be inside DCA (or the Paradise Pier Grand Villa).

 

[TLPL]

I did it! I made the call to add-on 50 points.
The phone call was as exciting as ordering a pizza.
I wish I have something to show for.

 

[kikiq]

Us too!!

We added on 150 points, two 75 point contracts. Only it was more exciting than ordering pizza Our DDs will be on this contract. The oldest is already planning a stay to swim in the pools

We can't wait for our DGD to say Grammie and Grandpa have a home in Disneyland

 

[forevercruising]

Looking at the layout map as well as photos, I'd say rooms 2500, 3500,4500,5500 and 6500 will have a poor view of the show. The rest should be average to pretty good, .

Perhaps some of you who have stayed in 5506 and 5508, 4506 and 4508 can confirm this, but, from the layout, it looks as if the "wing" of the Grand Villa would be somewhat of a hindrance to the view of the water show; I could be completely wrong and I haven't seen actual pictures from those rooms, but I'm wondering about the view when looking to the left; is that even where we will look for the water show? If the show is simply straight out from those rooms, then there should be no problem, it seems.

I actually thought that the best views would be from the 500's, but, I now wonder! Actually, when looking at the floor plans, the 500's look so close in proximity to the 06's and 08's, that it looks like the view would about be comparable.

Any insight, especially from those who have actually been on those balconies?

Thanks!

 

[SoCalKDG]

5510 seems to be the one with the biggest worry. The others look like they should be ok. I've seen photos from 04 and they are a great view, thus 06 would be fine for sure, 08 should be as well.

It would be great to get some photos from all the rooms. Maybe someone could start collecting them and have them available. I've seen that pool view rooms on the 4th and 5th can see Disneylands fireworks. I'd like to see what the view of DCA looks like from the 2nd or 3rd floor.

 

[Wmmmmm]

Here is the complete World of Color show. Please note there are spoilers. Then again the view isn't that good thus seeing the real show should be a huge jump up from this video.

It should be noted that this states that the video was taken from the Paradise View Terrace on the 6th floor. Looking at the angle this seems correct. The bad news is that this is a terrible view and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't go up here to watch the show. From the terrace you can't see any of the projections which are obscured by the Zephyr and are at a bad angle. Then again I may change my mind to just to hear the music and see the water special effects.

Looking at the layout map as well as photos, I'd say rooms 2500, 3500,4500,5500 and 6500 will have a poor view of the show. The rest should be average to pretty good, but really the best view of the show will be inside DCA (or the Paradise Pier Grand Villa).

I can confirm that the view of the projections from 4500 is poor in that almost all of the projections are blocked. And what's not blocked is too obtuse to be seen. However, being a little bit farther away and little higher, I can see how the movement of the water jets and how impressive they are. For example, if you're at ground level, it'll be tough to see the "lava" when the flames are shooting up but it was clearly visible from our balcony. In addition, it'll be difficult to see how high the water jets go. But from our angle, it's pretty clear some of the jets went as high as the top of the Mickey Wheel.

Although we couldn't see the projections clearly, we were very impressed with the show. And the fact you can view it from your balcony without the crowd more than make up the poor viewing angle.

As a side note, it's hard to tell how far we were are from the water/flame but we felt the heat from the flame jets.

 

[Wmmmmm]

Updating a topic from page 150 of this thread

If anyone is curious (like me) and wants to obtain more details, this is what I did:
On page 35 of "The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel Component Site Public Offering Statement" there is a "Summary of Documents Not Delivered to Purchasers".
I sent an email to Member Administration requesting item 4 "Survey, Floor and Plot Plans".
It took about a month to receive a copy of the 95 page "Condominium Plan for the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel a Leasehold Condominium"

Thanks for the information. I am also interested in the actual floor plan and I was wondering where they were. I thought maybe floor plans were to be mailed out with the deed but I forgot to follow up after the deed arrived. I will need to look at the summary of documents not delivered and make the same request.

 

[DVCGeek]

If anyone is curious (like me) and wants to obtain more details, this is what I did:
On page 35 of "The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel Component Site Public Offering Statement" there is a "Summary of Documents Not Delivered to Purchasers".
I sent an email to Member Administration requesting item 4 "Survey, Floor and Plot Plans".
It took about a month to receive a copy of the 95 page "Condominium Plan for the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel a Leasehold Condominium"

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME - thank you very much for sharing this!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When I look at the floorplans it appears that the x503's must be dedicated studios. I admit I haven't counted up the units but there aren't supposed to be any dedicated studios or 1BR's. Are those hotel rooms or am I looking at it incorrectly? It appears to be next to dedicated 2BR's.

Also, room 1500 on the first floor seems to be a stranded studio.

Does anyone have info about these rooms?

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I can't believe it, but I finally talked DH into a 50 point add-on. I made the call tonight!!! I never thought he'd agree. I have wanted to own at VGC since it was announced... went to the initial event, and ended up buying AKV (which we already loved, knew it was a great choice for our family at a great price). After our stay at VGC this February, I was sooooooo in love.

So the webcast finally convinced me to push DH just a little. I'm so excited!!!!!!!

 

[Nonsuch]

When I look at the floorplans it appears that the x503's must be dedicated studios. I admit I haven't counted up the units but there aren't supposed to be any dedicated studios or 1BR's. Are those hotel rooms or am I looking at it incorrectly? It appears to be next to dedicated 2BR's.

Also, room 1500 on the first floor seems to be a stranded studio.

Does anyone have info about these rooms?

These are hotel rooms located in the VGC wing: 1500, 1503, 1511, 1513, 2503, 3503, 4503, 5503.
The interior layout of those rooms are like a normal GC hotel room, not the studio layout with wet bar.

There are detailed floorplans for all the units in the "Condominium Plan for the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel a Leasehold Condominium"

If anyone is curious (like me) and wants to obtain more details, this is what I did:
On page 35 of "The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel Component Site Public Offering Statement" there is a "Summary of Documents Not Delivered to Purchasers".
I sent an email to Member Administration requesting item 4 "Survey, Floor and Plot Plans".
It took about a month to receive a copy of the 95 page "Condominium Plan for the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel a Leasehold Condominium"

 

[TLPL]

It really would be nice if Nonsuch can indicate on the floor plan you made which are hotel rooms and which ones are DVC villas. Thanks so much for your good work Nonsuch!

 

[DVCGeek]

When I look at the floorplans it appears that the x503's must be dedicated studios.
...
Also, room 1500 on the first floor seems to be a stranded studio.

I added up the .PDF file, and those all seem to be HOTEL rooms, as a PP also said. Assuming that is the case, there are 32 units forming 23 2 Bedroom lockoffs, 23 2BR dedicateds, and 2 GVs, as have been published previously. I too am a little surprised about those adjacent hotel rooms, but not shocked and they never said DVC would have a fully isolated wing... What did throw me briefly was seeing units 18 & 20 duplicated on the 5th floor, but then I went DUH- the GVs!

Anyone have the max reallocation numbers handy? My POS is at home so I can't look them up a the moment to calculate a total number of points again based on them just for fun, and compare the count for my unit 3A (rooms 1508 & 1510- need to get doorknob pictures in October... ) to my 0.221% / 50 point ownership and see how closely the theoretical tracks.