The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[wbl2745]

Please share it!

OK, since you insist...

As I said my wife really doesn't like earthquakes. Even though she spent time as a child in California, she just really doesn't like them. I grew up a couple of miles from the San Andreas Fault in the Bay Area and I just ride them out.

On January 16, 1994 we were checking into a hotel in San Diego. They didn't have a room on a lower floor of the hotel and so they put us on the 9th story. DW really didn't like that. I said, so what do you think the chances are that there will be an earthquake tonight? Surely that can't happen. Let's just go with it. She wasn't happy, but off we went to the 9th floor.

At about 5:00 AM I woke up to the entire room shaking and swaying. The only thing that I could think of was, I am so dead. I am toast. Maybe she is sleeping through it. No, she wasn't. This was the Northridge earthquake (6.7) that was about 100 miles from us. Somehow "I told you so" just didn't do it for her as we were riding around in our hotel room as we went back and forth.

We were supposed to drive back to LA that day and fly out of LAX, but we were able to change to flying out of San Diego instead. The rental car company was testy about returning the car in San Diego, but I pointed out that things were still falling down in LA and did they really want their nice car taken back up there? They saw it my way.

I just do as I'm told now. Lower floors or we don't stay...

 

[Nonsuch]

...Lower floors or we don't stay...

Request the ground floor
I always request high floors, so we balance out

 

[franandaj]

At about 5:00 AM I woke up to the entire room shaking and swaying. The only thing that I could think of was, I am so dead. I am toast. Maybe she is sleeping through it. No, she wasn't. This was the Northridge earthquake (6.7) that was about 100 miles from us. Somehow "I told you so" just didn't do it for her as we were riding around in our hotel room as we went back and forth.

Actually, I seem to think it was 4:37AM, how do I know? Because I was 9 blocks from the surface above the epicenter.

I wouldn't go back to my second floor bedroom for several weeks. We slept on a Futon next to the front door, IF I could sleep!

 

[Donald is #1]

OK, since you insist...

As I said my wife really doesn't like earthquakes. Even though she spent time as a child in California, she just really doesn't like them. I grew up a couple of miles from the San Andreas Fault in the Bay Area and I just ride them out.

On January 16, 1994 we were checking into a hotel in San Diego. They didn't have a room on a lower floor of the hotel and so they put us on the 9th story. DW really didn't like that. I said, so what do you think the chances are that there will be an earthquake tonight? Surely that can't happen. Let's just go with it. She wasn't happy, but off we went to the 9th floor.

At about 5:00 AM I woke up to the entire room shaking and swaying. The only thing that I could think of was, I am so dead. I am toast. Maybe she is sleeping through it. No, she wasn't. This was the Northridge earthquake (6.7) that was about 100 miles from us. Somehow "I told you so" just didn't do it for her as we were riding around in our hotel room as we went back and forth.

We were supposed to drive back to LA that day and fly out of LAX, but we were able to change to flying out of San Diego instead. The rental car company was testy about returning the car in San Diego, but I pointed out that things were still falling down in LA and did they really want their nice car taken back up there? They saw it my way.

I just do as I'm told now. Lower floors or we don't stay...

I never thought about that, but if an earthquake hit while I was visiting, I would be totally freaked out.

 

[kerickson]

I almost wish we have booking categories now because I would have requested it 11mo ago and it would be a done deal. Now, I'm deliberating what view I should request (we arrive on Monday). I was all set on PPV, but now that WOC hasn't started, I'm thinking Pool view would be best so I can watch the kiddies/husband swimming from the balcony if I want or watch the DL fireworks. PPV might be tougher to get though once WOC starts so should I try for it now just to experience the park view? Will I stress over this for the next 50 years?!! Any recommendations?

 

[minniemoms]

Who DOES like earthquakes. I don't like them either. Years ago I used to think they only happened in California, but I don't anymore.

 

[M4travels]

Actually, I seem to think it was 4:37AM, how do I know? Because I was 9 blocks from the surface above the epicenter.

I wouldn't go back to my second floor bedroom for several weeks. We slept on a Futon next to the front door, IF I could sleep!

We were a bit further east, Glendora, and I was so crazed for a moment or two.

What I do remember was that it was the perfect out for a house we were planning on putting an offer on that day; while we knew we could afford it, we weren't sure it was what we needed. We tossed and turned all night over it; then we were thrown out of bed by the earthquake!

We stayed in Glendora for a few years more...........

 

[Nonsuch]

I almost wish we have booking categories now because I would have requested it 11mo ago and it would be a done deal.

The small number of villas would make booking categories a major headache, making it difficult to keep the villas efficiently full.

PPV might be tougher to get though once WOC starts so should I try for it now just to experience the park view? Will I stress over this for the next 50 years?!! Any recommendations?

I love the PPV, not just for WoC. Opening the balcony doors lets the noise from the park into the room
Request the view you want, and sometime over the next 50 years you will get it

 

[8timesblessed]

Do both Grand Villas have a great view???

We are staying in a Grand Villa the first 3 nights of our stay and then moving to 2 2 bedrooms the next 4 nights and wondered what views the GV get.

 

[franandaj]

We were a bit further east, Glendora, and I was so crazed for a moment or two.

What I do remember was that it was the perfect out for a house we were planning on putting an offer on that day; while we knew we could afford it, we weren't sure it was what we needed. We tossed and turned all night over it; then we were thrown out of bed by the earthquake!

We stayed in Glendora for a few years more...........

It can happen anywhere here, and will probably sometime soon. There's a lot you can do to prepare, but in the real world we just need to make sure we'll be able to get out of our house, take care of our pets and have enough food & water to get through it all.

But let's get back to the VGC discussion, when y'all check in make sure you check where the emergency exits and staircases are located! The big one will come someday!

 

[SoCalKDG]

Do both Grand Villas have a great view???

We are staying in a Grand Villa the first 3 nights of our stay and then moving to 2 2 bedrooms the next 4 nights and wondered what views the GV get.

One GV will have a view of the Disneyland Fireworks as well as the pool and GRR. The other will have GRR and a great view of WOC.

It should be noted that the best view of WOC is inside the park in the designated viewing area. Everyone should spend at least one night there watching the show.

There is a possible 71 units at one time if all 2 bedroom lockoffs are being used as 1 bedroom 1 studio configuration. Of this, 27 would have WOC view (2nd - 6th floor). The studios that end in a 10 can't see the show, but do have a view of the some of the park. Only 6 of 23 possible studios have a view of WOC while 1 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms are 10 of 23. So if you have a studio, don't expect a WOC view.

I'd also be happy with a 4th-5th level pool view(since you can see the fireworks) plus any of the rooms looking at GRR are amazing views. I dislike the ground floor rooms the most.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I dislike the ground floor rooms the most.

I feel the same way.

 

[ploeb]

is this going to work like other timeshares??? in other words,can someone buy points from an owner?

 

[SoCalKDG]

is this going to work like other timeshares??? in other words,can someone buy points from an owner?

Resales for VGC are already available. You can also check the rental board for people renting points which you can use to reserve rooms at the VGC.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Are any of the Use Years sold out at this point?

 

[ACDSNY]

Are any of the Use Years sold out at this point?

I haven't heard of any yet. We added on again to our Aug UY earlier this year.

 

[Nonsuch]

is this going to work like other timeshares??? in other words,can someone buy points from an owner?

Is this a serious question
The resale links are on every DVC forum page

 

[franandaj]

I just thought I would let all you "lovers" know, I've started a trip report with all kinds of pictures from the VGC including some from WoC off my balcony over last weekend. If you want to check it out the link is in my sig. I'll be staying three more times in the next six weeks in addition to going out there for a few evening for dinners during F&W.

For those who haven't been yet, you can see some of the new construction and for those who have, it will give you a rememberance of home.

 

[kerickson]

What kind of coffee filters do the villas use? I'd like to bring down some extras...

 

[sierranevada]

What kind of coffee filters do the villas use? I'd like to bring down some extras...

Basket type - like Mr. Coffee (not cone)