The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[cseca]

Thanks everyone for your responses. It's good to hear that most of you think that the space is not tight.
I was just a bit worried that I'll be tripping over things with 3 people in the room.
Can't wait to go!

 

[PoohNFriends]

Subscribing to this thread because we just added VGC points on last night at the Doorway to Dreams event last night (at Woodfield Mall in IL)!
Didn't think we would actually add on last night since we just became members less than 2 months ago, but we knew DLR would be our next trip and hopefully every few years after!
Haven't read too much in this thread yet, but looking forward to learning and sharing some stuff with my new neighbors!

 

[lulubelle]

We were there for Mother's Day, too!
We are a family of three and a studio is fine. I love this resort, it's our favorite.

Congratulations PoohNFriends, you will love it

Only one more week until Taste and a two bedroom with friends!

 

[ACDSNY]

Subscribing to this thread because we just added VGC points on last night at the Doorway to Dreams event last night (at Woodfield Mall in IL)!

Welcome to my new East and West Coast neighbors! You'll love your new home.

 

[mickeys girl 52]

I have read through allot of this post and really enjoyed it.I am considering getting some points there. I would love to see some pictures of the pool/slide if anyone has any.thanks

 

[dwelty]

I have read through allot of this post and really enjoyed it.I am considering getting some points there. I would love to see some pictures of the pool/slide if anyone has any.thanks

The resort section of this site has good photos of the resort and pool area:

www.dvcnews.com

 

[stopher1]

Subscribing to this thread because we just added VGC points on last night at the Doorway to Dreams event last night (at Woodfield Mall in IL)!
Didn't think we would actually add on last night since we just became members less than 2 months ago, but we knew DLR would be our next trip and hopefully every few years after!
Haven't read too much in this thread yet, but looking forward to learning and sharing some stuff with my new neighbors!

Congrats & Welcome Home to VGC!

We were at the event ourselves on Saturday morning. It was fun. I wanted to add more points at VGC, but DW wasn't as convinced, since we've already added on to our intial VGC purchase there once already. But who knows, perhaps we still will.

 

[toocherie]

Only one more week until Taste and a two bedroom with friends!

Yippee! I can't wait.

Ok--an observation. I checked out of the Grand this morning (a Monday) and there were three cars tops in the valet parking lot. And it's a pretty big lot. Now on the weekend it seemed to be busier (at least I didn't notice it being a vast wasteland then). But this morning it was. On the other hand, on Saturday the self-parking lot was full and they re-directing people to a parking garage (I'll find out more from my friend--I was in handicapped parking). So it seems to me that the "no free valet parking" rule for the villas has had an impact on the self-parking and they need to re-think their availability of each. maybe allow self parking in the valet lot on less busy days (although that may be a logistical issue). Anyway--it was interesting--they had a lot of valet guys in front of the Grand and I have to imagine they're bored!

 

[Nonsuch]

I checked out of the Grand this morning (a Monday) and there were three cars tops in the valet parking lot.

Monday is a nice day to checkin. Sunday can be crazy, with half the rooms "turning over"

The above ground valet lot near the hotel entrance is only a small part of valet parking. There are 2 levels underground parking under the VGC/hotel expansion. This parking is laid out for valet use only, with many double deep parking stalls.

 

[dwelty]

Monday is a nice day to checkin. Sunday can be crazy, with half the rooms "turning over"

The above ground valet lot near the hotel entrance is only a small part of valet parking. There are 2 levels underground parking under the VGC/hotel expansion. This parking is laid out for valet use only, with many double deep parking stalls.

In addition to that, there is no way to get down there unless you are a castmember. You might be able to sneak in there, but it might be tricky.

They have been Valet parking for years at the Grand. Since there are over 900 standard hotel rooms that have access to Valet, it is unlikely that the 50 VGC units are impacting those numbers positively or negatively.

 

[franandaj]

I was in handicapped parking. So it seems to me that the "no free valet parking" rule for the villas has had an impact on the self-parking and they need to re-think their availability of each.

Just out of curiousity, I thought I read somewhere that Valet parking was still free for disabled or is that only in Florida?

 

[toocherie]

Well, the policy at VGC is that if there is handicapped parking available (there are about 7 or 8 spots in the lot in front of the hotel) then you park there; if those are all taken--which is often the case--then they will valet park you for free. This past two-night stay--HA parking was filled when I checked in so they valet'd me; I had to leave the next day to see someone in the hospital and when I came back there was HA parking available so I parked there.

I think Florida is different in that they don't have close by HA parking, so they valet.

 

[toocherie]

The above ground valet lot near the hotel entrance is only a small part of valet parking. There are 2 levels underground parking under the VGC/hotel expansion. This parking is laid out for valet use only, with many double deep parking stalls.

Actually--I remembered that last night after I had posted. I'm sure you are right--maybe as a matter of course they mostly park underground to keep the cars out of the sun?

 

[franandaj]

Well, the policy at VGC is that if there is handicapped parking available (there are about 7 or 8 spots in the lot in front of the hotel) then you park there; if those are all taken--which is often the case--then they will valet park you for free. This past two-night stay--HA parking was filled when I checked in so they valet'd me; I had to leave the next day to see someone in the hospital and when I came back there was HA parking available so I parked there.

I think Florida is different in that they don't have close by HA parking, so they valet.

Are the 7 or 8 spots in the lot across the street? I've never seen any in front of the hotel.

 

[Nonsuch]

Are the 7 or 8 spots in the lot across the street? I've never seen any in front of the hotel.

 

[lisah0711]

Is anyone going to VGC as WOC opens in June? We will be there 6/23 - 6/25. I know that there is no guarantee that we will get a room with a view of WOC so I am trying to find out about how the patio access is going to work. We have a dedicated 2 bedroom so I am hoping it increases the chances of a good view. I spoke with MS today to confirm my requests but they did not have any information at all about the patio. Does anyone know anything about it -- I think the MS person thought I was making it up!

 

[sierranevada]

Is anyone going to VGC as WOC opens in June? We will be there 6/23 - 6/25. I know that there is no guarantee that we will get a room with a view of WOC so I am trying to find out about how the patio access is going to work. We have a dedicated 2 bedroom so I am hoping it increases the chances of a good view. I spoke with MS today to confirm my requests but they did not have any information at all about the patio. Does anyone know anything about it -- I think the MS person thought I was making it up!

It is a deck on the top floor where they have the 2 BBQ's and some tables. Nice open area - good WoC view but not the best. It is not a full on view and has some minor viewing obstructions. It is a good alternative if you don't want to fight the crowds but again, not the prime spot.

 

[stopher1]

Is anyone going to VGC as WOC opens in June? We will be there 6/23 - 6/25.

Oh Lisa enjoy it! That's so cool. I hope your request comes through. I wish our summer plans had worked out, but we won't be there til December. But I do get to be there in late November while on a work trip. It's better than nothing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Is anyone going to VGC as WOC opens in June? We will be there 6/23 - 6/25. I know that there is no guarantee that we will get a room with a view of WOC so I am trying to find out about how the patio access is going to work. We have a dedicated 2 bedroom so I am hoping it increases the chances of a good view. I spoke with MS today to confirm my requests but they did not have any information at all about the patio. Does anyone know anything about it -- I think the MS person thought I was making it up!

I'll be there 6/8-12. I'll let you know if I learn anything. If I survive.

 

[ajf1007]

I have a 2 bedroom in October. Does anyone have a suggestion for a villa request? I'd like to see the big Wheel of Color I think. Right now, I don't have any requests for a specific room.