The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[KAT4DISNEY]

Please refresh my memory about whether we have online checkin for VGC.

Not yet. But at least one person has been told it'll be coming in June so maybe by the time you go.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Just wanted to say, "Hello!" We bought 320 points split into two contracts during our trip in May. We love DL and normally take two to three trips per year. Thanks to DVC, we are taking a 10 day trip to WDW in October, split between OKW(1 br/7 nights) and Kidani(studio/3 nights). Then we have 5 nights booked in a 2br at VGC in December. Can't wait to finally hear "Welcome Home!"

 

[Boutilier]

We just purchased 320 points (2 contracts) for the VGC this past weekend too!! We are staying Nov 23 - Nov 26 in a studio. I have a 1 bedroom on waitlist. We are also taking the kids (DS - 9 & DD - 8) on a surprise trip to WDW in late September. I wasn't able to stay on points since our reservation was for club level at the AKL. We did decide to come in 1 day early and booked the BCV 1 bedroom just to see what they are like.
Now I just need to figure out how to start a vacation countdown!!
Jennifer

 

[boiseflyfisher]

We just purchased 320 points (2 contracts) for the VGC this past weekend too!! We are staying Nov 23 - Nov 26 in a studio. I have a 1 bedroom on waitlist. We are also taking the kids (DS - 9 & DD - 8) on a surprise trip to WDW in late September. I wasn't able to stay on points since our reservation was for club level at the AKL. We did decide to come in 1 day early and booked the BCV 1 bedroom just to see what they are like.
Now I just need to figure out how to start a vacation countdown!!
Jennifer

Great minds think alike! I'm a little worried about staying in a studio with my two kids (10 and 8yo), but figure we can handle it for three nights. We will normally plan on staying in a 1br. You can make a countdown at ***********************. They are easy to make.

 

[Wendybeth]

Congratulations on buying at VGC. Our first stay was last April and it was fantastic!

All you can do about the view is to place a request on the reservation. Call member services and ask them to add a request for a Paradise Pier view if you want to see that part of the park.

Regarding WoC, there is a deck on the 6th floor that VGC guests (and other GCH guests?) can use, but the view of WoC is not good. You can certainly see the fountains and all, but the view of the water screens is very poor. You can't really see anything that is being projected. When we were there in April they were testing one evening and we were up there. I would not plan on viewing WoC from that location. I think you really need to be in the park in the viewing area. If you're concerned about crowds check out the viewing dinner packages.

Thanks so much for your help- I'll give them a call today!

 

[ACDSNY]

Welcome to all the new VGC owners! Looks like we picked up quite a few lately.

 

[CaptainsCrew]

So we have only stayed once so far in our home away from home. It was everything we wanted and hoped for. We have also reserved the dining experience combined with WOC tickets that is currently available for our June return. We will be there the weekend after the grand opening of the world of color. They tested again this past Monday night/Tuesday morning. The video was running about 3am. The water tests were earlier in the evening while they raised and lowered the platform. The music was pretty clear from the 5th floor. The room card does open the viewing platform.

 

[mom2pirateNpooh]

There was no reservation system when I was there at the end of February. I could see the BBQs from our balcony, and I only saw them used 3 times over 5 days. These are large high end gas BBQs, which could easily cook a dozen hamburgers in 10 minutes. I doubt a reservation system will ever be needed.

Tools are available for checkout from Guest Services. A flashlight would be handy if your going to cook at night.

Thanks, Nonsuch! Good to know we don't need to pack the tools, since DH always complains that I pack too much stuff. Maybe we will have more BBQ meals than originally planned, if no one is using the grills. I would hate to see them go to waste!

 

[mom2pirateNpooh]

No flashlights anymore. Looks like they've installed cooking lights... (my DH haming it up and cooking a little skirt steak for our fajitas the end of April -yum!)

Good to see there are lights, though DS10 would probably have loved to help DH grill by holding a flashlight. Your steak looks yummy!

 

[mom2pirateNpooh]

Not yet. But at least one person has been told it'll be coming in June so maybe by the time you go.

Yep, that would be me. DH received an email telling him we could check in online ten days before our stay later this month. I'll post when I find out if it's for real or not.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yep, that would be me. DH received an email telling him we could check in online ten days before our stay later this month. I'll post when I find out if it's for real or not.

There you are!!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Just got back from another stay at the Grand! A friend got a great package deal and so booked the GCH for 5 nights and invited me to tag along. Even though our regular room was a little smaller than the studio in February, it was close to the pool and the DCA entrance.

A highlight of the trip was taking the 7:30 am Power Walk through DCA before it opened! It is exclusive to GCH/VGC guests. It was a good workout, and our guide pretty much gave us a personalized, FREE guided tour. What an amazing perk!! We found out lots of good info, even for a Disney geek like me. I even saw the Vice President, Mary Nieves, in the park that early and she said good morning to us. Plus, how often do you get to walk through an empty Disney park? The kids also enjoyed the doing the Redwood Creek Trivia Challenge, which was another one of the activities.

The pools were crowded, but the perfect temperature. I even enjoyed the slide myself! Can't wait till next June when we are back in the Villas again.

 

[kerickson]

Welcom Home New Members

Seeing you all pop up really makes me want to do an add on! 25-50 extra points would be perfect. Maybe I can talk my husband into it as it is my b-day today and he's out of town, so he owes me big (or little if it's just a little add on )

Does anyone know if the Aug UY has sold out?

 

[nunzia]

Welcom Home New Members

Seeing you all pop up really makes me want to do an add on! 25-50 extra points would be perfect. Maybe I can talk my husband into it as it is my b-day today and he's out of town, so he owes me big (or little if it's just a little add on )

Does anyone know if the Aug UY has sold out?

That's about what I 'need' too..of course a couple months ago I thought I 'needed' only 50 and now that I have that..hmm...It's the kids and grandkids! They all want to take trips just with us, so their kids get quality grandparent time. Really..we need to just make the 175 work for awhile. We're a month away from no debt besides the mortgage and I don't want to hit savings with that big a purchase right now, so will hang tight. If the announcement hadn't come about VGC being in final selling phase I wouldn't even think about it. In a way it will be a relief to hear that March use year is gone..and a little sad too.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Congratulations to all the new owners! Every owner who has stayed recently has nothing but glowing reviews to share. We are a lucky group!

So for those of you in the "know". Is it true that the June use year is sold out? I want to do a 25-50 point add on (sounds familiar right) so I will take availability as a sign of whether or not it was meant to be.

Much like a pp said, it is the thought of grandkids down the line that is making me think our 210 points here are not enough.

 

[rmonty02]

WELCOME TO VGC!!! to all of you that have just added-on or posting here for the first time
It's awesome to here of all the new owners and how everyone has enjoyed their stays at VGC. I of course LOVED our fist DVC stay at our home last November and sadly will have to wait till summer 2011 to go back. But I don't feel too bad because DVC has made it possible for my family and I to plan our first trip to the World this November So I'll definitely get my Disney fix for the year. Congrats again to all the new VGC owners

 

[minniemoms]

June is gone??? Is July and August gone too

 

[franandaj]

YikeS

Is the September UY sold out? I decided last week to add on to BCV and VWL and after thinking about it this week decided to add more points at VGC. I better call my guide!

With all these new owners time is running out. We just applied for an equity loan because my FIL drained all our cash with 24-7 caregivers in his final year. Only 2% of our worth is unpaid for, we thought it would be a good idea, to get some cash so we can start "living" again. I was going to wait for the cash to come through, but sounds like I better get the points going right away! There's always the Disney Visa that I can pay in a month!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Congratulations to all the new owners! Every owner who has stayed recently has nothing but glowing reviews to share. We are a lucky group!

So for those of you in the "know". Is it true that the June use year is sold out? I want to do a 25-50 point add on (sounds familiar right) so I will take availability as a sign of whether or not it was meant to be.

Much like a pp said, it is the thought of grandkids down the line that is making me think our 210 points here are not enough.

I'd say you just need to have your guide check on the June pts. People do back out of contracts so even though one day there aren't any they could end up being available the next.

 

[KarenB]

Just got back from another stay at the Grand! A friend got a great package deal and so booked the GCH for 5 nights and invited me to tag along. Even though our regular room was a little smaller than the studio in February, it was close to the pool and the DCA entrance.

A highlight of the trip was taking the 7:30 am Power Walk through DCA before it opened! It is exclusive to GCH/VGC guests. It was a good workout, and our guide pretty much gave us a personalized, FREE guided tour. What an amazing perk!! We found out lots of good info, even for a Disney geek like me. I even saw the Vice President, Mary Nieves, in the park that early and she said good morning to us. Plus, how often do you get to walk through an empty Disney park? The kids also enjoyed the doing the Redwood Creek Trivia Challenge, which was another one of the activities.

The pools were crowded, but the perfect temperature. I even enjoyed the slide myself! Can't wait till next June when we are back in the Villas again.

Can't wait to go especially when reading posts like this one! We will be in a dedicated 2 bedroom late July, for 8 nights. Do you have to use a park ticket for this power walk or can we do it every day?