The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[Fellowship9798]

congrats, you will have to change your tag line in your name..since you don't have to hold out for something in Cali any more! Welcome Home!

Hmmm. I thought about it, but it was a "Tag Fairy" addition so I'm not sure if I want to touch it. Doesn't make a lot of sense any more though.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Hmmm. I thought about it, but it was a "Tag Fairy" addition so I'm not sure if I want to touch it. Doesn't make a lot of sense any more though.

Love the Jack Handy quote though...

 

[stopher1]

Congrats and Welcome to our newest VGC neighbors!

 

[BeccaG]

Hmmm. I thought about it, but it was a "Tag Fairy" addition so I'm not sure if I want to touch it. Doesn't make a lot of sense any more though.

Well then I understand! I wouldn't remove a tag fairy tag either!

 

[TLPL]

I added on to VGC last month, but I am not planning to visit until Auguest 2011. Can someone tell me if they have any VGC logo merchandise available? or even just GCH shirt or what not. All I have is a VGC mousepad they sent after one of the webcast a while a go. I really want something from VGC.

 

[JimmyJam838]

I don't remember there being any VGC merchandise, but there is some GCH logo merchandise available. I know they have their robes available, but don't remember what else.

 

[franandaj]

All the DVC merchandise is generic, but they do have some nice GCH things, not only clothes but wine glasses and carafes and luggage and all sorts of things.

 

[TLPL]

Any pictures of them? Do you think DeliverEAR will have them?

 

[lisah0711]

Do we get free high speed internet service at VGC like we do at WDW?

I apologize if the info is somewhere in the 2700+ posts here already.

 

[Mattsmommy]

Do we get free high speed internet service at VGC like we do at WDW?

I apologize if the info is somewhere in the 2700+ posts here already.

Yes, there is free internet in the room.

 

[Garthilk]

It was a little sad signing the paperwork (and payting the $) to own at the VGC then walking back across Harbour Blvd to our room at the Best Western Anaheim Inn.

You know,

Being a new member myself, I also found this slightly dissapointing. It's like buying a new car, taking it home, but being told you can't drive it for a year. They need to work better to try and enhance avliability for new members.

The first year is basically learning how your points work, and for VGC, learning that if you want a reservation you're going to have to use your 11 month window and change your vacation habits.

 

[godalejunior]

WE CLOSED TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Process took about a month to the day...thank you TSS and Magic Vacation Title!!!!!

Now on to the important stuff.....need to wait for those points to get in the system. Poor MS they are going to hear from me everyday for the next week!

 

[Snurk71]

Do we get free high speed internet service at VGC like we do at WDW?

All of the DL resorts (including non-DVC) include "free" internet - it's included as part of the resort fee for the cash rooms.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

I added on to VGC last month, but I am not planning to visit until Auguest 2011. Can someone tell me if they have any VGC logo merchandise available? or even just GCH shirt or what not. All I have is a VGC mousepad they sent after one of the webcast a while a go. I really want something from VGC.

The gift shop in the lobby, Acorn Gifts, does have some nice Grand California Hotel specific merchandise. My dh got me a robe there, just like the ones in the rooms, that they will monogram for you. Love wearing that thing around the house and pretending I am at our other "home"

I also remember wine glasses and I think sweatshirts or some other clothing item with Grand Californian logos. Sorry, I don't have any pictures but I remember really liking all the GC specific items quite a bit.

As a side note, we are waitlisting for a small 25 point contract with June UY to bump our total to 235. I really would love another 50 but 25 is a much more financailly responsible amount for us to do right now and who knows if it will even come through.

 

[wbl2745]

I added on to VGC last month, but I am not planning to visit until Auguest 2011. Can someone tell me if they have any VGC logo merchandise available? or even just GCH shirt or what not. All I have is a VGC mousepad they sent after one of the webcast a while a go. I really want something from VGC.

I was at the DLR last weekend and noticed that the gift shop also had generic DVC merchandise, such as caps, t-shirts, jackets, etc.

 

[8timesblessed]

We loved our first stay at the Villas! My kids had the best time. We started out in the Grand Villa 4513 overlooking the pools (so I was a little disappointed knowing WOC was testing on the other side) but we saw the fireworks the Sunday night we arrived. We had three nights in the Grand Villa and then had to pack up to move to a 2 bedroom for 4 nights and we got another 2 bedroom for 3 nights for family. We were moved to 2506 and when we checked into our room that night from being at Universal Studios all day, my twins cried because they said it wasn't their room but we walked outside and WOC testing was just starting, it was so magical! Loved it, I got goose bumps, it was fabulous and just made the best party. We were celebrating our twins 5th birthday.

I was a little disappointed in the shower heads, no pressure and having to buy extra dishwasher soap. The rooms were beautiful and the beds lovely and they were pretty quiet. My dad slept 10 hours the first night and said he's never done that.

We can't wait to go back, my oldest said it wants to live at Disneyland!

 

[ACDSNY]

As a side note, we are waitlisting for a small 25 point contract with June UY to bump our total to 235.

I hope you add-on go through soon!

We loved our first stay at the Villas! My kids had the best time.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your first trip home! Now you'll have many more trips in the future to look forward to.

 

[godalejunior]

WE CLOSED TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Process took about a month to the day...thank you TSS and Magic Vacation Title!!!!!

Now on to the important stuff.....need to wait for those points to get in the system. Poor MS they are going to hear from me everyday for the next week!

And I am in the system today!!!!!!

I was worried that I would not be able to use the 163 points by the end of November....well hot dog!!!

November had quite a bit of availability....including over veterans day weekend. We are doing a studio for two nights and then moving to a 1 bedroom for four nights. Had to use a few of the 2009 points I was going to bank but that is okay...still have some to bank into 2010.

Looking forward to seeing my new home!

 

[kikiq]

You know,

Being a new member myself, I also found this slightly dissapointing. It's like buying a new car, taking it home, but being told you can't drive it for a year. They need to work better to try and enhance avliability for new members.

The first year is basically learning how your points work, and for VGC, learning that if you want a reservation you're going to have to use your 11 month window and change your vacation habits.

When we bought our points in May, our guide had a a printout from late that afternoon of the VGC rooms that were available for this summer. At that time, nothing available for Memorial Day weekend or weekends in July. Granted getting more than 2 nights together for this summer is tough. Before we bought our VGC points, I was calling in January for our anniversary weekend in July, 7 months SSR points. I have a waitlist but I still call just in case there's anything available close to that date. That's how we were lucky and got our one night Memorial Day weekend...called and asked.

What part do you want them to work work better at? The OP said he bought points and already had hotel reservations. If you recently bought points and wanted to stay this summer, you need to remember while this is the newest DVC, it has been opened for a few months. 11 months/7 months have come and gone for this summer. If you are flexible and willing to waitlist, you could squeeze in a few nights this summer. It would be the same if you bought BWV points now and wanted to stay there for Food And Wine.

 

[kerickson]

You know,

Being a new member myself, I also found this slightly dissapointing. It's like buying a new car, taking it home, but being told you can't drive it for a year. They need to work better to try and enhance avliability for new members.

The first year is basically learning how your points work, and for VGC, learning that if you want a reservation you're going to have to use your 11 month window and change your vacation habits.

Probably a moot point given that the points are almost sold out, but the logic is most folks are buying points because there aren't that many units and booking using other DVC points at 7mo and cash will be rare. So if that's the case it should be expected that you may not be able to use your new points w/in 7mo... But, most new members (or existing) may not be thinking it through that way so it would be nice for the guide to point it out. Unfortnately the guide may not want to bring up additional details that could deter the buyer.

Previously at WDW it hasn't been an issue because you could always use your points at other DVC locations right away even if your home resort isn't available.

New members could use their points to book DLH or PPP and luckily there isn't the $95 transfer out fee yet...

DVC is a learning curve, they should give out a login to the DIS boards when you buy! I've learned so much from these boards!