The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[Maistre Gracey]

The park view GV is HA.

Yikes... As in roll in shower in the master? Any other significant differences?

Thanx,
MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

And they are both two story? How does that work for the HA?

MG

 

[lisah0711]

I watched the 3rd show on the 11th from the platform. You see next to nothing of the water screens but can enjoy the fountains although even their effect isn't the same as seeing it in the park. Sound is piped in but the show will be best viewed from inside DCA. The Zephyr also blocks a lot - it's essentially in the middle of the view.

Just back from a great vacation at the Grand 6-6 to 6-12. Watched WOC 6 times from #4508. Looks great. I could see about 2/3 of the projections, the sound was great, and the Zephyr did not block my view. I've watched a really good video from another (inside) website (the) that (magic) came from Paradise Park and I'd say that balcony captures about 85% of the show. Considering I was able to avoid the mess inside the parks currently with the popularity of this show, I'm pretty happy. Great show, by the way.

Thanks for the info! Can't wait to see for myself in 8 short days!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And they are both two story? How does that work for the HA?

MG

If it's anything like the GV's at Kidani or BLT (maybe SSR too) there is an entry door on the second level. You take the elevator to that story and enter there should you need to.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If it's anything like the GV's at Kidani or BLT (maybe SSR too) there is an entry door on the second level. You take the elevator to that story and enter there should you need to.

Oh that's right.. Forgot about that.

MG

 

[Djsgoofy]

It is a roll in shower in the master with a fold-up seat. I believe there was a slight "ramp" to the balcony. There is a separate entrance for the second floor. Other than that, I did not really notice it being an HA. It was not an issue for us. The shower is huge - had a curtain - that may have been different. I still would take the park view with the HA.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It is a roll in shower in the master with a fold-up seat. I believe there was a slight "ramp" to the balcony. There is a separate entrance for the second floor. Other than that, I did not really notice it being an HA. It was not an issue for us. The shower is huge - had a curtain - that may have been different. I still would take the park view with the HA.

Thank you for the great info..
The curtain in the shower would be a disappointment for me. I just love the thick glass doors.
Either way I'm sure I'll love it!

MG

 

[lisah0711]

Thank you for the great info..
The curtain in the shower would be a disappointment for me. I just love the thick glass doors. Either way I'm sure I'll love it!

Enjoy, MG! A bad day in a grand villa beats a good day just about anywhere else IMHO!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Does anybody know if both GV's are NON HA? I want to make sure and request a non if one of them is HA.. Not that the request will make much difference seeing as though there are only two.

Any thoughts on the views between the two? I think we will leave it o fate, but I would like some feedback..

Thanx,
MG

I wasn't sue if you meant two GVs or only two HA villas. When I checked in late May, I specifically asked that we not be put in a HA villa as we have had those quite a bit lately, and the CM stated only two HA villas in the whole DVC resort. She did not say what size units, so now we know one is a GV. I am guessing the other would be a one-bedroom.

When we were in a GV at OKW, I did not mind any of it but the shower in the master. I missed that huge shower stall and did not like that the shower curtain stuck to me constantly and water was everywhere on the floor. And, t here was no counterspace around the sink, just the little shelf over it.

In the kitchen, it was open underneath the sink and the microwave was on the counter rather than above the stove, but neither of those were a problem.

If I needed a HA unit, I am sure I would appreciate them terribly, and I am truly not trying to be ugly, I jut missed that big shower stall.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Enjoy, MG! A bad day in a grand villa beats a good day just about anywhere else IMHO!

You are so right! I'm sure I won't be complaining..!

I wasn't sue if you meant two GVs or only two HA villas. When I checked in late May, I specifically asked that we not be put in a HA villa as we have had those quite a bit lately, and the CM stated only two HA villas in the whole DVC resort. She did not say what size units, so now we know one is a GV. I am guessing the other would be a one-bedroom.

When we were in a GV at OKW, I did not mind any of it but the shower in the master. I missed that huge shower stall and did not like that the shower curtain stuck to me constantly and water was everywhere on the floor. And, t here was no counterspace around the sink, just the little shelf over it.

In the kitchen, it was open underneath the sink and the microwave was on the counter rather than above the stove, but neither of those were a problem.

If I needed a HA unit, I am sure I would appreciate them terribly, and I am truly not trying to be ugly, I jut missed that big shower stall.

Thanks.. I can probably deal with the shower, but I'm hoping the kitchen at VGC is not drastically different. We will have guests, and I'm guessing the kitchen / living room will be the central focal point.

MG

 

[JimmyJam838]

I wasn't sue if you meant two GVs or only two HA villas. When I checked in late May, I specifically asked that we not be put in a HA villa as we have had those quite a bit lately, and the CM stated only two HA villas in the whole DVC resort. She did not say what size units, so now we know one is a GV. I am guessing the other would be a one-bedroom.

I believe the other is a non-dedicated 2 bedroom. We were in the one bedroom portion a month ago (#1514 IIRC). It was that last one bedroom they had available that day as we wanted a room that was higher up. I had requested a Paradise Pier View, when I first made the reservation, but that didn't happen.

There was another differences that I can think of in the 1 bedroom HA. In the master suite portion, there was no sliding panels that allowed you to see into the bedroom from the bathroom.

 

[Nonsuch]

Google has updated Satellite views which now show the VGC expansion.
Photos are from November 2009, with the WOC fountains visible (pond is only partially filled).

The relationship of VGC and WOC is easy to see:

Google Earth can simulate views from different perspectives, such as the VGC patio:

 

[lisah0711]

Wow! Great info -- thanks! Makes me glad I decided to do the WOC dining next week, even if I do have a lousy dinner at WCT.

 

[Longhairbear]

Wow! Great info -- thanks! Makes me glad I decided to do the WOC dining next week, even if I do have a lousy dinner at WCT.

I heard dinner there is top notch.

 

[Nonsuch]

I believe the other is a non-dedicated 2 bedroom. We were in the one bedroom portion a month ago (#1514 IIRC). It was that last one bedroom they had available that day as we wanted a room that was higher up. I had requested a Paradise Pier View, when I first made the reservation, but that didn't happen.

There was another differences that I can think of in the 1 bedroom HA. In the master suite portion, there was no sliding panels that allowed you to see into the bedroom from the bathroom.

The Condominium Plan matches what has been posted.
There is one HA unit for each type of villa.

Studio 1516:
First floor facing Redwood Creek
Bathroom rearranged: toilet/tub/sink are in one room.

1-bedroom 1514
First floor facing Redwood Creek
Combines with 1514 to form a 2-bedroom lockoff
Master bath rearranged: toilet does not have a separate room, no sliding shutters.
Kitchen: island removed.

2-bedroom 3513
Third floor facing pools, below Grand Villa.
Master bath rearranged: toilet does not have a separate room, no sliding shutters.
Kitchen: island removed.

Grand Villa 4522
Fourth floor facing Paradise Pier
Master bath rearranged: sliding door separate toilet/shower from sinks/bath, no sliding shutters.
Fifth floor does not have HA changes.

Each of these villas have only one HA bathroom, so 1514/1516 2-bedroom lockoff is the only way to have 2 HA bathrooms in one villa.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the great info... Are you saying it's a solid wall in the HA GV when looking into the bedroom from the bathroom? Does it look odd?
Also, is the kitchen and counters any different? Living room?

Thanx again,
MG

 

[franandaj]

The Condominium Plan matches what has been posted.
There is one HA unit for each type of villa.

Studio 1516:
First floor facing Redwood Creek
Bathroom rearranged: toilet/tub/sink are in one room.

Does the studio actually have a tub or has it been replaced with a roll-in shower?

 

[minniemoms]

Makes me glad I decided to do the WOC dining next week, even if I do have a lousy dinner at WCT.

did I miss something??? Dinner and seating?? What is WCT???

 

[Disney Princess]

We are FINALLY getting to use our points at VGC. We purchased them last summer, but already had two trips to WDW scheduled. So, it is with much joy that we can call on Saturday for our 11-month window for our first stay at our CA home!!! Of course, then we have to wait 11 long months to actually go, but who's counting?

 

[lulubelle]

We are FINALLY getting to use our points at VGC. We purchased them last summer, but already had two trips to WDW scheduled. So, it is with much joy that we can call on Saturday for our 11-month window for our first stay at our CA home!!! Of course, then we have to wait 11 long months to actually go, but who's counting?

Your post has me thinking about booking for May 2011. I love staying over Mother's Day as well as later in the month for F&W events. It's hard to decide this far out which dates to choose! So when are you going? You will love the VGC, they are so beautiful.