The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[nunzia]

I'm surprised that you could see fireworks from a DVC villa..nice Also, has anyone yet tried the DVC viewing platform area? How does that work? Where is the door to this?

 

[funatdisney]

I completely forgot about the viewing platform. Now I am wondering, too.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm surprised that you could see fireworks from a DVC villa..nice Also, has anyone yet tried the DVC viewing platform area? How does that work? Where is the door to this?

The door is up on the 6th floor. Any valid Grand Californian room key will allow entry to the platform.

It's a very nice room with its own set of restrooms. Unfortunately it does not provide a very good view of World of Color. The water show was almost certainly still under development when the hotel expansion was finalized. Hotel designers may have hoped for a better view of WoC, but things just didn't pan out that way. The viewing angle is elevated and off to the side, meaning that many of the effects are not presented properly. Images on the water screens are very difficult to make out. Also, some park attractions mar the view. The Zephyr is right in the middle of the show from that angle.

On the bright side they do pipe-in the show soundtrack and it's unlikely there will ever be a crowd in that room. I guess it's a decent alternative for those who are unable to obtain FastPasses, don't have theme park admission for the day, don't want to walk back down to the park, etc. A first time viewer will probably be lost trying to watch from up there but it isn't awful for a repeat viewing.

 

[funatdisney]

I thought that would be the case when I visited the viewing area when VGC first opened. You make some good points about it being "a decent alternative for those who are unable to obtain FastPasses, don't have theme park admission for the day, don't want to walk back down to the park, etc. " I guess I should add binoculars to my packing list.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm surprised that you could see fireworks from a DVC villa..nice Also, has anyone yet tried the DVC viewing platform area? How does that work? Where is the door to this?

Yes, I did on opening night. First I saw it from in the park and then for the 3rd show I watched from the viewing platform. Tim has pretty much described it.

Funny thing was they had a security guard out on the platform and then two more inside the halls that night. My best guess was for crowd control - which, including myself, totaled 9 people!

It would be my last choice for viewing of all options. First if from the new viewing area they built. Second is from another spot around PP and the platform would be the last choice if I hadn't gotten a FP or wasn't going into the park.

 

[Nonsuch]

It would be my last choice for viewing of all options. First if from the new viewing area they built. Second is from another spot around PP and the platform would be the last choice if I hadn't gotten a FP or wasn't going into the park.

You forgot to include watching from the balcony of the Grand Villa
GV will have a much better vieing angle

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You forgot to include watching from the balcony of the Grand Villa
GV will have a much better vieing angle

That actually did cross my mind but I decided to stick the options that have a possibility of happening for me!

 

[gkrykewy]

Does anyone know if the free in-room internet (for DVC guests) is wired only, or if wifi is also available? If wired only, is the wifi in shared resort areas (i.e., lobby, etc) also free for DVC guests?

First if from the new viewing area they built.

Where is the new viewing area?

 

[Nonsuch]

Does anyone know if the free in-room internet (for DVC guests) is wired only, or if wifi is also available? If wired only, is the wifi in shared resort areas (i.e., lobby, etc) also free for DVC guests?

There is free WiFi in the VGC rooms, and throughout the hotel.
The 1-bedroom villa has wired internet located on the desk of the bedroom.

 

[gkrykewy]

Great, thanks!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Where is the new viewing area?

It's the area that they have most of the Fast passes for to view the show right on the water. It's just before the Zephyr and by the new Little Mermaid ride they are building.

 

[marts35]

I think everyone must be at the Villas enjoying World of Color and all the fun things at Disneyland instead of posting on the board. This is exactly why I couldn't get reservations last minute for this week. I'm learning...and will book earlier next time. Enjoy everyone!

 

[wdw4life]

I tried for a last minute reservation ,too. Didn't get it. I also tried for one in September and couldn't get that one either.

 

[franandaj]

I got one back when Destination D was announced, now we just need to get tickets!

 

[nunzia]

I got one back when Destination D was announced, now we just need to get tickets!

Ditto..but I got reservations off site (I would have had to borrow points and if I couldn't get to Destination D I'd lose them). I'll call tomorrow IF I get tickets and get on a waistlist..anyone want to cancel their studio for that time frame

 

[VallCopen]

We just got home from 10 nights in a 2 bedroom villa and I am already missing it. We got the exact same room we had back in November, 4500, so now we feel like that really is our home. Had a nice view of the World of Color although we couldn't see the projections it was still very nice to watch. Had plans to do AG for dinner but my 12 year old got sick and couldn't leave her room. Plus the earthquake the day before cancelled all the WOC shows that night so I was a bit scared that they might cancel them again and I didn't want to pay for dinner and get tickets to a no show - show.

Just an FYI I called last week to change some reservations we made in November and had no problem booking a 2 bedroom, we also booked a studio for 1 night but that one was taken on some of the nights we wanted. We did release the one bedroom for anyone interested. All in all I thought it was pretty good that I could even get that changed being only 4 months away.

Love the Villas at the Grand!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We just got home from 10 nights in a 2 bedroom villa and I am already missing it. We got the exact same room we had back in November, 4500, so now we feel like that really is our home. Had a nice view of the World of Color although we couldn't see the projections it was still very nice to watch. Had plans to do AG for dinner but my 12 year old got sick and couldn't leave her room. Plus the earthquake the day before cancelled all the WOC shows that night so I was a bit scared that they might cancel them again and I didn't want to pay for dinner and get tickets to a no show - show.

Just an FYI I called last week to change some reservations we made in November and had no problem booking a 2 bedroom, we also booked a studio for 1 night but that one was taken on some of the nights we wanted. We did release the one bedroom for anyone interested. All in all I thought it was pretty good that I could even get that changed being only 4 months away.

Love the Villas at the Grand!!!

Glad you you had a great visit. Summer finally here!

Jack

 

[MCSfromWA]

We just got home from 10 nights in a 2 bedroom villa and I am already missing it. We got the exact same room we had back in November, 4500, so now we feel like that really is our home. Had a nice view of the World of Color although we couldn't see the projections it was still very nice to watch. Had plans to do AG for dinner but my 12 year old got sick and couldn't leave her room. Plus the earthquake the day before cancelled all the WOC shows that night so I was a bit scared that they might cancel them again and I didn't want to pay for dinner and get tickets to a no show - show.

Just an FYI I called last week to change some reservations we made in November and had no problem booking a 2 bedroom, we also booked a studio for 1 night but that one was taken on some of the nights we wanted. We did release the one bedroom for anyone interested. All in all I thought it was pretty good that I could even get that changed being only 4 months away.

Love the Villas at the Grand!!!

Wow! We were in 4500 also from 6-23 thru 6-29! We wondered who would follow us in that villa. I loved the location and enjoyed watching the WOC from the balconey. We love the villas, too!

 

[gkrykewy]

Just about 10 weeks now until we spend a week in a studio at your lovely home resort! Can't wait. Requested a high floor with a theme park view, but it seems as if all the view types are great.

 

[VallCopen]

Wow! We were in 4500 also from 6-23 thru 6-29! We wondered who would follow us in that villa. I loved the location and enjoyed watching the WOC from the balconey. We love the villas, too!

WOW!!! What do you think the chances are of finding the person who stayed in your room just before or after you on the DIS boards (or anywhere for that matter), and it looks like we are both from Washington???? That is crazy. I wish you could of left us all your fridge condiments and such.

Love this room, we wish we could get it every trip.