The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[franandaj]

It doesn't affect the theme park view issues (crossing our fingers that we get one!), but when I was talking about WL and AKL, I was referring to the main lodge buildings with their expansive lobbies - so Jambo, not kidani.

The lobby is just beautiful. The lighting is subdued, there is a pianist playing in the afternoons, the giant fireplace gives it such a homey feeling, and the chairs are so comfy! Even though people are hustling and bustling through there it has such a relaxed feeling to it.

 

[TLPL]

I just made my reservation for next August trip today!! It will be our first time to go "Home". I would like to get a room that has the WOC show view, what is the description I should give for my request? Any help? Thanks!

 

[trampslady]

We leave in eight hours for our first stay at the VGC. We've stayed at the hotel several times, which is why we knew that we would never be happy without owning a few points there. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be wanting to add on after this trip. I just wish I knew what the current incentives were on the cruises because we will be cruising in November, and I'd love to wait until then. But, with points going fast......

Anyway, we are only there for three nights in a studio. Any feedback on the studios and where they are located throughout the lodge?

 

[wildernessDad]

Each lobby (Jambo, Wilderness & the Grand) is absolutely gorgeous and impressive. Each fits its individual thematic mark perfectly - a bullseye each time. Of the three however, the Grand is definitely my personal favorite. There's just something about the Craftsman style that bespeaks elegance and splendor mixed with simple charm, grace and coziness all at the same time.

I purchased there sight unseen, because of Peter Dominick. I can't wait to walk into the lobby in May.

 

[stopher1]

I purchased there sight unseen, because of Peter Dominick. I can't wait to walk into the lobby in May.

I remember how excited you were to be able to say you owned at all three of the resorts he designed. I really believe you will love it!

The fireplace isn't "front and center" like in the WL, but rather off to the side in kind of an alcove, but it is massive. Not as massive as some of the fireplaces in the various national park hotels (i.e. the Ahwanhee in Yosemite where a grown man could literally stand inside it), but the Grand's fireplace is gorgeous. On the opposite side of the wall it shares, there is an outside version as well, where you could pull up a rocker and enjoy a cocktail or some pleasant conversation.

Like the other 2 resorts, every level surrounding the lobby provide such neat perspectives. There is a beautiful little sitting area, that could be used for small receptions and the like, up on level 3. There is a gorgeous staircase off to the the left (as you face the lobby) that will get you up to it. On the opposite side of the lobby, up on level 4, I believe, or is it 5... hmmm, anyway, there's a nice outdoor patio, kind of like the one at the back of the lobby in the WL.

In the late afternoon and through the evenings, it is so nice to be able to sit and relax with the pianist playing, and just enjoy people watching.

The restaurants located at the resort (Storytellers Cafe, Napa Rose) are not right off the lobby as the other two (a la Whispering Canyon, or Boma, though Boma is downstairs from the lobby, of course). You need to exit the lobby and walk down the exterior breezeway on the east side. However the Hearthstone Lounge is located right next to the lobby, on the southeast corner, for any libations you care to enjoy.

It really is a beautiful place.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I just made my reservation for next August trip today!! It will be our first time to go "Home". I would like to get a room that has the WOC show view, what is the description I should give for my request? Any help? Thanks!

paradise pier view - upper floor.

We leave in eight hours for our first stay at the VGC. We've stayed at the hotel several times, which is why we knew that we would never be happy without owning a few points there. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be wanting to add on after this trip. I just wish I knew what the current incentives were on the cruises because we will be cruising in November, and I'd love to wait until then. But, with points going fast......

Anyway, we are only there for three nights in a studio. Any feedback on the studios and where they are located throughout the lodge?

Here's a link to several maps of the GC/VGC including the villas room locations.

GC/VGC maps

I purchased there sight unseen, because of Peter Dominick. I can't wait to walk into the lobby in May.

It's been 4+ years since I first walked into the GC lobby and had the weirdest sense of deja vu. I felt like I'd been there and knew the place but yet it was different. I'm certain you'll love it and feel right at home!

 

[funatdisney]

There's just something about the Craftsman style that bespeaks elegance and splendor mixed with simple charm, grace and coziness all at the same time.

You explained so well.

I used to work at Yellowstone National Park (back in the day) at the Old Faithful Station. The Old Faithful Inn is very near and dear to my heart. It has a certain feel that I will never forget. Only three other places that bring me back to the Old Faithful Inn: the Ahwahnee, Fort Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian. So when they added a DVC to the GCH, I had to own there. The GCH is one of my favorites.

 

[stopher1]

You explained so well.

I used to work at Yellowstone National Park (back in the day) at the Old Faithful Station. The Old Faithful Inn is very near and dear to my heart. It has a certain feel that I will never forget. Only three other places that bring me back to the Old Faithful Inn: the Ahwahnee, Fort Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian. So when they added a DVC to the GCH, I had to own there. The GCH is one of my favorites.

My DW grew up staying in Yosemite (camping) her entire childhood and young adulthood. I grew up staying in Mammoth Lakes, often times passing through Yosemite to see family in Fresno. Similar mountain experiences yet different. We both love the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite. I treated her to a stay in the Ahwanhee for our 7th anniversary, and it was wonderful. And yes, the Grand does evoke feelings/atmosphere for us of the Ahwanhee, just as you mentioned the Old Faithful Inn for yourself. Both Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian are lovely, lovely, lovely.

 

[nunzia]

My DW grew up staying in Yosemite (camping) her entire childhood and young adulthood. I grew up staying in Mammoth Lakes, often times passing through Yosemite to see family in Fresno. Similar mountain experiences yet different. We both love the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite. I treated her to a stay in the Ahwanhee for our 7th anniversary, and it was wonderful. And yes, the Grand does evoke feelings/atmosphere for us of the Ahwanhee, just as you mentioned the Old Faithful Inn for yourself. Both Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian are lovely, lovely, lovely.

..maybe that's it...I'm from San Jose and grew up in Reno and the Sierra Nevada mountains are home. Squaw Valley, Tahoe...maybe that is why the Grand feels like all things warm and comforting. Will be staying at DLH next week for Destination D and I know I'll love it (stayed there once as child in 1969..it was the fanciest hotel we ever stayed at as a kid!)..but it will be odd not staying at the Grand..I may just have to go to the Hearthstone Lounge and have a drink

 

[funatdisney]

My DW grew up staying in Yosemite (camping) her entire childhood and young adulthood. I grew up staying in Mammoth Lakes, often times passing through Yosemite to see family in Fresno. Similar mountain experiences yet different. We both love the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite. I treated her to a stay in the Ahwanhee for our 7th anniversary, and it was wonderful. And yes, the Grand does evoke feelings/atmosphere for us of the Ahwanhee, just as you mentioned the Old Faithful Inn for yourself. Both Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian are lovely, lovely, lovely.

There is just something so special about the places mentioned between us. This past summer, my DD(15) and I went camping at Kings Canyon. One of my friends that came on the camping trip also worked at the Old Faithful Station for one of the years I did. The Sequoia National Park brought back so many memories for us.

At one point, my daughter said that the Sequoias reminded her of the Grand Californian. and she was right. I was reminded of the Grand Californian, too. The Grand really does a great job of reminding me of one of my most memorable experiences in my life. It pleased me so much to have my DD make the connection between our camping trip and the GCH. I hope that she will go work at a National Park in her college years like I did. For now, we have the Grand Californian.

 

[stopher1]

..maybe that's it...I'm from San Jose and grew up in Seno and the Sierra Nevada mountains are home. Squaw Valley, Tahoe...maybe that is why the Grand feels like all things warm and comforting. Will be staying at DLH next week for Destination D and I know I'll love it (stayed there once as child in 1969..it was the fanciest hotel we ever stayed at as a kid!)..but it will be odd not staying at the Grand..I may just have to go to the Hearthstone Lounge and have a drink

Oh to be there right now.

We have a large puzzle that I put together years ago that is framed hanging over our fireplace. It's of Half Dome, in the winter with a beautiful base of snow around the reflection in Mirror Lake. Just about anybody that comes into our home comments on it, because here in the midwest, there just aren't MOUNTAINS. Sure there are hills they call mountains, but they aren't MOUNTAINS like out west. For Christmas I found us a similar puzzle of El Capitan that we put together over the months of the winter and spring, an its now waiting to be framed. Our master bathroom has Ansel Adams artwork, (plus a framed pic of the Grand, and the Wilderness Lodge). Combined it all helps to take us back home to our roots daily.

 

[gkrykewy]

I have to say, I really like how the conservation here has developed. For me, visiting Yosemite a few years ago was awesome and breathtaking. Visiting the great National Parks and their lodges is just such a joy.

 

[stopher1]

I have to say, I really like how the conservation here has developed. For me, visiting Yosemite a few years ago was awesome and breathtaking. Visiting the great National Parks and their lodges is just such a joy.

There's mothing quite like it on earth.

Here's what we look at every day. It's so very peaceful & calming, even just the image. The real thing is so much moreso...

 

[franandaj]

..maybe that's it...I'm from San Jose and grew up in Seno and the Sierra Nevada mountains are home. Squaw Valley, Tahoe...maybe that is why the Grand feels like all things warm and comforting. Will be staying at DLH next week for Destination D and I know I'll love it (stayed there once as child in 1969..it was the fanciest hotel we ever stayed at as a kid!)..but it will be odd not staying at the Grand..I may just have to go to the Hearthstone Lounge and have a drink

Hey neighbor! I grew up in Saratoga! For us we took a lot of day trips up to Big Basin with all the wonderful redwoods. We went skiing in Bear Valley when I was a kid, and once I was able to drive, the Santa Cruz Mountains became my playground! I just love the woodsy feeling of the VGC! I can't wait to be staying there a week from now!

 

[nunzia]

Hey neighbor! I grew up in Saratoga! For us we took a lot of day trips up to Big Basin with all the wonderful redwoods. We went skiing in Bear Valley when I was a kid, and once I was able to drive, the Santa Cruz Mountains became my playground! I just love the woodsy feeling of the VGC! I can't wait to be staying there a week from now!

SANTA CRUZ boardwalk..back in the day..When we didn't vacation at Disneyland we vacationed at Santa Cruz or went and saw the redwoods, or went to Truckee and all around there. Sorry..I'm drifting...back to adoring the VGC

 

[stopher1]

Hey neighbor! I grew up in Saratoga! For us we took a lot of day trips up to Big Basin with all the wonderful redwoods. We went skiing in Bear Valley when I was a kid, and once I was able to drive, the Santa Cruz Mountains became my playground! I just love the woodsy feeling of the VGC! I can't wait to be staying there a week from now!

SANTA CRUZ boardwalk..back in the day..When we didn't vacation at Disneyland we vacationed at Santa Cruz or went and saw the redwoods, or went to Truckee and all around there. Sorry..I'm drifting...back to adoring the VGC

I grew up in Pasadena, so DL was always very close by... but all of those other places were visited throughout my childhood too. I love the redwoods! Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Mt. Shasta, going to San Francisco on the coast route (much better than the 5). Santa Cruz, Monterey, Solvang, Tahoe, going to the old ghost town of Bodie... ahh memories. It's kinda funny now, but thinking back, my parents owned a townhouse in Mammoth, in my later teen years, and at the time they were being encouraged to add the unit to a newly formed, emerging co-op timeshare system within that resort community. But they opted against it because they wanted to be able to use it whenever they wanted to, and not be restricted to certain weeks of the year. It was a lovely place and holds lots of great memories for me. In fact I took half my senior class (it was small, VERY small - only 20 kids total) for a long weekend skiing getaway that winter. That was a blast. But where were we? Oh yeah, VGC.

 

[peloha86]

 

[peloha86]

[/IMG]

Can I go back now, please!!!

 

[marts35]

Can I go back now, please!!!

I would like to second that

 

[franandaj]

I was just there today. Not staying, just had lunch (in DL) and bought some special things that we had been waiting until we had a little cash to pick up and luckily they weren't sold out (well at those prices...!) We stopped in the lobby of the GCH and I told my DP all about the discussion that we are having on this board about the WL and Jambo Lobbies in comparison to the GCH and we definitely agreed that it is the nicest of the three. The dark woods the styling of the rocks in the fireplace, just to name a few things. She commented that as the last of the three to be built that they just continued to get better with each resort.

Normally we just hustle and bustle through there on our way into the parks, so I wanted to take a few moments and enjoy it. We didn't go on any rides today, just enjoyed the food, characters and ambience. It's nice to take your time and do that, especially when it's only a 25 minute drive home!