The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[Michaeljsz]

Hi Everyone,
We just got back from our first trip to the VGC and stayed in a decicated 2 bdrm room 3500. If your looking at the villas from CA park the room is just to the right of the viewing deck but down 2 floors. So all in all a great view and got to see what really happens when a few poor souls get stuck on Mulholland Madness in the pooring down rain and have to sit there and wait for almost 15 minutes before a cast member gets to them and another 20 till they got the ride going. I thought atleast the cast member would have brought them an umbrella but NO, they sat there strapped in dripping wet, a dad and 3 little kids. Well here's the reason for my post, has anyone noticed that the walls are paper thin? We could hear everything going on in the room next door. They were'nt being loud or anything, but the walls just seemed paper thin and was very hard to sleep so was just wondering if anyone else noticed this or it was just me =__)

 

[ACDSNY]

That's funny, my sister and I were discussing how quiet our room was last Friday. She was amazed how little of the DCA noise you heard in the room when the doors were closed. I was surprised we couldn't hear my Dad's snoring from the living room. We didn't even notice any noise from above or below us. Maybe they forgot some insulation around your rooms. Or maybe we had very quiet neighbors. I doubt with the 4 kids in our room we were considered quiet.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I didn't hear a sound in my studio a couple of weeks ago. Nice and quiet.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Well here's the reason for my post, has anyone noticed that the walls are paper thin? We could hear everything going on in the room next door. They were'nt being loud or anything, but the walls just seemed paper thin and was very hard to sleep so was just wondering if anyone else noticed this or it was just me =__)

Our 2 bedroom lockoff was very quiet...never once did we hear our guest family in the lockoff studio next to us.

 

[maburke]

I was at VGC 9/24 - 9/27 and I asked the cabana girl for a tour. They were going to officially open on the 27th. You can rent a cabana for half a day (I think the price was $110 or $125 -- I can't remember) or for the whole day at $180 or $185. The half day was from 9 to 1 or 2 to 6 and a whole day would be from 9 to 6. The cabanas have a little refrigerator, a tv, ect. It's pretty fancy. There are 2 chaise lounges in front of the cabana as well as a table inside. I thought they looked cool but I think we will admire it them from a distance.

That's about the same price that I've seen for the cabanas at the Contemporary, and they look pretty similar.
http://www.contemporaryresort.net/cabana.html
I don't think you get any food, but lots of attention from the waitstaff if you want anything brought in. And with a refrigerator, of course, you could bring your own.

 

[wdw4life]

I never heard anything from my neighbors either. I was very happy that it was so quiet!

 

[toocherie]

Hi Everyone,
We just got back from our first trip to the VGC and stayed in a decicated 2 bdrm room 3500. If your looking at the villas from CA park the room is just to the right of the viewing deck but down 2 floors. So all in all a great view and got to see what really happens when a few poor souls get stuck on Mulholland Madness in the pooring down rain and have to sit there and wait for almost 15 minutes before a cast member gets to them and another 20 till they got the ride going. I thought atleast the cast member would have brought them an umbrella but NO, they sat there strapped in dripping wet, a dad and 3 little kids. Well here's the reason for my post, has anyone noticed that the walls are paper thin? We could hear everything going on in the room next door. They were'nt being loud or anything, but the walls just seemed paper thin and was very hard to sleep so was just wondering if anyone else noticed this or it was just me =__)

have stayed in two different studios and if there's a child screaming in the hall I can hear it or a door slamming but otherwise no 'room to room" noise that I noticed.

 

[SoCalKDG]

On a positve note...we will be staying at the villas in a studio for the first time this Friday, Oct 23. I CANNOT WAIT!!!

I know it will be an awesome experience.

We will be there the night before, Thursday, Oct. 22. Halloween party then easy walk to the room.

The kids want to use the pool that Friday. It will be in the 80's so it might be warm enough.

Anyone know if the main pool with the water slide is heated?

Any height restrictions?

 

[bumbershoot]

We will be there the night before, Thursday, Oct. 22. Halloween party then easy walk to the room.


Any height restrictions?

People have been saying that the DCA/GCH entrance is NOT open during the party, FYI.

The pools are heated. The big slides tell you that users must be strong swimmers, and you cannot wait at the bottom for kids sliding. And no life vests. I've asked hubby if he remembers a height limit (he went over to read the sign when we looked at the pools), but he's working and hasn't gotten back to me yet. If he remembers height info I'll reply again.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Some very nice pictures of the Grand Californian and the Villas at the Grand Californian in the Wilderness Lodge Groupies thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2265436&page=29

 

[funatdisney]

People have been saying that the DCA/GCH entrance is NOT open during the party, FYI.

The pools are heated. The big slides tell you that users must be strong swimmers, and you cannot wait at the bottom for kids sliding. And no life vests. I've asked hubby if he remembers a height limit (he went over to read the sign when we looked at the pools), but he's working and hasn't gotten back to me yet. If he remembers height info I'll reply again.

I remember seeing life vests the last time I was there on September 27-28. They were stored big book shelf like bins around the pool. They were yellow.

 

[JoRo]

ok back from our Oct 16-21st trip - this is our first DVC experience over all loved it! Just went back a page to read a few posts...

Yes we saw lots of life vests at the pool, but we didnt go to the pool maybe our next trip.

Our 1 bedroom was 4502 - requested higher then 3rd floor near elevator and it was directly across they way. We had problems with our air conditioning the first 2 nights but apparently it was wide spread - they did work very hard to try and get it fixed. We loved our room, the bed was nice, master bath was huge a little over kill, sleeper sofa comfy, and pull out was nice for Nana We didnt hear much from the park except a few screams but it all ended by 10ish when park closed. NEver heard anyone except for the child upstairs dropping things on the floor. Next time we go well have a studio it will be hard to down size for sure!

no more bed rails for small kids they dont fit the new beds, so we hauled ours down and they arent going to reorder. there was a wooden restaurant style high chair and play pak - but our 16 month old preferred the bench.

we did call to make sure they were bringing new towels on the 4th day - we needed them - especially since we used a few hand towels for kitchen use.

My wishes for DVC - kitchen towels and an oven mit, garbage dump on each floor - had to go to 1st floor to dump) we have diapers so need to dump each day - salt pepper, would like to have found the garbage bags.

Over all the parks were packed, first time to DL trick or treat party it was fun and the only time we were able to get onto toy story for the 5 days. Did the fantasmic desert thing - really mixed on this didnt know we had to lined up at 6:30 and wait until they assign seats at 8. Even Monday and Tuesday were exceptionally busy - is there really a off season anymore. So I can share more about park adventures but wanted to share quick DVC notes.

 

[BeccaG]

no more bed rails for small kids they dont fit the new beds, so we hauled ours down and they arent going to reorder. there was a wooden restaurant style high chair and play pak - but our 16 month old preferred the bench.

Oh bugger, we drive too so we can bring our rail but I liked not. And what about those flying? This is a real bummer for me. Anyone else get rails or maybe here something different?

 

[ACDSNY]

Anyone else get your VGC Founding Member gift? DH just called to tell me ours arrived today. I can't wait to get home and see what it looks like.

 

[ToodlesRN]

We haven't and I was just wondering about that earlier today! Hope it somes soon!

 

[Disney Princess]

Some very nice pictures of the Grand Californian and the Villas at the Grand Californian in the Wilderness Lodge Groupies thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2265436&page=29

Thanks for the link. I don't ever venture to that thread - what beautiful pictures!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Anyone else get your VGC Founding Member gift? DH just called to tell me ours arrived today. I can't wait to get home and see what it looks like.

Yep! Came home from taking Mom to the eye doctor and there was this great big huge box!

 

[Disney Princess]

Yep! Came home from taking Mom to the eye doctor and there was this great big huge box!

Can't wait to see them! Please post pics if you can. We aren't founding members, but happy members nonetheless.

 

[DVCGeek]

Can't wait to see them! Please post pics if you can. We aren't founding members, but happy members nonetheless.

Couldn't agree with you more; love to see pics and also a happy but non-founding member over here. And as for sister locations, since Wilderness Lodge was mentioned a few posts ago I'm sitting in a studio there right now... All in all, Disney Lodge = Good!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Can't wait to see them! Please post pics if you can. We aren't founding members, but happy members nonetheless.

Ok - here they are! The frame size measures 42"x22".

Here's the whole picture:

And the cards that came with it:

A couple of close-ups:

It is not as yellow/tan as the pictures appear. That is just the tone from the lights in the room.

It is a very nice gift. Contrary to the card I don't think it was in my VGC studio room - nor does it mention the Villas specifically. Maybe I just don't recall it but I looked thru my pictures and did not see it in any of them either. Maybe it is in the larger units as well as the hotel rooms?