The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[KAT4DISNEY]

Were you able to use them without any charges, or was there a $95 trade out fee?

DL resorts do not require the $95 fee.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I also want to know about the filter basket.

The coffee makers are full size 12 cup and take the round basket filter. My studio came with one packet of coffee - the type that is already in a filter bag. Standard hotel fare and mine was actually meant for a small 4 cup coffee maker. This was a short time after the Villas opened so perhaps it's been adjusted. For additional coffee you can purchase it at Whitewater Snacks or just bring your own along.

 

[lark]

DL resorts do not require the $95 fee.

Also rule of 4 for DL resorts is currently waived, for what it's worth.

Lots of rumors that once VGC opened, they would institute both the $95 fee and the rule of 4 for DLH and PP, but so far, nope. I'm actually a bit surprised. I think people stay for shorter trips at DL and don't plan as far in advance as WDW, so the $95 and the rule of 4 would be a bummer, but I have a hunch we'll see them both eventually now that VGC is up and running.

 

[franandaj]

Also rule of 4 for DL resorts is currently waived, for what it's worth.

Lots of rumors that once VGC opened, they would institute both the $95 fee and the rule of 4 for DLH and PP, but so far, nope. I'm actually a bit surprised. I think people stay for shorter trips at DL and don't plan as far in advance as WDW, so the $95 and the rule of 4 would be a bummer, but I have a hunch we'll see them both eventually now that VGC is up and running.

This is why I bought points there, I had used my SSR points to stay at the GCV rooms during F&W last year and realized that eventually I would either have to pay a $95 trade out fee, or not get in at the 7 month mark once CA F&W really takes off. We bought GCV points and now I think we have a balance. If I can deal with only staying in studios (Geez it's a hotel 20 min from my house, you'd think I could work with that!), than we can get 3 weekends and a couple more saturday night weekend stays. For people who live that close, you'd think that would be good enough.

Although one of the stays we did last year was a night at GC Concierge and we must have ate our weight in Disney strawberries, and the chocolate covered ones, Mmmmmmm, We'll probably never do that again, but to experience it once was awesome!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I just read that we no longer are able to use points to book Concierge at the DLH or PP.

 

[franandaj]

I just read that we no longer are able to use points to book Concierge at the DLH or PP.

Where did you find that?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I read it on another message board. A person who was looking to book at one of the hotels was told that as of two weeks ago Concierge is no longer available with points. And the point chart on the member website has been changed and no longer shows concierge level. It looks like it's only the DL hotels - not the WDW ones.

Another enhancement.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Can anyone tell me what kind they are?? I just read that some rooms at GC have Keurigs? What about the studios at GCV? If they are regular Mr Coffee types- are they flat bottom filters or cones?

 

[lark]

Can anyone tell me what kind they are?? I just read that some rooms at GC have Keurigs? What about the studios at GCV? If they are regular Mr Coffee types- are they flat bottom filters or cones?

We just stayed in a 1 BR. I don't know the brand, but it was a flat bottom filter (they sold filters down at the store in the hotel too that fit).

 

[lark]

I just read that we no longer are able to use points to book Concierge at the DLH or PP.

And so it starts!

Good info. Thanks.

 

[junglejoy]

We'll be buying our first points @ VGC as soon as we can get someone to call us back...

We're planning a trip soon - wont' be staying at our home yet though - but was wondering if anyone knew if DVCers get a discount on APs? Or if there is still the Costco deal to get the Deluxe AP or any other such deal?

Thanks!

 

[nunzia]

We'll be buying our first points @ VGC as soon as we can get someone to call us back...

We're planning a trip soon - wont' be staying at our home yet though - but was wondering if anyone knew if DVCers get a discount on APs? Or if there is still the Costco deal to get the Deluxe AP or any other such deal?

Thanks!

We get a 20 dollar discount at DLR for new APs, nothing for renewals. At WDW we get 100 off...as of now.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Two weeks away from our second trip "home". Yet again, we will be traveling with another family, and getting a 2-bedroom lock-off. Our traveling companions are Disney fanatics, so it should be fun!

And to all of those having "heavy" weather out there (strong winds, rain, and only getting stronger here on the Cali central coast), hang in there!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I recently watched the grand opening of VGC on youtube and was suprised by how small it seems. How has booking gone for you guys thus far? I'd love to book it at 7 months in the future but I'm curious if it would even be possible. Are you guys getting the dates/villas you want with ease or has there been a lot of waitlisting? just curious! Thanks!

 

[nunzia]

I recently watched the grand opening of VGC on youtube and was suprised by how small it seems. How has booking gone for you guys thus far? I'd love to book it at 7 months in the future but I'm curious if it would even be possible. Are you guys getting the dates/villas you want with ease or has there been a lot of waitlisting? just curious! Thanks!

So far so good. I was surprised when my travel plans changed (taking B & SIL) that, although no studios were available at the 4 months out, there was a 1 BR, so we cancelled the studio and upgraded to that.

 

[toocherie]

A friend indicated that he has been having trouble booking through the summer. I was going to call and check it out myself.

 

[december14disney]

Hi all! We are owners at Kidani Village and often go to WDW but for our honeymoon we are doing a California tour and kicking it off by visiting DLR for the first time. We are getting married 7/17 and leaving 7/18 for our honeymoon so two weeks ago when we decided what we were going to do and change from going to WDW to DLR I was so nervous that no rooms would be available at VGC. We called and got a studio from 7/18-7/23!

!!!!!

I'm so excited and will be reading over this thread.

 

[merifan]

Hi all! We are owners at Kidani Village and often go to WDW but for our honeymoon we are doing a California tour and kicking it off by visiting DLR for the first time. We are getting married 7/17 and leaving 7/18 for our honeymoon so two weeks ago when we decided what we were going to do and change from going to WDW to DLR I was so nervous that no rooms would be available at VGC. We called and got a studio from 7/18-7/23!

!!!!!

I'm so excited and will be reading over this thread.

Congratulations on the wedding and your VGC stay.
Those are the exact days we will be there staying in a one bedroom. I've been visiting Disneyland once or twice a year for the past twenty years. Lots of off site stays (mostly HoJo), and DLH and GC stays. Finally bought into DVC last July so this will be my first trip home. I can't wait!

 

[Nonsuch]

We are getting married 7/17...

Your anniversary will be the same as Disneyland, only 55 years apart

 

[preedymtnwest]

Hi, all.

We'll be at VGC in a month for our first trip to our CA home. My sister and family will be with us, and would like to tour/talk to a guide there. Where is the DVC "office" and which model do they have there now? I had heard that they were going to change from VGC (since they're open now) to Aulani (new name!) at some point - have they?

TIA!!