The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[toocherie]

Grumpygrandpa - I see you're doing your part to keep the economy going like us. I think vacations should be regularly scheduled throughout the year too. You'll have to let us know how the cruise goes since you'll be sailing before us.

I'm trying to talk my DIL into at girls trip to DL the end of April so I can take our GS for his first Disney trip. Then DH & I have a weekend in San Diego in early May, another weekend over near Fort Bragg in early June. Our kids want us to schedule a camping trip at Salt Point the end of Aug. Then the big trip in Nov.

Bring on the vacations! I keep telling my co-workers we're just making up for all the years we didn't take any trips.

LOL--I'm doing the same thing. Leave a week from today for a solo trip to WDW for 8 days (was going to take my Mom, but she broke her femur outside the Paradise Pier hotel three weeks ago and had to have surgery). Then I have friends traveling here for a DL trip the end of April. Then in May I have several DL food and wine events scheduled. Then in June some Dis friends and I are going to Vegas for a week. Then I have NOTHING scheduled until October for another Dis meet at DL, then the DCL cruise in early December and I just closed yesterday on my Marriott ShadowRidge purchase and I'm going there mid-January 2010. So, I'm doing my part for the economy! And I haven't even scheduled any VGC trips yet!

 

[ACDSNY]

LOL--I'm doing the same thing. Leave a week from today for a solo trip to WDW for 8 days (was going to take my Mom, but she broke her femur outside the Paradise Pier hotel three weeks ago and had to have surgery).

I hope all your trips are magical Cheryl! We can start the Disney stimulus package. Give your Mom some pixie dust for me, that's so sad to break your femur at the Happiest Place on Earth! Wishing her a speedy recovery.

My dad use to call me "Grace" and it wasn't for my gracefulness, I'm always tripping over my own two feet. A little over a year ago had my first fall on skates at my niece's B-day skating party and broke my elbow. I'm starting to think my skating days might be over.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Just popping in to say "hi", after a year of debating the merits of DVC (for our situation), we've finally decided to buy into DVC, with the Villas as our home resort. If all goes as planned, we should be members soon after the GCVs are open to the general public, as we made a deposit with our new guide while visiting Disneyland last week.

We were fully committed before we visited, but seeing the models (1BR and 2BR/studio) really made an impression on us. Beautiful!

Also, seeing all of the new stuff going into the GC park iteslf (Radiator Springs, "World of Color" water show, etc.), and a most enjoyable 3 night trip were just icing on the cake!

Anyways, just wanted to pop in and say "hi".

- Wide Eyed Wonder

 

[ACDSNY]

Welcome Wideeyedwonder to the group and may you have many more wonderful trips!

 

[grizbuzz]

LOL--I'm doing the same thing. Leave a week from today for a solo trip to WDW for 8 days (was going to take my Mom, but she broke her femur outside the Paradise Pier hotel three weeks ago and had to have surgery). Then I have friends traveling here for a DL trip the end of April. Then in May I have several DL food and wine events scheduled. Then in June some Dis friends and I are going to Vegas for a week. Then I have NOTHING scheduled until October for another Dis meet at DL, then the DCL cruise in early December and I just closed yesterday on my Marriott ShadowRidge purchase and I'm going there mid-January 2010. So, I'm doing my part for the economy! And I haven't even scheduled any VGC trips yet!

Just curious...where did you end up making final reservations at WDW??

Sounds like you have many great vacation plans coming up! Just need to get some Aug-Sept plans made

 

[kerickson]

We're also traveling more than ever this year. The great thing is, due to DVC, free AP's, Sheraton points and SWA Rapid Rewards it's costing us little to none out of pocket! We'll do enough 'stimulus spending' on princess dresses and buzz lightyear toys, however

GCH Concierge in May, Vegas Red Rock resort in June, enjoying our own backyard in July , Sheraton and DLH in Aug, Western DCL in Oct, Sheraton and VGC (hopefully) in Dec, then our free 3night cruise in Dec '10!

toocherie
What DL Food and Wine events are you planning on attending? If my husband and I were on our own we'd attend 1 or 2 for sure, but a bit tough with little ones... Are there any you recommend and do you think any would be worth getting a babysitter to attend?

 

[lisah0711]

We're doing our part to stimulate the economy, too. San Francisco next week, Disneyland in June, Lake Okoboji in August, and WDW in December!

But I think that you win the prize for most trips, Kerri! Way to go!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

You'll have to let us know how the cruise goes since you'll be sailing before us.

I will definitely let everybody know about the cruise. I can't wait. It will be my first cruise ever (The ocean freaks my DW out a little).

I'm trying to talk my DIL into at girls trip to DL the end of April so I can take our GS for his first Disney trip. Then DH & I have a weekend in San Diego in early May, another weekend over near Fort Bragg in early June. Our kids want us to schedule a camping trip at Salt Point the end of Aug. Then the big trip in Nov.

Bring on the vacations! I keep telling my co-workers we're just making up for all the years we didn't take any trips.

Enjoy all of your trips and take lots of pics of that first Disney trip for your GS.

 

[toocherie]

Just curious...where did you end up making final reservations at WDW??

Sounds like you have many great vacation plans coming up! Just need to get some Aug-Sept plans made

I'm staying the first night at Port Orleans French Quarter on cash, then moving to SSR for the rest of the time.

We're also traveling more than ever this year. The great thing is, due to DVC, free AP's, Sheraton points and SWA Rapid Rewards it's costing us little to none out of pocket! We'll do enough 'stimulus spending' on princess dresses and buzz lightyear toys, however

GCH Concierge in May, Vegas Red Rock resort in June, enjoying our own backyard in July , Sheraton and DLH in Aug, Western DCL in Oct, Sheraton and VGC (hopefully) in Dec, then our free 3night cruise in Dec '10!

toocherie
What DL Food and Wine events are you planning on attending? If my husband and I were on our own we'd attend 1 or 2 for sure, but a bit tough with little ones... Are there any you recommend and do you think any would be worth getting a babysitter to attend?

I'm attending one of the dinners and three of the Sweet Sunday events. Not sure that I would get a babysitter -- so far my experience with DL Food and Wine has not been that great--other than the wine tasting class with Michael Jordan--that was great! But I keep hoping the other things will live up to hype too!

 

[kerickson]

I'm attending one of the dinners and three of the Sweet Sunday events. Not sure that I would get a babysitter -- so far my experience with DL Food and Wine has not been that great--other than the wine tasting class with Michael Jordan--that was great! But I keep hoping the other things will live up to hype too!

That's what I was thinking. We'll just observe this time around and then if any of the events look tempting, make plans for a short adults only trip in May next year...

 

[ACDSNY]

I get to add Hawaii to our 2010 plans...
After our exchange to Marriott last Oct, they offered us a package to go back to Kaui for $548 for 5 nights at the Kauai Beach Club. Received a call today they've confirmed my check in date for 2/10/10. Now we'll have to decide if we want to stay a couple more nights in Kauai or go to Ko Olina and check on the progress of our next DVC resort.

 

[toocherie]

Awesome price on the Hawaii vacation ACDSNY!! Did you like the Marriott exchange? I just closed on purchasing a Marriott timeshare (got it pretty cheap off ebay) --it's for Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert and I want to try to exchange to Hawaii in a year or two.

 

[ACDSNY]

Awesome price on the Hawaii vacation ACDSNY!! Did you like the Marriott exchange? I just closed on purchasing a Marriott timeshare (got it pretty cheap off ebay) --it's for Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert and I want to try to exchange to Hawaii in a year or two.

We loved our exchange to the Waiohai so much I'd love to pick up an EOY, but I need to pay off our VGC first. The beach was just steps away from the buildings and we were in Hale 2 with a partial ocean view. All the units are 2 bedroom, like a DVC layout. We loved how very beautiful and laid back Kauai was. I could kick myself because my boss and I almost bid on on 2 wks EOY and were going to split it. Someone picked it up for $14K, $7K for a wk.

Our great price for our room is because we have to listen to their presentation, but hey it gets us back to Kauai.

 

[ACDSNY]

I'm going to need the money fairy to come visit me, we're headed to DL for DGS first trip to see the Mouse. DDIL called this morning and said go ahead and book DL for the end of April. We're doing two nights (one AP rate/one points) at the GC. So it's off to see the progress on our home-away-from-home.

 

[stopher1]

Good afternoon VGC friends - we're now just 3 days away for those of us who aren't founding members... . As you see, since the e-proposal went in last week for our purchase I've added VGC to my siggie.

So we've begun the process of planning for a 2010 visit home and I am having some trouble locating information regarding the break-down of the villas for our new home... I remember that there are 2 GV's - but that's about it. I can't recall how the rest of the rooms will be made up between 1 BR's and lock-off vs decicated to make up the studio count...etc. Can one of you point me in the right direction or just provide the details? I'd appreciate it.

 

[kerickson]

Does anyone know if we will get similar resort perks at VGC as they do at WDW DVCs? I'm thinking free valet parking, free internet...what are some other DVC resort perks? I'm also wishing for better DLR AP discounts...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Good afternoon VGC friends - we're now just 3 days away for those of us who aren't founding members... . As you see, since the e-proposal went in last week for our purchase I've added VGC to my siggie.

So we've begun the process of planning for a 2010 visit home and I am having some trouble locating information regarding the break-down of the villas for our new home... I remember that there are 2 GV's - but that's about it. I can't recall how the rest of the rooms will be made up between 1 BR's and lock-off vs decicated to make up the studio count...etc. Can one of you point me in the right direction or just provide the details? I'd appreciate it.

2 GV's
23 Two bedroom dedicated
23 Two bedroom lockoffs

 

[stopher1]

2 GV's
23 Two bedroom dedicated
23 Two bedroom lockoffs

Thank you!

 

[arthur06]

We're doing our part to stimulate the economy, too. San Francisco next week, Disneyland in June, Lake Okoboji in August, and WDW in December!

But I think that you win the prize for most trips, Kerri! Way to go!

Lake Okoboji??? Iowa??? Is there something there that I don't know about? I live about 2 hours east of there and have never been there! Maybe because its still Iowa to me! Let me in on some secrets!

 

[DoOverDreams]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered already somewhere, but I can't find it.

Any ideas/rumors when we can start make reservations at VGC and when the official opening date is?

TIA