The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[toocherie]

That's what happened to us...we had plans to book rooms at the GC ($$$!) for late September and bank the points we would have used for that trip (we go twice a year), but the new opening date allowed us to start using points one trip sooner...within a week of opening.



I wonder what bugs they will have to work out that first month...

I think the CMs get to stay there before we DVC members on September 23rd so I'm hoping any bugs get worked out by them! LOL

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Is anyone else a bit confused when looking at their VGC dues balance on the web site? It appears they charged a small amount in June, and nothing for the rest of the year.
Perhaps it's just not set up yet, or even more likely I'm not completely grassping things...

MG

 

[nunzia]

We will be there on the second night for the weekend. We had planned and bought airline tickets back in April for that weekend to celebrate my husband's Birthday. We were delighted when it was announced that we would be there for opening weekend and ecstatic when we actually got our ressies! But I am a little disappointed that we won't be there on the first night.

We will be going to DLR next month as well and staying in the GC. I wonder if DVC will be offering "sneek peeks" like they have been doing at BLT?

I hope we have enough points.

We'll be there labor Day weekend and am hoping the same thing

 

[toocherie]

We'll be there labor Day weekend and am hoping the same thing

What "sneak peeks" have they been doing at BLT?

 

[thelionqueen]

Quick question, who is staying at the GCV the first week? We are staying there the second week they are open, but it would be cool to get trip reports from 1st weekers.

When exactly is opening day? Sorry, having a moment

 

[wideeyedwonder]

When exactly is opening day? Sorry, having a moment

September 23, if I remember right...originally it was going to be November 30?

The change worked out well, as we already had a trip to the DLR planned for Sept 27-30...it was nice of them to schedule the opening while still in "adventure" season, which saves us a few points!

It's gonna be so sweeeeeeeeet!

 

[MCSfromWA]

toocherie wrote:
What "sneak peeks" have they been doing at BLT?

I was referring to the "Vacation As You Wirsh" presentations that they are doing at BLT right now. It seems to be sa sales event but it sounds like a number of DVC-ers have been signing up so that they can have a tour of BLT. I think it would be really cool if DVC decided to do a similar type of presentation at VGC.

 

[SoCalKDG]

This should get all VGC owners excited. New WOC photos and video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JISxDOzfKvc

and a huge collection of photos

http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...ens-featuring-world-color.html#post1055441752


You could be watching this show from your own room, or the newly built viewing area. Sorry you won't be able to listen to this from your TV like the fireworks at BLT.

You can hear it live from your balcony.

 

[nunzia]

What "sneak peeks" have they been doing at BLT?

I don't know..but maybe I can look and see the real rooms or something.

 

[thelionqueen]

This should get all VGC owners excited. New WOC photos and video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JISxDOzfKvc

and a huge collection of photos

http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...ens-featuring-world-color.html#post1055441752


You could be watching this show from your own room, or the newly built viewing area. Sorry you won't be able to listen to this from your TV like the fireworks at BLT.

You can hear it live from your balcony.

Thanks for the links, it looks AMAZING!! And also looks like will be up and running for our late May 2010 trip!

One question though, in reading the comments under the pics in the link, it says Toy Story Mania (and boardwalk games) have been removed; can this be right? TSM just opened last year

 

[DVCGeek]

TOne question though, in reading the comments under the pics in the link, it says Toy Story Mania (and boardwalk games) have been removed; can this be right? TSM just opened last year

I'm almost positive they just mean removed from the "coming soon" type displays in Blue Sky Cellar since they are open attractions. I'm sure we would have heard tons of screams had the actual attractions been closed so I'm not worried at all!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

When does World of Color open? I know the Promos say Spring of 2010. I wonder if it will be done by Spring Break trip I'm taking on March 28th thru April 2nd? I do hope so!

 

[nunzia]

This should get all VGC owners excited. New WOC photos and video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JISxDOzfKvc

and a huge collection of photos

http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...ens-featuring-world-color.html#post1055441752


You could be watching this show from your own room, or the newly built viewing area. Sorry you won't be able to listen to this from your TV like the fireworks at BLT.

You can hear it live from your balcony.

It just occured to me that I booked for May 2010 to get a shot at the Food & Wine Festival..maybe WOC will be open too

 

[MCSfromWA]

After looking at the links about CA ... I need more points!

 

[preedymtnwest]

Well, I'm coming a bit late to this thread, but not late enough, I guess, to purchasing my add on!

I called the first day the non-Founders could and added on 100 pts at VGC to get the 3-night cruise; unfortunately, my guide didn't mention (I don't think) that for 25 more points, I could have had a 4-night cruise - oh well. And now the price keeps going down.... Hindsight is 20/20, and I coulda/shoulda/woulda been checking the boards for info, but I'm just glad to be a VGC owner!

I was worried, also, about sell outs, and about getting reservations, but I was able to get my first two nights in a GV in Feb 2010 using VGC points during the "home resort only" window in June, then had to wait until today to finish the ressie for a 3rd night in the GV, then 4 nights in a 2 br. No problems, luckily, but I have borrowed almost all of my 2010 pts to do it!

We're splurging on the GV for a family reunion - my DSis and her family are coming down from WA with us, then our one and only cousin from San Jose is going to join us with his family for the GV nights. The last time my DSis, my cousin, his wife, and I were at DL together was in 1968 - so this will be fun!

I am soooo excited to hang out in the GV - it may be the only time! It'd be nice if WOC was up and running, but I doubt it, as Feb isn't exactly "Spring!" It will be great anyway!

Thanks to everyone for the links and photos and info about where the villas are and what the views are, etc.! It does make it hard to wait until Feb!!

Is there some kind of "DISboard t-shirt" or secret wave we give each other while we're there?

 

[Mattsmommy]

Is there some kind of "DISboard t-shirt" or secret wave we give each other while we're there?

No but you can get a lime green mickey head paint chip from home depot and write your username on it and clip it to your bag or wherever.

 

[preedymtnwest]

No but you can get a lime green mickey head paint chip from home depot and write your username on it and clip it to your bag or wherever.

Cool - thanks! I used the DISboards extensively during our first DVC trip last February to BCV and a 3-night Wonder cruise, also with my DSis family - it's becoming a February tradition, but will be much easier for us West Coasters with VGC in the picture.

I know the Mickey heads you mean - I magnetized some for our stateroom door, another great DISboard idea!

As of now we'll be at VCG Feb 14-21, 2010, first three nights in a GV. That's our mid-winter break, too. See some of you there!

 

[Tozzie]

After looking at the links about CA ... I need more points!

That is what happened to me, I actually went to DL in June and decided I didn't have enough points for VGC so I added on more.

 

[thelionqueen]

Yesterday I made our first GCV ressie with no problem. I was very happy to get the reservation, but the ease of availability was surprising.

We will be in a studio for 10 nights beginning May 23, 2010

I carefully chose 130 points so that if we used 2 years points per vacation, that would be what we need. My brother and his family will join us sometimes, and I kept coming up with 254 points for different times of year, different accommodations and different nights.

Since we usually stay onsite @ DLH and a regular room is more than enough room for us, I chose the studio over the 1br. We also have family close and dine with them or go to our favorite restaurants (5 that we visit a couple times each) so we truly don't need a kitchen. By doing that, we only had to borrow 67 from 2011 point allottment I fully counted on borrowing the full amount, but am happy to stay 10 nights and still have 63 left..WOOO HOOO!

I can't wait to go home to GCV and see my new walkway "tile" @ DLR, it will TRULY be a magical trip!!

On another thought, has anyone had any trouble getting a reservation? I'm surprised that everyone seems to be getting exactly what they want and that is inclusive of the 7 month window...just curious

 

[toocherie]

Thanks for the links, it looks AMAZING!! And also looks like will be up and running for our late May 2010 trip!

One question though, in reading the comments under the pics in the link, it says Toy Story Mania (and boardwalk games) have been removed; can this be right? TSM just opened last year

No, they have not been removed. Rode TSMM today and peeked at the boardwalk games.

On another thought, has anyone had any trouble getting a reservation? I'm surprised that everyone seems to be getting exactly what they want and that is inclusive of the 7 month window...just curious

I could not get the first weekend of December this year. I'm waitlisted.