The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[DVCGeek]

I'm curious about a haunted Space Mountain; I'll be going to VGC for the first time in Oct. 2010 and I love DL's SM, so I hope they do it again next year!!!

 

[funatdisney]

Welcome home! And Welcome to my favorite DVC!

Thanks for the welcome, Grumpygrandpa and ACDSNY. I also have have a reservation at VGC in October, but I used my SSR points. I was so happy to be able to make that reservation for Sept, 23. I just can't wait, I am so excited.

My guide was so happy for me, too. She knew that I have been waiting to buy. She said she saved my voice message when I called to tell her to start the paperwork. She said that the messate was soo cute, she just had to save it.

Does anyone know where I can find the VGC sig? I would like to add it.

 

[huey578]

What's the square feet for a studio villa?

 

[disneydawn6]

So I called today to see what the chances were of getting a studio on 9/30. I was doubtful as this is in the opening weeks but we will be in San Diego for 3 nights and I figured we should head home via anaheim (we live in Tucson,AZ so this makes no sense unless you use 'Disney' logic but my husband fell for it ) Member services put me on hold for a few minutes (similar to the previous poster) and then came back and said they had one! Woo hoo! We have to borrow points as we already have a Dec trip and a Mother's Day 2010 trip planned but I just HAD to check it out and it was killing me that we would be just 2 hours away and would not be able to go.

SO excited to be welcomed home for the first time. I will be taking LOTS of pictures.

... We're checking in for three day on Oct 1... We'll be checking in as you leave.....

I just noticed that when we are at the D23 expo What use to be sold out at the Grand is now open again. I wonder if the regular hotel rooms will open before the 24th. I booked a room and requested a room in the new wing on my confirmation.... It would be fun close to the villas if the rooms are open. Most of the 200 new rooms they are opening look to be standard views looking over at Paridise Pier Hotel.

 

[funatdisney]

I would like to thank ACDSNY for providing a VGC sig for me to use. It was a kind gesture and very much appreciated.

 

[nunzia]

... We're checking in for three day on Oct 1... We'll be checking in as you leave.....

I just noticed that when we are at the D23 expo What use to be sold out at the Grand is now open again. I wonder if the regular hotel rooms will open before the 24th. I booked a room and requested a room in the new wing on my confirmation.... It would be fun close to the villas if the rooms are open. Most of the 200 new rooms they are opening look to be standard views looking over at Paridise Pier Hotel.

Where did you check for Grand rooms tht showed availability? I am still seeing sold out.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

SO excited to be welcomed home for the first time. I will be taking LOTS of pictures.

And posting them here I hope!













1

 

[wideeyedwonder]

I'm curious about a haunted Space Mountain; I'll be going to VGC for the first time in Oct. 2010 and I love DL's SM, so I hope they do it again next year!!!

Word is that it's taking a bit of time to referb the DL SM for "Ghost Galaxy", but in coming years, the equipment will already be in place, and it will take a lot less time to convert over for the Halloween season. (In other words, it seems like DL is making an investment that they can use for multiple years!)

 

[lisah0711]

Woo! Hoo! My Monday just got 1000% better because I figured out I am in single digits, baby, for my GC trip on developers points!

 

[disneydawn6]

Where did you check for Grand rooms tht showed availability? I am still seeing sold out.

On the AP page the AP rates are DLH $159 and GC is $209 but only showing for two people rooms.. or for four $249 downtown Disney view. Just booked the Grand for Fri-Mon...

 

[ACDSNY]

The bad news...as usual, I'm in a constant state of borrowing.

The good news...I was able to add a night to the beginning of our Oct trip at the VGC (2 bdrm), now we're going 10/13 - 10/17. My sister wants to go to Sea World for one day.

Yesterday when I called to check availablity I was told nada on the villas, today when I went to add the night at the hotel I was put on hold for several minutes and presto pixie dust magic we have a 2 bdrm. No room changes.

 

[thelionqueen]

Congrats on getting the extra night!!! Welcome to my eternal state of "addonitis"

I had to post my own disappointment though! I called MS to see if I could get a studio for opening day + a couple and was SHOCKED to see I could get one for 2 of the days. So I went to reserve it only to find that I have a board meeting I CANNOT MISS that week and therefore had to give up my HUGE shot of pixie dust!! I am SOOOO bummed!! I mean what are the odds the room is available the exact moment I call? UGH!!!! Note to self...I'm happy I have a job..I'm happy I have a job....resign from board

 

[ACDSNY]

Welcome to my eternal state of "addonitis"

I had to post my own disappointment though! I called MS to see if I could get a studio for opening day + a couple and was SHOCKED to see I could get one for 2 of the days. So I went to reserve it only to find that I have a board meeting I CANNOT MISS that week and therefore had to give up my HUGE shot of pixie dust!! I am SOOOO bummed!! I mean what are the odds the room is available the exact moment I call? UGH!!!! Note to self...I'm happy I have a job..I'm happy I have a job....resign from board

So sorry you're unable to go for opening day, some days it's no fun being an adult!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

I have to say that I am still surprised at the amount of availability at VGC. I seem to read about a lot of last minute reservations. Ummmm....maybe VGC is not going to be as popular as I first feared. I must have been projecting my own love of DLR and the GCH onto everybody else.

 

[funatdisney]

Well, don't be fast on that one Grumpygrandpa, the resort hasn't sold out yet and the economy hasn't improved enough. I figure by next summer it will be difficult to get the reservations we want.

thelionqueen: Sorry about your board meeting. that is sure a tough one to swallow.

 

[nunzia]

On the AP page the AP rates are DLH $159 and GC is $209 but only showing for two people rooms.. or for four $249 downtown Disney view. Just booked the Grand for Fri-Mon...

Is this the Fri-Mon of the Expo? Wow...AP has a good perk there...everywhere else says sold out.
I'll have my AP in, let's see..18 days

 

[nunzia]

Well, don't be fast on that one Grumpygrandpa, the resort hasn't sold out yet and the economy hasn't improved enough. I figure by next summer it will be difficult to get the reservations we want.

thelionqueen: Sorry about your board meeting. that is sure a tough one to swallow.

I agree...I think the VGC are really Disney's best kept secret..and it will soon be the E ticket in DVC land.

 

[funatdisney]

I agree...I think the VGC are really Disney's best kept secret..and it will soon be the E ticket in DVC land.

I agree with you. I keep having to explain it to my friends. They know I have a Disney Timeshare, but are surprised that there is one here in California.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

IMHO it is going to be the best place to stay when doing DLR (next to the dream suite). I can't wait till spring break and my first trip.

 

[thelionqueen]

ITA with the "Best kept secret" notion. I wanted to share with you all what a DVC guide told me re:GCV.

He said that there was an "over-optimistic" sales view with GCV from the get-go. And some speculated (albeit over zealous) that it could sell out to current members without even being released to the general population. Obviously that didn't happen, and when the sales weren't as brisk as expected when released for general sale, the "higher-ups" got a little concerned.

This lead to the release of the "fire sale" incentives that just ended for GCV. In fact, he told me that many DVC supervisors, guides and CM's bought GCV as they couldn't believe the value. Of course I was interested in the property long before the current incentive and went crazy when I heard the incentive and bought (30 more points that originally planned which I can STILL change...oops I digress).

I think that DLR has the proverbial "Epcot" effect with DCA not drawing as many visitors as expected. What I mean by that was the inital opening of Epcot was kind of a "dud" and they completely revamped the rides and experience which has made it one of the most popular parks since. I feel with the revamp of DCA it is going to draw many of the people who weren't "wowed" with DCA (NOT ME people, I LOVE that park!). Once people see the new attractions and new look of the park, it is going to draw a lot more people going forward, and once they see the GORGEOUS villas that are literally inside the park, they will be the "Boardwalk" DVC property in the Disney game of Monopoly.

Once the park opens with much fanfare, GCV will be sold out and many left scouring the resale market for precious few contracts and points.

Of course I'm not Nostradamus, but that is my take. Luckily, I couldn't care less if people like it, buy it or not, I bought it because I LOVE it!!!