The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[karriemouse]

We just bought a 100pt VGC add on and we're so excited!!!!

Planning to visit in August 2010 and looking forward to hearing all the news from folk who are visiting soon.

 

[kerickson]

I went to GCH's concierge desk to ask if there will be concierge level rooms. The CM there said they haven't gone through their DVC training yet, but they were curious, too. They didn't know if it would be an additional charge (like at the hotel) or if it would be an extra point requirement to book the room. One CM did see the rooms and said they are gorgeous and one three bedroom villa has amazing views for the World of Color. The furniture was in, but still had the plastic on them. They said there will be an observation deck with lighting and heaters for the World of Color viewing. There will be vending machines just around the corner.

Well that's all I can think of. I am off to my girl's school district event (they start tomorrow) and so I will not be on line for a while.

Congrats on your purchase and thanks for the info!
It is my understanding that Concierge won't be an option for VGC stays. Based on WDW DVC, it would have to be a separate booking category which it's not in the 2009 or 2010 point charts. Would love if they had the option, but I think they didn't include given the small # of villas. Maybe if they ever expand they will add a Concierge booking cat...

 

[funatdisney]

Would love if they had the option, but I think they didn't include given the small # of villas. Maybe if they ever expand they will add a Concierge booking cat...

I agree with you. I thought it would be interesting to see if they were given any info yet. After all, the opening is just a little over month away!

 

[funatdisney]

We just bought a 100pt VGC add on and we're so excited!!!!

Planning to visit in August 2010 and looking forward to hearing all the news from folk who are visiting soon.

Welcome Home!!

Maybe we can run into each other. I go every August for my DD birthday.

 

[nunzia]

Went to Disneyland yesterday to sign our papers for our purchase at VGC. I asked my guide if there were any plans for the opening. She said that there isn't anything she has heard, but they are all very excited about the opening. She said that soon DVC CMs will be spending the night to test out the rooms before the opening. They will check to see if everything is working right like the light plugs and switches. She also mentioned that there will be an AP event about the VGC soon. She said that it would be for APs that haven't purchased yet.

I went to GCH's concierge desk to ask if there will be concierge level rooms. The CM there said they haven't gone through their DVC training yet, but they were curious, too. They didn't know if it would be an additional charge (like at the hotel) or if it would be an extra point requirement to book the room. One CM did see the rooms and said they are gorgeous and one three bedroom villa has amazing views for the World of Color. The furniture was in, but still had the plastic on them. They said there will be an observation deck with lighting and heaters for the World of Color viewing. There will be vending machines just around the corner.

Well that's all I can think of. I am off to my girl's school district event (they start tomorrow) and so I will not be on line for a while.

Thanks for all the info. AP Event? I'll have one in a couple weeks..but it's only for people who haven't bought?

 

[funatdisney]

Thanks for all the info. AP Event? I'll have one in a couple weeks..but it's only for people who haven't bought?

That is what I was told. But I seems to me that was a bit of information that she was a little unsure of. I think this piece of info may turn out to be completely different than reality.

I am wondering what the new incentives will be (if there are going to be any), and if they are meeting the goals set for VGC.

 

[BeccaG]

I may have missed it in this very long thread but is there a "map" of the rooms for the VGC? Not a room layout, but where the rooms are in the actual building and what types by floor etc. there is one of BLT on another thread entitled BLT rooms and views if you want to get an idea of what I am referring to. . .

PS I know you can go to the "Orange County" site and see your deed in FL, is there such a website for the Disneyland DVC, which ironically is also in Orange County?

 

[nunzia]

I may have missed it in this very long thread but is there a "map" of the rooms for the VGC? Not a room layout, but where the rooms are in the actual building and what types by floor etc. there is one of BLT on another thread entitled BLT rooms and views if you want to get an idea of what I am referring to. . .

PS I know you can go to the "Orange County" site and see your deed in FL, is there such a website for the Disneyland DVC, which ironically is also in Orange County?

I don't know about a map. but I'd like to see one too.
Somewhere, someone had posted a link to see about deeds and such..I remember because I looked and we all talked about how it was confusing to really figure out how many owners there were since , for example, mine were listed I think 4 times..once for my DH and once for me for each of our 2 contracts. Anyone remember where tht link was?

 

[lisah0711]

Do you mean like this? http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/513/11450grandcalifornianlayout.jpg

This is for the regular Grand Californian Hotel. Maybe when the villas open a similiar map will be posted.

The whole thread about the Grand Californian on the Dis is pretty interesting actually. Can't wait until we have some VGC info too!

 

[BeccaG]

Do you mean like this? http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/513/11450grandcalifornianlayout.jpg

This is for the regular Grand Californian Hotel. Maybe when the villas open a similiar map will be posted.

The whole thread about the Grand Californian on the Dis is pretty interesting actually. Can't wait until we have some VGC info too!

Kinda, but I was looking for something more like this: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

 

[lisah0711]

That would be nice for VGC. Maybe as we get closer to the opening there will be more info out there.

 

[DVCGeek]

What I really want to see are the phase diagrams (both overviews per floor and detailed per unit) like those in the middle of post #1 on this BLT thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2212548

I want to know exactly what type of unit, location, view, and the room number(s) that I own the doorknob of! Sooner or later I guess we'll figure it all out. I asked MS several months back and they said that some documents were still pending with the state of CA so those diagrams weren't available yet. I wonder if that is still the case...

 

[DVCGeek]

I called member accounting a few minutes ago today to check on my dues and was VERY surprised about the answer. When I asked about my VGC dues starting she said "Not 'til next year". Anyone else been told that who got 2009 points??? I thought that since my UY started before the resort opened my dues would begin on opening day.

Background: I own two contracts, one @ BLT & one at VGC. Nothing in the dues section showing up online yet for either, no paper statements. Single membership number, August UY, purchased direct through Disney; new member @ BLT as of Nov. '08; paid cash for VGC add-on of 50 points in unit 3A and signed final version of my contract in mid-April '09. 2009 UY points appeared online within a day or so of my contract processing and I've already used them to book a stay in Oct. 2009 @ VWL...

My BLT dues are also starting a month later than I expected; they are beginning on Oct. 15th 2009, prorated for about 121 days worth at a total of $196.31 for the year (160 points). I'll be happy if both are right as long as I don't get slammed owing extra back dues or something in 2010 but I'm still confused by the math. I guess I should have asked how that was calculated but was too surprised for my brain to have caught up that far yet!

 

[ACDSNY]

We received 2009 points and my dues for approximately one month are showing on line and was told by MS Accounting it will be added to the withdrawal in Jan 2010.

We have two 90 points VGC and it was just over $30 each for the 2009 dues.

I was also told if we wanted to pay them in 2009 we could do so on-line or by calling MS Accounting before the end of the year.

 

[kerickson]

I called member accounting a few minutes ago today to check on my dues and was VERY surprised about the answer. When I asked about my VGC dues starting she said "Not 'til next year". Anyone else been told that who got 2009 points??? I thought that since my UY started before the resort opened my dues would begin on opening day.

Background: I own two contracts, one @ BLT & one at VGC. Nothing in the dues section showing up online yet for either, no paper statements. Single membership number, August UY, purchased direct through Disney; new member @ BLT as of Nov. '08; paid cash for VGC add-on of 50 points in unit 3A and signed final version of my contract in mid-April '09. 2009 UY points appeared online within a day or so of my contract processing and I've already used them to book a stay in Oct. 2009 @ VWL...

My BLT dues are also starting a month later than I expected; they are beginning on Oct. 15th 2009, prorated for about 121 days worth at a total of $196.31 for the year (160 points). I'll be happy if both are right as long as I don't get slammed owing extra back dues or something in 2010 but I'm still confused by the math. I guess I should have asked how that was calculated but was too surprised for my brain to have caught up that far yet!

My prorated dues for the last mo of 2009 did show up on the member website. I already paid them even though I don't believe they are due until Jan. I hate having outstanding balances and since it was only about $30 I paid it off!

 

[thelionqueen]

Hi all, I just had to share in a little DL excitement!
I got the official registration and certificate for my DL walkway tile!!!
I am SOOOOOO excited I could just bust
It is being installed in November and it is RIGHT in FRONT of the entrance to DL I couldn't be happier with the tile and location and just had to share! So on our first trip home in May 2010, I will see my NEW GCV home AND my walkway tile WOOT WOOT
Thanks for listening to my random rambling

 

[SoCalKDG]

Here are some images from google earth that I doctored.

The first one is the Grand before any changes.

The next one is the new additions

This one includes labels showing the views of the 2 bedrooms. I may be off by one or two rooms, plus there are two 3-bedrooms, one faces the pier, the other faces the pool but you should also be able to see the rapids as well.

This shows an overview of the whole resort showing how the VGC is right in the middle of both parks. The parking lot in the upper right corner is gone with the new Carsland taking its place.

 

[nunzia]

Wow..thanks.

 

[thelionqueen]

AMAZING!!!! Thanks for posting!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Too cool! Thanks SoCalKDG! Now you made me wana go. I have to talk my DW into going on the family trip in Oct. Everybody else is going. Two of her DBs, DSILs and lots nieces and nephews. My DW - not loving Disney quite as much as me - doesn't think she can do a late Oct. DLR trip and then go on our DLC one week later. Sometimes she's a spoilsport.