The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[toocherie]

LOL--in all the excitement I forgot to post that I saw one of the one-bedroom VGC units on Sunday. A friend who is a CM was doing one of the "test" stays with his family and invited me over--they had a unit overlooking Paradise Pier on the second floor and it was gorgeous! I really like the lay-out of the unit and the two bathrooms. I took some pics and will try to get them up later (of course with two little girls it looked like a bomb had gone off, but oh well).

 

[kerickson]

LOL--in all the excitement I forgot to post that I saw one of the one-bedroom VGC units on Sunday. A friend who is a CM was doing one of the "test" stays with his family and invited me over--they had a unit overlooking Paradise Pier on the second floor and it was gorgeous! I really like the lay-out of the unit and the two bathrooms. I took some pics and will try to get them up later (of course with two little girls it looked like a bomb had gone off, but oh well).

Cool, can't wait to see pics. What was the view like? We're all thinking that 2nd floor will be the worst of the views, so I'd love to know how much of PP you were able to see, if any...

 

[Niele]

Will there be grocery delivery service for this dvc?

bumpity, bump .... anyone know and if so, any information about it?

 

[toocherie]

This is not a great pic because it was taken with my cellphone, but here is a view from Villa 2225 (a one-bedroom) at VGC:

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

This is not a great pic because it was taken with my cellphone, but here is a view from Villa 2225 (a one-bedroom) at VGC:

Looks like a great view from the second floor.

 

[toocherie]

The parking lot is under the regular hotel as well, which makes up about 66% of the new wing just built, thus the parking is for them as well. Additionally the new wing was built on the valet parking lot that was used for all GC guests. They need valet parking as well. I'm pretty sure there just isn't room for free valet or self parking for VGC owners.

We will just have to man up and drop our families at checkin, then park and walk. I'm assuming its free parking for DVC owners, yes?

I'm sure you didn't mean for this post to sound mean-spirited but it's been bothering me all day--especially the highlighted section. The difference is that from my view DVC'ers are not hotel guests--we are OWNERS. Hotel guests don't "pay" for self parking per se either--it's in the resort fee-which is just another way for Disney to get $13.50 or so out of everyone whether you park or not. I think if there are two hundred parking spaces in the structure then DVC should be entitled to some of them. Since not every DVC member will be driving--it wouldn't probably even be 25% of the spaces that would need to be allocated on a regular basis. Alternatively, maybe we don't get "free" valet parking but get it at a discount. Where did the valets park the cars while the structure was being built?

I don't mind that self parking isn't that convenient at the WDW resorts because we get free valet where they have it and where they don't (like at SSR) it's convenient to park. I just hate the thought that VGC owners are not being equally treated. And if we don't get it in California, I can bet you dollars to donuts that it won't be long before the free valet perk in Florida will start disappearing too.

 

[Donald is #1]

Congratulations!! Maybe WOC will be open by then?

That would be cool!

 

[Donald is #1]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Now for the questions.

I am planning on going in May, probably towards the end of the month. Since F&WF will be occuring during that time, I will probably at least do something during the event.

So that being said, how many days would be a good amount to be able to cover (solo) the 2 parks? 3? 4? I am leaning towards 3 plus maybe the evening of my arrival.

Are the night time shows shown during the week days in May or just on the weekends? If just on the weekend, then I will probably arrive on Saturday.

Also, should I avoid Memorial Day weekend? I'm guessing that I know this answer, but it can't hurt to ask.

My plan would be to spend 3-4 days at DL and then visit 1 or 2 of the national parks in southern CA.

 

[lisah0711]

I guess my guide really is worthless. He got the part right about DVC members having to pay for valet. But he assured me that DVC members got complimentary self parking underground. Was that a lie on the part of my guide or was it simply him telling me the truth as he understood it on that particular day?

Knowing the lack of communication and miscommunication in the DVC world I am guessing that he was telling you the truth as he knew it that day.

 

[dcfromva]

I guess my guide really is worthless. He got the part right about DVC members having to pay for valet. But he assured me that DVC members got complimentary self parking underground. Was that a lie on the part of my guide or was it simply him telling me the truth as he understood it on that particular day?

My guide also said free self parking underground...

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Now for the questions.

I am planning on going in May, probably towards the end of the month. Since F&WF will be occuring during that time, I will probably at least do something during the event.

So that being said, how many days would be a good amount to be able to cover (solo) the 2 parks? 3? 4? I am leaning towards 3 plus maybe the evening of my arrival.

Everybody is different on this. Most people say 3 or 4. I personally like 5 or 6.

Are the night time shows shown during the week days in May or just on the weekends? If just on the weekend, then I will probably arrive on Saturday.

Generally only on the weekends in May

Also, should I avoid Memorial Day weekend? I'm guessing that I know this answer, but it can't hurt to ask.

Holiday weekends are jam packed at DLR. Especially DL.

Have fun at my favorite place!

 

[SoCalKDG]

I'm sure you didn't mean for this post to sound mean-spirited but it's been bothering me all day--especially the highlighted section. The difference is that from my view DVC'ers are not hotel guests--we are OWNERS. Hotel guests don't "pay" for self parking per se either--it's in the resort fee-which is just another way for Disney to get $13.50 or so out of everyone whether you park or not. I think if there are two hundred parking spaces in the structure then DVC should be entitled to some of them. Since not every DVC member will be driving--it wouldn't probably even be 25% of the spaces that would need to be allocated on a regular basis. Alternatively, maybe we don't get "free" valet parking but get it at a discount. Where did the valets park the cars while the structure was being built?

I don't mind that self parking isn't that convenient at the WDW resorts because we get free valet where they have it and where they don't (like at SSR) it's convenient to park. I just hate the thought that VGC owners are not being equally treated. And if we don't get it in California, I can bet you dollars to donuts that it won't be long before the free valet perk in Florida will start disappearing too.

Thats why I put the happy face after that specific comment. If you look at this photo you will see the parking lot before it became our new DVC:

That approx. 150 parking spots that were used for Valet parking. Don't know what they have been using for valet currently. I'd guess half the people that stay at VGC will have a car. When I stay there is a chance we will have two cars. With 46 2 bedrooms or 46 1 bedrooms and 46 studios plus 2 grand villas you might see 50 cars each week just from DVC. Add in the additional 200+ hotel rooms along with the existing hotel, not that many spots for all the cars if 50 spots of the 150 were being used for DVC.

Now its possible that it would never fill up and they may change the rules.

I wonder if Disney worries that DVC owners that are visiting the park but not staying at the resort might use the free valet instead of DTD parking or the parking structure. I believe at WDW you just show your DVC card to valet. If this was the case at the VGC there is a chance I'd use free valet occasionally even when not staying at the resort.

Any idea what our contracts stated when we all purchased?

 

[BeccaG]

Today is opening day!!! Today is opening day!! Why am I still awake?

 

[Longhairbear]

I want to see what White Water Snacks looks like as a grocery now.

 

[Longhairbear]

Miceage has a few pics of the VGC exterior the Grizzly Arcade, and Pinochio's Workshop. Also of the interior hallway/elevators at the DVC. It looks elegant!

 

[dcfromva]

Any idea what our contracts stated when we all purchased?

Yes. The underground parking is not part of the DVC. If we were allowed to park there, it would be an arrangement very similar to the viewing lounge at BLT. If we did have the ability to park there, it would not be guaranteed and could be taken away.

We have gotten used to parking across the street when staying at the GC. We decided to do self-park after a visit several years ago where we dropped the car off when we arrived and we didn't use it again until a week later when it was time to go--seemed to be a bit of a waste. Parking across the street isn't the end of the world, but obviously I would rather self-park under the villas--especially when bringing groceries back to the room.

I know guides say stuff all the time and it only matters what is written in the contract, but I will be disappointed if we are not allowed to park in the underground parking....

We will find out for sure this evening when we check in.

DC

 

[SoCalKDG]

Yes. The underground parking is not part of the DVC. If we were allowed to park there, it would be an arrangement very similar to the viewing lounge at BLT. If we did have the ability to park there, it would not be guaranteed and could be taken away.

We have gotten used to parking across the street when staying at the GC. We decided to do self-park after a visit several years ago where we dropped the car off when we arrived and we didn't use it again until a week later when it was time to go--seemed to be a bit of a waste. Parking across the street isn't the end of the world, but obviously I would rather self-park under the villas--especially when bringing groceries back to the room.

I know guides say stuff all the time and it only matters what is written in the contract, but I will be disappointed if we are not allowed to park in the underground parking....

We will find out for sure this evening when we check in.

DC

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to wave when I drive by tonight after work. Everyone take lots of photos. Including room numbers is helpful as well.

 

[funatdisney]

We are on our way!!!! Been looking for this for a very long time! I hope the LA traffic is good to us!

 

[kerickson]

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to wave when I drive by tonight after work. Everyone take lots of photos. Including room numbers is helpful as well.

yes, can't wait to have a DIS version of a VGC floor plan with view info...

 

[Marciern22]

Have fun everyone!!!! I just can't make up my mind when I want to stay at VGC. I've been staying at GCH for the past 3 years in July for my DS's bday. He loves that hotel so thats why I had to get points for VGC.
I've stayed there for Xmas too and loved it.
I just can't make up my mind!!!!