The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[funatdisney]

Thanks, KAT4DISNEY for the compliment. I had fun taking the pics. I really got to explore most of the new wing. the BBQs were one of the best finds. I should have bbqed my tri-tip pieces, but it was too much to do in a short mount of time.

I would like to apologize for the many misspellings. I got so excited posting the pics and with working on my laptop which I am not used to doing, I made so many writing mistakes. I just hate that!

 

[funatdisney]

By the way, what was shown on the webcast? What were the incentives offered?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

By the way, what was shown on the webcast? What were the incentives offered?

Well - first DeeVeeCee was on a lot (I'm afraid I don't see the charm) and they talked about the typical DVC stuff of the Concierge Collection, Adventures by Disney, RCI etc. They emphasized what was available on the west coast and the new west coast cruises as well as Hawaii. They had a very short video showing the lobby of the Grand and Storytellers and then DL park. There was some nice info on the renovations at DCA. And then the offers that were not as good as the last round for VGC.

125 pt purchase - $19 credit per point
160 pt purchase - $20 credit per point
200 pt purchase - $21 credit per point
250 pt purchase - $21 credit per point + $500 gift card
320 pt purchase - $22 credit per point + 1 night in Mickey Mouse Penthouse at DLH
500 pt purchase - $22 credit per point + 2 nights in Mickey Mouse Penthouse at DLH

They also gave away 3 (?) gifts to people signed up for the webcast. Framed prints and such.

Oh - they showed models of the rooms and they kept hinting at a Grand opening ceremony but that was just a gag.

 

[funatdisney]

Thanks for the update, KAT4DISNEY. You are right about the incentives. It was better when we bought just a short 5 weeks ago. It seems that I didn't miss very much. There were some folks I talked to at tonight's event that were interested in purchasing at the VGC. I don't know if they were offered the same discounts. Tonight was really a Member Gathering, not a selling opportunity. Which made it a very pleasant experience.

 

[disneydawn6]

Did you happen to see the laundry room? I wondered if it will be free for people in a studio. Since they aren't doing free valet, I wonder if laundry will be free like at other DVC's. Sorry to post on two treads but we are leaving in a week and want to know before I get there....

 

[stopher1]

What awesome photos!! Thanks so much for sharing them all. Any more you'd like to add would definitely be appreciated too!!

I love those gas grills, and wow, such awesome DCA views. The cabanas/pool shots were great, and inside the GV looks nice too. Great job on sharing guys. I'm so jealous right now!!!! The first week of December can't get here soon enough when I'm next out there.

Enjoy the rest of your time there.

 

[JoRo]

Hi I loved the pictures thanks you! So it looks like its quite a walk from the DCA/GCV entrance into the park?

Also being brand new to DVC can one of you just confirm amenties like is there salt and pepper, any sugar and the picture looks like they offer a litte coffee but we are bring our own. Any shampoo for those oops I forgot it moments? Nothing was listed in the DVCmember site that I could find.

Just trying to plan what to bring, we are planning on breakfast in the room and making snacks, sandwiches for lunches and junk food for dinner Also several character buffets and a churro, and mcdonald fries and a wine at DCA

Thanks

 

[DenLo]

funatdisney - Great night photos -- what a night light!

 

[funatdisney]

Good Morning!
Had a pretty good sleep last night. Now with that said, a few things. There was lots of noise through the night and this morning, because of the renovations at DCA. We are on the park side of the building. I would bring a sound machine if you have one. I slept fine, I was tired from all the running around I did yesterday.
Beds were comfy and the master bedroom is dark. Good dark curtains in place. There is a lot of light from the smoke alarm, night light and clock though. I like a real dark room when I sleep. The living room was dark, too, but the balcony door let in a lot of morning light. The shade that covers it does not do much for darkening the room.

There is a picture I took that really bothered me. So I would like to explain it a bit more. I am referring to the picture in post 1272, where there is a view from our balcony. The picture makes it seem like we are so far away. The room is literally a stone's throw away. The Mickey Ferris wheel is really close. Here is a better picture:

As you can see, DCA is really close!

We check out today. We will have a quick snack for breakfast (sourdough Mickey ) and head into Disneyland.
We had a great time. Our vacations at Disneyland are abiannual event for my family and always fantastic vacations. With our stays at the VGC, our vacations will be even more extraordinary. With cooking in our room and enjoying more of the comforts of home, our vacations going to be even better!
Our next stay at the VGC is next month, October 28 to October 30, a one bedroom.

 

[funatdisney]

Hi I loved the pictures thanks you! So it looks like its quite a walk from the DCA/GCV entrance into the park?

Also being brand new to DVC can one of you just confirm amenties like is there salt and pepper, any sugar and the picture looks like they offer a litte coffee but we are bring our own. Any shampoo for those oops I forgot it moments? Nothing was listed in the DVCmember site that I could find.

The walk to DCA and DL will be a bit longer, but not by much. I don't mind the extra distance.

I could not find the salt and pepper! I always bring my own
so no worries there. You should also bring sugar. I did for my margaritas!

there was shampoo and conditioner in the master bath. I would bring that, too. There is no maid service. The two small bottles will run out quickly.

 

[funatdisney]

Just a few more notes of this and that.

The wireless connection was fantastic. It is free (at least it says so on my navigation bar) and fast. I am used to a T1 wireless hook up at home (DH is a software programmer) and am very spoiled. As you well know, I have been posting lots of pictures and didn't wait that long for them to post. I was impressed.

The elevators talk! In a women's voice, the elevator announces the floor if it is going up or down. Different that is for sure.

The new pool and hot tub are very close to the elevator lobby. Nice and convenient. The Arcade and Pinoccio's workshop are just outside the elevator lobby. Pinccio's Workshop is larger and has large windows in every section so one can easily look in on their little ones.

That is it for now.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post (esp. the pics.). I think that sharing "Disney" makes the magic stronger.

 

[rmonty02]

This is so exciting I can't wait until my Nov. birthday vacation. It will surely be GRAND!! Thanks for the pix.

 

[toocherie]

[

Here are the pics from the Member Gathering:

Mickey was there. (Minnie came by later) Taken from the second floor of the villa. The gentleman was my guide's boss. I wish I knew his name. He was so nice. When he heard that I had forgotten strawberries for margaritas I wanted to make in my room, he went and got me a plate of strawberries from the catering table to take back to my room. Those margaritas were good! Super guy!

His name is Mike.

sorry I missed you at the Member Gathering. I did run into dbanzai--who I met before. I'm sure there were lots of Dis members there--we just didn't know it!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

The elevators talk! In a women's voice, the elevator announces the floor if it is going up or down. Different that is for sure.

BLT also has that - it's a really cool feature.

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks for all the beautiful pictures and information. I can't wait until our first stay! I wish we were there now, but I appreciate you letting me "feel" like I was there. Funatdisney - your view is amazing at night. I could sit on that balcony forever.

 

[dvcaddict!]

Hey everyone!

So this is my second day in the villas at Grand Cal and things are just about perfect. They had a member gathering yesterday in the Grand Villa facing the mariposa pool and it was amazing. They spared no expense in there at all let me tell you. They gave away lots of DVC merchandise at the event including a backpack, little dvc shovel, and fancy luggage tags. Mickey and Minnie showed up as well and they had lots of snacks like wine and cheese and a chocolate cake with the Grand Cal villas art on it. It was a great event because it was just a member gethering. They werent trying to sell you anymore points or anything like that. The location of the villas is the best among all dvc resorts hands down. Its a five minute walk to DCA and Downtown Disney and a ten minute walk to Disneyland. We have a view on the side of the villas facing Grizzly Peak and Tower of Terror which is astounding. Depending on how high your room floor is you look down directly into the Brother Bear Redwood Trail play area. You are practically in the park. The paradise pier views are the best however looking DIRECTLY out onto World of Color. Once the water show is done, that view will directly challenge the BLT park view for best view in all of the Disney Vacation Club resorts. I will be posting a trip review as soon as I return home for everyone and will be happy to answer any questions about the villas before I leave. See you later....

 

[Donald is #1]

When we got back to our villa here is what I saw from our balcony:

Awesome. I was in the kitchen, glanced up from the sink and saw the Ferris Wheel Mickey perfectly framed in the slider door! That was truly amazing. Here another oicture from the master bedroom bed:

It looks like we may have inserted the park picture into the slider door. I assure you we do not have technology to do that here!

Wow!!!!

 

[toocherie]

Hey everyone!

So this is my second day in the villas at Grand Cal and things are just about perfect. They had a member gathering yesterday in the Grand Villa facing the mariposa pool and it was amazing. They spared no expense in there at all let me tell you. They gave away lots of DVC merchandise at the event including a backpack, little dvc shovel, and fancy luggage tags. Mickey and Minnie showed up as well and they had lots of snacks like wine and cheese and a chocolate cake with the Grand Cal villas art on it. It was a great event because it was just a member gethering. They werent trying to sell you anymore points or anything like that.

See, this is how people's perceptions differ. I agree that they weren't nearly as pushing people to buy points as other events I have attended, but don't kid yourself--the guides were there specifically to sell points (and from what I saw, were somewhat successful). I also didn't think it was a "spare no expense" event--in fact, my impression was that it was a last minute planned event. Unless I'm mistaken, none of the swag given away was specific to the VGC == it was all generic DVC stuff. I guess there was a grand opening ceremony that morning that none of the founding members were invited to. I also would have like to have received one of the buttons celebrating the opening of the VGC that the CMs were wearing all over the resort but when I asked at the front desk was told they were CM only. If someone had been on the ball--something "VGC specific"--even the buttons--would have been handed out. Instead, you were given the "right" to buy up to two limited edition pins. Of course, any event with Mickey and Minnie is a good event so I won't complain TOO much--and the cake WAS delicious!

 

[funatdisney]

Yes I think this was not a well planned event. I had gotten a phone message form my guide on Monday about the wine and cheese event, she didn't know where it would be at. They did lose a golden opportunity with dong more for this event. I think we are the best "ambassadors" for DVC. I know as I visit DLR I usually talk to someone about DVC. The button would have been a talking point for us when visiting the parks. Would have been a nice way to start a conversation.
Do not get me wrong. I so enjoyed this event. The opportunity to meet other members was fantastic. It came in handy this morning, when waiting for TSM to open, we ran into some members in line. We had a nice conversation and it made the 30 minutes before the ride finally open go fast.


toocherie wish I could have run into you, too! I knew I should have gotten the green Mickey paint chip to wear. It would have fished some of you out!