The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[peloha86]

Thanks for positing the pin and all the pics! Looking foward to many more memorable days at VGC!

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

As far as the number of units, 1 BR, 2BR, Grand Villas, etc. I think it's a pretty lofty estimation to assume that every unit that can accommodate additional guests/parties will also have a car. I agree that at a given time, it COULD require 72 spaces, but you are assuming every guest in every villa (plus the non-studio accommodations) will have a car. I think that would not be the "norm." In any event, if you're going to calculate DVC owners vs hotel guests you should do that for every DVC. Again, not talking entitlement, but rather consistency.

The parking situation at VGC is frustrating. The hotel was expanded by 200 room including the 50 DVC units and yet they didn't add any additional parking to accommodate the additional rooms and guests. Doe the underground parking provide more spaces than the previous valet lot? If the underground valet parking is about the same as the new underground lot, then additonal parking is likely needed for the additional guests. I already read one post from someone who said the free lot across the street was filled and they had to park in a lot behind the PP hotel.

 

[dwelty]

I'm also not surprised that we cannot use the valet parking garage. The fact that the new wing was built on the old valet parking lot suggested to me that they need the space. The garage itself was probably not designed to be easily-accessible by guests. Parking attendants (who are just delivering and retrieving cars) would have very different needs than guests who are trying to transport groceries and luggage, and who need easy access to the lobby and other levels of the hotel.

This is true, there is no access to the parking garage for guests. The elevator does not access it. It took me 10 minutes to figure out how to get down there, and when I did I found that the parking spaces are double deep, indicating parking has always been intended for Valet. This garage will never be used as a guest self parking area.

 

[SoCalKDG]

As far as the number of units, 1 BR, 2BR, Grand Villas, etc. I think it's a pretty lofty estimation to assume that every unit that can accommodate additional guests/parties will also have a car. I agree that at a given time, it COULD require 72 spaces, but you are assuming every guest in every villa (plus the non-studio accommodations) will have a car. I think that would not be the "norm." In any event, if you're going to calculate DVC owners vs hotel guests you should do that for every DVC. Again, not talking entitlement, but rather consistency.

I also didn't take into account that many 2 bedrooms and Grand Villas might have 2 cars as they can take up to 9-13 guests.

In October I'll be meeting the wife at VGC. She will bring the kids with her car while I'll be driving mine from work. We are staying in a Studio and will have two cars. This leads me to this question.

Do we get free parking for two cars?

 

[funatdisney]

In my dreams of dreams I would have Disney do this: why not tear down PP (it wasn't a Disney original anyway), rebuild it with DVC units included (just imagine the WOC from some those rooms) and build a parking structure where the self parking is located now.
I really don't mind the valet parking issue, myself. We never use it whenever or where ever it is offered. As my DH says, "I don't like giving the keys to my $100,000 car to someone who makes less than me." (his thing, not necessarily mine). I realize that the issue of making everything equal to both coasts, but the West Coast is different than the East. Period. I know some of my friends will use valet just to have dinner at Storytellers. Land is expensive here and I can understand if that the lack of real estate and the expense of it will dictate some of the perks and how they would be used.

 

[thelionqueen]

SoCal-there are many factors that no one can fully figure out to a science. Even though your party may have 2 cars for one Studio, there may be a GV with 9 people who have no car, or 3 cars with a 2br..the list goes on and on. I feel an "average" of 60 spaces will do for comparisons sake.

As far as 2 cars in one room, the East Coast DVC policy (in my experience anyway) is only one car per studio (we were able to have 2 parking passes in a 1br). I have not read an official policy anywhere, so am not positive.

However, seeing the E.Coast vs W.Coast DVC debate, who knows?
It would seem to me, that with the limited parking @ GCV (DL hotel too) they would not allow 2 cars for studio accommodations. I could see offering multiple passes for larger rooms, but again, haven't seen anything official.

 

[SoCalKDG]

As far as 2 cars in one room, the East Coast DVC policy (in my experience anyway) is only one car per studio (we were able to have 2 parking passes in a 1br). I have not read an official policy anywhere, so am not positive.

However, seeing the E.Coast vs W.Coast DVC debate, who knows?
It would seem to me, that with the limited parking @ GCV (DL hotel too) they would not allow 2 cars for studio accommodations. I could see offering multiple passes for larger rooms, but again, haven't seen anything official.

So I wonder if I can pay for valet for one car and free park the other. I'll have to call the week before we go.

 

[rmonty02]

Do we get free parking for two cars?

You should be ok? The member website, under Resort Services for VGC, states "Convenient self-parking is located across the street (up to 2 cars, no extra charge)" Then, "Valet parking available for $17.00 (subject to change) per night".

Sounds like 2 cars any villa

 

[tjkraz]

We will never know valet parking numbers for the resort but Disney certainly does. The resort grew by 40% with this new addition--it went from 751 guest rooms to 954 plus 50 villas which have double the occupancy of a standard room (or can be locked-off into two rooms.)

So all Disney really needs to do is take valet parking statistics and assume a 40% growth. That's the minimum number of spaces they would need to have available.

If free valet were granted to DVC members the figure would rise. Members would certainly use the free valet in greater numbers rather than parking across the street.

Ultimately this may just be an issue of capacity. If they don't have room to accommodate the expected number of paying guests plus a higher percentage of DVCers parking for free, they simply cannot offer a free valet perk.

 

[DVCGeek]

For myself, I'll gladly trade the valet for everything else at the resort, and as a previous poster responded...it's really not a big walk. And the only reason you need a car while at Disneyland is if you're going elsewhere--which is the big reason we like DL over WDW, you just walk, no transportation required! More exercise makes for more garlic cheese bread at Ralph Brennen's! ... and beignets ... and corn dogs... and vinter's menu ...

I'm with you- stayed at the Grand C. Hotel once and self-parked, no problem what-so-ever. I never use Valet parking if I can avoid it; I really don't like handing over the keys of ym car to a total stranger (even if it's a rental). Once I get to DL I don't see myself hopping off property.

ALSO, we VGC owners aren't paying for our own pool or much else directly except the rooms themselves; it makes sense to me that there wouldn't be as many "free" extras. I hope I can keep my free internet and the 10% off at restaurants!!! (I.E., at BLT we pay for the bridge to the Contemporary, have a private pool...)

 

[disneydawn6]

I also didn't take into account that many 2 bedrooms and Grand Villas might have 2 cars as they can take up to 9-13 guests.

In October I'll be meeting the wife at VGC. She will bring the kids with her car while I'll be driving mine from work. We are staying in a Studio and will have two cars. This leads me to this question.

Do we get free parking for two cars?

I was told 2 cars for any unit.... I will be going in a two bedroom next June and will have 3 cars. Wonder what they will do? You don't get a parking pass for your car anyway. You hand them your room key and that's what gets you in and out.

 

[Fellowship9798]

Not trying to stir the pot, just honestly curious if there's something I'm missing.

We bought into DVC because of the Villas at the Grand, we love the hotel and stay there a couple of times a year anyway. I've never stayed at other DVC resorts, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I do know how WDW works as compared to DL.

So here's the question, why is the parking situation a big deal? It's the same as it's always been. There's really no place to add closer free parking, and besides, it's not really far away. It's just across the street and is a very easy walk. And across the street parking in DL is not like across the street parking in WDW, everything in WDW is so much more spread out. The across the street parking at the Grand reminds me more of parking at the mall on a busy day and having to walk that little extra bit, not a big deal. To my thinking, if you're going to be walking to the parks and around them all day, why is it a big deal to cross the street? I truly don't understand and wonder if there's a piece of the puzzle I'm missing since I'm a new DVC owner.

I checked in this morning and really, the self park across the street is no big deal. Self parking at BWV is a farther walk I think.

By the way, our 1 BR villa is beautiful and looks straight on towards Grizzly Peak and Tower of Terror, with sideways views of the pool and a portion of Paradise Pier. We look directly down into the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail area.


As I write this, I'm sitting on the balcony as they're testing lighting and (loud) music for the Halloween party at DCA. So far I've heard:

• This is Halloween from Nightmare Before Christmas
• The Skeleton Dance
• Superstitious (Raven Symone version)
• Monster Mash (some kind of remix)
• Night on Bald Mountain
• Boo to You from WDW Halloween party
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• Grim Grinning Ghosts (Barenaked Ladies version)

There have been many others too, but just as "Pink Elephants on Parade" started they shut the music off. I guess they want the hotel guests to be able to sleep. Too bad, I would have left the door open to listen while I went to bed.

 

[Longhairbear]

We will be staying at VGC starting this friday, and will self park. It is our first time driving to a DVC, as we always fly in at WDW. As we never drove to a DVC, do all the other DVCs have free valet parking? I've been a member for years, and this has never entered my mind to ask about.
l have read that Disney has gotten permission to add a parking lot in their third property at the strawberry fields, not to last more than 5 years of operation. I think they will bus theme park guests to the resort from there sometime in the future, it isn't really that far away. But it would take the overflow from resort parking, CM parking etc. once DCA is finished it's remodel.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Longhairbear - I am not sure about valet services in FL. I have only been three times and have never had a car, but I believe that all of of WDW DVCs have free valet parking offered.

When I first started staying at the Grand (many years ago before I bought into DVC) I always used valet parking (I used to be a "baller" financially speaking). It was so nice to have the magic start right away. To have that feeling of being taken care of by CMs. And I got to be a part of my DGKs initial excitement as our immersion into our favorite place began. As time went on my "baller" status was reduced and I had to start watching my nickles and dimes a little better. I couldn't justify spending the daily fee for a valet service that was basically just used for our one arrival and departure. I know the self park isn't that inconvenient. But I do miss the valet. Among the many advantages of GVC being built that I anticipated was the addition of free valet parking. Obviously not a big deal to many of you - but something I would love to have. I don't think I would have looked forward to it if I didn't know that it was offered at the DVCs in FL

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Opening Day Pin.
So here is the picture:

I was able to buy this yesterday at the World of Disney.

Thank you so much, I was able to purchase two (the limit) at the WoD store. I had to present my DVC card; they had the pins in a small bin behind the counter. Again, thanks, otherwise I would have missed the pins!

 

[ebr@vgc]

Longhairbear - I am not sure about valet services in FL. I have only been three times and have never had a car, but I believe that all of of WDW DVCs have free valet parking offered.

When I first started staying at the Grand (many years ago before I bought into DVC) I always used valet parking (I used to be a "baller" financially speaking). It was so nice to have the magic start right away. To have that feeling of being taken care of by CMs. And I got to be a part of my DGKs initial excitement as our immersion into our favorite place began. As time went on my "baller" status was reduced and I had to start watching my nickles and dimes a little better. I couldn't justify spending the daily fee for a valet service that was basically just used for our one arrival and departure. I know the self park isn't that inconvenient. But I do miss the valet. Among the many advantages of GVC being built that I anticipated was the addition of free valet parking. Obviously not a big deal to many of you - but something I would love to have. I don't think I would have looked forward to it if I didn't know that it was offered at the DVCs in FL

that's why vegas is so awesome. they make EVERYONE feel like a 'baller' and valet is always free. things are definitely different in anaheim. if disney hadn't built dca there would still be plenty of space for dvc parking. but if dca hadn't been built, the grand cal wouldn't have been built and the vgc wouldn't exist.

welcome to the socal real estate market where our lots are only as big as our houses!

 

[thelionqueen]

Thank you so much, I was able to purchase two (the limit) at the WoD store. I had to present my DVC card; they had the pins in a small bin behind the counter. Again, thanks, otherwise I would have missed the pins!

Am I the only one who can't see the picture? Just a red "x" comes up..help please. would love to see it!!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Am I the only one who can't see the picture? Just a red "x" comes up..help please. would love to see it!!

I am seeing it just fine. I have never bought a pin and have never wanted one, but this one is cool.

 

[ACDSNY]

Am I the only one who can't see the picture? Just a red "x" comes up..help please. would love to see it!!

I'm getting the same "X" so I went to the properties and brought it up by the URL. Try this...

www.greenearth.com/images/DSC_3262S.JPG

I don't normally collect pins, but I want one of those. I hope there are some left on Oct. 13th.

 

[rmonty02]

I have never bought a pin and have never wanted one, but this one is cool.

I've never purchased any pins either, but as a VGC owner this on is pulling on my purse strings. Of course I will have to check ebay...because I'm sure they'll be out by Nov.

ACDSNY: You'll have to post if you were able to get one in Oct. Keeping my fingers crossed!