The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[Grumpygrandpa]

Great pics SanDeeKath! Thanks for sharing them.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

However, having said that, I LOVED our 1 BR Villa and booked another stay before we left.

Our trip "home" last week (Sunday through Wednesday) was out first DVC trip ever, so I can't really compare it to other DVC resorts. There were still quite a few rough spots (I posted my problems with getting the 1-BR portion of the 2-BR lock-off cleaned before we checked in in another post), but, for the most part, it was a very excellent stay. We did hear construction noise into the night and in the early mornings, and Halloween themed "test" music from CA blaring on one of the nights (which I actually quite enjoyed!), and the parking situation is sub-optimal (I opted for the 7 minute walks to "self park") but all in all, I'm in love with this resort.

You have VERY nicely decorated rooms, the beds are COMFY (even the sofa bed and the murphy bed in the 1-BR), the views can't be beat (especially the CA/PP view rooms), the elevators run fast, the BBQ area is convenient, the pool access is quick (we've come to call the new oval pool the "DVC pool"), the lobby and atrium in The Grand is unbeatable, and the Grand's access to the parks and DD is nothing short of legendary.

We literally spent a cumulative hour of our 3-night stay just watching the ever-evolving patterns of lights on the Mickey Funwheel of Death:

It's like a cool, mesmerizing light show that lasts from dusk until midnight!:

OK, we are easily amused, but I am SO looking forward to our next stay in late January.

UPDATE: One more note: The pool view was actually very nice at night as well, and probably a bit quieter to boot. I'd be more than happy with a pool view if the PP view rooms were unavailable.

 

[Longhairbear]

I am posting from my studio at VGC.
We are extremely impressed!!! This has got to be the most luxurious DVC of all. 24/7 room service, we even get the body butter H2O lotion. Bath robes, fantastic view, and high speed elevators...LOL. I'm serious. Room service is pricey, but so far, worth it. Breakfast is 20 bucks, haven't tried that yet, but ordered dinner from room service, and was quick, and delicious.
Guest services called to make sure my request for coffee mugs was fulfilled.
Service here is top notch, and obviously a priority.
Ice buckets are hammered metal, not plastic, and match the waste baskets. It is on a hammered metal tray, with ice tongs. Shower soap is molded as a massage bar, shampoo, conditioner, body butter, shower cap, and shoe mitt are on the bath counter. Member packet includes 3 postcards.
Wifi, or land line internet, are free.
Toilet room has a lock, member discounts at just about every eatery on the entire property, and the theming, much like VWL is amazing. Outside our balcony are pine trees, piped in owl hoots, and beyond, Grizzly Peak, and Tower of Terror.
Now for the dirt. Our room service waiter is thrilled with the DVC villas, they are very busy with room service. He told us that the rumor is that the villas turned out so well, that the top execs want to remodel all the decor in the rest of the hotel to match the villas. He hinted that he heard scuttlebutt, that some hotel rooms would be remodeled into more DVC units.
As for the crowds here, signs on the freeway declared that Disneyland was very busy, and it is. There is practically no parking left on property, and hoards of people everywhere. There were about 30 cars lined up for check in when we drove in. The valet attendants came up to us to apologize for the wait. We self parked, and there was a line there also. This place is popular, and busy!!!

 

[nunzia]

Thanks..can't wait to go back and stay in a villa

 

[LyndaC]

I LOVE the Villas at the Grand Californian.​

Prior to checking in, I thought that having a theme park view would not excite me at all. However, we spent lots of time every night watching the color changes on Mickey's Fun Wheel. One night I woke up about 2 am to discover that the Zephyr was spinning as well.

These are truly the very nicest DVC Villas I've seen. They did a great job of following through with carrying through with the theme and ambiance of the Grand Californian.

At the Wine and Cheese reception, the guy who's in charge of The Grand Californian noticed our old Grand Cal tee shirts and commented on them. We didn't know who he was and we told him that we really miss the fine quality and variety of Grand Cal theme items in the gift shop. Here's hoping they'll bring some of the upscale Grand Cal stuff back.

 

[toocherie]

Hey Lynda--I talked to you downstairs before the wine and cheese--my Mom was the one on the scooter. I commented on your shirts. Glad to see that there were other Dis'ers there--I ran into dbanzai too --wonder how many Dis'ers were there overall?

 

[tjkraz]

We were there on the 23rd and not even so much as a balloon to "celebrate". Compare that to the, what, three full day event they had when Saratoga Springs opened up?

That's a new one to me. We were at WDW the day Saratoga Springs opened and stopped by the resort several times that week. The only event I have been aware of (in the 5+ years since SSR opened) was the press event featuring the mayor of Saratoga Springs, NY.

I'm not even aware of there having been a member event similar to the wine and cheese function opening day at VGC.

What sort of events did you witness during the first few days SSR was open?

 

[darby888]

Just got back from our 1st stay for one night, last night. Went with my mom & sis. Our studio room #1516, located on the 1st floor, was available upon check-in at 12:30pm.
My sister is a smoker & I had the cm checking us in confirm that it would be alright if my sister smoked just outside our room as long as we kept the slider closed. We were located at the end of a corridor around from the dvc pool. It faces a walkway that leads to a gated pool entry. We were directly behind the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. It's an ideal location for any smoker & we were able to see the fireworks from the walkway.

With my mac air, I just loved, loved, loved the free wifi.

Took some pics around the room & one of the grocery selection at Whitewater Snacks & one at disneyland (It's gay days this weekend.)

 

[Longhairbear]

Hey Lynda--I talked to you downstairs before the wine and cheese--my Mom was the one on the scooter. I commented on your shirts. Glad to see that there were other Dis'ers there--I ran into dbanzai too --wonder how many Dis'ers were there overall?

I am here right now, waiting for room service dinner. I love this place. My only complaint would be the grocery, basically it has not much at all. No mixers, such as tonic or gingerale for cocktails. No cigarettes, or booze either.
So I bring my own, no big deal.
It is the best DVC so far.

 

[ACDSNY]

I am here right now, waiting for room service dinner. I love this place. My only complaint would be the grocery, basically it has not much at all.

Cool, sounds like we can order from room service at the villas! Is that correct?

 

[wideeyedwonder]

For those of you making the trip "home" in October, well, make sure you catch the Halloween fireworks display (Disneyland Halloween Screams 2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlb_iPg1g7Q

Nothing short of awesome!

Cool, sounds like we can order from room service at the villas! Is that correct?

Yes. There is a menu in the rooms.

 

[peloha86]

I am here right now, waiting for room service dinner. I love this place. My only complaint would be the grocery, basically it has not much at all. No mixers, such as tonic or gingerale for cocktails. No cigarettes, or booze either.
So I bring my own, no big deal.
It is the best DVC so far.

Groceries aren't that far away...
There's a Food 4 Less on Katella
Food 4 Less‎
1616 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA‎ - (714) 539-7497

Vons
Vons: Grocery‎
12961 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA‎ - (714) 750-3663‎
2 reviews - Write a review
"I love going to this VONS because you can always get things of good quality here ..."


Whole Foods(far, but the quality is good)
Tustin
2847 Park Avenue,
Tustin, CA 92782
714.566.7650
714.566.7840 fax
: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week.Located on the corner of Jamboree and Barranca Parkway at The District at Tustin Legacy

And I found a food delivery service:
I do believe they deliver in the Anaheim area.
schwans
Order Online or Call 1-866-210-0333

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[leelip1982]

just bought in while on 7 day magic western caribbean cruise for 89.00 a point will be in calli in jan for 1st visit.

 

[Longhairbear]

Cool, sounds like we can order from room service at the villas! Is that correct?

Yes, and a limited room service menu from 10 PM, til 6 AM.

 

[Longhairbear]

Groceries aren't that far away...
There's a Food 4 Less on Katella
Food 4 Less‎
1616 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA‎ - (714) 539-7497

Vons
Vons: Grocery‎
12961 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA‎ - (714) 750-3663‎
2 reviews - Write a review
"I love going to this VONS because you can always get things of good quality here ..."


Whole Foods(far, but the quality is good)
Tustin
2847 Park Avenue,
Tustin, CA 92782
714.566.7650
714.566.7840 fax
: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week.Located on the corner of Jamboree and Barranca Parkway at The District at Tustin Legacy

And I found a food delivery service:
I do believe they deliver in the Anaheim area.
schwans
Order Online or Call 1-866-210-0333

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Thanks, we ran into a couple from NH, that needed groceries for their villa. If I see them I will send them here, already told them of this site.

 

[nunzia]

If Schwan's there is like Schwan's here, it is a specialty food business that just delivers to customers once every 2 weeks. Don't know if that's the same thing or not, but be sure and check. Is the Food For Less in walking distance? The ABC mart and a 7-11 are pretty close, but don't know if they have many fresh things (I did notice fruit as I walked by), but after seeing those grills I'd sure like to grill somethiing when I'm there.

 

[funatdisney]

I order from the Schwans you speak of, nunzia, too. They do come very two weeks, but you can order for a delivery between the two week delivery. Very good food, especially the corn on the cob. Althought be aware that everything is frozen. I think? At least, everything I have ever ordered from them was frozen.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Just got back from our 1st stay for one night, last night. Went with my mom & sis. Our studio room #1516, located on the 1st floor, was available upon check-in at 12:30pm.
My sister is a smoker & I had the cm checking us in confirm that it would be alright if my sister smoked just outside our room as long as we kept the slider closed. We were located at the end of a corridor around from the dvc pool. It faces a walkway that leads to a gated pool entry. We were directly behind the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. It's an ideal location for any smoker & we were able to see the fireworks from the walkway.

Room 1516 is NOT a smoking room.

Smoking is NOT allowed in the rooms or on the balconies!

The only ideal location for smoking is in the designated smoking areas.

 

[funatdisney]

I LOVE the Villas at the Grand Californian.​

Prior to checking in, I thought that having a theme park view would not excite me at all. However, we spent lots of time every night watching the color changes on Mickey's Fun Wheel. One night I woke up about 2 am to discover that the Zephyr was spinning as well.

These are truly the very nicest DVC Villas I've seen. They did a great job of following through with carrying through with the theme and ambiance of the Grand Californian.

At the Wine and Cheese reception, the guy who's in charge of The Grand Californian noticed our old Grand Cal tee shirts and commented on them. We didn't know who he was and we told him that we really miss the fine quality and variety of Grand Cal theme items in the gift shop. Here's hoping they'll bring some of the upscale Grand Cal stuff back.

Hey LyndaC, My DH and I met you at the opening day Member gathering and the next day in TSM line while waiting for the ride to open. It was very nice talking to you and your brother. Look forward to running into you again at the best DVC resort!

 

[funatdisney]

So I have been thinking of what to pack for our next visit to VGC later this month and a funny story came to mind. While at the Villas on Sept, my DH and I went into DCA to ride TSM. The ride was closed, so we decided to go back to our room to cook dinner that night. Our room faced DCA. While I was cooking, DH runs into the living room and grabs the camera. I asked, "Why are you getting the camera?". He says, " I want to know if TSM is open yet, so I am going to use the zoom lens to see if it is." I just started to laugh. That's my clever husband. So I will now add to my list binoculars just in case we get a DCA side room.