The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[KAT4DISNEY]

Do any of you who have stayed at the VGC Villas have any specific information about the cabanas? Prices? What is included? How to reserve? Are they open for rental to everyone or just DVC members?

Thanks!

I don't have answers for all your questions but on the table by the lounge chairs they had a sign up with an extension to call if you wanted to book the cabanas.

I think they are open to anyone to book.

 

[MCSfromWA]

I was at VGC 9/24 - 9/27 and I asked the cabana girl for a tour. They were going to officially open on the 27th. You can rent a cabana for half a day (I think the price was $110 or $125 -- I can't remember) or for the whole day at $180 or $185. The half day was from 9 to 1 or 2 to 6 and a whole day would be from 9 to 6. The cabanas have a little refrigerator, a tv, ect. It's pretty fancy. There are 2 chaise lounges in front of the cabana as well as a table inside. I thought they looked cool but I think we will admire it them from a distance.

 

[lulubelle]

I don't mind paying for the cabana, but that is ridiculously priced.
We stay at our timeshare in Palm Springs and the cabana price is $100 for the ENTIRE DAY! I really think they will have a hard time filling the time slots at those prices.

 

[lulubelle]

On a positve note...we will be staying at the villas in a studio for the first time this Friday, Oct 23. I CANNOT WAIT!!!

I know it will be an awesome experience.

 

[VallCopen]

In 2 more weeks we will be staying in a dedicated 2 bedroom, possible pier view, so if there is anything people are still wanting to see or find out about let me know and I will take pictures and ask questions. I know that I have totally enjoyed everything others have posted so if I can return the favor please let me know. We will be there for 2 weeks so I will have lots of time to wander around (providing we get over this flu soon).

 

[maburke]

Use your BLT points to visit the DLR next year!

Yeah, well, we're using them to go to BLT in 2010.

 

[forevercruising]

I was at VGC 9/24 - 9/27 and I asked the cabana girl for a tour. They were going to officially open on the 27th. You can rent a cabana for half a day (I think the price was $110 or $125 -- I can't remember) or for the whole day at $180 or $185. The half day was from 9 to 1 or 2 to 6 and a whole day would be from 9 to 6. The cabanas have a little refrigerator, a tv, ect. It's pretty fancy. There are 2 chaise lounges in front of the cabana as well as a table inside. I thought they looked cool but I think we will admire it them from a distance.

Wow! We've rented quite a few cabanas in our time and those prices are quite high. (Especially because the cabanas we have rented elsewhere have had couches, magazines, food, coffee tables, etc., in addition to the two lounge chairs out front! From the pictures, these GC cabanas look somewhat "empty". Perhaps the pictures from afar are a bit deceiving, however; I've not yet seen pictures of the actual inside of the cabana, up close; they might be very nice and luxurious.)

MCS: Did the cabana girl say if any beverages or food credits were included in the price?

Thanks, very much, for the information!!! It it appreciated!

 

[MCSfromWA]

I do not know if there is any food or beverage credit with that price. I didn't think to ask about that. Maybe someone who is there this weekend can ask. I wonder if they are renting the cabana out with the prices they quoted me or if they will be forced to lower the price. That just seemed excessive, especially when most people who stay at VGC or GC are probably also spending time at the park and might not want to spend 1/2 a day or a full day by the pool.

 

[ACDSNY]

Angela, how does GCV compare to the other DVC resorts you own? We've only had experience with the GCVs; we've stayed at WDW, but only in "standard" deluxe hotel rooms (Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge).

Each of the DVC properties has it's own unique personality. I'm not one to stress over the difference between room layouts or resorts so I doubt I could tell you all that's different. The VCG will always be my favorite as it's more in line with my personal style and DLR always feels like home to me. I guess I'm just a CA girl. We had 9 of us (5 adults, 4 kids) in a dedicated 2 bdrm so we loved having 3 bathrooms. My Dad actually used the murphy bed in the living room instead of the sofa sleeper and said it wasn't too bad just a little short. I think it's made more for kids.

We have points at SSR and AKV too. We love SSR as it's close to DTD and for the peace & quiet when away from the parks. We'll have our first visit to AKV next month so we'll see how we like it then. My guess is we'll enjoy the savanna view very much, but I'm worried the rooms look a little on the darkside. We've nice stays at BWV and VB too.

Have fun and let me know if you do a TR or post pics elsewhere on the Dis.

Sorry this is as close to a TR you'll see from me. I'm not one for taking many pics and as you can probably tell writing isn't my specialty. My sister's family had us on a commando style trip so I'm pretty worn out. Not to mention we're a little out of practice on taking a 2 yr old without his parents.

Last night was so crowded at DL when DH & I went in for the Fantasmic Desert seating at 10:30PM. I was beginning to wonder if we'd make it over there before the show started. All in all we have a great time.

 

[rmonty02]

Last night was so crowded at DL when DH & I went in for the Fantasmic Desert seating at 10:30PM. I was beginning to wonder if we'd make it over there before the show started. All in all we have a great time.

Sounds like a whirlwind of FUN! But, what is up with the park being so busy. Besides you, I have seen other posts that have mentioned DL being crazy busy? Is that normal for Oct.? or is this something new?

 

[bumbershoot]

When we were at GCH last weekend, we read that the cabanas also have a safe. I think that was in the info binder in the rooms, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Mattsmommy]

We got home this morning from our trip. I almost cried when we checked out. We had a wonderful vacation and will definitely be back. I loved VGC.

I did see the cabanas but no one ever rented them the time that we were there.

 

[Anjelica]

We are staying in a Studio in a little more than a month. Obviously we won't have washer/dryer in the room so I'm inquiring about the Guest Washer/Dryer area. I thought I read in this thread that it wasn't ready a few weeks ago. Does anyone know if its ready? Will it be free like other DVC properties?

TIA - Anjelica

 

[Mattsmommy]

We are staying in a Studio in a little more than a month. Obviously we won't have washer/dryer in the room so I'm inquiring about the Guest Washer/Dryer area. I thought I read in this thread that it wasn't ready a few weeks ago. Does anyone know if its ready? Will it be free like other DVC properties?

TIA - Anjelica

It's still not ready.

 

[minniemoms]

So do you think anyone is renting them? Maybe if no one is renting them, they will re-think their prices??
I am so glad some of you have posted pictures. We don't get to go until Dec, and I want to go know......
Keep on posting..

 

[wideeyedwonder]

On Mouseplanet, I found a list of grocery items available at Whitewater Snacks (at the Grand Californian Hotel):


http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=132776

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Sorry this is as close to a TR you'll see from me. I'm not one for taking many pics and as you can probably tell writing isn't my specialty. My sister's family had us on a commando style trip so I'm pretty worn out. Not to mention we're a little out of practice on taking a 2 yr old without his parents.

Last night was so crowded at DL when DH & I went in for the Fantasmic Desert seating at 10:30PM. I was beginning to wonder if we'd make it over there before the show started. All in all we have a great time.

Me too. I love to read trip reports and look at other people's pictures, but I don't have the time to write a TR myself. I do take a lot of pics at Disney, but mostly just of the Grandkids.

We took our almost 2 year old DGS on his first DLR trip just after my DGD was born to give my daughter in law a chance to relax and bond with the new baby. On that trip my wife and I were rather frazzled and wondered how we had managed to raise our own DS. We had forgotten how much energy a toddler can have. Have fun and soak up some of that "Grand" magic.

 

[wdw4life]

Sounds like a whirlwind of FUN! But, what is up with the park being so busy. Besides you, I have seen other posts that have mentioned DL being crazy busy? Is that normal for Oct.? or is this something new?

Halloween Time has become very popular at the DLR. Especially now with the new fireworks and overlay in Space Mountain. Expect October to be very busy.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

On Mouseplanet, I found a list of grocery items available at Whitewater Snacks (at the Grand Californian Hotel):


http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=132776

Thanks! This is very helpful.

 

[ACDSNY]

Sounds like a whirlwind of FUN! But, what is up with the park being so busy. Besides you, I have seen other posts that have mentioned DL being crazy busy? Is that normal for Oct.? or is this something new?

Over the last few years Oct has gotten very busy, especially in the first 3 weeks due to all the Halloween activities. Tues - Thurs are manageable, but the weekends are crowded.

We've also noticed they must be selling more tickets to the Trick or Treat Parties as it was way crowded compared to previous years. You basically stood in line for the trick or treat stations and then we're only given one piece. In previous years they tossed in a handful at each station.