The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[Longhairbear]

OK, so excited, two weeks from today we will be checking in to a 2BR at the Villas at the Grand Californian for two nights with our good friends.....soooooooo excited its finally here!!

I'm jealous, we won't be back till May for stay in a studio.

 

[DVCGeek]

You really are a DVC Geek

Why thank you, I thought I choose my screen name wisely.

 

[bethy]

Hi everyone! I have a question about Parking. I know this info is buried in this thread somewhere but I'm hoping someone can answer my question off the top of their head:

Next month we are spending 4 nights in a 2 Bedroom at VGC with my parents. they are meeting us there and will have their own car. What is the parking policy? Is it only one car per unit that gets free parking even when the unit has a capacity of 9?

 

[toocherie]

Hi everyone! I have a question about Parking. I know this info is buried in this thread somewhere but I'm hoping someone can answer my question off the top of their head:

Next month we are spending 4 nights in a 2 Bedroom at VGC with my parents. they are meeting us there and will have their own car. What is the parking policy? Is it only one car per unit that gets free parking even when the unit has a capacity of 9?

You should have no problem parking two cars. Your room keys let you in and out of the self-parking so I don't believe they police how many per room.

 

[Nonsuch]

We stayed at the GCH hotel last December, before joining the DVC. Our standard room was upgraded to a pool view, looking directly at the new VGC wing
Our bill has all the usual hotel surcharges: Resort Fee, Tax
And also other optional items: Valet, Tickets, Meals...

Our first stay in the VGC was last month, and we skipped the valet and did not charge to the room
DVC really is a prepaid vacation, without hidden charges

 

[bethy]

Thanks so much for your quick reply, toocherie!

So - I'm trying to remember: when my parents first pull up the GCH in their car (after we've already parked ours there) do I tell them just to give the gatehouse our last name and say they will be self-parking after my dad drops off my mom with the luggage? Then they'll presumably come in and check in and get their keys. Do they not need to show their keys until they exit the parking lot with their car? Can anyone just drive on in and park initially?

I have stayed at the GCH maybe 5 times - usually with a car and I can cannot seem to remember. Since my parents are new to DLR and will be our guests I do not want to put them in an awkward position.

 

[VallCopen]

Bethy we stayed last November and when my brother showed up (several hours after us) he just pulled in the parking lot across the street told them he was staying at the hotel and then we gave him his key, which he DID need to leave the parking lot. Enjoy!!!!

 

[Nonsuch]

...when my parents first pull up the GCH in their car (after we've already parked ours there) do I tell them just to give the gatehouse our last name and say they will be self-parking after my dad drops off my mom with the luggage? Then they'll presumably come in and check in and get their keys

That would work, but it will be a little smoother this way:
Add you parents names to your reservation. This should get them past the gatehouse (but your name would work also). Leave the bags with the bellmen and BOTH your parents can go to registration and get keys. Cars can be left at the entrance while guests register, although the valet will need the key in case the car needs to be moved. Then one of your parents can drive to self-parking, and use the room key to access the Grand Californian Hotel lot.

The dedicated GCH parking has the nearest parking spaces, so without a room key they might end up in the multi-level garage behind Paradise Pier Hotel. Tell your parents that the self-park lot is across the street, since that might not be obvious.

 

[jujashmom]

Stayed at VGC in February and fell in love

Just added on 60 pts at VGC today!!

 

[stopher1]

Stayed at VGC in February and fell in love

Just added on 60 pts at VGC today!!

Congrats! It IS a wonderful place, isn't it?

 

[nunzia]

We stayed at the GCH hotel last December, before joining the DVC. Our standard room was upgraded to a pool view, looking directly at the new VGC wing
Our bill has all the usual hotel surcharges: Resort Fee, Tax
And also other optional items: Valet, Tickets, Meals...

Our first stay in the VGC was last month, and we skipped the valet and did not charge to the room
DVC really is a prepaid vacation, without hidden charges

Wow...you got a great room rate! My last paid stay in May of 08 read like this for weekdays: Resort Fee: 11.50, room charge: 324.00, tax: 48.60 and for weekend night: resort fee: 11.50, Room charge: 365.00, tax: 54.75. And I paid for three rooms for three nights each
No wonder I bought in at VGC, and I think I just talked myself into an add on

 

[wideeyedwonder]

DVC really is a prepaid vacation

And you wouldn't believe how much $$$ we saved on food by using the kitchen in the villas...

We were able to eat out a bit fancier than normal on the days we did eat out, and STILL save money (and even time!)

Again -->

Stayed at VGC in February and fell in love Just added on 60 pts at VGC today!!

That's been known to happen! (We fell in love with The Grand years back, so when we heard that there was to be a DVC there, we knew that we had to buy!)

 

[Nonsuch]

Just added on 60 pts at VGC today!!

You might want to hang onto your contract until after the webcast in 2 weeks

 

[wideeyedwonder]

You might want to hang onto your contract until after the webcast in 2 weeks

Oh great, now I may have to think about adding on! 2 weeks you say?

 

[MCSfromWA]

Looking at the "before VGC" bill also reminds me why we love staying at the villa so much. I am signed up for the webcast and am hoping that there will be good incentives because I know we don't have enough points ... to stay as long as I would like.

I am so looking forward to our summer trip.

 

[Nonsuch]

Wow...you got a great room rate! My last paid stay in May of 08 read like this for weekdays: Resort Fee: 11.50, room charge: 324.00, tax: 48.60 and for weekend night: resort fee: 11.50, Room charge: 365.00, tax: 54.75. And I paid for three rooms for three nights each
No wonder I bought in at VGC, and I think I just talked myself into an add on

We went all out for the 50th anniversary in July 2005 (wow, 5 years ago already). Concierge, Theme Park View, for a week. The reservations were made a full year in advance, and we paid full rack rate
I think my mind has blocked out the total cost

The 200 new hotel rooms may have softened the off season rates at the Grand.

 

[Nonsuch]

And you wouldn't believe how much $$$ we saved on food by using the kitchen in the villas...

We were able to eat out a bit fancier than normal on the days we did eat out, and STILL save money (and even time!)

The VGC kitchen has transformed our experience an the Grand. We can now follow our normal weekend morning routine, with coffee and breakfast while lounging around in robes.

Next trip will be even better. I'm bringing much more food from home

 

[Garthilk]

Well,

I put down a deposit on a 220 pointer at VGC today. Welcome everyone.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Well,

I put down a deposit on a 220 pointer at VGC today. Welcome everyone.

Hey, Welcome Home!

 

[barngro]

We are here right now in a 1 bdr. on the 5th floor and just watched about 15 min. of the WOC show with music. They have been doing bits and pieces all week but this is the first time they have run a large portion of the show with the soundtrack. Also, I don't think the viewing area they built for DVCers is going to be as good as a lot of the rooms which are closer to the public viewing area. It's kinda hard to see the projected portions of the show from way over there.