The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[stopher1]

Yep...we just signed by the Mickeys and sent off our paperwork..now I can quit fretting about if I should add on..I just DID..50 points here also.

Oh Nunzia that's awesome! Congrats!

 

[Nonsuch]

...I HOPE DVD (or some division of the Mouse) maintains insurance for things like fire, flood, earthquake, etc. so we wouldn't have to pay for major damage out of a special dues assessment...

Component Site Public Offering Statement (small booklet with brown cover) page 59 has information about insurance.

...insured against loss or damage by fire, water, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, riot, damage from aircraft, collapse, smoke damage...

Earthquake is not mentioned.
Earthquake insurance is expensive with high deductibles, so only 12% of California homeowners have coverage.

 

[diznylnd]

Hi, we are brand new to DVC! We bought on our last cruise in Dec 2009 and then just went to the little meeting they had at the Grand Californian Hotel and doubled our points on Thurs. We had a blast at the after party with our daughter!

 

[stopher1]

Hi, we are brand new to DVC! We bought on our last cruise in Dec 2009 and then just went to the little meeting they had at the Grand Californian Hotel and doubled our points on Thurs. We had a blast at the after party with our daughter!

Very cool! Congrats!

 

[DVCGeek]

Earthquake is not mentioned.
Earthquake insurance is expensive with high deductibles, so only 12% of California homeowners have coverage.

Yikes, hopefully that won't come back to slam we the owners! What is "collapse" though; seems like an earthquake could cause that... (I know, I'm sure it's probably specifically excluded)

 

[forevercruising]

Hello, fellow owners!

Okay, this question is for those of you who have been fortunate enough to have "Gone Home" already!

I have read the information in our DVC Membership Guide, which states what items are in the kitchen, etc., as well as what items are provided by housekeeping; however, as I sat and tried to make a "packing list", I found I was putting much more on my list than I should have to, considering we'll finally be staying in a villa!

So, here is the question:

What items would you put on your "must pack" list when staying in a one or two bedroom VGC villa?

For example, I always pack a container of Clorox Wipes, when we travel; I don't think they are provided at the villas, but, I could be wrong.

What about: paper plates (any need for those?), plastic cups, napkins, Ziploc bags, laundry detergent, bathroom items, other kitchen items, cleaning supplies, etc.?

I am hoping to get "first hand" advice from those of you who have "been there and done that", so that my packing will be efficient, instead of overloaded!

Looking forward to your replies!

Thanks very much!

 

[ACDSNY]

So, here is the question:

What items would you put on your "must pack" list when staying in a one or two bedroom VGC villa?

For example, I always pack a container of Clorox Wipes, when we travel; I don't think they are provided at the villas, but, I could be wrong.

What about: paper plates (any need for those?), plastic cups, napkins, Ziploc bags, laundry detergent, bathroom items, other kitchen items, cleaning supplies, etc.?

We only do breakfast in our 2 bdrm villa at DL so and we typically fly down so our packing is pretty light:
clorox wipes
purex 3-in-1
ziplock bags

We rent a car so we stop for breakfast items, snacks and drinks. If you have a studio I would add paper plates and cups.

For our week stays in WDW we do a grocery delivery service.

 

[franandaj]

For example, I always pack a container of Clorox Wipes, when we travel; I don't think they are provided at the villas, but, I could be wrong.

You'll have to bring your own wipes, they are not provided in the Villas

What about: paper plates (any need for those?), plastic cups, napkins, Ziploc bags, laundry detergent, bathroom items, other kitchen items, cleaning supplies, etc.?

In 1-2 br units they provide ceramic plates and plastic or glass cups. They will give you paper towels, but not napkins. No ziploc bags, one small box of laundry detergent, and you'll get a set of bathroom items upon check in and if you have towel/maid service they will replenish the soap, shower gel, shampoo etc. In the kitchen they give you dishwashing liquid, a sponge and soap for the dishwasher.

I actually have not stayed in CA yet, but I know these things from our stays at DVC in Florida. There are a lot of things that I want in my room like a dishwashing brush, paper plates, extra knives. I've got these in my Owner's locker in FL now. Our CA stays are only 1-2 nights in studios so we don't need as many kitchen supplies and stuff. If you like a nice big cup of coffee or tea in the morning, you may want to bring your own mug, same thing if anyone in your family eats a big bowl of cereal. The mugs and bowls at DVC resorts are really small in my experience!

If there's anything you think you can't live without, bring it, next time you'll know better on what to bring. It takes time to figure it out. Too bad that CA doesn't have the annual return visitor count like Orlando so that a business like the Owner's locker concept could take off.

Enjoy your first trip, I can't wait until mine!

 

[MCSfromWA]

Hello, fellow owners!

Okay, this question is for those of you who have been fortunate enough to have "Gone Home" already!

I have read the information in our DVC Membership Guide, which states what items are in the kitchen, etc., as well as what items are provided by housekeeping; however, as I sat and tried to make a "packing list", I found I was putting much more on my list than I should have to, considering we'll finally be staying in a villa!

So, here is the question:

What items would you put on your "must pack" list when staying in a one or two bedroom VGC villa?

For example, I always pack a container of Clorox Wipes, when we travel; I don't think they are provided at the villas, but, I could be wrong.

What about: paper plates (any need for those?), plastic cups, napkins, Ziploc bags, laundry detergent, bathroom items, other kitchen items, cleaning supplies, etc.?

I am hoping to get "first hand" advice from those of you who have "been there and done that", so that my packing will be efficient, instead of overloaded!

Looking forward to your replies!

Thanks very much!

Bring salt and pepper if you plan to cook/eat in your room. And if you are in a one or two bedroom villa you might want to bring laundry detergent. When we were there they gave us enough dishwasher detergent -- and I don't know if they prefer we use what they have or if that should also go on your list. When we return this summer we are also bringing soap/shampoo ect. because what they had in the bathrooms when we got there was not enough for the weekend that we were there. I think we will also bring extra garbage bags because we take out trash pretty often. Ziplocks are a great idea as well. We cooked most of our meals in the villa and were pretty happy with the pots/pans/dishes that was there.

Have a good time!

 

[Nonsuch]

What items would you put on your "must pack" list when staying in a one or two bedroom VGC villa?

Coffee filters (flat bottom basket type)
Coffee

Are you flying or driving to VGC?

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Hello, fellow owners!

Okay, this question is for those of you who have been fortunate enough to have "Gone Home" already!

I have read the information in our DVC Membership Guide, which states what items are in the kitchen, etc., as well as what items are provided by housekeeping; however, as I sat and tried to make a "packing list", I found I was putting much more on my list than I should have to, considering we'll finally be staying in a villa!

So, here is the question:

What items would you put on your "must pack" list when staying in a one or two bedroom VGC villa?


H

Here's what I keep in my Disney Villa supply box for trips to VGC. We drive so end up taking a lot:

Coffee Filters (basket kind)- There is a full size coffee maker in all the villas but no filters are provided
Coffee
Portable Coffee Cups w/ lids-Part of the joy of a full sized coffee maker is making plenty of coffee to take into the parks and not needing to buy crappy nescafe. You can find these at target and they are great for hot chocolate too!
Hot Chocolate Packets- see above
B]Salt/ Pepper[/B]-I tend to stockpile the little packets you sometimes get at restaurants so I have enough to take on trips.

16oz Plastic Cups- Again, great for taking drinks on the go to the parks, lobby or pool.
Ziploc bags-Great for the snacks, storing unfinished items in the fridge, etc. I usually bring sandwich and gallon size
Trash bags (kitchen sized)-Last time we stayed, we generated A LOT of trash and were having our oldest dd make trash runs downstairs 2x a day. Without daily housekeeping to replenish the trash liners, we ran out fast! Sure, you could call and have some sent up, but they are just as easy for me to pack so I am not waiting on housekeeping.
Addtnl Auto Dish Detergent-Again, I could probably call down to hk to get more of these but they do not give you enough to run the dishwasher more than 1 or 2 times and we do a lot of cooking so next trip we will bring our own. Regular dish soap supplied was adequate.
Laundry Soap-They give you enough for a load or 2 but we bring our own as you never know when you have kids what laundry challenges can occur.
Clorox Wipes-Great for little spills/ sanitizing. The only cleaning product I really feel I use /need for our short, housekeeping free, stays at the Villas.


Some features/ items I did not expect and loved that are in the 1 & 2 bdrm Villas:

A couple tupperware containers (LOVE this)
Big Laundry hamper


Have fun planning your trip and welcome home!!

 

[lisah0711]

We used the Purex All In One sheets for our WDW trip in December so I would take those instead of laundry soap. (Incredibly we did 15 loads of laundry for 5 people staying 8 nights -- laundry is my Mom's hobby! )

 

[forevercruising]

So, I knew you would provide me with some great ideas!

Okay, here is the comprehensive list of items, so far:

Purex 3-in-1
Napkins
Salt and Pepper
Soap
Shampoo
Dishwashing brush
Paper plates
Extra knives
Favorite coffee mug
Big cereal bowls
Coffee Filters (flat bottom basket kind)
Coffee
Portable Coffee Cups w/ lids!
Hot Chocolate Packets
16oz Plastic Cups
Ziploc bags (gallon + small size)
Trash bags (kitchen sized)
Addtnl Auto Dish Detergent
Laundry Soap/Detergent
Clorox Wipes
Purex All In One sheets (instead of laundry soap)

I hope this list helps others who are also interested in this subtopic!

Keep the ideas coming! Any other items that, once you arrived "Home" to VGC, you wish you had brought with you?

BTW, Nonsuch: We will be driving, not flying, so, space should not be a problem!

 

[8timesblessed]

We are going for the first time in May so I have no clue what is there but our other timeshare has about the same list and a few things I bring that are not usually included, but it all depends on how much you are cooking and what kind of food.

Saran wrap
Foil
Pam spray
ziploc bags
Laundry soap

I usually bring this big stir-fry pan, pampered chef stoneware flat pan and 9x13 pan because I like the way they cook, bread knife and small paring knives. I find most timeshare places don't always have good knifes. We have alot of kids so I bring this apple slicer thing we have from pampered chef as well.

I usually make a menu and then pack stuff in bins so they stack easily in our van and then buy perishables and have them delivered or make a Coscto run. I'm planning the same for this trip so we shall see. We will be feeding 14 people every day and I find my kids are picky when we go out so eating in will be better for us anyway.

 

[marts35]

We always pack air freshener. Recently we found a small size that fits in the suitcase easily. It always comes in handy.

 

[Wmmmmm]

As I was packing tonight at around 10:30pm (because it's our last night here in room 4500, a two bedroom park view unit), I head loud music from the park. As I looked out the window, I saw the WOC running at full force. I called the kids and wife to the balcony and watched nearly the entire show! From my vantage point (because I can't see the projection clearly), it looks like everything is ready and the show is pretty awesome. We will back in July but as my son said, WOC will be old news by then! He is glad that he got to see the show before it's open to the public!

 

[SoCalKDG]

As I was packing tonight at around 10:30pm (because it's our last night here in room 4500, a two bedroom park view unit), I head loud music from the park. As I looked out the window, I saw the WOC running at full force. I called the kids and wife to the balcony and watched nearly the entire show! From my vantage point (because I can't see the projection clearly), it looks like everything is ready and the show is pretty awesome. We will back in July but as my son said, WOC will be old news by then! He is glad that he got to see the show before it's open to the public!

Photos, video, anything? Did you like it? How was the view? The park should open this weekend. Hopefully they have official previews before the estimated show opening of June 11 since I"ll be staying there June 6 - June 11.

 

[stopher1]

We only do breakfast in our 2 bdrm villa at DL so and we typically fly down so our packing is pretty light:
clorox wipes
purex 3-in-1
ziplock bags

We rent a car so we stop for breakfast items, snacks and drinks. If you have a studio I would add paper plates and cups.

For our week stays in WDW we do a grocery delivery service.

You'll have to bring your own wipes, they are not provided in the Villas

In 1-2 br units they provide ceramic plates and plastic or glass cups. They will give you paper towels, but not napkins. No ziploc bags, one small box of laundry detergent, and you'll get a set of bathroom items upon check in and if you have towel/maid service they will replenish the soap, shower gel, shampoo etc. In the kitchen they give you dishwashing liquid, a sponge and soap for the dishwasher.

I actually have not stayed in CA yet, but I know these things from our stays at DVC in Florida. There are a lot of things that I want in my room like a dishwashing brush, paper plates, extra knives. I've got these in my Owner's locker in FL now. Our CA stays are only 1-2 nights in studios so we don't need as many kitchen supplies and stuff. If you like a nice big cup of coffee or tea in the morning, you may want to bring your own mug, same thing if anyone in your family eats a big bowl of cereal. The mugs and bowls at DVC resorts are really small in my experience!

If there's anything you think you can't live without, bring it, next time you'll know better on what to bring. It takes time to figure it out. Too bad that CA doesn't have the annual return visitor count like Orlando so that a business like the Owner's locker concept could take off.

Enjoy your first trip, I can't wait until mine!

Here's what I keep in my Disney Villa supply box for trips to VGC. We drive so end up taking a lot:

Coffee Filters (basket kind)- There is a full size coffee maker in all the villas but no filters are provided
Coffee
Portable Coffee Cups w/ lids-Part of the joy of a full sized coffee maker is making plenty of coffee to take into the parks and not needing to buy crappy nescafe. You can find these at target and they are great for hot chocolate too!
Hot Chocolate Packets- see above
B]Salt/ Pepper[/B]-I tend to stockpile the little packets you sometimes get at restaurants so I have enough to take on trips.

16oz Plastic Cups- Again, great for taking drinks on the go to the parks, lobby or pool.
Ziploc bags-Great for the snacks, storing unfinished items in the fridge, etc. I usually bring sandwich and gallon size
Trash bags (kitchen sized)-Last time we stayed, we generated A LOT of trash and were having our oldest dd make trash runs downstairs 2x a day. Without daily housekeeping to replenish the trash liners, we ran out fast! Sure, you could call and have some sent up, but they are just as easy for me to pack so I am not waiting on housekeeping.
Addtnl Auto Dish Detergent-Again, I could probably call down to hk to get more of these but they do not give you enough to run the dishwasher more than 1 or 2 times and we do a lot of cooking so next trip we will bring our own. Regular dish soap supplied was adequate.
Laundry Soap-They give you enough for a load or 2 but we bring our own as you never know when you have kids what laundry challenges can occur.
Clorox Wipes-Great for little spills/ sanitizing. The only cleaning product I really feel I use /need for our short, housekeeping free, stays at the Villas.


Some features/ items I did not expect and loved that are in the 1 & 2 bdrm Villas:

A couple tupperware containers (LOVE this)
Big Laundry hamper


Have fun planning your trip and welcome home!!

So, I knew you would provide me with some great ideas!

Okay, here is the comprehensive list of items, so far:

Purex 3-in-1
Napkins
Salt and Pepper
Soap
Shampoo
Dishwashing brush
Paper plates
Extra knives
Favorite coffee mug
Big cereal bowls
Coffee Filters (flat bottom basket kind)
Coffee
Portable Coffee Cups w/ lids!
Hot Chocolate Packets
16oz Plastic Cups
Ziploc bags (gallon + small size)
Trash bags (kitchen sized)
Addtnl Auto Dish Detergent
Laundry Soap/Detergent
Clorox Wipes
Purex All In One sheets (instead of laundry soap)

Oh yeah - how I so WISH there was an Owner's Locker "west". We've got 2 filled with all kinds of vacation stuff in FL... but not possible in CA. Ugh. At least we won't be staying a week in December when we go, but we'll have to raid my IL's house to bring stuff with us. At least they won't mind since we're taking them to DL too... but man. We've gotten very, very used to just showing up in FL and not having to think too much about what we might need while there. SIGH.

 

[VallCopen]

They don't have crock pots and if I was driving I would take one, just kind of a nice way to start dinner (Roast, marinated chix, etc.) before heading to the parks and having it nearly ready when you come back. IMO

Loved staying at the Villas last year and can't wait for our stay in July, in a 2 bedroom for 9 days, but now I am out of points again and can't afford another add-on so it looks like we won't be taking a trip to the Villas next year.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Oh yeah - how I so WISH there was an Owner's Locker "west". We've got 2 filled with all kinds of vacation stuff in FL... but not possible in CA. Ugh. At least we won't be staying a week in December when we go, but we'll have to raid my IL's house to bring stuff with us. At least they won't mind since we're taking them to DL too... but man. We've gotten very, very used to just showing up in FL and not having to think too much about what we might need while there. SIGH.

I would love an Owner's Locker west! I have 2 plastic IKEA bins labeled "Disney Supplies" here at home filled with supplies. One is for general use, Villa supplies and I use the other for misc souveneirs like light spinners, autograph books, lanyards, hats etc. Would be nice to have them safely stored and delivered each trip.