The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[junglejoy]

A lock-off is the combination of a 1 bedroom and a studio, having 2 separate entrances, a locking door in between, and the studio portion then has the kitchenette, a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa.


A dedicated 2 bedroom will have the 2nd bedroom with 2 regular beds in it, and a single entrance to the unit.

Thank you!

Is there a door between the two units in a dedicated? The people we're thinking of traveling with have a baby and I think a door would be appreciated...

 

[franandaj]

Thank you!

Is there a door between the two units in a dedicated? The people we're thinking of traveling with have a baby and I think a door would be appreciated...

Yes the second room does have a door between the living room / kitchen and the bedroom.

 

[ACDSNY]

Thank you!

Is there a door between the two units in a dedicated? The people we're thinking of traveling with have a baby and I think a door would be appreciated...

Your confirmation should say whether you have a dedicated 2 bedroom or not. You can see it on your reservation on-line.

 

[rmonty02]

DH and I just bought into VGC! We are so excited!

CONGRATULATIONS!! We are also town neighbors (not dixon).
WELCOME HOME!!

 

[junglejoy]

CONGRATULATIONS!! We are also town neighbors (not dixon).
WELCOME HOME!!

You all are making me homesick. I grew up in Davis, just up the road. Can't say I miss the hot summers but I sure miss the mild winters.

 

[rmonty02]

You all are making me homesick. I grew up in Davis, just up the road. Can't say I miss the hot summers but I sure miss the mild winters.

Oh Davis...I LOVE Davis! Went to the UC there and it's just a wonderful town. I drop in any chance I get for some Murder Burger or Steve's Pizza

 

[idolx1]

Bought into the Grand Cal in December, stayed in February and it was fabulous. Adding 50 points this May to get us up to 230! We are letting my sister and my niece use a 2br in for my niece's bday this month. Our family of 4 is booked for the middle of September, we can hardly wait to return.

 

[rmonty02]

Bought into the Grand Cal in December, stayed in February and it was fabulous. Adding 50 points this May to get us up to 230! We are letting my sister and my niece use a 2br in for my niece's bday this month. Our family of 4 is booked for the middle of September, we can hardly wait to return.

Welcome to the DISboards and VGC Everyone is so helpful here that it makes being a DVC owner much more fun! I can't wait to get back to VCG myself but it will have to wait till summer 2011

You just bought in and are already loaning points to family! You're sooooooo nice My family gets to go, when "I" go.

 

[pinner33]

just bought 200 points during our trip last week and cant wait to book our first trip

 

[stopher1]

Bought into the Grand Cal in December, stayed in February and it was fabulous. Adding 50 points this May to get us up to 230! We are letting my sister and my niece use a 2br in for my niece's bday this month. Our family of 4 is booked for the middle of September, we can hardly wait to return.

just bought 200 points during our trip last week and cant wait to book our first trip

Congrats to you both! Welcome Home!

 

[SoCalKDG]

Room 2504

Not too shabby I'd say!

Thanks. Could you see any part of the lagoon?

 

[franandaj]

Thanks. Could you see any part of the lagoon?

Not from the 2nd floor. You probably could see parts of WoC from the 2nd floor. We could see some of the testing, but not the actual water. That fence was too high.

 

[pinner33]

Thanks Stopher1 can't wait to book our first trip to the grand the standard room room we had last week was great but i'm looking forward to the 1 br

 

[Quilter007]

OK -- here's my issue...I knew we'd be out there for work in July and could extend the trip for a few days, but couldn't nail down the days until just now. Of course I'm on the waitlist.....ack...options -- A) Disneyland hotel -- more points than VGC studio & don't have access to the WOC viewing area or the gas grills, etc -- but do have the Disneyland Hotel pool. B) Paradise Pier -- never stayed there, same points as studio. C) Stay off property at Garden Grove Residence Inn which gives us full kitchen like a 1 bedroom would -- no magic mornings like A & B would. We have annual passes, so tickets / parking prices aren't an issue. We are driving to LA & we know our way around. I'm doubtful that we will get the waitlist so I told DH that next week we'll pick A, B or C. We stayed at Disneyland Hotel once many moons ago on the Concierge Level, but that's not what we would be doing. (just a regular room) DSes are 6 1/2 and 9. I think they would like the pool at the Disneyland Hotel. We wouldn't pop for the extra points for the Park View from the Paradise Pier -- so it would only be pure luck if we had a WOC view from there. At this point, I'm thinking that we will just ignore WOC this trip unless we get perfect FASTPASS tickets for it for the first show. Thoughts? Pick A or B? Or pick C and save the points? We have a June use year and either A or B will either almost or go slightly over the points we have left for the year that starts June 1st....so it's not like it we are having a hard time finding ways to use the points......I was really hoping to stay in the villas again. They are SO nice! I wish they were making some of the Disneyland Hotel rooms into villas with the remodel!

 

[wbl2745]

Others may disagree, but I wouldn't bother with Paradise Pier. The pool is just a pool and the theming in general isn't much.

Another option you didn't list if you are considering staying off-site is to stay at the Embassy Suites. There isn't a full kitchen, but there is a kitchenette with a microwave and a refrigerator. They serve a full breakfast included in the room cost. The breakfast is really good, so do you really need a full kitchen? We would put our daughters in the living room on the fold out couch and we'd take the bedroom. Not as nice as the VGC but still nice.

Regarding Magic Mornings, some of the 3 day park hopper tickets includes one Magic Morning entrance regardless of where you are staying.

If it were me I wouldn't use points, I'd find a place to stay that met my needs and pay cash.

 

[Nonsuch]

B) Paradise Pier -- never stayed there, same points as studio.

The rooms are larger, with the standard configuration of 2 queens and a couch/day bed.
It's a short walk across the street and into the Grand.

Others may disagree, but I wouldn't bother with Paradise Pier. The pool is just a pool and the theming in general isn't much.

I agree that the theming and pool are nothing special, but the condition of the rooms are better than the non-remodeled rooms at the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

OK -- here's my issue...I knew we'd be out there for work in July and could extend the trip for a few days, but couldn't nail down the days until just now. Of course I'm on the waitlist.....ack...options -- A) Disneyland hotel -- more points than VGC studio & don't have access to the WOC viewing area or the gas grills, etc -- but do have the Disneyland Hotel pool. B) Paradise Pier -- never stayed there, same points as studio. C) Stay off property at Garden Grove Residence Inn which gives us full kitchen like a 1 bedroom would -- no magic mornings like A & B would. We have annual passes, so tickets / parking prices aren't an issue. We are driving to LA & we know our way around. I'm doubtful that we will get the waitlist so I told DH that next week we'll pick A, B or C. We stayed at Disneyland Hotel once many moons ago on the Concierge Level, but that's not what we would be doing. (just a regular room) DSes are 6 1/2 and 9. I think they would like the pool at the Disneyland Hotel. We wouldn't pop for the extra points for the Park View from the Paradise Pier -- so it would only be pure luck if we had a WOC view from there. At this point, I'm thinking that we will just ignore WOC this trip unless we get perfect FASTPASS tickets for it for the first show. Thoughts? Pick A or B? Or pick C and save the points? We have a June use year and either A or B will either almost or go slightly over the points we have left for the year that starts June 1st....so it's not like it we are having a hard time finding ways to use the points......I was really hoping to stay in the villas again. They are SO nice! I wish they were making some of the Disneyland Hotel rooms into villas with the remodel!

Not sure how many days you are going to be there, but here are my thoughts:

Going to DL in July, MM will be helpful, especially if you get more than 1 while you are there. Cheapest option for an AP holder would be PPH. While the pool is nothing special, I know my 7YO niece was perfectly happy swimming there.

If you plan to have significant pool time, then the extra points would be worth it for DLH.

If you don't feel the need for MM, then off-site will allow you to save points. You can also stay on the WL longer if your reservation is refundable.

It sounds like you are familiar with parking at DL, but with the new Toy Story lot, the hotels in GG may be a good option. I wonder if you need both the free breakfast and the kitchen at the RI unless you are going to have an extended stay. If not, there may be cheaper alternatives. Pools will all be boring.

We don't like parking at DL, so we stay closer (Sheraton) to the parks. Have you priced HoJo? Walking distance to parks and a pirate pool!

Best of luck to you -- Suzanne

 

[junglejoy]

Oh Davis...I LOVE Davis! Went to the UC there and it's just a wonderful town. I drop in any chance I get for some Murder Burger or Steve's Pizza

Oh, me too! I still get back but not as often as I'd like. I wish I were raising my family there. It was an amazing place to grow up.

Tidbit - one of my brother's best friends was Steve's son. That was a great hangout when we were teens but my family always preferred Woodstock pizza. It just didn't do it for me like Steve's Place. And their sandwiches!!! Loved those too. I'm not ever sure if Steve's Place exists anymore. We pretty much stay at the relatives (very nice pools) when we go to Davis now and don't make it to UCD or downtown that much. Except for gelato.

 

[junglejoy]

Quilter 007, if you're using points to stay on-property, I'd save the points for DVC and stay at HoJo's Embassy Suites (incredible breakfasts!) or Marriott Residence Inn (within walking distance and also incredible breakfasts).

If you're paying $$ for your on-property room, I'd go with DLH. I love even the old themed rooms. Pixie dust around the top of the room! Great views. Amazing pool and your kids WILL love that pool.

Paradise Pier doesn't float my boat and it's a longer walk to the parks/monorail. If they still had the guest entrance to CA, it's a little more worth it but the DLH has such great theming, Goofy's Kitchen, better location and that pool. That pool is so fun!

We tried to get VGC last week for July. So now we're going in June and staying at the Marriott Residence Inn and saving our points for a trip to Disney World. One of these days we'll get to stay at OUR home... I hope.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I like the Paradise Pier. Its just across the street from the GC, a short walk to the monorail or DCA through the Grand, the water slide is fun, and its 30% cheaper than the DLH.

I'm staying there in June as an add on from my VGC stay. Just walk across the street and I'm at my new room. No need to move the car.