The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[lulubelle]

I agree, curiouslittleoyster. It will be a learning curve this year during Halloween as well as the ever poplular Christmas season. We are booked the weekend of Dec 10-12, I love DLR at Christmas. And I really don't see WOC's popularity slowing down anytime in 2011 or 2012. I mean, with all the DCA improvments, I think it will just be busier and more crowded for the next 3 years!

Have a great trip Donald is #1

And Quilter, I hope DS starts feeling the love for Walt's original park real soon!

 

[franandaj]

Having recently bought at VGC, I'm finding that actually using my points is becoming problematic. That 11 month window means that there is going to have to be a lot more advanced planning than I'm used to.

This is precisely WHY I bought points here as a So Cal Resident. I want to stay several weekends during F&W and it is going to become essential to own here to get a ressie within the next few years becuase the festival is taking off and getting bigger with more recognition every year. I was already down with the concept of planning 11 months out with our SSR points because I would switch at 7 months (for part of the vaca). It was just natural with VGC, just wish they didn't switch up the points so much on this allocation, it totally threw off my purchases, now I need more!

I cannot wait to go back for Taste in two weeks! Alison, Toocherie, DH & I will be looking for you!

We'll be easy to spot with our scooters and tray tables. Are you the one on the left in your sig pic? I'll look for you, but you'll probably see us first!

Thanks everyone!

Yes, once you buy DVC (WDW or DL) it does tend to cause you to plan your vacations further in advance. I expect that with only 1 DVC resort at DL, DL will be especially tough once the 7 month window hits.

Our bellman told us on our trip the first weekend of F&W that they are fully planning a DLH DVC tower, but the plans are currently on hold because WoC is behind and they want to ensure Carsland comes out on schedule, but with all the enhancements, they will need a 2nd DVC property. Wouldn't that be nice if we could easily book at 2-3 mos or even that week like most of the off season in WDW with SSR and OKW?

However, I have had great luck with the waitlist in the last two months. I guess it's good that there are different use years since people can cancel their vacations and rebook when I'm in the last 4 months of my use year and have already banked my points and my waitlist has to borrow from the next UY!

 

[lulubelle]

We'll be easy to spot with our scooters and tray tables. Are you the one on the left in your sig pic? I'll look for you, but you'll probably see us first!


Our bellman told us on our trip the first weekend of F&W that they are fully planning a DLH DVC tower, but the plans are currently on hold because WoC is behind and they want to ensure Carsland comes out on schedule, but with all the enhancements, they will need a 2nd DVC property. Wouldn't that be nice if we could easily book at 2-3 mos or even that week like most of the off season in WDW with SSR and OKW?

Yes, that is me. The avatar pic is also me on a Disney cruise on Pirate night. We had so much fun on that cruise!

I really hope they build a second DVC CA location. As much as I love VGC, I love the other two hotels on site and the points required are ridiculous. I've done it a few times, but I know it's not a good value. And I've already borrowed points from my AKV contract for 2011 to book in 2010 at VGC. I think we all wish we had more points!

 

[Donald is #1]

Our bellman told us on our trip the first weekend of F&W that they are fully planning a DLH DVC tower, but the plans are currently on hold because WoC is behind and they want to ensure Carsland comes out on schedule, but with all the enhancements, they will need a 2nd DVC property. Wouldn't that be nice if we could easily book at 2-3 mos or even that week like most of the off season in WDW with SSR and OKW?

However, I have had great luck with the waitlist in the last two months. I guess it's good that there are different use years since people can cancel their vacations and rebook when I'm in the last 4 months of my use year and have already banked my points and my waitlist has to borrow from the next UY!

I really hope they build a second DVC CA location. As much as I love VGC, I love the other two hotels on site and the points required are ridiculous. I've done it a few times, but I know it's not a good value. And I've already borrowed points from my AKV contract for 2011 to book in 2010 at VGC. I think we all wish we had more points!

I heard the Disneyland Hotel tower rumor also. I think that if VGC continues with strong sales and if the occupancy stays high, then there will definitely be another DVC resort or 2 added.

 

[Donald is #1]

So I was looking at the menu on AllEarsNet and just about everything looks good to me. Is there anything in particular that you would recommend?

 

[franandaj]

So I was looking at the menu on AllEarsNet and just about everything looks good to me. Is there anything in particular that you would recommend?

Check out the newest post in my Disney Food & Wine Review (link in my sig), I listed everything that me and my DP split two weeks ago and it was all great. In fact I don't think I've ever had anything that I didn't like at Napa Rose!

 

[Donald is #1]

Check out the newest post in my Disney Food & Wine Review (link in my sig), I listed everything that me and my DP split two weeks ago and it was all great. In fact I don't think I've ever had anything that I didn't like at Napa Rose!

Thanks, that lamb looks great!

 

[BoardwalkSuzy]

Actually, I seem to think it was 4:37AM, how do I know? Because I was 9 blocks from the surface above the epicenter.

I wouldn't go back to my second floor bedroom for several weeks. We slept on a Futon next to the front door, IF I could sleep!

This is from earthquake preparation publication:
You've probably always heard that the safest place during an earthquake is in a doorway -- that may have been true for the older homes but in modern homes the doorway is likely to be no stronger than any other place in the house. Also consider that the top floor of a house may be safer than the ground floor. On the ground floor the entire weight of the upper floor(s) could possibly collapse on you; and if the earthquake was so severe that it did collapse the upper floor of the house you would have a better chance of survival 'riding the top floor down' than you would being under the top floor. Stairways are especially dangerous during earthquakes -- they are usually the first to go.

Important Note: The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross insist that the best method to use inside a home during an earthquake is the “drop, cover and hold” method, i.e., DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting 'under' the nearest sturdy table or other piece of furniture and cover your eyes with your arms to protect them then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

Sofas often have strongest framing of any piece of furniture in your home, and rescue crews (I have a friend who is Search and Rescue worker) have found that the area just adjacent to a sofa can be the safest place in a room, as it often produces a safe cavity in the event a ceiling and concrete slab from floor above comes down.

Hate to think about these things, but good to be prepared.

Fire Safety Too: Also I was taught never stay higher than 7th floor - that's how high fire truck ladders go, so everyone else left in a burning building over the 7th floor is potentially blackened toast if fire is blocking path to a stairwell. My mom was a burn survivor (50% body burned and scarred) and so we learned a lot about what to do if there's a fire, and how to prevent fires. I've been in 2 high rise fires that called in each time more than a dozen fire trucks in 2 separate condominium buildings - so they do happen and need to be prepared.

VGC looks so awesome - we have our 2 BR dedicated booked for December this year! Think personally it's the most gorgeous of any of the DVC resorts for now - until we see what the new one in Hawaii will look like!

 

[Fellowship9798]

Just got the OK from DW to pursue purchase of VGC points. Looking forward to becomgin an owner with the rest of you. I stayed there once just after opening in a 1 BR. So nice. We loved it. One of my favorite memoroes was when I had to run back to the room to grab something we forgot. Once I got back to the room I realized I could go out to our balcony and wave to my kids playing in the Redwood Creek play area in the park. Very cool.

Now to figure out how many we need without getting too many. This should round out all the DVC points we need. Not all that I would want I'm sure, but it will be all that we need.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Now to figure out how many we need without getting too many.

It's not possible to have too many points
Make sure you review the 2011 point charts, which have much higher weekday rates than 2010.

 

[lulubelle]

My favorite thing from Napa Rose is the Smiling Tiger appetizer. It has tempura fried lobster over spicy beef and an asain slaw. Soooooo good. Spicy, salty, sweet, meat, seafood and very rich.

You know our local radio stations are giving away tickets to see the sneak preview of WOC. I've heard it on three stations - it's on Tuesday, June 8th. Must be an invited media event or something. It's sad, cause the winners don't seem too excited when they win, whereas I would be screaming at the top of my lungs with joy!

 

[nunzia]

My favorite thing from Napa Rose is the Smiling Tiger appetizer. It has tempura fried lobster over spicy beef and an asain slaw. Soooooo good. Spicy, salty, sweet, meat, seafood and very rich.

You know our local radio stations are giving away tickets to see the sneak preview of WOC. I've heard it on three stations - it's on Tuesday, June 8th. Must be an invited media event or something. It's sad, cause the winners don't seem too excited when they win, whereas I would be screaming at the top of my lungs with joy!

Figures. I wish they'd find a way to let fans get the preview..these radio contests don't always bring in people who care. I remember this back from the days of the Journey shows..I was lucky enough to know some folks and got back stage, but I tell you, these radio winners often had no clue, nor did they care..they just wanted to win 'something and meet 'someone'.

 

[franandaj]

My favorite thing from Napa Rose is the Smiling Tiger appetizer. It has tempura fried lobster over spicy beef and an asain slaw. Soooooo good. Spicy, salty, sweet, meat, seafood and very rich.

That sounds really good! We have to get there more often! I want to try that one next time!

You know our local radio stations are giving away tickets to see the sneak preview of WOC. I've heard it on three stations - it's on Tuesday, June 8th. Must be an invited media event or something. It's sad, cause the winners don't seem too excited when they win, whereas I would be screaming at the top of my lungs with joy!

What stations do you hear this on? I don't listen to the radio much, but I mostly listen to KLOS, the ABC owned station in LA and all they are giving away are concert tickets. You bet I'd be calling in if they had WoC passes!

 

[kikiq]

What stations do you hear this on? I don't listen to the radio much, but I mostly listen to KLOS, the ABC owned station in LA and all they are giving away are concert tickets. You bet I'd be calling in if they had WoC passes!

My DD said that KBIG is giving away 4 pack tickets to a special media event at DCA on Jun 8. DCA attractions will be open and a special showing of WOC. She just heard part of it as she was channel surfing.

 

[lulubelle]

My DD said that KBIG is giving away 4 pack tickets to a special media event at DCA on Jun 8. DCA attractions will be open and a special showing of WOC. She just heard part of it as she was channel surfing.

Yes, on KBIG 104.3, KOST 103.5 and I think the other one was KOLA.

They did say it was a special event after the park closes. But not at what time it starts. I wish I could go. But I can't listen to the radio at work and don't have a hands free device for when driving, so I don't even know when I would be able to call!

 

[sherylcin]

Just popping on here to say we recently returned from a stay at the Grand California Villas and we loved it! The resort is beautiful! We stayed in a dedicated 2-bedroom villa and everything was new and gorgeous.......could not have asked for better accommodations. I personally love craftsman style so I could have happily moved in to this villa forever! Unfortunately I don't have that many points!

We are WDW veterans and this was our first trip to Disneyland and I have to say we were quite impressed. The ability to walk very easily to the parks and DTD is incredible! We hope to return in a few years.

Just wanted to share our great experience!

 

[wbl2745]

Due to a business trip I'm going to be staying at the Disneyland Hotel from Friday, June 4 through Sunday, June 6. I'm totally bummed out that I'm missing WoC by a week. I kept hoping that there would be a soft opening the week before, but it seems like that isn't going to happen. In April, while we were staying at the VGC we say about half the show from the terrace on the 6th floor. Even from this disadvantaged view it looked fantastic! If any one hears of soft openings please post here. Unfortunately I don't live in the LA basin so the radio give-aways won't help.

 

[TheRobbs]

Due to a business trip I'm going to be staying at the Disneyland Hotel from Friday, June 4 through Sunday, June 6. I'm totally bummed out that I'm missing WoC by a week. I kept hoping that there would be a soft opening the week before, but it seems like that isn't going to happen. In April, while we were staying at the VGC we say about half the show from the terrace on the 6th floor. Even from this disadvantaged view it looked fantastic! If any one hears of soft openings please post here. Unfortunately I don't live in the LA basin so the radio give-aways won't help.

Just sent you a PM...

 

[SoCalKDG]

There is a June 8th show for radio contestant winners, a June 10th show for the press, and opening day of June 11th. These are verified dates of the WOC show.

If you go to KOST website you can actually sign up for this give away.

I'm pretty sure they will use Fast Pass for the first show of June 11th, thus if you are staying at the resort you will want to use early entry and the DCA entrance at the Grand since the FP's will be given out at GRR.

I"m going to be there in a 1 bedroom June 6th to June 12th. Needless to say I want a park view 2nd level or higher. I think I'll check in Sunday morning at 8 AM Sunday morning.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Figures. I wish they'd find a way to let fans get the preview..these radio contests don't always bring in people who care. I remember this back from the days of the Journey shows..I was lucky enough to know some folks and got back stage, but I tell you, these radio winners often had no clue, nor did they care..they just wanted to win 'something and meet 'someone'.

I believe Disney wants casual fans to see the show, not the hardcore APers, who have a tendancy to pick apart everything little thing they might see.