The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[nunzia]

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.

Now, that's a good point...OR hardcore kool aid fans who find no fault. Ok..I'll concede on this.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Not an owner, but just back from an AMAZING stay at VGC. 2-BR villa overlooking the park. Just incredible. It is now my favorite of all of the DVC properties! Can't wait to go back. You all have a wonderful home.

 

[ACDSNY]

Not an owner, but just back from an AMAZING stay at VGC. 2-BR villa overlooking the park. Just incredible. It is now my favorite of all of the DVC properties! Can't wait to go back. You all have a wonderful home.

Shh! You're letting out our best kept secret!

I'm happy you enjoyed your stay at VGC.

 

[junglejoy]

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.

We're going that first week of June too. Bummer. We're hoping there will be some kind of preview that isn't publicized and we'll just happen upon it. We lucked out with the Dumbo fireworks that way one time.

We wish we were staying in our home, but it was booked up. Our first visit home will be in Oct. Can't wait!!!

 

[lulubelle]

I'm happy to read all the positive comments about our left coast DVC.

I love it there, too. The Grand is truly a beautiful and peaceful resort. Can't wait to hear/see reviews of WOC from our own private viewing deck. I am hoping the view is better than we are all speculating.

 

[ploeb]

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.

HUH??

 

[Longhairbear]

We just came back from a weekend stay in a 1 BR. We were there for Food & Wine, and did a lot of cooking in room. I also used the gas grill, very nice.
WOC was testing the flame throwers Sunday night.

 

[wbl2745]

Can't wait to hear/see reviews of WOC from our own private viewing deck. I am hoping the view is better than we are all speculating.

In April we saw about half of the WoC program from the viewing deck, and the view is really not that good from there. We could tell that things were being displayed on the water screens, but we couldn't see them in any detail from that angle. The rest of the show was incredible but you will miss an important part of the presentation! I would not make that your plan for seeing WoC. I'm afraid that the only option to really experience the WoC will be to brave the crowds or pay up for the better viewing experiences.

 

[SoCalKDG]

The rest of the show was incredible but you will miss an important part of the presentation! I would not make that your plan for seeing WoC. I'm afraid that the only option to really experience the WoC will be to brave the crowds or pay up for the better viewing experiences.

The good news is they will supposedly give out FP for the first showing of WOC. Which FP machines, GRR. Right by the entrance into DCA from the GC. More good news, early entry into DCA from that entrance. So you can be at those FP machines 30 minutes earlier than everyone else since you are staying at the VGC, thus you can guarentee yourself a spot at WOC without too much hassle.

 

[catislander]

On Monday May 17 we watched extensive testing from the deck of our studio (4504) which I would say has better viewing than the viewing deck itself. I have to agree with the previous posters: the best place to see the show is going to be in the park. We could see all the water fountain elements wonderfully, but it was very hard to discern the animated elements. I have to assume those will be visible from Paradise Park.

 

[blackjackdelta]

The good news is they will supposedly give out FP for the first showing of WOC. Which FP machines, GRR. Right by the entrance into DCA from the GC. More good news, early entry into DCA from that entrance. So you can be at those FP machines 30 minutes earlier than everyone else since you are staying at the VGC, thus you can guarentee yourself a spot at WOC without too much hassle.

My impression based on other threads is that if you are staying concierge or staying at the Villas you would be offered the WOC pass without having to hit the GRR FP machines. It will be interesting on how things shake out.

Jack

 

[franandaj]

On Monday May 17 we watched extensive testing from the deck of our studio (4504) which I would say has better viewing than the viewing deck itself. I have to agree with the previous posters: the best place to see the show is going to be in the park. We could see all the water fountain elements wonderfully, but it was very hard to discern the animated elements. I have to assume those will be visible from Paradise Park.

We also had the same problem from 6504, just not at the right angle to see the water projections. Though once you've seen the show from the right angle a few times, this is an excellent view to reminice!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We are staying at VCG next week, but I am just curious to know. Can anyone go thru the VGC gate into CA, or is it limited to guests of the resort?

 

[franandaj]

We are staying at VCG next week, but I am just curious to know. Can anyone go thru the VGC gate into CA, or is it limited to guests of the resort?

In the mornings they ask for your room key, but by afternoon anyone can use the gate since guests may have left the park for lunch at Storytellers.

 

[JimmyJam838]

I believe it is based on time of day. When they first open, I believe it is for Disney Resort guests only. But later on in the day, anyone can use it.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

In the mornings they ask for your room key, but by afternoon anyone can use the gate since guests may have left the park for lunch at Storytellers.

Great, just wanted to know what to expect.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We are staying at VCG next week, but I am just curious to know. Can anyone go thru the VGC gate into CA, or is it limited to guests of the resort?

My experience last year was as long as you had your room key and ticket and were staying at the Grand you could go thru all day. If you both and were staying at a resort hotel other than the Grand you could use it in the afternoon. If you did not have the room key from a resort hotel there was no entry at all thru the special entrance. I watched a number of people get turned away, boy were they mad.

I can only comment on what took place when I was in line. I had heard that if you had a receipt from Storytellers they would allow entrance, but I do not have a clue. Hope some recent visitors will chime in.
Jack

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I don't know that we will have any mornings that we are going straight to DCA without going into DL first, but my worry was that everyone and their uncle that knows about the VGC entrance would try and use it therefore, making it a mob scene and not worth the trouble.

Another newbie question. Is it shorter to go thru the hotel DCA entrance and make your way over to DL, or best just to walk thru DTD to get to DL? I do understand that DCA opens later than DL, but I was thinking about later in the day after we have taken a break at the villa.

 

[franandaj]

If you did not have the room key from a resort hotel there was no entry at all thru the special entrance. I watched a number of people get turned away, boy were they mad.

Wow! I've never seen anyone turned away, I would be mad too!

 

[franandaj]

I don't know that we will have any mornings that we are going straight to DCA without going into DL first, but my worry was that everyone and their uncle that knows about the VGC entrance would try and use it therefore, making it a mob scene and not worth the trouble.

No it's not that bad. Like you said most people go to DL first and head over from there.

Another newbie question. Is it shorter to go thru the hotel DCA entrance and make your way over to DL, or best just to walk thru DTD to get to DL? I do understand that DCA opens later than DL, but I was thinking about later in the day after we have taken a break at the villa.

You would have to use the DTD route to DL in the mornings, but in the afternoons it's six of one, half dozen of the other. Perhaps it is just whether or not you want to be distracted by the scent of the Caramel Kettle Corn in DTD or the pull of the Soarin' ride on your way through DCA.