The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[wdw4life]

Another local here who lives close, about 30 minutes on a good traffic day. Welcome to all the new owners!

I'm sitting in my third floor studio that overlooks the nature trail. This is the first time I've had this view and it's nice. Very relaxing. I just love being here so I don't mind what I get!

 

[WEDWAY100]

I live in FL, but just bought 200 points last week at the VGC. I bought in CA because I will get more use out of the 11 month window there. I am planning a trip May 2011 to use the VGC, but have already set up some time at WDW as well. I am already realizing that 200 points might not be enough, but it will have to do for a few years!

 

[funatdisney]

My guide (in Anaheim) just calls it The Grand.

Now he has the right idea!!

 

[KPeterso]

Irvine here. So about 20 minutes away from VGC. On my 2 visits before buying VGC points, I got the exact same studio twice. It was a handicap one on the first floor. I refuse to stay there a third time. I will now be requesting an upper floor with theme park view. I had a view of walkway. And the one time, there was a big truck parked there 2 days in row working. Just did not waork for me.

 

[wl1117]

I don't think I've posted here before, but if I'm repeating myself please forgive me.

We have 150 points at VGC. This was our 4th DVC purchase. We bought during the presales for existing DVC owners that purchased in California...even though our first purchase was in Florida, our rep had moved to Cali and become a rep there, so our 2nd & 3rd purchases were technically bought in California.

Anyways, we LOVE going to DL and have already made 2 trips Home, with another scheduled for February (our 2nd DL trip taking guests!)

 

[DenLo]

As owners of the VGC, I thought you all would be interested in this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37249558&postcount=1

 

[rmonty02]

As owners of the VGC, I thought you all would be interested in this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37249558&postcount=1

Thanks! Great info. Sadly I'm not there but what a great perk for what will be a BUSY day at DL!
Happy INDEPENDENCE day!!!

And HOME to all the new VCG owners!

 

[rmonty02]

My guide (in Anaheim) just calls it The Grand.

Would that be....Jim

 

[DenLo]

Thanks! Great info. Sadly I'm not there but what a great perk for what will be a BUSY day at DL!
Happy INDEPENDENCE day!!!

And HOME to all the new VCG owners!

This perk isn't going to be a one time shot. It's a continuing perk, so perhaps the next time you go you can use it.

 

[godalejunior]

Just added another 75 points today...wanted to do so before sell out!

 

[Nonsuch]

Irvine here. So about 20 minutes away from VGC. On my 2 visits before buying VGC points, I got the exact same studio twice. It was a handicap one on the first floor. I refuse to stay there a third time. I will now be requesting an upper floor with theme park view. I had a view of walkway. And the one time, there was a big truck parked there 2 days in row working. Just did not waork for me.

Getting one of the worst Villas twice, is very bad luck. I would hate to stay in a ground floor unit, and always request a high floor.

Good luck on your next visit

 

[wbl2745]

I would hate to stay in a ground floor unit, and always request a high floor.:

I'm glad there are all types in this crazy world. We had a two bedroom dedicated on the ground floor facing Redwood Creek and loved it. There was no waiting for the elevator when getting back to the room. The patio was a little larger than the decks above and we could walk straight out on to a path that ran over to the swimming pools.

 

[Nonsuch]

I'm glad there are all types in this crazy world.

May all our room requests be granted

 

[kikiq]

Irvine here. So about 20 minutes away from VGC. On my 2 visits before buying VGC points, I got the exact same studio twice. It was a handicap one on the first floor. I refuse to stay there a third time. I will now be requesting an upper floor with theme park view. I had a view of walkway. And the one time, there was a big truck parked there 2 days in row working. Just did not waork for me.

We were in the 1 bdrm attached to that studio one night on Memorial Day weekend. It worked for our family because everyone was swimming and the door to the pool area was right out the living room door. Don't know that I would want that villa for any longer stay. But it was a last minute reservation so can't complain. When we stayed for my birthday, we had a second floor studio with a Grizzly Peak view.

 

[franandaj]

We were in the 1 bdrm attached to that studio one night on Memorial Day weekend. It worked for our family because everyone was swimming and the door to the pool area was right out the living room door. Don't know that I would want that villa for any longer stay. But it was a last minute reservation so can't complain. When we stayed for my birthday, we had a second floor studio with a Grizzly Peak view.

Hey! What night were you there? Sunday? We had that room originally for Saturday and Sunday, for the Taste Event, but decided that we didn't want to hang around that long on a holiday weekend so we canceled the Sunday night back in April. I thought it would be a good room for those wanting to use the pool...next time we stay in a 1 br, we didn't ask for the HAV because it really didn't give us any additional benefit. We'd rather have the park view.

 

[kikiq]

Hey! What night were you there? Sunday? We had that room originally for Saturday and Sunday, for the Taste Event, but decided that we didn't want to hang around that long on a holiday weekend so we canceled the Sunday night back in April. I thought it would be a good room for those wanting to use the pool...next time we stay in a 1 br, we didn't ask for the HAV because it really didn't give us any additional benefit. We'd rather have the park view.

Yes, that's the room. If you canceled in April, I must have called right after you canceled. My niece decided the beginning of April that she wanted to spend her birthday at Disneyland, which of course was too late to book the entire weekend. I asked on a whim the morning I was attempting to get a room in July and it was available...I must thank you for canceling . But now that we have VGC points, I already booked a 2 bdrm for the entire weekend next year.

 

[franandaj]

Yes, that's the room. If you canceled in April, I must have called right after you canceled. My niece decided the beginning of April that she wanted to spend her birthday at Disneyland, which of course was too late to book the entire weekend. I asked on a whim the morning I was attempting to get a room in July and it was available...I must thank you for canceling . But now that we have VGC points, I already booked a 2 bdrm for the entire weekend next year.

You got me curious, so I looked it up, I canceled on the 24th of March, so that was at least a week that it was available. I'm glad that another DISer was able to get the reservation. I wanted that weekend because it was the end of F&W so I've already made my ressies for what will hopefully be opening weekend and will make mine for what will hopefully be closing weekend in a little over a week.

We are refinancing a property we own and when we get the green light on the approval, I'll be buying more VGC points and putting in offers on two resale contracts that I have my eye on! Then I'll just make reservations for every weekend of F&W and cancel them as the schedules are released!

 

[dcfromva]

We stayed in 1508 (a 1BR) from 23-28 Jun. It is on the ground floor with a view of PP. You can see the top 3/4 of Mickey's Fun Wheel, the top of CA Screaming and the main pole for the Zephr from this room. There is a nice landscaped garden to look at as well. You could not see much of the World of Color--just the top bits of light. My sister's family had a 4th floor PP view and a very good view of the WOC show--though even from that vantage point it was difficult to make out the projections.

We enjoyed being on the ground floor (but also enjoyed visiting my sister's room to watch WOC )

We did the Ariel's Groto WOC package while we were there. We were seated right on time. The meal was okay. I liked the dessert the best. The preferred viewing area still left something to be desired--I could see, but it was not a clear unobstructed view. The lady in front of me was right in my line of sight and was having trouble seeing. She kept moving her head to the right or left to get a better view. I had to move my head opposite her in order to see. I also felt packed in.

Friday evening we did the Fantasmic dessert package. This was a really nice experience and I hope we are able to do it again sometime.

Saturday, DH and I also tried the WOC pinic lunch (chicken) option. We had signed up for it in advance. The meal was okay, but we elected not to use the FPes which were in the Yellow section. We were feeling pretty tired and didn't want to tackle all the standing in close quarters again... (The view from my sister's room was pretty good and she had chairs. )

I love our visits to DL--especially in the summertime. The weather was sooo nice!

 

[wdw4life]

I just got back from a 4th of July stay. Was in a studio, room 3516. It ovelooked the RCCT. If I looked to the left I could see the pool and if I looked to the right I saw more trees. Was able to watch the DL fireworks from the balcony so that was a nice bonus. Loved once the fireworks were done I walked back into the room and didn't have to fight the crowds. Another great stay!

 

[funatdisney]

I have been very luckly with my rooms at VGC, but I have also learned to request a room above the third floor. I really have no desire to have a ground floor room, but I wouldn't complain if I did. I haven't gone as far as requesting pool side or park side room. I figured that I will be going to VGC many many times in the future and leave a little excitement as what side the room I would be in is located. As for viewing the World of Color from my room, the World of Color will be showing for a very long time, so I should have a park side room sooner or later.