The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

[Nonsuch]

Hoping to book our first trip to Disneyland and VGC tomorrow morning at the 7 month window.

Good Luck and Welcome Home

 

[wbl2745]

I was just looking at another website that had posted the 2014 dues for VGC. They went up 7.89%! Does anyone have insight into why VGC has the highest increase? (The obvious answer is that the expenses were higher. but which expenses?)

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was just looking at another website that had posted the 2014 dues for VGC. They went up 7.89%! Does anyone have insight into why VGC has the highest increase? (The obvious answer is that the expenses were higher. but which expenses?)

The document link is finally working. An almost 35% increase for housekeeping and almost 40% increase for member activities. What?!?!?!

 

[Breyean]

The document link is finally working. An almost 35% increase for housekeeping and almost 40% increase for member activities. What?!?!?!

I actually got the flier in the mail before the statement was available on line.

Now, housekeeping at least seems to be straightforward as to what it is. And being in CA, I don't doubt there are reasons costs went up a lot.

Here's what's included in Member Activities:
"Cost of recreation activities, certain Member activities and events at the Resort. Cost of quarterly Member newsletter, annual Association meetings and printing and postage for Association legal mailings."

Of course, that's the exact same wording from my OKW mailing, so it's probably just boilerplate for all resorts.

I don't know. Out of all the DVC resorts we've always felt VGC offered the fewest Member activities, and even recreational opportunities. Guess we have been missing some all these years. I'll be sure to check for them on the my next trip in January.

 

[PSU]

Any thoughts? Never been - will be there with Family next week for 2 days...nice view all that is desired - so any ones not great?

 

[sechelt]

Any thoughts? Never been - will be there with Family next week for 2 days...nice view all that is desired - so any ones not great?

Here's the link for the views. It's best to put in a request before arrival and, as an fyi, VGC accepts requests for specific rooms. I've had success with ours however we send our request at time of booking. Have fun at my favourite resort!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44522663

 

[Nonsuch]

Any thoughts? Never been - will be there with Family next week for 2 days...nice view all that is desired - so any ones not great?

What type of villa?

VGC does not have view categories, but unofficially I would divide the views:

• Ground Floor (view of landscaping, very little foot traffic outside)
• Pool
• Redwood Creek (view of park, lower floors mostly trees, and the sunrise)
• Paradise Pier (view of park, upper floors have view of WOC)

 

[czmom]

One more week until our first stay at VGC!

Is there a phone number for the Villas? Or do I just call GCH main number?

Also, is check in all the same (hotel and villas)? Or 2 separate areas?

Thanks!

 

[Nonsuch]

Is there a phone number for the Villas? Or do I just call GCH main number?
Also, is check in all the same (hotel and villas)? Or 2 separate areas?

There is no separate phone number, also no separate check in.
There are 1000 hotel rooms and only 48 villas, so the regular hotel registration (and other services) easily handle the VGC

 

[czmom]

There is no separate phone number, also no separate check in.
There are 1000 hotel rooms and only 48 villas, so the regular hotel registration (and other services) easily handle the VGC

Great! Thank you.

 

[franandaj]

Hey folks, I just thought I would give you a heads up....

TravelZoo is offering the $99 get $200 worth of Spa Treatments at the Mandara Spa in the Grand Californian. It's good through March 31, 2014 (although they book up fast for these offers). I just bought two, it's a great deal especially if you are planning a trip to the VGC! I have booked for two nights and three days in February! Perfect timing!

 

[BlazerFan]

Hey folks, I just thought I would give you a heads up.... TravelZoo is offering the $99 get $200 worth of Spa Treatments at the Mandara Spa in the Grand Californian. It's good through March 31, 2014 (although they book up fast for these offers). I just bought two, it's a great deal especially if you are planning a trip to the VGC! I have booked for two nights and three days in February! Perfect timing!

Do you know if you have to tell them when you make your appt? I want to be sure I can get an appt when I will be there before I purchase.

 

[franandaj]

Do you know if you have to tell them when you make your appt? I want to be sure I can get an appt when I will be there before I purchase.

Yes you have to tell them you have a travelzoo certificate because they only have a certain number of appointments for the certificates. I bought them a couple years ago and waited on the second one. By the time I tried to book the second session they had no more slits for the services and that was with a month left on the coupon. TravelZoo did refund my money, but you do want to book early. it's a great deal.

 

[dwelty]

I actually got the flier in the mail before the statement was available on line. Now, housekeeping at least seems to be straightforward as to what it is. And being in CA, I don't doubt there are reasons costs went up a lot. Here's what's included in Member Activities: "Cost of recreation activities, certain Member activities and events at the Resort. Cost of quarterly Member newsletter, annual Association meetings and printing and postage for Association legal mailings." Of course, that's the exact same wording from my OKW mailing, so it's probably just boilerplate for all resorts. I don't know. Out of all the DVC resorts we've always felt VGC offered the fewest Member activities, and even recreational opportunities. Guess we have been missing some all these years. I'll be sure to check for them on the my next trip in January.

I think I can help solve the mystery of the member activity increase. We were
there for a week in August and were happy to find that they had added recreation staff that conducted pool party activities, as well as evening movies under the stars (next to the outdoor fireplace complete with sleeping bags)! We were unable to participate in that activity, but did participate in the pool side parties at least twice. We are happy to see VGC step up the member activities to match what is done in Orlando. And are willing to pay a little more.

 

[BlazerFan]

I think I can help solve the mystery of the member activity increase. We were there for a week in August and were happy to find that they had added recreation staff that conducted pool party activities, as well as evening movies under the stars (next to the outdoor fireplace complete with sleeping bags)! We were unable to participate in that activity, but did participate in the pool side parties at least twice. We are happy to see VGC step up the member activities to match what is done in Orlando. And are willing to pay a little more.

I'm curious, do you have to show a DVC member card to watch the movie or participate in the pool games? If not, is this cost shared with the hotel

 

[XMom]

No, you do not have to show anything at the pool. They wouldn't even know if you weren't stating there.

 

[dwelty]

I'm curious, do you have to show a DVC member card to watch the movie or participate in the pool games? If not, is this cost shared with the hotel

This was not a DVC Member only activity. I am sure (just like the other amenities and staff) the costs are shared with the hotel.

 

[czmom]

We just got back from a week long stay in room 5504. WOW- what an amazing view! We booked 11 months out, requested our room numbers at that time, and checked in at 7:30 AM. Our room was ready around 1:00 that day and we got our 2nd choice (after 6504 of course). My parents were also in a studio and we requested to be close....they were in 5510. It was perfect!

We watched WOC from our balcony several times. Pretty awesome!

I LOVED VGC and cannot say enough about how nice everything and everyone was!

We own at BLT, but would love to stay here again for sure.

 

[Nonsuch]

We just got back from a week long stay in room 5504. WOW- what an amazing view! We booked 11 months out, requested our room numbers at that time, and checked in at 7:30 AM. Our room was ready around 1:00 that day and we got our 2nd choice (after 6504 of course)...

Earliest booking seems to help with room requests

 

[minniecarousel]

Nope! Earliest booking didn't help us. We own at VGC, booked a 2 bedroom at 11 months, requesting a Park view. Apparently, since we checked in on a Monday, we messed up their room assigning window and we got a view of the Redwood Trails, which to me, isn't a Park view. When I called to the desk, they claimed there was nothing else available. They said they have to carefully match up check-ins with check-outs since the property is so small. I was bitterly disappointed. I got over it - just a major bummer at first.