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

[disneydenisel]

What does HA stand for?

Guessing it means that it is an "accessible" room?

 

[Nonsuch]

What does HA stand for?

Handicap Accessible
There are 4 HA villas, one of each type. Booking HA is a guarantee, not a request.

 

[Nonsuch]

• We have two 2-bdr villas, and 3 babies/toddlers who need pack and plays. I'm assuming there is only 1 in a villa, and we'll need to request the 3rd? Do I do this at check-in?

Ask which phone number to call while you check in, then call when you are in the room.

• If we drop off our bags with bell services in the morning, how does it work? Do we call them when we're in the room for bag delivery? How much should we tip?

When you arrive a bellman will unload your car and store your luggage. Leave your car in front of the hotel while checking in, then use your room key to self-park. You will receive a text when your room is ready, call bell services when you are in your room.
I tip $1/bag when arriving, and also when the bags arrive at the room. It is generally a different bellman, so I like to tip both (although it is common practice to only tip the delivery).

 

[Breyean]

Just got back from a 1 night stay at VGC (wanted a room just the night before the Tinkerbell 10K this past weekend). Made no room requests, as it was only for 1 night, yet got 5502. Amazing!

It was already getting dark by the time we checked in, and I had never looked at them in detail before, but we're going for a week next month along with another family, and thought a cookout might be nice one night.

Even though I went down to check out the grills, it was too dark to really see much, so I figured I'd ask here. Does anyone know the deal with these? Do you have to reserve them? What do you need to use them (we'll have cars so getting to a store isn't an issue)?

Thanks.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Just got back from a 1 night stay at VGC (wanted a room just the night before the Tinkerbell 10K this past weekend). Made no room requests, as it was only for 1 night, yet got 5502. Amazing!

It was already getting dark by the time we checked in, and I had never looked at them in detail before, but we're going for a week next month along with another family, and thought a cookout might be nice one night.

Even though I went down to check out the grills, it was too dark to really see much, so I figured I'd ask here. Does anyone know the deal with these? Do you have to reserve them? What do you need to use them (we'll have cars so getting to a store isn't an issue)?

Thanks.

You don't reserve them. They are on a first come basis. You can check out grilling tools at the desk on the left as you leave the lobby and head to the villas wing. It is the same place you check out DVDs.

We have used them quite a bit in the past and in our experience, they don't get much use.

 

[Breyean]

You don't reserve them. They are on a first come basis. You can check out grilling tools at the desk on the left as you leave the lobby and head to the villas wing. It is the same place you check out DVDs.

We have used them quite a bit in the past and in our experience, they don't get much use.

Thanks. A silly follow up - do you need charcoal or are they set to go as is?

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Thanks. A silly follow up - do you need charcoal or are they set to go as is?

They are gas grills, so no charcoal needed.

 

[Doug7856]

You don't reserve them. They are on a first come basis. You can check out grilling tools at the desk on the left as you leave the lobby and head to the villas wing. It is the same place you check out DVDs.

We have used them quite a bit in the past and in our experience, they don't get much use.

Thanks for posting this information! We art staying in a studio in July and thought that this would be a good lunch option!

 

[Breyean]

They are gas grills, so no charcoal needed.

Thanks again. Sort of thought so, but it was pretty dark and I couldn't be sure.

I was wondering, has anyone who has stayed there lately run into these two things I noticed in my big one night stay? First, are they taking bulbs out of lamps to save power? Went to read in the master and on my side there was only one bulb in the lamp made for two. So I took one from another lamp, but last time we were in a one bedroom, a whole lamp was missing on one of the tables in the living room. I thought maybe they are cutting back?

Second, I must have done something wrong, because on the tv in both rooms I could only get channels 39-48, I think. I believe 39 was a Direct TV channel guide, but only channels through 48 came in. The rest, both standard and HD, showed the channel name along with the number as I scrolled through, but there were no pictures. Not even on the dozen or do Disney channels showing promos for DVC, cruses, the parks, etc.

Since I was only there one night, and after the race was intent on getting out of the room ASAP to do some park going, I never really thought of going to the desk to ask. But for my next week long stay coming up next month, I would definitely ask about this stuff, but don't want to look foolish if I've been missing something obvious.

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Just got back from a 1 night stay at VGC (wanted a room just the night before the Tinkerbell 10K this past weekend). Made no room requests, as it was only for 1 night, yet got 5502. Amazing!

It was already getting dark by the time we checked in, and I had never looked at them in detail before, but we're going for a week next month along with another family, and thought a cookout might be nice one night.

Even though I went down to check out the grills, it was too dark to really see much, so I figured I'd ask here. Does anyone know the deal with these? Do you have to reserve them? What do you need to use them (we'll have cars so getting to a store isn't an issue)?

Thanks.

We just used them a couple weeks ago. They are like brand new gas grills. In fact, upon asking about them at check in, it took two cast members to tell us how to get to them. Then while grilling my husband was told by another cast member that he never saw anyone ever use them. It worked out perfect for us. We grilled hamburgers and chicken and had them for a quick meal during the week. They have lights if you grill at night. Enjoy!!

 

[PatMcDuck]

We just used them a couple weeks ago. They are like brand new gas grills. In fact, upon asking about them at check in, it took two cast members to tell us how to get to them. Then while grilling my husband was told by another cast member that he never saw anyone ever use them. It worked out perfect for us. We grilled hamburgers and chicken and had them for a quick meal during the week. They have lights if you grill at night. Enjoy!!

I rode the elevator up at VGC with a man holding a platter of fleshly grilled steaks…… oh boy they smelled great.

Is there a grocery store near DL, I will have a car, and want to pick up some items, maybe on my way to check in. Or does everyone use Vons?

 

[cseca]

I rode the elevator up at VGC with a man holding a platter of fleshly grilled steaks…… oh boy they smelled great. Is there a grocery store near DL, I will have a car, and want to pick up some items, maybe on my way to check in. Or does everyone use Vons?

Yum!!!!!

We used Von's a couple years ago and liked it

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

I rode the elevator up at VGC with a man holding a platter of fleshly grilled steaks…… oh boy they smelled great.

Is there a grocery store near DL, I will have a car, and want to pick up some items, maybe on my way to check in. Or does everyone use Vons?

We didn't have a car so we used Von's both times we stayed at VGC and highly recommend them. When we went online and signed up they offered free delivery and gave us a few free items (case of water, paper towels).

 

[PatMcDuck]

We didn't have a car so we used Von's both times we stayed at VGC and highly recommend them. When we went online and signed up they offered free delivery and gave us a few free items (case of water, paper towels).

Yes, I saw the offer for free delivery and may try that. Seems weird to order food for delivery, but will help me out so I may do it. It is just me and DS (adult with special needs), it would be great not to drag him thru a store after the long flight from the east coast, and drive over from LAX.

 

[Eosphotog]

We're renting DVC next week (can't wait!!!). We noticed there are washers and dryers in the units. What are the options for getting detergent? We would only need to run a few loads and don't need to buy an entire bottle of detergent.

Also someone asked about a nearby grocery store. We're not from California, so we're not familiar with the store brands. Looks like Vons and a Super Walmart are relatively nearby. We'll need fresh fruit, breakfast items, snacks for the park, sodas, etc.

 

[sparkhill]

Yes, I saw the offer for free delivery and may try that. Seems weird to order food for delivery, but will help me out so I may do it. It is just me and DS (adult with special needs), it would be great not to drag him thru a store after the long flight from the east coast, and drive over from LAX.

Everybody travels differently, but we usually just stay at the park the entire time so a rental car makes little sense for us. Lately, we have just been getting a car/SUV from Mona Lisa Limo as transport from LAX to VGC. The rental car shuttles are a bit of a hassle at LAX. We order groceries to be delivered from Von's, which the bellmen store in the walk-in refrigerator until your room is ready. We leave our bags with the bellman and hit the park until our room is ready. Once in the room, your luggage and groceries are brought up. It really limits the hassle.

With a special needs adult, a chauffeured car and grocery delivery might be worth considering.

 

[ludari]

I was at the VGC from Thursday (1/16) to Monday (1/20) for Tinker Bell Marathon weekend. My stay started out a little rough but resort guest services made it right when they really didn't have to. I was very happy from that point forward for everything guest services did to make my stay enjoyable.

 

[the donut]

Just got back from a 1 night stay at VGC (wanted a room just the night before the Tinkerbell 10K this past weekend). Made no room requests, as it was only for 1 night, yet got 5502. Amazing!

It was already getting dark by the time we checked in, and I had never looked at them in detail before, but we're going for a week next month along with another family, and thought a cookout might be nice one night.

Even though I went down to check out the grills, it was too dark to really see much, so I figured I'd ask here. Does anyone know the deal with these? Do you have to reserve them? What do you need to use them (we'll have cars so getting to a store isn't an issue)?

Thanks.

We love the grills! If you're a fan of Korean BBQ, Garden Grove (about 15 minutes away) has great Korean groceries with marinated meats ready to go. They also have all the veggie side dishes. Make some rice, and you have a complete Korean dinner. You do have to be prepared for all the people staying in the rooms over the grills to come out and ask you what the heck you're grilling that smells so good... You end up with a lot of new friends, especially if you're willing to give out samples.

Even though they're first come first serve, we've never had to wait for a grill.

 

[thewesterberg]

That area out by the grills is a great place to sit while doing laundry (the laundry room is right inside the doors). One of a happy memories from our trip a couple of weeks ago... While my laundry was washing one night I went out there. I was all by myself. I sat out there all by myself, reading on my iPad. DCA had closed but the music and ride lights were on. Perfect setting. Wish doing laundry was always that enjoyable.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Everybody travels differently, but we usually just stay at the park the entire time so a rental car makes little sense for us. Lately, we have just been getting a car/SUV from Mona Lisa Limo as transport from LAX to VGC. The rental car shuttles are a bit of a hassle at LAX. We order groceries to be delivered from Von's, which the bellmen store in the walk-in refrigerator until your room is ready. We leave our bags with the bellman and hit the park until our room is ready. Once in the room, your luggage and groceries are brought up. It really limits the hassle.

With a special needs adult, a chauffeured car and grocery delivery might be worth considering.

I end up with a car because I usually take one day to go to Burbank/Hollywood. And to do some nearby cast member shopping. This will be the first time renting a car at DL with my son though, last time we did the DL bus. Getting my son, his large Convaid chair, and all our luggage on and off a rental car shuttle gives me nightmares, but we will manage somehow. (we sometimes have to rely on the kindness of strangers).

But for groceries, I think delivery is the way to go this time. We go next month, when do you place the order, can you do it a few weeks early, or just the day before or something? thanks!