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

[laughinplace199]

Whooo Hooo! My waitlist for August just came through today!

 

[Breyean]

Whooo Hooo! My waitlist for August just came through today!

Did it happen to be a studio for the 1/2 marathon weekend? I just canceled all nights except the Friday (we're just doing the 10K this time after my son won the Tinkerbell 10K last month). But we decided to do the new 1/2 in Nov and needed those points back!

If so, good for you. In any event, good for you.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Question for you VGC experts. I was staying at VGC on DVC points (mine). I thought DVC members on points got free valet? Maybe that went away, I am not sure, as I usually prefer to self park at WDW and DL.

This time, at VGC, I had my son with me. He has special needs, uses a Convaid chair at the parks (like a WC), and has a handicapped parking placard. The parking valet guys told me that with that placard, I get free parking. They DID say, the HC parking is right there, and pointed (I assume they meant it is not across the street like the self parking). I said, ok, but they said, don't worry, WE will park it for you, no charge. OK, sounds good to me. We had luggage, and I had to manage DS and the WC as well.

At check in, they said yes, parking is free for HC parking. OK. I was there for 6 nights, and was billed for the valet for 6 nights. I went to the desk about it when checking out. (they removed the charges). My question is about the policy here. They said it is free HC parking, but not free valet parking, unless all the HC spots were taken. I said, well, I have no idea if they were taken, the valet guys just said they would park it for me. The CM said, oh, that means that all the HC spaces WERE taken. OK. This is the questionable part for me. The CM went on to say that is is my responsibility to CHECK the HC spaces each day, and IF I see an open space, to get my car from the valet, and park in a HC spot. (I said, that might be sort of do-able, IF I had someone to watch my HC son while I did that). But it was just the 2 of us, and I would have to load him in his WC, take him downstairs, get the car, put DS in the car, collapse his heavy chair, load it up, move the car, take out the chair, and return to the hotel. And we went out and used the car a few times, so I would have to do this more than once, probably.

I never heard of this policy at the DVC (or Disney resorts). I did not argue about it, because they gave me a refund, and I was checking out, and just nodded and said ok when told all this. It will be 2 years before I am back to DL with my special needs son, I was just curious about this, and wondering if I have it right. Great stay, no major issues (except room assignment, but that as fixed after one night).

 

[boscoj]

Not sure about the HC parking policy but they unfortunately did away with the free valet parking for DVC members a few years ago....self parking is still free though.

 

[franandaj]

Technically, you are allowed to park in the HA spaces on a complimentary basis when staying at DVC. Most of the time they are full and we have found that the Valets are more than happy to enact the ADA "free valet" for HA guests, sometimes even when the spots are not full.

Unfortunately they don't always communicate this to the front desk and unless you explain that you are enacting the ADA complimentary valet, they charge you and you have to fix it at the end of the visit. I'm guessing that not all the clerks know about the ADA exception for valet parking either.

But people with HA plaques should not have to pay for Valet when staying at VGC.

 

[Pooh2]

Technically, you are allowed to park in the HA spaces on a complimentary basis when staying at DVC. Most of the time they are full and we have found that the Valets are more than happy to enact the ADA "free valet" for HA guests, sometimes even when the spots are not full.

Unfortunately they don't always communicate this to the front desk and unless you explain that you are enacting the ADA complimentary valet, they charge you and you have to fix it at the end of the visit. I'm guessing that not all the clerks know about the ADA exception for valet parking either.

But people with HA plaques should not have to pay for Valet when staying at VGC.

Is Handicapp parking free for anyone at the DVC resorts? I was hoping to rent points at GC and Aulani this fall, I do have a handicapp placard.

Do they have the same policy for those staying on property in the regular hotel rooms rather than the villas?

 

[franandaj]

Is Handicapp parking free for anyone at the DVC resorts? I was hoping to rent points at GC and Aulani this fall, I do have a handicapp placard.

Do they have the same policy for those staying on property in the regular hotel rooms rather than the villas?

Im not an authority on the issue, but I think its more of an ADA compliance than a Disney rule. You coukd call and ask to be sure, but I think as a courtesy they offer the complimentary valet for handicapped rather than actually offering enough actual spaces for the need.

 

[PatMcDuck]

My question was about having to check the HA spaces each day, and move my car. I get why they would want me to do that, it is just that it would be difficult for me to do so, because I was the only one traveling with my special needs son.

I had no issue with having to get my bill adjusted, I sort of expected to have to do that, they warned me to check my bill for that exact reason.

Next time I will discuss it at check in with the CM, to make sure I understand the policy exactly. I love VGC, it was just a minor issue.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My question was about having to check the HA spaces each day, and move my car. I get why they would want me to do that, it is just that it would be difficult for me to do so, because I was the only one traveling with my special needs son.

I had no issue with having to get my bill adjusted, I sort of expected to have to do that, they warned me to check my bill for that exact reason.

Next time I will discuss it at check in with the CM, to make sure I understand the policy exactly. I love VGC, it was just a minor issue.

I'm afraid I don't have experiences with this at VGC but it does not sound appropriate and I would definitely question and clarify next time. I suspect you will have a different answer that you do not need to check.

 

[Chereya]

My question was about having to check the HA spaces each day, and move my car. I get why they would want me to do that, it is just that it would be difficult for me to do so, because I was the only one traveling with my special needs son.

I had no issue with having to get my bill adjusted, I sort of expected to have to do that, they warned me to check my bill for that exact reason.

Next time I will discuss it at check in with the CM, to make sure I understand the policy exactly. I love VGC, it was just a minor issue.

I would write a letter, similar to the post when you first told us here at DISboards about your experience, and address it to the hotel manager of the Grand Californian. They probably don't give the HA parking issue much thought. If you clearly explain that their suggestion, that the onus of moving your car be on you, is not only disruptive to your enjoyment of your vacation but also logistically a huge burden they might understand the situation better through your eyes. They ought to make it easier on their HA guests by offering complimentary Valet, without caveats, should a HA parking space not be available.

 

[hjgaus]

On such short notice to make use of our BORROWED 2015 points I found a couple of reservations for 1 nite studios for this fall. We have NEVER stayed in a studio before so what room #'s has the best view of WOC or in general "Park View" ?
Thanks in advance.

 

[hjgaus]

On such short notice to make use of our BORROWED 2015 points I found a couple of reservations for 1 nite studios for this fall. We have NEVER stayed in a studio before so what room #'s has the best view of WOC or in general "Park View" ?
Thanks in advance.

 

[hjgaus]

sorry.... double post!

 

[carissa1970]

On such short notice to make use of our BORROWED 2015 points I found a couple of reservations for 1 nite studios for this fall. We have NEVER stayed in a studio before so what room #'s has the best view of WOC or in general "Park View" ? Thanks in advance.

We have only stayed in the studios there, and loved each one. There was one in particular that had an amazing view. I do not remember the number right now, but I think I posted it in this thread somewhere. I got the number originally by calling the hotel directly to ask which rooms overlooked the park, and got the room the CM suggested as one of the best!

 

[Nonsuch]

...We have NEVER stayed in a studio before so what room #'s has the best view of WOC or in general "Park View" ?

Only 4 studios have a WOC view: 6504, 5504, 4504, 3504
x510 studios have a view of the Paradise Pier area, but WOC is blocked.
x516 studios have a view of Redwood Creek.

... There was one in particular that had an amazing view. I do not remember the number right now, but I think I posted it in this thread somewhere.

6504 has a 2 sided balcony

 

[hjgaus]

Thanks you carissa1970 & Nonsuch! I shall ask but since these reservations were made so short notice (as for any I made THIS year) I'll may have to enjoy whatever rooms are available.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I shall ask but since these reservations were made so short notice (as for any I made THIS year) I'll may have to enjoy whatever rooms are available.

While it does seem that earliest reservation get priority, it can't hurt to make a request.
You could make the request for the 4 studios with a WOC view and hope for some pixie dust

 

[BlazerFan]

Did it happen to be a studio for the 1/2 marathon weekend? I just canceled all nights except the Friday (we're just doing the 10K this time after my son won the Tinkerbell 10K last month). But we decided to do the new 1/2 in Nov and needed those points back! If so, good for you. In any event, good for you.

Congrats on your son's win!!

I feel your pain with the points. I booked MLK weekend because the rumors I heard were that the next new race would take over that weekend. I was surprised to hear November so I had to borrow points to make a reservation. I hate to borrow

 

[chrisaman]

We just became members of vgc a few months ago and have our first Christmas grand cal stay booked. We are soooo excited. Looking forward to our first vgc stay.

 

[bethy]

Congrats on your son's win!!

I feel your pain with the points. I booked MLK weekend because the rumors I heard were that the next new race would take over that weekend. I was surprised to hear November so I had to borrow points to make a reservation. I hate to borrow

Our next trip is going to be over MLK weekend 2015. We have VGC booked, too. Where can I find out more info about the race? Not because I want to run it - just so I can be prepared for how it might affect our trip. I've never been there during a race before.