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

[franandaj]

We signed our contracts on board the ship and are past the 10 day window.

Thanks for confirming what I have come to suspect - we're screwed.

Look at it this way, since you bought your points direct from Disney you can always trade them out for nights at the DLH if you can't get in to the VGC. I've had great success with the waitlist. You can always waitlist it for a few months and if nothing comes through there is almost always availability to trade out for nights at PPH or DLH.

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Hi All.





Anyway... while on the cruise, we ended up signing up for DVC and it turns out that our home resort is AKL, as we were told that VGC was not available. We were advised that for when we like to travel to DL (early March and/or the end of September) that the 7 month booking window would not be an issue.



Please tell me that I hopefully haven't just blown $20k.

Well we booked 7 months out for 8 nights this March and didn't have any problem...just sayin'

 

[VallCopen]

I am a VGC owner and have had to change my ressies twice after the 7 month mark, although it is spotty at certain times you can still get dates, we were able to change both times to what we wanted. I think Christmas, Thanksgiving and July - mid August will be the toughest, but those are very expensive stays anyway. I just called in mid Jan. and they had several 5-7 day spans available in late Feb, mid March and late April for 1 and 2 bedrooms and that was with only a few months out at best. You might have to take a different room type or switch weeks around a bit but I think at this point it won't be to hard as long as you call right at the 7 month mark.

 

[nunzia]

Hang in there..just be willing to be adaptable and I'm sure you'll be able to stay at VGC...I do think it will be a harder place to get into than others, but still, with planning and quick calling I'm sure you will fine

 

[Nonsuch]

Thanks for confirming what I have come to suspect - we're screwed.

It's not that bad. I booked a weekend trip for March less than 2 months in advance, it was the last 1-bedroom available. That trip is only 2 weeks away
I also booked a Grand Villa in June at just over 7-months, there were several dates available

Enjoy your current ownership for a few years, and if booking at VGC is too hard sell your points and buy at VGC.

 

[wbl2745]

Thanks for confirming what I have come to suspect - we're screwed.

I wouldn't say all is lost. First, AKV are really nice. You'll get a lot longer stay using your 11 month advantage getting value rooms at Jambo House at AKL. Although I prefer DLR, WDW is not without its charms. Our home resort is VGC, but we just stayed for a week in December at AKV. Sitting on the balcony in a savannah view room watching the animals is truly unique. You won't find that at VGC.

Further, although we own at VGC, both of our trips to our "home" have been planned within about 3 months of the desired date, albeit that was in April '10 and now February '11. I'm pretty sure that summer time or holidays would be difficult.

You can always sell and buy at VGC. You'll lose money on the deal, but it is possible. Although VGC is sold out, we added on in September '10 just after the official sold out notice went out. Further, there's always the resale market. It seems like there are always some VGC points available.

Don't dispair. WDW and AKV really are nice.

 

[JimmyJam838]

Does anyone know if Bell services will transfer the luggage between hotels at the Disneyland Resort? We will be checking into a 1 bedroom on 2/13 at VGC.

We are back from our trip, and Bell Services did transfer luggage from the Disneyland Hotel to VGC for us.

BTW, this time it felt like a downgrade moving from DLH to a 1 BR villa as upon checkin to the DLH they upgraded us to the Presidential Suite. The only downside to it, is they don't leave you any dishes or cookware to use even though it has a full kitchen with 2 cooktops, 2 ovens, dishwasher and a microwave. The cooktop, oven, and dishwasher look like they are from the 70s.

 

[trampslady]

Okay, we are headed to one of our favorite places on Earth next Wednesday for four nights at GCV. I'm so glad we bought here! We are only in a studio this trip (sad face), but excited nonetheless.

We've never stayed in a studio. Advise on request for location?

And, I want to partake in the morning walk at California Adventure. Does anyone know if they still do it and when it takes place?

Many thanks!

Theresa

 

[rmonty02]

Okay, we are headed to one of our favorite places on Earth next Wednesday for four nights at GCV. I'm so glad we bought here! We are only in a studio this trip (sad face), but excited nonetheless.

We've never stayed in a studio. Advise on request for location?

And, I want to partake in the morning walk at California Adventure. Does anyone know if they still do it and when it takes place?

Many thanks!

Theresa

Check out this link and it has all the info! Just scroll down....
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36357487&postcount=456

 

[Nonsuch]

We've never stayed in a studio. Advise on request for location?

6504

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

They still do the morning walk. I just stayed on the 13th. Unfortunately there was no walk on the Sunday/Monday, but it was listed in the activities the other 5 days of the week.

Can't wait to do the walk again when we return in June! Enjoy and you'll have a great time. We have only stayed in studios so far and loved them. Another big thumbs up for 6504!!

 

[funatdisney]

We stayed in a studio for the first time last month and we had room 6504! A great room and a good view of the lagoon which is under construction. On the Grand Californian Super thread on the Disneyland side of DIS has a link to the pictures I took from the balcony of room 6504. Take a look here. Room 6504 is the the first one on the list.

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Wondering if anyone can tell me how hard it is to get a blender as it appears "upon request"? We will be there in 3 weeks and wanted to have a heads up (we will be in a one bedroom). Also do they sell refillable mugs at this resort? Thanks.. DL thread suggested I ask the experts here!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Wondering if anyone can tell me how hard it is to get a blender as it appears "upon request"? We will be there in 3 weeks and wanted to have a heads up (we will be in a one bedroom). Also do they sell refillable mugs at this resort? Thanks.. DL thread suggested I ask the experts here!

Never tried for a blender so I can't help there but they do not sell refillable mugs at DL. They do have mugs for sale but they are a single use and then souvenir.

 

[nunzia]

I would guess it would be as easy as just calling when you get into your room and requesting your blender..they are really helpful and quick at VGC...

 

[franandaj]

The VGC is much smaller and more intimate than any WDW resort. Any time I had a maintenance issue or anything they were VERY prompt to respond. I've even heard of people in studios requesting proper wine glasses, and receive them in less than 15 minutes.

 

[preedymtnwest]

Wow! I've been off lurking primarily on the DCL forum the past few months (our "free" add-on incentive cruise in November and a 7-night MR last week), and have just gotten back to this new VGC thread - great job starting it, Christopher, and thanks for all the wonderful pics and links!

Just finished reading through EVERYTHING at once (PHEW), and have a couple of questions:

- someone (don't remember who, now) wrote that they had just bought into VGC a month or two ago - I'm assuming that's non-DVC resale? I suppose I should just bite the bullet and get on a DVC waitlist for adding on to VGC; our 100 VGC and 250 SSR points just don't do it for us for trying to get early bookings at VGC (although, to be fair, I haven't had any trouble getting our 2/10 and 4/11 dates, even when I had to wait to complete the ressie at the 7-month mark). Anyway, does anyone have any info on how resales and/or waitlists through DVC are going? Thanks!

- also, some late threads talk about the morning walk around DCA - good to hear it's still happening and I hope to partake this April. But does anyone know about an early entry for Soarin' for GCH guests? We tried to do it on our last trip and had the tickets in hand, only to be told that morning (after getting up early for it!) that they had messed up and there was a corporate day (Von's??) going on that morning, so we weren't able to go in to do early Soarin'. They made it up to us by giving us two "special passes" that put us at the front of any line we chose for one ride (although each pass was good for 6 of us and there were 8 of us in the party ). It really helped to be able to hop right on to Midway Mania - awesome! But still a bummer to get up early and then not be able to do Soarin'. Any idea if this is still an option? Thanks again!!

It's nice to be back on with my "homeys" who love and appreciate VGC! Can't wait to be back there in 4-1/2 weeks!! This will be our first time to see all of WOC (not just the tests) and I'm so excited after seeing some of the videos!

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Wow! I've been off lurking primarily on the DCL forum the past few months (our "free" add-on incentive cruise in November and a 7-night MR last week

Welcome back. How was the Mexican Riviera aboard the Disney Wonder? We have her booked in late September, after which we get to go "home" to the Grand Cali Villas for two nights at DLR!

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow! I've been off lurking primarily on the DCL forum the past few months (our "free" add-on incentive cruise in November and a 7-night MR last week), and have just gotten back to this new VGC thread - great job starting it, Christopher, and thanks for all the wonderful pics and links!

Just finished reading through EVERYTHING at once (PHEW), and have a couple of questions:

- someone (don't remember who, now) wrote that they had just bought into VGC a month or two ago - I'm assuming that's non-DVC resale? I suppose I should just bite the bullet and get on a DVC waitlist for adding on to VGC; our 100 VGC and 250 SSR points just don't do it for us for trying to get early bookings at VGC (although, to be fair, I haven't had any trouble getting our 2/10 and 4/11 dates, even when I had to wait to complete the ressie at the 7-month mark). Anyway, does anyone have any info on how resales and/or waitlists through DVC are going? Thanks!

- also, some late threads talk about the morning walk around DCA - good to hear it's still happening and I hope to partake this April. But does anyone know about an early entry for Soarin' for GCH guests? We tried to do it on our last trip and had the tickets in hand, only to be told that morning (after getting up early for it!) that they had messed up and there was a corporate day (Von's??) going on that morning, so we weren't able to go in to do early Soarin'. They made it up to us by giving us two "special passes" that put us at the front of any line we chose for one ride (although each pass was good for 6 of us and there were 8 of us in the party ). It really helped to be able to hop right on to Midway Mania - awesome! But still a bummer to get up early and then not be able to do Soarin'. Any idea if this is still an option? Thanks again!!

It's nice to be back on with my "homeys" who love and appreciate VGC! Can't wait to be back there in 4-1/2 weeks!! This will be our first time to see all of WOC (not just the tests) and I'm so excited after seeing some of the videos!

In case you missed it, DVC is changing the rules for resales after 3/20. Basically for any ROFR submittal that occurs after 3/20, the points will not have all of the benefits as buying directly (or prior to 3/20). Basically, the points can't be used to trade out (including trading out to DCL or non-DVC resorts).

 

[preedymtnwest]

Welcome back. How was the Mexican Riviera aboard the Disney Wonder? We have her booked in late September, after which we get to go "home" to the Grand Cali Villas for two nights at DLR!

We had a great time - I was all worked up beforehand with the "bad" reports, but we didn't notice anything "wrong" or having slipped since our past two cruises on the Wonder. Of course, this was our first 7-day and with the extra time on the ship, and the variety of things to do, we really really didn't want to get off the boat when it was over! Since we were relatively early in the MR cruises, I checked out your Panama Canal reports often - thanks! I envy the long cruise you took, but like many, it was too long for us and in the middle of school (even though I would argue the educational benefits of going through the Canal, it's getting harder and harder to take the kids out for any amount of time as they get older).

I was, of course, on the meet thread for our 2/20-2/27 cruise, and many have posted their impressions of the cruise since we got back, so check it out. I can barely handle the time my lurking-on-the-boards obsession takes, so no big trip report for me, but I think a couple of my meet-mates did post links to reports.

I wish we had time to do VGC before or after, but the cruise took all of mid-winter break, and we had already taken our kids out of school in November to add on a few days at VB (awesome!) and our first trip to our original home, SSR (as a sleeping place to visit WWOHP). The one thing that made getting off the boat and going home bearable was knowing that we would be back at DL and VGC in a little over 5 weeks.

"In case you missed it, DVC is changing the rules for resales after 3/20. Basically for any ROFR submittal that occurs after 3/20, the points will not have all of the benefits as buying directly (or prior to 3/20). Basically, the points can't be used to trade out (including trading out to DCL or non-DVC resorts)."

Thanks, Donald is #1 - I'd heard this but haven't looked into the details yet. If I add on to VGC, it's primarily to go to VGC and be able to book at 11 months. I've just about decided that it's not worth it to use points for DCL, and so far, I'm always borrowing rather than figuring out how to use my points! Since I was a Disney fan well before we had kids, I anticipate that we'll still go even when they get too "old" (until they maybe have kids of their own and we start over again!), and we always have 350 points without restriction. But it's a good thing to keep in mind - thanks. It was interesting that someone just bought into VGC recently, so I was wondering about availability.