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

[buffalobasingal]

First Disney Vacation since becoming a DVC Owner! Next week we will be staying at the Grand Californian for the first time as owners. We stayed at the Grand Californian before as hotel guests and being able to be just a short walk into the parks is what sold it. It made the vacation so much more enjoyable to be able to go back to the room and rest during the middle of the day. We made an offer right before the pandemic in February 2020 and closed in April after they shut Disneyland down. We had planned to go last year, but you all know how that story went. I’m super excited to be bringing the kids back after two and a half years since our last visit. This is our first time at Oogie Boogie Bash, too. I’ve been watching videos and it looks like so much fun between the parade, villains grove, and the trick or treat trails! We have our costumes ready, bags are (almost) packed and ready to go see Mickey and friends. Here’s to Returning to the Magic for the first time . Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences and tips on the Disboards. Super cheers!

 

[SeaDis]

First Disney Vacation since becoming a DVC Owner! Next week we will be staying at the Grand Californian for the first time as owners. We stayed at the Grand Californian before as hotel guests and being able to be just a short walk into the parks is what sold it. It made the vacation so much more enjoyable to be able to go back to the room and rest during the middle of the day. We made an offer right before the pandemic in February 2020 and closed in April after they shut Disneyland down. We had planned to go last year, but you all know how that story went. I’m super excited to be bringing the kids back after two and a half years since our last visit. This is our first time at Oogie Boogie Bash, too. I’ve been watching videos and it looks like so much fun between the parade, villains grove, and the trick or treat trails! We have our costumes ready, bags are (almost) packed and ready to go see Mickey and friends. Here’s to Returning to the Magic for the first time . Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences and tips on the Disboards. Super cheers!

Congratulations! Your excitement absolutely leaps off the page. Very fun to read.

I keep a pretty extensive "villa packing list" for our family, which I update every trip. But a few key items you may want (maybe others will add).

Ground coffee! (villas do not have Keurigs like the hotel rooms).
Coffee filters - medium basket 8 cup size (not cone).
Bottled water.
Breakfast items/snacks - huge time & money savers.
Pool bag/tote
Any favorite seasonings (if cooking or BBQ).
Favorite Laundry pods/dryer sheets (pack in hard tupperware for the trip).
Dishwasher pods (if you are in a 1+ BR and plan to use dishes).
Kitchen garbage bags (some are provided, but we always run out). You can always bring them back home or use for wet clothes, etc.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Kitchen garbage bags (some are provided, but we always run out)...

Guests often leave garbage bags in the hall or near the elevators, but there is a dedicated trash room on the first floor (near vending and laundry)

 

[Nonsuch]

Here now so checked on the way back to the room tonight. Yes, laundry room is open. There is a sign by the door requesting that only one family at a time be in the room. A couple of machines were running...

Laundry View gives real-time status: Grand Californian Villa and Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

 

[JimmyJam838]

I remember there being a hard wired ethernet connection in the bedroom of the 1BR villa. Is that still the case?

TIA,
Jay

 

[Nonsuch]

I remember there being a hard wired ethernet connection in the bedroom of the 1BR villa. Is that still the case?

No, hardwired Ethernet was removed during the renovation a few years ago

 

[upritbass]

Any favorite seasonings (if cooking or BBQ).

Cooking? I'm on vacation, no cooking allowed!

We find it much more enjoyable to order to-go from either Hearthstone/Craftsman in the hotel or from one of the many great restaurants in DTD and enjoy our meal in our own private dining room or balcony.

 

[taaren]

Has anybody used online check in and gone straight to their room at the VGC since they reopened? The check in line was really long when we went for weekends in September and October. Hoping to avoid that the next trip.

 

[SeaDis]

Has anybody used online check in and gone straight to their room at the VGC since they reopened? The check in line was really long when we went for weekends in September and October. Hoping to avoid that the next trip.

Great recent report in the VGC thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/grand-californian-super-thread.2396588/post-63505440

 

[cruisehopeful]

Has anybody used online check in and gone straight to their room at the VGC since they reopened? The check in line was really long when we went for weekends in September and October. Hoping to avoid that the next trip.

I did online check in during october, but still went to the front desk for a key card. I tried using digital key on my phone a couple times to see if it would work, but it was taking way too long. I don't know if I happened to be in a dead zone for TMobile, but it seemed that way.

 

[SeaDis]

I did online check in during october, but still went to the front desk for a key card. I tried using digital key on my phone a couple times to see if it would work, but it was taking way too long. I don't know if I happened to be in a dead zone for TMobile, but it seemed that way.

I still plan to get room keys. But it sure would be nice if online check-in works well so you can visit the front desk when it's empty, instead of peak check-in/out time.

We were lucky to use the DVC check-in desk a couple times pre-shutdown when it was staffed sporadically. I kind of doubt that is coming back now, even at peak times. Hope I'm wrong!

 

[noisycricket]

Anyone know how the HVAC system is set up in the rooms? Does airflow go from the hallway into the DVC units, for example? I tried to ask the VGC guest operator but they wouldn't connect me to anyone who would be in the know.

 

[HappyThoughtsTees]

Checking in on Sunday- has anyone done grocery delivery recently? We've always done a Target run ourselves, but we are traveling with young kiddos and grandparents this trip and would prefer delivery. Would love to hear any feedback!

 

[Nonsuch]

Anyone know how the HVAC system is set up in the rooms? Does airflow go from the hallway into the DVC units, for example? I tried to ask the VGC guest operator but they wouldn't connect me to anyone who would be in the know.

The air circulates within the villa. Intake is on the wall and output is near the ceiling. Some outside air is likely added. I doubt any air comes from the hallway.

 

[DebbieB]

Anyone who has stayed recently, did they do the daily trash pickup? Today is day 3, didn’t pickup day 2 or 3. Tomorrow is trash and towel, I’ll say something if they don’t show up.

 

[taaren]

Anyone who has stayed recently, did they do the daily trash pickup? Today is day 3, didn’t pickup day 2 or 3. Tomorrow is trash and towel, I’ll say something if they don’t show up.

We stayed Sun-Tues night before Thanksgiving, no trash pickup was done.

I suspect they are really short staffed right now. When we checked into our two bedroom two of the three televisions weren't working. We called engineering, and waited half an hour to talk to them. They said they would come fix it but never did even though we called again day 2 and waited another 10 minutes to talk to someone in engineering who said someone would come. Those televisions may still not work.
The second day we called housekeeping to ask for fresh sheets on the master bed. Waited 25 minutes to talk to HK, they said someone would come, they never did. Ended up laundering the sheets myself.

 

[DebbieB]

They did come for trash and towel this morning while we were at DCA.

 

[HappyThoughtsTees]

We stayed Sun-Tues night before Thanksgiving, no trash pickup was done.

I suspect they are really short staffed right now. When we checked into our two bedroom two of the three televisions weren't working. We called engineering, and waited half an hour to talk to them. They said they would come fix it but never did even though we called again day 2 and waited another 10 minutes to talk to someone in engineering who said someone would come. Those televisions may still not work.
The second day we called housekeeping to ask for fresh sheets on the master bed. Waited 25 minutes to talk to HK, they said someone would come, they never did. Ended up laundering the sheets myself.

I wonder if we checked into your room! We stayed the week after Thanksgiving in a 2 bedroom. An engineer randomly came to our door and asked if we were having trouble with our TV, which we were, but we hadn't reported it. Must have been a leftover work ticket from previous occupant they said. The engineer spent almost an hour trying to fix it but couldn't, said these are new TVs and they've been having trouble with them ever since they were installed. The "on demand" feature is unreliable apparently. The next day another set of engineers came to work on it, but also could not fix it.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Hi, everyone! Gonna book tomorrow. Can anyone remind me of what time I can do online booking? Is it 8am EST? Appreciate any help!
Thank you!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi, everyone! Gonna book tomorrow. Can anyone remind me of what time I can do online booking? Is it 8am EST? Appreciate any help!
Thank you!

Correct.