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

[Jperiod]

Finished a 5 day stay in a 1 bedroom today. First time in 3 years. Def not what it used to be. We were missing several amenities from the hall bathroom and had to ask for them.

No filters for the coffee pot, but they managed to get filters from room service. Have they ever provided filters? You'd think it would be standard paper goods in a timeshare as they've been in every other timeshare we've stayed in over COVID. I just couldn't remember and didn't bring them to vgc this time. Then we discovered the coffee maker's basket was altogether missing and housekeeping had no replacement. Husband had to babysit the maker to keep it from overflowing. Then we found the basket in the back of the dishwasher on the 4th day.

I forgot my tennis shoes and was wearing rain boots the first day because it was raining. I ordered new shoes from Amazon which were delivered the next morning but then I had to wait TWO more days to get the box because it had to go through some sort of security scanning at the Disneyland hotel. I was dying in pain. My husband eventually got VERY stern with a manager and they finally retrieved my box of shoes.

Asked for rooms on the 5th and 6th floor, pp views but stared at a line of trees blocking red creek on the 5th floor.

We weren't thrilled with the parks either. Now we're wondering if it's just a California thing, or the whole company. Anyone been to wdw to compare lately?

 

[Nonsuch]

No filters for the coffee pot, but they managed to get filters from room service. Have they ever provided filters?

Coffee filters have never been provided at VGC

Asked for rooms on the 5th and 6th floor, pp views but stared at a line of trees blocking red creek on the 5th floor.

One of my favorite rooms, super quiet

 

[heathpack]

Well… I am going to start interviewing for East coast jobs. So sad to say that it’s likely we’ll be leaving California. I don’t know if we’ll sell our VGC contract or if we’ll keep it.

We have two single night stays booked for the first half of the year, and we’ll probably be in California long enough to use both: Jan 19 and April 20. They may be our “farewell” stays at the Grand.

It seems that we always occupy ourselves in the theme parks and don’t spend tons of time at the resort.

What you you be sure to do in a goodbye trip?

We love Napa Rose Chefs Counter. Obviously it’s too late to book that in Jan. Can someone remind me how that is done nowadays. We also loved Napa Rose Lounge, I guess we could try to stop in for a drink. Sit by the fire for a while. What else?

Aw I’m kind of sad about it already!

 

[limace]

So sad! Although-we are west coasters who travel to WDW every few years so definitely can work to keep your contract.

 

[AZMermaid]

We are just back from a 3 night trip. We had such a great trip! I honestly was sort of dreading how crowded I thought it would be but this was not the case! It was busy but very manageable. I wouldn't hesitate to go this time of year again! We didn’t have any major issues with rides being down. We were even the first people on Peter Pan on Sunday!

We had room 1505 a 2 bedroom “pool view” which was mostly bushes but fine. We prefer this quieter view although I didn't request anything this time. We loved being on the first floor and the new entrance is a game changer! My husband ran our candy canes to the room while my kids rode the swings and was back as they exited. We got in line there at about 7:10 this morning and were maybe 50th in line. They let people start going through at 7:20 and held us at the sunglasses store until 7:30. We were the second family to Incredicoaster. We went the back way and the family that beat us came from around Lamplight. I do think they were running some and I’m not sure which entrance they used. In contrast, we lined up at the DTD security at 6:40 and were about 50th and 6:30 about 25th. Both times we were first at the gates though (not first there, but we’re able to be first at one of the turnstiles) so this entrance is for sure faster than Harbor or the one by DLH if you are far enough up in line. I’d say by 7:00 when they started letting people through security there were 200 people in line.

 

[pineapplepalms]

Very interested in hearing about this 2-week stay, if you could share what that experience was like. We just bought into owning at VGC and want to utilize it for general vacationing around LA area, in addition to park days. We have a lot of friends who live there.

We typically do a week or less at VGC, so that was an anomaly due to having banked points to use up last year. VGC is very point heavy and we typically book 2BRs, so I generally wouldn’t want to use it as a home base for quite that long. On that trip, we visited with family in the LA area, went to the beach, and drove down to San Diego for a day. We spent 10 days going into the parks, which sounds like a lot, but we have 3 little ones so we spend a lot of time on meals, bathroom breaks, etc. On most LA trips, we’ll stay with family for a couple days, then go down to DLR and stay at VGC the rest of the week.

 

[senoragilbert]

First time at VGC, stalking paid off for Feb 25-27 (still hoping 27-28 comes through). We own at BLT. It will be myself, DH, DS19, and DMIL. We can awkwardly work with 2 queens but DS and DMIL prefer separate sleeping surfaces. Is there a way to make this work? At AKL (Jambo) they provided us with an air mattress and bedding; happy to buy our own air mattress if they'll provide the bedding; MIL is happy to use the couch without pulling out the bed so the air mattress fits on the floor. Anyone have any experience with this at all? Thanks!

 

[nalabear]

Housekeeping will provide additional bedding if requested; treat them nicely.

We brought a twin air mattress and able to sleep in the 'hallway'portion even with the couch pulled out.

 

[senoragilbert]

Housekeeping will provide additional bedding if requested; treat them nicely.

We brought a twin air mattress and able to sleep in the 'hallway'portion even with the couch pulled out.

Thank you so much! I hope we always treat people with kindness, respect, and dignity, but I will gladly take the reminder; housekeeping staff are working harder than ever and receiving even less thanks for it.

 

[ajiuo]

I'm currently an AKV owner. I've been thinking about getting VGC for a bit. I finally made my triumphed return to Disneyland after a way to long hiatus. I didn't stay at the grand Cal, but did get the opportunity to go check it out and absolutely loved what I saw. I looked in to it and saw a pretty good opportunity so decided to pull the card... now in ROFR waiting.

I know that that booking at 7 doesn't generly happen but am I pretty safe at 11. I'm looking to book a studio in early may every year... is that doable or is there a easer time of year? I probably won't go back at this time of year. it was a bit to cold for my tastes. May seems like it would be the kind of weather that I like. I also go to Orlando in late October - early November... so it would be nice to keep the trips roughly 6 months apart.

 

[VegasDisneyMom]

I'm currently an AKV owner. I've been thinking about getting VGC for a bit. I finally made my triumphed return to Disneyland after a way to long hiatus. I didn't stay at the grand Cal, but did get the opportunity to go check it out and absolutely loved what I saw. I looked in to it and saw a pretty good opportunity so decided to pull the card... now in ROFR waiting.

I know that that booking at 7 doesn't generly happen but am I pretty safe at 11. I'm looking to book a studio in early may every year... is that doable or is there a easer time of year? I probably won't go back at this time of year. it was a bit to cold for my tastes. May seems like it would be the kind of weather that I like. I also go to Orlando in late October - early November... so it would be nice to keep the trips roughly 6 months apart.

I’m a fairly new VGC owner (first VGC stay will be the end of this month) and I didn’t have any problems booking in May 11 months out.

 

[Royal Consort]

I know that that booking at 7 doesn't generly happen but am I pretty safe at 11. I'm looking to book a studio in early may every year... is that doable or is there a easer time of year? I probably won't go back at this time of year. it was a bit to cold for my tastes. May seems like it would be the kind of weather that I like. I also go to Orlando in late October - early November... so it would be nice to keep the trips roughly 6 months apart.

VGC is pretty friendly to owners with availability until you start approaching the 7 month mark and it all disappears. It's not like WDW/AKV where value rooms or club rooms are walked. You will have no problems booking May at 11 months. For example, I needed to change my dates this year and booked 8 months out for May.

 

[ajiuo]

VGC is pretty friendly to owners with availability until you start approaching the 7 month mark and it all disappears. It's not like WDW/AKV where value rooms or club rooms are walked. You will have no problems booking May at 11 months. For example, I needed to change my dates this year and booked 8 months out for May.

speaking of which… I booked a trip in a value studio at AKV for 11 nights at the end of October/ beginning of November… I was going to try to walk a reservation, but couldn’t even get in right at the 11 month window starting about a month early… I ended up patching it together bey getting rooms that people dropped… but what a pain. Haha

 

[ajiuo]

Also isn’t VGC supposed to get a full referb? It’s not on the schedule they released in 2022. But I swear I head something about it in 2021. I wonder if they are waiting for Disneyland DVC tower to be completed. Maybe they want to displace some people over there while they do construction. I’d be a bit bummed if I got moved over there for my first stay at VGC

 

[VegasDisneyMom]

Also isn’t VGC supposed to get a full referb? It’s not on the schedule they released in 2022. But I swear I head something about it in 2021. I wonder if they are waiting for Disneyland DVC tower to be completed. Maybe they want to displace some people over there while they do construction. I’d be a bit bummed if I got moved over there for my first stay at VGC

VGC was supposed to get a full refurb in 2024, but I don’t know what’s going on since they didn’t have them on the schedule at the condo association meeting this year. I’m hoping VGC gets some love.

 

[nalabear]

May isn't an issue.

Feb, Sept and Oct are high demands for studios though and book relatively early at 10months so plan for those months if you want studios.

 

[ajiuo]

VGC was supposed to get a full refurb in 2024, but I don’t know what’s going on since they didn’t have them on the schedule at the condo association meeting this year. I’m hoping VGC gets some love.

Dang. Well if I pass ROFR both of my home resorts will be in the same boat. Haha. AKV was also due in 2023 but no word.

 

[Royal Consort]

Also isn’t VGC supposed to get a full referb? It’s not on the schedule they released in 2022. But I swear I head something about it in 2021.

Yes, in 2024, and now all talk of it has mysteriously vanished. I am not impressed the scheduled refurbishment was neither discussed or placed on the calendar at the condo association this year. They're being tricky.

 

[HappyThoughtsTees]

Hi fellow VGC owners. Talk to me about MagicBand+..anyone using it at Disneyland? We've never been to WDW so we have no experience with them in general.

 

[KPeterso]

Hi fellow VGC owners. Talk to me about MagicBand+..anyone using it at Disneyland? We've never been to WDW so we have no experience with them in general.

I have used my MB+ at Disneyland a bunch of times. I would probably not get one, but I had one from my WDW trip in September, so I have been using it. It is definitely nice to use to scan into the park and lightening lanes. And my bonus is that I am often pushing a wheelchair, so it is easier for me to whip out the band than try to fish out my phone and open the app while pushing a wheelchair. That was definitely a nice surprise plus. The cons right now is that it does not open the doors at the 3 resort hotels and cannot be used to charge back to the room. I am hoping those features get added.