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

[littlelulu33]

I have a question--We are thinking of renting points for GCV with someone who it is a home resort do we still get the free parking?
Is the middle to end of June a good time to visit? Any suggestions on what room/floor/view to request? Thinking of park view--Are these really hard to get? Thanks. This is going to be our first trip to CA for me in about 20 years and 1st for DH and DD. I have been to WDW over 20 times

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have a question--We are thinking of renting points for GCV with someone who it is a home resort do we still get the free parking?
Is the middle to end of June a good time to visit? Any suggestions on what room/floor/view to request? Thinking of park view--Are these really hard to get? Thanks. This is going to be our first trip to CA for me in about 20 years and 1st for DH and DD. I have been to WDW over 20 times

Yes, you do not have to pay for parking at this time. The hardest thing to get is the reservation at this late of date depending on the dates you want. Many people like June, we like August(we are stuck with that month due to work schedules), but we do like the heat. We will take anything but the first floor but you really do not have a choice(but you can request).

Good luck,

Jack

 

[MCSfromWA]

Thank you, Nonsuch! That was a wonderful way to display the room numbers. I have trouble remembering which villas we have perviously stayed in because sometimes we are in a one bedroom and others a two bedroom. This will help jog my memory!

 

[Nonsuch]

Is the middle to end of June a good time to visit?

The weather is nice in June, but you will experience the Summer crowds. The Summer schedule also means most shows and parades run every night
It is unlikely you will be able to book VGC for this June, but it never hurts to try

Any suggestions on what room/floor/view to request? Thinking of park view--Are these really hard to get?

Tell me your room type, and I can give you a list of the room numbers I would request. I love the Paradise Pier view, but other owners have different preferences. Although any room request is never guaranteed, I have had good luck

 

[littlelulu33]

Thanks Everyone for your help. We have time we are looking June 2012 so the 11 month slot isn't even open yet. There is just DH, I and DD who will be 6 then. I think a studio would be just fine ( and I do know that if I make a request it is just a request and may or may not get it)...we have had Studio before at BC and one bed room when my parents joined us at AK and BLT
We are going to do 5 nights at GCV is that enough time? Going to get a 4 day pass and Dining Plan is still up in the air, but leaning towards no since it is so different from WDW then head down to San Diego for 5 or 6 nights for Legoland, Zoo, Safari Park, Sea World. Anything else we should see

 

[the donut]

Is the middle to end of June a good time to visit?

I think that's a great time to visit! Everyone moans about the June gloom, but you're just as likely to get that foggy weather in May. If you come middle of June, it's definitely best to check out the SoCal AP block out dates. Those last few days before the summer block out can be crazy and are best avoided.

Any suggestions on what room/floor/view to request? Thinking of park view--Are these really hard to get?

I think we're 3 for 3 on view requests, and even got a park view when we stated no view preference (just a high floor preference). I will say that we got the paradise pier view half the time and the redwood creek view half the time. I'm one of those owners that prefers the redwood creek view right now with all the construction going on. That might change by next June when all the walls are down though. However, I think if it's going to be your only visit for awhile/ever then the paradise pier view is the way to go. It's awesome.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We have time we are looking June 2012 so the 11 month slot isn't even open yet.

If you have not been to Disneyland for 20 years, you might consider waiting a few more months. Carsland is projected to be open in Summer 2012, so late Summer would be a better bet than early Summer. There is always something new coming, but Carsland is the largest project in a decade.

...We are going to do 5 nights at GCV is that enough time?

You are a WDW veteran, so with only minor planning you should see everything

 

[stopher1]

I think we're 3 for 3 on view requests, and even got a park view when we stated no view preference (just a high floor preference). I will say that we got the paradise pier view half the time and the redwood creek view half the time. I'm one of those owners that prefers the redwood creek view right now with all the construction going on. That might change by next June when all the walls are down though. However, I think if it's going to be your only visit for awhile/ever then the paradise pier view is the way to go. It's awesome.

I'm 3 for 3 myself with getting the requested view... however I actually have enjoyed the construction view. Sounds strange I guess, but I love looking at pics weekly of how the progress is coming along - and just loved being there watching some of the action at night and in the early morning hours before the park opened. But then I'm a very visual guy who loves reading maps, blueprints and detailed cross-sections of how things are built too - so it all kind of makes sense.

 

[Nonsuch]

I'm 3 for 3 myself with getting the requested view...

I'm also 3 for 3. I had a Paradise Pier view on my first visit (without making a request), and have requested the same view ever since.

... however I actually have enjoyed the construction view. Sounds strange I guess, but I love looking at pics weekly of how the progress is coming along - and just loved being there watching some of the action at night and in the early morning hours before the park opened.

Here are a few construction photos taken from villa 6502 on March 4, 2011
I also enjoy watching the construction, but will be happy when it's done (only 2 months to go)

But then I'm a very visual guy who loves reading maps, blueprints and detailed cross-sections of how things are built too - so it all kind of makes sense.

Someone needs to do a SketchUp of the VGC

 

[Smltown96]

Thanks for all that you have done to help us all get a good feel for where he rooms at VGC are. These outside shots with the rooms with overlay are awesome!

Thanks so much!

 

[Smltown96]

New to these boards and may have missed it but do you as DVC members tips housekeeping on the days you get service? If so how much?

 

[Longhairbear]

Today I tried to get a studio 2 night stay during the week anytime in July or August, nothing available. There were a few single days open. I didn't ask about weekends.

 

[kikiq]

Today I tried to get a studio 2 night stay during the week anytime in July or August, nothing available. There were a few single days open. I didn't ask about weekends.

I attempted to move our July weekend stay at 8 months and there wasn't a studio available for 2 weekend nights. Getting villas in July and August within the 7 month window is getting harder. It's one of the reasons, we bought VGC points. Our birthday/anniversary stays fall into DLR holiday/vacation dates.

 

[kikiq]

I make room requests with a list of room numbers. The cast member assigning rooms can simply look at the list and find the first available.

Thank you so much so posting the maps and the outside shots.

We haven't ever made a request BUT I'm thinking I might want to this Memorial Day trip. My brother and sil like the first floor because it's close to the grills and the pool. I think I would like a view from the balcony since I'm not going to be much of a park person that weekend. What would you recommend for a dedicated 2 bdrm villa? We're so excited. When we toured the model, my DH said that if they had offered them up as condos, we would have sold our house and moved in

 

[the donut]

New to these boards and may have missed it but do you as DVC members tips housekeeping on the days you get service? If so how much?

This is a good question. I usually leave $10 for a 1 BR and $20 for a 2BR. I can't remember how much we left for the Grand Villa (probably $40?). Should I be embarassed to admit this (am I undertipping?) We do short stays generally, so we just leave the one tip when we check out as it will have been fewer than 4 days.

 

[CrazyDuck]

New to these boards and may have missed it but do you as DVC members tips housekeeping on the days you get service? If so how much?

Being that you are in DVC you won't be getting any daily service. On the 4th day they will come and throw away your trash and change the towels, and that's worth a few bucks... I only tip the day we leave since they have to make the whole room, and I'll leave a little more depending on how many dishes need washing!

 

[Nonsuch]

...I think I would like a view from the balcony since I'm not going to be much of a park person that weekend. What would you recommend for a dedicated 2 bdrm villa?

3522, 6500, 5506, 5500, 4506, 4500, 3506, 3500, 5518, 4518, 3518

My preference is a Paradise Pier view, and don't like looking at the Pool.
3522 is directly below the Grand Villa, and should have a good angle for World of Color.
6500 is one of the few villas on the 6th floor, but is next to public viewing platform.
5506 has a slightly better angle to World of Color than 5500.
4506, 4500, 3506, 3500 I would not request below the third floor.
5518, 4518, 3518 are Challenge Trail view.

Memorial Day should be a great time to visit. All the construction near the villas will be done, and if you are lucky maybe a soft-opening of Little Mermaid or Star Tours

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Here now and a quick question... We had some garbage from our Vons delivery and such. DH asked housekeeping what to do with 2 bags and he was told to carry them to first floor (with no other instruction). At AKV we had no problem taking trash to the end of the hall but down 3 floors, really? Let me say my DH is a lot of things but not a pompus individual (he usually cleans our room BEFORE housekeeping!!). So upon leaving this morning for DL he noticed all the baskets in the hallway so he left them next to our door (today is our 3rd day here). We came back this afternoon to a note in our door that garbage goes to first floor. I find this rather odd. Perhaps its just us...Now don't kill me...

 

[CrazyDuck]

My brother and sil like the first floor because it's close to the grills and the pool.

Another nice thing about the first floor rooms is that you don't have to catch the elevator to throw away trash! Also not having to wait for elevators is a plus! I think every room will have it's advantages and disadvantages (face the pool you can see the fireworks, face PPH you can see WOC, high floor better view, low floor quicker access etc..etc...)... I'm there memorial day weekend... see ya 'round the pool!

 

[Longhairbear]

Here now and a quick question... We had some garbage from our Vons delivery and such. DH asked housekeeping what to do with 2 bags and he was told to carry them to first floor (with no other instruction). At AKV we had no problem taking trash to the end of the hall but down 3 floors, really? Let me say my DH is a lot of things but not a pompus individual (he usually cleans our room BEFORE housekeeping!!). So upon leaving this morning for DL he noticed all the baskets in the hallway so he left them next to our door (today is our 3rd day here). We came back this afternoon to a note in our door that garbage goes to first floor. I find this rather odd. Perhaps its just us...Now don't kill me...

That's where the trash room is, you can bring down any recycling too. When I am cooking in the room I usually empty my trash there as I don't want the garbage smells in the room.
House keeping will only take your trash on trash and towel day, otherwise you have to bring it down yourself if you want your trash removed. You can't leave it outside the door.