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

[bigAWL]

How do you know you will get a two bedroom dedicated? I thought they don't tell you your room infill check-in?

I've always been told when I was making the reservation whether we were getting a dedicated or lock-off 2 bedroom unit. It also showed on the DVC member website when we viewed our reservation on line.

I've also been told that the dedicated and lock-off designations are two different categories, I think meaning that you can waitlist them separately.

 

[KepeHubbytoKiann3]

We are going home for the first time Feb 28-march 3 approx 2012. However we are considering going Sunday til Thurs to save on points. Do you know if this past Feb/March was WoC every day or only the weekends? Also how about Fantasmic? In 2010 we went for our 18th anniversary and this is for our 20th anniversary. Thanks in advance.

 

[JimmyJam838]

WoC was every day when we were there 2/12-15. Fantasmic was only on weekends.

 

[kikiq]

How do you know you will get a two bedroom dedicated? I thought they don't tell you your room infill check-in?

When I made my reservation at 11 months, I asked for a dedicated 2 bdrm.

 

[DebbieB]

I've also been told that the dedicated and lock-off designations are two different categories, I think meaning that you can waitlist them separately.

They have to actually reserve the type, that way they know how many rooms are available to split up as 1 bedrooms and studios. If someone books a studio, that takes a 2 bedroom lockoff out of inventory, leaving a 1 bedroom.

 

[Nonsuch]

...However we are considering going Sunday til Thurs to save on points. Do you know if this past Feb/March was WoC every day or only the weekends? Also how about Fantasmic? .

We often stay Sunday to Thurs, although weekday the point savings were much larger the first year.
WoC is every night, rain or shine. 2 shows on Fri, Sat, Sun.
Fireworks and Fantasmic! are only Fri, Sat, Sun.

Sunday will be your chance to see Fantasmic!

 

[Kiann3]

We often stay Sunday to Thurs, although weekday the point savings were much larger the first year.
WoC is every night, rain or shine. 2 shows on Fri, Sat, Sun.
Fireworks and Fantasmic! are only Fri, Sat, Sun.

Sunday will be your chance to see Fantasmic!

Thanks for the info We just booked our reservation for Feb 25-March 1st 2012 for a studio I requested the 5th or 6th floor. The points increased in March so it was cheaper this way. I love Fantasmic at DL so I am going to make a reservation for the preferred seating, was not impressed with WDW's version. So we can see Fantasmic Sat and Sunday and WoC the other 3 nights.

Just hope that the parks are open late on several of the nights we are there. This is also for our Feb 29th anniversary with a dinner at Steakhouse 55

 

[Snurk71]

Got back Friday from a 5 night stay at VGC. We had 9 (6 adults, 3 kids) in room 1518 (2 bedroom dedicated, 1st floor). I was a little disappointed when we go the text that we had a 1st floor room (we were celebrating DW’s parents’ 50th anniversary and was hoping for upper floor theme park view) – our view was a wall with a little peak at the top of the obstacle course, so no view.

The room was in fine shape. Just one small tear on one of the couch cushions. I agree with others that the couch material is an odd choice – doesn’t appear that it will wear well. Space-wise, we did okay with 9 as each family had their own room. Well, we didn’t have our own dedicated room – we sucked it up and took the living room since we’ll be back sooner than the others. But once DW set the groundrules that when we were ready for bed everyone was to retire to their room (didn’t care if they went to sleep or not), it worked out okay for us. Would have been nice to get away a couple of times during the day when we didn’t have dedicated space, but we made out okay.

The pullout couch had to be one of the most comfortable pullouts we’ve slept on (I’m 6’2”, 200 lbs).

Probably not going back until June 2013 (2BR required a whole lot of points for us), but who knows if we'll get a strong enough itch to make it work out somehow sooner.

I’ll post another thread over on the DL boards of my other musings from the trip.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Got back Friday from a 5 night stay at VGC. We had 9 (6 adults, 3 kids) in room 1518 (2 bedroom dedicated, 1st floor). I was a little disappointed when we go the text that we had a 1st floor room (we were celebrating DW’s parents’ 50th anniversary and was hoping for upper floor theme park view) – our view was a wall with a little peak at the top of the obstacle course, so no view.

The room was in fine shape. Just one small tear on one of the couch cushions. I agree with others that the couch material is an odd choice – doesn’t appear that it will wear well. Space-wise, we did okay with 9 as each family had their own room. Well, we didn’t have our own dedicated room – we sucked it up and took the living room since we’ll be back sooner than the others. But once DW set the groundrules that when we were ready for bed everyone was to retire to their room (didn’t care if they went to sleep or not), it worked out okay for us. Would have been nice to get away a couple of times during the day when we didn’t have dedicated space, but we made out okay.

The pullout couch had to be one of the most comfortable pullouts we’ve slept on (I’m 6’2”, 200 lbs).

Probably not going back until June 2013 (2BR required a whole lot of points for us), but who knows if we'll get a strong enough itch to make it work out somehow sooner.

I’ll post another thread over on the DL boards of my other musings from the trip.

Glad to hear the 9 of you made it out alive and hopefully still love each other just the same!! I want to get a 2-BR in summer 2013 for a total of 8 and feel better about my plans when I hear the same size group or larger makes it work. It would be DBF and me in master, DMIL and DSFIL in LR, and DSBIL wife and 2 kids in 2nd BR (the 2nd BR has 2 beds, correct?) DBF and I would consider the LR, but we are late people and the kids and often other adults are early risers so this wouldn't work well.
I'll also have to check out your other posts in the DL forums since DBF and I are taking our 1st trip there in a little over a month!!

 

[Snurk71]

Glad to hear the 9 of you made it out alive and hopefully still love each other just the same!! I want to get a 2-BR in summer 2013 for a total of 8 and feel better about my plans when I hear the same size group or larger makes it work. It would be DBF and me in master, DMIL and DSFIL in LR, and DSBIL wife and 2 kids in 2nd BR (the 2nd BR has 2 beds, correct?) DBF and I would consider the LR, but we are late people and the kids and often other adults are early risers so this wouldn't work well.
I'll also have to check out your other posts in the DL forums since DBF and I are taking our 1st trip there in a little over a month!!

We've stayed together before - regularly all staying the night at DW's sister's house, and we shared a condo with them last summer. So it wasn't a first experience of being around each other so much.

Regarding the 2nd BR, VGC has a booking category of a dedicated 2BR that includes 2 queen beds in the 2nd BR. VGC also has 2BR lockoffs, where the 2nd BR is really a studio with one queen bed and one pullout couch. If you want 2 actual beds you'd want the dedicated.

 

[stopher1]

Got back Friday from a 5 night stay at VGC. We had 9 (6 adults, 3 kids) in room 1518 (2 bedroom dedicated, 1st floor). I was a little disappointed when we go the text that we had a 1st floor room (we were celebrating DW’s parents’ 50th anniversary and was hoping for upper floor theme park view) – our view was a wall with a little peak at the top of the obstacle course, so no view.

The room was in fine shape. Just one small tear on one of the couch cushions. I agree with others that the couch material is an odd choice – doesn’t appear that it will wear well. Space-wise, we did okay with 9 as each family had their own room. Well, we didn’t have our own dedicated room – we sucked it up and took the living room since we’ll be back sooner than the others. But once DW set the groundrules that when we were ready for bed everyone was to retire to their room (didn’t care if they went to sleep or not), it worked out okay for us. Would have been nice to get away a couple of times during the day when we didn’t have dedicated space, but we made out okay.

The pullout couch had to be one of the most comfortable pullouts we’ve slept on (I’m 6’2”, 200 lbs).

Probably not going back until June 2013 (2BR required a whole lot of points for us), but who knows if we'll get a strong enough itch to make it work out somehow sooner.

I’ll post another thread over on the DL boards of my other musings from the trip.

You're welcome to post any of your musings here... we love to read about stays and visits to VGC and the parks! Hopefully if that itch strikes, you'll be able to satisfy it.

 

[peloha86]

You're welcome to post any of your musings here... we love to read about stays and visits to VGC and the parks! Hopefully if that itch strikes, you'll be able to satisfy it.

I'm so looking forward to the revamped Star Tours ride, Ariel's Undersea Adventures, and Mickey's Soundstional Parade. The Hungry Bear @ Critter Country has added a "Fried Green Tomato" sandwich, and sweet potato fries. I'm actually going to try it! And soon we'll smell the aromas from the "Corn Dog Castle" @ the VGC...Can't wait!

Quick question, have you used the cabanas at the VGC? Are they worth it?

thanks!

 

[kikiq]

Quick question, have you used the cabanas at the VGC? Are they worth it?

Worth every penny if you plan on spending a day at the pool on a busy weekend. It's $180 for the whole day. It includes a cabana, at least 4 lounge chairs outside and chairs inside, a refrigerator with water, safe, fruit plate, and a flat screen tv with dvd player with an attendant. Last year, you could book 10 - 2, 2-6 or 10 - 6. My sil is more a pool person than a park person, so she's going to put part of her "ticket money" into the cabana fund. She would rather spend a day at the pool than fighting the park crowds. I have to reserve one for Memorial Day weekend, tried last week when I found out my VGC reservation hadn't come from MS to the hotel. Everything is OK now, just have to remember to call.

 

[Fellowship9798]

In 4 weeks I'll be in the middle of a short stay prior to sailing on the Disney Wonder back home to Vancouver.

I'm assuming Easter weekend in DL will be crazy busy, but we'll go early and take mid-day breaks and hope for the best. We're really loking forward to bringing my parents along and sharing the VGC with them.

 

[Snurk71]

You're welcome to post any of your musings here... we love to read about stays and visits to VGC and the parks! Hopefully if that itch strikes, you'll be able to satisfy it.

Here they are for those that don't frequent the DL board (which I highly recommend for more DL fixes)...

Got back Friday night from a stay last Sunday – Friday and thought I’d share some random musings from the trip…

Weather – STUNK!!! I know it rained at least 5 of the 6 days we were there, and it was cold to boot – not a pleasant combination. And it POURED Monday late morning. It may have rained Tuesday too for a straight 6 – I can’t remember. But I don’t remember rain on Tuesday. We still had a good time, but were tired of being wet and cold.

Crowds – maybe the only benefit to the weather was that it might have forced the locals to stay home and kept the crowds more manageable for spring break. We hit park opening each day and stockpiled FPs (we had 9 in our group and not all rode every ride). So we didn’t miss out on attractions and never waited in a line for more than 30 minutes. I had 20 FPs at one time on Thursday for TOT and BTMR each (and another 8 for Autopia, 6 for Indy). The rest of the group started calling my “the Wiz” (Seinfeld reference).

Stayed in a 2BR villa in VGC – love that hotel. It was our first stay in the villa portion (have stayed a couple times in the cash rooms before).

WOC – used the tips on here and watched behind the fire hydrant. DW kept asking about moving to another spot but I told her this was the place to be. Glad we stayed – great viewing spot. Will post about the FP handout on the WOC super thread.

Pool – was sparse. There was always a few kids playing in the pool, but most opted for the “hot pool” (that’s what 5 and 7 year old nephews call the hot tub). The hot pool was packed with kids one afternoon – bad news for any adults wanting a quiet/relaxing hot tub.

Food – some winners, some duds

ESPN – SLOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW, food was fair (not good, not bad)

Storytellers dinner buffet – everyone loved it, quality of the food was really good. Pricey, but worth it.

Blue Bayou lunch – meh, MIL wanted to eat here so we did. We don’t care for the ambiance (dark) or the food. Tried half of the monte cristo and didn’t get sick this time. Had half of DD’s jambalaya too – too much cayenne or some kind of pepper. Pricey, especially for lunch, and not worth it to us.

Storytellers breakfast buffet – decent food, decent character experience, had a really nice server.

Plaza Inn breakfast – sat outside late Thursday morning before the rain. It wasn’t busy at all and the omelet maker was whipping them out fast. Food quality – probably barely fair overall (some things good, some not so good – like the hash browns). Characters were good since there weren’t many people outside.

Brennan’s – good food and service (in-laws each got a glad of complimentary champagne). The jambalaya was much better here. And we had 3 double chocolate bread puddings amongst the table – and the server brought out extra chocolate sauces (soooo good). Pricey, but worth it.

French Market – who knows since this was lunch in the downpour Monday. Everyone was so cold and wet that I don’t think anyone cared about what they were eating. The coverings over the eating area are obviously meant to block the sun and not the rain, as there are slits/gaps about 5 feet of the overhead tarp things.

Wetzel’s Pretzels – gotta love vacation of having a pretzel dog for dinner followed by a trip through Marceline’s for dessert

Snacks
Whole lottta triple chocolate brownies from Marceline’s, Pooh Corner, and the store up front in CA. Favored treat item for 5 members of our party.

Tigger tale – was okay, but I like the old version a lot better.

Ice cream sandwiches from the little window – so much better here than WDW where they crisp the cookies. Cookies and ice cream were nice and soft.

Corn dog from the little red wagon – haven’t had a corndog in I don’t know how many years - this was good – surprising light for a deep fried dough covered hot dog.

Lots of popcorn (regular) and caramel corn (brother in law was really into the fresh caramel corn)

Lots of jalapeno cheese pretzels – so nice that they’re everywhere in DL as compared to like 1 or 2 places in WDW


I think that’s what I have off the top of my head. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[peloha86]

Worth every penny if you plan on spending a day at the pool on a busy weekend. It's $180 for the whole day. It includes a cabana, at least 4 lounge chairs outside and chairs inside, a refrigerator with water, safe, fruit plate, and a flat screen tv with dvd player with an attendant. Last year, you could book 10 - 2, 2-6 or 10 - 6. My sil is more a pool person than a park person, so she's going to put part of her "ticket money" into the cabana fund. She would rather spend a day at the pool than fighting the park crowds. I have to reserve one for Memorial Day weekend, tried last week when I found out my VGC reservation hadn't come from MS to the hotel. Everything is OK now, just have to remember to call.

Thank you! We plan on having a "pool and bbq day", no parks, just relax in the middle of the vacation. Our main objective is to slow down and relax. No rushing... Yeah, I'll try, but the kids tell me to "slow down" . Yeah, right, I. will. try.

Just a caveat for those who will be visiting DL during the summer:

Watch out for the strollers and the 20 people who suddenly "STOP" and block the walkway. Esp after F!, fireworks, it's hard to see at night. It just takes patience and a bit of humour...Just have to roll with it. I used to be a stroller mama, I really tried to be conscientious with my surroundings and be mindful of the people around me. When my lunch bag got stolen, I said, ok, no more strollers, lockers only, buy DVC...

Now there is a little walkway from Fantasyland to Frontierland, a cool place to see a little of the backstage "Magic" during F!, not always crowded.
When you come out to Frontierland, there is a food cart with Turkey Legs, corn, and chimichangas. Then head down to The Golden Horseshoe, to the right of the entrance is coffee and funnel cakes. Somewhere in there is a churro cart.

Good luck!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thank you! We plan on having a "pool and bbq day", no parks, just relax in the middle of the vacation. Our main objective is to slow down and relax. No rushing... Yeah, I'll try, but the kids tell me to "slow down" . Yeah, right, I. will. try.

Just a caveat for those who will be visiting DL during the summer:

Watch out for the strollers and the 20 people who suddenly "STOP" and block the walkway. Esp after F!, fireworks, it's hard to see at night. It just takes patience and a bit of humour...Just have to roll with it. I used to be a stroller mama, I really tried to be conscientious with my surroundings and be mindful of the people around me. When my lunch bag got stolen, I said, ok, no more strollers, lockers only, buy DVC...

Now there is a little walkway from Fantasyland to Frontierland, a cool place to see a little of the backstage "Magic" during F!, not always crowded.
When you come out to Frontierland, there is a food cart with Turkey Legs, corn, and chimichangas. Then head down to The Golden Horseshoe, to the right of the entrance is coffee and funnel cakes. Somewhere in there is a churro cart.

Good luck!

You are right about the strollers, one of my daughters had to get stitches last year due to a stroller nazi. To a few hours out of our park time.

Jack

 

[Disney Princess]

Now that it is officially April, I get to say "We're going to VGC next month!!!" We absolutely cannot wait.

 

[Disney Princess]

Oops - double post. Guess we are just doubly excited!!

 

[thelionqueen]

Just had five glorious days at our GCV home..and absolutely LOVED IT!!! I am SOOOOOO happpy to be an owner there and can't wait to go back! We had room 5504 and it has to be one of the best rooms/views Ive ever had at any Disney hotel or resort!! LOVED it!! Will be posting pics soon !!!