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

[MommiePrincess]

Hi all,
I am a happy, new owner of DVC and a new poster to this thread. We love Disneyland and have stayed at Grand Cal many times and enjoy it very much. We have our first DVC trip in May staying in a 1B for me, DH, DD5, DD2 and DS 5 months.
I haven't read all the postings in this thread and plan to. I'd like to ask some kinda crazy questions, mostly coming from my "being a mom" and trying to plan what to bring. So here it goes (I know some of these are bizarre questions)

-Our guide said numerous times that we could request one or two highchairs to keep in our room and be in the room upon arrival (6 nights). Now our guide has retired. Does anyone know if this is true and if so how do I request them.

-Are bed rails for the sofa sleeper provided or requestable, if so how. I really don't want to bring them from home. It'll be the first time our 2 1/4 year old will not be in a crib.

-Love feedback on favorite store for groceries, not necessarily the closest but the best overall selection. Looking for a good produce section (organic not necessary)

- Does bell service do the same for DVC members as normal hotel guests (luggage to rooms)?

- Is room service available to the DVC units?

- Will bell service deliver 20 plus bags of groceries to your room immediately if you pull up your car to the unloading area?

- We are thinking of having some fancy dinners in the room for DH and me while I make the kiddies nuggets or grilled cheese. Has anyone done take out from Napa Rose or the nicer DTD restaurants and eaten it in the rooms?

- Towels.....how many are included in the room and do they count all the kids
for towels, so for us will we get 4 or 5 sets upon arrival.

- Does the unit come with paper towels (if so how many rolls), napkins, toilet paper (how many rolls), kleenex. If you run out of kleenex do they bring you more...how does all that work?? Do they have dish towels (how many?). I don't want to have to bring papertowels, kleenex from home if they only give you one box.

- Is the dishwasher clean? I'll be washing baby bottles in it and running that a few times a day.Only speaking from experience at a family member's time share the dishwasher was just caked with crud and I would be scared to eat/drink on things washed in it

- Is there an ice maker in the freezer? Please confirm the fridge is full size right? Issues with coldness at all?

- What pots and pans are there? Pan for scrambled eggs, large pot for making spaghetti sauce and noodles?
- Are there plastic storage containers for storing leftovers?

-Can you see the TV from the dining table?

-Does the on site snack shop (I forget the name) still sell larger milks and OJ. What other food staples do they have to cook with?

We are going to eat most breakfasts in the room and probably 1/2 the lunches and dinners. I know our first and hopefully only grocery run will be BIG. I'm planning on making homemade spaghetti one night, chicken in the oven and maybe BarBQue. So thats the meals I need two big pots for and a cookie sheet for the chicken. I hate to lug it all from home with the lack of space in the car...so knowing what is in the kitchen helps.

- When we check do we go to the normal check in for the hotel. Also is there a number we call if our unit is missing something and how timely are they (if its like the normal guest service for the hotel it's really fast).

Thanks is advance and I'll surely have more questions about room requests and locations, but I'll read prior posts first!








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[JimmyJam838]

I answered some of your questions below in Blue.

Hi all

- Does bell service do the same for DVC members as normal hotel guests (luggage to rooms)? Yes they do. They will hold your luggage as well if your room is not ready

- Is room service available to the DVC units? Yes it is, but we've never used it.

- We are thinking of having some fancy dinners in the room for DH and me while I make the kiddies nuggets or grilled cheese. Has anyone done take out from Napa Rose or the nicer DTD restaurants and eaten it in the rooms? We've done take out from Naples (Pizza and Pasta) and brought it back to our room a few times. It's one of my wife's favorite places to eat.

- Is the dishwasher clean? I'll be washing baby bottles in it and running that a few times a day.Only speaking from experience at a family member's time share the dishwasher was just caked with crud and I would be scared to eat/drink on things washed in it
The dishwasher has been clean in the rooms we've stayed in. Though since it's only been my wife and I, we usually only run it once during our trips which are 2-3 nights

- Are there plastic storage containers for storing leftovers?
I haven't ever seen any storage containers for leftovers. We usually bring a couple with us.

-Can you see the TV from the dining table?
Yes you can

-Does the on site snack shop (I forget the name) still sell larger milks and OJ. What other food staples do they have to cook with?
I only went down once to check, and ended up driving down the street to food for less for the few items I needed. The prices at the resort were outrageous (3-4x the cost at a normal grocery store)

- When we check do we go to the normal check in for the hotel. Also is there a number we call if our unit is missing something and how timely are they (if its like the normal guest service for the hotel it's really fast).

Yes, you go to the normal check in. There is a number you can call if you are missing somethine, but we've never had to useit

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[franandaj]

I've indicated the answers that I can provide here.

Hi all,

-Love feedback on favorite store for groceries, not necessarily the closest but the best overall selection. Looking for a good produce section (organic not necessary)

Vons is a real grocery store, if youre looking for online delivery they will have the best produce. If you are driving, I prefer Ralphs. Food for Less is closest and is a discount chain, their stuff isn't bad, but their meat is not graded (ie Select, Choice, Prime etc)

- Does bell service do the same for DVC members as normal hotel guests (luggage to rooms)?

Yep, just the same.

- Will bell service deliver 20 plus bags of groceries to your room immediately if you pull up your car to the unloading area?

You pull up at the Valet and whatever you unload they will bring to your room. I would suggest bringing your resuable bags if you're doing the grocery shopping, they hold more and are easier to manage. That's what we usually do.

- We are thinking of having some fancy dinners in the room for DH and me while I make the kiddies nuggets or grilled cheese. Has anyone done take out from Napa Rose or the nicer DTD restaurants and eaten it in the rooms?

I would imagine that any DTD restaurant would do take out, but for NR I would hire a sitter because half the experience is dining in the restaurant and their impeccable service.

- Towels.....how many are included in the room and do they count all the kids for towels, so for us will we get 4 or 5 sets upon arrival.

I'm not sure they count the number of occupants when stocking the towels, but they give you 2-3 bath towels in the extra bathroom, 2-3 for the shower and 1-2 for the tub. If you use them all you can always wash them in the washer and dryer.

- Does the unit come with paper towels (if so how many rolls), napkins, toilet paper (how many rolls), kleenex. If you run out of kleenex do they bring you more...how does all that work?? Do they have dish towels (how many?). I don't want to have to bring papertowels, kleenex from home if they only give you one box.

There are two rolls of pepertowels I think. I've never stayed long enough to know if they replace the kleenex. I believe that there are two dish towels, but I could be wrong.

- Is there an ice maker in the freezer? Please confirm the fridge is full size right? Issues with coldness at all?

There are ice trays in the freezer, I remember because I made my own ice cubes to use in my reuseable water bottles. The fridge is full sized, freezer on top, fridge on bottom (I have a side by side in one kitchen and a fridge on the bottom in the other.)

- What pots and pans are there? Pan for scrambled eggs, large pot for making spaghetti sauce and noodles?

The pots and pans have no non-stick surfaces, I've read complaints of people cooking eggs that they stick to the pans. Someone on this thread included pictures of all the cupboard contents. I believe there is a 1 qt and 3qt pot, I don't think there is a 7 qt pot which is what I would use for spaghetti for more than two, and I would use a 5 qt pot for spaghetti for more than two. We usually only travel as a couple so I've never needed larger pots.

-Does the on site snack shop (I forget the name) still sell larger milks and OJ. What other food staples do they have to cook with?

You really don't want to purchase much from Whitewater Snacks, it is very costly. There is not much there to cook with.

We are going to eat most breakfasts in the room and probably 1/2 the lunches and dinners. I know our first and hopefully only grocery run will be BIG. I'm planning on making homemade spaghetti one night, chicken in the oven and maybe BarBQue. So thats the meals I need two big pots for and a cookie sheet for the chicken. I hate to lug it all from home with the lack of space in the car...so knowing what is in the kitchen helps.

They do have baking sheets or at least one. There is a baking dish, I believe it is 11x13. I'm not sure how much you cook, as I have never cooked for children but it sounds like you might need a nice sized pan (what I call a dutch oven) about 7 qts. I would imagine the 3 qt pan would be enough for the sauce for 2 adults and 2 small kids.

- When we check do we go to the normal check in for the hotel. Also is there a number we call if our unit is missing something and how timely are they (if its like the normal guest service for the hotel it's really fast).

Just go to the same area everyone else checks in and they'll take care of you.

Thanks is advance and I'll surely have more questions about room requests and locations, but I'll read prior posts first!

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[DizDays]

OK VGC family, I need your help. I am a proud VGC owner who wants to sport the signature tag but can't figure out how to do it. I obviously did it once with AKV, but everything I try to do doesn't work. I've tried the copy thing and it doesn't seem to be working. Does anyone have a link for photobucket or something like that? What's the easiest way to show my VGC colors?

Thanks a million!

 

[the donut]

I thought I'd take a crack at your questions as well, as a I have a slightly different answer compared to some of the posted responses for your Q's.

-Our guide said numerous times that we could request one or two highchairs to keep in our room and be in the room upon arrival (6 nights). Now our guide has retired. Does anyone know if this is true and if so how do I request them.

There's been one wooden restaurant type high chair in all the units we've stayed in so far. I bet you could request another one from guest services.

-Are bed rails for the sofa sleeper provided or requestable, if so how. I really don't want to bring them from home. It'll be the first time our 2 1/4 year old will not be in a crib.
There is pack and play in every bedroom closet (i.e. there will be 2 in a 2 bedroom, and 3 in a grand villa) and you can also request a regular crib. However, there are very few regular cribs for the entire hotel and with all our 4 or 5 stays, we have yet to successfully get one. The Murphy bed is fairly close to the ground if you want to try that option. Maybe you could even push the coffee table up against it?

-Love feedback on favorite store for groceries, not necessarily the closest but the best overall selection. Looking for a good produce section (organic not necessary)
There are some amazing Asian grocery stores in Garden Grove. If you like Korean BBQ, you can get premarinated meats there for grilling, and they have great produce in general. We usually go to Arirang on Garden Grove Blvd, but there are lots of options. There's also a whole foods in Tustin (about a 10 minute drive). Even the regular grocery like Vons or Ralph's has generally great produce though.

- Is room service available to the DVC units?
Yes, and a CM told me once that it's from the Storyteller's kitchen.

- Is the dishwasher clean? I'll be washing baby bottles in it and running that a few times a day.Only speaking from experience at a family member's time share the dishwasher was just caked with crud and I would be scared to eat/drink on things washed in it
The dishwasher was clean, but somehow when we put our baby bottles in there, it left a weird white residue that we really had to scrub at to get off. I'm not sure if it was a problem with the provided dishwashing soap or the machine itself, bue we ended up washing them by hand after that.

- Is there an ice maker in the freezer? Please confirm the fridge is full size right? Issues with coldness at all?
Full size fridge in every unit we've stayed in so far. Generally, there are ice trays in the freezer as well as an ice machine on every floor, but when we stayed in the Grand Villa the fridge had an ice maker as well.

- What pots and pans are there? Pan for scrambled eggs, large pot for making spaghetti sauce and noodles?
I confirm that there is no non-stick pan. Now we bring one. There was a pretty big pot for pasta.
- Are there plastic storage containers for storing leftovers?
No storage containers, and we usually bring saran wrap, foil, and ziplocs as well.

-Can you see the TV from the dining table?
Yes from one side of the table.

-Does the on site snack shop (I forget the name) still sell larger milks and OJ. What other food staples do they have to cook with?
They sell milk by the half gallon. I think it was $4 for a half gallon non organic milk. Can't remember if they had juice.

We are going to eat most breakfasts in the room and probably 1/2 the lunches and dinners. I know our first and hopefully only grocery run will be BIG. I'm planning on making homemade spaghetti one night, chicken in the oven and maybe BarBQue. So thats the meals I need two big pots for and a cookie sheet for the chicken. I hate to lug it all from home with the lack of space in the car...so knowing what is in the kitchen helps.
There's a cookie sheet and a pasta pot for sure.
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Other things on our list of necessities include coffee, coffee filters (basket usually, the the grand villa was a cone), salt and pepper, shampoo and conditioner (if we're staying awhile), hot chocolate, a good knife if we're doing a lot of cooking, dishwashing detergent, and a filter pitcher for water.

Hope you have a great stay!

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

I thought I'd take a crack at your questions as well, as a I have a slightly different answer compared to some of the posted responses ..

Hope you have a great stay!

We just came back from an 8 night stay in a one bedroom and we had a set of three storage containers in our unit. Somewhere on here someone posted pics of whats inside the cabinets and a list of items as well. We also requested a blender and they brought it up immediately (however it had a piece of moldy something in the bottom..yuck!!) so I am sure they would bring you an extra high chair. We did run out of kleenex on our second to the last day and it wasn't refilled when they did trash and towels (but that wasn't a big deal). I would also bring laundry supplies as they will provide a box of tide but you may miss fabric softener.

This was our first time there and a first in a one bedroom. We fell in LOVE with it and the extra bathroom was amazing!! The location to both parks can't be be beat! Have a great time!!!

 

[funatdisney]

About salt and pepper, I'm always forgetting mine, so I just store salt and pepper shakers in my suitcase.

 

[PoohNFriends]

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.

Thank you for that reminder of the dedicated and lockoff 2 BR, I knew that, but don't want to forget it when we finally get to the point of discussing plans and make reservations (in over a year from now )!!

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

Whoo hoo, wanted to share your excitement with you because we will be there too next month!! We'll actually be there and gone before you get there, but hope your little bit of a longer wait goes by fast!

OK VGC family, I need your help. I am a proud VGC owner who wants to sport the signature tag but can't figure out how to do it. I obviously did it once with AKV, but everything I try to do doesn't work. I've tried the copy thing and it doesn't seem to be working. Does anyone have a link for photobucket or something like that? What's the easiest way to show my VGC colors?

Thanks a million!

Hi DizDays - we're "triple" neighbors! We live in the west suburbs of Chicago, and own at AKV and VGC also !!!

I'll try to help you with your siggie, but not sure it's different from what your already trying or if I can even explain it correctly, but here it goes
Find the picture you want to use in your sig.
Right click on it and select properties
The properties pop-up box should have a web address you can copy and paste
Go into the section to modify your sig and click on the little square box with the mountain(?) (it's at the top of the white box you enter your sig into into, in the 2nd row, 3rd from the right)
Paste the web address you copied previously
Hit preview(?) and hope it looks the way you want !

 

[PoohNFriends]

.....
- Towels.....how many are included in the room and do they count all the kids
for towels, so for us will we get 4 or 5 sets upon arrival.

You should get as many towel sets as max occupancy is allowed in the room - so in a 1 BR that would be at least 5 towel sets

- Does the unit come with paper towels (if so how many rolls), napkins, toilet paper (how many rolls), kleenex. If you run out of kleenex do they bring you more...how does all that work?? Do they have dish towels (how many?). I don't want to have to bring papertowels, kleenex from home if they only give you one box.

Other DISers have posted the phrase similar to they will replenish what helps keep the villa clean, but not what helps keep you clean. So if you are short on paper towel, toilet paper, dishwasher soap, or dish soap they will replace. They will not replace towels until trash & towel day and there will only be 1 box of laundry detergent for the length of stay. I'm not sure where kleenex falls in the replacement category or how many dishtowels are supplied and if you can get more anytime or if they change them out of T&T day
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[MommiePrincess]

Thanks so much for the great replies to my questions, please keep them coming...I realized I forgot to ask and maybe most importantly.....

DH has to work quite a bit during our stay. I read in the closed Grand Cal thread that there are Wifi issues in some of the units- basically no access. I think DH would literally make us leave if he can't get internet connection due to his work responsibilities. We have stayed at Grand Cal (not DVC) many times and have never had an issue. Anyone have problems with internet connection, if so in what units. Should I call and request a 1B that has Wifi for sure and if so would this interfere with our hopes of a Paradise Pier (WOC) view on a higher up floor?

Thanks again!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks so much for the great replies to my questions, please keep them coming...I realized I forgot to ask and maybe most importantly.....

DH has to work quite a bit during our stay. I read in the closed Grand Cal thread that there are Wifi issues in some of the units- basically no access. I think DH would literally make us leave if he can't get internet connection due to his work responsibilities. We have stayed at Grand Cal (not DVC) many times and have never had an issue. Anyone have problems with internet connection, if so in what units. Should I call and request a 1B that has Wifi for sure and if so would this interfere with our hopes of a Paradise Pier (WOC) view on a higher up floor?

Thanks again!!

Never had a problem last year and I think there was even a 10/100 connection.

Jack

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Thanks so much for the great replies to my questions, please keep them coming...I realized I forgot to ask and maybe most importantly.....

DH has to work quite a bit during our stay. I read in the closed Grand Cal thread that there are Wifi issues in some of the units- basically no access. I think DH would literally make us leave if he can't get internet connection due to his work responsibilities. We have stayed at Grand Cal (not DVC) many times and have never had an issue. Anyone have problems with internet connection, if so in what units. Should I call and request a 1B that has Wifi for sure and if so would this interfere with our hopes of a Paradise Pier (WOC) view on a higher up floor?

Thanks again!!

Stayed on third floor..had amazing view of paradise pier..enjoyed WOC from the comfort of my chair many times (not the projections but everything else) and had no problem with wifi. Also used it in lobby.

 

[JimmyJam838]

Thanks so much for the great replies to my questions, please keep them coming...I realized I forgot to ask and maybe most importantly.....

DH has to work quite a bit during our stay. I read in the closed Grand Cal thread that there are Wifi issues in some of the units- basically no access. I think DH would literally make us leave if he can't get internet connection due to his work responsibilities. We have stayed at Grand Cal (not DVC) many times and have never had an issue. Anyone have problems with internet connection, if so in what units. Should I call and request a 1B that has Wifi for sure and if so would this interfere with our hopes of a Paradise Pier (WOC) view on a higher up floor?

Thanks again!!

I also need access to do work, but we've stayed 7 times so far (2-3 nights at a time) and haven't had any issues with WiFi. We've only stayed on the lower 3 floors, so cannot comment on the upper floors. If he does have an issue with WiFi but has an ethernet port on his laptop, there is a cable and ethernet jack supplied in the desk in the Master bedroom.

 

[Snurk71]

Anyone have problems with internet connection, if so in what units.

Only place I couldn't get the wifi signal was in the bathroom.

TMI...

 

[Nonsuch]

- Will bell service deliver 20 plus bags of groceries to your room immediately if you pull up your car to the unloading area?

If your room has not been assigned, bell services can store your groceries. A walk in refrigerator was added during the VGC expansion.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I read in the closed Grand Cal thread that there are Wifi issues in some of the units- basically no access. I think DH would literally make us leave if he can't get internet connection due to his work responsibilities.

I have not had any problems with WiFi. There is a Cisco box mounted under the desk in the bedroom, which might be an Access Point. There is also hard wired ethernet in the bedroom desk. If WiFi is essential, bring your own portable WiFi router (CradlePoint makes some nice ones).

 

[revwog1974]

I've seen how friendly you are to non-owners , so I thought I'd post with a couple of questions.

We'll be at VGC May 6-11 renting points. This is my mother's last trip to Disneyland and probably her last trip period. So we're breaking the bank and going big! I'm excited and sad; so it's all very emotional.

We have the accessible 1-bedroom for the first 3 nights and the accessible 2-bedroom for the last three. I read that someone said the accessible 1-bedroom is 1514 (I think). Does anyone know where the accessible 2-bedroom is? I was hoping for a view of something, but we can't compromise on having the handicap accessible room, so that's the more important thing.

When we're there do we have different access or privileges since we're renting points, not owners? Will we be allowed to use the WOC viewing space?

If anyone has any tips, especially about the handicap accessible rooms, I'd be so grateful. This is a wonderful thread and I've learned a lot from it. Thank you.

 

[Nonsuch]

We have the accessible 1-bedroom for the first 3 nights and the accessible 2-bedroom for the last three. I read that someone said the accessible 1-bedroom is 1514 (I think). Does anyone know where the accessible 2-bedroom is? I was hoping for a view of something, but we can't compromise on having the handicap accessible room, so that's the more important thing.

The handicap accessible villas are:
1516 Studio, first floor facing Wilderness Trail
1514 1-bedroom, first floor facing Wilderness Trail
1514 and 1516 form a lockoff 2-bedroom
3513 dedicated 2-bedroom, 3rd floor facing pool (below the Grand Villa)
4522 grand villa, 4th and 5th floors facing Paradise Pier.

When we're there do we have different access or privileges since we're renting points, not owners? Will we be allowed to use the WOC viewing space?

Using rented points, you will be treated like DVC owners. Villas are not cleaned daily, only a trash/towel service on the 4th day. You are changing rooms after 3 days, so you will not receive any housekeeping.
All Grand Californian guests, hotel or villas, have access to the WOC viewing space.

If anyone has any tips, especially about the handicap accessible rooms, I'd be so grateful.

Your reservations should be for Handicap Accessible rooms, which is a specific reservation. HA rooms should be guaranteed, unlike a typical view request. Find out if your 2-bedroom reservation is for dedicated or lockoff.
The main WOC viewing (inside the park) has handicap seating in every section, but you will need to get fastpasses in the morning -- the same as all other guests.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

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

Anytime I have had a dedicated villa booked with DVC, my confirmation has stated that it was a dedicated villa. Now, I have not had one at VGC, and they sometimes do things a little different. Also, if you are the owner, you should be able to confirm with MS that you have a dedicated villa booked.

Edited to add: And now that I have read thru more threads, I see that your question was answered already.

Also additing, we are checking in tp VGC in a little less than a month. Can't wait. Sure hope we get descent weather this trip. Last year we had 3 trips and two of them were rained out. Weather has been crazy everywhere, but I am so hoping for some sunny, rain free days.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Anytime I have had a dedicated villa booked with DVC, my confirmation has stated that it was a dedicated villa. Now, I have not had one at VGC, and they sometimes do things a little different. Also, if you are the owner, you should be able to confirm with MS that you have a dedicated villa booked.

Edited to add: And now that I have read thru more threads, I see that your question was answered already.

Also additing, we are checking in tp VGC in a little less than a month. Can't wait. Sure hope we get descent weather this trip. Last year we had 3 trips and two of them were rained out. Weather has been crazy everywhere, but I am so hoping for some sunny, rain free days.

I hope you have excellent weather and know you will have a fantastic time. One of my daughters has decided to enter the local scholarship/beauty pagent again this year hoping to at least place for the scholarship money, just so happens it is a week before we plan to leave for DLR. If she places that is going to mess up things big time. I may need to see if I can get my reservations changed to the following Sun-Fri, I doubt it though.

Jack