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

[Dobermanns]

Just modified my Dec stay to May, due to scheduling conflicts in Dec. Crossing my fingers that refurb will be done by then?

 

[KPeterso]

I'm curious about the refurbishment schedule as well. Just booked our trip for June 2025 and curious if we'll be there in the middle of refurbishment or lucky to maybe get a refurbished room!

I just stayed at VGC last week and asked several times if I was near the desk and got a ton of different answers... They ranged from they were told in the fall, early next year, later next year, and even 2026. So, I think the answer is that no one there knows. The one CM said my answers will probably upset you to really upset you (he is the one who gave both 2025 and 2026 as answers). I am trying to figure out if I should start walking for the 70th next year (7/17 and days around as a staycation).

 

[AstroBlasters]

So my wife let me know that the in-laws decided they are going tag along with us for our October trip to DLand for their anniversary/FIL birthday. (They were invited)

I really need to be careful when telling people about how spacious these 3 bathroom/ 2 bedroom villas are…. waitlist for GV submitted….

 

[Tar_Heels_Love_WDW]

Just booked a deluxe studio for 4 nights in February. East coaster here making my first trip to DL, very excited! I'll be sure to read through most of the DL threads for pertinent info between now/then, but any and all tips/advice is appreciated.

 

[MartyParty]

Just booked a deluxe studio for 4 nights in February. East coaster here making my first trip to DL, very excited! I'll be sure to read through most of the DL threads for pertinent info between now/then, but any and all tips/advice is appreciated.

If it's in your budget buy the park hopper while at DL. We never buy it at WDW but always do at DL. Enjoy...

 

[Disfamwa]

Question for the group! I got some transfer points to use for a 1 bedroom stay in Feb 2025. I was also able to book a studio using my own points at VDH for the same period. How do the 1 bedrooms currently feel at VGC (I know they are getting a refurb soonish)? Should I bank and save the points for our trip in 2026 (or maybe even a halloween OBB stay in 2025) and give VDH a shot this trip? I’m nervous that I’ll be disappointed that we are not at the grand—I’ve never stay the Disneyland hotel and have always really loved our stays at the Grand Californian (hotel side). For more context, we are a group of 4 with a 7 year old and 4 year old and like to head back to the hotel for an afternoon pool/rest break (we plan to still use the pool in Feb).

 

[pineapplepalms]

Question for the group! I got some transfer points to use for a 1 bedroom stay in Feb 2025. I was also able to book a studio using my own points at VDH for the same period. How do the 1 bedrooms currently feel at VGC (I know they are getting a refurb soonish)? Should I bank and save the points for our trip in 2026 (or maybe even a halloween OBB stay in 2025) and give VDH a shot this trip? I’m nervous that I’ll be disappointed that we are not at the grand—I’ve never stay the Disneyland hotel and have always really loved our stays at the Grand Californian (hotel side). For more context, we are a group of 4 with a 7 year old and 4 year old and like to head back to the hotel for an afternoon pool/rest break (we plan to still use the pool in Feb).

We own at both and stay at both throughout the year. If you haven’t stayed at VDH before, I’d say give it a shot! It’s a little more walking but not bad at all. We enjoy the walk through DtD and for DCA, it’s really fast to cross over to the entrance by Corn Dog Castle. We like to stop by Pixar Place Hotel for a meal at Great Maple, and also did a bracelet activity and met Bing Bong while we were there a few weeks ago.

Our kids are similar ages to yours and they prefer the pools at the DL Hotel due to the monorail slides, and our youngest also likes the splash pad. Also nice to get a Dole Whip and enjoy it by the pool. We’ve stayed in a 2BR at VGC in the last few months and it wasn’t particularly worn down. We enjoy our stays at both.

 

[Disfamwa]

We own at both and stay at both throughout the year. If you haven’t stayed at VDH before, I’d say give it a shot! It’s a little more walking but not bad at all. We enjoy the walk through DtD and for DCA, it’s really fast to cross over to the entrance by Corn Dog Castle. We like to stop by Pixar Place Hotel for a meal at Great Maple, and also did a bracelet activity and met Bing Bong while we were there a few weeks ago.

Our kids are similar ages to yours and they prefer the pools at the DL Hotel due to the monorail slides, and our youngest also likes the splash pad. Also nice to get a Dole Whip and enjoy it by the pool. We’ve stayed in a 2BR at VGC in the last few months and it wasn’t particularly worn down. We enjoy our stays at both.

Thank you! This is exactly the type of perspective I was hoping for!

 

[VGCgroupie]

What are my realistic chances of getting a 2 Bedroom Villa Feb 15 &16 off of a waitlist? It's Sat - Sun nights and that Monday is presidents day. Ive already secured Monday Feb 17.

 

[AstroBlasters]

What are my realistic chances of getting a 2 Bedroom Villa Feb 15 &16 off of a waitlist? It's Sat - Sun nights and that Monday is presidents day. Ive already secured Monday Feb 17.

Valentine’s Day weekend and Presidents’ Day weekend at the same time? I’d at least wait list them as separate days…. Sunday night is usually easier… but not as much if Monday is a national holiday….

 

[VGCgroupie]

Valentine’s Day weekend and Presidents’ Day weekend at the same time? I’d at least wait list them as separate days…. Sunday night is usually easier… but not as much if Monday is a national holiday….

I didn’t even realize it’s also Valentines Day weekend. I have 2 waitlists set up one for 2 days in 2 bed and and one for 3 days in a 2 bed lock off. Since my VGC contract is still at least a month from loading it will be awhile til I can get another waitlist. Maybe it’s better to just waitlist the 2 nights separately and not bother with the alternate room type 3 day waitlist.

I may have to just stay at VDH and use that as my motivator for my direct purchase. But I really don’t to

 

[limace]

I think that’s a very slim chance.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I think that’s a very slim chance.

Thanks. I figured but was hopeful I was wrong. So happy I will soon finally have a VGC contract and 11 month opportunity.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I didn’t even realize it’s also Valentines Day weekend. I have 2 waitlists set up one for 2 days in 2 bed and and one for 3 days in a 2 bed lock off. Since my VGC contract is still at least a month from loading it will be awhile til I can get another waitlist. Maybe it’s better to just waitlist the 2 nights separately and not bother with the alternate room type 3 day waitlist.

I may have to just stay at VDH and use that as my motivator for my direct purchase. But I really don’t to

FWIW, while I prefer VGC …. I will always be perfectly happy to have a room at VDH.

I agree with the sentiment that it makes my direct points “must keep” because of the VDH access at 7m. I’m still kicking myself for not getting some of the VGF firesale. Live and learn.

 

[VGCgroupie]

FWIW, while I prefer VGC …. I will always be perfectly happy to have a room at VDH.

I agree with the sentiment that it makes my direct points “must keep” because of the VDH access at 7m. I’m still kicking myself for not getting some of the VGF firesale. Live and learn.

Im hoping my next VDH stay is better than the last. Last time I was probably going into it expecting VGC level of stay and it just wasnt, and I was also spending over 5k cash so Im sure that played into my overall feeling about the place. Im certain there's no villas at VDH available for Feb so we will have to get 2 studios.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Im hoping my next VDH stay is better than the last. Last time I was probably going into it expecting VGC level of stay and it just wasnt, and I was also spending over 5k cash so Im sure that played into my overall feeling about the place. Im certain there's no villas at VDH available for Feb so we will have to get 2 studios.

IMO, the studios are really nice… although the closet situation is a bit laughable.

I wish you luck at the 7m window!

Those VGC points are on there way!

 

[ClaraOswald]

We're hoping to stay in a studio in early December 2025. I know that for this December, it looked like people were walking the studios. So...how far in advance do I need to start walking in order to secure our room??

 

[AstroBlasters]

We're hoping to stay in a studio in early December 2025. I know that for this December, it looked like people were walking the studios. So...how far in advance do I need to start walking in order to secure our room??

I think it’s kind of fun to walk reservations, so I’d start at least a few months out.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Remind me, if I walk a reservation, do I have to get up at 7am every single morning to add another day?

 

[MagicDVC]

Remind me, if I walk a reservation, do I have to get up at 7am every single morning to add another day?

No, once you get the room, you just have to move it forward before the next opening at 7 am. I usually do it every 3 days and just marching it towards my preferred dates.