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

[Nonsuch]

...We'll have a 1 bedroom. Is there a certain way to request a room where we can see WOC from the room?

I have had good results sending a list of specific villa numbers to member services.

Send an email to member services and include all the basic information (reservation number, travel dates, room type, home address, DVC membership number...).
This is my room request:

Prefer a high floor with Paradise Pier Park View.
The room order of preference is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508, 3502, 2522, 2508, 2502

These are all the 1 bedroom villas that face Paradise Pier, excluding the ground floor.

 

[lulubelle]

Congrats BradJM.

I bought the spa deal for DD24 and I. And made our reservations for Thanksgiving morning. After enjoying our spa services we will indulge in a full turkey dinner!

We are going tomorrow for a quick weekend getaway. I'm hoping for a villa ending in 02 or 08 (we have a one bedroom). It's promising to be a beautiful weekend. I just love my time at GCV.

 

[franandaj]

Sounds like I better pick my days for the treatments. I'm planning on spacing them out over the period, but perhaps I better figure it out soon!

 

[Nonsuch]

...I'm hoping for a villa ending in 02 or 08 (we have a one bedroom).

On my last 1 bedroom trip, I was told by registration:

Your villa is not ready, but we have you on the 6th floor

I hope you hear the same thing

 

[dsneygirl]

Yes you will.

Thank you I was pleasantly surprised to see all the dining discounts in the park. 10% but it adds up.

 

[kerickson]

2 more days until Disneyland!!
Fly down Friday, check into VGC Saturday morning.

Staying in a 2BR with friends who are also DVC members (3 yrs ago they invited us to stay with them for a weekend trip and we purchased!)

Attending Mickey's Halloween Party for the first time. There's always something new to experience!

 

[ACDSNY]

2 more days until Disneyland!!
Fly down Friday, check into VGC Saturday morning.

Staying in a 2BR with friends who are also DVC members (3 yrs ago they invited us to stay with them for a weekend trip and we purchased!)

Attending Mickey's Halloween Party for the first time. There's always something new to experience!

Have fun and let us know how the Halloween Party goes. I love the 2 BR units, I keep trying to convince myself we could save points next year if I'd just get a couple of studios instead.

 

[kerickson]

Have fun and let us know how the Halloween Party goes. I love the 2 BR units, I keep trying to convince myself we could save points next year if I'd just get a couple of studios instead.

Yep, will be interesting to see how we like the 2BR. This Nov I'm hoping to book a 2BR at Aulani for my 40th in June, that layout looks a bit smaller.

 

[SylviaL]

Does anyone know if the valet can keep refrigerated items? I'm waitlisted for a room the night before we are scheduled to arrive and it has not come through. So, we are planning to check in at 7am since the park opens at 8am. Thanks!

 

[EEyorelover22]

They did for us this summer, yes.

 

[SylviaL]

Thanks, Eeyorelover22 for your quick response! We plan on bringing some take-out since we are not fond of the food in the parks.

 

[Nonsuch]

Does anyone know if the valet can keep refrigerated items?

Commercial refrigerator and freezer were added to the baggage storage area during the VGC expansion

 

[disneydenisel]

Have fun and let us know how the Halloween Party goes. I love the 2 BR units, I keep trying to convince myself we could save points next year if I'd just get a couple of studios instead.

I would love to try the 2 bedroom units! I can burn through my points booking just the 1 bedroom for 3-4 nights. I will have to waitlist for more points if I ever want to try the 2 bedrooms. For now, we have to "rough it ." Love that second bathroom!

 

[gonecrusin]

I would love to try the 2 bedroom units! I can burn through my points booking just the 1 bedroom for 3-4 nights. I will have to waitlist for more points if I ever want to try the 2 bedrooms. For now, we have to "rough it ." Love that second bathroom!

Two bedrooms is the way to go! Makes me wonder what 'enough' points really is!

 

[ACDSNY]

I would love to try the 2 bedroom units! I can burn through my points booking just the 1 bedroom for 3-4 nights. I will have to waitlist for more points if I ever want to try the 2 bedrooms. For now, we have to "rough it ." Love that second bathroom!

Now you know why all my 2012 points are already used up. As my DH says if we'd quit worrying about everyone else in our extended family we'd have plenty of points for just the two of us.

Two bedrooms is the way to go! Makes me wonder what 'enough' points really is!

I've come to the conclusion after many add-ons there is never enough points. The more you have the more you use and the more you want.

 

[JAG107]

Going to our first DVC stay ever in Nov, and was wondering how parking works?
Can I park at 7 or 8am, go to the parks then check in later? Do I have to show proof of my stay to gain access to parking?
Thanks in advance!

 

[franandaj]

I love the 2 BR units, I keep trying to convince myself we could save points next year if I'd just get a couple of studios instead.

We're here in a studio, checked in yesterday. We stayed in a one bedroom Wednesday night. We're finding the bed a little small, miss the jacuzzi tub, the two bathrooms, real silverware, the dishwasher. So as we're laying in bed thinking about starting our day, my spouse says, "Maybe we DO need some more points!"

 

[Nonsuch]

Going to our first DVC stay ever in Nov, and was wondering how parking works?
Can I park at 7 or 8am, go to the parks then check in later? Do I have to show proof of my stay to gain access to parking?

Check in first. You may check in early in the morning, I usually check in early in the morning to take advantage of Magic Morning

While checking in, leave your car in front of the hotel.
Once you have your room keys, drive across the street and park in the dedicated Grand Californian lot. You take a parking ticket to open the first gate (although this ticket is never used) and use your room key to open the second gate. You need your room key to leave the lot, which can be after the parks close on the day you check out.

Parking for VGC guests is free

 

[ACDSNY]

We're here in a studio, checked in yesterday. We stayed in a one bedroom Wednesday night. We're finding the bed a little small, miss the jacuzzi tub, the two bathrooms, real silverware, the dishwasher. So as we're laying in bed thinking about starting our day, my spouse says, "Maybe we DO need some more points!"

See the larger units are addicting. I even miss the washer/dryer when we stay in a studio. One or two nights I can survive, but anything longer and I'm wanting more space and a way to wash towels.

I don't think I better bring up buying more points yet or DH will think I'm nuts and tell me to quit taking everyone else.

 

[BeccaG]

See the larger units are addicting. I even miss the washer/dryer when we stay in a studio. One or two nights I can survive, but anything longer and I'm wanting more space and a way to wash towels.
...

I comment all the time to my DH how DVC, in combination with his parents time share, has made me quite the hotel snob. It's not that I couldn't stand being in a 3 star hotel, its the space! The thought of sharing a room with my kids makes me wonder if it will feel like a vacation. I know I am totally spoiled and this is a uber "first world problem" in perspective, but I adore having a separate sleeping area for my kids and myself!