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

[kikiq]

Page 3 and no posts in 6 days!!!

In 24 hours we'll be flying over CA on our way down for a 3 nights stay at VGC. WooHoo!!!!! It'll be our first time in a 1BR which I SWORE I'd never do there because I know I'll get spoiled but since we are using holding points I was happy to get anything during this time.

Thanks to the holiday weekend we'll be able to see fireworks and Fantasmic tomorrow. It's the Halloween party on Tuesday and WOC on Wednesday. Can't wait!!!

Oh I am soooo sorry You will LOVE the 1BR. Sighhh, even when it's just the two of us, we want the 1BR.

We went last night...YIKES, really crowded. BUT stayed for the fireworks, they've ramped up Remember. My DH thinks that the "surround fireworks" were amped up.

 

[kikiq]

I'm just starting to think about adding on too. Never thought I'd consider VGC since I live in CA and there are lots of great hotels close to the resort but now I'm beginning to wonder. I do love to spoil myself with one of the villas so maybe the 11 month booking window would be helpful as I know I can always get some resort at DW at 7 months. What to do? What to do????

yep, yep, yep...BTDT. But when we couldn't book our birthday and anniversary weekends 7 months without moving the weekend so far from the dates that we might as well gone to WDW (we live 30 minutes from DLR), we added on.

If you are "flexible" then the 7 months will work BUT if you have specific dates in mind like birthdays, anniversaries, D23 Expo or maybe the return of some kind of DLR Food and Wine festival after Carsland is done, then you need to add on for the 11 month advantage. Along with our bdays and anniversary, we have extended family join us for a long Memorial Day weekend in a 2BR, we need the 11 month booking.

 

[taaren]

Just got back from a great 9 park day trip (though only 5 villa nights). Had room 2500, which the view was okay but could only see the top of World of Color so the nights we wanted to watch we went up to the balcony on the 6th floor. Here's a picture of the pretty ferris wheel at night from the master balcony though (its a 2 bedroom). I should say the night view is lovely we just got spoiled since we had 4500 last year which you can see over the fence easily so is beautiful day and night.

I miss home already and I just got back to my house ...

 

[gonecrusin]

yep, yep, yep...BTDT. But when we couldn't book our birthday and anniversary weekends 7 months without moving the weekend so far from the dates that we might as well gone to WDW (we live 30 minutes from DLR), we added on.

If you are "flexible" then the 7 months will work BUT if you have specific dates in mind like birthdays, anniversaries, D23 Expo or maybe the return of some kind of DLR Food and Wine festival after Carsland is done, then you need to add on for the 11 month advantage. Along with our bdays and anniversary, we have extended family join us for a long Memorial Day weekend in a 2BR, we need the 11 month booking.

Even though we live on the east coast we bought in VGC and that was the only way we could get a room for March 2012 (college spring break) at 11 months out. Of course, we need more points so I don't have to use multiple years. We bought with the intention of using it as a stop over for Aulani but there is so much we haven't seen in CA we keep coming back.

 

[CruznLexi]

I week until Vero Beach!

 

[funatdisney]

Well we are in room 3508 and we have constant jack hammering. There is construction in one of the grand villas that requires jack hammering. Our room is very close to the grand villa they are working on. The noise is has been constant for 8 hours. You can even hear the hammering in the lobby. In addition the power was shut off for 4 hours (1am to 5am) last night. We got glow sticks in case we needed light.

We did call in and ask for another room, but they are booked. Instead, the DVC specialist offered us a two day hopper pass and a dinner for 4 to make up for the inconvenience. We took it cuz my DH's passport expired and we were going to renew it tomorrow. He now can go into the park today and tomorrow so he can escape the noise. The dinner vouchers are good for Steakhouse 55, too. We got that cuz we brought in food to cook and can't enjoy our dinner in our room. For us, we are happy with what they offered. It valued over $250. It pays to call and ask, "What can I do to make this visit a better one."

 

[Longhairbear]

Jack hammering, and power cut off for a while? There must be a serious problem in that unit. We'd love to know what's going on there.

 

[funatdisney]

We were told they are working on a damaged floor. My guess is they are tearing up tiles?

 

[Longhairbear]

We were told they are working on a damaged floor. My guess is they are tearing up tiles?

Wow, could a guest do that much damage to a floor? I suspect something more serious. BTW, you are in Ventura, we used to live in Agoura. Now in Palm Springs.

 

[nunzia]

We just got back as well, and the first night we heard what sounded like some sort of knocking/ pounding noise somewhere. Oh..heads up!! According to front desk CM you are assigned your Villa WHEN YOU BOOK which I found odd since I've always requested my view when I check in. So, apparently, for some reason I was assigned ground floor room when I booked on the first day I could at 11 months..hmmmmm lets give the early bookers the icky views? Anyway, room was fine, view was of a fence and if I craned my neck up I could see the Zepher lights. From now on I will certainly make my requests at time of booking.

 

[happyrebster]

Hey fellow fans! We just signed the papers on a VGC resale contract and are awaiting Disney's ROFR process. Very excited to become a VGC owner! We have loved and enjoyed the place for years.

 

[funatdisney]

We just got back as well, and the first night we heard what sounded like some sort of knocking/ pounding noise somewhere. Oh..heads up!! According to front desk CM you are assigned your Villa WHEN YOU BOOK which I found odd since I've always requested my view when I check in. So, apparently, for some reason I was assigned ground floor room when I booked on the first day I could at 11 months..hmmmmm lets give the early bookers the icky views? Anyway, room was fine, view was of a fence and if I craned my neck up I could see the Zepher lights. From now on I will certainly make my requests at time of booking.

Well that is interesting to know. Maybe they just changed the way they assign the rooms. I did get a first floor room during this trip, but requested to move. I think my room was available because of the work being done in the grand villa.

We had our Steskhouse 55 dinner last night. It was so yummy. The meal vouchers covered everything. We only had to pay for my DH's bar drinks. Thank you DVC specialist Ken!

Longhairbear, it really is a small world. Hope to run into you sometime at VGC.

 

[Ski Bum]

Looks like my 2 little ankle biters, DW, and I will soon be joining the VGC family. I didn't join this online gabble-fest right when we signed the contract because I was afraid of jinxing the ROFR process, but... Disney has now given the official "move along, move along" to the deal. It wasn't the contract they were looking for.

So we're still awaiting final documents, but we're... getting... close.

For those gathering ROFR data, we were waived at $90/pt. Hopefully the good people at member services won't be mean to us for buying resale -- the wait list to buy direct was rather lengthy. We also decided to go the resale route because we were looking for (and found) a small contract; so small that we wouldn't have had points to burn on DCL or adventures by Disney anyway.

I'm more excited than I'm letting on here. I'm not superstitious by nature, but we haven't crossed the finish line yet and for some reason I'm still a little afraid of jinxing this thing.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Looks like my 2 little ankle biters, DW, and I will soon be joining the VGC family. I didn't join this online gabble-fest right when we signed the contract because I was afraid of jinxing the ROFR process, but... Disney has now given the official "move along, move along" to the deal. It wasn't the contract they were looking for.

So we're still awaiting final documents, but we're... getting... close.

For those gathering ROFR data, we were waived at $90/pt. Hopefully the good people at member services won't be mean to us for buying resale -- the wait list to buy direct was rather lengthy. We also decided to go the resale route because we were looking for (and found) a small contract; so small that we wouldn't have had points to burn on DCL or adventures by Disney anyway.

I'm more excited than I'm letting on here. I'm not superstitious by nature, but we haven't crossed the finish line yet and for some reason I'm still a little afraid of jinxing this thing.

Welcome to the baords and congrats..I am a point renter and loved our stays in Ca at the GCV's.

Jack

 

[Nonsuch]

Disney has now given the official "move along, move along" to the deal. It wasn't the contract they were looking for.

The Force has a strong influence on the weak minded

For those gathering ROFR data, we were waived at $90/pt.

Thanks for posting your price
What is your Use Year? Some people on the waiting list might have specific UY requirements.

 

[rmonty02]

Hope everyone is having a SPOOKY GOOD TIME in DL this month!! If you have any Halloween flavored pics...please post. I'm thinking about planning an Oct. trip next year.

 

[Ski Bum]

The Force has a strong influence on the weak minded

Oho! Excellent! I thought there might be some Star Wars/Tours geeks around here who'd get that joke, but wasn't 100% sure...

What is your Use Year? Some people on the waiting list might have specific UY requirements.

March, which was a total dart throw. We're indifferent with respect to the UY month, and the agent (or is it "guide?") at DVC said that would help speed up the waitlist time, but all the other info I've found on the web suggests it still might have been quite awhile.

By the way, Nonsuch, I've already downloaded and begun using your villa floorplan .pdfs for planning purposes. Everyone on this board interested in staying at VGC owes you a drink for those. Nice job!

Okay... off to re-read my battered copy of Huckleberry Finn now.

 

[nunzia]

Oho! Excellent! I thought there might be some Star Wars/Tours geeks around here who'd get that joke, but wasn't 100% sure...




March, which was a total dart throw. We're indifferent with respect to the UY month, and the agent (or is it "guide?") at DVC said that would help speed up the waitlist time, but all the other info I've found on the web suggests it still might have been quite awhile.

By the way, Nonsuch, I've already downloaded and begun using your villa floorplan .pdfs for planning purposes. Everyone on this board interested in staying at VGC owes you a drink for those. Nice job!

Okay... off to re-read my battered copy of Huckleberry Finn now.

Have you seen the poster with the Storm Trooper's head in his hands aad the caption " It WAS the droids you were looking for" ?

I also have March use year and keep almost thinking I need MORE points since I'm so borrowed out..but I'm trying to remain reasonable...

 

[LWQuestie]

I've just booked a two night stay in February 2012. First trip to Disneyland since 1997 for myself, first trip ever for my husband!

Starting to read the thread from the beginning so I know the ins and outs before arrival!

 

[karylrocks]

I don't remember if this has been asked, but do all the 2-bedrooms have 2 queen beds in one of the bedrooms or do some of them have a bed and a sleeper in that bedroom?