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

[zendisney]

We are staying at GC Villasfor our first time this Spring.
I loved the hotel when we have stayed. I hope the villas are just as nice.
Looking forward to our stay.
The pictures posted here are awesome.

 

[Nonsuch]

We are staying at GC Villas for our first time this Spring.
I loved the hotel when we have stayed. I hope the villas are just as nice.

You will be pleased
The villas are much better than the hotel
Don't forget to make a room request in advance

 

[minniemimi52]

This is a great thread! Thanks, Christopher. Can you add us to the 2012 list? We bought into VGC at the beginning and this will be our first DVC stay in CA. We are really looking forward to it! We will be there March 12-16.
Gilchrist, Carla Rae, and Lakyn (DD aged 5)
(minniemimi52 and zendisney)

 

[goofy farmer]

I want to thank everybody for all the great info in this thread. A new owner and looking forward to our first stay this fall. I put in room requests when I booked, but does it help to also send a email to MS also? Thanks

 

[Nonsuch]

...I put in room requests when I booked, but does it help to also send a email to MS also?

Sending an email might be redundant, but can't hurt anything.
You will receive an email back from MS confirming your request has been added to the reservation. A copy of the email might be useful if you are assigned a villa you are not happy with and registration claims there was no request. A request is not guaranteed, but the Grand California seems to be doing their best to meet requests

 

[nunzia]

Couple quick questions...I don't remember if the coffemakers use cone or basket type filters. Also, we will have a baby with us this time and am sure will be in need of getting rid of garbage. Where do we dispose of trash on our own?

 

[Nonsuch]

...I don't remember if the coffemakers use cone or basket type filters.

Bring both. Most villas use basket filters. The Cuisinart coffee maker in the Grand Villa (4522) used cone filters. There are a couple different Mr Coffee models using basket filters.

...Where do we dispose of trash on our own?

The trash room is on the first floor, next to the ice room.

 

[Lucille1963]

Our first trip to the GCV is two short weeks away and I'm beside myself with excitement. This thread has been so helpful, though it is taking me forever to get through it.

We put in a request for a high floor theme park view and I have my fingers crossed that we'll be granted one. Are there any 1BR that are particularly desirable or undesirable?

Back to making my shopping order on Von's website! How many bottles of champagne will be enough?

 

[Nonsuch]

We put in a request for a high floor theme park view and I have my fingers crossed that we'll be granted one. Are there any 1BR that are particularly desirable or undesirable?

I have had good results using a list of room numbers
The 6th floor only has 3 villas, so 6502 is my first choice.
I have not had a chance to stay in an x508 villa, which might have a slighly better angle for WOC viewing (but might also have a partial obstruction from the Grand Villa).

My 1BR request for next month is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508, 3502, 2522, 2508, 2502

The 2nd floor rooms will not have much of a WOC view, but the Mickey wheel and other lights should be visible.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Wondering if anyone can give me an idea about the availability of VGC Studio for September or December with a 7 month booking window or less. We are looking at anywhere between 3 and 5 nights. We would love the week of September 9th. We are in the process of buying resale currently and hope to use our points at DL. We won't be able to book until our purchase has closed and points are in the system (8 to 12 weeks) This would put us trying to book for September around March/April, but would allow a 7 month window for December.
Any thoughts would be great!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Glad to find this thread..... Hopefully I can find answers to all my millions of questions! We are using our SSR points and managed to get 2 studio's for our 1st ever trip to DL march 7-13 with the IL's. From the reading I have done so far we were very lucky to get both studio's at the 7 month mark!!

Very excited with just 8 weeks to go now!!

 

[RaeofSunshine14]

So thrilled that I found this group! Unfortunately, I don't own at GCV because it wasn't available when I bought in. However, I've used my Bay Lake Tower points to reserve a 2br unit for this weekend!

My brother has just returned from active duty in Kosovo with the National Guard and this is my treat for his family as well as my mom and sister. It is the first time I'll be using my DVC points and I can't wait!!!!!!

Anywho, enough background. My question is whether or not all three bathrooms come equipped with a blow dryer. I fear the 1 in the master bath may not be enough for all 4 of us girls!

 

[taaren]

Anywho, enough background. My question is whether or not all three bathrooms come equipped with a blow dryer. I fear the 1 in the master bath may not be enough for all 4 of us girls!

If I remember correctly there was one in each bedroom. I do not think there was one in the center bath or if there was it wasn't obvious (there may have been on the shelf under the sink but the friend that uses that bath is bald so we never looked for it) ... definitely a minimum of 2 hair dryers in the 2 bedroom unit though!

 

[Lucille1963]

Two weeks from right now I'll be waking up at VGC! I can't believe its almost here!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I read as much as I can but where is the closest grocery store to GC? Or the easiest one to get to between LAX and GC?

 

[Lucille1963]

I read as much as I can but where is the closest grocery store to GC? Or the easiest one to get to between LAX and GC?

We don't bother stopping. Von's delivers your first order over $50 for free and has a 1 hour delivery window. http://www.vons.com/IFL/Grocery/Home

I just started my list this week, I'll tweak it just before the trip to correspond with what brands are on sale.

 

[franandaj]

I read as much as I can but where is the closest grocery store to GC? Or the easiest one to get to between LAX and GC?

If you do choose to stop, there are literally thousands in between LAX and VGC. The closest is Food 4 Less, and if all you are buying is sodas, prepackaged items, etc. They are fine. If you are buying meat to grill or otherwise cook, realize their meat is ungraded, meaning not select, choice or prime, just plain meat. During our leaner times I bought some beef there and was disappointed. The chicken was the same brand as in the regular grocery stores.

The other thing to consider if stopping, make sure the city you stop in allows plastic grocery bags, or you bring your own canvas bags. Many cities here have banned plastic bags and charge you $.10 for each paper bag. I don't grocery shop in Anaheim, so I couldn't tell you about their laws. In Long Beach we BYOB(ag).

 

[stopher1]

Been a while since I've posted here. I read along, but I just haven't posted in a while... but I am today, as I'm so excited because my next stay is so close now! I leave for Aulani on the 23rd, and will then be at VGC on the 29th. I can't wait to be in my west coast home once again.

 

[franandaj]

Been a while since I've posted here. I read along, but I just haven't posted in a while... but I am today, as I'm so excited because my next stay is so close now! I leave for Aulani on the 23rd, and will then be at VGC on the 29th. I can't wait to be in my west coast home once again.

How wonderful for you! I want a full TR from Aulani! We're hoping to go next year in March, so pictures from your eyes would be spectacular!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We don't bother stopping. Von's delivers your first order over $50 for free and has a 1 hour delivery window. http://www.vons.com/IFL/Grocery/Home

I just started my list this week, I'll tweak it just before the trip to correspond with what brands are on sale.

Thanks..... I don't think Von's will work for us as I have to be able to read package ingredients due to my 12yo's food allergies and not being from the us I am not familiar with what he can and can't have there..... Sure would be easier though!

I think we are mainly looking for breakfast, snack and drink items and maybe 1 or 2 quick meals.