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

[MrLincoln]

The dining plan at DLR is nothing like the WDW version. It is a voucher system and does not provide a good value from what I've heard. Since a lot of locals visit, many don't want the hassle of reservations so must of the TS restaurants are often walk up, except in peak crowd seasons.

Yep, the DLR dining plan is definitely not worth the extra cost.

Late to this thread, but fran, if you'll forgive me for a little online dropping of the eaves, are you still planning on going to the VGC June 5-7?

 

[franandaj]

Yep, the DLR dining plan is definitely not worth the extra cost.

Late to this thread, but fran, if you'll forgive me for a little online dropping of the eaves, are you still planning on going to the VGC June 5-7?

We decided we would go ahead and use the room. We have a friend who needs a lot of Disney Education. We did a three night trip in February and barely scratched the surface so we decided, we'll take her back again.

I have 202 points in holding from canceling my May WDW trip, I don't want to lose any more!

 

[MrLincoln]

She has a pretty good friend, I'd say.

I was curious because I've been looking the last two weeks to rent out points for a studio/one-bedroom at the VGC some time in that first week of June--my wife and I are going June 2 through June 8 for my birthday and are expecting to meet six other members of my family over there--and have had no luck whatsoever finding any availability.

Not just at that time, but for the next six months.

Now we're going to try for late December as soon as the seven-month booking window opens for non-DVC members and see where that gets us. Maybe we'll have better luck for our anniversary, who knows!

I hope you and your friend have a magical time. I really am rather envious. That resort is spectacular. I keep telling my wife, "One day, one day we'll stay there." It's been two years now, and she's tired of hearing it from me.

 

[franandaj]

Originally I said it would be CRAZY to buy points at the VGC, we live in Long Beach 25 minutes away at best and certainly no more than an hour with traffic. However, of all the DVC preoperties we have more points here than any other resort and still want more points!!!!!

I know it's crazy, but I have become addicted to staying during F&W and and lots of other events that happen periodically throughout the year!

 

[nunzia]

Speaking of Carthay...I forget how long in advance WOC dining reservations can be made..60 days? or is it 30? We want to try the Carthay WOC dining thing and am sure will need to book on the dot of the day we can.

 

[Lizzim]

Quick question - do DVC members have to pay for parking while staying at the Grand Californian Villas?

 

[JimmyJam838]

It is free parking for DVC members unless something has changed since December.

 

[blackjackdelta]

It is free parking for DVC members unless something has changed since December.

We were there in August and had to pay.

Jack

 

[Breyean]

We were there in August and had to pay.

Jack

We were there last Oct and did not have to pay.

 

[Nonsuch]

We were there in August and had to pay.

That's odd.
I have not had to pay for self-parking for any VGC visit. Most recently March of this year

 

[Breyean]

That's odd.
I have not had to pay for self-parking for any VGC visit. Most recently March of this year

Plus, let me add, we stayed at PP on points last year as well and didn't pay for parking then either. When we checked in the CM made a point to tell us DVC took care of the parking fee for members.

 

[JimmyJam838]

We were there in August and had to pay.

Jack

Jack,
Didn't you rent points though? Those who rent points do not get the perks of the DVC members.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Jack,
Didn't you rent points though? Those who rent points do not get the perks of the DVC members.

I did.. I got the "welcome home", I was given hotel keys that said "DVC Member", I was treated like royality the number of times I have been there...asked the wife to find the bill and we did pay for parking, it was Valet...my mistake..renters do get member priledges.

Jack

 

[Nonsuch]

...asked the wife to find the bill and we did pay for parking, it was Valet...my mistake..renters do get member priledges.

Club 33 membership includes free valet parking

 

[blackjackdelta]

Club 33 membership includes free valet parking

Wish I were

Jack

 

[franandaj]

Club 33 membership includes free valet parking

I've heard they only get that when dining at the Club, not for hotel stays.

 

[hjgaus]

Quick question - do DVC members have to pay for parking while staying at the Grand Californian Villas?

Although the answer has already been established thought some of you would like to know -
Just got back from our annual LONG weekend stay in the GRAND Villa and had so many of us coming @ different times or day that I asked the greeter at the front entrance she said " the FIRST 2 cars for DVC members are FREE in self parking but after that is $15. so I parked valet for earlier check in ($22 per day) while my husband came later and self parked(his car FREE) my SIL even later that day and did self parking(her car FREE) my friend & her family did valet($22 per day) and LAST but not least my brother in law came 2 days later in self parking($15) Valet will charge the room with the credit card attached to (MINE) So I paid Disney and my guests pay me. They also check ID to make sure your on the ressie list which all were.

 

[JoRo]

Hi

Does anyone know if there are rules at our hotel about decorating the doors? I think a little scotch tape would be ok? I know our kids would LOVE to see the door decorated...


We had a lot of fun doing that on the disney cruise where there were a group of folks who decorated the doors and did fish extenders.

So we are SOOOO EXCITED for our July trip, even being a week in a studio!

Thanks

 

[JimmyJam838]

I've seen them decorated during the Christmas season before, but don't know what the actual official policy is.

 

[SplashMom]

We are hoping to have our first DVC stay at the Grand Californian next May. We will likely try for a studio and I'm hoping for two weeks although I realize they may be difficult. I'll be ready to book at the 7 month mark. We've never done DL so it will be exciting. Anyone have any advice on locations to request within the resort? This thread is so long...I will read it all over the next few months but I'm just trying to gather some info. Any advice on attractions and resort tips are appreciated!!