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

[Susie63]

DH and I returned last week from an 8-day trip to the DLR in conjunction with the American Library Association's annual conference which was right next door at the Anaheim Convention Center. We stayed at the Grand Californian and got to experience Cars Land just a week after it opened. Thanks to tips from this board, I requested studios 6504, 5504, 4504, 3504, 5510, 4510, 3510, 5516, 4516, 3516 and we got 5504. What a fabulous view of the Paradise Pier area and WOC! I have posted lots of photos with commentary on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/msla/sets/72157630427550432/

I hope you enjoy my photo travelog!

Thanks for the pics! I hope I have some luck and get my x504 room request in February.

 

[Lizzy'sMom]

We are VGC owners, however our next trip we are using points to stay at the Grand Cal - there were no units available for VGC.

My question is, am i still allowed to go to the WOC viewing area in the VGC even tho we are not staying there? we are on a point vacation.

Any one have any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Nonsuch]

My question is, am i still allowed to go to the WOC viewing area in the VGC even tho we are not staying there? we are on a point vacation.

All GCH guests have access to the WOC viewing patio (not really a "lounge").
It does not matter if you are in the regular hotel or villas, or if you used cash or points.

 

[Breyean]

All GCH guests have access to the WOC viewing patio (not really a "lounge").
It does not matter if you are in the regular hotel or villas, or if you used cash or points.

Yes, when we checked in this past Monday the CM told us the patio was available, and she noted often when they have a convention staying there those people often use it since they might not have park tickets. So they get to see SOME of WOC at least.

BTW, at check in, she commented on our having listed the rooms we preferred and said it makes it easier for them to assign rooms when members do that.

It was about 5:45a, and all we wanted was a room key to be able to do EMH at CA, but she said, Oh, you got a nice room. They texted us around 4p that it was 5510. So, not that bad since we booked the reservation only 3 months ago.

So, thanks for all the info you provide regarding VCG. It's appreciated by us.

 

[3inthefamily]

Going to Disneyland/So Ca for the first time at the end of August and are staying 6 nights at GCH. Any suggestions for rooms, and how do I make that request? I've never bothered requesting rooms at DW before we just seem to luck out at our home base of BLT!

Thanks!!

 

[Nonsuch]

BTW, at check in, she commented on our having listed the rooms we preferred and said it makes it easier for them to assign rooms when members do that.

I thought a list of specific room numbers would be helpful, but it's great to have direct confirmation

It was about 5:45a, and all we wanted was a room key to be able to do EMH at CA, but she said, Oh, you got a nice room. They texted us around 4p that it was 5510.

Your room number is printed on the form you sign when checking in

 

[Nonsuch]

Going to Disneyland/So Ca for the first time at the end of August and are staying 6 nights at GCH. Any suggestions for rooms, and how do I make that request? I've never bothered requesting rooms at DW before we just seem to luck out at our home base of BLT!

What villa type?
I would be happy to make some suggestions

I have found it easiest to email a list of rooms to Member Services.

 

[Breyean]

I thought a list of specific room numbers would be helpful, but it's great to have direct confirmation

Your room number is printed on the form you sign when checking in

Thanks. Didn't know that, and we were so anxious to get to the EMH at CA I didn't even really look at it except where she said to sign.

I have a question, though. We're going back in Sep and I realized even though I made the reservation at the 11 month window I didn't know then about room requests. So when we got back this week, I called MS and read them my preferred rooms, this time for a 1 bedroom.

I got to talking with the CM and he said rooms aren't assigned until a couple of weeks before arrival date.

When I checked in Monday, the CM at the front desk said rooms are assigned based on when you make the reservation, and some are determined by a difference of minutes as to who gets their choice over another person.

I've also on the boards that checking in early increases your chance of actually getting a room you specifically request.

I can see how the room assignments at 2 weeks and the use of time of reservation made can work together to determine your room.

What I'm not sure of is the part about checking in early. Does it really make a difference if the other 2 criteria are used?

I ask because on our next trip we MIGHT be able to get to VGC early, but it w/b a real hassle.

I even asked when checking out, and the CM suggested I call that morning and do check in over the phone while driving there.

Ever hear of that being done, and does that make a difference in getting the room you request before someone else snatches it up?

Thanks.

 

[3inthefamily]

Its 3 of us so I just booked a studio. Any other suggestions would be great...off site dining, etc! Thanks!

 

[nunzia]

Thanks. Didn't know that, and we were so anxious to get to the EMH at CA I didn't even really look at it except where she said to sign.

I have a question, though. We're going back in Sep and I realized even though I made the reservation at the 11 month window I didn't know then about room requests. So when we got back this week, I called MS and read them my preferred rooms, this time for a 1 bedroom.

I got to talking with the CM and he said rooms aren't assigned until a couple of weeks before arrival date.

When I checked in Monday, the CM at the front desk said rooms are assigned based on when you make the reservation, and some are determined by a difference of minutes as to who gets their choice over another person.

I've also on the boards that checking in early increases your chance of actually getting a room you specifically request.

I can see how the room assignments at 2 weeks and the use of time of reservation made can work together to determine your room.

What I'm not sure of is the part about checking in early. Does it really make a difference if the other 2 criteria are used?

I ask because on our next trip we MIGHT be able to get to VGC early, but it w/b a real hassle.

I even asked when checking out, and the CM suggested I call that morning and do check in over the phone while driving there.

Ever hear of that being done, and does that make a difference in getting the room you request before someone else snatches it up?

Thanks.

I really don't know about all this..I have made requests at check in and gotten a great room, then been told I have to make a request when I BOOK..then gotten a great room with no request and a not great view with a request. We always check in by 7:00 am and I don't think that has made a difference. Really..who knows?

 

[taaren]

What I'm not sure of is the part about checking in early. Does it really make a difference if the other 2 criteria are used?

I ask because on our next trip we MIGHT be able to get to VGC early, but it w/b a real hassle.

I even asked when checking out, and the CM suggested I call that morning and do check in over the phone while driving there.

Ever hear of that being done, and does that make a difference in getting the room you request before someone else snatches it up?

Okay, here's my experience ... we've always checked in early because we often switch over from another SoCal hotel.
When I checked in on 6/17, shortly before noon, they offered me a studio they currently had ready. I had requested a room with similar numbers to above (6504, 5504, 5510, etc) and asked if the view would be better with the room I was assigned that wasn't ready or the room that currently was ready since we definitely wanted a room with a view since it was my friend's first time staying there. The CM said, "Oh, you have a view that's pretty high on your request list, you'll want to keep that one. We'll text you when its ready." I got the impression the room she offered me that was ready when I arrived was park view but lower floor than what I got, which was 5510. So, if somebody had requested a lower floor and it had been assigned to them would I have bumped them? I don't know, but I do know that every room in VGC (though not the hotel) was definitively booked that weekend, many months in advance. We were happy to get into 5510 at about 3:45p.

 

[disneydenisel]

What villa type?
I would be happy to make some suggestions

I have found it easiest to email a list of rooms to Member Services.

We have stayed at VGC twice now, booking very far in advance (11 months out this last time), and I have only gotten so-so views even though I have requested high floor theme park view.

Soooo...I would LOVE some one-bedroom villa recommendations, and I will have them note them on my reservation for 2013 .

We've stayed in 4514 this year, and another villa on that side near the pool, but lower. We can see the pool area from an angle, and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail rope bridge (or a fence and trees when we were lower). It would be great to see Paradise Pier, or something further to the right.

Any suggestions?

 

[Nonsuch]

I've also on the boards that checking in early increases your chance of actually getting a room you specifically request.

I even asked when checking out, and the CM suggested I call that morning and do check in over the phone while driving there.

Ever hear of that being done, and does that make a difference in getting the room you request before someone else snatches it up?

I have had great success requesting a specific list of villas
I generally check in by 7AM.
The only time I checked in late (5PM) was also the only time I received a villa not on my list. I suspect my originally assigned villa was swapped earlier in the day, but it could just be a coincidence.

I have not tried to check in over the phone.

 

[Nonsuch]

Its 3 of us so I just booked a studio.

This would be my studio request:
6504, 5504, 4504, 3504, 5510, 4510, 3510, 5516, 4516, 3516

My reasoning:
x504 are the only studios with a WOC view
x510 cannot see WOC, but do look toward Paradise Pier
x516 look toward Redwood Creek

 

[Longhairbear]

We are driving to Disneyland later this afternoon, and checking in on points at Paradise Pier. There are no villas available for a 2 night stay from now until New Years, at the time we booked this trip. Of course we will use the GC entrance into DCA to see Carsland, and Buena Vista St.
Not having a villa is ok for this trip, because we have reservations at Carthay Circle, and intend to try the other food places in Carsland. We don't need the kitchen for this trip. But I'll still miss cooking in a vacation home inside a Disney park.
There are many rumors of a new DVC at Disneyland on all the various sites, most speculate a fourth tower at the Disneyland Hotel. Nothing has been mentioned of converting hotel rooms in the DVC wing so far. But DVC really needs to expand out here so we can use our points here more often, with less frustration of booking a villa at the 7 month, and less window. It would be nice to decide to go to DLR and book a villa a few weeks out, as if that might ever be a possibility.

 

[Breyean]

We are driving to Disneyland later this afternoon, and checking in on points at Paradise Pier. There are no villas available for a 2 night stay from now until New Years, at the time we booked this trip. Of course we will use the GC entrance into DCA to see Carsland, and Buena Vista St.
Not having a villa is ok for this trip, because we have reservations at Carthay Circle, and intend to try the other food places in Carsland. We don't need the kitchen for this trip. But I'll still miss cooking in a vacation home inside a Disney park.
There are many rumors of a new DVC at Disneyland on all the various sites, most speculate a fourth tower at the Disneyland Hotel. Nothing has been mentioned of converting hotel rooms in the DVC wing so far. But DVC really needs to expand out here so we can use our points here more often, with less frustration of booking a villa at the 7 month, and less window. It would be nice to decide to go to DLR and book a villa a few weeks out, as if that might ever be a possibility.

If given the choice between a new DVC resort at DLH and the expansion of VGC, I'd vote for the latter. I already own at VGC and adding to the # of rooms available to me at 11 months would be a lot better than adding a new resort where I'd either have to buy more points to get that advantage or wait until 7 months like everyone else to stay at DLH DVC.

I've read reports that when they built the DVC rooms at VGC and added on a bunch of other hotel rooms, some of those were built so they could be converted into DVC rooms if so desired. If true, that would be great.

 

[Gordygreen]

Looking for hints on Disneyland Holiday season. We're heading to our home resort at VGC Dec 2-7 of this year. I've only been to DLR once and it was during the summer. It's a first for my wife and 4 yr old grandson.

 

[Nonsuch]

Soooo...I would LOVE some one-bedroom villa recommendations, and I will have them note them on my reservation for 2013 .

I usually stay in a one-bedroom, and this is what I would request:
6502, 5508, 4508, 3508, 5502, 4502, 3502, 5514, 4514, 3514

My reasoning:
6502 only 3 villas on the 6th floor
x508 slightly better WOC view than x502
x502 WOC view
x514 redwood creek view (you have already had this view, so these could be left off your request)

 

[Nonsuch]

Looking for hints on Disneyland Holiday season. We're heading to our home resort at VGC Dec 2-7 of this year. I've only been to DLR once and it was during the summer.

Disneyland only releases schedules about a month in advance, but generally the parks close rather early during the week in early December. Fireworks are only on Friday - Sunday, so make an effort to see them (same goes for Fantasmic).
WOC is every night.

Candlelight has not been announced (and will not be on park schedules), but is usually the first weekend in December. If you happen to be there, make an effort to see it.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Looking for hints on Disneyland Holiday season. We're heading to our home resort at VGC Dec 2-7 of this year. I've only been to DLR once and it was during the summer. It's a first for my wife and 4 yr old grandson.

Nonsuch has some great tips above. You should also check out the Disneyland Holiday Superthread. Tons of great information.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2612827