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

[funatdisney]

After a lot thinking, planning and asking the family when they want to go to DLR, I finally have my vacations dates set for 2011. I am planning on four visits to the VGC 2011, all planned for second half of the year. I was able to get two of the four visits booked today.

I was able to book a three day visit for July 1st to the 3rd in a studio. A get-away for DH and me, which was originally booked for next month. Darn volleyball tourneys and the Equine Affaire got in the way (both on the same weekend). Lucky for me there was a cancellation and I was able to book this one. Studios are hard to get five months out! And...

a studio for one night, August 5. Celebrating DD's 16th birthday. She wants to close out the park with her girlfriend. I just couldn't stay up that late, so just had to get a room! No problem with this booking.

Two more to go: one four day visit in Oct. and one four day visit in December. I originally thought I bought too many points. I guess I was wrong about that.

 

[Nonsuch]

Did anyone watch this fireworks/fountains show at DCA from their villa balcony on NYE?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWKSLCGzGUI

The video makes me want to spend next NYE at DCA.

Looking at the points charts:
Dec 31 and Jan 1 are in Premier Season, which makes sense. This year Jan 2 drops to Adventure Season, requiring half the points. In 2012, Adventure Season does not start until Jan 8.
Shifting my usual early Dec trip to NYE will use up lots of points

 

[SuzanneSLO]

The video makes me want to spend next NYE at DCA.

Looking at the points charts:
Dec 31 and Jan 1 are in Premier Season, which makes sense. This year Jan 2 drops to Adventure Season, requiring half the points. In 2012, Adventure Season does not start until Jan 8.
Shifting my usual early Dec trip to NYE will use up lots of points

2012 is one of those years when January 1 falls on a Sunday. At aminimum, that means that the Rose parade won't be held until January 2, so most local schools will be out all week. -- Suzanne

 

[marts35]

Sometimes, I read threads in the DVC section which often end up being mostly about Disneyworld or the Disneyland section which can be interesting..... but I ALWAYS end up back here to see what's going on at our place.
I hope everyone enjoys 2011 trip planning and visits to VGCA.
Happy New Year!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Can't wait to check out Grand Californian. Our 7 month window opens up in about 5 weeks and we can't wait to see DLR. Mind you we're only stopping by for a couple of nights on our way out to Aulani, but it will be a great way to start our trip.

Keeping my fingers crossed that we won't have a problem booking a room at Grand Califorian in September (after Labor Day).

Speaking of which....I assume there are shuttle services that run between LAX and Grand Californian. Anybody have any recommendations? Anyone want to give me something we (me, DW, DD5) won't want to miss (other than the obvious WOC).

 

[Nonsuch]

2012 is one of those years when January 1 falls on a Sunday. At a minimum, that means that the Rose parade won't be held until January 2, so most local schools will be out all week.

Thanks for that information. My wife wants to see the Rose Parade, but waking up early (or not sleeping) after NYE midnight celebrations would be very difficult.

 

[wbl2745]

Speaking of which....I assume there are shuttle services that run between LAX and Grand Californian. Anybody have any recommendations? Anyone want to give me something we (me, DW, DD5) won't want to miss (other than the obvious WOC).

There is a shuttle from LAX, but have you considered flying into Orange County or Long Beach? Depends on where you are coming from, LAX may be your only option, but both Orange County (John Wayne Airport) and Long Beach are much closer to the DLR than LAX. We've gotten out of the Long Beach airport within 20 minutes of the plane pulling up to the gate, and that included renting a car and a potty break. You can't beat Long Beach!

Regarding things not to miss, I'm sure that everyone has their favorites.

If you're not familiar with DL, which sounds like it might be the case, there are some attractions that are, at least in my opinion, superior to the Magic Kingdom: Pirates of the Caribbean is much, much better; the stretching room in the Haunted Mansion actually stretches; Splash Mountain is longer. There are somethings that are unique: Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn, New Orleans Square, Roger Rabbit (in Toontown, which is also better than at the MK), Finding Nemo (the submarine).

As for eating, I love the Bengal BBQ in Adventureland. The Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square is fun since the Pirates of the Caribbean runs through it. Cafe Orleans is a good alternative to the Blue Bayou, cheaper and good food. You can get beignets at Cafe Orleans, but also at the Mint Julep Bar behind the French Market. (You can also get beignets at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney, but they aren't Mickey shaped!)

At the Grand Californian, Story Teller's Cafe is a nice place to eat, away from the park, but close since the Grand Californian is right next to DCA. I don't know if you'd like to take your daughter to a fancy restaurant, but the Napa Rose in the Grand Californian is excellent, but pricey. They do have a baby sitting service you can arrange at the hotel.

Oh, Grizzly River Rapids at DCA is better than Kali River Rapids at the AK. (We were just there in December and noted how much more we liked Grizzly than Kali.)

You'll find DL to much smaller than the MK at WDW. I recall that the lake at Epcot is larger than DL. However, some attractions that are scattered around WDW are all clustered in DL and DCA. For example, Toy Story Mania is in DCA, so is Soarin' over California. At WDW they are in the Studios and Epcot respectively. Star Tours is in DL (of course it is closed for the upgrade now) while at WDW it is at the Studios.

So after I've talked about all the stuff that is better (in my humble opinion) at DL, there are things that are better an the MK. I wouldn't focus too much on the differences. I'd just enjoy the park. It is unique in many ways.

 

[wbl2745]

Anyone want to give me something we (me, DW, DD5) won't want to miss (other than the obvious WOC).

I forgot something...

You might want to consider ordering one of the picnic dinners to get reserved viewing of the WoC. They also have dinner packages, one including Ariel and other princesses. The picnic package includes a cold meal that you could actually eat for lunch (I did) and a Fast Pass in the yellow section to see WoC. I walked up to the viewing area about 20 minutes before the show started and got a really good viewing spot. The dinner packages have the best viewing spot right in the middle. Otherwise you have to get in line for a Fast Pass first thing in the morning, then get in line again in the evening in your assigned color. Some people had been waiting for an hour in that line. The dinner and picnic packages are generally (I think) for the first show of the evening. If there's more than one show the Fast Passes that are handed out in the morning will fill each show in order. It might be nice to get into the first show with your 5-year-old daughter.

Also, there is some debate on this, but the view from the VGC of WoC is not optimal. You're going to miss a lot of the projections. I'd really recommend seeing it from the viewing area.

Hope you have a good time! DW and I are heading out there in February, just the two of us.

 

[maburke]

You might want to consider ordering one of the picnic dinners to get reserved viewing of the WoC. They also have dinner packages, one including Ariel and other princesses.

You got me completely psyched about this idea, but it looks from the DL website that dinner at Ariel's Grotto, including the WoC package, is NOT a character meal. Bummer.

 

[stopher1]

If you're not familiar with DL, which sounds like it might be the case, there are some attractions that are, at least in my opinion, superior to the Magic Kingdom: Pirates of the Caribbean is much, much better; the stretching room in the Haunted Mansion actually stretches; Splash Mountain is longer. There are somethings that are unique: Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn, New Orleans Square, Roger Rabbit (in Toontown, which is also better than at the MK), Finding Nemo (the submarine).

Here are just a few more unique attractions at DL:

Alice in Wonderland
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Storybookland Canal Boats
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is still there
Pixie Hollow (similar but very different than the Tink/Pixies meet n greet at MK - it's outdoors and kind of like the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in concept)
Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthru (nothing super thrilling, but a nice diorama inside the castle telling the SB story)
Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
Sailing Ship Columbia
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

The Enchanted Tiki Room is the ORIGINAL version from 1963 - not the Under New Management kind at the MK


There are lots of similarities and lots of differences. DL is definitely more intimate than the MK, and has a LOT of charm to it.

 

[stopher1]

I forgot something...

You might want to consider ordering one of the picnic dinners to get reserved viewing of the WoC. They also have dinner packages, one including Ariel and other princesses. The picnic package includes a cold meal that you could actually eat for lunch (I did) and a Fast Pass in the yellow section to see WoC. I walked up to the viewing area about 20 minutes before the show started and got a really good viewing spot. The dinner packages have the best viewing spot right in the middle. Otherwise you have to get in line for a Fast Pass first thing in the morning, then get in line again in the evening in your assigned color. Some people had been waiting for an hour in that line. The dinner and picnic packages are generally (I think) for the first show of the evening. If there's more than one show the Fast Passes that are handed out in the morning will fill each show in order. It might be nice to get into the first show with your 5-year-old daughter.

Also, there is some debate on this, but the view from the VGC of WoC is not optimal. You're going to miss a lot of the projections. I'd really recommend seeing it from the viewing area.

Hope you have a good time! DW and I are heading out there in February, just the two of us.

We did the picnic option just last week while there and it worked out great. We were in the first show, and just to the right of the more expensive table service dinner guests who received "Preferred Dining Viewing" which is basically front and center. We got there right at the time to line up and were able to still have a just off-center viewing location. It was the first show - which was perfect for all of us. We were then able to enjoy a few more attractions on the east side of the park after WOC let out. We then went back to the room when the park closed at 10 (we were at VGC) and were in time to watch the show again from the balcony & living room for the 10:15 show. The vantage point is not quite as good sure, and you miss out on most of the projections - but it really was a neat way to see the show as well. I've enjoyed it both ways multiple times now. I would recommend seeing it IN PARK first, but after that - it's great to watch it from the room. We enjoyed it several times from our room over the next few days.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Thanks to wbl2745 and stopher1 for the thoughts on WoC. DW and DD4 have never been to DLR. I was there, whew, 20 years ago? Can't wait. I need to plan out the Aulani part of the trip AND the DLR part. Lots of fun work for the next couple of months!

 

[wbl2745]

Here are just a few more unique attractions at DL:

Alice in Wonderland
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Storybookland Canal Boats
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is still there
Pixie Hollow (similar but very different than the Tink/Pixies meet n greet at MK - it's outdoors and kind of like the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in concept)
Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthru (nothing super thrilling, but a nice diorama inside the castle telling the SB story)
Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
Sailing Ship Columbia
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

The Enchanted Tiki Room is the ORIGINAL version from 1963 - not the Under New Management kind at the MK


There are lots of similarities and lots of differences. DL is definitely more intimate than the MK, and has a LOT of charm to it.

Ooooh, I completely forgot about the Storybookland boats. You have to do that after dark when all of the villages are lit up. DD4 will love it. During the day is nice too, but after dark is ...MAGICAL...

Also, and if you can believe it, I road on the Davy Crockett Canoes for the first time (I'm 56) last year and couldn't believe what I had been missing. It is fun to be right down on the water and going slower than the Mark Twain. You see a lot more. Don't worry about DD4 needing to paddle. They'll give her a paddle, but everyone else does the work, particularly the CMs.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Has anyone been there yet this year? I just want to double check that parking is still free...

 

[JimmyJam838]

Parking was still free at the beginning of December.

 

[BethanyF]

Has anyone done the free hotel tour? When do they do it? My son was looking at it, but I couldnt find many details.

 

[wbl2745]

Has anyone done the free hotel tour? When do they do it? My son was looking at it, but I couldnt find many details.

I think there are a couple of different tours of the Grand Californian. I went on one on a Friday, I think about 1:00 PM, that included the artwork of the hotel and the architectural design elements. I really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that it would be all that interesting to a teen or pre-teen. The only people on the tour were adults.

 

[Nonsuch]

Has anyone done the free hotel tour?

I have not done the tour, but here is Disney video about it:
Art of the Craft Tour at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

 

[BethanyF]

I think there are a couple of different tours of the Grand Californian. I went on one on a Friday, I think about 1:00 PM, that included the artwork of the hotel and the architectural design elements. I really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that it would be all that interesting to a teen or pre-teen. The only people on the tour were adults.

That's the one he was talking about. Believe it or not, I think he would truly enjoy it. He is a Disney history/imagineering buff so the more Disney info he can gather the happier he is.

 

[BethanyF]

I have not done the tour, but here is Disney video about it:
Art of the Craft Tour at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

I will show him this, thanks