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

[funatdisney]

Pardon our mess, but that Sunday night we had 9 people for dinner. To the left is the door out to the small patio and the access to the pool area.

Having people over for dinner is what makes the VGC feel like home. So far every trip we have taken to the VGC, we have had friends or family over for a BBQ. I just love it. Never had a first floor, so had to take down the meat in the elevator to cook. What a hoot that was.

 

[Inkmahm]

We leave tomorrow for two nights in a studio at DCV and then 3 nights in a regular hotel room at GCH. We didn't decide on the trip until late Nov and then I could only get the two nights with DVC points. I got a great deal on the 3 nights in the hotel though, so all is well.

We made no room requests for either stay so it will be interesting to see what we end up with. Since we spend most of our time in the parks, I will be able to live with whatever we get I'm sure.

I'm looking forward to the time at DL though as we normally go to WDW and love the WLV there. We've stayed at the GCH before in August of 2009 and loved it. I'm looking forward to seeing what the DVC villas are like!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We leave tomorrow for two nights in a studio at DCV and then 3 nights in a regular hotel room at GCH. We didn't decide on the trip until late Nov and then I could only get the two nights with DVC points. I got a great deal on the 3 nights in the hotel though, so all is well.

We made no room requests for either stay so it will be interesting to see what we end up with. Since we spend most of our time in the parks, I will be able to live with whatever we get I'm sure.

I'm looking forward to the time at DL though as we normally go to WDW and love the WLV there. We've stayed at the GCH before in August of 2009 and loved it. I'm looking forward to seeing what the DVC villas are like!

You will LOVE the GC Villas. We are not members but prefer to stay at the Villas if we can get points to rent. The whole family is spoiled.

Jack

 

[franandaj]

We had the room the kikiq got. We originally booked for two nights and I canceled the second night a couple months out, so I was in that room the night before. (We were going to Taste and really only needed the one night and decided just to go home the next day).

Here is a shot of the patio and pool entrance.

Living area (sans food for nine guests, remember we were going to Taste!)

 

[Snurk71]

Haven't been to DL since VGC was finished. I've been studying Google Earth and the room layout PDF, but they don't quite have the detail I'm looking for.

I know the DL pools are all gated. What's the scoop on the VGC pool they added - is it gated/segregated from the other GC pools or is it open to all GC guests?

Also, how many exits are there from the VGC building to the pool area? It looks like in Franandaj's picture that their room was right next to a pool entrance. Franandaj - what room# was this? Any other entrances to the pool?

Thanks

 

[stopher1]

The new pool & hot tub added with the villas is in the same area as the original pools / hot tub. They are not segregated and are available to any hotel guest. There are two pool entrances - the primary entrance over by Storyteller's Cafe, and the new entrance over by the Villas.

 

[AZDisFamily]

We own at VGC and have stayed on the ground floor each time - we are going again at the end of February and have requested a ground floor 2bdrm lockoff.

The ground floor is perfect for our kids getting to the hot tub at night !

 

[kikiq]

We had the room the kikiq got. We originally booked for two nights and I canceled the second night a couple months out, so I was in that room the night before. (We were going to Taste and really only needed the one night and decided just to go home the next day).

I think our good luck was YOUR room that you canceled. Thank you!!! While I guess it would be nice to get an upper floor room, walking through the hallways and riding in the elevator with this would be interesting.

My brother grills tri tip, chicken and sausages.

 

[franandaj]

I think our good luck was YOUR room that you canceled. Thank you!!! While I guess it would be nice to get an upper floor room, walking through the hallways and riding in the elevator with this would be interesting.

My brother grills tri tip, chicken and sausages.

Wow THAT looks GOOD!

 

[franandaj]

Franandaj - what room# was this? Any other entrances to the pool?

Thanks

There is at least 3-4 other entrances. I think this was room 1514 or 1516. I don't remember, but it's the only accessible 1 br.

 

[Nonsuch]

I know the DL pools are all gated. What's the scoop on the VGC pool they added - is it gated/segregated from the other GC pools or is it open to all GC guests?

While pools were added during the VGC expansion, they are not part of the VGC. All the pools are part of the hotel, and guest of the villas are granted access.

 

[funatdisney]

I think our good luck was YOUR room that you canceled. Thank you!!! While I guess it would be nice to get an upper floor room, walking through the hallways and riding in the elevator with this would be interesting.

My brother grills tri tip, chicken and sausages.

I have done exactly that! I have always requested a room 4th floor or above (either side - doesn't matter to me), and so far the request has been granted. The looks I get when I enter the elevators with a fresh uncooked cut of London Broil. When you head back, guests start asking where is dinner; it smells so good. I always chuckle with the different reactions when we BBQ at the VGC.

 

[stopher1]

While pools were added during the VGC expansion, they are not part of the VGC. All the pools are part of the hotel, and guest of the villas are granted access.

Exactly, since they added 48 villas and about 200 regular hotel rooms in the expansion - but only one new pool and one new hot tub.

 

[funatdisney]

Exactly, since they added 48 villas and about 200 regular hotel rooms in the expansion - but only one new pool and one new hot tub.

Yep, it gets mighty crowded in the hot tub. You really get to know your neighbors

 

[kikiq]

There is at least 3-4 other entrances. I think this was room 1514 or 1516. I don't remember, but it's the only accessible 1 br.

It's 1514. The living room seemed like it was huge, or was that because the island was smaller to make it HA.

 

[Longhairbear]

I have done exactly that! I have always requested a room 4th floor or above (either side - doesn't matter to me), and so far the request has been granted. The looks I get when I enter the elevators with a fresh uncooked cut of London Broil. When you head back, guests start asking where is dinner; it smells so good. I always chuckle with the different reactions when we BBQ at the VGC.

We grilled flank steaks, and got smiles and comments on the way back to our villa too. I wish the all the DVC resorts would convert to the gas grills.

 

[funatdisney]

The gas grills make it so easy and they keep them clean, too. We make it a point to BBQ when we stay in a one or two bedroom. (A studio just calls for a dining out kind of vacation for us.)

 

[catislander]

Hello all,
We'll be staying for two nights with friends starting Jan. 30 in two one-bedroom villas. I know there's a casserole dish in the kitchens, but does anyone know if it's big enough for a average-size whole chicken? We've stayed quite often, but have never done much cooking in our villas. I was hoping to change that this trip.
Sherri

 

[rmonty02]

Hello all,
We'll be staying for two nights with friends starting Jan. 30 in two one-bedroom villas. I know there's a casserole dish in the kitchens, but does anyone know if it's big enough for a average-size whole chicken? We've stayed quite often, but have never done much cooking in our villas. I was hoping to change that this trip.
Sherri

These are pics from when we were there 11/09. Not sure what you like to use, but hope the info helps. There is also a pan or two under the stove.
I think you can use the casserole dish or pot? I think your chicken will fit

 

[catislander]

Thanks rmonty,
One of those should work perfectly.
It's not dinner at Napa Rose, but I can pull off a pretty tasty roast chicken.