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

[nunzia]

no new posts for 2 days !!!
little bump

 

[monami7]

We are buying 90 points at VGC as an add on to our SSR contract. I am so excited. After staying there last year DH and I didn't even want to go back to WDW! LOL
We should have the points in our account tomorrow!

 

[stopher1]

We are buying 90 points at VGC as an add on to our SSR contract. I am so excited. After staying there last year DH and I didn't even want to go back to WDW! LOL
We should have the points in our account tomorrow!

Congrats! That's awesome.

 

[funatdisney]

We are buying 90 points at VGC as an add on to our SSR contract. I am so excited. After staying there last year DH and I didn't even want to go back to WDW! LOL
We should have the points in our account tomorrow!

Welcome neighbor! Congrats on your purchase.

 

[TLinden16]

I had a wonderful stay at VGC last week. I was in room 5510, which had an obstructed view of California Adventure. The roof from the section of the building to my left blocked some of the view. I could see about half of Mickey's fun wheel and everything to the right (including the construction area where the mouse roller coaster is).

One thing I found interesting was that some lighting was kept on in the park all night long, and it was different every night. Some nights, Mickey's fun wheel would be on all night, other nights it would be the Golden Zypher, and one one night, it was jumping Jellyfish. I wound up closing only the sheers so that the light from the park could throw some light into my room.

I was very impressed by the sound proofing in the room. When the slider was closed, I didn't hear a peep from outside (except for loud construction noise one morning). When I was out on the balcony, I could hear noise, but the sliders are amazing for sound proofing.

The room was clean, and everything was fresh. On trash and towel day, they even changed my sheets and made my bed (and left me chocolates). The room was missing a mug and a dish towel, but other than that, everything was fine.

I wore a birthday pin the entire week, and the cast members were constantly wishing me a happy birthday, as were many guests.

The weather was absolutely perfect. It was in the 70's and sunny with no humidity the entire week. I needed a jacket in the mornings and evenings, though.

I went into Hollywoood a couple of days during my trip, and had a great time. I took the Gray Line bus one day, and the Amtrak train the second time. I spent most of my time on Hollywood Blvd. looking at the stars, and foot prints at Graumann's Chinese Theatre. I also toured Paramount Studios (an excellent tour), went to Madame Tussards Wax Museum, and had lunch at In-N-Out Burger. The highlight of my Hollywood trip was going to see Donald Sutherland get his star on the Walk of Fame and meeting Colin Farrell while I was there (he was very sweet, and absolutely beautiful in person--TV and pictures do not do this man justice).

I can't wait to make another stay in a year or two.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I had a wonderful stay at VGC last week. I was in room 5510, which had an obstructed view of California Adventure. The roof from the section of the building to my left blocked some of the view. I could see about half of Mickey's fun wheel and everything to the right (including the construction area where the mouse roller coaster is).

One thing I found interesting was that some lighting was kept on in the park all night long, and it was different every night. Some nights, Mickey's fun wheel would be on all night, other nights it would be the Golden Zypher, and one one night, it was jumping Jellyfish. I wound up closing only the sheers so that the light from the park could throw some light into my room.

I was very impressed by the sound proofing in the room. When the slider was closed, I didn't hear a peep from outside (except for loud construction noise one morning). When I was out on the balcony, I could hear noise, but the sliders are amazing for sound proofing.

The room was clean, and everything was fresh. On trash and towel day, they even changed my sheets and made my bed (and left me chocolates). The room was missing a mug and a dish towel, but other than that, everything was fine.

I wore a birthday pin the entire week, and the cast members were constantly wishing me a happy birthday, as were many guests.

The weather was absolutely perfect. It was in the 70's and sunny with no humidity the entire week. I needed a jacket in the mornings and evenings, though.

I went into Hollywoood a couple of days during my trip, and had a great time. I took the Gray Line bus one day, and the Amtrak train the second time. I spent most of my time on Hollywood Blvd. looking at the stars, and foot prints at Graumann's Chinese Theatre. I also toured Paramount Studios (an excellent tour), went to Madame Tussards Wax Museum, and had lunch at In-N-Out Burger. The highlight of my Hollywood trip was going to see Donald Sutherland get his star on the Walk of Fame and meeting Colin Farrell while I was there (he was very sweet, and absolutely beautiful in person--TV and pictures do not do this man justice).

I can't wait to make another stay in a year or two.

It really sounds like you have a wonderful time. I wound up sitting out on the balcony up until 0200 a couple of nights watching the activity in the park. Just amazing what is done after hours. Just not good staying up that late and then have to be up at 0500 for MM.

Jack

 

[mdsd8700]

We are buying 90 points at VGC as an add on to our SSR contract. I am so excited. After staying there last year DH and I didn't even want to go back to WDW! LOL
We should have the points in our account tomorrow!

We LOVE VGC more than I can say. It just has a something that can't be explained. We don't own any points there but really want to some day. I keep telling my husband those would be "our points" to do with as we want and the kids can use the BLT ones as adults.

Congrats on your add on at VGC, that is awesome.

 

[stopher1]

I had a wonderful stay at VGC last week. I was in room 5510, which had an obstructed view of California Adventure. The roof from the section of the building to my left blocked some of the view. I could see about half of Mickey's fun wheel and everything to the right (including the construction area where the mouse roller coaster is).

One thing I found interesting was that some lighting was kept on in the park all night long, and it was different every night. Some nights, Mickey's fun wheel would be on all night, other nights it would be the Golden Zypher, and one one night, it was jumping Jellyfish. I wound up closing only the sheers so that the light from the park could throw some light into my room.

I was very impressed by the sound proofing in the room. When the slider was closed, I didn't hear a peep from outside (except for loud construction noise one morning). When I was out on the balcony, I could hear noise, but the sliders are amazing for sound proofing.

The room was clean, and everything was fresh. On trash and towel day, they even changed my sheets and made my bed (and left me chocolates). The room was missing a mug and a dish towel, but other than that, everything was fine.

I wore a birthday pin the entire week, and the cast members were constantly wishing me a happy birthday, as were many guests.

The weather was absolutely perfect. It was in the 70's and sunny with no humidity the entire week. I needed a jacket in the mornings and evenings, though.

I went into Hollywoood a couple of days during my trip, and had a great time. I took the Gray Line bus one day, and the Amtrak train the second time. I spent most of my time on Hollywood Blvd. looking at the stars, and foot prints at Graumann's Chinese Theatre. I also toured Paramount Studios (an excellent tour), went to Madame Tussards Wax Museum, and had lunch at In-N-Out Burger. The highlight of my Hollywood trip was going to see Donald Sutherland get his star on the Walk of Fame and meeting Colin Farrell while I was there (he was very sweet, and absolutely beautiful in person--TV and pictures do not do this man justice).

I can't wait to make another stay in a year or two.

Sounds like a really nice trip. So glad you enjoyed it, and are looking forward to returning. That speaks alot about our west coast "home".

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Has anyone ever stayed in one of the GCV 1st floor rooms?

Jack

We did, last January, I believe. We were in a 1-bedroom the first part of the trip on 5th floor, I believe, then moved to a studio on the first floor.

Our view was the construction fence for Little Mermaid and a lot of shrubbery, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. The great thing is that the room was the first door you saw once you walked past the elevators, and very convenient. I thought it might be noisy with that location, but we never heard any noise from the hallway or people coming and going to the elevator.

We have now had a pool view, Paradise Pier view and the 1st floor landscape view. Guess we are just missing the GRR view, maybe we will get that in May.

 

[TLinden16]

Sounds like a really nice trip. So glad you enjoyed it, and are looking forward to returning. That speaks alot about our west coast "home".

stopher1, I have to admit that this trip to DL was better than my trips to WDW lately. All of the things that have been frustrating me about WDW lately don't exist at DL. So, I'm thinking that I may be taking some extra trips to DL if things don't change at WDW.

 

[monami7]

stopher1, I have to admit that this trip to DL was better than my trips to WDW lately. All of the things that have been frustrating me about WDW lately don't exist at DL. So, I'm thinking that I may be taking some extra trips to DL if things don't change at WDW.

Thats exactly how we feel too!

 

[wbl2745]

stopher1, I have to admit that this trip to DL was better than my trips to WDW lately. All of the things that have been frustrating me about WDW lately don't exist at DL. So, I'm thinking that I may be taking some extra trips to DL if things don't change at WDW.

I'm curious. What appealed to you at DLR? Although we went to WDW in December, I have a lot more trips to DLR. DW and I are split. I prefer DLR and she prefers WDW.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm curious. What appealed to you at DLR? Although we went to WDW in December, I have a lot more trips to DLR. DW and I are split. I prefer DLR and she prefers WDW.

I thought that the cast members were a lot nicer at DLR than at WDW (which I felt was the opposite of when I visited in 2005 and 2007). It was easy to get into sit down restaurants, even the more popular ones (at WDW lately it can be tough to get many reservations unless you book six months out, thanks in part to free dining). DLR doesn't have the Brazilian tour groups, and sports and music groups that sometimes get out of hand (the only large tour group I saw was a Japanese tour group, and they were the most well behaved and considerate tour group I have ever encountered). Also, I thought the overall attitude of the guests was a lot better at DLR--I didn't encounter any of the rude behavior that frustrated me so much during my trip to WDW in December. People just seemed happy to be there.

 

[stopher1]

stopher1, I have to admit that this trip to DL was better than my trips to WDW lately. All of the things that have been frustrating me about WDW lately don't exist at DL. So, I'm thinking that I may be taking some extra trips to DL if things don't change at WDW.

I thought that the cast members were a lot nicer at DLR than at WDW (which I felt was the opposite of when I visited in 2005 and 2007). It was easy to get into sit down restaurants, even the more popular ones (at WDW lately it can be tough to get many reservations unless you book six months out, thanks in part to free dining). DLR doesn't have the Brazilian tour groups, and sports and music groups that sometimes get out of hand (the only large tour group I saw was a Japanese tour group, and they were the most well behaved and considerate tour group I have ever encountered). Also, I thought the overall attitude of the guests was a lot better at DLR--I didn't encounter any of the rude behavior that frustrated me so much during my trip to WDW in December. People just seemed happy to be there.

I hear you loud and clear! Going to both each year, often multiple times to both, I definitely see the differences greatly. Especially when the opposites are close to each other... i.e. I was at DL at the end of November, then literally a week later at WDW at the beginning of November (I believe I met you at the Owner's Locker meet the first Tuesday in Dec) - and YEAH - I saw a whopping difference. I love WDW, but DL has always been my first love since I grew up in So Cal... and it always will be. So much of the decline and various CM / guest issues were common at DL in the late 90's and early 2000's when management didn't really care about their flagship park... but that switched in the mid 2000's and they really do again...sadly now I don't think management cares as much as they ought to about their cashcow mega resort in Florida and many of the same mistakes that were made in Anaheim have been made in Florida the past 2-3 years and the experience really has gone down overall. Still a wonderful place, but it has lost a good deal of its luster, IMO.

 

[TLinden16]

(I believe I met you at the Owner's Locker meet the first Tuesday in Dec)

Oh, did I meet you? I wish I had realized it was you so I could have properly thanked you for this thread and your helpful responses to my questions.

 

[stopher1]

Oh, did I meet you? I wish I had realized it was you so I could have properly thanked you for this thread and your helpful responses to my questions.

No worries. I'm sure there will be another time & place.

 

[starry_solo]

There is no fee for self parking when staying at the villas.

Is it for one car or two? I may not be driving with the other guest in the villas (not sure)..

 

[starry_solo]

Just got back from VGC and parking was indeed free for 2 cars, but all hotel (i.e. non-villa) guests are now paying $15/car as of Jan 1, 2011. Valet is $22.

Very great to know that. Hopefully it doesn't change until after my April vacation!

 

[peloha86]

stopher1, I have to admit that this trip to DL was better than my trips to WDW lately. All of the things that have been frustrating me about WDW lately don't exist at DL. So, I'm thinking that I may be taking some extra trips to DL if things don't change at WDW.

I'm curious. What appealed to you at DLR? Although we went to WDW in December, I have a lot more trips to DLR. DW and I are split. I prefer DLR and she prefers WDW.

Hello In Sept., I'll be going to WDW for my first time. We only have 3D/2N post cruise trip, so I'm trying to squeeze in as much as I can. Most likely we'll be staying at BCV then one day at Epcot since we don't have that here in DL/DCA. Which (-)'s @ WDW are frustrating? I know for sure that proximity and distance are crucial factors out there. We do love our VGC! There's nothing like waking up and literally walking into the park from your "home".

I thought that the cast members were a lot nicer at DLR than at WDW (which I felt was the opposite of when I visited in 2005 and 2007). It was easy to get into sit down restaurants, even the more popular ones (at WDW lately it can be tough to get many reservations unless you book six months out, thanks in part to free dining). DLR doesn't have the Brazilian tour groups, and sports and music groups that sometimes get out of hand (the only large tour group I saw was a Japanese tour group, and they were the most well behaved and considerate tour group I have ever encountered). Also, I thought the overall attitude of the guests was a lot better at DLR--I didn't encounter any of the rude behavior that frustrated me so much during my trip to WDW in December. People just seemed happy to be there.

I think that's because we (at DL) don't have to wait for a boat or bus to take us to VGC.

I hear you loud and clear! Going to both each year, often multiple times to both, I definitely see the differences greatly. Especially when the opposites are close to each other... i.e. I was at DL at the end of November, then literally a week later at WDW at the beginning of November (I believe I met you at the Owner's Locker meet the first Tuesday in Dec) - and YEAH - I saw a whopping difference. I love WDW, but DL has always been my first love since I grew up in So Cal... and it always will be. So much of the decline and various CM / guest issues were common at DL in the late 90's and early 2000's when management didn't really care about their flagship park... but that switched in the mid 2000's and they really do again...sadly now I don't think management cares as much as they ought to about their cashcow mega resort in Florida and many of the same mistakes that were made in Anaheim have been made in Florida the past 2-3 years and the experience really has gone down overall. Still a wonderful place, but it has lost a good deal of its luster, IMO.

I recently had a "couldn't charge to my room issue" twice last year. The first time, they gave us $200.00 in DL credit that we could spend as we like. So...we took the family to Steakhouse 55. The second time it happened, I kindly explained the situation, that they can track how many times we've been there, so she said "how about some fast passes" with a big smile I told her, "We like to eat" ....So she gave us 2 food vouchers for 2 people with no limit, and that DL would even pay for the tip!!!! Wow, that's why I keep coming back to DL, love the CM's there!

 

[wbl2745]

Thanks for the comparisons of DLR and WDW. Having just returned from WDW in December (I have a trip report out there somewhere) I really like the intimacy of DLR. For my WDW trip we had reservations for an Illuminations Cruise, Hoop-Dee-Do Review, and Candlelight Processional Dinner. Getting those and other dining reservations got me up early in the morning at exactly 180 days out to make sure we could get what we wanted. I've never had to do that for Blue Bayou, Napa Rose or any other DLR restaurant. On the other hand, DLR doesn't have an Illuminations Cruise, a Hoop-Dee-Do Review, or a Candlelight Processional Dinner.

We're leaving for our home at VGC in 9 nine days. Really looking forward to it.