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

[Nonsuch]

We will be staying July 19-25.

Welcome Home

Are there any things that only DVC members can do?

No. VGC is small compared to the overall hotel, so no special programs are offered.

I started reading this thread and made it to page 3.

The original owners thread is also required reading

 

[blackjackdelta]

I probably missed it but to DVC people pay the new parking fee?

Jack

 

[Nonsuch]

I probably missed it but to DVC people pay the new parking fee?

I asked while checking in last weekend, and DVC does not pay for self-parking
My final room bill had the usual total: $0.00

 

[blackjackdelta]

I asked while checking in last weekend, and DVC does not pay for self-parking
My final room bill had the usual total: $0.00

Thanks, I have seen older posts but nothing recent

Jack

 

[arthur06]

I really need a "perfect" resale to come along! Looking at this thread, I know that I want some VGC points! You guys are so lucky to own here!

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

another stupid question... 1 bedroom villa have a hairdryer? As time gets closer, i find myself laying in bed thinking of things!!! I assume they must since they have everything else you could need.. but don't need to get there and find out they don't!!

 

[BeccaG]

another stupid question... 1 bedroom villa have a hairdryer? As time gets closer, i find myself laying in bed thinking of things!!! I assume they must since they have everything else you could need.. but don't need to get there and find out they don't!!

Yup! I'd actually be surprised if the studio did not have one too, but in the 1 or 2 BR I have usually found the dryer in the master bath in a black bag labeled dryer. I think that's where it is suppose to be

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

Yup! I'd actually be surprised if the studio did not have one too, but in the 1 or 2 BR I have usually found the dryer in the master bath in a black bag labeled dryer. I think that's where it is suppose to be

Yes, each villa has a hair dryer. Like BeccaG said, it is in a labeled black back in the bathroom.



Btw, I spoke to my guide while I was at DLR last week and he said there is a growing waiting list for VGC. 120 pp, no incentives except for points from 2010 if your waitlist comes through before your desired use year month is passed. They are trying to push SSR with 99/pt. He talked about being able to book VGC at 7 months with the SSR points, but we decided to waitlist VGC instead and are considering Aulani.

This was also our first time in a studio and there were stains on the chairs and the sofa was badly frayed. We couldn't open our patio door the last night because the people above us were smoking quite a bit on their balcony and the smell/smoke was very strong. We notified the front desk but we checked out early the next morning so I don't know what came out of it.

 

[bigAWL]

Thanks to those who responded to my last question about getting to the villas through the pool area. Now that I've caught up on the entire thread, I will certainly be back from time to time with more questions.

I don't think I saw any details here about the early access to DCA. If the park opens at 10am, what time can GCH/VGC guest get into DCA for WoC FPs? What else can you do during that time? Soarin'? TSMM?

And is Toon Town Morning Madness available if you are staying on DVC points? Or is a vacation package the only way to get it?

 

[nunzia]

Yes, each villa has a hair dryer. Like BeccaG said, it is in a labeled black back in the bathroom.



Btw, I spoke to my guide while I was at DLR last week and he said there is a growing waiting list for VGC. 120 pp, no incentives except for points from 2010 if your waitlist comes through before your desired use year month is passed. They are trying to push SSR with 99/pt. He talked about being able to book VGC at 7 months with the SSR points, but we decided to waitlist VGC instead and are considering Aulani.

This was also our first time in a studio and there were stains on the chairs and the sofa was badly frayed. We couldn't open our patio door the last night because the people above us were smoking quite a bit on their balcony and the smell/smoke was very strong. We notified the front desk but we checked out early the next morning so I don't know what came out of it.

I hope you reported the stains and poor condition of the couch as well. We sure don't need our villas slipping in quality.

So glad I bought those extra 50 before they all sold out and I was lucky my user year was the last to go.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

And is Toon Town Morning Madness available if you are staying on DVC points? Or is a vacation package the only way to get it?

Toon town Morning Madness is only available through a vacation package.

 

[kikiq]

Btw, I spoke to my guide while I was at DLR last week and he said there is a growing waiting list for VGC. 120 pp, no incentives except for points from 2010 if your waitlist comes through before your desired use year month is passed. They are trying to push SSR with 99/pt. He talked about being able to book VGC at 7 months with the SSR points, but we decided to waitlist VGC instead and are considering Aulani.

SSR is our other home resort. We were unavailable to book our birthdays and anniversary weekends at 7 months with our SSR points (January, MLK weekend and July weekend). When we went to talk to our guide about Aulani, we ended up buying VGC points instead. The times we have traditionally like to stay at VGC are during busy times. We rather take our chances at 7 months at Aulani for a mountain view and have the 11 month window at VGC.

There have folks that have been successful at 7 months for their desired dates. But if you aren't flexible in your vacation dates, then I would wait for those points.

 

[Nonsuch]

...the sofa was badly frayed.

This will be an ongoing problem. The sofa material is rough, which will grab clothing and cause seams to tear.

...the people above us were smoking quite a bit on their balcony and the smell/smoke was very strong.

Officially the balconies are non-smoking, but unofficially the hotel ignores the issue. I have observed smoking on balconies during many trips to the grand.

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

I hope you reported the stains and poor condition of the couch as well. We sure don't need our villas slipping in quality.

So glad I bought those extra 50 before they all sold out and I was lucky my user year was the last to go.

Yes, we reported the stains and poor condition as well. I was really disappointed about that.

I wish I had bought additional points before. We almost added on another 150 shortly before they sold out, but we decided we didn't need more points...we are kicking ourselves now.

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

This will be an ongoing problem. The sofa material is rough, which will grab clothing and cause seams to tear.

Officially the balconies are non-smoking, but unofficially the hotel ignores the issue. I have observed smoking on balconies during many trips to the grand.

Yes, I agree that I can see this as an ongoing problem. The sofas tend to show dips and sag easily, too, because of the way they are constructed. I hadn't notice this much wear and tear in previous units, though.

That is too bad about the smoking problem especially since we are sensitive to smoke and like to leave our patio doors open to enjoy the sounds of the park.

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

SSR is our other home resort. We were unavailable to book our birthdays and anniversary weekends at 7 months with our SSR points (January, MLK weekend and July weekend). When we went to talk to our guide about Aulani, we ended up buying VGC points instead. The times we have traditionally like to stay at VGC are during busy times. We rather take our chances at 7 months at Aulani for a mountain view and have the 11 month window at VGC.

There have folks that have been successful at 7 months for their desired dates. But if you aren't flexible in your vacation dates, then I would wait for those points.

We decided to waitlist for a 50 pt add on at VGC just for those same reasons. We currently have 210 at VGC but it is not enough to secure a 1 br for the times we always like to stay(usually stay about 3 or 4 days in December and and Halloween weekend) and went ahead and purchased 100 at Aulani today.

 

[jforever52]

FYI, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in February of this year. We were alotted 2 free cars in the self-parking area because we were DVC. Other hotel guests were charged $15 per day.

 

[JimmyJam838]

I don't think I saw any details here about the early access to DCA. If the park opens at 10am, what time can GCH/VGC guest get into DCA for WoC FPs? What else can you do during that time? Soarin'? TSMM?

When we were there in Feb, you could get in at 9 to get Woc FPs. I've seen a line before starting to form before 8:30 when I went down to white water snacks to get breakfast.

I believe Soarin' opens up early. I'm not sure if it is open at 9, but it's opened at 9:30 in the past.

 

[stopher1]

We decided to waitlist for a 50 pt add on at VGC just for those same reasons. We currently have 210 at VGC but it is not enough to secure a 1 br for the times we always like to stay(usually stay about 3 or 4 days in December and and Halloween weekend) and went ahead and purchased 100 at Aulani today.

How exciting for you! Congrats!

 

[toocherie]

Officially the balconies are non-smoking, but unofficially the hotel ignores the issue. I have observed smoking on balconies during many trips to the grand.

So what other rules are they going to ignore? Does this mean that I can 'steal' the robes, towels and kitchen equipment without repercussion too?

ALL rules need to be enforced -- period, the end. If someone above, below or next to me is smoking on their balcony the front desk will get constant phone calls or personal visits until it is rectified. And they'd better charge the offender the $250 cleaning fee. As an owner I don't want to pay a smidgen for it and I certainly don't want a unit that smells of smoke.

Friends and I stayed in a 2 bedroom a couple of weeks ago and we were very careful with all of the furnishings not to cause damage, spills etc. It didn't take a tremendous amount of effort.