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

[hjgaus]

I think the studios go first. I have pretty good luck getting 2BR's. Of course, there are also only 2 grand villas, and they must be hard to get, but I hardly ever inquire about them.

Not as hard as you might think. We just got back from a 4 night stay in the grand villa through a 7 month reservation window. It's sucks up alot of points but worth it for us locals as a wonderful staycation. Just made 7 month ressie
in a 2 bed for few days before Thanksgiving. I did not check for 4th of July so I decided 1 night @ Disneyland Hotel and last year couldn't get in for June on 3 week short notice but did Paradise Pier instead. I've heard others get studios on short notice but I guess that depends on when.

 

[Disney Princess]

We were able to add a night on to my in-laws' reservation in a studio at about 2-3 months. If you have flexible dates, you might get lucky!! Good luck, and let us know what you get.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Time to upload some room photos from our DL trip last week:
Entry/kitchen area:

To my back left is the long closet with the crib, highchair, and I think some bedding. To my back right was the door connecting to the studio that would be used for a 2 BR reservation. The closet you can see on the right in the pic had to vaccuum and broom.

The left side of the pic shows the start of the hall to the baths, bedroom, and laundry.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Living room area:

Looking towards the couch (pulls out, but we didn't need to) from the TV/breakfast bar.

Looking from the corner that is in the pic above. Below the TV is the Murphy's bed, we did open this to see it but didn't test comfiness.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Bedroom and Bathrooms:

2nd bath, has a shower, no tub

View of the separate toilet and shower which was large have had a tiled bench

View of tubs with jets and into the bedroom

 

[PoohNFriends]

Balcony and view:

Looking of the balcony to the left.

Looking straight ahead, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is back there. I know it's not too spectacular, I'll take blacktop as long as I get to enjoy DL.

Off the balcony to the right. Not too far down that path around the corner were the grills. We also didn't use these, but they looked nice when we walked passed them.

 

[franandaj]

So where is DVC Mike? I thought he was going to be at the VGC by now, I keep checking for a TR!

 

[Disney Princess]

So where is DVC Mike? I thought he was going to be at the VGC by now, I keep checking for a TR!

Now that you mention it - he IS supposed to be there now. We leave tomorrow for Dallas, and our flight is Wednesday morning!!! He was going to be there before us, and I kept telling myself that his trip report would hold me over until then. I guess I made it anyway. Can't wait to check into the Grand in 2 days!!!!

 

[rmonty02]

Hi all! So I'm getting ready for our June trip and wanted to ask about anyone's personal grocery delivery experience from Vons. We always drive and do our own shopping but this time I want to skip that step.

Has your experience been positive and worth while? Is there anything I should keep in mind when placing my order? Like...what are the alcohol rules? Can I use my Safeway club card to get discounts? TIA

 

[ACDSNY]

We ordered stuff for breakfast, lunch, snacks and beer from Von's last November with no problems. We did need to be at our room to sign for the delivery. Now that I think about it, Bell Services called and I went down there to sign for it with the Von's delivery person and Bell Services helped us bring everything to our room.

Have a great trip!!! I can't believe I don't have any DL vacations planned at the moment. My extended family has us doing a couple of cruises instead.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

If you include alcohol in your order, you will have to be present to sign for it at delivery. We are normally hanging by the pool when they call, waiting for our room to be ready, so it hasn't been a big deal.

 

[Nonsuch]

Corn Dog Castle and Seaside Souvenirs are now open
These 2 shops and Little Mermaid are on the other side of the fence from VGC, so their opening means the end of construction
Goofy's Sky School and the remaining construction in this area will be complete July 1

Go out on your balcony and smell the Corn Dogs

 

[franandaj]

:cheer: I'm going out there for a Star Tours preview! Maybe a corn dog too!

 

[rmonty02]

We ordered stuff for breakfast, lunch, snacks and beer from Von's last November with no problems. We did need to be at our room to sign for the delivery. Now that I think about it, Bell Services called and I went down there to sign for it with the Von's delivery person and Bell Services helped us bring everything to our room.

Have a great trip!!! I can't believe I don't have any DL vacations planned at the moment. My extended family has us doing a couple of cruises instead.

Thanks Ang and boiseflyfisher! I think this is the way to go for this trip. After this trip I don't know when the next one will be maybe I should take your lead and look into the cruises.

 

[ACDSNY]

Thanks Ang and boiseflyfisher! I think this is the way to go for this trip. After this trip I don't know when the next one will be maybe I should take your lead and look into the cruises.

Maybe you should, my DGS, DNs & DN loved their first cruise so much they can't wait for next April to go on the Mickey boat again. Now that the Wonder is on the west coast it's much easier/cheaper than flying to Florida.

 

[Smltown96]

Corn Dog Castle and Seaside Souvenirs are now open
These 2 shops and Little Mermaid are on the other side of the fence from VGC, so their opening means the end of construction
Goofy's Sky School and the remaining construction in this area will be complete July 1

Go out on your balcony and smell the Corn Dogs

Yeeeeeha! We will be there mid June and can't wait to get a corn dog!

 

[PoohNFriends]

Hi all! So I'm getting ready for our June trip and wanted to ask about anyone's personal grocery delivery experience from Vons. We always drive and do our own shopping but this time I want to skip that step.

Has your experience been positive and worth while? Is there anything I should keep in mind when placing my order? Like...what are the alcohol rules? Can I use my Safeway club card to get discounts? TIA

We just used Vons for our trip that was at the beginning of the month. I placed my order online late Friday for delivery on Sunday. I think the delivery time(s) available was during a time when we might still have been enroute to VGC so I did not order alcohol since I had read I needed to be there to sign. When I registered I got a code for free shipping; I still keep getting various free shipping codes so PM me if you happen to need one. You can go through your order and mark which item(s) you do not want substituted, which item(s) of a different brand are ok and one last option regarding substitution. I marked all do not substitute except and everything came as ordered. You do not need your Safeway card # because all online orders will include the discounted price ! I would definitely order from them again.

 

[franandaj]

Yeeeeeha! We will be there mid June and can't wait to get a corn dog!

We had one today! Thanks Nonsuch for clueing us in! Yum!

 

[JimmyJam838]

Corn Dog Castle and Seaside Souvenirs are now open
These 2 shops and Little Mermaid are on the other side of the fence from VGC, so their opening means the end of construction
Goofy's Sky School and the remaining construction in this area will be complete July 1

Go out on your balcony and smell the Corn Dogs

I just got one today after walking from Midway Mania all the way to the Award Wiener's in the Hollywood Back lot where they told me Corn Dog Castle was open once again. So I had to huff it back to the pier to get my corn dog. It was very delicious.

 

[jforever52]

We just got back!!! Our visit was May 8th through the 15th. We stayed in a Studio, room 4504 and had an awesome view! They were testing World of Color late at night the whole week we were there...the next week they added an extended Pirates sequence and added Rapunzel to the Princess sequence. I had a feeling they were up to something!

Anyway, here are some pictures of the room:

And at night:

And the BBQ (which doesn't seem to get used very much, but I would highly reccomend):

We had a wonderful 1st stay at our new home and are looking forward to many happy returns.