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

[nunzia]

Any one else think that its time for DVC to ratchet up the DVC discount on DL APs? WDW gives a $100 discount and DL only gives $20. According to my records, in 2008, the WDW AP and the DL PAP were both $369 after DVC discount (not including tax on the WDW AP). Now, the WDW AP is $419 and the DL PAP is $479!

If nothing else, it would be nice to see a DL PAP that would be available to DVC members which would not include parking in the Mickey & Friends lot. We stay in hotels or the GCV when we visit and never use the non-hotel parking lots. Just taking away the parking rights should enable DVC to negotiate a price that is $99 less for the PAP.

Do the rest of you buy APs or use the non-hotel parking? -- Suzanne

We don't have a vehicle there since we take the train in and cab to the park. I agree that they should find a way to give us a better AP deal..WDW gets $100 off..that has to be a much larger percentage than our $20 off discount..and nothing on renewals.

 

[DebbieB]

I wish WDW had the restaurant discounts that DL has. Pretty much everywhere has 10% off.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

I would love a $100 discount on DL APs! Why such a big discount at WDW but not DL?

As for the dining discount, I'm guessing that at WDW you are a captive audience and can't really go anywhere else to grab something to eat. Since DL is smack dab in the middle of a city, there are a lot more places to eat within walking distance, so they offer you the discount to entice you to stay and eat.

 

[jforever52]

Can someone explain the 20% "service charge" the Mandara Spa tacks on to your bill? Is this in lieu of a tip or are you expected to provide a tip in addition to the service charge? Thanks for your help!

 

[Nonsuch]

Can someone explain the 20% "service charge" the Mandara Spa tacks on to your bill?

It must be to help offset the 10% DVC discount

The lack of mysterious charges is one of the best features of DVC

 

[taaren]

Any one else think that its time for DVC to ratchet up the DVC discount on DL APs? WDW gives a $100 discount and DL only gives $20. According to my records, in 2008, the WDW AP and the DL PAP were both $369 after DVC discount (not including tax on the WDW AP). Now, the WDW AP is $419 and the DL PAP is $479!

If nothing else, it would be nice to see a DL PAP that would be available to DVC members which would not include parking in the Mickey & Friends lot. We stay in hotels or the GCV when we visit and never use the non-hotel parking lots. Just taking away the parking rights should enable DVC to negotiate a price that is $99 less for the PAP.

Do the rest of you buy APs or use the non-hotel parking? -- Suzanne

It would be lovely if they did; we never use the non-hotel parking lots, because when we do stay off-site these days, its always within walking distance.
We do get AP's every year, wasn't planning on getting one this year since we're going to try our hand at WDW next year but the price increase in tickets made it so that buying an AP before the increase was more than 8 day tickets after when we called to get the exception.
This is a great idea, but I wish they would fix the discount they already have by allowing Member Services to sell it to us like the WDW one or having a drop down box online to put your discount in then show your membership card when you redeem your voucher. We had to buy our AP w/o the discount online since they could not over the phone and are going to try to recoup the discount upon redemption. Wish us luck!

 

[Greysword]

Any one else think that its time for DVC to ratchet up the DVC discount on DL APs? WDW gives a $100 discount and DL only gives $20. According to my records, in 2008, the WDW AP and the DL PAP were both $369 after DVC discount (not including tax on the WDW AP). Now, the WDW AP is $419 and the DL PAP is $479!

If nothing else, it would be nice to see a DL PAP that would be available to DVC members which would not include parking in the Mickey & Friends lot. We stay in hotels or the GCV when we visit and never use the non-hotel parking lots. Just taking away the parking rights should enable DVC to negotiate a price that is $99 less for the PAP.

Do the rest of you buy APs or use the non-hotel parking? -- Suzanne

I don't think Disney needs to provide a DL AP discount, since there are significantly discounted APs for So. Cal residents already, which is their bread & butter clientele.

In contrast, WDW does not have the same local support in the form of bodies through the gate. Instead, WDW's bread & butter guest is from out of town, and DVC provides a fairly steady stream of repeat visitors. To that end, there are few perks to entice DVC members to visit the parks instead of taking a few days at the resort or at other Orlando venues (like Universal and Sea World). The $100 AP discount has the feel of an appreciation award as well as an attempt to coax DVC visitors to spend more $ at park restaurants or increase the shopping opportunities with only an incremental decrease in ticket revenue (relative to a 4 or 5 day MYW ticket).

As such, DLR does just fine without DVC members, but WDW is relying on them to form an anchor demographic. As such, the discounted APs have more return on investment in Florida than California.

That said, I would prefer a discounted AP usable at both parks. The $700+ PAP is way to much to justify purchasing this ticket instead of buying a WDW AP and DLR tickets separate. In the end, this acts as a disincentive to visit DLR from the central and eastern States.

- Chris

 

[Lucille1963]

HOORAY! We are booked for 7 nights in a 1 bedroom in January!!!! 7 months from today!!!

 

[Goofy4Pooh]

This will be the first visit to DL for DH and me. We will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Honeymooned at WDW back when MK was the only park and have been season pass holders there since 1992 and became DVC owners at VGC May of 2010.

Can anyone give us an idea of what the weather is like in late September and what the crowds are like? Also, I've seen the VGC floor plans that were posted in the old thread and know that x502 and x508 on the fourth and fifth floors have great views but, does any one have any experience with those rooms on the second floor? Or room x514 on the fourth or fifth floor?

And what is the walk like from the VGC wing to the DCA entrance and the restaurants?

Soooo excited about this trip!!

 

[Greysword]

This will be the first visit to DL for DH and me. We will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Honeymooned at WDW back when MK was the only park and have been season pass holders there since 1992 and became DVC owners at VGC May of 2010.

Can anyone give us an idea of what the weather is like in late September and what the crowds are like? Also, I've seen the VGC floor plans that were posted in the old thread and know that x502 and x508 on the fourth and fifth floors have great views but, does any one have any experience with those rooms on the second floor? Or room x514 on the fourth or fifth floor?

And what is the walk like from the VGC wing to the DCA entrance and the restaurants?

Soooo excited about this trip!!

Congrats and happy anniversary!! What you need is the DIS Disneyland section (http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26) Hydro Guy has a series of guide-like posts that completely cover this information, including one titled DL for veterans of WDW (or something like that). He has climate, tickets, crowd levels, etc and it is extremely helpful. In addition, you can find a thread about the Grand Californian, which will have the rest of your info requests in it.

Have a great trip!

- Chris

 

[dwelty]

This will be the first visit to DL for DH and me. We will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Honeymooned at WDW back when MK was the only park and have been season pass holders there since 1992 and became DVC owners at VGC May of 2010.

Can anyone give us an idea of what the weather is like in late September and what the crowds are like? Also, I've seen the VGC floor plans that were posted in the old thread and know that x502 and x508 on the fourth and fifth floors have great views but, does any one have any experience with those rooms on the second floor? Or room x514 on the fourth or fifth floor?

And what is the walk like from the VGC wing to the DCA entrance and the restaurants?

Soooo excited about this trip!!

As a life long southern California resident I can tell you that you have probably picked the absolute best time to visit VGC. Weather is warm but dry. And the parks are uncrowded. we would go that time every year if our kids were not in school. You will have a great time.

 

[kikiq]

This will be the first visit to DL for DH and me. We will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Honeymooned at WDW back when MK was the only park and have been season pass holders there since 1992 and became DVC owners at VGC May of 2010.

Can anyone give us an idea of what the weather is like in late September and what the crowds are like? Also, I've seen the VGC floor plans that were posted in the old thread and know that x502 and x508 on the fourth and fifth floors have great views but, does any one have any experience with those rooms on the second floor? Or room x514 on the fourth or fifth floor?

And what is the walk like from the VGC wing to the DCA entrance and the restaurants?

Soooo excited about this trip!!

Welcome Home and Congratulations!!

September in Southern California can be hot, but not hot like Florida (nothing is hot like Florida) But for the most part, it is beautiful. The crowds during the week are manageable and expect Sundays to be crowded.

Come on over to the Disneyland DIS. Lots of folks with good advice, read Hydroguy's advice to WDW vets coming to DLR. There's also a Grand Californian Hotel thread that has good info that DVCers can use also.

I'm a DLR AP person, live 30 minutes from Disneyland. We spend our anniversary at Disneyland and sometimes also at WDW. We bought VGC points so we could book our anniversary and birthday weekends. Looking forward to our July weekend! You will have a wonderful time!

 

[Nonsuch]

... I've seen the VGC floor plans that were posted in the old thread and know that x502 and x508 on the fourth and fifth floors have great views but, does any one have any experience with those rooms on the second floor? Or room x514 on the fourth or fifth floor?

The view from 3502 is partially blocked by trees. This photo is from September 2010, since then more trees have been planted on the park side of the fence. The second floor is about the same level as the fence (in the foreground of the photo), so the view will be limited.

...what is the walk like from the VGC wing to the DCA entrance and the restaurants?

A WDW veteran like yourself will find the walk to the DCA entrance incredibly short.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I can not remeber the number, it is somewhere in the superthread, but it was 3rd floor and excellent. 1 bedroom

Jack

 

[Goofy4Pooh]

Congrats and happy anniversary!! What you need is the DIS Disneyland section. Hydro Guy has a series of guide-like posts that completely cover this information, including one titled DL for veterans of WDW (or something like that). He has climate, tickets, crowd levels, etc and it is extremely helpful. In addition, you can find a thread about the Grand Californian, which will have the rest of your info requests in it.

Have a great trip!

- Chris

Thanks for the suggestions! I will definately be checking them out

 

[Goofy4Pooh]

As a life long southern California resident I can tell you that you have probably picked the absolute best time to visit VGC. Weather is warm but dry. And the parks are uncrowded. we would go that time every year if our kids were not in school. You will have a great time.

September has always been one of our favorite times to go to WDW for the same reason. Glad to hear it's similar at DL. I am so excited for this trip!

 

[Goofy4Pooh]

Welcome Home and Congratulations!!

September in Southern California can be hot, but not hot like Florida (nothing is hot like Florida) But for the most part, it is beautiful. The crowds during the week are manageable and expect Sundays to be crowded.

Come on over to the Disneyland DIS. Lots of folks with good advice, read Hydroguy's advice to WDW vets coming to DLR. There's also a Grand Californian Hotel thread that has good info that DVCers can use also.

I'm a DLR AP person, live 30 minutes from Disneyland. We spend our anniversary at Disneyland and sometimes also at WDW. We bought VGC points so we could book our anniversary and birthday weekends. Looking forward to our July weekend! You will have a wonderful time!

Thanks! I will be checking out the Disneyland DIS and GCH thread and looking for Hydroguy. Thanks for the advise

 

[Goofy4Pooh]

The view from 3502 is partially blocked by trees.......since then more trees have been planted on the park side of the fence. The second floor is about the same level as the fence, so the view will be limited.



A WDW veteran like yourself will find the walk to the DCA entrance incredibly short.

I'm gonna hope for an upper floor. I like the views that have been posted from 4 and 5. Still would like to see what the view from 4 or 5 515 is like.

 

[bellazachmom]

On the wonderful superthread over on the DisneyLand boards there was a reference and picture of "the World of Color Viewing Terrace for DVC".

I haven't seen or heard any other mention of this. Does anyone know if this exists and is in use? Was it ever available? Any info?

I am thinking that it might be like the Top of the World Lounge at BLT -- which we LOVED!! and am hoping that it is still available to DVCers on points.

Thanks!

 

[nunzia]

On the wonderful superthread over on the DisneyLand boards there was a reference and picture of "the World of Color Viewing Terrace for DVC".

I haven't seen or heard any other mention of this. Does anyone know if this exists and is in use? Was it ever available? Any info?

I am thinking that it might be like the Top of the World Lounge at BLT -- which we LOVED!! and am hoping that it is still available to DVCers on points.

Thanks!

We've gone up there and watched the show. It is basically a big terrace with restrooms..that's it..no lounge or anything. There are soda machines though You can see WOC from up there and the music is piped in.however, you won't see the projections very well..these are best experienced front and center (which is not always easy to get either.) You use your room key to get in so it's for all Californian guests. When we were there it wasn't crowded at all..maybe 15 people? so everyone could be at the edge. I'd think if it ever got crowded it would end up being like standing in a big box and unless you were at the edge, you wouldn't be able to see anything.