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

[ToodlesRN]

Need some advice on our reservation they didn't have all of our days, units available so this is what I have so far;

Wed~ Studio
Thurs~ no availability
Fri~1br
Sat~1br
Sun~1br

Im waitlisted for Thursday on either a studio or 1br. I was hoping to stay in either a studio or 1br the whole stay don't want to do a bunch of moving around with 2 kids.
I was thinking of booking the first 2 days at the Disneyland hotel instead and check out the newly remodeled hotel that way we don't have to move but once. Im going to hang tight until our trip gets closer, if the waitlist doesn't come through Ill book the DL hotel for the 2 days.

With all that said received an email today and my wait list came through!! Now I'm on a wait list for studio or 1br or entire stay, keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[elgerber]

My waitlist came through!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so shocked, I assumed it never would!! I had wanted 7 days in June in a studio, only could get the last 4. I waitlisted a few days after the 7 month window for the 5th day (if I got that, I can spend the first 2 nights closer to Hollywood,and then not have to move once we are at DL), but I was not hopeful. But it just came through. So now I will be at VGC the entire time we are at DL, and I can find somewhere else for the first two nights we are in LA.
I might waitlist for those 2 nights now, just to see, but I won't be upset if they don't come through.

 

[ACDSNY]

Congrats on your waitlist elgerber! It's great to hear it works out once in a while. Enjoy your trip!

 

[stopher1]

How wonderful for you! I want a full TR from Aulani! We're hoping to go next year in March, so pictures from your eyes would be spectacular!

Yea! Also looking forward to a TR

I am here at Aulani - and get to the Grand in just a few more days. It's been wonderful so far.

I haven't started an actual trip report yet, but if you're interested, you can see what I have posted over on my blog, stopher's stuff. I switched professions last year, and as such have been blogging about all kinds of different travels & experiences. The link will take you to just one entry. Click on the name at the top of the page to find more. So if you want to see some pics and read some of my impressions about Aulani - until I get a TR done... that's the place to do it. Mahalo and Aloha!

 

[ACDSNY]

I am here at Aulani - and get to the Grand in just a few more days. It's been wonderful so far.

I haven't started an actual trip report yet, but if you're interested, you can see what I have posted over on my blog, stopher's stuff. I switched professions last year, and as such have been blogging about all kinds of different travels & experiences. The link will take you to just one entry. Click on the name at the top of the page to find more. So if you want to see some pics and read some of my impressions about Aulani - until I get a TR done... that's the place to do it. Mahalo and Aloha!

I completely agree, Aulani is a "Wow" and "Grand Slam". We were there Jan. 6th - 9th and received the best customer service ever. The resort is beautiful and I can't wait to go back in a couple of years.

 

[stopher1]

I completely agree, Aulani is a "Wow" and "Grand Slam". We were there Jan. 6th - 9th and received the best customer service ever. The resort is beautiful and I can't wait to go back in a couple of years.

OH MY GOODNESS YES! I agree with you 100%. These CM's are the best!

I've had a wonderful time so far, and like you - can't wait til I can return.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

OH MY GOODNESS YES! I agree with you 100%. These CM's are the best!

I've had a wonderful time so far, and like you - can't wait til I can return.

So glad to hear that, we leave in a week!

 

[ACDSNY]

We didn't have to go the front desk to check in since I did the on-line check in before we arrived. They must radio up from the first gate at Ko Olina as we were greeted by name, offered something to drink and given leis as soon as we pulled up at Aulani. The CM gave us a short tour of the lobby area and handed us our room keys. The bellman followed us to our room so we didn't have to wait for our bags either. Even our bellman was very helpful with ideas for places to see and eat, not only for Oahu, but Kauai and Maui.

 

[Spencerfamilynj]

We got our ressie at 7 months out for the first full week in August. We are excited we got the ressie but also about staying at GCV! (especially after reading this thread - thanks to everyone who posts).

Couple questions that I hope you can give some directions. We arrive on Sunday and check out on Friday (flying home that day). We plan to spend one day out of the parks, so debating: Should we buy 3 or 4 day passes?

Secondly I've read on the Disneyland website there is a dining plan. Realize dining is different in many ways from WDW so wonder if this is available to DVC members and is it worth it? Looking forward to not having to book meals 6 months in advance and miss the fun of spontaneous eating that free dining seems to have hindered at WDW.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ACDSNY]

I haven't priced tickets this year, but in the past there wasn't too much of a price difference between the 3 & 4 day tickets so we usually get the 4 day ticket and don't feel guilty if we use it for just half a day.

The dining plan is nothing like WDW so we've never used it at DL. Everything is within walking distance, hotels, DTD, both parks so it's fairly easy to eat when and where you want.

Happy Planning and enjoy your trip!

 

[Longhairbear]

GVC also has room service 24/7, with a limited menu after 11 PM.

 

[stopher1]

We didn't have to go the front desk to check in since I did the on-line check in before we arrived. They must radio up from the first gate at Ko Olina as we were greeted by name, offered something to drink and given leis as soon as we pulled up at Aulani. The CM gave us a short tour of the lobby area and handed us our room keys. The bellman followed us to our room so we didn't have to wait for our bags either. Even our bellman was very helpful with ideas for places to see and eat, not only for Oahu, but Kauai and Maui.

Me too. When I pulled up under the Porte Cachere, I was greeted by name - and pretty much as you described it (minus the bellman since I just took my bag with me out of the car). They asked me if I would be using valet or self-parking, then after my response they handed me a claim ticket for my car, as they would keep it in the valet section until after I had my keys and dropped my things off in my room and I could then claim it and move it to the self-parking lot. Easy peasy - and so very gracious, helpful and downright charming. Their pride in the resort shows - from the management staff all the way down the line through the various roles. Everyone was ready and willing to make sure I was comfortable and any needs were met.

 

[TLPL]

Hey everyone, I need your help booking my 2013 trip.
I have only a small contract for VGC and a bigger one for AKL. I need to book 2 studios for the Memorial Day weekend: Saturday and Sunday night, as we are going to take the DCL on that Monday.
Using my VGC points at 11 months I only have enough to book 2 rooms for one of the two nights, and have to wait till the 7 month mark to book the other night. My Question is: which night is more difficult to get? Which night I should book first at 7 month?

Please help.

 

[taaren]

Hey everyone, I need your help booking my 2013 trip.
I have only a small contract for VGC and a bigger one for AKL. I need to book 2 studios for the Memorial Day weekend: Saturday and Sunday night, as we are going to take the DCL on that Monday.
Using my VGC points at 11 months I only have enough to book 2 rooms for one of the two nights, and have to wait till the 7 month mark to book the other night. My Question is: which night is more difficult to get? Which night I should book first at 7 month?
Please help.

When I have tried to add nights I have consistently found that Sunday is harder to get than Saturday at VGC, probably because of the lower points. (I remember finding the opposite at Aulani recently odd, that Saturday was harder to get than Sunday ...) I'd see if you could just transfer in some more VGC points if I were you though ... wouldn't want to risk it because having to move 2 nights in a row before a cruise isn't my idea of a vacation!

 

[TLPL]

yeah i wish I have more points I have already used all my 2012 points, so I have to borrow 2013 points as it is. I wish they allow to trade points between contracts! LOL

 

[ACDSNY]

Hey everyone, I need your help booking my 2013 trip.
I have only a small contract for VGC and a bigger one for AKL. I need to book 2 studios for the Memorial Day weekend: Saturday and Sunday night, as we are going to take the DCL on that Monday.
Using my VGC points at 11 months I only have enough to book 2 rooms for one of the two nights, and have to wait till the 7 month mark to book the other night. My Question is: which night is more difficult to get? Which night I should book first at 7 month?

Please help.

Come join us on the meets thread for the cruise May 20, 2013. I'm hoping work doesn't get in the way of this cruise date, but for now we're booked. We might do a couple of nights at DL too before the cruise.

When I have tried to add nights I have consistently found that Sunday is harder to get than Saturday at VGC, probably because of the lower points. (I remember finding the opposite at Aulani recently odd, that Saturday was harder to get than Sunday ...) I'd see if you could just transfer in some more VGC points if I were you though ... wouldn't want to risk it because having to move 2 nights in a row before a cruise isn't my idea of a vacation!

I agree the Sunday will probably be the hardest to book.

 

[TLPL]

Ok then that's what I will do, book the Sunday night first, and hope for getting the Saturday night at 7 month mark.

 

[CrazyDuck]

. (I remember finding the opposite at Aulani recently odd, that Saturday was harder to get than Sunday ...)

that because Aulani's point schedules don't change day to day.... Saturday points are just as expensive as Wednesday. Since the points are the same people will then try and save money on their airfare and flying on Sunday's is a lot cheaper than flying on Saturdays. So this would require a Saturday night stay.

 

[mopee3]

I know this probably belongs in the "Dining thread" but is specific to the GC hence it's here for you GCV experts, so here goes.

I am finalizing our trip plans to DL this spring, April 29-May 5, and was wondering if Napa Rose has a "quiet room/area" like Jambo's house "Jiko" in AKL, and Contemporary's "Cal Grill", which both have dining room areas I call "quiet rooms/areas". They are rooms/area closed off from the main restaurants floor and so they are much quieter than the main restaurant.

We stayed at the GC a couple of years ago and ate at Napa Rose and are going back so I am wondering, does the Napa Rose have same, can I request it, do you have to reserve it?


Moe

 

[Nonsuch]

Ok then that's what I will do, book the Sunday night first, and hope for getting the Saturday night at 7 month mark.

You might want to book one Studio at 11 months for Saturday and Sunday, then try for the second studio at 7 months. This way one room is complete, and worst case you will need to book the second room in the hotel.

By initially booking only Saturday for both rooms, the worst case would require switching to regular hotel rooms for both. Considering this is a holiday weekend, it could happen. Also since this is a holiday weekend, the hotel and villas will be at full occupancy. There will be no empty hotel rooms on Sunday morning, so you could be without a room from 11AM until 3PM (or later)

I have done a room switch from a villa to a hotel room, and it wasted time and effort -- and will never do it again.