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

[Nonsuch]

Thanks. I think we will fly in the day before and stay at the PVI.
Our first request is for 6504.I hope we get it

Arriving the night before will also allow you to take advantage of Magic Morning on your check in day
This might be very important once Carsland opens.

I generally check in around 7AM, and have had great success getting a room from my request list. The only time I checked in after noon (5PM), was the only time I received a pool view.

 

[Bug715]

Checked this morning and, at this point, the studio is only available until the 16th. You could go on a wait list for Sunday night and often they come through. The one and two bedrooms were available for all nights.

We've been to DL at the end of November and the only thing I'd recommend is warm clothing. It can be nice during the day but at night it's still cool. There was frost when we were there.

Have fun and hope you get to enjoy VGC!

Thanks. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I can get a studio for all nights. I think its stupid that a regular room at any of the resorts out there is more points. But if we have to I guess we will do that. Spending more points will still be cheeper than using money for rooms.

Will I be able to book online at midnight on my 7 month window or do I have to wait and call member services when they open?

 

[mouselike-harrier]

I was told that I had to wait until 8 am to book at my 7 month window online. Can someone who is more knowledgeable tell us at what time can we start to book???

 

[Cinderpamela]

For the 7 month window, if you book online you can book at 8am est....or you can call MS at 9am est.
If you try to book earlier than 8 am online, you will get a message basically stating that your dates are not valid. You have to wait until the 8am EST online opening time, in order to book at your 7 month window for non home resorts.

I booked online within seconds of my 7 month window opening. For me this meant waking up at around 4:45 pacific time. I had the online booking form all filled out a few minutes in advance, then when the magic 8 am EST came up I clicked the button to book.

 

[mouselike-harrier]

Thank you. It will be my first time booking!

 

[Bug715]

Thank you. This will be the first time I'm booking right at the 7 month window. Hopefully I'll have some luck.

 

[Longhairbear]

We are looking at our airfare budget, and are leaning towards spending all of our points at Disneyland this year. WDW doesn't have anything new coming up within our vacation time frame, and Disneyland does.
I think we'll be spreading out our points for many weekend, and several long stays at the VGC, Paradise Pier,and the Disneyland Hotel when we can get them.
We are only 1 1/2 hours away by car, so with a cooler laden with groceries, we can possibly get a one bedroom for a long stay and be able to weather the long lines to the new attractions at DCA this fall.
I love to cook, so there is no limit to what we can bring along to whip up for dinners, lunches etc. and still be steps away from riding the new Trolley Cars, or Mater's Tow Yard. Eggs Benedict as breakfast for dinner with a nice wine, and then off to see World Of Color, or Fantazmic at Disneyland. After park cocktails at Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel poolside...ok, I made up my mind.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

We are looking at our airfare budget, and are leaning towards spending all of our points at Disneyland this year. WDW doesn't have anything new coming up within our vacation time frame, and Disneyland does.
I think we'll be spreading out our points for many weekend, and several long stays at the VGC, Paradise Pier,and the Disneyland Hotel when we can get them.
We are only 1 1/2 hours away by car, so with a cooler laden with groceries, we can possibly get a one bedroom for a long stay and be able to weather the long lines to the new attractions at DCA this fall.
I love to cook, so there is no limit to what we can bring along to whip up for dinners, lunches etc. and still be steps away from riding the new Trolley Cars, or Mater's Tow Yard. Eggs Benedict as breakfast for dinner with a nice wine, and then off to see World Of Color, or Fantazmic at Disneyland. After park cocktails at Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel poolside...ok, I made up my mind.

Sounds like a wonderful plan to me!!! I've also been looking at airfare to Orlando. We have to go to Chicago in October so I figured why not just add on a flight to WDW .... additional cost will be less than $150 per person but if we didn't have that wedding we have to go to my points would be spent in DL this year too!

 

[JimmyJam838]

Travelzoo has a deal for the Mandara Spa voucher that you can purchase through Sunday 5/6/2012 for $99 at around 9PM PDT. The voucher is good for $200 worth of Spa Services through 10/26/2012.

 

[Nonsuch]

Travelzoo has a deal for the Mandara Spa voucher that you can purchase through Sunday 5/6/2012 for $99 at around 9PM PDT. The voucher is good for $200 worth of Spa Services through 10/26/2012.

Thanks for the information
My wife took advantage of a similar TravelZoo coupon in February. That coupon was $99 for a $250 massage/facial. The current offer is more flexible, since the $200 can be applied to any service.

 

[boscoj]

How is the condition of the Mandara Spa.....I've read some recent reports saying that it was in less than pristine. Is this true?

 

[nunzia]

We are looking at our airfare budget, and are leaning towards spending all of our points at Disneyland this year. WDW doesn't have anything new coming up within our vacation time frame, and Disneyland does.
I think we'll be spreading out our points for many weekend, and several long stays at the VGC, Paradise Pier,and the Disneyland Hotel when we can get them.
We are only 1 1/2 hours away by car, so with a cooler laden with groceries, we can possibly get a one bedroom for a long stay and be able to weather the long lines to the new attractions at DCA this fall.
I love to cook, so there is no limit to what we can bring along to whip up for dinners, lunches etc. and still be steps away from riding the new Trolley Cars, or Mater's Tow Yard. Eggs Benedict as breakfast for dinner with a nice wine, and then off to see World Of Color, or Fantazmic at Disneyland. After park cocktails at Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel poolside...ok, I made up my mind.

Can I come along? I can carry bags and cook as well Sounds like a lovely vacation time no matter how the lines are...

 

[ValpoCory]

I was told that I had to wait until 8 am to book at my 7 month window online. Can someone who is more knowledgeable tell us at what time can we start to book???

Most Florida DVC owners will Walk their Reservations at the 7 month window for the VGC. The ones I've spoken with say that is the only way to get the dates they want.

 

[elgerber]

Most Florida DVC owners will Walk their Reservations at the 7 month window for the VGC. The ones I've spoken with say that is the only way to get the dates they want.

I don't know the answer to the time to book online, but walking doesn't always work at 7 months. I was booking BWV and checked VGC for the week or so before I needed it, and wouldn't have been able to book what I wanted, it was already gone before the 7 month window opened. That said, my waitlist did come through in a couple of months.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I don't know the answer to the time to book online, but walking doesn't always work at 7 months. I was booking BWV and checked VGC for the week or so before I needed it, and wouldn't have been able to book what I wanted, it was already gone before the 7 month window opened. That said, my waitlist did come through in a couple of months.

This just confirms that I need VGC points!

 

[mouselike-harrier]

This just confirms that I need VGC points!

Me too!! Just trying to picture hubby's reaction to that one......

 

[franandaj]

Thanks for the information
My wife took advantage of a similar TravelZoo coupon in February. That coupon was $99 for a $250 massage/facial. The current offer is more flexible, since the $200 can be applied to any service.

I did this back in September when it was a saltglo and massage. I bought two and used the first one immediately. I had to get a refund for the second one becuase they were sold out on bookings a month in advance of the expiration date. I didn't realize after I bought one for me and a friend that it was so flexible. We're going to go ASAP and have to choose our treatments!

 

[Nonsuch]

How is the condition of the Mandara Spa.....I've read some recent reports saying that it was in less than pristine. Is this true?

I have read some negative reports about the fitness center, which I have never visited.

My wife reports about Mandara: The massage was good and the staff was friendly. The features of the spa are "oversold" on the website, it is a small facility. It's not a huge spa, like the ones connected to hotels in Vegas and Hawaii. My wife recommended I buy a coupon for myself and she would us both if I opt out.

I just purchased 2 coupons.

DIS Unplugged Blog: Making the Most of Your Visit to a Disney Mandara Spa!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Most Florida DVC owners will Walk their Reservations at the 7 month window for the VGC. The ones I've spoken with say that is the only way to get the dates they want.

Interesting. I have never walked a 7 month reservation because it is a lot of work with no definitive payoff. Wihtout walking, I have gotten every reservation I have wanted at GC with my BWV points, but have had to WL some. If it makes a difference, my longest stay has been 4 nights and all have been over a weekend.

The only walking I recommend is if your dates are flexible. Start by trying to book the earliest date that works for you. If you can later to change to another date, great, if not, you have a reservation that works. -- Suzanne

 

[Cinderpamela]

Travelzoo has a deal for the Mandara Spa voucher that you can purchase through Sunday 5/6/2012 for $99 at around 9PM PDT. The voucher is good for $200 worth of Spa Services through 10/26/2012.

Aww man! I was hoping they would do another one of these, but it expires about a month too soon for us! Darn.... hoping they do one for late November.