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

[Nonsuch]

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.

The current voucher is valid April 26 2012 to October 26 2012.
The previous voucher was valid September 16 2011 to March 16 2012.

I would not be surprised if a new offer appears in November

 

[Homemom]

Just booked our first trip home to VGC in January!

 

[thumpermom]

My husband and I will be heading for our first stay at VGC on 10/23 for 4 nights! Can’t wait!! Over the past few days, I have read through this whole thread!

We will be in a studio, so I have my list of room numbers to request (6504, 5504, 4504, 6510, 5510, 4510, 5516, 4516, 3516) however I have a question that I don’t think has been addressed: Which balcony walls have open slats that you can see through and which are solid? I sit on the balcony often (with coffee or wine) and I hate those solid walls because there is no view at all when sitting!

From Nonsuch’s room numbers from outside picture (which is AWESOME, btw!) I THINK x504 rooms have slats, I can’t tell on the x510 rooms, 5516 looks solid, 4516 has slates and 3516 looks like short slats with a top and bottom solid piece. Does anyone have any further information?

Thanks in advance for the information. I really enjoyed reading this thread although it made me even more anxious for October to come!

 

[Nonsuch]

We will be in a studio, so I have my list of room numbers to request (6504, 5504, 4504, 6510, 5510, 4510, 5516, 4516, 3516) however I have a question that I don’t think has been addressed: Which balcony walls have open slats that you can see through and which are solid? I sit on the balcony often (with coffee or wine) and I hate those solid walls because there is no view at all when sitting!

There are 3 types of balcony railings: wide wooden slats, metal bars, and solid walls.
x504 all have wide wooden slats. (only these studios have a WOC view)
x510 all have metal bars. (view to the left is obstructed)
5516 has a solid wall.
4516 has wide wooden slats.
3516 has wide wooden slats with the lower part solid.

You need to edit your room request, since 6510 does not exist
Also include 3504 and 3510 in your list.

 

[thumpermom]

Thanks Nonsuch! That's exactly what I needed to know!

And yes, I'll edit my room requests - I would hate if they would assign me to room 6510!!

 

[mbw12]

So..... I posted this on the California board first, but wanted to get my DVCers opinions too! thanks in advance to any responses:

Back story: Ive been to California (Los angeles) once in 1991. I dont remember much at all other then we went over memorial Day week and it rained...a lot. We own DVC and go to Disney World atleast 2 times a year. We are a family of 4 from NJ...myself, DH, DS 14, DD 12.

Sooo....now we want to plan a trip for our family and I have LOTS and LOTS of questions:

1) Which resort would be best to use our Disney points at? (walking distance to parks, atmosphere, etc) I should delete this question on this board because I am sure the answer is VGC, but has anyone stayed at the others?

2) how many days would we need in the parks TOTAL? We dont need to see and do everything....but want to hit a lot. Is 3 full days enough?

3) Driving distance to LA? San Diego? Venice Beach/Santa Monica? Marina Del Rey? Could these all be day trips or would we need to do overnight stays in these areas?

4) Must sees: a)obviously Disney parks. b) Hollywood sign, walk of fame, Graumans theater, anythign else in Hollywood? Kids want typical tourist stuff and restaurants, so any suggestions would be great! c) Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive d) BEACH and ocean.

5) Which month is best to go? We want our best shot at great weather....and like I said before, we went over Memorial Day and it rained....lol...just our luck. but serioulsy is Spring (at Easter time) or Summer (either Memorial Day timeframe or the beginning of July) the best time to go?

I have lots more questions as I am just starting my research now. But thought I would start with my Disers to get some info!

 

[forevercruising]

Nonsuch’s room numbers from outside picture (which is AWESOME, btw!)

Could someone direct me to the post number of Nonsuch's post where the actual pictures of the outside of the villas are shown, with the room numbers?

I know I have seen it and it was a very helpful tool, but, now that I need it, I can't find it!

Thanks!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Could someone direct me to the post number of Nonsuch's post where the actual pictures of the outside of the villas are shown, with the room numbers?

I know I have seen it and it was a very helpful tool, but, now that I need it, I can't find it!

Thanks!

I saved this link in my favorites because it is so amazingly helpful!!

Here you go!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40801204&postcount=597

 

[taaren]

So..... I posted this on the California board first, but wanted to get my DVCers opinions too! thanks in advance to any responses:

Back story: Ive been to California (Los angeles) once in 1991. I dont remember much at all other then we went over memorial Day week and it rained...a lot. We own DVC and go to Disney World atleast 2 times a year. We are a family of 4 from NJ...myself, DH, DS 14, DD 12.

Sooo....now we want to plan a trip for our family and I have LOTS and LOTS of questions:

1) Which resort would be best to use our Disney points at? (walking distance to parks, atmosphere, etc) I should delete this question on this board because I am sure the answer is VGC, but has anyone stayed at the others?

2) how many days would we need in the parks TOTAL? We dont need to see and do everything....but want to hit a lot. Is 3 full days enough?

3) Driving distance to LA? San Diego? Venice Beach/Santa Monica? Marina Del Rey? Could these all be day trips or would we need to do overnight stays in these areas?

4) Must sees: a)obviously Disney parks. b) Hollywood sign, walk of fame, Graumans theater, anythign else in Hollywood? Kids want typical tourist stuff and restaurants, so any suggestions would be great! c) Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive d) BEACH and ocean.

5) Which month is best to go? We want our best shot at great weather....and like I said before, we went over Memorial Day and it rained....lol...just our luck. but serioulsy is Spring (at Easter time) or Summer (either Memorial Day timeframe or the beginning of July) the best time to go?

I have lots more questions as I am just starting my research now. But thought I would start with my Disers to get some info!

I answered over on the DLR boards.

 

[franandaj]

So..... I posted this on the California board first, but wanted to get my DVCers opinions too! thanks in advance to any responses:

Back story: Ive been to California (Los angeles) once in 1991. I dont remember much at all other then we went over memorial Day week and it rained...a lot. We own DVC and go to Disney World atleast 2 times a year. We are a family of 4 from NJ...myself, DH, DS 14, DD 12.

Sooo....now we want to plan a trip for our family and I have LOTS and LOTS of questions:

1) Which resort would be best to use our Disney points at? (walking distance to parks, atmosphere, etc) I should delete this question on this board because I am sure the answer is VGC, but has anyone stayed at the others?

2) how many days would we need in the parks TOTAL? We dont need to see and do everything....but want to hit a lot. Is 3 full days enough?

3) Driving distance to LA? San Diego? Venice Beach/Santa Monica? Marina Del Rey? Could these all be day trips or would we need to do overnight stays in these areas?

4) Must sees: a)obviously Disney parks. b) Hollywood sign, walk of fame, Graumans theater, anythign else in Hollywood? Kids want typical tourist stuff and restaurants, so any suggestions would be great! c) Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive d) BEACH and ocean.

5) Which month is best to go? We want our best shot at great weather....and like I said before, we went over Memorial Day and it rained....lol...just our luck. but serioulsy is Spring (at Easter time) or Summer (either Memorial Day timeframe or the beginning of July) the best time to go?

I have lots more questions as I am just starting my research now. But thought I would start with my Disers to get some info!

1) You answered it yourself. I have stayed at the DLH and it is nice too, the refurbished rooms are quite magical, however it is a hotel and not the Villas.

2) What kind of family are you? Is everyone up and ready to go at rope drop and do you send the fastest runner with the park passes to secure FPs for each attraction and then run to the next one when the window opens?

Personally we are a lot slower in our travels and three days was hardly enough time for us to do everything we wanted. However, if you are like I described above you might be able to get everything in. My thinking is that if you have never been, five days is a good number. That way you can go back and repeat some of the things you really liked. It also depends on the park hours. If you are there when it closes at 8PM you will accomplish significantly less than the days it is open until midnight.

3) All those places except San Diego would be day trips. Depending on when you traveled you could hit some terrible traffic, but depending on where in Joisey you come from, you might be used to it if you live in the North and drive into Manhattan.

4) You might plan to eat at the Disney Soda Fountain on Hollywood Blvd. It's next to the El Capitan Theater and sort of quaint. Keep in mind Hollywood is fairly seedy. I can't help but give a big plug to Long Beach, we have the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific and a still relatively new shopping/dining/money grabbing place called the Pike. It's near the ocean and there's plenty to do there after visiting the other landmarks. It's only half an hour from Anaheim.

You might also want to check out Huntington Beach, or Newport Beach (where the rich and famous hang out), and there's Catalina Island. There are miles and miles of beaches, and each one has it's own "flavor". Venice is funky, Santa Monica is pricey, Huntington is surf city, Redondo and Hermosa are somewhat party beaches, I'm not sure what you would call Long Beach or Seal Beach, maybe just laid back.

5) You never know with the weather, but the winter months are usually the nicest. Summer is bloody hot and crowded as is Memorial Day (but not quite as hot). Sometimes we get rainstorms, you never can tell. Even if you came in January and it was cold, I'm sure your family woudn't think so. If it dips below 50 we dress in layers, stay indoors and light a fire!

Good luck planning your trip!

 

[forevercruising]

I saved this link in my favorites because it is so amazingly helpful!!

Here you go!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40801204&postcount=597

Thank you, Cinderpamela!

That is exactly what I was looking for! It is now in my bookmarks, so, I'll have it forever!

I appreciate your quick response!

 

[Hunnypaw]

cool

 

[aymekae]

Hello! Hoping to get more perspective. We just became DVC owners last December at Aulani (looking forward to our first trip in November!) but now my thoughts are turned to our annual extended family Disney trip next January. DH thinks I should book a 1 bedroom for 3 nights. That way, we have privacy, a king bed (we're spoiled at home), and room for three additional people. My thought is that, while my other siblings will have their own hotel rooms, we could meet up for breakfast in the morning, use the villa for an afternoon nap, have a place to change after getting soaked on Grizzly River Rapids (we've all wanted to try this, but are too scared of being wet all day), and maybe to view WOC from the balcony if we're lucky enough to get a room with a view. At a maximum, there would be 10 adults and 1 baby in the villa "visiting", but realistically, it would probably only be 4 or 5 of us.

I don't want to be that annoying person cramming people into a room, but if they're not staying the night, using the pools, and will only be in the room with someone on the reservation... is it that big of deal to have visitors? Or should I be making different arrangements? Thanks in advance.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I don't want to be that annoying person cramming people into a room, but if they're not staying the night, using the pools, and will only be in the room with someone on the reservation... is it that big of deal to have visitors?

Your plan sounds great
The layout of the 1-bedroom, with a second full bath, is excellent for entertaining.

Good luck with your view request

 

[JoRo]

So we were shocked tonight to learn our extra night actually came through in July - good news! However we are a little bummed that we arent staying at the DLH (wanted to play in new pool) on the concierge floor but more money for fun stuff.

So my question can you or has anyone been able to sign up for concierge while staying GCV/DVC - or is this off limits to us?

We thought it might be fun if we were for part of the trip. We are going for 6 nights in July and know its going to be super busy so we are going to relax enjoy pools, parades etc.

Also a little surprised neither DH nor I received an email our waitlist came through....good thing I checked tonight.

 

[Nonsuch]

So my question can you or has anyone been able to sign up for concierge while staying GCV/DVC - or is this off limits to us?

I have always "heard" it was not possible to add concierge, but have never actually tried to add it. It would be nice to be able to add concierge to short Studio trips. I usually bring so much food for 1-bedroom trips, I could almost run my own concierge lounge

 

[Bug715]

So my question can you or has anyone been able to sign up for concierge while staying GCV/DVC - or is this off limits to us?

I know that at WDW you can't add on concierge for an additional cost. I'm guessing it would be the same at DL.


I just put myself on the waitlist for my first stay at VGC!! So glad I'm in my 7 month window I didn't think it would ever get here. The 10th & 16th are the 2 days that aren't available so hopefully people will cancel. If not we will just have to move around a bit. Plus this gives us an excuse to stay at the DLH for a night. SOOOO excited!!!!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I know that at WDW you can't add on concierge for an additional cost. I'm guessing it would be the same at DL.


I just put myself on the waitlist for my first stay at VGC!! So glad I'm in my 7 month window I didn't think it would ever get here. The 10th & 16th are the 2 days that aren't available so hopefully people will cancel. If not we will just have to move around a bit. Plus this gives us an excuse to stay at the DLH for a night. SOOOO excited!!!!!!

Like the two parks being very different so goes with the concierge, you can not get it at DLR unless you are staying in a concierge room in the hotel, concierge is not available to the villa rooms..I have inquired numerous times. Good luck.

Jack

 

[Bug715]

UGH! I almost got Dec 11th-16th at VGC but I guess I didn't click fast enough. So I'm booked at DLH Dec 10th & VGC 11th-14th. I'm on the waitlist for VGC the 11th-17th. What's the chance that will come through?

 

[nunzia]

Seems like VGC is pretty well booked up in early November. I checked to see if I could upgrade a studio reservation to a 1 BR and only 1 of my days are available in a 1 or 2 BR