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

[Crazy4Disney06]

We are hoping to have our first DVC stay at the Grand Californian next May. We will likely try for a studio and I'm hoping for two weeks although I realize they may be difficult. I'll be ready to book at the 7 month mark. We've never done DL so it will be exciting. Anyone have any advice on locations to request within the resort? This thread is so long...I will read it all over the next few months but I'm just trying to gather some info. Any advice on attractions and resort tips are appreciated!!

Good luck! I was on the the computer at 5am pacific time ready to book and as I did someone beat me by 30 or so seconds on the studio. We ended up having to get a 1 bedroom and stay off site part of the trip.
Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[EEyorelover22]

My family and I are so missing this wonderful place!
It will go down as the BEST vacation we ever had.

It was AMAZING!!!
Wish we could go back!

 

[Cinderpamela]

We are hoping to have our first DVC stay at the Grand Californian next May. We will likely try for a studio and I'm hoping for two weeks although I realize they may be difficult. I'll be ready to book at the 7 month mark. We've never done DL so it will be exciting. Anyone have any advice on locations to request within the resort? This thread is so long...I will read it all over the next few months but I'm just trying to gather some info. Any advice on attractions and resort tips are appreciated!!

This is a great link to a map/overlay that Nonsuch did... it shows the rooms while looking at the building.... if you want a room with a WOC view, this is a great guide, just look for the photo labeled "View from Paradise Pier (Jumpin' Jellyfish)" and obviously higher floors are better.


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

 

[Chereya]

So Happy! Just rented points for a 2 bedroom VGC for April 2013!! I am hoping that DH will finally agree that we should buy DVC after we get a chance to stay there! Wish me luck this is the first time we are taking my in-laws to Disney. We normally go with my family who are pretty good at doing Disney (my way! ) but thought we needed to switch it up in the name of fairness. At least my brother in law will be there so I can train him to be my FP runner.

 

[luv2sleep]

Put my name on the VGC waiting list today! So excited! My guide said because I want a specific UY (June) it will take a few months. That's ok! I'm in this for the long haul. I can wait. I will be new to DVC. Looking forward to eventually hearing the words: "Welcome Home"! Glad to have found this thread! Such great information here!

 

[ACDSNY]

Put my name on the VGC waiting list today! So excited! My guide said because I want a specific UY (June) it will take a few months. That's ok! I'm in this for the long haul. I can wait. I will be new to DVC. Looking forward to eventually hearing the words: "Welcome Home"! Glad to have found this thread! Such great information here!

Hoping it's a short wait, you'll love owning the VGC.

 

[Breyean]

Put my name on the VGC waiting list today! So excited! My guide said because I want a specific UY (June) it will take a few months. That's ok! I'm in this for the long haul. I can wait. I will be new to DVC. Looking forward to eventually hearing the words: "Welcome Home"! Glad to have found this thread! Such great information here!

I did the same thing last year, twice. First time I waited about 4 months; second time about 1 month. Also June UY.

I think they are pretty aggressive in buying back VGC, so when you see some June UY resales posted for sale, keep you fingers crossed - it might bring one step closer to getting your points.

Good luck.

 

[luv2sleep]

I did the same thing last year, twice. First time I waited about 4 months; second time about 1 month. Also June UY.

I think they are pretty aggressive in buying back VGC, so when you see some June UY resales posted for sale, keep you fingers crossed - it might bring one step closer to getting your points.

Good luck.

Good to hear! He said it could be 4, 6 or 8 months.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Does anyone know if VGC has an October use year? My SSR is Oct so it would be handy if both my contracts were the same.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Does anyone know if VGC has an October use year? My SSR is Oct so it would be handy if both my contracts were the same.

Yes there is but it was not a common one. I think June has the most.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Yes there is but it was not a common one. I think June has the most.

Thanks ... that's me an uncommon lady!

 

[drujaz]

We're set for a 5 day trip starting this Sunday. I have requested for rooms 5506, 4506 and 3522 as my order of preference as I want to be close to the elevator if possible.

Question on the 2-BR rooms, what type of coffee pot is in there and what type of filters are required? I read on a previous post that the Grand Villas have a 12-cup pot that uses the cone style filters. Is that the same for the 2-BRs also?

Thanks in advance. Gotta have my cup of coffee in the morning!!!

 

[JimmyJam838]

don't see a delete option

 

[MrLincoln]

Non-DVC member currently waitlisting Veteran's Day weekend and New Year's Eve in a studio at the VGC. Will snatch and rent points for whichever time comes available first.

Wish me luck!

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Non-DVC member currently waitlisting Veteran's Day weekend and New Year's Eve in a studio at the VGC. Will snatch and rent points for whichever time comes available first.

Wish me luck!

You are going to need a lot of pixie dust for New Year's Eve. Veteran's Day weekend is going to be a popular time, too. I'd make backup plans if I were you.

 

[hjgaus]

We're set for a 5 day trip starting this Sunday. I have requested for rooms 5506, 4506 and 3522 as my order of preference as I want to be close to the elevator if possible.

Question on the 2-BR rooms, what type of coffee pot is in there and what type of filters are required? I read on a previous post that the Grand Villas have a 12-cup pot that uses the cone style filters. Is that the same for the 2-BRs also?

Thanks in advance. Gotta have my cup of coffee in the morning!!!

We were just there last weekend (room 4522) and 2 coffee makers were there. I don't know why but this worked in our favor cuz my SIL had regular Folgers while my husband preferred the stronger french roast. Although I only brought the basket filters, I used in the cone shape filter as well. Slightly messy but coffee was fine.

 

[Chereya]

We were just there last weekend (room 4522) and 2 coffee makers were there. I don't know why but this worked in our favor cuz my SIL had regular Folgers while my husband preferred the stronger french roast. Although I only brought the basket filters, I used in the cone shape filter as well. Slightly messy but coffee was fine.

Speaking of bringing coffee filters from home, has there been a list posted earlier in the thread of things to bring from home vs what is already provided and/or what one might like to bring in terms of personal brand preference?

 

[drujaz]

We were just there last weekend (room 4522) and 2 coffee makers were there. I don't know why but this worked in our favor cuz my SIL had regular Folgers while my husband preferred the stronger french roast. Although I only brought the basket filters, I used in the cone shape filter as well. Slightly messy but coffee was fine.

Thanks for the insight, hjgaus. We use the basket filters and didn't want to go buy cone ones if we didn't need them.

Speaking of bringing coffee filters from home, has there been a list posted earlier in the thread of things to bring from home vs what is already provided and/or what one might like to bring in terms of personal brand preference?

This would be a great idea! Or if DVC posted a list on their sight would be good also. I seem to remember somewhere where there is a list. not sure if its on this thread or another site...

It looks like the DVC site does have the information of whats in the rooms. Just doesn't provide much details:
http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/member...mbersGrandCalifornianAccommodationsDetailPage

 

[hjgaus]

Speaking of bringing coffee filters from home, has there been a list posted earlier in the thread of things to bring from home vs what is already provided and/or what one might like to bring in terms of personal brand preference?


I did see a list some where but I can tell you what I chose to bring from my previous experiences. This depends on how long your stay is as well as how much time you spend using the kitchen.

1. extra paper towel roll
2. zip loc plastic bags (various sizes) foil
3. extra coffee filters (they usually have the basket type filtered coffee makers but it is easier to make shift this into the cone shape than the reverse)
4. cooking oil or spray
5. extra dish washer detergent (last year lots of cooking/washing dishes for 4 day stay & 10 guests)
6. LARGE plastic cups (they only provide glass ware and are small)
7. kitchen towel (last visit only 1 was provided; 2 would be better so 1 washes while other in use)
8. 1 GREAT NON STICK FRYING PAN ( if you live close by and want to bring it, their pans are not that good)
9. NON KITCHEN RELATED - air fresheners for bathrooms. (personal issue for my family)
10. extra laundry detergent (also personal decision)

This reminds me to go over this list in 2 weeks for our trip to Aulani. I believe I shall be purchasing most items when we arrive.

 

[mac_tlc]

I did the same thing last year, twice. First time I waited about 4 months; second time about 1 month. Also June UY.

I think they are pretty aggressive in buying back VGC, so when you see some June UY resales posted for sale, keep you fingers crossed - it might bring one step closer to getting your points.

Good luck.

I am seriously considering buying VGC, even though we are 3000 miles away. I have an April UY, but I would consider having different use years in order to grab a VGC resale -- I wouldn't consider a different UY for any other resort, but its so hard to find any VGC resales, let alone an April UY. We were there in April and absolutely loved it. Really need that 11 month priority window.

mac_tlc