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

[Breyean]

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

When we bought in 1993 at OKW we lived in NY so never had a problem getting there twice a year. Of course the free park tickets we got for the first 7 years didn't hurt, either.

Then we moved to AZ and started going to DLR more often than WDW. Initially we used points to stay at the GC hotel (before the DVC part was added) and still managed a trip every few years to WDW.

Now we own at VGC as well as OKW. In the past year we've used points for an Alaskan cruise, a GV at OKW for the marathon, one visit last October to DLR, and we have another VGC stay planned for July, another in September, plus another short trip to WDW in November.

My point is, even with the distances involved, it can be done and it's great to be a bi-coastal DVD member.

Good luck!

 

[Chereya]

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.

Thank you hjgaus for sharing your packing list with us!!

For Aulani - there's a Wal-Mart in Pearl City between the airport and Aulani where you can get some supplies and hop back onto the freeway without too much detouring trouble. The Wal-Marts in Hawaii are pretty new and non-ghetto so I don't have any issues with shopping there. You could also pick up beach gear (snorkeling stuff, sunscreen, aloe gel, etc) instead of paying to rent or pick up other necessities that you don't want to take up precious luggage space. Or, there's also a Target in Kapolei which I have not personally been to but all Targets are pretty much the same so you should find anything you need there, too.

 

[hjgaus]

Your very welcome Chereya! Thank you for the Aulani tip! I'm trying to pre-plan a little so we don't waste anytime missing the beautiful beaches! We love Hawaii!!!

 

[Lucille1963]

Woo Hooo!!! We had so much fun last January, we're going again in January 2013! Just booked us into a studio for 8 nights. I can't wait!

 

[ACDSNY]

Woo Hooo!!! We had so much fun last January, we're going again in January 2013! Just booked us into a studio for 8 nights. I can't wait!

Congrats on you booking. I'm sure you have a great time at one of my favorite places.

 

[LAWalz23]

First time at GCV next month. We are arriving from NY on a Wednesday morning , the 18th, and have two 1 bedroom villas booked. One is regular and one handicapped accessible. Is there any chance that one of the villas might be ready early? My mom has stamina and mobility issues and usually takes a nap in the early afternoon. Thanks for any info.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

We have never been able to check in before 4pm in the 8 times we have stayed there. We normally plan on check in day being a park or pool day. The pool loungers are very comfortable. I've catnapped in them more times than I would like to admit!

 

[LAWalz23]

Thanks for the info and the tip about the lounges at the pool!

 

[elgerber]

Does anyone know if VCG has the new H2O products that I read about on the resorts board? I read that they are replacing the aquatics.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Thanks for the info and the tip about the lounges at the pool!

With Cars Land opening this week, it is going to be very busy. If money is no object, there are cabanas available for rent around the pool. You could close the curtain and your Mom could have total privacy.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Does anyone know if VCG has the new H2O products that I read about on the resorts board? I read that they are replacing the aquatics.

Not sure what they have at VGC now, but I was shocked to see the grapefruit bergamot at PPH last week. I had no idea that they had switched to H2O. I was expecting to see the old mouse ears.

 

[taaren]

Is there any chance that one of the villas might be ready early? My mom has stamina and mobility issues and usually takes a nap in the early afternoon. Thanks for any info.

We've gotten lucky and gotten in around noon and two, then a couple of times around four. Because they share housekeeping with the GCH, I get the impression part of it has to do with how many rooms they're turning over in the hotel, because its been later when I've checked in on/near the weekends rather than the weekdays.

I'll be checking in on Sunday, we should arrive around 1pish though that should be a crazy busy day in the parks we're just planning on ooh-ing and ahh-ing at all the improvements and not really getting anything done ride-wise, and probably not even getting into the room until after 4p. So looking forward to my first stay in a studio at my home resort! (We've always had 1 and 2 bedrooms before.)

 

[dis2cruise]

Hi my family owns at okw and are excited to be heading to the grand Californian in jan 2013 for 1 week for the first time ever We booked an 1 bedroom with the view of the park. Can someone suggest a few rooms that has a great view so I can request them to member services?

 

[australiankaren]

hi there

just wondering how hard it will be to get 8 nights studio feb 1-9, we are BLT/VB owners so this is my first trip to DLR since 1982 (bet its changed a bit)......

or should I just start looking for off site accommodation as the availability will be horrible.

thanks in advance.....

 

[mac_tlc]

Hi my family owns at okw and are excited to be heading to the grand Californian in jan 2013 for 1 week for the first time ever We booked an 1 bedroom with the view of the park. Can someone suggest a few rooms that has a great view so I can request them to member services?

Disboard member "nonsuch" is the keeper of all things regarding VGC and the views of specific rooms. There is a specific list of 1-bdr units, in order of desirability to request PP views. We used it for our stay in April and got the #1 choice -- room 6502. Here is a link to some pix,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49727523@N03/sets/72157630036485062/

mac_tlc

 

[mac_tlc]

Hi my family owns at okw and are excited to be heading to the grand Californian in jan 2013 for 1 week for the first time ever We booked an 1 bedroom with the view of the park. Can someone suggest a few rooms that has a great view so I can request them to member services?

I found the request template we used, courtesy of nonsuch..........


Dear Member Services:

I would like to add a room request to reservation number ______________.
This reservation is for a one-bedroom at the Villas at the Grand Californian Resort

Arrival: _____________
Departure: ____________

Please add this room location request:
"Prefer a high floor with Paradise Pier Park View.
The room order of preference is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508, 3502, 2522, 2508, 2502"

I understand that room requests cannot be guaranteed.

Thank You

NAME
DVC Member Number: __________
ADDRESS




mac_tlc

 

[Lucille1963]

Hi my family owns at okw and are excited to be heading to the grand Californian in jan 2013 for 1 week for the first time ever We booked an 1 bedroom with the view of the park. Can someone suggest a few rooms that has a great view so I can request them to member services?

Although it does't have a Paradise Pier view, I loved 5514 with a view of Grizzly Peak, the Tower of Terror and the Cadillac Range. There are some pics in my trip report.

Here's a link to the post in my trip report with the most pictures http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45182061&postcount=11

hi there

just wondering how hard it will be to get 8 nights studio feb 1-9, we are BLT/VB owners so this is my first trip to DLR since 1982 (bet its changed a bit)......

or should I just start looking for off site accommodation as the availability will be horrible.

thanks in advance.....

We were in a 1 bedroom this past January for similar dates (Jan 25-Feb) called right at the 7 month mark and were able to book it. This year we booked a studio for earlier in January (8-16) and had no problems either. I peeked at the availability last week and the congested time was MLK/Marathon weekend. Don't give up hope, it could happen!

 

[Chereya]

I found the request template we used, courtesy of nonsuch..........


Dear Member Services:

I would like to add a room request to reservation number ______________.
This reservation is for a one-bedroom at the Villas at the Grand Californian Resort

Arrival: _____________
Departure: ____________

Please add this room location request:
"Prefer a high floor with Paradise Pier Park View.
The room order of preference is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508, 3502, 2522, 2508, 2502"

I understand that room requests cannot be guaranteed.

Thank You

NAME
DVC Member Number: __________
ADDRESS

Thanks for the blank room request template! I am renting points through David's and had asked that the Member notate my room requests on the reservation but got resistance to doing so. I did get a copy of the official Disney confirmation (when I asked if I was supposed to receive any other document) and saw that a name was misspelled. There were no room requests noted on the official Disney confirmation. I don't want to be a pest and the trip is far in the future (April 2013). Should I try following up closer to the trip? Should I ask David's to ask the Member or just go directly to VGC?

 

[Spencerfamilynj]

Looking for some expert advice. We are excited about our first ever:trip to Disneyland and staying at GCVs. We want to spend a day taking a bus tour of Hollywood and Grumman's Chinese Theater. Does anyone know a good bus tour company? Do any leave from the hotel directly? Always know I'll get great advice here - so thanks in advance.

 

[DebbieB]

Hi my family owns at okw and are excited to be heading to the grand Californian in jan 2013 for 1 week for the first time ever We booked an 1 bedroom with the view of the park. Can someone suggest a few rooms that has a great view so I can request them to member services?

FYI - there are no view reservations at VGC like there are at BWV or BLT. So you can't "book a view of the park". It's just a request.

Good luck with your request. We lucked out and got 6504 last year, which faces the park, it was amazing. My friend checked in at 7:00am (she got there the day before) and repeated our request and it was ready at 9:45am!