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

[Silly Little Pixie]

I couldn't agree more. I can't believe how high the Deluxe APs are these days and to only get $20 discount when WDW you can get a $100 discount seems so unfair. Now this new offer.

ITA. When I brought this up when I first bought VGC a few years ago, nobody on the DIS seemed to care. I sent a letter to DVC as well, no response. Talked to a guide who was trying to sell me more points during one of those web promotions. Nobody cared. And honestly, you get the $20 off on renewals, OR if you are a AAA member on new APs. So DVC members get no love on the West Coast. It's very frustrating. I have had a Premium DL AP for 15 years, and a Premier one in 2011. In 2013 I think I will have to downgrade my pass. I just don't see any way that I can afford the Premium without getting some kind of discount.

 

[oktracy]

As a a new VGC owner, I sent an email to the Claire Bilby feedback link located on the member website regarding the my wish for a DVC discount for Disneyland passholders. Although I am currently not a passholder yet, I was hoping for some incentive to buy one. I don't anticipate that I will get a response. We should all send our two cents to DVC. There may be hope in numbers if we all jump on the feedback bus.

 

[Snurk71]

I don't see a.better DL AP discount coming through DVC. DL already gets something like 1 million APs with the locals and word is DL has been doing great with Carsland. So what does Disney or DVC have yo gain picking up a bigger discount on an AP?

 

[PoohsFan1]

Can you add us to the list going in 2013? We will be there from 6/12-6/19 (I will update you with the exact dates once we book). We are hoping for a 1-bedroom but will take a studio too. It will be DH, DD12 at time of trip, DD10 at time of trip, and myself. This is our first trip ever to DLR and we are beyond excited about it. We are WDW vets (home resorts are BLT and SSR) and have been going twice a year since 2005, however since this is our first venture to the West Coast parks, I feel like such a newbie again . Everything seems so different when it comes to planning out a DLR trip compared to a WDW trip, but of course I am up for the challenge. I have read all of HydroGuy's Superthreads (which are amazing BTW) and have gotten a grasp on some of the things I need to know. However, I will take each and every advice that is given my way too .

 

[tchrrx]

We will be staying in a 1-bedroom March 17-22. It will be our first DL trip, and we are VERY excited!!!!

 

[taaren]

ITA. When I brought this up when I first bought VGC a few years ago, nobody on the DIS seemed to care. I sent a letter to DVC as well, no response. Talked to a guide who was trying to sell me more points during one of those web promotions. Nobody cared. And honestly, you get the $20 off on renewals, OR if you are a AAA member on new APs. So DVC members get no love on the West Coast. It's very frustrating. I have had a Premium DL AP for 15 years, and a Premier one in 2011. In 2013 I think I will have to downgrade my pass. I just don't see any way that I can afford the Premium without getting some kind of discount.

I think part of the problem is that a few years ago, the AP prices seemed "reasonable" ... when this last round of price hikes came out, there were a of threads on the DLR board about how many regular Land go-ers will be scaling back our trips, which may have been the point. More people going for a shorter time means more $$ for Disney. And unfortunately with so few villas, DVCers are such a small contingent they don't have to try to get us into the parks, as opposed to WDW go-ers who are a lot more likely to go stay in a resort, then buy a 10-day non-exp ticket, and just spend one or two days in the park out of a week, those guys they're losing revenue on and there's a lot of them. Where as with VGC-ers, so few of us take resort-centric vacations and don't spend money in the parks.

 

[poohj80]

Just found this thread. Staying at GCV in a 1 BR for the first time in two weeks. We stayed at GC back in 2005 for DL's 50th but this will be DDs first trip to DL (WDW vets as well). DD is more excited about Cars Land than anything else, but hope she enjoys Walt's original park as much as I did growing up.

 

[Goofy4Pooh]

Hi Everyone! DH and I are GCV owners. I first found DISboards when we made our first trip to DLR for our 30th Anniversary. We fell in love with DL. Though we live just south of WDW and make frequent trips with family and friends I can't wait till our next trip to Anaheim.

DH and I have started saving and planning and we will be including our DS and DD and their families. I was wondering if anyone has been in or seen the views from the 3br grand villas? I am particularly interested in 4522 that looks out over DCA.

 

[sechelt]

Hi Everyone! DH and I are GCV owners. I first found DISboards when we made our first trip to DLR for our 30th Anniversary. We fell in love with DL. Though we live just south of WDW and make frequent trips with family and friends I can't wait till our next trip to Anaheim.

DH and I have started saving and planning and we will be including our DS and DD and their families. I was wondering if anyone has been in or seen the views from the 3br grand villas? I am particularly interested in 4522 that looks out over DCA.

Check out the DVC thread for VGC. Lots of info there.

Here are the views for you, including 4522:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44522663

 

[Breyean]

As a a new VGC owner, I sent an email to the Claire Bilby feedback link located on the member website regarding the my wish for a DVC discount for Disneyland passholders. Although I am currently not a passholder yet, I was hoping for some incentive to buy one. I don't anticipate that I will get a response. We should all send our two cents to DVC. There may be hope in numbers if we all jump on the feedback bus.

I also emailed about including DLR ticket discounts for DVC people. The price increases at DLR far exceeded those at WDW this year, and I read a rumor that there might be another increase there before Christmas.

I suggested it didn't even have to be for APs. How about a discount on a multi day pass, like they offer for some special events, like the 1/2 marathons there or Gay Days? Or even bring back a length of stay pass which would have to match the # of nights on your stay, so you w/b even more locked into going to the parks and less likely to visit other non-DLR attractions in the area.

I found it very interesting, that in all the years of contacting DVC using the contact link on the member page, this was the very first time, ever, I got no response. I don't contact them often, and I've done it to both point out an issue and to compliment someone for their outstanding help, and I've sometimes even put in the message that there was no need to get back to me. But every single time, they've called me, even when I specifically said it wasn't necessary.

Not this time. Not a call. Not an email (other than the computer generated one saying they received my message).

So I wonder if they got enough feedback on this that they are working out what their response s/b. Or if they just don't care because as others have pointed out, there are so few DVC members affected and DLR is doing so well anyway.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I am particularly interested in 4522 that looks out over DCA.

A previous post about the HA features of 4522

 

[Susie63]

Have they changed the coffee makers in the GCV rooms? It seems like I read this recently but can't find it....

 

[Nonsuch]

Have they changed the coffee makers in the GCV rooms? It seems like I read this recently but can't find it....

I have seen 2 types: 12 cup Mr Coffee with basket filter and 12 cup Cuisinart with cone filter.
It would not be surprising to see various different models used as old units are broken and replaced.

 

[oktracy]

Thanks for your response Breyean. Great to hear that there is more support out there for us West Coasters. I did not receive a response either. I agree with your perspective. Let's hope that there will be some small increase in incentives for DVC passholders or parkhopper purchasers in the near future at Disneyland. Isn't the Disneyland Hotel suppose to turn some rooms into DVC villas? That may help our case! Or is this just a rumor?

 

[barngro]

Just booked a 2 bedroom villa june 2nd-7th. Actually banked points this year for the first time in 5 years after borrowing almost every year. Have 540 points and have never used any point anywhere but Disneyland. Maybe it's time to spread my wings next year and go to Florida or Hawaii. My wife passed away unexpectedly this July from cancer and I don't seem to have the desire to do Disney like I used to. I hope that will pass too. By the way, June had alot of openings when I booked.

 

[DebbieB]

I have seen 2 types: 12 cup Mr Coffee with basket filter and 12 cup Cuisinart with cone filter.
It would not be surprising to see various different models used as old units are broken and replaced.

I am at VGC now, our room has Mr Coffee.

 

[poohj80]

I am at VGC now, our room has Mr Coffee.

How are the crowds so far?

 

[hjgaus]

Hi Everyone! DH and I are GCV owners. I first found DISboards when we made our first trip to DLR for our 30th Anniversary. We fell in love with DL. Though we live just south of WDW and make frequent trips with family and friends I can't wait till our next trip to Anaheim.

DH and I have started saving and planning and we will be including our DS and DD and their families. I was wondering if anyone has been in or seen the views from the 3br grand villas? I am particularly interested in 4522 that looks out over DCA.

The view in # 4522 is so awesome! It's like looking into YOUR backyard!! I feel that your so close to the park that if someone (who has good arms) pitched me off the balcony I could either be in line for Little Mermaid ride OR get in through the back door! That is if I could land feet first!! LOL!! We were just there this past May and had friends stay with us who absolutely could have sat in the living room chair just starring out though the LARGE picture WINDOW ALL DAY!! He kept saying how "it feels like I'm (he) the owner of this... look and behold!" So funny!! Although other villas have great views too, THIS room with the BIG window framing the park leaves a HUGE impression on people when entering the room & standing at the foyer!! Bay Lake Towers to me doesn't even match up!!
Our stay was 3 nights so most of us saw WOC about 6 times! The pool table upstairs kept people occupied when we needed some down time & just because we live close by my 15 yr old likes to bring his xbox which they do have hook ups for. Also hooked up karaoke through TV speakers & used the long dining table for playing poker WHILE watching WOC!! This was our 3rd time in the Grand Villas at VGC with the other 2 staying poolside! You can do all same things there as well EXCEPT for the incredible PARK VIEW with WOC show!! YOU will love this room!! Enjoy your time there!!

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Just booked a 2 bedroom villa june 2nd-7th. Actually banked points this year for the first time in 5 years after borrowing almost every year. Have 540 points and have never used any point anywhere but Disneyland. Maybe it's time to spread my wings next year and go to Florida or Hawaii. My wife passed away unexpectedly this July from cancer and I don't seem to have the desire to do Disney like I used to. I hope that will pass too. By the way, June had alot of openings when I booked.

So sorry to hear about your loss. To your point, maybe a trip to Florida or Hawaii may be a good way to treat yourself to a little of that Disney magic....

 

[ACDSNY]

Have 540 points and have never used any point anywhere but Disneyland. Maybe it's time to spread my wings next year and go to Florida or Hawaii. My wife passed away unexpectedly this July from cancer and I don't seem to have the desire to do Disney like I used to. I hope that will pass too.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your wife. I can understand your wanting to go someplace different as my father felt the same way after my mother passed. The Aulani resort is a beautiful and relaxing place to soothe your soul, maybe you could take another family member or close friend for companionship?