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

[Nonsuch]

Nope! Earliest booking didn't help us. We own at VGC, booked a 2 bedroom at 11 months, requesting a Park view. Apparently, since we checked in on a Monday, we messed up their room assigning window and we got a view of the Redwood Trails, which to me, isn't a Park view.

Bummer you were disappointed, however I would consider a view of Redwood Creek as Park View. While Paradise Pier View would be my first choice, I would prefer Redwood Creek to Pool View (and I have had all the views). It's hard to say how much Monday check-in is a factor, since villas must be assigned several days in advance (likely a week or more).

Did you provide a list of specific villa numbers with your view request?
Were you in a lock-off or dedicated? What floor?
-- Sorry about all the questions, but more information might help everyone (or at least me) with future requests.

...When I called to the desk, they claimed there was nothing else available. They said they have to carefully match up check-ins with check-outs since the property is so small...

VGC are generally close to 100% occupancy, so it is likely the front desk could not move you.

 

[cseca]

Does anybody know what type of coffee filter we need to bring for our stay?
We will be staying in the GV.
Thanks a bunches!

 

[Nonsuch]

Does anybody know what type of coffee filter we need to bring for our stay?
We will be staying in the GV.

The GV has a 12 cup Cuisinart that uses cone filters, while all other villas use flat bottom baskets.
I usually bring both types

 

[cseca]

The GV has a 12 cup Cuisinart that uses cone filters, while all other villas use flat bottom baskets.
I usually bring both types

Thank you!!!

 

[Doug7856]

We are very excited because we were successful in booking a studio for six consecutive nights this summer! The last time my wife and I visited Disneyland was during the initial construction of Disney California Adventure, so it's been awhile!

Thanks so much for sharing the great tips and recommendations. We have requested a high floor and a theme park view, but we'll be happy with any view - even a pool view. We have two kids who will be 6 and 12 at the time of travel.

We are thinking of going to the Storytellers breakfast one day of our trip. Any thoughts on this dining experience? We're really looking forward to experiencing Disneyland and the convenience of the closeness of the parks!

 

[sandysue]

We love Storytellers and went the first morning we arrived on the red eye. Make sure to watch Brother Bear and Pocahontas so you will know the forrest characters. Food was good too.
We also did a lunch, non-buffet and the choices were fresh and healthy.

 

[Doug7856]

We love Storytellers and went the first morning we arrived on the red eye. Make sure to watch Brother Bear and Pocahontas so you will know the forrest characters. Food was good too.
We also did a lunch, non-buffet and the choices were fresh and healthy.

What characters are at the breakfast? It appears to include Chip & Dale and Meeko. Any others?

 

[sandysue]

We saw Kenai and Koda and Braer Bear. That was back in 2011.

 

[Snurk71]

What characters are at the breakfast? It appears to include Chip & Dale and Meeko. Any others?

We've seen Pluto a few times too.

 

[thewesterberg]

While I've been to DLR 4 times, it has been in conjunction with work conference held at the Hyatt down the street (and one family trip, staying off-site) but that's all going to change in a couple if weeks! We were looking at going in January but everything was booked. Just happened to look last week and the two nights we needed opened up for a studio, which is what we wanted! Can't wait to stay at VGC! Thanks for all the great info in this thread!

 

[sandysue]

Put in our room request for a PP park view. Crossing fingers...

 

[Nonsuch]

DW and I had a nice visit to the parks last weekend

Checked in at 2:30PM on Friday (the 13th). The reservation was made slightly more that 7 months in advance. The assigned villa was a Pool view (5507) which was not on my list (emailed to Member Services).

Prefer a high floor with Paradise Pier Park View.
The room order of preference is: 6502, 5508, 4508, 5502, 4502, 3508,
3502, 5514, 4514, 3514, 2522, 2508, 2502, 2514

I requested a change, and was moved to 4514. Although I prefer looking a Paradise Pier, DW loves the view of trees

Although only one floor higher, 5514 has a much better view.
(from a previous visit)

 

[Nonsuch]

DW claims I bring too much "stuff" to VGC, but I can now claim to travel "light" compared to this group.
A bellman was pushing these 2 carts off the elevator, and also needed go back for a third cart

 

[czmom]

Nonsuch- I love your stuffed Olaf in the window. When we were there a few weeks ago, my son just HAD to have that stuffed one...and not the one that sings. They were out everywhere! I think we looked in every single store. Fortunately, one place I asked had the last one hidden behind the counter and my little boy was so very happy.

Does anyone know if D23 makes VGC impossible to get into at 7 months? I just realized when we are hoping to go back (August 2015) is the same time D23 was this year. If so, might have to rent from an owner again. Or convince DH to buy there....

 

[franandaj]

Nonsuch- I love your stuffed Olaf in the window. When we were there a few weeks ago, my son just HAD to have that stuffed one...and not the one that sings. They were out everywhere! I think we looked in every single store. Fortunately, one place I asked had the last one hidden behind the counter and my little boy was so very happy.

Does anyone know if D23 makes VGC impossible to get into at 7 months? I just realized when we are hoping to go back (August 2015) is the same time D23 was this year. If so, might have to rent from an owner again. Or convince DH to buy there....

Do you mean the biannual Expo? It does fill up quickly at that time. I believe some people got in at 7 months, but they might have been arriving earlier than the start of the Expo.

We always use our Hilton miles to stay there during the Expo because it is the absolute closest place to stay. Depending on your expo strategy that may or may not matter to you, but for us it is key.

Hmmm since F&Wdoesn't seem to be coming back. I might start thinking about renting out some of my points.

 

[wdw1014]

:I just had to share my good luck. A little background first. We live in Washington IL. On Nov. 17th of this year a tornado went through our town. Our home has some damage, but we were able to live in it. We were one of the fortunate families. So many friends lost everything. Anyway, I needed to make reservations at VGC, right after this happened and of course there was no internet service in our area. I decided when my 7 month window opened that my best bet was to drive about 15 minutes away to a Starbucks and be there when member services opened in order to have a chance at getting a reservation. I tried this plan for two mornings with no luck. Although I did put in a waitlist I was pretty sure my chances of it coming through were very slim. Well, on Christmas morning I decided to check my email and there it was, a email from DVC. What a great Christmas gift, my waitlist had come through. So we will be staying in a 2 bedroom in June. I can't wait for the fun to begin.

 

[czmom]

Do you mean the biannual Expo? It does fill up quickly at that time. I believe some people got in at 7 months, but they might have been arriving earlier than the start of the Expo.

We always use our Hilton miles to stay there during the Expo because it is the absolute closest place to stay. Depending on your expo strategy that may or may not matter to you, but for us it is key.

Hmmm since F&Wdoesn't seem to be coming back. I might start thinking about renting out some of my points.

Yes, the D23 expo that was in 2013. I believe it will be back in Anaheim in 2015. We are not planning to attend, just spend a week at the parks around the same time. I think we would be arriving on the Sunday that the expo ends.
I would much rather use my own points, but given the situation I think it may be risky to wait until 7 months.

 

[PoohsFan1]

:I just had to share my good luck. A little background first. We live in Washington IL. On Nov. 17th of this year a tornado went through our town. Our home has some damage, but we were able to live in it. We were one of the fortunate families. So many friends lost everything. Anyway, I needed to make reservations at VGC, right after this happened and of course there was no internet service in our area. I decided when my 7 month window opened that my best bet was to drive about 15 minutes away to a Starbucks and be there when member services opened in order to have a chance at getting a reservation. I tried this plan for two mornings with no luck. Although I did put in a waitlist I was pretty sure my chances of it coming through were very slim. Well, on Christmas morning I decided to check my email and there it was, a email from DVC. What a great Christmas gift, my waitlist had come through. So we will be staying in a 2 bedroom in June. I can't wait for the fun to begin.

That is awesome and congrats on your waitlist coming through. We live in Illinois (Southwest side of Chicago) so I am well aware of the troubles that Washington IL has been facing. Talk about a Christmas miracle for someone who surely deserves it after what you and your family had gone through .

 

[ludari]

Me and my visiting friend spent 15 hours at DLR and DCA on December 29 and had the best time. We basically closed down the park and missed opening the park by one hour. Anyhow, it was so convenient to be able to just walk into VGC after this long day and just crash. This is the second time my friend stayed with me at a DVC resort and she's really interested in purchasing soon. I think the hard part for her will be selecting a resort. Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Meemoo]

Hey there,

I was wondering if any of you could offer your recommendations on the best time of the year to score 7-8 nights in a studio at Grand Californian Villas booking at the 7 month mark? Would late November be a possibility?