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

[NVDISFamily]

There is! Amy picked up this new hooded sweatshirt! There are also some sweatpants... Seems to be a new line coming to most DVC properties. I've seen the sweatshirt at Saratoga and Vero Beach also thus far.

Thanks Paul. I’m sure we’ll be sneaking over to the Grand Cal to see if they have our sizes in stock when we are at VDH in a few weeks.

 

[pkrieger2287]

Thanks Paul. I’m sure we’ll be sneaking over to the Grand Cal to see if they have our sizes in stock when we are at VDH in a few weeks.

Be sure to ask them to check the back if it isn't on the shelf... That's what Amy did and they had a bunch in the back.

 

[Chili327]

Is there a section in this forum or anywhere else that shows which rooms to request based on views, etc?
I'm not super picky, but i feel like id rather see Grizzly Peak, or Carsland in the distance, than Pixar Pier or just the pool.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Is there a section in this forum or anywhere else that shows which rooms to request based on views, etc?
I'm not super picky, but i feel like id rather see Grizzly Peak, or Carsland in the distance, than Pixar Pier or just the pool.

There are only 48 units… so I don’t know how lucky people are with room requests.

 

[Chili327]

There are only 48 units… so I don’t know how lucky people are with room requests.

I just didn't know if there were certain rooms to ask for or certain wording helps get a better view. I'm just trying to think of what wording to use when i make a request... I guess "east to southeast" view might work. lol

Here is something i found...
https://www.disboards.com/media/villas-grand-californian-color-coded.42963

 

[jayt684]

Is there a section in this forum or anywhere else that shows which rooms to request based on views, etc?
I'm not super picky, but i feel like id rather see Grizzly Peak, or Carsland in the distance, than Pixar Pier or just the pool.

I found this thread helpful:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/villas-at-disneys-grand-californian-room-views.2906031/

 

[Chili327]

I found this thread helpful:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/villas-at-disneys-grand-californian-room-views.2906031/

Awesome, Very Helpful, THANKS!!

 

[Nonsuch]

New sweatshirt for Villas shows the Grand Californian before the Villas were built

 

[ClaraOswald]

Okay...now that's freaking funny!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Does anyone know how far before a refurb we usually start to see dates getting blocked off?

 

[bluecruiser]

Does anyone know how far before a refurb we usually start to see dates getting blocked off?

I would expect more than 11 months in advance. Otherwise Disney would have a big mess on its hands with all the people they'd have to move.

 

[ehh]

I would expect more than 11 months in advance. Otherwise Disney would have a big mess on its hands with all the people they'd have to move.

+1. 11+ months is typical and easily the best for logistics and guest satisfaction.

I think there's an outside chance VGC might be able to skirt around that, though. If they refurb 2 floors at a time, they'd need to move no more than 30 rooms at a time (assuming full LO splitting), which is a lot less painful compared to any other resort. Even less burden if they only do 1 floor at a time.

Relocating guests from 1BR/2BR villas would be a significant challenge, though. GCH has some 1BR/2BR suite inventory, but the rack rates are high. I think there's a tiny-but-not-zero chance that Disney-owned VDH inventory could be used to bridge that gap. VDH doesn't have many larger villas itself, but it does have just enough 1BR/2BR if they move fast enough. (before anyone says they wouldn't accept a VDH swap, that's fine, but some guests would, especially if there's a mild deal sweetener in addition to any excess points returned...and Disney wouldn't need many to agree to swap)

Grand Villas have no good solution without removing from inventory in advance, though. The largest GCH suites have too high a rack rate and VDH doesn't have the GV inventory to support transfers. Further complicating Grand Villa refurbishment is that they are 2 floor villas, so they might need to close both floors to refurb the GVs and impact a greater number of rooms.

The safe bet is inventory removal 11+ months in advance.

 

[bluecruiser]

+1. 11+ months is typical and easily the best for logistics and guest satisfaction.

I think there's an outside chance VGC might be able to skirt around that, though. If they refurb 2 floors at a time, they'd need to move no more than 30 rooms at a time (assuming full LO splitting), which is a lot less painful compared to any other resort. Even less burden if they only do 1 floor at a time.

Relocating guests from 1BR/2BR villas would be a significant challenge, though. GCH has some 1BR/2BR suite inventory, but the rack rates are high. I think there's a tiny-but-not-zero chance that Disney-owned VDH inventory could be used to bridge that gap. VDH doesn't have many larger villas itself, but it does have just enough 1BR/2BR if they move fast enough. (before anyone says they wouldn't accept a VDH swap, that's fine, but some guests would, especially if there's a mild deal sweetener in addition to any excess points returned...and Disney wouldn't need many to agree to swap)

Grand Villas have no good solution without removing from inventory in advance, though. The largest GCH suites have too high a rack rate and VDH doesn't have the GV inventory to support transfers. Further complicating Grand Villa refurbishment is that they are 2 floor villas, so they might need to close both floors to refurb the GVs and impact a greater number of rooms.

The safe bet is inventory removal 11+ months in advance.

Being moved would not make me a happy camper.

1. Transient occupancy tax is much higher at VDH (plus, I've already paid it as part of my VGC dues). However, DVC could mitigate this by paying the tax if they moved me.
2. VDH's further distance from parks. One of the reasons I bought into VGC was for the close proximity and ease of taking quick break(s) from the parks.
3. I can usually get my preferred "quiet" view (Redwood Creek) at VGC. As far as I can tell, there's nothing similar at VDH.
4. I typically stay in a 1 bedroom, for the full kitchen and laundry. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any of the 1-bedroom suites at GCH have these included.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Being moved would not make me a happy camper.

1. Transient occupancy tax is much higher at VDH (plus, I've already paid it as part of my VGC dues). However, DVC could mitigate this by paying the tax if they moved me.
2. VDH's further distance from parks. One of the reasons I bought into VGC was for the close proximity and ease of taking quick break(s) from the parks.
3. I can usually get my preferred "quiet" view (Redwood Creek) at VGC. As far as I can tell, there's nothing similar at VDH.
4. I typically stay in a 1 bedroom, for the full kitchen and laundry. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any of the 1-bedroom suites at GCH have these included.

Why do you believe that VDH 1 bedroom villas don’t have full kitchen and laundry?

 

[emchen]

Why do you believe that VDH 1 bedroom villas don’t have full kitchen and laundry?

Being moved would not make me a happy camper.

1. Transient occupancy tax is much higher at VDH (plus, I've already paid it as part of my VGC dues). However, DVC could mitigate this by paying the tax if they moved me.
2. VDH's further distance from parks. One of the reasons I bought into VGC was for the close proximity and ease of taking quick break(s) from the parks.
3. I can usually get my preferred "quiet" view (Redwood Creek) at VGC. As far as I can tell, there's nothing similar at VDH.
4. I typically stay in a 1 bedroom, for the full kitchen and laundry. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any of the 1-bedroom suites at GCH have these included.

Looks like he was referring to GCHotel suites not having full kitchen and laundry.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Looks like he was referring to GCHotel suites not having full kitchen and laundry.

I withdrawal the question.

 

[NVDISFamily]

A few thoughts about the remodel.

They would have to comp the VDH tax or that’s likely a no go for most.

They can give me a a high end or multiple club level suite rooms and laundry service as a replacement for my 2 BR or 1BR villa any day.

 

[bluecruiser]

Looks like he was referring to GCHotel suites not having full kitchen and laundry.

*she. But you're right, I was talking about suites at the Grand Californian hotel.

 

[CastAStone]

I typically stay in a 1 bedroom, for the full kitchen and laundry. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe any of the 1-bedroom suites at GCH have these included.

None of the hotel side suites have full kitchen or laundry.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Once they start the refurb, how long do you guys think it would last since it's just the DVC wing?