The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 3.0

[Wedgeout]

I think they are the same person on the West Coast. From LinkedIn:

Grand Cal: Nicholas Hockman
Disneyland Hotel: Dan Coleman

It is interesting that Dan Coleman was at Grand Cal until May 2024 and then went over to the Disneyland Hotel & Villas.

Yes!! Dan was over there! I tell him he is my Walt Disney the way he strolls the ground…looking…watching…picking up a stray piece of trash. Will stop and actually talk with you.

Fill in on the bio of Mr Hockman. How is your resort experience been with him?

Today we met OKW manager Joe Caruso. At OKW one year. He was out at Hilton Head prior. These contacts have been a highlight of the meetings for me!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I am not sure a larger than expected increase in VGC dues equates to "falling on their swords". My guess is the significant increase is to fund this 2nd round of refurb.

Be careful what you wish for - you might get it - and then have to pay for it.

But all resorts got a larger than average increase so ....

 

[AstroBlasters]

But all resorts got a larger than average increase so ....

That’s the problem with “guesses”….

 

[ClaraOswald]

If you are that sensitive to noise then IMO you need to commit to a white noise machine.

We actually have 3 that we bring every time we travel.

I always bring one; it really helps! Also earplugs (not always needed).

Do you sleep in earplugs? I've tried and just couldn't do it. I could hear my own heartbeat which drove me crazy.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Yes!! Dan was over there! I tell him he is my Walt Disney the way he strolls the ground…looking…watching…picking up a stray piece of trash. Will stop and actually talk with you.

Fill in on the bio of Mr Hockman. How is your resort experience been with him?

Today we met OKW manager Joe Caruso. At OKW one year. He was out at Hilton Head prior. These contacts have been a highlight of the meetings for me!

Well… he has a picture of himself in a tux on LinkedIn instead of his corporate photo & references that he is a general manager at The Walt Disney Company instead of “Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa”….

My gut tells me he is “All hat and no cattle”….

 

[Wedgeout]

When you all visit your resort…scope out this man. Find out how he manages the day. Does he walk the resort. Does he have as much loyalty to the DVC portion as he does for the hotel. How long been there. Management history. Get him back aligned with DVC becomes first priority to the regular hotel side. Needs to understand you are the ones returning over & over…the true family of that resort.

 

[AstroBlasters]

When you all visit your resort…scope out this man. Find out how he manages the day. Does he walk the resort. Does he have as much loyalty to the DVC portion as he does for the hotel. How long been there. Management history. Get him back aligned with DVC becomes first priority to the regular hotel side. Needs to understand you are the ones returning over & over…the true family of that resort.
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The DVC side is so small at Grand Cal relative to EVERY other resort…. also… it shouldn’t be my job on my vacation to try to charm someone into doing the job they are paid a lot of money to do…. I am on vacation because I am stressed out of my mind with my actual job and trying to escape pleasing others for a week or so…

 

[Wedgeout]

The DVC side is so small at Grand Cal relative to EVERY other resort…. also… it shouldn’t be my job on my vacation to try to charm someone into doing the job they are paid a lot of money to do…. I am on vacation because I am stressed out of my mind with my actual job and trying to escape pleasing others for a week or so…

Nothing said about ‘charming’ anyone. Just if given the opportunity or see the guy in passing…chat. This thread is so wound up over the refurb. That dude played a huge role in it!

 

[DonnerB]

When you all visit your resort…scope out this man. Find out how he manages the day. Does he walk the resort. Does he have as much loyalty to the DVC portion as he does for the hotel. How long been there. Management history. Get him back aligned with DVC becomes first priority to the regular hotel side. Needs to understand you are the ones returning over & over…the true family of that resort.
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Just don’t look for the man in this photo

The tuxedo wearing man in @AstroBlasters post is definitely the “Nic” I met at the meeting yesterday, not this guy!

 

[Wedgeout]

Just don’t look for the man in this photo

The tuxedo wearing man in @AstroBlasters post is definitely the “Nic” I met at the meeting yesterday, not this guy!

Awesome …will the real Nicholas Hockman please stand up..1..2..1..3..2..3….it’s #1

Seriously though cool that he is “Nic” to you now. Must have had a good impression!! The manager contacts were the best part for me!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Just don’t look for the man in this photo

The tuxedo wearing man in @AstroBlasters post is definitely the “Nic” I met at the meeting yesterday, not this guy!

Any insights from or about Nic? Like why the outrage had to come from the membership…. or pictures on social media about mushrooms growing out of showers on the cash side…..

 

[VGCgroupie]

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...2026-lightning-lane-benefit-for-hotel-guests/

Early entry LL replacement info. At least it use it whenever you want LL not scheduling a time.

 

[AstroBlasters]

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...2026-lightning-lane-benefit-for-hotel-guests/

Early entry LL replacement info. At least it use it whenever you want LL not scheduling a time.

We’ll need it with DLH and PP getting to use our small dedicated entrance to DCA….

 

[DonnerB]

Any insights from or about Nic? Like why the outrage had to come from the membership…. or pictures on social media about mushrooms growing out of showers on the cash side…..

Sadly no mushroom insight...Bill Dierksen and the rest of the bigwigs in Florida did most of the answering in Q&A. Nic gave us a pretty bland comment about preserving the Craftsman style of the rooms and being proud of the general improvements the resort is going through (Napa Rose, etc.) since he is in charge of both the hotel/DVC side.

I'm paraphrasing the question here (can't remember if this was a @Flash_Sloth one), but they were asked about how we ensure our dues are not being used for hotel-side upkeep. We got a very canned answer from Florida about an allocation process where common costs are allocated and nobody is contributing to "Disney owned commercial spaces."

He didn't give off Dan Coleman vibes as described by @Wedgeout, but he strikes me as one who would be receptive to input if you came across him on your visit.

 

[AZMermaid]

I am not sure a larger than expected increase in VGC dues equates to "falling on their swords". My guess is the significant increase is to fund this 2nd round of refurb.

Be careful what you wish for - you might get it - and then have to pay for it.

I disagree that being unhappy with wallpaper that’s not peeling and green shower heads (as shown in the pics from a current stay above) fall under “be careful what you wish for”

 

[AZMermaid]

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...2026-lightning-lane-benefit-for-hotel-guests/

Early entry LL replacement info. At least it use it whenever you want LL not scheduling a time.

Good info even if I still think it should be one per night at least!

 

[AZMermaid]

@ClaraOswald please still use the feedback QR code before you go. The refresh is still a year away and we need to make sure they are aware we are still noticing these things. After your return I’ll be curious if that’s the same room I had on my stay in May!

 

[gsdweller]

Please…. let me pay for it….just do it right!

I agree with you. I just wanted to point out that it was going to cost us some.
I have always been in favor of increasing ticket prices by 150% or 200% in order to drop the crowd levels.

 

[Wedgeout]

Laugh each time I read “wear and tear” for lower occupancy. It’s because it’s US..ALL of US. Dented frig, scrapes, broken chairs, stained carpet. Seriously, for higher end financial individuals…am get embarrassed seeing those things on visits.

 

[RickNJane]

Laugh each time I read “wear and tear” for lower occupancy. It’s because it’s US..ALL of US. Dented frig, scrapes, broken chairs, stained carpet. Seriously, for higher end financial individuals…am get embarrassed seeing those things on visits.

I often think what kind of animals stay here!