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

[AstroBlasters]

You think Disney is going to send its own construction company to work on rebuilding homes as opposed to working on their own projects? I highly doubt that. Even if they don’t have all the supplies they can source that stuff from all over the place. The VGC rooms won’t even use a lot of lumber concrete and drywall… they’re not doing a full gut job

A lot of the stuff that would generally be used such as countertops and art… is all custom. for a project of this scale, they would’ve started producing that stuff a while back ago. They don’t just go in there and buy stuff as they go… they have this stuff planed out ahead of time… and it’s not new construction.

I don’t think Disney has its own construction company. I think everything is contracted out.

 

[lilsonicfan]

As for the single murphy bed....does the current one have any artwork? We've only stayed in a studio so haven't seen the little murphy beds here. Our son loved the one in the BRV studio though.

I don't think there's any artwork in the single murphy bed now (pre-refurb). I could be wrong, I don't have a pic, but I feel like it was blank as of Jan 2025

 

[AstroBlasters]

I don't think there's any artwork in the single murphy bed now (pre-refurb). I could be wrong, I don't have a pic, but I feel like it was blank as of Jan 2025

It was blank as of last November.

 

[ehh]

I'm generally an optimist when it comes to DVC, including leadership intentions (especially when profit isn't a question). I've even liked all refurbs to date, though none were perfect.

I'm struggling to remain optimistic here. I'm somewhere in the bargaining/acceptance phases.

The incomplete refurb/tradespeople theory is sound as it does seem all-the-plumber-things are specifically untouched right now (and maybe also the electrician-things?). And things like showerheads are easy to replace while still being untouched.

I'll add one more reason why it could be likely: there's multiple points of evidence that this refurb is going much faster than their planned inventory disruptions they rolled out 11m+ ago. Faster-than-expected progress adds likelihood to the notion that they're not doing everything right now.

But here's why I'm concerned...craftsman is pretty well defined style that:

1. Generally hasn't evolved much with other broader decor modernizations.
2. Also defines a furniture build/construction process that doesn't fit into lower cost production methods that are widely used (mostly successfully, IMO) by modern Disney

Put these two together and updates are primed to be expensive but also not change the look/feel of the room much. So the option of minimizing the change is a somewhat logical outcome. Why spend lot get little when little spend do trick.

Breaking it down by a few specific misses so far...what are the going to do with the kitchen cabinets? Replace them with different solid-wood cabinets that look a little different but cost a lot? Or keep the current ones, maybe refinish them, and maybe replace the hinges, giving them a modernized movement/feel?

Same goes for the bathroom tiling in the 1BR/2BR/GVs. I'm pretty obsessed with what's there now, so my bias is going to leak through here, but I'm really skeptical they could remain within a reasonable budget while changing them. And that change might not even be an improvement...

All this to say, if a lot of the changes seem minor and disappointing, I can rationalize it.

Not replacing the tubs/fixtures/showerheads is an affront, though.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Since I've only stayed in the studio, I went and walked through the virtual tour of the "old"/current 1-bedroom to figure out what I'd most like to see change.

At this point....I think I'm at a place where I mostly want...

Better lighting, like on the hotel side.
No more jetted tub because they are harder to keep clean. (I won't use a jetted tub in a hotel room but I would use a soaker tub.)
A shower head that can be adjusted in height and/or taken down (this is easier for our son.)
Some hooks/mirror/shelf by the door (like in our BRV room. It was great for hanging our water bottle holders and hats at the end of the day.)

If they did the above, I think I'd be perfectly happy.

Now, if he REALLY want to go the extra mile...
Wall up stupid "window" above tub.
New kitchen floor.
New kitchen backsplash.
Artwork on the outside of the murphy bed.
Brand new toilet. (I have no idea how their current toilets are or how often they might replace them...but if they are old, I want new ones.)

Side note - doing the virtual tour REALLY makes me want some more VGC points.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I'm generally an optimist when it comes to DVC, including leadership intentions (especially when profit isn't a question). I've even liked all refurbs to date, though none were perfect.

I'm struggling to remain optimistic here. I'm somewhere in the bargaining/acceptance phases.

The incomplete refurb/tradespeople theory is sound as it does seem all-the-plumber-things are specifically untouched right now (and maybe also the electrician-things?). And things like showerheads are easy to replace while still being untouched.

I'll add one more reason why it could be likely: there's multiple points of evidence that this refurb is going much faster than their planned inventory disruptions they rolled out 11m+ ago. Faster-than-expected progress adds likelihood to the notion that they're not doing everything right now.

But here's why I'm concerned...craftsman is pretty well defined style that:

1. Generally hasn't evolved much with other broader decor modernizations.
2. Also defines a furniture build/construction process that doesn't fit into lower cost production methods that are widely used (mostly successfully, IMO) by modern Disney

Put these two together and updates are primed to be expensive but also not change the look/feel of the room much. So the option of minimizing the change is a somewhat logical outcome. Why spend lot get little when little spend do trick.

Breaking it down by a few specific misses so far...what are the going to do with the kitchen cabinets? Replace them with different solid-wood cabinets that look a little different but cost a lot? Or keep the current ones, maybe refinish them, and maybe replace the hinges, giving them a modernized movement/feel?

Same goes for the bathroom tiling in the 1BR/2BR/GVs. I'm pretty obsessed with what's there now, so my bias is going to leak through here, but I'm really skeptical they could remain within a reasonable budget while changing them. And that change might not even be an improvement...

All this to say, if a lot of the changes seem minor and disappointing, I can rationalize it.

Not replacing the tubs/fixtures/showerheads is an affront, though.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Interesting that the beta remodel had pictures on the Murphy….

https://dvcfan.com/news/rumor-grand-californian-dvc-refurbishment-coming-soon/

 

[kes601]

Interesting that the beta remodel had pictures on the Murphy….

https://dvcfan.com/news/rumor-grand-californian-dvc-refurbishment-coming-soon/

The article is also from Nov of 2023 (not 2024) so I am sure a lot could have changed. Also interesting, while art work was there with the bed up, there was no artwork when the bed was down…..

 

[Orsino]

For those who are there- when I was there last the cabinets were pretty worn and scuffed at the bottoms. Are they still like that? That was the major wear points I saw.

I like the carpet and Murphy bed. It’s pretty disappointing that they kept that ugly kitchen tile.

The kitchen tile does look out of place.
The cabinets all look good to me without signs of wear.

 

[LilyJC]

As a bit of a break from refurb chat - new glow in the dark DVC merch is available at Acorn Gifts

​

 

[Dobermanns]

As a bit of a break from refurb chat - new glow in the dark DVC merch is available at Acorn Gifts

View attachment 936816​

Ooh they were originally available during moonlight magic

 

[ajiuo]

Good news. Disney Vacation Club did actually respond to my email. VGC is in fact getting a hard goods referb and the photos being posted are NOT the full referb. They said the photos being posted are of a room that is a part of an initial test phase and that no one has stayed in a fully refurbished room.

They also mentioned something about the referbs becoming more extensive because members have told them that the in room experience was important.

 

[ehh]

Good news. Disney Vacation Club did actually respond to my email. VGC is in fact getting a hard goods referb and the photos being posted are NOT the full referb. They said the photos being posted are of a room that is a part of an initial test phase and that no one has stayed in a fully refurbished room.

They also mentioned something about the referbs becoming more extensive because members have told them that the in room experience was important.

Some hope restored!

Though calling progress so far a “test phase” when they’ve worked on nearly half the rooms is dubious-to-the-point-of-concerning.

Anybody there now and can report back which floors are blocked off? Has it moved on to the 3rd floor yet?

 

[CWTC]

Good news. Disney Vacation Club did actually respond to my email. VGC is in fact getting a hard goods referb and the photos being posted are NOT the full referb. They said the photos being posted are of a room that is a part of an initial test phase and that no one has stayed in a fully refurbished room.

They also mentioned something about the referbs becoming more extensive because members have told them that the in room experience was important.

That is tentatively positive good news although I am not sure how it makes sense to take rooms out of service twice - once for test phase and once for “real” since they have apparently started/finished 3 floors so far. It’s seems extra-disruptive.

I really hope the appliances get replaced - one room we stayed in the oven was painfully slow to warm up, another had an extremely loud microwave, and in another parts of the dishwasher racks were burnt/messed up.

 

[kes601]

That is tentatively positive good news although I am not sure how it makes sense to take rooms out of service twice - once for test phase and once for “real” since they have apparently started/finished 3 floors so far. It’s seems extra-disruptive.

Here's my question......is it possible these rooms have been "testers" for a while (months) and we just hadn't seen images posted? I am wondering if once floors 4-6 are done and people start staying on those floors if the full refurbs are done there.

 

[MagicDVC]

That is tentatively positive good news although I am not sure how it makes sense to take rooms out of service twice - once for test phase and once for “real” since they have apparently started/finished 3 floors so far. It’s seems extra-disruptive.

I really hope the appliances get replaced - one room we stayed in the oven was painfully slow to warm up, another had an extremely loud microwave, and in another parts of the dishwasher racks were burnt/messed up.

Either that or have a lot of angry owners when there's no availability at 11 months by keeping rooms out of service until they are done.

Here's my question......is it possible these rooms have been "testers" for a while (months) and we just hadn't seen images posted? I am wondering if once floors 4-6 are done and people start staying on those floors if the full refurbs are done there.

I think the pictures came from a room on the 5th floor.

 

[ajiuo]

I think there are two things going on… probably a combo of test rooms and them replacing the carpet.

It is kind of odd that they are doing the carpet first, however. The carpet replacement is a hotel wide project… so perhaps they are doing it for a specific timing thing.

 

[kes601]

I think the pictures came from a room on the 5th floor.

You are correct. There goes that theory....

 

[LilyJC]

Curious… they released 1 bedroom availability maybe just for 1 villa from late February through April. Teenage drama had ensued, and I was checking for DL availability during our spring break. I thought I was going to have to bite the bullet and book “special” rooms at VDH but was able to grab some nights at VGC with my cheapie leftover Aulani points

Anyhow, if you’re looking for a last minute 1 bedroom at VGC in the next three months, check fast!

 

[NVDISFamily]

Disney Vacation Club did actually respond to my email.

Thanks for being our hero!

It is kind of odd that they are doing the carpet first, however. The carpet replacement is a hotel wide project… so perhaps they are doing it for a specific timing thing.

Not trying to take a victory lap but the extra info you received makes me feel like the contractor/sub availability idea wasn't totally crazy after all....