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

[VGCgroupie]

The lack of humidity really does help, we kept saying that during our last trip. But 110 is going to feel very hot regardless!

But its a dry heat.

As someone who grew up in California and then lived in Arizona for 16 years CA heat isn't in the same league of dry heat to get a pass at 110

 

[VGCgroupie]

As someone who grew up in California and then lived in Arizona for 16 years CA heat isn't in the same league of dry heat to get a pass at 110

I should add I grew in San Diego, the place with perfect weather 24/7 365 so take my opinion with a grain salt.

 

[LilyJC]

Isn't it rather hot in June? I just assumed so, never been in June.

June is actually usually pretty amazing; especially if our June gloom lasts the entire month. Last year all of June was actually on the colder side. This year we had the warmest June I can remember in the 21 years we’ve lived here.

Right now we’re at VGC doing a staycation for the race weekend, and it is nasty. It was crazy hot and humid for us this morning during the 5K so much so that it felt like swimming instead of running.

Anyhow, August and September tend to be our hottest months. Sometimes October joins too.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

June is actually usually pretty amazing; especially if our June gloom lasts the entire month. Last year all of June was actually on the colder side. This year we had the warmest June I can remember in the 21 years we’ve lived here.

Right now we’re at VGC doing a staycation for the race weekend, and it is nasty. It was crazy hot and humid for us this morning during the 5K so much so that it felt like swimming instead of running.

Anyhow, August and September tend to be our hottest months. Sometimes October joins too.

We went in late June 2 years ago and while it was pleasant in the morning and night, it was definitely summer warm by midday. We have gone in August, September, October as well, and the most noticeable difference is actually how much it cools off overnight as it gets much cooler in the morning the closer you get to November.

 

[DebbieB]

Testing out a google photo link, it may be a glitchy thing. Here's the view from 5508, a 1BR suite:

I stayed in that room August 4 to 7!

 

[ajiuo]

Do waitlist ever com through at VGC? I do have a contract at VGC and have 5 days booked for the end of April… but I’m going Disney world from 10/25 - 11/6 and decided to go to Disneyland for a couple of days after that trip. I was able to book a studio at VDH for 11/6 - 11/8… but I also have a waitlist at VGC set up to replace it… not sure if anyone ever has luck with waitlists coming through… it’s only for 2 nights during the week, so maybe.

I’m not gonna be sad if I end up staying at VDH… but I’d much rather stay at VGC. I like the hotel better and I don’t have to pay that tax.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Do waitlist ever com through at VGC? I do have a contract at VGC and have 5 days booked for the end of April… but I’m going Disney world from 10/25 - 11/6 and decided to go to Disneyland for a couple of days after that trip. I was able to book a studio at VDH for 11/6 - 11/8… but I also have a waitlist at VGC set up to replace it… not sure if anyone ever has luck with waitlists coming through… it’s only for 2 nights during the week, so maybe.

I’m not gonna be sad if I end up staying at VDH… but I’d much rather stay at VGC. I like the hotel better and I don’t have to pay that tax.

I’ve had one come through for 1 night once.

 

[PortlandFan]

Do waitlist ever com through at VGC? I do have a contract at VGC and have 5 days booked for the end of April… but I’m going Disney world from 10/25 - 11/6 and decided to go to Disneyland for a couple of days after that trip. I was able to book a studio at VDH for 11/6 - 11/8… but I also have a waitlist at VGC set up to replace it… not sure if anyone ever has luck with waitlists coming through… it’s only for 2 nights during the week, so maybe.

I’m not gonna be sad if I end up staying at VDH… but I’d much rather stay at VGC. I like the hotel better and I don’t have to pay that tax.

Earlier this month, I had a 2 day stay at VGC come thru for later this year. I was stunned, but it does happen!! (this was for a 2bdrm). It is our home resort.

 

[nalababybear]

1 nights come through often. 2 nights seldom. 3night v rare.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

Do waitlist ever com through at VGC? I do have a contract at VGC and have 5 days booked for the end of April… but I’m going Disney world from 10/25 - 11/6 and decided to go to Disneyland for a couple of days after that trip. I was able to book a studio at VDH for 11/6 - 11/8… but I also have a waitlist at VGC set up to replace it… not sure if anyone ever has luck with waitlists coming through… it’s only for 2 nights during the week, so maybe.

I’m not gonna be sad if I end up staying at VDH… but I’d much rather stay at VGC. I like the hotel better and I don’t have to pay that tax.

We actually had our waitlists come through for 2 consecutive nights in October for a studio, the first came through in July and the second came through earlier this week. We end up deciding against keeping it since we already had a 1BR booked and would have need to do a split stay, but that also meant that someone else's waitlist came through so there's a chance.

I'd recommend waitlisting each day separately to have a better chance at getting both.

 

[ajiuo]

We actually had our waitlists come through for 2 consecutive nights in October for a studio, the first came through in July and the second came through earlier this week. We end up deciding against keeping it since we already had a 1BR booked and would have need to do a split stay, but that also meant that someone else's waitlist came through so there's a chance.

I'd recommend waitlisting each day separately to have a better chance at getting both.

If I wasn’t replacing an existing reservation. I would.. I think it would cancel my whole reservation for one night… and then there is no guarantee that I would get the other night.

Also. Even though I would rather stay at VGC than VDH… I would rather stay at VDH then do a split stay for one night each… so I’ll just keep my fingers crossed, and if it doesn’t go through at least I’m still on property without doing a room swap.


I’m also going to stock the website.., that’s how I got my VDH reservation. Since I’ve been stalking, I actually did see a dedicated two bedroom pop-up for the nights I need…. It’s a bummer. It wasn’t a lock off because then the studio would’ve been available.

 

[DebbieB]

1 nights come through often. 2 nights seldom. 3night v rare.

I’ve had 1 night come through several times. One time I had Sunday to Thursday at Paradise Pier on cash. 2 or 3 months before I decided to waitlist Friday night at VGC instead of going to an airport hotel for my Saturday morning flight home. It came through pretty fast. So I waitlisted Thursday, it came through. So I waitlisted Wednesday, it came through about 4 weeks before checkin. I had Member Services combine.

The bigger issue was dropping Wednesday and Thursday at Paradise Pier, they didn’t want to do it because my new dates were no longer available. They said ask at checkin. Since I only paid 1 night deposit, they did allow it at checkin after talking to the manager and adjusted the balance.

 

[VGCgroupie]

So I made the mistake of only booking 1 night for my OBB trip. Im seeing the VGC is well known for not letting DVC into their rooms until after 4. It's been a bit since I have been to VGC and I have never had to change clothes before. Is there a decent bathroom we can change into costumes in? Any bathrooms better than others for this?

 

[ajiuo]

So I made the mistake of only booking 1 night for my OBB trip. Im seeing the VGC is well known for not letting DVC into their rooms until after 4. It's been a bit since I have been to VGC and I have never had to change clothes before. Is there a decent bathroom we can change into costumes in? Any bathrooms better than others for this?

Yeah. They actually have a pretty decent restroom. I think the stalls have like full doors and everything. If your facing the checkin counter it’s down the little hallway to the right.

It can happen but I wouldn’t count on your room being ready early… last 2 times I was there it was between 4&4:30

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yeah. They actually have a pretty decent restroom. I think the stalls have like full doors and everything. If your facing the checkin counter it’s down the little hallway to the right.

It can happen but I wouldn’t count on your room being ready early… last 2 times I was there it was between 4&4:30

Just what we are looking for thanks!

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

Aren’t most dvcs often 4pm+ check in? I’m always elated when it’s sooner. Not sure if vgc small amount of units works in its favor or not for turning around rooms.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Aren’t most dvcs often 4pm+ check in? I’m always elated when it’s sooner. Not sure if vgc small amount of units works in its favor or not for turning around rooms.

Ive only stayed DVC once so far split stay, both times room was ready at 3. From reading posts it seems VGC is more often in the after 4pm timeframe than what sometimes people are lucky enough to get at other resorts.

 

[DebbieB]

On 8/4, my 1 bedroom was ready at 12:00. We checked in early because we were at VDH the night before, around 8:00am.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Awes

On 8/4, my 1 bedroom was ready at 12:00. We checked in early because we were at VDH the night before, around 8:00am.

Awesome! We arrive at 9am so I’m gonna go to the front desk right away and tell them I will take any room that’s available first and to just ignore my room view request.

 

[rstamm]

I’m currently here now at the Grand Cal and usually come for a few days in September.

I never noticed this before, but a few of the mornings the line for security at the hotel was very long and it surprised me because it’s only supposed to be security for people staying at Grand Cal.

So coming back about 7:20 PM from the parks there must’ve been 300-400 people in line going almost all the way to guest services waiting to get through security.
With only two security detectors. I imagine it’s gonna take them at least an hour.

I saw people as I was going to the elevator, heading to security in their Halloween outfits. I’m sure they are very going to be very unhappy to wait an hour in the line before they get to the party.

These people are all from the hotel and not coming from somewhere else? They really should ask for your room key.

I stopped at guest services and mentioned it and told him I said look down there.
The people are waiting all the way back to here. This is ridiculous.
It’s gonna take them an extremely long time and he said he would pass that information along.

Has anybody else noticed security extremely backed up at the hotel?

To me, it’s one of the perks to be able to go through security easily and quickly.