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

[ClaraOswald]

I'm happy that the overall vibe of the rooms isn't changing. And I think it's smart to keep things like cabinetry rather than replacing with something that would likely be more Ikea-like in quality.

From reading people comments, it almost sounds like the bathrooms just need a really DEEP cleaning and maybe re-grouting tiles? (I've only stayed in a studio and honestly, don't even remember the bathroom.)

I am disappointed that I won't have a soaker tub when I (eventually) stay in a 1-bedroom. I don't like using jetted tubs in a hotel room.

And the dim lighting is a bit of a bummer as well.

 

[LilyJC]

Our next VGC staycation is coming up pretty soon, and we just received this email:

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Curious if they mean the Pixar Pier entrance…?

 

[bluecruiser]

Curious if they mean the Pixar Pier entrance…?

That would be my guess as well. There are no other entrances into DCA from the hotel besides these two (original and Pixar Pier).

 

[ehh]

Our next VGC staycation is coming up pretty soon, and we just received this email:

View attachment 946731​

Curious if they mean the Pixar Pier entrance…?

They do mean Pixar Pier. Similar notes were left on our door yesterday and today there’s a bunch of signs and even a CM or two directing people through the halls.

 

[MagicDVC]

I guess they are finally installing the new entry gates. They had half of the gates at DL installed back in December. It would make things quicker to enter. Now if they can only get the security scanners like WDW.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Our next VGC staycation is coming up pretty soon, and we just received this email:

View attachment 946731​

Curious if they mean the Pixar Pier entrance…?

Interesting - I have three stays booked from April thru June and also got this email….but only for the last stay at the end of June based the reservation info it included.

 

[eticketplease]

So I just went into see about adding a day and noticed the following blurb.
Not sure if it was there before but I thought it was interesting they notated a "Standard" refurbishment

 

[BlueGreen5]

So I just went into see about adding a day and noticed the following blurb.
Not sure if it was there before but I thought it was interesting they notated a "Standard" refurbishment

View attachment 947070

It has been up for less time than you would think. As in: it appeared more recently than when this board started talking about the "was it or wasn't it" refurb that happened. As in: the message references "February 2025" and IIRC it might not have been posted until March (or possibly the very end of February). Someone above said it perfectly, they need to do a MUCH better job communicating to members. This has been unacceptable.

If I had not been a part of this particular board and instead found out about the construction via the Disney Destinations e-mail that was sent less than 30 days prior to my check-in (i.e., if I really learned about the construction directly from Disney, the only option I would have had was to deal with it or let my points go into holding), I would have been absolutely livid. I, of course, saw it coming because I've been monitoring these boards, but I imagine that will not be the case for plenty of "normal" people.

ETA: I just went back and checked and someone posted that blurb here on February 19, and I had a very similar reaction on that day. Hey, at least I'm consistent! And, now knowing that, sorry for the repeat -- the Disney Destinations email that was posted by someone above being sent to me the day after my holding period deadline passed really put the consumer-protection advocate in me over the edge.

 

[LilyJC]

Interesting - I have three stays booked from April thru June and also got this email….but only for the last stay at the end of June based the reservation info it included.

I thought the one I received and posted yesterday was for our March trip, but no, it was for our early September stay. I received the March reservation email today…

 

[Mathmagicland]

I thought the one I received and posted yesterday was for our March trip, but no, it was for our early September stay. I received the March reservation email today…

Yes seems like they are sending them in backwards date order. I also got a second one, still awaiting the one for my April stay.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

So for the first time we'll be visiting in June. Planning mid June, 2026. How hard are studios to get at 11 months in June? We've never been during summer break before. I just want to get 4 nights around a weekend, either Thursday to Monday or Friday to Tuesday. I haven't had difficulties when we normally go (August and September)

 

[ClaraOswald]

I think I booked our last June for right at the 11 month mark. Got up to do it right at 7am or whatever. But I suppose it's possible they could book up quick on nights that have events like Pride Nights.

 

[Mathmagicland]

So for the first time we'll be visiting in June. Planning mid June, 2026. How hard are studios to get at 11 months in June? We've never been during summer break before. I just want to get 4 nights around a weekend, either Thursday to Monday or Friday to Tuesday. I haven't had difficulties when we normally go (August and September)

The first weekend of June can be busy as it’s usually the last weekend the second highest tier of magic key is still good before the summer block outs. This year, the first two Friday nights (so one on the second weekend) and first weekend Sunday night are Grad Nights, which I can’t remember if it impacted studio bookings for tagalong people but the parks always feel busier to me on those days.

As @ClaraOswald notes, Pride nights might have some impact. This year those are the Monday and Wednesday nights after Father’s Day which is the third weekend.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I've heard the noise from grad nights can be pretty loud in the villas on that side of the building. Because of that, we've been making sure our June trips fall AFTER grad nights are done.

We're hoping to go back in June 2026 as well. Perhaps our paths will cross.

 

[MagicDVC]

https://dvcnews.com/other-resorts/v...ian-theme-park-entrance-closed-until-may-2025

With the closure, I wonder if they are keeping the Pixar Pier entrance open all day or still just in the morning?

 

[AstroBlasters]

https://dvcnews.com/other-resorts/v...ian-theme-park-entrance-closed-until-may-2025

With the closure, I wonder if they are keeping the Pixar Pier entrance open all day or still just in the morning?

I would guess all day…. people are already pretty upset about having 2 restaurants and the entrance closed at the price they are paying for the hotel rooms….

 

[bluecruiser]

https://dvcnews.com/other-resorts/v...ian-theme-park-entrance-closed-until-may-2025

With the closure, I wonder if they are keeping the Pixar Pier entrance open all day or still just in the morning?

The Pixar Pier entrance is currently open all day.

Source: Mickey Visit on Twitter/X:
"Note that they are also staffing up the turnstiles from the Pixar Place Hotel entrance to run for the full day"

 

[The.disney.couple]

Normally that is the case but they were added at PVB and VGF during their soft refurb. They were also recently added to VB but I can’t remember if that was a hard or soft refurbishment.

Copper Creek is also getting the Murphy beds for their soft goods refurb! As an owner, I was really looking forward to the bathrooms being redone and brought up to the standards of other studios. I was hoping for a walk in shower and better shower head. If anyone has the email where I can send my concerns I'd appreciate it.

 

[eticketplease]

I was hoping for a walk in shower and better shower head.

They have a whole booking category for the walk in shower if you are talking studios and the other units all have walk in showers.

I could be wrong but CCV, PVB, RIV and VGF are the only ones that offer walk in showers in studios I believe.

Edit: Thanks to @KPeterso for pointing out that I forgot VDH also has the walk in shower in the studios

 

[KPeterso]

They have a whole booking category for the walk in shower if you are talking studios and the other units all have walk in showers.

I could be wrong but CCV, PVB, RIV and VGF are the only ones that offer walk in showers in studios I believe.

Villas at the Disneyland hotel studios have a walk in shower.