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

[Mathmagicland]

If you have a one night VGC reservation do you get early entry on both the arrival date and the next day? Thinking of splicing together a short trip with VGC and a Harbor Blvd hotel

Yes, you do,

 

[slmatch]

We decided to extend our upcoming Disneyland trip by 1 day but can’t find that extra night to stay in the VGC studio… if someone is stuck and needs to transfer August 22nd for 1 night I’d welcome a chat…

 

[NVDISFamily]

Open house save the date reminder!

Hi all. Wanted to share some "final" details for the grand villa open house on 7/17. We'll be hosting the open house from 3pm to 6pm. I (almost) share my b-day with Disneyland (off by a day) so we'll have plenty of good eats and drinks for the fiesta. I haven't been able to see any updates on what the remodel for the GV looks like so I'm sure I'll share pics/updates when we get in earlier that week.

If you happen to be around on the 17th of July and want to tour one of the best rooms in the DVC portfolio we look forward to meeting you. Please feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions so we don't clog up this thread. I will likely also start another tread if needed.

Edit - Pictures are fun (from our stay in this room in 2023)

 

[ClaraOswald]

Please do this again in December or next June so I can go.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

We'll miss you by a week! But happy birthday!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Open house save the date reminder!

Hi all. Wanted to share some "final" details for the grand villa open house on 7/17. We'll be hosting the open house from 3pm to 6pm. I (almost) share my b-day with Disneyland (off by a day) so we'll have plenty of good eats and drinks for the fiesta. I haven't been able to see any updates on what the remodel for the GV looks like so I'm sure I'll share pics/updates when we get in earlier that week.

If you happen to be around on the 17th of July and want to tour one of the best rooms in the DVC portfolio we look forward to meeting you. Please feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions so we don't clog up this thread. I will likely also start another tread if needed.

Edit - Pictures are fun (from our stay in this room in 2023)

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Happy Birthday!

I had a trip booked for the 17th but cancelled it to be responsible because of so many trips this year. Responsibility sucks!

 

[maleficent55]

will miss you by a week but what a nice, fun thing to do. Have fun!!!!

 

[upritbass]

Phooey! We'll be there 8/17

 

[KPeterso]

Open house save the date reminder!

Hi all. Wanted to share some "final" details for the grand villa open house on 7/17. We'll be hosting the open house from 3pm to 6pm. I (almost) share my b-day with Disneyland (off by a day) so we'll have plenty of good eats and drinks for the fiesta. I haven't been able to see any updates on what the remodel for the GV looks like so I'm sure I'll share pics/updates when we get in earlier that week.

If you happen to be around on the 17th of July and want to tour one of the best rooms in the DVC portfolio we look forward to meeting you. Please feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions so we don't clog up this thread. I will likely also start another tread if needed.

Edit - Pictures are fun (from our stay in this room in 2023)

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We will be there!!! If you have not seen a VGC studio, you are welcome to come take a peek at ours. We will be there 7/15-18. Can't believe we are less than a month away from the actual 70th!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Can’t wait to take my first cruise… I’m afraid I will love it so much and then be stuck with all these points when I really just want to cruise. . But like you said you gotta stay before and after the cruise.

Pretty sure you’ll end up like me and just do both on repeat …we’re one week post 1st DCL and 1st DLP stay and we already have next summer’s DCL booked + you know all about my CGV/VDH add-on pt saga

 

[Jperiod]

Help me understand the appeal of a disney cruise. Are you the same sort of people that go on non-park, resort only trips? There's no rides. I love the parades, shows, and fireworks too, but no rides?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Help me understand the appeal of a disney cruise. Are you the same sort of people that go on non-park, resort only trips? There's no rides. I love the parades, shows, and fireworks too, but no rides?

I havent been yet but… water slides (there is a commercial out there right now where the slide looks super awesome).

The newer ships have some attractions (watch the making of the ships on Disney+).

No parades I am aware of but there’s shows.

I think there’s possibly fireworks but someone else would need to confirm.

And lastly…. plenty of characters!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Help me understand the appeal of a disney cruise. Are you the same sort of people that go on non-park, resort only trips? There's no rides. I love the parades, shows, and fireworks too, but no rides?

Some of the ships have aqua rides. However, they're not open all the time. A Disney cruise is exactly like any cruise. You either like it or you don't. It's not comparable to a theme park by any stretch of the imagination.

Those of us who prefer Disney vacations will often choose the Disney cruise ships. People who love cruising in general will often choose a different cruise line because they cost a lot less and have a lot more choices for itineraries.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Help me understand the appeal of a disney cruise. Are you the same sort of people that go on non-park, resort only trips? There's no rides. I love the parades, shows, and fireworks too, but no rides?

Broadway style shows on DCL--a level of quality that the park theater-style shows can't match. The rotational dining is fun, too. As with the parks, the Imagineers put a lot of thought into things and that's fun to discover. The kids clubs onboard are among the best in the industry.

But in many other respects, it's a cruise with Disney themeing. One needs to enjoy cruising, but if one doesn't care for the theming then any cruise line will do.

 

[Girlstar30]

Help me understand the appeal of a disney cruise. Are you the same sort of people that go on non-park, resort only trips? There's no rides. I love the parades, shows, and fireworks too, but no rides?

Well we love getting off the ship and going to the different islands/countries. This is an easy way for us to travel to multiple islands. Our last Disney cruise we went to Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica, Castaway Key and St. Kitts. Think of the different countries as the rides and the ship as the hotels There are a lot of people that just stay on the ship, I am not like that at all, we are pretty adventurous and book our own excursions outside of Disney (highly recommend that)

We rented a catamaran for just our party, swam in caves, the beautiful oceans of Barbados, went in thermal waters etc. You cant get that from Disney World.

We like coming back and knowing all food is included with Disney entertainment. The ship has Disney characters and adult dining.

You are always busy if you want to be. Bingo is great fun, there are adult shows, the main Broadway shows, the waterslides are fun, etc. I have been on other cruise ships and I dont have any interest in any of them except disney.

Nothing says "vacation has begun" like hearing the ships horn blare the tune of "When you wish upon a star" and then you're off to your new adventure!

 

[Jperiod]

Well we love getting off the ship and going to the different islands/countries. This is an easy way for us to travel to multiple islands. Our last Disney cruise we went to Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica, Castaway Key and St. Kitts. Think of the different countries as the rides and the ship as the hotels There are a lot of people that just stay on the ship, I am not like that at all, we are pretty adventurous and book our own excursions outside of Disney (highly recommend that)

We rented a catamaran for just our party, swam in caves, the beautiful oceans of Barbados, went in thermal waters etc. You cant get that from Disney World.

We like coming back and knowing all food is included with Disney entertainment. The ship has Disney characters and adult dining.

You are always busy if you want to be. Bingo is great fun, there are adult shows, the main Broadway shows, the waterslides are fun, etc. I have been on other cruise ships and I dont have any interest in any of them except disney.

Nothing says "vacation has begun" like hearing the ships horn blare the tune of "When you wish upon a star" and then you're off to your new adventure!

Ok I guess that makes more sense. Are there a lot of shows? Like you could watch a different one daily?

 

[Girlstar30]

Ok I guess that makes more sense. Are there a lot of shows? Like you could watch a different one daily?

Yes there are and they are different every night. The main Broadway shows are equivalent (or better imo) of watching a Disney show on Broadway.

In between you have your main show every night before or after dinner and its anything from Magic to juggling to a puppet show etc. They are comical and entertaining.

Some of the restaurants (my favorite Animators palate) have unique, unexpected touches that make them quite an experience. Character appearances, music, etc may be incorporated. Pirates night on fireworks night is a lot of fun and many families dress up as pirates. There is a show before the fireworks show that we do enjoy.

The themed cruises are really fun! On Halloween we loved trick or treating and seeing the characters don their holiday outfits.

The fish extender aspect is also fun. You can join adult, family, kids only, cooking, ornament, a variety of different interests and come "home" to a variety of different gifts daily from other cruisers.

Disney cruise does a really great job of having something for everyone. There are adult only spaces and children usually have a blast at the kids club. I enjoy buying the drink of the day and the prices are reasonable.

Room service is great because its included, just will want to tip!

There are so many things to like about a Disney cruise. If you have a good server they really go above and beyond. Small touches like remembering your name and what drink you like every night goes a long way.

I am excited to go as DVC as I hear there is a members event that all are included in and some extra goodies. We have been on 9 Disney cruises and im excited to complete my 10th and go platinum. The loyalty program has some nice gifts and free adult dinner once you hit platinum. We love cruising with Disney!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Ok I guess that makes more sense. Are there a lot of shows? Like you could watch a different one daily?

The live shows are different every day. There are some broadway level Disney shows. In between those, as mentioned above, you'll have a comedian, juggler or something like that. Those acts will do a family show during normal show time and then often an adult version in on of the adult clubs after 10pm. I'm one of the party poopers that is usually asleep when the adult only shows are going.

During the day, there are smaller things to attend. I went to a thing where you watch a chef make something. It's supposed to be a cooking lesson, but you don't participate. They give you a drink and then a sample whatever they are making. Alaska cruises have a naturalist come onboard to give talks about things like bears, whales, etc. The movie theater plays first run movies that are currently being released in theaters. Lots of whole family friendly activities, but I generally don't go to any of those.