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

[VGCgroupie]

Who here has done grocery delivery to the grand before? Who did you use?

I assume the groceries are dropped off at bell services. Do you just call or walk down there when you want them? Do they take them up to our room at that time or do you have a wait a while? What's a good tip for this?

Others can chime in, but anytime I have had groceries delivered we have met the delivery person outside

 

[bluecruiser]

Who here has done grocery delivery to the grand before? Who did you use?

I assume the groceries are dropped off at bell services. Do you just call or walk down there when you want them? Do they take them up to our room at that time or do you have a wait a while? What's a good tip for this?

I've done grocery delivery through Amazon Fresh, which typically has everything I need. They will keep you updated on delivery status via text, so if you're already at the hotel you can meet them at the entrance if you prefer to take them to your room yourself. If not, Bell Services will store them for you. If you have anything refrigerated or frozen, make sure you tell Amazon to sort items and mark bags appropriately so Bell Services can store them properly.

I *think* you need to be in your room for Bell Services to deliver groceries to you. Hopefully someone else can confirm, since I like to take groceries to the room myself.

Regarding tipping, I tip Amazon 15% for the person who packs/delivers the order, and I would tip Bell Services if they delivered the groceries to my room.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Others can chime in, but anytime I have had groceries delivered we have met the delivery person outside

We plan to order a large case of bottled water. What's the best way to bring that to the room on our own? My husband has carried it in the past but the villas are so far from the main door, I don't think he'll want to. He did that for our first trip to BRV and it was rough for him since we were at the far end of the building. Second stay at BRV, Bell Service let us use on of their luggage carts. Not sure if they do at at VGC though.

Or should we empty a suitcase and bring it down for the water?

I honestly can't even remember what we did during our 2023 stay when we flew to California. When we drive, have this this little cart that I use for lugging things in and out of hotels for road trips so that's what we used to bring groceries in for our 2024 VGC stay.

I honestly prefer to avoid bell services for luggage and everything too because I don't like having to wait for my stuff. I like just being in charge of it all.

We are flying out in December. We will likely order some snack food for our son, his Pediasure shakes (another heavy item), bottled water, maybe some breakfast items, and foam hand soap (bar soap is hard for my son to use.)

 

[VGCgroupie]

We plan to order a large case of bottled water. What's the best way to bring that to the room on our own? My husband has carried it in the past but the villas are so far from the main door, I don't think he'll want to. He did that for our first trip to BRV and it was rough for him since we were at the far end of the building. Second stay at BRV, Bell Service let us use on of their luggage carts. Not sure if they do at at VGC though.

Or should we empty a suitcase and bring it down for the water?

I honestly can't even remember what we did during our 2023 stay when we flew to California. When we drive, have this this little cart that I use for lugging things in and out of hotels for road trips so that's what we used to bring groceries in for our 2024 VGC stay.

I honestly prefer to avoid bell services for luggage and everything too because I don't like having to wait for my stuff. I like just being in charge of it all.

We are flying out in December. We will likely order some snack food for our son, his Pediasure shakes (another heavy item), bottled water, maybe some breakfast items, and foam hand soap (bar soap is hard for my son to use.)

The only part I can answer is they are very strict about luggage carts and they wont let you use one.

 

[ClaraOswald]

The only part I can answer is they are very strict about luggage carts and they wont let you use one.

Yeah, I think I remember reading that before our last trip. That's why I'm trying to figure out the best way to get all our crap to the room. I know it's weird that I have an aversion to using bell service but that's just who I am.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yeah, I think I remember reading that before our last trip. That's why I'm trying to figure out the best way to get all our crap to the room. I know it's weird that I have an aversion to using bell service but that's just who I am.

I get it. The first time way back when we asked for a luggage cart and they said no I was like what the... it makes sense in that if anyone runs over a kid with a luggage cart it will be a Disney employee.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Security operations at the grand were abysmal this morning. Two days ago all 4 lines including a no bag line were open. Today only two and there was not a no bag line. They did open the Starbucks spot but only after 7 am. Lined up about 630 and it took 45 min to get through. Would have been better to enter through harbor at 630 I would bet…..

Also had no TV in the living room for a few days. I’ll be chatting with the hotel management this evening.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Security operations at the grand were abysmal this morning. Two days ago all 4 lines including a no bag line were open. Today only two and there was not a no bag line. They did open the Starbucks spot but only after 7 am. Lined up about 630 and it took 45 min to get through. Would have been better to enter through harbor at 630 I would bet…..

Also had no TV in the living room for a few days. I’ll be chatting with the hotel management this evening.

Did they replace the TVs during the refurb?

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

Yeah, I think I remember reading that before our last trip. That's why I'm trying to figure out the best way to get all our crap to the room. I know it's weird that I have an aversion to using bell service but that's just who I am.

When we drive we bring our old wagon/cart that we used to use for groceries back when we lived in a high-rise. I usually drop of my wife and kid at the Porte Cochere with a couple of suitcases and then put everything in the wagon to bring to the room from self-parking. We also usually bring our own water bottles (or sodas) and refill during the day while keeping a 1-2 gallon jug in the fridge for when we are in the room.

 

[AstroBlasters]

When we drive we bring our old wagon/cart that we used to use for groceries back when we lived in a high-rise. I usually drop of my wife and kid at the Porte Cochere with a couple of suitcases and then put everything in the wagon to bring to the room from self-parking. We also usually bring our own water bottles (or sodas) and refill during the day while keeping a 1-2 gallon jug in the fridge for when we are in the room.

Instead of just tipping bell svc a few bucks?

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

Instead of just tipping bell svc a few bucks?

Instead of having to wait 30+ minutes for them to bring our stuff to the room. When we arrive we usually want to hit the pool right away if we are not going to the parks.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Instead of having to wait 30+ minutes for them to bring our stuff to the room. When we arrive we usually want to hit the pool right away if we are not going to the parks.

I guess. Seems like a lot more of a pain to bring a wagon….

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

I guess. Seems like a lot more of a pain to bring a wagon….

It's one of those foldable/collapsible wagons, doesn't take up much space and we can fit it pretty easily in the trunk and then tuck it away somewhere out of the way in the room after we unload everything.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Instead of having to wait 30+ minutes for them to bring our stuff to the room. When we arrive we usually want to hit the pool right away if we are not going to the parks.

Yeah, I don't like waiting for stuff and that's why we avoid bell service. We immediately unpack and get settled. As well as dig out our son's stuff (he's very particular about our routine.) Last summer, they just let us leave our car in front while we took everything to the room. But next summer, I'll just have my husband drop my son and I off and we'll wait on a bench with our bags for him to park.

This December, we're flying and won't have a car so we plan to just Uber it and then go straight up to our room with our bags. Right now, I'm leaning toward bringing an empty suitcase down to the lobby when our groceries are delivered. We'll put heavy items (water/our son's nutrition shakes) into it for the walk back to the room.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I guess. Seems like a lot more of a pain to bring a wagon….

Bell Services has been pretty hit and miss lately. Sometimes they are ON IT but recently we had like 1h to go to the pool and 40m of it was spent waiting for our luggage to arrive (our fault for letting them assist us, we easily could have taken it ourselves but our kids handed off their bags before I even realized what was happening).

 

[AstroBlasters]

Bell Services has been pretty hit and miss lately. Sometimes they are ON IT but recently we had like 1h to go to the pool and 40m of it was spent waiting for our luggage to arrive (our fault for letting them assist us, we easily could have taken it ourselves but our kids handed off their bags before I even realized what was happening).

Bags, yes. I was referencing the heavy grocery items….

 

[htguy]

Yeah, I don't like waiting for stuff and that's why we avoid bell service. We immediately unpack and get settled. As well as dig out our son's stuff (he's very particular about our routine.) Last summer, they just let us leave our car in front while we took everything to the room. But next summer, I'll just have my husband drop my son and I off and we'll wait on a bench with our bags for him to park.

This December, we're flying and won't have a car so we plan to just Uber it and then go straight up to our room with our bags. Right now, I'm leaning toward bringing an empty suitcase down to the lobby when our groceries are delivered. We'll put heavy items (water/our son's nutrition shakes) into it for the walk back to the room.

I was about to recommend an empty suitcase. We used that a lot at Aulani and kept one in the rental car to lug heavy groceries.

 

[tx911]

Just back from a 4 night VGC stay. We had room 4510, a studio with a theme park view.

This trip cemented for me that VGC is my favorite home resort. I love all 3 homes, but VGC takes the crown. The atmosphere, restaurant options, and cast members are all top notch. Not to mention the ridiculously good location. We ate at Hearthstone Lounge twice and sat on couches in front of the fireplace. Awesome!

The room and the trip were amazing! Even the shower head was reasonably ok! This was my first stay on the DVC side. The room felt larger than our previous hotel room, and I loved the location of the DVC wing.

Of course, I am now convinced I need 25-50 more Grand Cal points! How to convince the wife? I sold my soul for the last contract, but I still have both kidneys

@NVDISFamily, I’m very sorry we didn’t get a chance to stop by. I wonder if we crossed paths without even knowing it!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Just back from a 4 night VGC stay. We had room 4510, a studio with a theme park view.

This trip cemented for me that VGC is my favorite home resort. I love all 3 homes, but VGC takes the crown. The atmosphere, restaurant options, and cast members are all top notch. Not to mention the ridiculously good location. We ate at Hearthstone Lounge twice and sat on couches in front of the fireplace. Awesome!

The room and the trip were amazing! Even the shower head was reasonably ok! This was my first stay on the DVC side. The room felt larger than our previous hotel room, and I loved the location of the DVC wing.

Of course, I am now convinced I need 25-50 more Grand Cal points! How to convince the wife? I sold my soul for the last contract, but I still have both kidneys

@NVDISFamily, I’m very sorry we didn’t get a chance to stop by. I wonder if we crossed paths without even knowing it!

I love hearing this. I will be real honest I have been down on VGC lately and leaning towards VDH. I have an upcoming stay in October so I hope that renews my love for VGC, Im sure it will.

25 points is an easier sell than 50 when buying direct money wise that is for sure. Here are my bullet points for selling it to the spouse.

• Buying right before the UY ends for extra points to bank forward.
• Delayed close to hold your money as long as possible.
• Closing costs are much cheaper direct than resale and waive title insurance to save even more money.
• A new welcome home stay! (big selling point for me).
• If you are comfy with a new credit card that is a phenomenal way to save money.

 

[NVDISFamily]

@NVDISFamily, I’m very sorry we didn’t get a chance to stop by. I wonder if we crossed paths without even knowing it!

If you saw someone walking around with crazy looking compression socks that was likely me.

Had a great time in the 3BR and very much spoiled the family we hosted for the week