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

[AstroBlasters]

In theory - you could sign over Power of Attorney to represent you or a group of VGC owners and attend the annual meeting. A lawyer well versed in California Timeshare law would likely be the best - but since the meeting takes place in Florida, it might be difficult to find someone local in Florida that is well versed in CA Timeshare law - but a FL Timeshare lawyer is probably not that hard to find. They wouldn't need to be intimately aware of everything going on with DVC but a short meeting should be able to explain the concern.

It might be a waste of money though if DVC already comes with all of the answers we seek to the annual meeting. A better approach might be a wait and see to find out what info they share with us and what the budgets look like.

If after that, we're still not satisfied with their answer - I believe a next step could be to pursue legal council and officially request further information on how money was spent for the refurbishment and then consider whether a civil law suit is worthwhile.

Hoping it doesn't come to that though.

It happens in FL….. Not CA?

 

[eticketplease]

It happens in FL….. Not CA?

Yes the annual meetings are held in FL along with the quarterly ones for the FL properties.

 

[Mathmagicland]

It happens in FL….. Not CA?

From the 2024 meeting notice - live meeting in FL, meeting also in CA via two-way audio — the black bold font is Disney, the red bold font is mine —

Pursuant to the Agreement and to the applicable provisions of the bylaws of the Association (the “Bylaws”),notice is hereby given to DVD, as the Authorized Voting Representative, the Owners and the members ofthe Board of Directors for the Association (the “Board”) that the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors and the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Owners will take place beginning at 12:00 p.m.PST on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at The Disneyland Hotel Adventure Tower located at 1150 WestMagic Way, Anaheim, California, United States, 92802 via two-way audio. You may also attend the meetings at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center, located at 4600 North World Drive, Lake Buena Vista,Florida 32830. The purposes of the meetings are to conduct all business properly brought before the Boardand the Association, including to elect the members of the Board and to review and adopt the proposed 2025 Estimated Annual Budget for the Association (the “Budget”).

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yes the annual meetings are held in FL along with the quarterly ones for the FL properties.

So Id travel to CA and leave my vacation to not even actually be there in person. Another reason virtual should be an option.

It happens in FL….. Not CA?

CA properties getting the short end of the stick as usual.

 

[Liquidice]

It happens in FL….. Not CA?

Like Mathmagicland already mentioned it is simulcast in California, but I think it would likely be easier to communicate in person with the DVC Leadership team, rather than try to communicate virtually.

Either way it'd be good to have someone at the annual meeting to bring this up as an issue.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Stole this photo from FB. Please tell me I will get one of these room keys during my October stay.

View attachment 987163

If you don't I'll give you one if we ever visit at the same time. I have like a stack of 20+ of them.

Perks of having a GV with two split reservations (points from two memberships). Got a bunch of keys LOL.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I spoke with Peyton from DVC Member Services today for over an hour in response to the email I sent to william.c.diercksen@disney.com - I recommend if people are concerned with the refurb issue to continue to email leadership. Peyton did say my email was read by leadership and that I brought up some good points about the money in Capital Reserves vs other resorts like Bay Laker Tower.

Peyton did listen and take down my feedback, I mentioned that even if this was a so called "soft goods" refurb that the coffee pot, toasters and microwave as well as the bathroom fixtures like shower heads in the studios were not replaced and these are relatively low cost items that often get replaced in soft good refurbs. Peyton did seem to understand where I was coming from - but he did not offer up that this was only a soft goods refurb nor did he offer any explanation. All he said was that DVC was listening to our feedback and I wasn't the only one who had concerns with the refurb.

I did offer up that DVC should provide owners with an explanation at the annual meeting or sooner on where our money was spent out of Capital Reserves towards this refurb.

Hopefully this wasn't just lip service and DVC is actually listening to the feedback - but basically I told them that their most recent refurbs other than Grand Cal were mostly hits and set high expectations for refurbishments and despite having what seems like sufficient funds in our Capital Reserves for the refurb we got something that felt less than a soft goods refurb.

I'd encourage people to continue to email a complaint to DVC about this refurb if you own at VGC and maybe we'll get some kind of explanation at the annual owners meeting in December.

Highly recommend those of us emailing about our experiences and concerns with the refurb also include Shannon Sakaske - VP member experiences and club management in addition to Bill when sending your concerns about the refurb. I'll be sending my email today (catch up day on Disboards and such as it's been a busy week at work after catching up from my PTO).

shannon.sakaske@disney.com

 

[AstroBlasters]

Like Mathmagicland already mentioned it is simulcast in California, but I think it would likely be easier to communicate in person with the DVC Leadership team, rather than try to communicate virtually.

Either way it'd be good to have someone at the annual meeting to bring this up as an issue.

I would say that the trust with membership has been broken with the delayed bare bones refurbishment and the lack of communication. It’s like we are supposed to be ignorant of every other recent refurbishment they’ve done….

At least they have nice cushions on the outdoor chairs…. I’m looking at you, BWV….

 

[VGCgroupie]

If you don't I'll give you one if we ever visit at the same time. I have like a stack of 20+ of them.

Perks of having a GV with two split reservations (points from two memberships). Got a bunch of keys LOL.

Amazing thank you!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Highly recommend those of us emailing about our experiences and concerns with the refurb also include Shannon Sakaske - VP member experiences and club management in addition to Bill when sending your concerns about the refurb. I'll be sending my email today (catch up day on Disboards and such as it's been a busy week at work after catching up from my PTO).

shannon.sakaske@disney.com

How would you rate the refurb of the GV from 1-10 (10 highest)?

 

[NVDISFamily]

GV refurb/trip notes -

How would you rate the refurb of the GV from 1-10 (10 highest)?

working on a post and pictures right now LOL

 

[NVDISFamily]

GV Refurb Thoughts -

Cut the trees!

Here is a comparison of July 2025 to April 2023 -



to now...



The "park view" GV is still an awesome room. But it's a bit less awesome due to the view. I have a chainsaw, will travel.

The corn dog castle entrance closing at noon - bah.

The room looks great. Love the new mix of "hard wood" floors and very premium rugs everywhere.

No more broken lamps. Love the new ones. Very pretty new tall lamp in the corner of the dining room.

Whoever did the revamp on the woodwork did a very good job. Some items are new.

Epic fail - only one phone downstairs in the master BR. There was one in the living room during our 2023 trip and I believe also one in the kitchen. Makes it a pain to have to run into the room when they call you back for something.

The TV was broken/dead when we got in on Sunday. Wasn't fixed until Thursday.

Bathrooms look good but the shower needs rework. It's sad they didn't install a rainfall or other option for the accessible master shower. I'm too tall for that thing in there. Looks like we got new vanity tops.

Tub is new and looks great.

Kitchen was well stocked with new items and love the addition of the rice cooker/istapot. Didn't use it on this trip.

The VGC GV is WAY more livable than the VDH one for longer stays.

Overall score 6/10. May add more photos in a bit.......

 

[NVDISFamily]

This is what we purchased:

https://a.co/d/13iKEzi

As my USB charger OCD/obsession (yea I collect USB cables/chargers - I'm a nerd) makes me want to write up something when people ask for USB charger recommendations..... I made this guide to help others and as a spot to point people to when they ask for advice about charging things in the room -

https://www.disboards.com/threads/guide-to-usb-power-bricks-power-traveler-dvc-edition.3970924/

 

[Chili327]

If it was virtual…. wouldn’t you still be taking time away from your vacation and family to attend?

But attending in your villa is a lot more “on vacation” then having to put shoes on and bother in person.

 

[AstroBlasters]

But attending in your villa is a lot more “on vacation” then having to put shoes on and bother in person.

I thinking popping into a VGC or VDH conference room for 30 minutes would not be a big deal…. having to shlep around WDW…. that’s a hole new level of commitment.

Hopefully some Orlando locals who also own VGC can attend.

 

[eticketplease]

Like Mathmagicland already mentioned it is simulcast in California, but I think it would likely be easier to communicate in person with the DVC Leadership team, rather than try to communicate virtually.

Either way it'd be good to have someone at the annual meeting to bring this up as an issue.

@pkrieger2287 and Amy are owners wonder if they are cruising that week….

 

[NVDISFamily]

Hopefully some Orlando locals who also own VGC can attend.

When is it. As long as it's not a crazy work time I can try and go. I'm only a 3.5 hour cruise down the road (can go fast if solo....).

 

[Liquidice]

@pkrieger2287 and Amy are owners wonder if they are cruising that week….

I have plans to be on vacation at WDW for part of the 2nd week of December, but it really depends which day the meeting is.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I have plans to be on vacation at WDW for part of the 2nd week of December, but it really depends which day the meeting is.

If you go I’ll buy you a Dole Whip.. or 10

 

[eticketplease]

If you go I’ll buy you a Dole Whip.. or 10

Make that a 1,000 she is working on a new card’s minimum spend