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

[Wedgeout]

Evening look from the 6th floor terrace. (Side note: that “Pixar Place” rear entrance/exit for DCA was open and looks really good with the new touch point gates and pathway refurb).

 

[NVDISFamily]

I saw some people posting about security and crowds at the Grand. During this last trip to VDH we of course spent some time in the GC to check on the merch and for other things.

They have someone standing at that gate in the front checking to make sure each party scans their room key and they are preventing tailgaters from going though. I observed one well dressed family trying to sneak in without a resort key and they were turned away. Seems like if your slumming it at the Westin down the street you'll have to make a left at the signal and go though the Downtown Disney entrance like the rest of the crowd. I did confirm with one of the security CMs that all resort guests at any of the Disney hotels are welcome to enter there and our keys will continue to work.

The crowds and that hall in front of storytellers and near the Napa Rose elevator bay are a madhouse. I was sporting my Grand Cal jacket one night (the one that sorta makes you look like a CM LOL) and I had a lot of lost people come up to me asking for help to get out of the madness. I make sure I told them I'm just a guest but I was able to direct them to where they needed to go

 

[Wedgeout]

1504 (first floor studio, DCA side). Peaceful mountains feel. Close access to that secondary entrance. Close to bbq area. Close to elevators.

It’s an accessible hearing room. As front desk mentioned: just flashing lights if alarms sound. Looks same as any other studio.

Morning views from patio as sunrise approaches, resort robes, & coffee. Listening to the ride check chatter from Goofy’s Flight School.

 

[Wedgeout]

Holiday resort pins and DVC items available at the store.

 

[Wedgeout]

New arrivals here: Bret Iwan, ‘Expedition Mickey Mouse’ collection.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Evening look from the 6th floor terrace. (Side note: that “Pixar Place” rear entrance/exit for DCA was open and looks really good with the new touch point gates and pathway refurb).

View attachment 1022846

The “Pixar Place” entry is closing in January….. budget cuts….

 

[cruisehopeful]

So, it sounds like the weirdness with showing room key at the elevator is about non hotel guests watching WOC from the viewing platform? If so, I agree with doing that. I've never been to the viewing platform and have no idea where it is. If I was paying for a hotel stay and planning on viewing from there and I couldn't because it was full of non hotel guests, I'd be very disappointed and would definitely complain about it.

 

[AstroBlasters]

So, it sounds like the weirdness with showing room key at the elevator is about non hotel guests watching WOC from the viewing platform? If so, I agree with doing that. I've never been to the viewing platform and have no idea where it is. If I was paying for a hotel stay and planning on viewing from there and I couldn't because it was full of non hotel guests, I'd be very disappointed and would definitely complain about it.

It would be better to station someone outside of the viewing platform then and not make me have to put my to go food down and scramble to get my key out to go back to the room…. or just give me a wristband option…. make it sparkly if I am direct….

 

[Wedgeout]

The “Pixar Place” entry is closing in January….. budget cuts….

Wow! It was so fixed up now. This morning right out the door by BBQ’s & into DCA. That is the ultimate closest gate currently to the DVC wing.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Wow! It was so fixed up now. This morning right out the door by BBQ’s & into DCA. That is the ultimate closest gate currently to the DVC wing.

Yup……

 

[miksicnarf]

Oh and an update on me and the new DVC merch. I didnt come home with a spirit jersey. It is super cute but I got issues and it feels like the neck is choking me so I will forever be spirit jerseyless until they make a v-neck I almost bought the small Dooney bag, but it just wasn't cute enough for me.. so I am on the hunt for a similar size Dooney with a bit more spunky cuteness. We loved all the new DVC pins and bought a few. I secured my VGC resort ornament and I LOVE it!

They have made v-necks! I got one last year at WDW...maybe they'll catch on. https://wdwnt.com/2024/09/walt-disney-world-v-neck-spirit-jerseys/

 

[VGCgroupie]

They have made v-necks! I got one last year at WDW...maybe they'll catch on. https://wdwnt.com/2024/09/walt-disney-world-v-neck-spirit-jerseys/

I would buy one in every color!

 

[VGCgroupie]

1504 (first floor studio, DCA side). Peaceful mountains feel. Close access to that secondary entrance. Close to bbq area. Close to elevators.

It’s an accessible hearing room. As front desk mentioned: just flashing lights if alarms sound. Looks same as any other studio.

Morning views from patio as sunrise approaches, resort robes, & coffee. Listening to the ride check chatter from Goofy’s Flight School.

View attachment 1022930View attachment 1022931View attachment 1022932

I had one like this last year for OBB it was the absolute best being so close to the entrance. Sad to see it go.

 

[Wedgeout]

So, it sounds like the weirdness with showing room key at the elevator is about non hotel guests watching WOC from the viewing platform? If so, I agree with doing that. I've never been to the viewing platform and have no idea where it is. If I was paying for a hotel stay and planning on viewing from there and I couldn't because it was full of non hotel guests, I'd be very disappointed and would definitely complain about it.

Just a lot of security posted at this hotel. The elevators on that DVC side had a key scan spot then floor select worked.

The viewing is 6th floor. A secrete sign on wall says terrace with short hallway to a glass door, with a key tap to unlock. There were about 10 up there last night. The sound is played but the water screen angle is poor. Just for lights, and fountains, with the narrative. Nothing spectacular.