When is DVC at Grand Californian ...

[pixie08]

scheduled to be complete? DH and I are hoping to do a nice trip to CA in the next year or so and would obviously like to saty there. ANy info? TIA!

 

[DebbieB]

I am staying at Paradise Pier right now. They are just starting to put up structure. DVC's website says late 2009, that's probably accurate. I'll post pictures when I return.

I walked through the lobby, the Grand Californian is very nice.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hi Debbie, can you give any info about the parks, downtown Disney, crowds? My son lives in LA and would like to incorporate a GCV trip with a visit to see him (or even concierge on pts). How many days would be enough to see both parks?

 

[DebbieB]

Hi Debbie, can you give any info about the parks, downtown Disney, crowds? My son lives in LA and would like to incorporate a GCV trip with a visit to see him (or even concierge on pts). How many days would be enough to see both parks?

It was crowded on Sunday when I got there but the weekdays were not crowded at all. I would allow 2 days for Disneyland, 1 day for CA Adventure. I walked through the Grand Californian many times to get to both parks and Downtown Disney from Paradise Pier Hotel, the lobby is really impressive. I'll have to try it next time.

Here is a picture of the construction site on May 2 from my room:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db22b3127ccea95541de78cc00000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

Here are a couple pictures of California Adventure (from room 930):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db22b3127ccea9552a4eb9c100000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db22b3127ccea9552ac6b94900000026108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

 

[beachblanket]

If the Grand Californian DVC villas are sized the way the hotel rooms there are, they will be the smallest ones you've ever seen. Every time I stay at that hotel, I feel like I'm in a cruise ship cabin...

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Wow, that is small! Are the concierge rooms any bigger?

 

[beachblanket]

Wow, that is small! Are the concierge rooms any bigger?

No, they're the same postage stamp size. What you get for your extra $160 (or on average 14-20 DVC points) per night is most -- but not all -- of the standard extra amenities like reservation assistance and lounge food service.

What's missing? For whatever reason, at the GC there is no priority check in line for concierge level like at the other two Disneyland properties.

 

[beachblanket]

Here's the "artists' conception" of what the DVC addition to the GC will look like. Given the size of those balconies (no larger than the ones at the hotel), we're definitely talking teeny-weeny villa-land.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Would you have any info on room size for the other two Disney Hotels as compared to GCV? I might just spend the concierge pts. on one of those rooms IF they are bigger than GCV. I wish they posted the sq. ft. somewhere.

 

[beachblanket]

Would you have any info on room size for the other two Disney Hotels as compared to GCV? I might just spend the concierge pts. on one of those rooms IF they are bigger than GCV. I wish they posted the sq. ft. somewhere.

Don't have square footage, but here are some pictures.

Disneyland Hotel concierge level room:

Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel concierge level room:

 

[DebbieB]

Here's my Paradise Pier DCA view room:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db22b3127ccea9553b32f92d00000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

It seemed average size to me. 2 queen beds.

According to allears GCV standard is 353 square feet.

http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/acc/faq_gc.htm

DLH is 364 to 415

http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/acc/faq_dlh.htm

In comparison, Yacht Club is 380 square feet

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_yc.htm

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Here's my Paradise Pier DCA view room:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db22b3127ccea9553b32f92d00000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

It seemed average size to me. 2 queen beds.

According to allears GCV standard is 353 square feet.

http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/acc/faq_gc.htm

DLH is 364 to 415

http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/acc/faq_dlh.htm

In comparison, Yacht Club is 380 square feet

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_yc.htm

Good work Beachblanket and DebbieB! Well from the sq. ft. info and the pic of Paradise Pier conceirge, it obviously looks bigger than either DLH or GCV. I know GCV has all the ambiance about it, but for 4 days I would really appreciate the extra space. And it is still concierge, so will get some little extras too! What does Paradise pier look over, anything special as far as a view?

 

[ZekeKelso]

The methodology isn't scientific or anything, but at least one prediction shows the units at CGV to be right in line size-wise with other DVC units. See:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=299&Itemid=162

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Since there is no porch off of the living room area, that added space will make a big difference.

 

[DebbieB]

What does Paradise pier look over, anything special as far as a view?

I had a DCA view, see post above for pictures. That view was the reason I chose PP. I love the California Screamin!

 

[beachblanket]

The methodology isn't scientific or anything, but at least one prediction shows the units at CGV to be right in line size-wise with other DVC units. See:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=299&Itemid=162

I'm not sure I agree completely with that assessment, given the following info from the link:

"Our mock-up does not include a scale, making it difficult to tell exactly how large the unit may be. In terms of square footage, we suspect it is on par with the smaller DVCs as opposed to the larger AKV units. Note that while the living area appears to be deeper than others, the balcony has been relocated adjacent to the master bedroom to conserve space. The second bathroom was added (a 3/4 bath with no tub) while shrinking the main entry and kitchen

In order to accommodate the balcony, the master suite appears to be a litle more compact and the square jacuzzi tub has been replaced with a more oblong model. ."

Assuming the above is correct, it implies the "generic DVC villa layout" has been tweaked (ergo, shrunk via removing floor space in the entry area, kitchen and master bedroom) to squeeze it into the available space.

Also, as others on this thread may already be aware, because of the very tight building footprint Disney has to work with in this location, the new GC DVC complex will only have about 50 units, making it the smallest of all DVC locations. Based on historical experience with WLV (which is currently the smallest DVC property located at a theme park) I suspect that will mean GC DVC like WLV will be a tough place for non-owners to get ressies at during anything other than very "bottom of the barrel" off season times. I.e., forget holiday and summer ressies at 7 months.

 

[squidmo]

Here's the "artists' conception" of what the DVC addition to the GC will look like. Given the size of those balconies (no larger than the ones at the hotel), we're definitely talking teeny-weeny villa-land.

I think the teeny-weeny ones (dead ahead in the rendering) are some of the regular hotel rooms going in. It's the non-standard balconies to the left of the photo that are most likely DVC.

I'm not sure I agree completely with that assessment, given the following info from the link:

Our mock-up does not include a scale, making it difficult to tell exactly how large the unit may be.

Actually, if you look farther down in the article, you can see that they posted an update giving a better estimate of the relative scale of GCV vs SSR & AKV. Using the standard size of certain elements (queen beds, bathtubs, door openings, etc) to get the three floorplans into about the same scale, it appears that GCV is probably only slightly smaller than the Kidani Village AKV units will be.

...the new GC DVC complex will only have about 50 units, making it the smallest of all DVC locations. Based on historical experience with WLV (which is currently the smallest DVC property located at a theme park) I suspect that will mean GC DVC like WLV will be a tough place for non-owners to get ressies at during anything other than very "bottom of the barrel" off season times. I.e., forget holiday and summer ressies at 7 months.

Here I totally agree with you! I'm planning on buying in, and I assume I'll need to make all my ressies right at the 11-month window.

 

[biolabetty]

No, they're the same postage stamp size. What you get for your extra $160 (or on average 14-20 DVC points) per night is most -- but not all -- of the standard extra amenities like reservation assistance and lounge food service.

What's missing? For whatever reason, at the GC there is no priority check in line for concierge level like at the other two Disneyland properties.

The GCH does concierge check in differently than the other 2 hotels. I've been met the majority of the times I've checked in at the valet parking area by a concierge CM. The CM made sure my luggage was taken care of, and then took us directly up to the concierge floor where we checked in at the desk up there. My family got to go into the lounge while I checked in, and one time I even checked in in the lounge itself. If it is crowded upstairs, sometimes it is difficult for a concierge CM to get loose to meet you downstairs, and at those times I've checked in at the regular desk downstairs.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm not sure I agree completely with that assessment, given the following info from the link:

"Our mock-up does not include a scale, making it difficult to tell exactly how large the unit may be. In terms of square footage, we suspect it is on par with the smaller DVCs as opposed to the larger AKV units. Note that while the living area appears to be deeper than others, the balcony has been relocated adjacent to the master bedroom to conserve space. The second bathroom was added (a 3/4 bath with no tub) while shrinking the main entry and kitchen

In order to accommodate the balcony, the master suite appears to be a litle more compact and the square jacuzzi tub has been replaced with a more oblong model. ."

Assuming the above is correct, it implies the "generic DVC villa layout" has been tweaked (ergo, shrunk via removing floor space in the entry area, kitchen and master bedroom) to squeeze it into the available space.

Also, as others on this thread may already be aware, because of the very tight building footprint Disney has to work with in this location, the new GC DVC complex will only have about 50 units, making it the smallest of all DVC locations. Based on historical experience with WLV (which is currently the smallest DVC property located at a theme park) I suspect that will mean GC DVC like WLV will be a tough place for non-owners to get ressies at during anything other than very "bottom of the barrel" off season times. I.e., forget holiday and summer ressies at 7 months.

All of these "tweaks and modifications" do not bode well for size of these units. Why won't they dsiclose the sq. ft. of these units? I think right now SSR has the smallest 1 bedroom unit. I just can't imagine anything smaller than that! Well space is a premium in CA. Maybe the locals won't mind.

 

[squidmo]

All of these "tweaks and modifications" do not bode well for size of these units. Why won't they dsiclose the sq. ft. of these units? I think right now SSR has the smallest 1 bedroom unit. I just can't imagine anything smaller than that!

Looking at the standard sized items in the floorplans, I really think the GCV 1 bedroom is going to be very close in size to the Kidani Village AKV . But the GCV model is supposed to be opened at the end of this month, so many of our questions should be answered then. I'm hoping they will have the points charts then too, although somehow I suspect they won't.