The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 2.0

[Nonsuch]

These are the amenities found in the "master" bath of a 1 bedroom villa in October 2012:

Each of the long boxes contain a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste. (I have not seen those before)

The bottles have a flip open top and are labeled "Disney Resorts", previously bottles had a larger screw top and were labeled "Grand Californian" with the hotel logo.

The bottles contain: Sea Salt Body Wash, Sea Salt Hydrating Body Lotion, Refreshing Mouthwash, Sea Marine Collagen Conditioner, Sea Marine Revitalizing Shampoo.

Each shower had another bottle of Body Wash, Conditioner, Shampoo, and a bar of Sea Salt Bath Soap (not pictured).

Hotel Amenities

 

[cpster]

You are so helpful!

 

[oktracy]

What is the best/closest/cleanest good neighbor hotel to stay in the night before checking in to the VGC? Just want to make it easy on myself before attempting an early check in at the Grand.

 

[BrianM]

What is the best/closest/cleanest good neighbor hotel to stay in the night before checking in to the VGC? Just want to make it easy on myself before attempting an early check in at the Grand.

We stayed at the candy cane inn. It's clean and right around the corner.

 

[poohj80]

What is the best/closest/cleanest good neighbor hotel to stay in the night before checking in to the VGC? Just want to make it easy on myself before attempting an early check in at the Grand.

We stayed down Harbor Blvd at Embassy Suites. It was a beautiful hotel and cheaper than the lower star good neighbor hotels and still only a 2 minute drive to the Grand CA.

 

[Susie63]

What is the proper way to ask about availability? I posted on the miscellaneous board but my post was deleted.I am not a DVC member but I have two consecutive reservations for feb and this rental would be for another Diser I am trying to help out.

 

[sechelt]

Very, very limited availability in Feb. You or they should probably enquire from someone that has points for rent, in the rental section. At this point, it can be any owners with points available for Feb, not just VGC owners.

 

[Susie63]

Thank you.
I think she is leaning to GCH with a military discount now.It's their first trip

 

[jerseygal]

How difficult is it to get a 1 or 2 BR at the 7 mo mark at Grand Californian Villas?

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[bolty16]

How difficult is it to get a 1 or 2 BR at the 7 mo mark at Grand Californian Villas?

Thanks very much in advance!

We waitlisted a studio last month for end of March next year and it came through last week. Hope this helps!

 

[PoohsFan1]

How difficult is it to get a 1 or 2 BR at the 7 mo mark at Grand Californian Villas?

Thanks very much in advance!

I'm interested in this myself....my 7 month mark will be coming up in about 2 weeks. We are more interested in a 1-bedroom but we will take a Studio if it is available and a 1-bedroom is not. We will be going the first week of June.

 

[DebbieB]

How difficult is it to get a 1 or 2 BR at the 7 mo mark at Grand Californian Villas?

Thanks very much in advance!

I would jump online right at 8:00am eastern on the 7 month mark. I've been able to get studios twice that way. Later in the day some of the dates were soldout.

A dedicated 2 bedroom will be the easiest to get.

 

[bigAWL]

I'm interested in this myself....my 7 month mark will be coming up in about 2 weeks. We are more interested in a 1-bedroom but we will take a Studio if it is available and a 1-bedroom is not. We will be going the first week of June.

From what I've seen, the studios tend to book the fastest. 1BRs are next. Of course, the actual dates of your trip will be the biggest factor in whether or not there's availability for you. My guess is that for the most days during the end of May or beginning of June you will find a 1BR at the 7-month mark. But I'm not sure what effect Memorial Day weekend will have if those days are during your trip (or if there are any other events going on).

 

[sechelt]

PoohsFan1, we're past the 7 month mark for most of May yet 1 bdrms are still available. First week of June might be more in demand but should be far enough past Memorial Day. Not too many people stay more than a week.

jerseygal, August is a busy time and keep in mind that the half marathon runs at the end of the month. Be ready to book early at the 7 month window.

I agree with pp that the dedicated 2 bdrms are generally the last to be booked.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

HMM, just changed my VGC reservation for Spring Break this weekend and added 2 days. I asked the CM if the room requests I made would carry over - the reservation number was staying the same. Turns out that despite my submitting my requests through the online tool and getting a confirmation, they were not on the record at all. I would suggest anyone who submits that way double check...

Just a heads up on the 2 bedroom questions - at almost 5 months out I was able to extend our reservation for a 2 bedroom dedicated by 2 nights, no problem, over Spring Break.... but dedicated 2 bedrooms are ALL that's available.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Turns out that despite my submitting my requests through the online tool and getting a confirmation, they were not on the record at all. I would suggest anyone who submits that way double check...

What "online tool" you are referring to?

I have had good results emailing request to member services.

 

[mdsd8700]

I'm interested in this myself....my 7 month mark will be coming up in about 2 weeks. We are more interested in a 1-bedroom but we will take a Studio if it is available and a 1-bedroom is not. We will be going the first week of June.

Same for us. Prefer 1 bedroom but will take a studio. Looking for 5 days in early June. I checked last night around this time and there was a week available for both a studio and 1 bedroom that included the Memorial Holiday weekend. Haven't checked today. Hopefully the availbility will stay good. Definately a good idea to get on-line and do it ASAP as soon as the window opens.

We were able to stay at VGC 2 years ago on points. We had stayed at the hotel portion before but somehow the DVC was even better. We have been in love with the villas ever since!!

Good luck getting your reservation!

 

[jerseygal]

Thanks for your replies!

If we decide to go ahead, I will be sure to do it at exactly the 7 mo mark first thing in the morning!

 

[Garthilk]

Some quick feedback I experienced during my visit 10/19 regarding the two bedroom dedicated unit #6500.

The public viewing patio adjacent the room is accessible via one very loud metal door that slams shut every time someone accesses the patio. If you're in the bedroom adjacent that door, be prepared to be woken up if you happen to have put your kids down, or gone to sleep early yourself. It's extraordinarily loud for the rooms having such relatively good sound proofing.

I can't hear anyone entering or existing their rooms on the opposite side, but the door to the patio you will hear every single person who uses it.

 

[PoohsFan1]

From what I've seen, the studios tend to book the fastest. 1BRs are next. Of course, the actual dates of your trip will be the biggest factor in whether or not there's availability for you. My guess is that for the most days during the end of May or beginning of June you will find a 1BR at the 7-month mark. But I'm not sure what effect Memorial Day weekend will have if those days are during your trip (or if there are any other events going on).

We are looking at a 6 night stay from 6/6 to 6/12. Your words are very encouraging, however I will still be planning on getting up bright and early on my 7 month mark waiting for MS to open . Just wondering, have you booked via online booking through MS or do you call, if you have done both, which do you prefer better?

PoohsFan1, we're past the 7 month mark for most of May yet 1 bdrms are still available. First week of June might be more in demand but should be far enough past Memorial Day. Not too many people stay more than a week.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my dates will still be opened. I have been watching the 1-bedrooms for the last week and it seems like there is availability, I even saw availability for a studio for a check in date of today for 6 nights, before when I checked there were only a few dates out of the week that were available. Like I mentioned before I am more interested in a 1-bedroom over a studio but I will take whatever I can get.

Same for us. Prefer 1 bedroom but will take a studio. Looking for 5 days in early June. I checked last night around this time and there was a week available for both a studio and 1 bedroom that included the Memorial Holiday weekend. Haven't checked today. Hopefully the availbility will stay good. Definately a good idea to get on-line and do it ASAP as soon as the window opens.

We were able to stay at VGC 2 years ago on points. We had stayed at the hotel portion before but somehow the DVC was even better. We have been in love with the villas ever since!!

Good luck getting your reservation!

Good luck to you too, depending on your dates, we may be there at the same time .