The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners Group

[rmonty02]

Grumpygrandpa...Sounds like a fun trip. No matter how often we go to DL, there always seems to be something new! Which makes every trip EXCITING and FUN!! Happy Birthday to DW! I'd love to see pics with all the Halloween decorations

 

[stopher1]

We are driving down this coming Thursday (Oct. 14th, DW's Birthday) and coming back Sunday night. Can't wait! It will fun to try out the Trick or Treat in DL and this trip will be my first opportunity to check out WOC. I think I'm always the most excited one in our family with my DGD being a close second.

Oh have a wonderful time!!

 

[mfortis]

I had read here that the candy selection is better than it was in the past. I have attended every Halloween Party at DCA since 2005 (I think that was when it started) and am happy to learn of this year's selection. I do like the healthy selections, too. I am planning on not packing any sweets cuz we always get lots of candy even when we don't make the trick or treating the main event of the evening.

The candy selection was good. But I can only compare it to the party at WDW, since this is my first time at DL. One of the treats that was awesome where the apples. After snacking on candies the apples were a pleasant surprise. If anyone can get me the brand I would much appreciate it.

just to make another comparison to WDW, I found the parade to be better there. Can't beat the headless horseman trotting down the parade route.

 

[caseydvc]

Just bought 240 points, and wish I had done so before spending $$$$$ on a week-long stay with fam and MIL/FIL. At least I beat the sell-out, promised imminently. (Sales pressure, perhaps?) Can't wait to get back!

 

[funatdisney]

The candy selection was good. But I can only compare it to the party at WDW, since this is my first time at DL. One of the treats that was awesome where the apples. After snacking on candies the apples were a pleasant surprise. If anyone can get me the brand I would much appreciate it.

just to make another comparison to WDW, I found the parade to be better there. Can't beat the headless horseman trotting down the parade route.

I have attended MNSSHP. The candy at the DL event in the past was ok. I remember the candy selection was a bit thin in the chocolate candy department, and I wished that there was more of them. So I was pleasantly surprised to see pictures and lists posted on DisBoards of the candy this year. I got my wish. I, also, like the apples and raisins and the other healthy offerings. They are refreshing after all that candy!

I completely agree with you on the parade. the parade at WDW is just awesome! My DH doesn't care for parades, but loved the one at MNSSHP. Having a parade much like the one at MNSSHP would make MHP perfect. I don't think they can do the Headless Horseman (their stables are not as large at the one in WDW), but the other elements of the parade would be great like the synchronized gravediggers with their shovels. IMHO,the Cavalcade does get a little better every year.

 

[ACDSNY]

Just bought 240 points, and wish I had done so before spending $$$$$ on a week-long stay with fam and MIL/FIL. At least I beat the sell-out, promised imminently. (Sales pressure, perhaps?) Can't wait to get back!

Welcome! Wishing you many years of wonderful vacations.

 

[rmonty02]

Just bought 240 points, and wish I had done so before spending $$$$$ on a week-long stay with fam and MIL/FIL. At least I beat the sell-out, promised imminently. (Sales pressure, perhaps?) Can't wait to get back!

CONGRATS! and WELCOME HOME!!

 

[madbio]

Just spoke with a DVC guy at DCA and he said that VGC is about 98% sold out. They opened up the last of the reserve points. In the mean time, they've already got the virtual Aulani room setup over at the preview center and once VGC is sold out, they will convert the preview center to be the Aulani rooms.

On another note, during our stay, we went up to the 6th floor on the Villas side and followed the signs to the Paradise Pier View Terrace to watch WOC. Definitely a different point of view to watch from there. The tower for the Golden Zephyr blocks the back movie screen and you can't really see the front movie screen because of the angle of the terrace. Since we've seen the show already, we knew what was being shown as the show went on. I did enjoy being up there though. I was comfy in my PJ's, got a new appreciation for how high that water is shot up in the air (from the front view, I didn't realize it went that high), music was piped in so we could hear everything, and we actually did feel the heat from the flames when the whole lake was 'on fire'. There was about 15 people on the terrace with us (10:15 show) and you do need your room key to get in there but it was fun. I do appreciate that they had bathrooms on that terrace also! Very thoughtful Uncle Disney.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Driving down on DWs birthday Thursday the 14th and staying through Sunday. Couldn't get into VGC so we are staying across the street at PP. But we will hanging out with DSIL and nieces and great nieces at their two bedroom. Can't wait! It will be my first WOC.

 

[rosermama]

We bought at GVC last Nov on the Disney Cruise, we are excited. One day we will make it to CALI to stay there. I want my DH and DD to see Disneyland a place which is more home to me than WDW since I went there almost every year as a kid.

I love to eat at the resturant on the Pirates of the Carribean ride and get a snack later in the day at the place where you can get gumbo in a bread bowl.

I midd Disneyland... Maybe in 2012

 

[franandaj]

I booked November 13th for one night because our band was planning on performing there on the 14th. We just got our date and turns out it is the 21st instead of the 14th. So my question is this, when I call MS when they open tomorrow, since it will be the 13th and October has 31 days will my points go back into my account? Or will they go into a holding account because it's too soon before my 1st date of stay?

Anyone think I have a chance of a waitlist coming through for the 20th of November? Or should I just book at PPH or DLH on points?

 

[sueandyong]

So excited! Booked a stay in a 3 BR Grand Villa! Just wondering if anyone has stayed there and if the view is decent. DW, DD, and close friends will be staying there in November. Also, WOC will be a first for us as well. Can't believe we were able to book this since there's only 2 units.

 

[franandaj]

So excited! Booked a stay in a 3 BR Grand Villa! Just wondering if anyone has stayed there and if the view is decent. DW, DD, and close friends will be staying there in November. Also, WOC will be a first for us as well. Can't believe we were able to book this since there's only 2 units.

Which Villa are you in the one with the Paradise Pier view or the Pool View Villa?

 

[franandaj]

We are a little sucky tonight. We found out our performance date for DCA for the band and it is a week later than we thought which means, the room reservations I made 11 months prior need to be cancelled tomorrow. The chances of rescheduling are pretty nil, and we had a party booked that I now have to hope and pray when I call tomorrow that the economy is so bad that people aren't booking parties that weekend so that we can get one!

Ugh much scrambling to do tomorrow morning! Many emails to send tonight, tired need to go to bed. Not a good combo!

 

[sueandyong]

Not sure which one really. I'll have to call MS on Thurs. to find out which one. I take it that both rooms will not have a view of WOC. Oh well, that's ok, hopefully we get a chance to see it ground level.

 

[franandaj]

They are on opposite sides of the building one has a WoC view the other has a MK fireworks view. You can put in a request and based on if the other one is occupied when you check in and the other party has a request you will get the available unit, but it can't hurt to put in a request. If you both check in on the same day and the other party hasn't made a request, perhaps you will get the PP view one.

 

[hjgaus]

So excited! Booked a stay in a 3 BR Grand Villa! Just wondering if anyone has stayed there and if the view is decent. DW, DD, and close friends will be staying there in November. Also, WOC will be a first for us as well. Can't believe we were able to book this since there's only 2 units.

We stayed poolside in #4513 last May before WOC so I couldn't tell you about the park view (my in-laws seem to like the quiet better) but the place is awesome for our group of 10! Never felt crowded for anyone. The kids brought the xbox for down time plus love the use of the pool table. They love the early morning hours or going in for an hour before DL closes. We have yet to use the pool but might reserve a cabana for one of the afternoons for the next stay. We all brought food for breakfasts & lunches (nice to all sit together @ the large dining table) then had dinners in DTD every night! We usually go to WDW & stay in BCV but most of the family can't afford the flight to WDW or the tickets for the parks so sharing with them what we love to do locally was the next best thing! I actually thought "Why buy points for this if we are only 30 minutes away?" but I was wrong cuz it was the best long weekend we ever had! Last May was @ 11 month mark with 160 points plus borrowed. We just made a ressi for May 4th -8th @ the 7 month mark! I think getting the grand villa rooms are easier when you can go more in the off time rather than summer or holidays. I have become spoiled by the grand villas so in a few years when just the four of us visit Beach Club, the 2 bedroom will feel so much small but still enjoyable!

 

[Djsgoofy]

We stayed at the Park View Grand Villa. The view is awesome. Probably has the best WOC view of any of the villas. They were only testing when we were there. You really can only hear the noise from the park when the sliding doors are open.

 

[lulubelle]

We are a little sucky tonight. We found out our performance date for DCA for the band and it is a week later than we thought which means, the room reservations I made 11 months prior need to be cancelled tomorrow. The chances of rescheduling are pretty nil, and we had a party booked that I now have to hope and pray when I call tomorrow that the economy is so bad that people aren't booking parties that weekend so that we can get one!

Ugh much scrambling to do tomorrow morning! Many emails to send tonight, tired need to go to bed. Not a good combo!

Sorry about the last minute date change, Alison. I hope it all works out for you.

Several of us from our "Dis Diva" group are going the weekend of Nov 19-21. I am staying at Hojo's at the $59 Ent Rate. But staying in our beloved villas Dec 11-13, which I booked 11 months out, too.

 

[franandaj]

Sorry about the last minute date change, Alison. I hope it all works out for you.

Several of us from our "Dis Diva" group are going the weekend of Nov 19-21. I am staying at Hojo's at the $59 Ent Rate. But staying in our beloved villas Dec 11-13, which I booked 11 months out, too.

Well MS was CLOSED today! I called the resort and they sent an email to MS so that my points wouldn't go into a holding account. I'm thinking that a room at PPH is only 4 points more and it's only one night. The party was able to be rescheduled so we'll still have dinner the night before the performance. Dinner is at 8:45PM and we usually have to report around 8:00AM or so. Going back to Long Beach will just be too much, so I'll be up at 6AM to call MS and see what I can book.

Since you will be around on the 21st...I'll let you know when our band is playing...you should stop by and give us a listen! We'll be at the stage outside Monsters Inc. probably in the morning. We'll be playing all sorts of fun music and should put on a great show. We'd love to see you in the audience!