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

[AstroBlasters]

We were just there. That $200 suitcase is gorgeous!

It is… the leather edges got a bit roughed up on the flight home…. So we’ll see how it holds up.

I really wish they had a carry on size piece of matching luggage.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Does anyone know the water depth in all three pools? Thanks!

 

[bigAWL]

Does anyone know the water depth in all three pools? Thanks!

I think this is roughly correct (in feet).

 

[ClaraOswald]

Fantastic! Thank you!

 

[ehh]

It was bound to happen eventually: we had our first 'this place needs a refurb' stay at VGC.

We were in 3502, a 1BR facing DCA (but view obstructed by a tree).

Had a short list of grievances we haven't had in the past:

• Mechanically some issues
  • The shower door was crooked and wouldn't close, but would make a loud groaning noise when opening/closing.
  • An outlet plate was all smashed up (a networking plate behind a nightstand, so not an obvious safety issue).
  • Foyer closet didn't have a bottom brace for the doors, so they just kind of swung when we went to slide them.
• Lighting was insufficient--the lamps are beautiful but just not enough light. Some good LED lightbulbs would go a long way.
  • Also, the exact opposite problem we had with the VDH 1BR: there's too many light switches/pulls at VGC.
• Even had some plumbing issues?
  • At one point midday, the kitchen sink made a loud gurgling noise and then the whole living room smelled like sewage.
  • The tub drain plug was set improperly and would only work by screwing/unscrewing. I had to de-tension it to have the pop up/down functionality work.
• Noise insulation was unusually bad. We've had other park-facing rooms and never had the problems with World of Color intruding so much.
• The TV would make a VERY loud sound for a split second every time it turned on.
• Generally a bit more wear than we'd expect.

It was still a great stay and VGC still has its serious charms, but we will definitely be happy when these rooms start getting a refurb.

 

[nalababybear]

1504 studio stay again last weekend - typical VGC. The pullout sofas are definitely wearing down. Still manageable. The WiFi needs to be upgraded desperately - too many deadspots and too slow from that issue.

 

[DVChris]

I’ve been watching the Studios at VGC and it looks like the refurb will start on 1/28/2025. The 28th was out before the walkers for RunDisney could reach it.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'm currently booked in a studio for January 25th - 31st.

 

[DVChris]

Accessible? I’m surprised you were able to grab the 28th for a regular studio. Did you walk?

 

[vicarrieous]

I have been watching availability as we are hoping to stay Jan 17-22 (debating between renting points or trying at 7 month window-I know we are crazy). I watched the walkers go through to marathon weekend, but didn't notice any inventory out for a refurb. Has there been more rumblings on a start date for it?

 

[nalababybear]

I'm currently booked in a studio for January 25th - 31st.

Look, a veteran champ already, and still a newly minted owner

 

[tx911]

What's the true story about studio availability for VGC owners? Is it a walking situation every time?

I'm thinking about a small resale contract at VGC, but the low inventory makes me skittish. I like VDH too, but the taxes and fees are a turn-off there.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Accessible? I’m surprised you were able to grab the 28th for a regular studio. Did you walk?

Just regular studio. I did walk it for a week or so maybe? Others were walking but it looked like at least one walker may not have been doing it right and I was able to swoop in and then I was able to walk to those dates, which are the ones I wanted.

However...this is just a "maybe" trip for us. We may decide to go to WDW in January instead. But I wanted something booked just in case.

Look, a veteran champ already, and still a newly minted owner

My first attempt at walking!

What's the true story about studio availability for VGC owners? Is it a walking situation every time?

I'm thinking about a small resale contract at VGC, but the low inventory makes me skittish. I like VDH too, but the taxes and fees are a turn-off there.

I'm not sure. I had no trouble booking our June 2024 trip at the 11 month mark. Didn't need to walk. But it looks like December/January was just a ton of walking. I'm still new to this though so maybe others will have better insight. It does concern me as well.

 

[Rex1993]

We were in 2507 two weeks ago, which is a 1bed. Things were fine and didn’t notice any big issues in dire need of refurbishment. I did notice that the refrigerator was definitely new. Same GE model as the other ones but this one still had tape and protective plastic on it in places. The door was hinged the wrong way which was a bit annoying but I didn’t have a screwdriver so I didn’t bother fixing it. Whatever is in store for the refurbishment I would set expectations somewhat low.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Well, I've never stayed in a VGC room yet so I guess I don't have too strong of an opinion. But I'll say it again...I just want murphy beds.

 

[DVChris]

I took this snapshot on the 25th which shows 27th open but 28th out. I assumed this was the start of the long-overdue refurb but sounds like it was just another system quirk.

 

[ehh]

I’ve been watching the Studios at VGC and it looks like the refurb will start on 1/28/2025. The 28th was out before the walkers for RunDisney could reach it.

As you observed, Jan 28 was unavailable a few days beyond 11m while Jan 27 was available, strongly indicative of inventory being taken offline.

However, refurb likely starts in late 2024 and likely will go floor-by-floor (though the Grand Villas may complicate that).

Inventory reduction was first evident in mid-October 2024 and was consistent with Floor 2 being taken offline. Since then, I have not seen the full inventory posted at 11m+7d at any point (but I haven't checked most days). Grand Villas (each one spans floors 4 and 5) have been out of circulation since early Jan 2025.

Rewinding the calendar a few days to when Jan 28 was first bookable with a 7 night reservation, it was apparent that it was going to be a pinch point as it had less inventory available than Jan 27 and walkers were out for the late January runDisney. The number of additional rooms taken offline starting Jan 28 was consistent with an additional floor being taken offline without returning any inventory back to bookable. A floor has since been returned to bookable inventory, but I don't know which exact date that was.

 

[DVChris]

As you observed, Jan 28 was unavailable a few days beyond 11m while Jan 27 was available, strongly indicative of inventory being taken offline.

However, refurb likely starts in late 2024 and likely will go floor-by-floor (though the Grand Villas may complicate that).

Inventory reduction was first evident in mid-October 2024 and was consistent with Floor 2 being taken offline. Since then, I have not seen the full inventory posted at 11m+7d at any point (but I haven't checked most days). Grand Villas (each one spans floors 4 and 5) have been out of circulation since early Jan 2025.

Rewinding the calendar a few days to when Jan 28 was first bookable with a 7 night reservation, it was apparent that it was going to be a pinch point as it had less inventory available than Jan 27 and walkers were out for the late January runDisney. The number of additional rooms taken offline starting Jan 28 was consistent with an additional floor being taken offline without returning any inventory back to bookable. A floor has since been returned to bookable inventory, but I don't know which exact date that was.

Sometime about two weeks, a block of rooms were brought back online for October, November and December. I was able to grab a few nights when I noticed them as available - previously not available. I assumed that the refurb was pushed back but makes sense that they brought back just a floor or two instead of the entire project being pushed back. Appreciate your insight!

 

[ehh]

Sometime about two weeks, a block of rooms were brought back online for October, November and December. I was able to grab a few nights when I noticed them as available - previously not available. I assumed that the refurb was pushed back but makes sense that they brought back just a floor or two instead of the entire project being pushed back. Appreciate your insight!

I saw that but neglected to look at how much they put back into inventory (mostly because I couldn't--I didn't have baseline data).

It's very possible that was a delay to the start of the refurb! If so, I'd expect the refurb to start around early Jan, when both Grand Villas disappeared from inventory.

I've been lightly monitoring what's available at 11m+7d before anyone can book it and I haven't seen normal inventories since Oct 2024 but if they returned inventory back weeks later I wouldn't be any wiser.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah...all of Oct-Dec was practically gone and then suddenly all available again. So I think they look like they are waiting until after the holidays to start the refurb, which makes sense. I wish I knew how long it was likely to take them. We're hoping to go in June 2025 and I'm wondering if I'll need to walk it. I hope not!