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

[Luggabeast_CA]

DCA early entry line report at 7:15am

1) VGC Side- Line was past the grills…. that’s a pass from me

2) Napa Rose Side- Got in @ Story Tellers…. they are checking to make sure everyone has a GC reservation in line…

Were they checking for GC reservations specifically or just making you swipe your room key? Hoping the VDH room key would continue to work as it did on our last trip.

 

[lilsonicfan]

Definitely a softer padding to the carpet on floor 5…. and a “refurbished” smell….

Also, a picture of the balcony refurbing

A foot picture FOR FREE, that is crazy.

 

[Mathmagicland]

My son stopped liking RSR. So in the future, I may have to just sneak out early and ride it. Shouldn't be too difficult when staying at VGC. I bet I could ride it and be back in the room pretty quickly.

This is very doable! I did this once with my sister in law, while others slept in. We did mostly single rider, got in 8 rides during hotel early entry back when it was an hour. On the last ride, we skipped single rider for the regular queue because no one was left in line. This was the queue at 07:56a.m. - i had to take pics as I don’t think I’ll ever see this again -

 

[AstroBlasters]

We did our very first rope drop this trip. Typically I am a stroll in the parks at 11am and stay til they make us leave person but my adult daughter is not so we rope dropped. We were able to ride Radiator Springs without waiting a lifetime or paying extra, that was amazing. And somehow my old self was still able to make it til 10-11pm

The key for us is to go back to the room from 2-6 and recharge.

 

[VGCgroupie]

The key for us is to go back to the room from 2-6 and recharge.

This is where VGC shines imo.

 

[ClaraOswald]

The key for us is to go back to the room from 2-6 and recharge.

We typically go back to the room somewhere in that chunk of time too. I like stopping at Starbucks for a drink to enjoy while relaxing.

And another time we got ice cream at DCA before heading back. It was pretty great.

 

[lilsonicfan]

We typically go back to the room somewhere in that chunk of time too. I like stopping at Starbucks for a drink to enjoy while relaxing.

And another time we got ice cream at DCA before heading back. It was pretty great.

I like to walk back to the room with a delicious corn dog

 

[AstroBlasters]

Were they checking for GC reservations specifically or just making you swipe your room key? Hoping the VDH room key would continue to work as it did on our last trip.

To enter by Napa Rose…. needed to be Grand Cal specific. They wanted to see the reservation in the Disneyland app.

 

[nalababybear]

To enter by Napa Rose…. needed to be Grand Cal specific. They wanted to see the reservation in the Disneyland app.

I think they are doing this with the upcoming disneyland hotel entrance where it'll be even more important to filter for their dedicated entrance to dtd.

They really need the wdw scanners in place.

 

[Nonsuch]

Yesterday, I attended a D23 event at the Imagineering Campus in Glendale.

VGC print was hanging at the entrance to the restrooms

Rather odd to see VGC print, which seems unrelated to imagineering

These prints were in all villas when VGC first opened, but over the years some have been removed.

 

[ehh]

Post from DVC News looks like the same refurb status that DVC called an "initial test phase" in the email to @ajiuo.

https://dvcnews.com/other-resorts/v...-dvc-villa-at-disneys-grand-californian-hotel

@tjkraz have you heard from DVC that this is the final refurb state? Because @ajiuo heard otherwise just a couple weeks ago:

Good news. Disney Vacation Club did actually respond to my email. VGC is in fact getting a hard goods referb and the photos being posted are NOT the full referb. They said the photos being posted are of a room that is a part of an initial test phase and that no one has stayed in a fully refurbished room.

They also mentioned something about the referbs becoming more extensive because members have told them that the in room experience was important.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Post from DVC News looks like the same refurb status that DVC called an "initial test phase" in the email to @ajiuo.

https://dvcnews.com/other-resorts/v...-dvc-villa-at-disneys-grand-californian-hotel

@tjkraz have you heard from DVC that this is the final refurb state? Because @ajiuo heard otherwise just a couple weeks ago:

Personally…. if this is “it”….and the dues growth rate remains really low…. I’m OK with it….

I don’t love a skunk as the main artwork over the bed and not having any artwork in the twin pullout is weird….

 

[ehh]

Personally…. if this is “it”….and the dues growth rate remains really low…. I’m cool with it….

I generally agree, but I'd really like them to replace showerheads and the tub.

 

[tjkraz]

Post from DVC News looks like the same refurb status that DVC called an "initial test phase" in the email to @ajiuo.

https://dvcnews.com/other-resorts/v...-dvc-villa-at-disneys-grand-californian-hotel

@tjkraz have you heard from DVC that this is the final refurb state? Because @ajiuo heard otherwise just a couple weeks ago:

No, I cannot say with 100% certainty that this is the finished product.

Flooring, upholstery, pull-down bed and appliances are all updated. The walls will undoubtedly stay beige. The darker woods on the sofa bed enclosure suggest there won't be any significant changes to the finishes & trims. I suppose they could swap out some individual furniture pieces; I was surprised to see the big dresser / tv enclosures still in the bedrooms. Maybe they'll replace the countertop and backsplash in the kitchen? Maybe new artwork?

I'd be pretty shocked if they came back weeks later and did something major like gutting bathrooms. I cannot recall them ever approaching another DVC refurb in a piecemeal manner.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Yesterday, I attended a D23 event at the Imagineering Campus in Glendale.

VGC print was hanging at the entrance to the restrooms
View attachment 941383
Rather odd to see VGC print, which seems unrelated to imagineering

These prints were in all villas when VGC first opened, but over the years some have been removed.

Not unrelated to Imagineering, they designed the place!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Personally…. if this is “it”….and the dues growth rate remains really low…. I’m OK with it….

I don’t love a skunk as the main artwork over the bed and not having any artwork in the twin pullout is weird….

Even if that Skunk is cute like Flower?!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

On a positive note, I am happy that the tiffany glass lamps are staying. I was worried about modern lighting fixtures intruding on the theme.

Would be happier if the bathrooms got more work but oh well...

 

[ClaraOswald]

I generally agree, but I'd really like them to replace showerheads and the tub.

Agreed. I want a soaker tub and not a nasty old jetted tub.

I also wish they would add lighting on the trim piece near the ceiling, like they did on the hotel side.

 

[Nonsuch]

Not unrelated to Imagineering, they designed the place!

I did not realize that, or just forgot
Some of my saved files about VGC specifically reference Imagineering

 

[lilsonicfan]

I am hopeful this isn't the final refurb. I really like the look of VGC but the cabinetry in our 1BR villa was definitely in need of updating/fixing, the kitchen tile floor is not great (admittedly that could just be me not liking it) and I agree the jetted tub has to go. In terms of the look remaining consistent, I think that's great, but if I were an owner I would be eager to hear why such a "cheap" refurb was done as a hard goods refurb, after a long delay too. Presumably the cost for the refurbishments is paid for by owners so what gives?