Anyone used DVC Points for Disneyland CA

[TinkTatoo]

I'm thinking of a West Coast jaunt next summer and would like to spend 3 nights in Disneyland using our DVC points. Has anyone used their points to stay at either of the 3 hotels and how easy is it to book? Any comments on the 3 hotels would be appreciated as well

 

[CustardTart]

We're using points to stay at DLH concierge this summer. It was extremely simple - I emailed the request to DVC and received confirmation the following day. If it's your first time, I recommend the GCH, it's gorgeous - designed by the same architect responsible for WL and AKL tho' this time the theme is more Arts & Crafts... Plus there's direct access to DTD and CA. We stayed there for NYE 2005 and loved it. I've chosen DLH this time for purely personal selfish reasons - as a child, I had an annual with a picture of the hotel on the cover and always wanted to go...

 

[Minniespal]

We're doing the West Coast this year. I emailed DVC and like Karen received confirmation back the same day. All very simple and easy.

Again we're staying at the Grand Californian Hotel. Personally I just love this hotel.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Thanks Karen & Florence

Did you book at 11 months or did you have to wait until the 7 month window?

We're using points to stay at DLH concierge this summer........ If it's your first time, I recommend the GCH, it's gorgeous - designed by the same architect responsible for WL and AKL tho' this time the theme is more Arts & Crafts... Plus there's direct access to DTD and CA. We stayed there for NYE 2005 and loved it.......

I was actually thinking of DLH concierge, the reason I was going for DLH is that the rooms are supposed to be bigger and have a day bed.( DS will need his own bed) and I read that they don't even do rollaways at GCH

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the hotel and the concierge service

......I've chosen DLH this time for purely personal selfish reasons - as a child, I had an annual with a picture of the hotel on the cover and always wanted to go...

what a great reason

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks Karen & Florence

Did you book at 11 months or did you have to wait until the 7 month window?

I booked at slightly less than 11 months as it was early October...

 

[Minniespal]

We booked at 10 months.

We're staying at Grand Californian (Concierge), so if you need any comments/thoughts before you make a decision, just let me know.

 

[jjpenguin]

It was easy peasy. We stayed at the DLH as it was pretty expensive points wise (points went down the year after we were there!)

Don't know about concierge, the hotel was nice. Not nearly as themed as WDW but the room and bathroom were large and we had a great view of the pool and LA. The DLH is three separate towers so you may want to check that you are in the tower where the facilities are, but that will probably be concierge anyway.
It is a bit of a walk to DL from the hotel, but you can get the monorail from a bit further up the path...be prepared for a wait though...

Next time my choice would be GCH as it is more themed.

 

[Frances999]

We've stayed at the GCH and the DLH. I prefer the DLH - the rooms are noticeably larger and we have had excellent service. The pool and grounds are very impressive, too. The GCH is nice, and in a great location, but I was a little disappointed with the rooms and the service didn't seem so good (but maybe we were just unlucky). The DLH is literally a 2 minute walk from the Downtown Disney monorail station, which connects straight into Tomorrowland of Disneyland Park. There are lots of great restaurants and shops in DTD within a few minutes walk too.

If you go for concierge, you will be in the tower closest to DTD (forget the name, they recently changed it). Our room was in this tower and we had awesome views over DTD, California Adventure and towards the Disneyland Park. It was really neat.

 

[TinkTatoo]

We booked at 10 months.

We're staying at Grand Californian (Concierge), so if you need any comments/thoughts before you make a decision, just let me know.

Yes please Florence

It was easy peasy. We stayed at the DLH as it was pretty expensive points wise (points went down the year after we were there!)

Don't know about concierge, the hotel was nice. Not nearly as themed as WDW but the room and bathroom were large and we had a great view of the pool and LA. The DLH is three separate towers so you may want to check that you are in the tower where the facilities are, but that will probably be concierge anyway.
It is a bit of a walk to DL from the hotel, but you can get the monorail from a bit further up the path...be prepared for a wait though...

Next time my choice would be GCH as it is more themed.

I do really like the look of the GCH but I'm worried about the room size bearing in mind that we'd need a rolloway bed.

 

[Frances999]

I do really like the look of the GCH but I'm worried about the room size bearing in mind that we'd need a rolloway bed.

We're a family of 5 who also need the additional bed, and the GCH is not ideal for this. The rooms are small - there is no day bed, and they do not provide roll-away beds, either (I doubt a roll-away would fit). You get given sleeping bags, instead!!! Shocking for a 5 diamond hotel.

 

[TinkTatoo]

We've stayed at the GCH and the DLH. I prefer the DLH - the rooms are noticeably larger and we have had excellent service. The pool and grounds are very impressive, too. The GCH is nice, and in a great location, but I was a little disappointed with the rooms and the service didn't seem so good (but maybe we were just unlucky). The DLH is literally a 2 minute walk from the Downtown Disney monorail station, which connects straight into Tomorrowland of Disneyland Park. There are lots of great restaurants and shops in DTD within a few minutes walk too.

If you go for concierge, you will be in the tower closest to DTD (forget the name, they recently changed it). Our room was in this tower and we had awesome views over DTD, California Adventure and towards the Disneyland Park. It was really neat.

We're a family of 5 who also need the additional bed, and the GCH is not ideal for this. The rooms are small - there is no day bed, and they do not provide roll-away beds, either (I doubt a roll-away would fit). You get given sleeping bags, instead!!! Shocking for a 5 diamond hotel.

Thanks for that It looks like it will be the DLH for us

 

[Minniespal]

Yes please Florence

No problem Jakki

 

[Terrif]

We just came back from GC on points. We booked a garden concierge. We needed the bunk beds and trundle as we are a family of five. We did get that and were upgraded to a pool DCA park view. The view was beautiful but my kids did not fit in the bunk beds that well. The beds were small and my kids are 11, 13, 15. It would be perfect for younger kids. The service at concierge was fabulous though. They let the kids (supposed to be 16) come and go as they pleased. Location was awesome but room on small side. Never again will we share with the 3 kids! We were saving points and it did save a ton of time in the morning eating in the lounge. My son drank his weight in "free" soda. The grounds of the hotel are beautiful! I would try the DL hotel unless your kids are small.

 

[TinkTatoo]

We just came back from GC on points. We booked a garden concierge. We needed the bunk beds and trundle as we are a family of five. We did get that and were upgraded to a pool DCA park view. The view was beautiful but my kids did not fit in the bunk beds that well. The beds were small and my kids are 11, 13, 15. It would be perfect for younger kids. The service at concierge was fabulous though. They let the kids (supposed to be 16) come and go as they pleased. Location was awesome but room on small side. Never again will we share with the 3 kids! We were saving points and it did save a ton of time in the morning eating in the lounge. My son drank his weight in "free" soda. The grounds of the hotel are beautiful! I would try the DL hotel unless your kids are small.

Thanks for that review - DS is only 11 but already 5ft 4, the small bed wouldn't suit him so we'll stick with the DLH