DTD view from GCH at Xmas - The DIS Discussion Forums

alvernon90 · 09-16-2009, 12:57 AM

We are planning a short trip to DLR right after Thanksgiving weekend with the main purpose of enjoying the holiday decorations at the parks and resorts. We will be staying at GCH, partly for location and partly because we've read such great things about the hotel during the holidays.

Given this goal, I'm thinking we should book a room with a DTD view, the reason being that DTD is likely to be decked out for the holidays, so we will get more holiday spirit from looking at DTD than looking at the pool or a somewhat obstructed view of DCA.

Is this reasoning sound? Or is this plan a big mistake?

CoolPool · 09-16-2009, 01:04 AM

My favorite view at GCH is the DTD view. The primary reason I like it is to see the fireworks over DL whilst sitting in PJs. (They play the soundtrack on TV simultanously.) Seasonal decorations would be an added bonus.

Farmboy90 · 09-16-2009, 02:40 AM

Keep in mind you will be paying almost double the points since the Villas will be open. They are much cheaper than paying for the hotel portion of the GC.

That said the DTD views are awesome--mainly due to the fireworks.

You could save a ton of points by staying in the villas and just walking downstairs to DTD.

pixiewings71 · 09-16-2009, 02:23 PM

I don't see where the OP said they were using points.

Alvernon, the DTD view is the best, we loved it!!! We were right above the pizza place and the lights were just amazing at night.

You'll love your DTD view!

01spirit750 · 09-16-2009, 02:33 PM

We definitely prefer the DtD views and sounds.

I did check into the savings of getting a room at the Villas at the Grand Californian.

For the middle of December they didn't have any availability. (I worked with a person renting points and also calling the DVC directly).

But here is the cost comparison anyway.

I compared a Studio Villas room with the base non view GCH room. Some/most of the studio rooms appear to have a theme park views but I am not 100%.

Hotel rack rate of $360 per night + 15% tax = $414 per night
AP non view hotel rate: $239 per night + 15% tax = $274 per night
A studio room at the Villas point rental at $12 per point = $204 per night
A studio room at the Villas point rental at $10 per point = $170 per night

To summarize
1. Compared to the "rack rate" of $414 (tax included) per night you will save money ($210-$244 per night) by renting points.
2. Compared to the AP rate of $274 (tax included) you will save money ($70-$104 per night) by renting points.

In the future will definitely rent points if the rooms are available.

Chris

alvernon90 · 09-16-2009, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the tips! I would have considered renting points (I did it for a stay at DLH in May) but I figured the odds of getting a reservation so soon after the Villas open to be pretty slim.

We will definitely go for the DTD view. I love Christmas lights at night!!

09-16-2009, 12:57 AM	#1
alvernon90 Unable to think of a clever tag.......but doesn't have to, the Tag Fairy will just colorize him! :) Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Over the bar Posts: 476	DTD view from GCH at Xmas We are planning a short trip to DLR right after Thanksgiving weekend with the main purpose of enjoying the holiday decorations at the parks and resorts. We will be staying at GCH, partly for location and partly because we've read such great things about the hotel during the holidays. Given this goal, I'm thinking we should book a room with a DTD view, the reason being that DTD is likely to be decked out for the holidays, so we will get more holiday spirit from looking at DTD than looking at the pool or a somewhat obstructed view of DCA. Is this reasoning sound? Or is this plan a big mistake?

09-16-2009, 02:23 PM	#4
pixiewings71 Sweet!!! Totally!!!!! YAY for good weather! It's that Disney Magic, I don't know how it works but it does! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Suisun City CA Posts: 11,104	I don't see where the OP said they were using points. Alvernon, the DTD view is the best, we loved it!!! We were right above the pizza place and the lights were just amazing at night. You'll love your DTD view! __________________ Kerri DBF DD13 DD9 APs expired 1-3-2010, the girls are still good until 2-6-2010 but we have no plans for a visit before they expire. No plans for our next visit, it will be 2011 or 2012 before we head back. We've had fun DLR/DCA, we will miss you while we are gone. We took 14 trips from July 07-July 08 and around 16 from Jan 09-Jan 10.

09-16-2009, 02:33 PM	#5
01spirit750 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 54	GCH hotel AP vs DVC points rental We definitely prefer the DtD views and sounds. I did check into the savings of getting a room at the Villas at the Grand Californian. For the middle of December they didn't have any availability. (I worked with a person renting points and also calling the DVC directly). But here is the cost comparison anyway. I compared a Studio Villas room with the base non view GCH room. Some/most of the studio rooms appear to have a theme park views but I am not 100%. Hotel rack rate of $360 per night + 15% tax = $414 per night AP non view hotel rate: $239 per night + 15% tax = $274 per night A studio room at the Villas point rental at $12 per point = $204 per night A studio room at the Villas point rental at $10 per point = $170 per night To summarize 1. Compared to the "rack rate" of $414 (tax included) per night you will save money ($210-$244 per night) by renting points. 2. Compared to the AP rate of $274 (tax included) you will save money ($70-$104 per night) by renting points. In the future will definitely rent points if the rooms are available. Chris

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09-16-2009, 01:04 AM	#2
CoolPool DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 937	My favorite view at GCH is the DTD view. The primary reason I like it is to see the fireworks over DL whilst sitting in PJs. (They play the soundtrack on TV simultanously.) Seasonal decorations would be an added bonus.

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09-16-2009, 02:40 AM	#3
Farmboy90 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 57	Keep in mind you will be paying almost double the points since the Villas will be open. They are much cheaper than paying for the hotel portion of the GC. That said the DTD views are awesome--mainly due to the fireworks. You could save a ton of points by staying in the villas and just walking downstairs to DTD.

09-16-2009, 05:44 PM	#6
alvernon90 Unable to think of a clever tag.......but doesn't have to, the Tag Fairy will just colorize him! :) Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Over the bar Posts: 476	Thanks for the tips! I would have considered renting points (I did it for a stay at DLH in May) but I figured the odds of getting a reservation so soon after the Villas open to be pretty slim. We will definitely go for the DTD view. I love Christmas lights at night!!