Anyone use their points for Disneyland, CA stay?

[ZerasPride]

We may need to change our plans for our upcoming cruise (I hope not though) and since our points cannot be used for the main resorts my thoughts turn to Disneyland. Anyone use their points and stay at the Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel? What was your experience? How about concierge level? Worth it on points? I would use the search function but it is disabled. Thanks in advance!

 

[JimC]

Have not used points, but have stayed there twice. It is a great resort!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I have used my points to stay at the Grand Californian and absolutely loved it! The resort is very conveniently located at California Adventure park and adjacent to Downtown Disney. Disneyland itself is just a short stroll away, too. If you go be sure to eat at Storyteller's Cafe. It has an excellent breakfast and dinner buffet!! Yum!!

 

[jdkdorn]

We are hoping to use our points to stay at the GC Concierge next Jan. The only problem is that the points are still not out. I have been calling almost every day and they say they can't set points until the rates are out and that won't be until September. They run WDW much better, when it comes to planning vacations, than they do DL. I have been goin to DL since I was 9 and now my sister live 10 minutes away. It will be great to stay there and still visit family.

 

[DVC-Don]

Also thinking of swapping points for a Grand Californian stay in April 2004.

 

[sueg]

We used pts. to stay at GC in Aug. 2001. DH, 2DSs(7&14), and I loved the hotel & while some folks say that this is not the most cost efficient use of pts., it worked well for us. Once we decided to go to California, (instead of HH) we planned a 10 day trip, ending w/ 3 nts. in DL/GC. Using pts. helped us keep our lodging costs down & allowed us to experience a really first-rate hotel, at the end of our California Adventure.(I couldn't resist)

 

[ILuvDVC]

My Home Page

The link above will take you to my home page, I have a report from when we went to Disneyland, and use points to stay at the Grand Californian Concierge! I loved it! I'd do it again in a heart beat! I know it cost more points to do it, but we hardly ever stay non-DVC and this was a treat for us. Steven is all for going back also....I bought the points to use, and that's what I'm doing with them. I have no idea what it feels like to actually bank points! LOL.

 

[Boo Mc]

We used points to stay at DLH and loved it. So convenient to DL and DD. Kids loved the glow in the dark Tink wallpaper border! Characters were in the lobby and no one was around. Goofy walked hand in hand with my kids all the way to the pool - something that I can't see happening at WDW. Cool light/water show at the hotel at night that we watched twice. I would definitely stay at DLH again.

 

[ZerasPride]

I appreciate the comments. It looks like we'll be able to keep our plans for the cruise! I do want to go to Disneyland sometime so it's nice to know that you guys enjoyed your time there and thought the points were worth it.

P.S. Darla - I always enjoy reading your reports. Can't believe I missed this one on Disneyland. I'm printing it out to read at my leisure this weekend. Thanks again for all the replies!

 

[floridaminnie]

We are planning a vacation to DL and also plan on using our points to stay at DGC hotel. Can't wait!

 

[ceejay13]

We've used points and paid cash. It is an absolutely beautiful hotel, and we can't wait to go back. We have both the DD and them park views but not concierge.

 

[Mooobooks]

You'll be thrilled if you stay at the Grand Californian. It is as if the Wilderness Lodge had been built a few steps from the entrance to both the Magic Kingdom and a second park. Not only is the hotel beautiful, and at the same luxury level as the Yacht and Beach Club and Grand Floridian, but you walk out the rear entrance and you are IN California Adventure. You walk out the side entrance and you are IN Downtown Disney. You walk a few steps and you are IN Disneyland.
It costs lots of points, but you can't beat it!

 

[ILuvDVC]

P.S. Darla - I always enjoy reading your reports.

Awe...shucks

Thanks

 

[Aurora3]

I'm glad your cruise worked out. If in the future you sue your points for DL you won't be disappointed. I used points for the DLH this past January and our room in the Sierra Tower was just wonderful! It was also huge. We overlooked the pool. We stayed three nights but could have stayed several more and still had plenty to do and explore. We didn't even have time (or the right weather) to swim. I agree with the other poster, I bought the points to use and So. Ca. was in my plans regardless (family reunion) so it worked out well.

 

[NEM]

I have used points for regular rooms and concierge rooms. We love it there. In fact, we even took one trip and just hung out at the hotel for 3 nights and swam and shopped and enjoyed the hotel and all its offerings for 2 of those days- that was when we stayed concierge. It was great!! I never eat donuts, but for some reason I was addicted during this trip and concierge had those dang Krispy Kremes by the dozens every morning starting at 6:30. Thank goodness we were only there for 3 mornings!!

I'm with Darla, we bought the points to use and since we live in So Cal, sometimes it is easier to get to DL than Florida. I know it is more points, but I love not having that hotel bill at the end of the trip!. It is so great to be right in the center of the action and so close to DTD and the parks.

Keeping my fingers crossed for a Disneyland DVC resort sometime in the next 30 years or so. LOL!!

Best,
Michelle

 

[mikeymars]

Since this thread has attracted the segment that has used points to stay at Disneyland, I'll add a few questions.

First, we used points to make a "premium resort view category" reservation at the Grand Californian for six nights this coming August. When I made the reservation back last September, I specifically requested park view, and made sure the CM noted that on our reservation.

I know from reading reviews of the Grand Californian that the "resort view" category can range from a great view of California Adventure, to an O.K. view of the pool, to a so-so view of Downtown Disney. My sense is since we asked "early," we'll have a good likelyhood of getting our request (that's been our general experience with DVC), but I'm curious to know whether others who requested park view actually got it.

Secondly: can you request a room with bunk beds in advance as part of your reservation? I've read some reviews where people requested this at check in got them, but never anything about asking in advance. The bunks beds aren't critical (our kids would enjoy that, but it's not a "must have") but again I'm curious.

 

[ZerasPride]

Mikeymars, I can't answer your questions but I wanted to thank everyone that has posted on this thread. I am happy our cruise will work out for us but since I have turned my attention to Disneyland, I'd like to plan a trip for next year. I don't know if we'll be able to use points (unless we add on which is unlikely) but I do appreciate all your responses. I'd really love to stay at the Grand Californian one day!

 

[mikeymars]

Zeras (and others), I checked out the Disney site on the Grand Californian, and it appears that all standard rooms (and everything at that hotel other than a suite is "standard," even the concierge level rooms) come with either:

A king

OR

two queens

OR

a queen and a bunk bed.

Given I made a reservation for a family of four (two adults and two kids, ages six and nine), I can only assume that we will get the queen and bunk beds setup. I'll call Disney just to make sure, but again, my gut tells me the kids are going get excited when we open the door to the room!!!