Anyone used their points at Disneyland?

[Caskbill]

We have the opportunity to visit Disneyland later this year and I was think of about 3-nights there, using points. It would definitely be Sun-Thu Value Season points.

So, with three resorts (Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian Hotel) points range from 19/night for Pier (Standard View) to 42/night for Grand Californian (concierge).

Now considering I can get a 1-B/R at OKW for 18 points a night, I don't want to just 'throw away points'.

So what's a good 'value' for using points there? Should we just go standard view at Paradise Pier, or is the Grand Californian really worth it?

Any opinions? Thanks

 

[AZKathy]

We did the Disneyland Hotel back in 2000. We paid 23 points a night. I did not think it was worth it, honestly. We had a nice room and all with a daybed for DS and a wet bar, but we did not spend a lot of time in the room at all. The atmosphere was great being at the hotel, but 23 points a night........I dunno.......

 

[Toxicesq]

We just spent three nights at the Grand Californian over Labor Day weekend on points. I'd definitely recommend it. Being able to walk directly into California Adventure was terrific and its just a short walk away from the entrance to Disneyland. So convenient when you're tired after several hours in the parks.

My preference is for the GC over the other hotels, since, if you're doing it already, you might as well be at the closest of the three hotels. Although the Monorail from Disneyland stops near the Disneyland Hotel. We had the California Adventure view, but I don't think it was worth the points and were I to do it again, I'd probably go for saving the points on the view and spending them on a standard view at Grand California just to get the good location of the hotel. It is, by the way, a very nice hotel.

If the view is important, the Paradise Pier CA view looked like it would be pretty good, at fewer points than GC, but it is farther from the parks.

 

[MickeyMagic]

I used points for DLH for a 6-night stay the last week of August. I chose DLH because of the pool for the kids. Also, I understood the rooms were larger than GC (but I can't confirm that).

We had a great time at Disneyland and California Adventure and I have no regrets for using my points.

 

[Mooobooks]

I've stayed at the Grand Californian on points three times: it can be a HELL of a lot of points, so unless you've got a large contract (I have 460 points) I'd think twice. You can stay in one of the local motels across the street for very little money.
BUT, the Grand Californian is a beautiful hotel, and if you're used to staying at the hotels in WDW and being completely enclosed in a Disney world (without any contact with the outside) then ONLY the Grand Californian really gives you the same feeling. The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier hotels are both older and not heavily themed the way the hotels at WDW are. At the Grand Californian you walk out the door and go to either park, or Downtown Disney.
If you have the points, or the cash, you really can't beat it!

 

[TnRobin]

We stayed at the Grand California - std view (26 pt/night). It was great. No it is no where the value fo a studio at OKW, but it was much better than paying cash for these rooms. I think they go for around $250 a night. That puts it pretty close to the $10 a point calculation. (PS we don't have lots of points - just 235)

We had a view of the monorail courtyard. It was really nice. The direct access to Californian Adventure and Downtown Disney is wonderful. Also you are the closest hotel to Disneyland. We are considering trying the Disneyland Hotel for our trip next year, but I really did love the Grand Californian.

 

[RLevy29]

The GC is worth the points. The location is great and the hotel is beautiful. We went during Easter week for 32 points a night. The cost of the room was $285 a night. I would not pay the extra points to have a view. The PP is also a good location but it did not have the theming of the GC.

 

[Caskbill]

Thanks everyone. All very good points. View is not important to us, but it definitely sounds like the GF is worth a little more.

At 26 pts/night standard view I think we'll go that route. That's only 2 points more than a 1-B/R at BCV so considering location, location, location it looks like that's similar to trading a BCV 1-B/R for a hotel room. Not as good as a studio, but probably not terrible.

We own at OKW so our 'out of pocket' (dues only) expense would be equivalent to about $84/night. That appears to be a good value considering standard room rates.

Again, thanks for the comments.