Can't book CA in AM w/ MS

[sueg]

No big deal, but I just found out that you can't book California Adventure on points early in the morning, if you live on the East Coast. I got thru to MS at 10 AM after about a 10 min. wait and couldn't make the ressie. Apparently, they call CA's reservations desk directly and have to wait for reservations to open, on California time.

 

[TnRobin]

Yes sue. When I made my ressies for the Grand Californian, they placed me on hold while they called Disneyland Resorts. They came back to me during the call to find out my preferences ie smoking/non smoking and bunk beds or 2 queens. I would try to call back around 11:00 EST, that is 8:00 PST.

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[sueg]

I called later in the day and made the ressie. But it was a lenghty and unsettling call. First, the person booking used OKW points w/o asking. I wanted to use HH points since this CA vacation is a replacement for our summer HH trip. When I said that I wanted to use HH points, MS said I had already used HH pts. and it was difficult to undo (this was in the middle of the call) because the points go into the special bank. So they are doing a "manual" override which she said they can't confirm for 48 hours. I'll call back in 48 hrs. to confirm, but I'm also going to request a point overview.
Finally, I asked for a park view. No view preference are accepted and there is "about $20." fee for the park view preference, which are given on an availability basis when checking-in. I was surprised by this and I don't feel that it is worth it. It made me feel that reserving with pts. is viewed as less valuable.
All this being said, I'm still really looking forward to CA

 

[spiceycat]

hope you like it

yea we used to be guaranteed the best room available at the time - now it is the standard room - times change.

 

[Zimbubba]

I wonder why the computer systems are not connected and work 24 hours a day? This is strange.]

 

[Emolly]

I was also thinking of using my HH points to go to Calif this August. I couldn't get into HH, although I am on the waiting list. I live in Scranton, PA, and would drive to Newark or PHil - Did you get a good deal on airfare?
Amy

 

[PoohBear88]

My DH and I just came back from there this past weekend. We're new to DVC and it was our first time to use our points. We were disappointed with the "standard view" choice only. They told us the same, that it would cost extra for a view of California Adventures or Downtown Disney. We didn't think the points was worth the standard view, which is a view of the inside courtyard on the 2nd floor of the hotel, and we didn't want to spend more for a room than it was already costing us (points, I mean) for one night. Our room was also located where the direct view from our room was of part of the roof's overhang. We couldn't really see the courtyard 'til we stepped out onto the balcony. But since we were only staying for one night (stopover from Las Vegas to check out California Adventures before driving home), we didn't want to waste any more time switching rooms. Other than that, the room and hotel was very nice. The location was also great with its own private entry to California Adventures and Downtown Disney. We loved that! It was like walking into our own private playground!

 

[sueg]

I am very happy w/ the airfare to CA, in Aug. In fact, our family of 4 is flying for less than our trip to FLA in March. Here's what I did.
We are Delta frequent-flyers, but we add to that acct. thru Membership Rewards(Amex). I couldn't get a direct flight to CA from Newark(EWR) on Delta and we would have been forced to fly inot and out of LaGuardia(LGA), which is a huge, expensive hassle for us.
So I opened a One Pass account with Continental and put MR pts in there. I got 2 free tickets and still had enoungh pts to purchase a $99 companion ticket certificate. So our family of 4 is flying for less than $700. We are starting in San Francisco and driving down to DL/CA. But the best part of flying home is that I got a direct flight from John Wayne/Orange Cty. airport, which more convenient than LAX.
I hope that this isn't more info than you wanted in reply to your question! SGG

 

[Halle]

Can someone tell me how many points it is to stay at the Grand Californian? Thanks

 

[TnRobin]

Hi Halle

We are paying 28 points a night in March for Sunday thru Thurs. I think Friday and Sat are 38 pts a night.

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DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[sueg]

Halle,

 

[sueg]

Halle,
We are going the last week in Aug, just before Labor Day (same time we would go to HH) and the points drop slightly starting that week.

 

[maryisme]

Halle,
Choice Season:1/2-3/1, 10/7-11/21, 11/25-12/20
Sun-Thur: 27, Fri-Sat: 37
Dream Seaosn:3/2-4/5, 4/22-6/28, 8/26-10/6
Sun-Thur: 28, Fri-Sat: 38
Magic Season: 1/1, 4/6-4/21, 6/29-8/25, 11/22-11/24, 12/21-12/31
Sun-Thur: 31, Fri-Sat: 41
Hope this helps.
Mary

 

[brittsmamabwv]

there are definately grilles (at least one) beside the rec center near the quiet pool at the boardwalk villas. It smelled pretty good when they were cooking too.

When you wish upon a star...DVC will take you far...anything your heart desires....will come your way

 

[brittsmamabwv]

SORRY ALL I put this response in the wrong topic (i have no idea how it ended up here ) <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

When you wish upon a star...DVC will take you far...anything your heart desires....will come your way