Disneyland Availability?

[DebbieB]

I am looking for Dec 3 to 6. I had checked disneyland.com last night and it showed all 4 room categories available for the GC, all categories for PP, nothing for DLH. When I called this morning, they said no availability for points in any category for GC (first choice). The cm said rooms are limited for DVC. I was surprised since dl.com showed all 4 available. I was able to get PP, park view. I am going to keep calling back to see if GC becomes available. Anyone experience rooms becoming available at a later date?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When I went earlier this year I ended up paying cash for my first night. Nothing was available for DVC (although there were rooms available on the website - obviously since I ended up paying cash! ) I kept calling back up until I was past my deadline for cancelling the cash room and nothing ever did open up at any of the hotels. I had the last two nights on points at GC and did the first night at PP.

So sorry - but this is a negative report on something opening up.

 

[Blahnde]

I completly understand the why's and wherefore's behind there sometimes being cash availability and no point availability for DVC Resorts, but why this happens at non-DVC Resorts baffles me.

We stayed for 5 nights on points last February at The Grand Californian. We were supposed to check out on Tuesday the 26th (this was NOT a holiday weekend), and I decided that I wanted to stay an extra night. I called DVC and not a single room at any Disneyland hotel was available on points. I went down to the front desk and they told me they were only at 40% occupancy for that night ... and this was at 9 a.m. that morning! It was not like 200 people were going to come rushing through the door that day without a reservation looking for a room! I did everything I could to try to use points (called my guide, talked to DVC-MS Manager, talked to DVC person on site, talked to Hotel Desk Manager) and it just did not happen.

How ridiculous was it that instead of getting money in a trade with DVC because I used my points, The Grand Californian Resort got nothing because we just went home?!?

So to answer your question, do not expect point availability to appear simply because cash rooms are available ... it just does not work that way!

Blahnde

 

[kikiq]

This last Feb I attempted to book our July anniversary night anywhere in the DLR. I only able to book GCH a night later. When I called MS on another trip late May, I asked if anything had opened up and I was lucky enough to get my Saturday night but it was GCH DCA view, a little more than I had planned but took it anyway.
You can keep calling and maybe get some pixie dust.

 

[Donald is #1]

Well, you guys are making me nervous! I am planning on using my points to stay at DL next year but of course, I haven't figured out when I want to go yet. So how far in advance should I make my reservation?

 

[kikiq]

I wouldn't wait until the last minute. I made January reservations for GCH concierge in October. July reservations in February. And got lucky booking really last minute, booked Saturday night Labor Day weekend for the Disney half marathon in July. I was willing to take anything, booked GCH std view and received a little pixie dust and ended up with DTD view.

It depends on the time of year you want to go.

 

[oakmanner]

We too hope to visit DL next fall or spring. It sounds like we better start solidifying our plans! Thanks for the heads up!

Dennis-

 

[Tikihula]

I just called MS this afternoon and reserved 2 rooms for 4 nights at Paradise Pier in mid-April. Those park view rooms will use up my 160 developer points nicely. Now to find a decent airfare in the spring - ACK!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I called 2 weeks ago for Oct 2-6. I wanted 4 nights, and ended up with the first at the GC, and the next 3 at DL Hotel. I want all 4 at DL hotel, (or any hotel 4 nights in the same place), but they have no waiting list, so I keep calling. PP was totally booked. They said maybe it would pop up 4 nights out. Since it is Gay Day weekend, and now MILEYS sweet 16, I am not that hopeful.......... but I was lucky to get anything. I have the preferred view at DL hotel, so I am hoping for a view of Mileys special fireworks, lol. Then I thought, maybe this will work, I can checkin to DLK hotel at 7am and beg for the park view..........

We stayed at PP in August on a Make a Wish trip, floor 11 facing the park, and it was an amazing view, we loved that. I wish I brought a camera for a webcam, we saw ELP each night, and saw them testing the rides before park opening, etc.

 

[emlutz23]

Well, you guys are making me nervous! I am planning on using my points to stay at DL next year but of course, I haven't figured out when I want to go yet. So how far in advance should I make my reservation?

You've got an 11-month window to book so I suggest you use that to your advantage. Do you have a certain time frame of when you want to go (spring, summer, etc...)? You should still be fine at this point for next year. We went to the DL this past June and had booked in Sept of '07 b/c the '08 point values weren't out at our 11-month window but we didn't have any problem at all.

 

[Donald is #1]

You've got an 11-month window to book so I suggest you use that to your advantage. Do you have a certain time frame of when you want to go (spring, summer, etc...)? You should still be fine at this point for next year. We went to the DL this past June and had booked in Sept of '07 b/c the '08 point values weren't out at our 11-month window but we didn't have any problem at all.

I am still oscillating between either May or October. At the rate the I am going, it may be October just because I haven't decided.

 

[disneystick]

Couple of weeks ago, we were able to book what we want...GC DTD view room for June of 09. I was told from CS that earlier is better to reserve the exact hotel and view that we wanted.

 

[DVC Mike]

I just called MS today and booked 5 nights at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel (Theme Park View) in May.

 

[Hotheels]

I called last Friday and got DLH Premium View for December 31 - Jan 4, using our Developer Points. That is a Wed - Sat night and it will cost us 178 points. We wanted Grand Californian DTD view but all they had available was standard view. I will keep calling back to see if DTD view opens up, but for now we are very happy with what we have. I hope everyone is able to get what they want

 

[jerseygal]

Anyone know about Concierge level at any of the 3 hotels?

Much thanks in advance!

 

[Hotheels]

Concierge was not available at any of the 3 Disney hotels for the nights we wanted, but I have stayed in concierge at all 3. Did you questions about concierge in general?

 

[ACDSNY]

On Aug 29th I had to reschedule our trip from 9/6-9/9 to 9/27-9/30/08. I didn't have any trouble moving the2 rooms for 2 nights at the GC on points, but I wasn't able to get the Sat 9/27 on cash so now our first night is at PP.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Anyone know about Concierge level at any of the 3 hotels?

Much thanks in advance!

I stayed one night Concierge at PP. The concierge lounge is on the 2nd floor. Your room will be on a different floor. It was nice but I don't think I really took enough advantage of it to offset the cost difference. Continental breakfast in the morning, snacks and drinks during the day and then hot appetizers during the early evening (which I missed).

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am still trying to switch my Oct 2 GC to DLH. No go. I was hoping for a Miley Cyrus cancellation. I will keep trying, but it looks like we will have to switch hotels after one night.

I may give up and take advantage of the ability to check in very early to DLH and try for the park view, not the pool view.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Just a note that while an 11 month booking window does exist, Disneyland does their rooms a bit different. Generally you won't be able to book rooms for the next year until the August or September before. So for 2010 reservations (even ones in early 2010) you won't be able to book those until August or September of 2009. Now once 2009 opens up, anything up to 11 months out will be available to book. But its nerve wracking if you want to travel early in the year, not being able to book until what I consider fairly late. The good news is that cash reservations aren't available to book either. They set the case rates first, then once they have that set up, they know what points to charge.

Its best to check with your DVC rep and have them call you as soon as the following year rates/points become available. It will save you a lot of calling, since they will never tell you exactly what date you can book.