Disneyland on points

[walter]

Just wondering if anyone has stayed at Disneyland on points and where? Other questions are as follows:

If you stayed on points (Grand Californian), did you have to pay for hotel parking, stay there again, pointers, etc.?

Is Sept & Oct good times to go (weather/crowds)

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Caskbill]

We've stayed at DL on points. GC twice, DH once, PP once.

Parking is free in the hotels' respective self-park lots. You use your room key to get through the gates, just like you do at the WDW DVC resorts.

The GC is the best of all the hotels, but of course the point structure represents that. One extra plus is the GC has a direct entrance into CA right from the hotel so you don't have to go through the regular lines. (Note: You can still use this entrance even if staying at DH or PP. The entrance is for DL Resort guests, not just DL GC guests.)

Haven't been there in Sep/Oct so can't comment on the crowds. You might post a question over on the DIS's Disneyland discussion board.

 

[booger73]

Stayed GC in June 07 - (2ad/2kids)
I personally like the "Downtown Disney" view - can even see fireworks at night from that side. Also good for DD restaurants..
Did not eat in hotel/looked like typical menu though
I would think the ambience for GC is more 'adult' oriented and DH/PP more 'kid' oriented..
The direct GC->California Adventures exit is very nice and fast

I would think Sept/Oct isn't busy (most ppl back in school?) - although any 'weekend' will be typically busy given CA resident passes

 

[ToodlesRN]

We are also in the plans to book the GC using our developer points in Sept if I remember right the points runs from 37-67 based on which room type you choose.

We have been to DL twice during September, the crowds are low, but can still get bus at the weeke end. Haunted mansion is closed for prep of halloween. Other than that we think it's a good time to go.

 

[stopher1]

Having grown up there I can say that traditionally So. CA is better in Oct than Sep (temp wise - Sep can be down right HOT), but DL has had some amazing success since their 50th in '05, especially with the Halloween stuff they do now. The parks can be very, very, very crowded on the weekends. If you can go mid-week, you'll be better off - but what with more districts doing year-round school in So CA now, don't count on the "school's back in session" thing diminishing the crowds completely.

It is a blast though - enjoy! I was just there last week, and had a tremendous time. I agree with the previous poster that GCV is the better hotel. DLH is nice, but old. Renovations in the 90's helped, but it's still just old. DTD is a neat experience - just certainly not as spread out and roomy as WDW.

 

[DebbieB]

I have a reservation for the end of next month for PP. Are points reservations charged the resort fee? I read there is an $11 per night resort fee which covers internet, parking, local calls, newspaper, fitness center.

 

[amyup]

I have a reservation for the end of next month for PP. Are points reservations charged the resort fee? I read there is an $11 per night resort fee which covers internet, parking, local calls, newspaper, fitness center.

Last year when we stayed at GCH we were not charged the resort fee

 

[utahkennedys]

We stayed last May at DLH on points and were not charged a fee. It worked out great, we'd do it again. It was very hard, however, to stay in a hotel room after 1 and 2BR DVC units!

 

[toocherie]

I am staying at GCH at the end of this month on points . . . I will report back if there are any additional fees or add-ons. Because of the season, the points were a bit lower--30 per night. I'm using Developer Points.

 

[DVC Mater]

Stayed GC in June 07 - (2ad/2kids)

Did not eat in hotel/looked like typical menu though

That's too bad. My DW and I felt the best found on DL property was at the GC hotel. The food at Napa Rose is pricey, but very very good. The room service was also excellent as well as Storytellers Character Breakfast.