DL and Hotel Del Coronado

[gracelrm]

We're home from a 20-day trip out West and I thought I'd post about our DL and Hotel Del portions of the trip, since they were both DVC points stays. We took advantage of the lower points for the DL Hotel and stayed there. We were in a room which faced the pool area and had a nice view of the fireworks. The room was nice sized with two queens and a daybed. We visited both DL and CA and enjoyed both parks. The kids (DD13,DS10 and DS6) really enjoyed comparing the parks with WDW, noting that everything was closer together and we didn't have to wait long for most rides. We all really enjoyed the fireworks at DL, at first I thought it was going to be just like Wishes, but it was not. We ate at Goofy's Kitchen one morning and thought the meal was good. Our reservation was for 7:50 a.m. and I assumed it was just breakfast food - didn't realize they would have lunch food as well! I wish we had made our ressie for later in the day. We also ate at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen one night - we were tired and it was LOUD in there - in retrospect, I wish we had just gone to the walk-up part and had our meal outside! We also ate at the Italian place in DD. It was pretty good. I can't remember everywhere we ate, but everything was pretty good and we enjoyed it. We used our DVC discount several times, but often we were told they didn't have a DVC discount. I'd pull out the "portable perks", show the server, then she would go ask a manager! Also the Disney Visa got me discounts almost everytime I pulled it out. Usually we charge stuff to the room and just have one big bill - but it was to our advantage to use the Disney Visa for purchases - even snacks and stuff! We were happy we decided to try DL. We still probably like WDW the best, but DL is a close second. After leaving DL, we went to San Diego. We went to the SD Zoo and Sea World and stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado. There was a problem with our reservation at the Del, which I've explained in another thread, so I won't bother with that story. But the resort itself was very nice. Every person we encountered was pleasant and the resort was just lovely. We spent time at the beach and at the hotel pool, both were great. It was the first time we've ever seen the Pacific Ocean and the kids were surprised at how cold it was for being the middle of June! There were surf warnings out the whole time we were there - so we didn't play too far out in the ocean, but it was a nice beach. All in all, we were pleased with our use of points for these two places. We'd easily spend the points for DL again, but it took a lot of points for the Del and I don't know if I would stay there on points again! Maybe if we ever had a surplus of points I would, but it seems like we never have enough points!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

Did you get a portable perks when you checked in at DL or was this something you had taken with you?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I got the Portable Perks from a DVC desk in the lobby at the GC. We didn't stay on points.

 

[gracelrm]

The Portable Perks was given to us at check-in and the CM who registered us even said "Welcome Home". I had meant to print up all the discounts for the Disney Visa before I left home, but forgot to - but it seemed like everytime I tried to charge something on the visa - I got 10% off. There weren't as many DVC discounts, but still it was nice.

 

[dis-happy]

I was at DL last November and found the same thing---Disney VISA was the way to go! Like you I got a bunch of unexpected discounts practically everywhere I turned. Glad you had a (mostly) good trip!

 

[Dean]

I was at DL last November and found the same thing---Disney VISA was the way to go! Like you I got a bunch of unexpected discounts practically everywhere I turned. Glad you had a (mostly) good trip!

There are a number of AAA discounts as well.

 

[rlmas]

We just got back from 3 nights at the del, 3 at DLH and 3 at DGC. All were excellent. My family feared we would be disppointed in DL having been to WDW so many times. We definitely were not. It has so much history and charm, not to mention the close proximity of everything. When we looked at the cash price as an alternative for each hotel, the points seemed to present a pretty good value.

 

[BillPA]

\

rlmas
We just got back from 3 nights at the del, 3 at DLH and 3 at DGC. All were excellent. My family feared we would be disppointed in DL having been to WDW so many times. We definitely were not. It has so much history and charm, not to mention the close proximity of everything. When we looked at the cash price as an alternative for each hotel, the points seemed to present a pretty good value.

It looks like you used points for both the Del and DGC, were there and extra fees at either? I know the Del has a $22/night resort fee and a $25/night parking fee, just wondered if these were covered using points or if they billed you extra for these. I'm sending my daughter to both of these locations for her honeymoon and wanted to make sure they didn't get any suprise bills.

Thanks,

 

[gracelrm]

BillPA, we stayed at the Del and the parking fee was something we had to pay. I do not remember having to pay the resort fee when we checked out, but it seems like we were told we would have to. At DL, we stayed at the DL hotel, not GC, but I would think the charges would be the same. I do not believe we had any parking or resort fees to pay there - seems like the points covered all of that. Maybe rimas will respond and have a better memory!

 

[BillPA]

gracelrm BillPA, we stayed at the Del and the parking fee was something we had to pay. I do not remember having to pay the resort fee when we checked out, but it seems like we were told we would have to. At DL, we stayed at the DL hotel, not GC, but I would think the charges would be the same. I do not believe we had any parking or resort fees to pay there - seems like the points covered all of that. Maybe rimas will respond and have a better memory!

Thanks. I did get some info on this from MS. They said the points 'should' cover the resort fee at the Del, but NOT the parking of $20 a day. Also a $95 fee to see if they resort had rooms available and to book them. If no rooms for the nights needed the fee would not be charged.

They had no info on the DL hotels fee, so they assumed that were none.

 

[gracelrm]

BillPA - I was thinking the $95 booking fee covered the resort fee - but couldn't remember for sure. Good luck planning and getting a room at the Del & in Disneyland.

 

[rlmas]

The resort fee at the Del is included as others have stated. We did not rent/have a car, so I cannot speak to that fee. As I am sure you are also aware and others have mentioned, there is a $95 reservation fee, but that is paid by you to MS at the time you accept the reservation. Not reservation or other fees at DLR. I hope they have a good trip.