DL, anyone use points recently?

[lenshanem]

Hubby ordered the free DL planning video and we got it today. Wow, a lot has changed since we last went! Curious if anyoen has been since all the additions and used their points for it? Was it worth the higher points? Did you have a good time and which resort did you stay at? Looks liek The Califorian is really the only "themed" resort there. When we went last we ate at the DL Hotle so I vaguley recall how it looked. I think it was going under renovation at the time.
I'll think we'll wait until the kids are a tad older, but I woudl liek to hera any opinions especailly after just seeing the video.
Thansk!

 

[Figment&Piglet]

We went in Sept. '01 -- actually were at DL for 9/11, which was something. Anyway, we used points (I know some say they're not "worth" using anywhere but in a DVC resort, but I used them and felt like my stay was "free"). Can't remember how many we used, but it didn't matter to us anyway, we preferred not to pay cash. We stayed at DL Hotel, which was very nice, but definitely would've stayed in the Grand Californian if it had been available. It had nicer theming, was newer, had nicer restaurants, and was right in the middle of the action (though DL Hotel wasn't too far off, either!). The other hotel (can't remember the name -- Paradise Pier, maybe?) wasn't that great looking, IMHO. We had a great time, as we hadn't been to DL at all before, and California Adventure was pretty new at the time. It was nice to see some different things. We also went to Universal and drove up to Hollywood, etc., on a day or two. I found DL convenient as a "home base" to see those other things, too. Well, it was almost 2 years ago, now, but if you have more specific questions I'd be happy to try to answer them. Or maybe someone else who's been there even more recently can help?

 

[Minybear]

I sure hope we get our DL tape anytime also like you did. We are going back to DL (since 9.01) in July and I wish we were using our points to get into the Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel so we can be "on property". We have 2 free nights (a promotion that we recevied) at the Radisson Main Gate (2 blocks from DL). If we weren't saving up our points to do an Alaska cruise or a trip to Hawaii then I would use our points in a heartbeat.

 

[Dizzie]

We stayed at DL Hotel with point Oct 02. The room was big, clean and the hotel had just been remodeled so it was nice. It was convenient to the parks. While at California Adventure my DH went into the Grand California hotel and he said we would stay there next time. I guess it depends on how much time you spend in the hotel if the extra points are worth the theming. All the hotels are a short walking distance to the parks.

DL is very similar to the MK but not as much real estate so it seemed really crowded while we were there. CA is a park better suited for kids that are at least 50 inches tall, it didn't seem like they had a lot for my just turned 4yo DD. But she still had a lot of fun and we would/will go back probably in Feb 04 staying on points again.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks to all. After reading a few reviews at Mouseplanet I think we'll skip Paradise Pier for sure. It would be between DL Hotel or the Grand Californian. I've had a hard time finding much info on the DL resorts or any good pics for that matter. Does anyone have any links? I'm sure we'll wait a couple more years until my youngest could handle a long plane ride anyway. I think, too that California Adventure looks like it would be enjoyed better by an older child. We're also waiting to visit IOA and Universal in FL for this same reason.
Mainly, I'm curious as to the pools at the DL Hotel and the Grand Californian. I do see the DL Hotel has a Neverland pool, but from what I've seen it is just a small ship that they can't play on anyway. I wonder which hotel would be better for younger ones? (I'm thinking when they are at least 4 and 7.)
Hubby would go this year, but I just can't imagine my youngest sitting peacefully for that long in a plane....
I'm looking forward to some different options down the road like VB, HH, DCL and DL. Fun to think about it.

 

[bridgemanva]

We stayed at DL in April 03 for spring break; We'd never been to California before and spent a five nights at the Disneyland Hotel. Three days in the parks and three days doing the LA Hollywood tours. It was definitely great having a disney home base. My preference was the DH b/c having read some of the posts and previewed accommodations online I knew paradise pier didn't appeal to me and GC seemed similar to the dark decor of Wilderness lodge and by Spring break I need a break for the darkeness of winter. I found the "distance" from the park entrances wasn't really an issue; Disneyland doesn't have the vast acreage of WDW. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Dizzie]

The pool at the DL Hotel was nice. It has one small slide and one larger slide. The pool was fairly large and also had a hot tub. My kids 7, 4 and 10 months in Oct 02 had fun in the pool but it was a little too cold for my liking. They don't actually play on the shipwreck, it's just a means to the top of the slide.

The DL Hotel also had a nightly story on King Neptune's waterfall which the kids liked. And we feed fish one morning in the fish pool. They have a character breakfast and dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. The hotel grounds were spacious and fun. The hotel is right next to Downtown Disney.

I think 4 and 7 is a perfect age for DL. We are trying HHI this summer and hopefully a cruise in 2 years!

Enjoy!