DLH & GC Concierge at Disneyland

[BWV Dreamin]

Would anyone happen to know what is included in the concierge rooms at DLH and Grand Californian? Wondering if it would be worth the extra points.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I was able to use the CL at the GCH at DL in May, I had booked downtown Disney view and was upgraded to theme park view and use of the lounge (I don't know why or how it happened, but it was great.) The lounge is worth it, since the parks are so close to the hotels.

We did breakfast in there, was given water for the park, did a snack in the afternoon, fruit and mini sandwiches, and watched the fireworks in the evening with sweets which followed a bed time story for the kids. There is a happy hour with a hot snack and adult beverages as well, never made it to that. They have newspapers, and a computer for guest use. There was always pop and water to enjoy and some kind of snack item on offer. There are several attendants who are scarily attentive, went to get a drink and my plate was cleared away, oops! Other guests had room service delivered to the lounge and the service was great.

A great spot to just wind down for a break. Plus they check you in to the hotel while you relax in the lounge, best part of the perks for me, they meet us right outside the hotel and brought up all the way to the lounge.

I will save up points to book Concierge level next time I head out to DLR, which ever hotel I end up at, most likely DLH this time.

Pj

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I was able to use the CL at the GCH at DL in May, I had booked downtown Disney view and was upgraded to theme park view and use of the lounge (I don't know why or how it happened, but it was great.) The lounge is worth it, since the parks are so close to the hotels.

We did breakfast in there, was given water for the park, did a snack in the afternoon, fruit and mini sandwiches, and watched the fireworks in the evening with sweets which followed a bed time story for the kids. There is a happy hour with a hot snack and adult beverages as well, never made it to that. They have newspapers, and a computer for guest use. There was always pop and water to enjoy and some kind of snack item on offer. There are several attendants who are scarily attentive, went to get a drink and my plate was cleared away, oops! Other guests had room service delivered to the lounge and the service was great.

A great spot to just wind down for a break. Plus they check you in to the hotel while you relax in the lounge, best part of the perks for me, they meet us right outside the hotel and brought up all the way to the lounge.

I will save up points to book Concierge level next time I head out to DLR, which ever hotel I end up at, most likely DLH this time.

Pj

Thanks so much for your info!! This is just what I was hoping for. I am definitely going to splurge and spend the points for concierge. If its available, I'll go for GCH first. Thanks again!

 

[TravelingJen24]

I'm not sure it is worth all the extra points. We have done it a few times when we are with a large crowd, but when it is just my family, we would rather eat out then have the same thing every day. The sodas they serve are glass so you can't take them into the park and the waters are the little ones, (great for kids though). They do have a night time slumber party for the kids where they can watch tv on the floor with other little ones though which is nice. It is different for every family, but I think the points are excessive for the payout you get. The cash value is about 125.00. If you go for it then totally enjoy it.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm not sure it is worth all the extra points. We have done it a few times when we are with a large crowd, but when it is just my family, we would rather eat out then have the same thing every day. The sodas they serve are glass so you can't take them into the park and the waters are the little ones, (great for kids though). They do have a night time slumber party for the kids where they can watch tv on the floor with other little ones though which is nice. It is different for every family, but I think the points are excessive for the payout you get. The cash value is about 125.00. If you go for it then totally enjoy it.

Thanks for the info. If the son and girlfriend end up coming (we are visiting them first in LA before going over to DL), then I'll probably just do two studios at DLH. If they don't, I think I will splurge on concierge for the hubby and me!

 

[tidefan]

I just don't get the allure of concierge. I just looked at the charts and it is 18 extra points a night to stay in concierge. If you value your points at $10 per point, then you are spending about $180 night to have a few sodas, beers, and snacks. To me, I'd rather pick up some supplies at Target on Harbor for about $30 that will last me the whole trip and save the points.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I just don't get the allure of concierge. I just looked at the charts and it is 18 extra points a night to stay in concierge. If you value your points at $10 per point, then you are spending about $180 night to have a few sodas, beers, and snacks. To me, I'd rather pick up some supplies at Target on Harbor for about $30 that will last me the whole trip and save the points.

Well, I won't have a car while out in CA. I would like to try GCH before it converts over to DVC (I'll probably never get in then). So I thought the concierge would help out on some food items where we would only need to eat out at dinner. Happen to have some extra points for '09, and thought it would be nice to splurge. It's not about the "dollar' for me, I could stay offsite right accross the street at HOJO's if I wanted that. No, it's really about having the opportunity to try something that I probably wouldn't do for a very long time. Kind of like now I can afford that Mercedes instead of driving around in my ole' Datsun B210!

 

[kikiq]

We used our developer points to stay my birthday weekend at GCH CL. My DH LOVES it. Didn't go to the parks, just did stuff around the hotel, pilates class, DCA morning power walk, the Art and Craft tour and worked in the lounge.
My DH had his papers laid out across several tables in the corners. The staff was wonderful, making sure he had food and drink. They remembered from the first night what we like to drink and even my DH's favorite snack. We liked it so much that we gave up afternoon local theater tickets to Hairspray because we were having so much fun exploring the hotel. It was worth it for us. Again like the PP, it's not about the cost but the opportunity to enjoy ourselves.

We just spent our anniversary weekend there this last weekend. Stayed in a theme park view room (no CL available) , but this time just walked around both parks enjoying the nooks and crannies we always miss.

 

[Donald is #1]

Hi everyone! Not trying to hijack the thread, but what are the hours of the CL at the various DL hotels? Like, BWV Dreamin, I am planning on using my points at DL and I am also trying to figure out if CL is worth it.

 

[tidefan]

Well, I won't have a car while out in CA. I would like to try GCH before it converts over to DVC (I'll probably never get in then). So I thought the concierge would help out on some food items where we would only need to eat out at dinner. Happen to have some extra points for '09, and thought it would be nice to splurge. It's not about the "dollar' for me, I could stay offsite right accross the street at HOJO's if I wanted that. No, it's really about having the opportunity to try something that I probably wouldn't do for a very long time. Kind of like now I can afford that Mercedes instead of driving around in my ole' Datsun B210!

So, staying at DLH in non-concierge is like driving a Datsun, huh? I am not advocating at all staying out on Harbor. Take our recent stay for instance. We stayed 4 nights at DLH for 96 total points. If we would have done Concierge, it would have been 168 points. Now, for us, 72 points is a lot of points that we can use towards next years trip. YMMV.

I have stayed at various "club" levels at numerous hotels, but they have always been some kind of upgrade. I don't really see what great things you get for that steep of a point cost. The rooms are the same, all you get is the access to the lounge. So, to me, a more apt analogy might be that I got the same Mercedes as you for half the price, but I don't get the free car wash and tire rotation kit.

That being said, they are your points to use as you wish. If Concierge means that much to you, then go for it. I do realize that different things work for different people. I have used points for a cruise and thought that it was a great use of points (327 for 4 people for the Jan 08 7-night Eastern), though most will tell you that it isn't.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So, staying at DLH in non-concierge is like driving a Datsun, huh? I am not advocating at all staying out on Harbor. Take our recent stay for instance. We stayed 4 nights at DLH for 96 total points. If we would have done Concierge, it would have been 168 points. Now, for us, 72 points is a lot of points that we can use towards next years trip. YMMV.

I have stayed at various "club" levels at numerous hotels, but they have always been some kind of upgrade. I don't really see what great things you get for that steep of a point cost. The rooms are the same, all you get is the access to the lounge. So, to me, a more apt analogy might be that I got the same Mercedes as you for half the price, but I don't get the free car wash and tire rotation kit.

That being said, they are your points to use as you wish. If Concierge means that much to you, then go for it. I do realize that different things work for different people. I have used points for a cruise and thought that it was a great use of points (327 for 4 people for the Jan 08 7-night Eastern), though most will tell you that it isn't.

Thanks Tidefan, I appreciate your opinion. I'm surprised you even remember Datsuns! I have never, ever, stayed anywhere at a concierge level. Part of the fun of this trip will be experiencing this. Is it way too much point wise, probably. Is DLH concierge just as nice, I'm sure it is. Will this be the last time I use points that aren't for a good "value"? No, it won't. I've already planned a cruise with points, and I'm going to try for an exchange thru II for probably Royal Sands in Cancun. Right now, I'm just having too much fun with these points to worry about the best bang for the "point". I do know where you are coming from. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Tumblwd501]

Hi everyone! Not trying to hijack the thread, but what are the hours of the CL at the various DL hotels? Like, BWV Dreamin, I am planning on using my points at DL and I am also trying to figure out if CL is worth it.

If I remember correctly, the hours for the CL were 6:30 AM to 10 PM. We stayed at the GCH last year.

And as for whether or not it's worth it from a dollars and cents perspective. If you crunch the numbers, then there is no way you're going to justify the extra expense whether it's out of pocket or on points.. unless you spend A LOT of time in the lounge filling up on snacks and beverages!

But IMHO, the whole point of booking CL is to treat yourself.. it's a luxury. Since when is a luxury ever cost effective? lol So if you want to treat yourself to a little something extra and the food, the story time, the patio to watch fireworks with the piped in music, the turn down service, the extra CM attention, the DVD library, etc. seems like something you would enjoy, then go ahead and book. If you're going to be worried about the $$ (which I'm not minimizing, I agree it's a legitimate concern), then you probably don't want to book it.

 

[Terrif]

We stayed in concierge pool/park view at GC in april. It was 5 of us in one room and I felt it is definately worth doing. The fact that they meet you outside and take most of your part right to the lounge for a cold drink and snack was great after a long day of travel. You can get alcohol any time of the day not just evenings (they will even put it in a cup to take to the pool). The food choices were pretty standard and did not change too much from day to day but for a 4 night stay it was perfect. A nice splurge if you have the points to spare!

 

[nzdisneymom]

OP, I'm so glad you asked this question because I was just wondering about it, too. It sounds like it's a good way to treat yourself to some luxury, but if you're mostly going for Disneyland parks, then the extra points for the concierge aren't worth it - especially if it means the difference between an extra night or two vs. the concierge.

Thanks to those who responded - great info.

 

[tidefan]

Thanks Tidefan, I appreciate your opinion. I'm surprised you even remember Datsuns! I have never, ever, stayed anywhere at a concierge level. Part of the fun of this trip will be experiencing this. Is it way too much point wise, probably. Is DLH concierge just as nice, I'm sure it is. Will this be the last time I use points that aren't for a good "value"? No, it won't. I've already planned a cruise with points, and I'm going to try for an exchange thru II for probably Royal Sands in Cancun. Right now, I'm just having too much fun with these points to worry about the best bang for the "point". I do know where you are coming from. Thanks for your suggestions.

Yeah, maybe a better analogy would be First Class vs. Regular on an airplane. For some people it is worth every penny, others may not pay 1 additional point for it. So mileage does vary on this issue...