DVC at DL?

[DisGirl819]

Is the only place you can use DVC points in DL at VGC? Someone replied on another thread I had and said they knew someone who used them at PPH.

I wasn't sure where to post this, I hope this is in the right forum.

 

[bwvBound]

The only DVC "Villas" Resort at DL in VGC ... but we are permitted, for now, to use our points at both the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel w/out paying the $95 exchange fee. Of course, things may change in the future ...

 

[DisGirl819]

Huh. But then the rooms at PPH and DLH are just regular rooms not DVC villa rooms (like apartments) right?

 

[I'm_Wishing]

That is correct. You would just be using your points to stay in one of the hotels.

 

[cccdisney]

Huh. But then the rooms at PPH and DLH are just regular rooms not DVC villa rooms (like apartments) right?

Yes. And from what I understand it is usually cheaper to pay cash for PPH or DLH - especially if they are offering a discount.

 

[DisGirl819]

Thanks so much!

 

[bwvBound]

Yes. And from what I understand it is usually cheaper to pay cash for PPH or DLH - especially if they are offering a discount.

FWIW, I am comparing options for a 3-night stay at DL (Thur, Fri, and Sat nights). Here is how points vs cash currently line up:

Paradise Pier, Standard View
DVC Points: 85
Cash Rate via Disneyland's CRO: $518 + 15% tax ($77.70) + Resort Fee ($12/night)

Disneyland Hotel, Standard View
DVC Points: 93
Cash Rate via Disneyland's CRO: $533 + 15% tax ($79.95) + Resort Fee ($12/night)

Any pointers on where to find the cash-rate discounts? My DH has an WDW AP (not DLR AP), we have Costco, AAA, etc. Thx!

 

[tjkraz]

FWIW, I am comparing options for a 3-night stay at DL (Thur, Fri, and Sat nights). Here is how points vs cash currently line up:

As with DVC resort stays, the higher weekend points really tip the scales toward paying cash.

During the weekdays (under current point charts), using points for DL hotels really isn't that bad of a deal. On a weekday during Value season, Grand Floridian garden view starts at 45 points per night while Disneyland Hotel is only 24 points. GF is a nicer hotel, but even rack rates aren't double the cost of DLH.

Check Mousesavers.com for info on discounts currently available for the DL hotels.

 

[SoCalKDG]

FWIW, I am comparing options for a 3-night stay at DL (Thur, Fri, and Sat nights). Here is how points vs cash currently line up:

Paradise Pier, Standard View
DVC Points: 85
Cash Rate via Disneyland's CRO: $518 + 15% tax ($77.70) + Resort Fee ($12/night)

Disneyland Hotel, Standard View
DVC Points: 93
Cash Rate via Disneyland's CRO: $533 + 15% tax ($79.95) + Resort Fee ($12/night)

Any pointers on where to find the cash-rate discounts? My DH has an WDW AP (not DLR AP), we have Costco, AAA, etc. Thx!

For comparison purposes.

For 2010 the points at the VGC for a three night weekend stay in a studio right now is 75 points. Next year at this exact time the points would be 68 points. Needless to say book the VGC for the best deal, the best room, as well as the best location.

 

[bwvBound]

Check Mousesavers.com for info on discounts currently available for the DL hotels.

Thanks! I had forgotten about Mousesavers even though I subscribe to their email blast. I tried their recommendations -- and found that either the dates weren't (yet) available or that discounts aren't likely offered until w/in 2 weeks of travel. The room rates from Expedia, a MouseSavers recommended source, were higher than those direct from Disney.

I think I'm leaning towards points for the Sept stay ...

 

[bwvBound]

For comparison purposes.

For 2010 the points at the VGC for a three night weekend stay in a studio right now is 75 points. Next year at this exact time the points would be 68 points. Needless to say book the VGC for the best deal, the best room, as well as the best location.

Right ... and I've been on the waitlist for that studio for a while now. I'm running out of time to make a "final decision" as I near the last four months of my UY.

 

[bumbershoot]

Right ... and I've been on the waitlist for that studio for a while now. I'm running out of time to make a "final decision" as I near the last four months of my UY.

You can book and stay in the last 4 months for PPH and DLH. They are the exception to the 4 month rule.



If you're thinking of getting a DLR AP, you can call to check the AP rates for that time. Can even book an AP rate without the AP in hand, but you would need to get one at the start of your trip. Also just check the disneyland.com site for hotel-only deals...some on the DLR forum here have been finding that the "normal person" deals have been better than the AP rates the last few months.

 

[bwvBound]

You can book and stay in the last 4 months for PPH and DLH. They are the exception to the 4 month rule.

Interesting. MS yesterday said otherwise ... but it may have simply because I still need to make a final decision before end of May due to my banking window.

If you're thinking of getting a DLR AP, you can call to check the AP rates for that time. Can even book an AP rate without the AP in hand, but you would need to get one at the start of your trip. Also just check the disneyland.com site for hotel-only deals...some on the DLR forum here have been finding that the "normal person" deals have been better than the AP rates the last few months.

Good to know - thx!

 

[DebbieB]

I've used points twice for PPH. For weekdays it was around 20 points per night in a park view room. I didn't think that was bad.

 

[Longhairbear]

As with DVC resort stays, the higher weekend points really tip the scales toward paying cash.

. On a weekday during Value season, Grand Floridian garden view starts at 45 points per night while Disneyland Hotel is only 24 points. GF is a nicer hotel, .

We hear the new rooms at DLH are fabulous, if one is lucky to get one.
We always used our points at Paradise Pier before VGC.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Ok can someone help me figure out the better way to go in this scenario. First quick background, we just bought 100 pts 2 weeks ago and I didn't want to wait til May 2011 for my next Disney trip (last one April '09 which would be 2 years of no Disney ). We wanted our next trip to be DL so I suggested we go Oct 24-29 (already have vac. time from work). As I expected there is only 1 night with studio avail at VGC and I don't want to do a 1 bedroom for this trip. So if we still go which of these is most economical:

1) DLH standard view 24 points/night = 120 points and no tax or $60 ($12/night) resort fee but add in $418 total for two 5-day park hoppers
2) Cash for 5 nights in standard view + 5 day park hopper total = $2017 (from reading the fine print this total already includes tax and resort fee)

Breakout for PPH
1) Standard view 22 points/night = 110 points and no tax or resort fee but add in $418 for park hoppers
2) Cash for 5 nights in standard view + 5 day park hopper = $1717 (again sounds like this includes tax and resort fee already)

I know there's some breakdown of what an ave. $ amount per point is, but not sure what this is so can't try to compare $ per $ in using points vs. paying cash. I've also looked and haven't found any discounts for this time frame, anyone know if some might come out soon?

If you've made it to the end of this, thanks and if you have any suggestions thanks a bunch!

 

[bwvBound]

PoohNFriends: Congratulations on your new purchase!

I don't know what to advise on your Oct trip. On one hand, I'd want to bank the 100 points to use for a bigger trip to WDW. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to shell out $1700+ for a cash stay.

If I were in your shoes and the points were bankable ... I'd bank the points and book the Howard Johnsons across the street from the main entrance. Granted, it wasn't one of the options you listed and it comes with downsides: you must pay for park admission out of pocket and you lose the Disney theming staying off-property. However ... HJ is a really short walk meets your goal of "economical."

Good luck with your decision!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Ok can someone help me figure out the better way to go in this scenario. First quick background, we just bought 100 pts 2 weeks ago and I didn't want to wait til May 2011 for my next Disney trip (last one April '09 which would be 2 years of no Disney ). We wanted our next trip to be DL so I suggested we go Oct 24-29 (already have vac. time from work). As I expected there is only 1 night with studio avail at VGC and I don't want to do a 1 bedroom for this trip. So if we still go which of these is most economical:

1) DLH standard view 24 points/night = 120 points and no tax or $60 ($12/night) resort fee but add in $418 total for two 5-day park hoppers
2) Cash for 5 nights in standard view + 5 day park hopper total = $2017 (from reading the fine print this total already includes tax and resort fee)

Breakout for PPH
1) Standard view 22 points/night = 110 points and no tax or resort fee but add in $418 for park hoppers
2) Cash for 5 nights in standard view + 5 day park hopper = $1717 (again sounds like this includes tax and resort fee already)

I know there's some breakdown of what an ave. $ amount per point is, but not sure what this is so can't try to compare $ per $ in using points vs. paying cash. I've also looked and haven't found any discounts for this time frame, anyone know if some might come out soon?

If you've made it to the end of this, thanks and if you have any suggestions thanks a bunch!

It looks like the package nightly rate (after subtracting the 15% tax and the resort fee) is about $210 per night for PPH and $260 per night for DLH. It is very possible that you will be able to find AP rates lower than this (the lowest currently available for some nights in May & June are $149/$169), but one of you would need to upgrade to a $299 AP, so the saving would be offset by this extra $90. Also, these attractive rates are not usually released until August, which may drive you crazy with your planning.

For comparison, if you use points, based on the package rates, you are getting about an $11 pp benefit for PPH and a $13 pp benefit for DLH.

Of course, once you book with points at the PP or DLH, there is no going back to the GCV, so waitlisting there won't be an option.

By the way, we really like the PPH, especially if you don't have children for which the DLH pool may be a deciding factor. It is very convienent, with everything in one buidling, and has music piped to the pool deck for firworks viewing. We are spolied, however, because our Standard room has always been upgraded to a Theme Park View and the theme park view is pretty spectacular!

Enjoy your trip -- Suzanne

 

[bumbershoot]

PoohNFriends, so you're comparing the points to a package? Don't forget to thikn about the other things you get with a package. Also, don't forget to look at other TAs that sell packages. Costco Travel and AAA use WDTC as well, and have slightly different perks. Costco, for instance, throws in a character breakfast and a $20 giftcard. (though when we booked with Costco, the cost was exactly the same as WDTC and AAA plus the cost of the breakfast...so it was only the $20 giftcard that pushed it over the edge into being better...that's not always the case, so it's always important to look at all options).

Also, check hotel only prices. Of course including the tax and 13.80 resort fee and its tax per night. Check out disneyland.com for ticket prices at the time you're going. Unlike WDW, DLR's online prices ARE sold at a discount vs the gate prices. Oh, and if you are going to upgrade your tickets, know that with a package, your tickets will be valued as though you bought the prepurchase tickets online.


For us, if making such a choice, we'd have to see if the money for the room would be a hardship, or even just an annoyance, vs using points already paid, or being paid, for. Tickets will have to be paid either way, and buying in advance from disneyland.com yields the same cost tickets as are in the package, so that's money being spent anyway and should be taken out of the equation.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Thanks bwvBound, SuzanneSLO, and bumbershoot for your info - still need to figure out Plan B with DBF, but now I can also use your ideas in case we go onto Plan C, D, E, F...
Anyone else with advice (see my orig. post on top of page 2)

Thanks