Is it possible to use
DVC points at Disneyland Resorts? If so, can someone explain which of the DL Resorts it can be done at and how to figure the points?
Not a DVC member but a recent transplant to Orange County and am curious about whether DVC works for DL and would be worth it. Lovin' the fact that The Mouse is now in my backyard!
Since the opening of the GCV, points can be used 3 ways:
DVC points at GCV
Reservation points at DLH and PPH.
Reservation points only means that when you book one of the hotels, if you cancel you can only use the points for another hotel stay (not DVC).
I've used my points at DL in the past. Since 2005, they made the process pretty easy, even before there was a DVC there. That's when they lowered the points to stay at a DL hotel.
There are charts available to members, and I believe the calculator on wdwinfo.com has GCV.
This will give you an idea of the points needed:
GCV, studio, Sun-Thu: 15-27 points, depending on season, Fri-Sat: 27-46
GCV 2BR, Sun-Thu: 40-76, Fri-Sat: 70-135
DLH std view: Sun-Thu: 23-31, Fri-Sat: 35-47
PPH std view: Sun-Thu: 21-27, Fri-Sat: 32-41
DLH concierge: Sun-Thu: 42-54 Fri-Sat: 63-81
PPH concierge: Sun-Thu: 31-41 Fri-Sat: 47-62
As I said, you can't book GC non-DVC rooms anymore, which means no GC Concierge on points. We did that one Thanksgiving and it was fantastic.
Reports are the GCV booings for those with other home resorts have been OK so far, but since GCV is so small, that will likely change as it fills up. It is selling slower than Disney hoped, but it will eventually sell out.
If you own at GCV, you can still book WDW (or any other DVC) at the 7 month window. You can do Disney Cruises and WDW hotels on points too, but that tends to be more expensive than renting out the points and using cash.
Your choices at WDW are limited at 7 months, but SSR and OKW often have something. It is possible to even get WDW DVC at the last minute, so don't think you'll be locked out if your home is GCV.
Now the thing against DVC Dl is there are some really nice, really cheap hotels and motels that are actually closer to the main gate than any of the Disney ones. Still, the GCV is a destination in itself. DLH and PPH a little less so, but the DLH refurb looks promising.
I've done a bunch of the motels up and down Harbor (Candy Cane, Del Sol and a few others), but I still would stay at GCV if the budget allows it! The back door into DCA will be REALLY nice in 2012 when they finsh the redo of that park too. It'll take you right into the less crowded part of the park (the part that is not changing too much), giving you a big head start on anyone coming in from the main gate.
