DVC Points - Exchange for Disneyland, CA

[NottaMorningPerson]

Hi. We own at OKW, but my teenage daughter has always wanted to go to Disneyland, so we're thinking of using our points to stay at one of the 3 hotels. It's been 20 years since my husband and I have been out there, so we'd love any advice. I did see some pictures of some of the rooms posted, so that is helpful.

First of all, does anyone know how far ahead you generally have to request a room using points for the summer? Do we stand much of a chance at getting something for June or August? (I'm going to call member services within the next two days, but I'm looking at flights tonight and wondering if I'm wasting my time.)

We want a location as quiet as possible, so is there any particular location or view we should ask for or ask not to have? Also, is it hot at Disneyland during the summer like at WDW? I apologize if these questions have already been posted. I glanced through and didn't see them but don't have a lot of time to devote to searching through every forum. Thanks for any help!

 

[trampslady]

I will try to help best I can. Hubby and I went to Disneyland for the first time last April. We've been back once since in August, and both trips were booked really close to the travel date. We stayed at the Grand Californian on both occasions and HIGHLY recommend the hotel. It's beautiful and terribly convenient to the parks and Downtown Disney. In fact, I called last week to see if there are rooms for Christmas and there are!

The weather in both April and August was outstanding--no humidity like in Florida. When we stepped off the plane (from hot, hot Dallas) in August, we were thrilled with the pleasant temperature.

 

[smsnorthup]

bumping...I want to know too...anyone else have luck close to check in?

 

[syeaton01]

We just went to DLR in March, used points to stay at the Paradise Pier hotel. A very nice hotel, quiet and close to everything. It was the lowest point cost. The GC is an awesome resort. They have the better restaurants too.
It looked like the Disneyland Hotel was the busier of the 3, but some great restaurants there in Hook's Pointe and Goofy's Kitchen.

Paradise Pier was busy but quiet. The PCH Grill was average. We did not try the on site Japanese place, but they had a small menu and nothing new and exciting.

Great thing is you can walk through the GC to get to DCA easily. And then walk by DLH to get to DTD and the monorail to the park. All very pleasant.

We booked the March trip in January, if that helps any.

 

[biolabetty]

I go to the DLR all the time. I stayed at the GCH twice in April, both times on points. One I arranged a month ahead, the other was about a week. The only thing I couldn't arrange at that date was getting concierge, but I was happy with a theme park view room.

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed at Paradise Pier last week, it was nice. I did cross the street and walk through the Grand Californian to get to both DL and DCA. The lobby is so beautiful, I wished I had stayed there. The PP was nice and I loved the DCA view. I booked last November. I don't know if there's a limited amount of rooms on points but you can check disneyland.com for availabilty for a cash reservation.

 

[funatdisney]

I have stayed at all three at one time or another. I would choose Grand Californian above the others, especially if you don't plan on coming back soon. GCH has one of the most relaxing lobbies and is very beautifully themed. We go in to relax in the lobby of GCH when we go on a day trip to DLR. It is close to everything and you can walk to any of the other Disneyland Hotels, the two parks and Downtown Disney area,. I have only booked the GCH on my points and did so 9 months in advance. (I like to plan my vacations in advance.) I have booked the GCH without my points and sometimes I have had difficulty getting a room. But it seems others who have used their points don't have a problem. If you like quiet, do not book the Downtown Disney side. The music plays until 10pm or 11pm. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Lady V]

We are using points for GCH in Sep and very excited!! In my research it seemed it was the best one as far as proximity.

 

[NottaMorningPerson]

Thanks for the helpful info.

For anyone still wondering. . .

I did call Member Services, trying to get reservations for late July or early August, and pickins were getting slim. I was given a choice between Paradise Pier concierge or park view, Disneyland Hotel standard or premier, Grand Californian standard or park/pool view. I want/need a quiet location so I did not want to chance getting a view of the construction. I chose Grand Calif. standard view.

We were planning to rent a car at Ontario Airport, but the rates are so high right now, I'm having second thoughts on that. Maybe they will go down before we go. Has anyone taken a shuttle or cab from Ontario Airport to Disneyland and know of a good company with decent rates? Just wondering if that might be a cheaper route to take.

Thanks.

 

[smsnorthup]

I also just called the other day and booked GC for June 22-24 in a standard view room on points. They told me that the night before and the night after were gone so I lucked out to get the exact dates I needed. So glad I didn't wait any longer! But still to have availability at almost a month out seemed pretty good to me! Now I can really get excited!! It definetly calls for a dancin banana.....

 

[AJKMOM]

Thanks for asking this, I was about to. Does anyone think it is a waste of points to use them in DisneyLand? I know the DVC experts think it is a waste to exchange for WDW resorts, but it seems there aren't that many DL hotels to pick from.

 

[dbanzai]

Living in AZ, I have been using my points mainly for DL as of late.

I have never had trouble finding a room whenever I've wanted to go, booking anywhere from months to weeks out. The issue has become finding rooms for the amount of points I want to use in cases.

For instance, after a trip late last month, I found out about the DVC reception they are having at DL Memorial Day Weekend. So within a month, for a rather busy weekend, I was still able to find a room. I had to get a DCA view room at GCH, but I was okay with that this time around. Everything else "cheaper" was booked.

Personally, I usually like to stay at DLH, no matter what view (which I believe you said they had, NMP). Last trip was my first to GCH, and I loved it, but usually won't want to stay there for the points value.

I'm anxious to see the points cost when DVC announces them for GCV... Have you thought about maybe putting your trip off a little, then maybe going when they offer DVC there? I would guess points at GCV will be more than half what they are now.

 

[smsnorthup]

Thanks for asking this, I was about to. Does anyone think it is a waste of points to use them in DisneyLand? I know the DVC experts think it is a waste to exchange for WDW resorts, but it seems there aren't that many DL hotels to pick from.

We are out of points for the year, so I rented points for our Disneyland trip. It was 30 points a night and I paid $10 per point so $300 per night. The rates online were $405 per night plus tax, so imo I think this situation was a good deal.

 

[dbanzai]

You may not get the same distance as it were using DVC points there, but it's still economical as the previous poster says.

Once the GCV open, it should hopefully be about equal to us points there than at WDW.