First Time Advice

[lrodk]

Cheers everyone. I'm looking to book at one of the resorts for a first time visit around 10,July 2009 for 5-6 nights. I'm from America and have a Vacation Club contract with Disney. I wanted to redeem points for the hotel stay, but when I call DVC they tell me they're only booking with points through November 2008, and that they're not sure when DLP will release future dates to DVC. Pretty frustrating to say the least. Does anyone have past experience with regard to how far out dates are made available for booking this way? Also I need advice deciding between Newport Bay and Sequoia Lodge for our party of 3 adults and 2 small children. I'm afraid Hotel New York and the Disneyland Hotel are a bit rich for our budget. In the meantime I've ordered Simon's Brit's Guide to DLP to help fill in the gaps.

Regards,
Luis

 

[Cyrano]

Hi lrodk and welcome to DLP DIS board
We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

If you have not had a look yet, DLP posting rules are here, DIS posting guidelines can be found here.

There are a few DVC members who I'm sure will pop in with advice.
I recall someone saying the one disadvantage was that you had to buy park passes for the length of stay.

 

[lrodk]

Hello Reid. You are correct with regard to the new length-of-stay pass requirements for DVC members. It's been a while since I posted on this forum and thank you for the warm welcome. It's much appreciated.

Luis

 

[torsie24]

Hi Luis.

I couldn't decide between SL and NPB for my last trip.

After a lot of trip advisoring and askng about on here I went for SL and think it was a smarter choice.

Newport, although more beautiful from the outside, is too big for its own good. Breakfast and check-in are often very busy with long waits by all accounts.

 

[ema74]

Hi Luis,

We've stayed in both, SL and NPB and I must say we preferred SL. It's warmer/friendlier and just looks happier There's a really nice kids play area. The hotel is smaller than NPB but still big enough. We've stayed there twice and will be going there again in Dec.

So my vote is for SL

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I stayed in the NPB and i loved it, yes its large and does get busy but its a fabby place to stay and i would for sure book there again.

 

[lrodk]

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. Can anyone say how far in advance DLP allows room bookings for cash customers and what their cancellation policy is for such bookings? Do they require a deposit or full payment up-front? I was thinking about booking a room at rack rates to make sure I had one for the trip, then rebooking with DVC points when/if the rooms were released. I could then cancel the first reservation provided it was fully refundable. Lastly, are the room sizes in SL and NB smaller than the rooms here in the states? They look awfully small in the pictures I saw on DLP's site.

Thanks again,
Luis

 

[Bexx]

If you book over the phone, you pay a 10% non-refundable deposit. Don't book over the net, as you then have to pay in full, and I don't know how much, if any, you would get back when you cancel! But I don't think even the cash bookings are being taken past the beginning of April next year - certainly the latest brochure prices only go up until then.

So on the positive side, that means that July can't be sold out for a while yet, and I'm sure you won't have any problem getting what you want through DVC. Though when they will actually release the point charts for next year is anyone's guess!!

 

[Tillybud]

never stayed in SL and it was a few years ago when we last stayed in NPB but I have to say we really liked it Our room was standard size but it was nice to have a balcony. Out of the two I prefer the look of NPB but I think we'll give SL a go ourselves at some point.

 

[gemmybear83]

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. Can anyone say how far in advance DLP allows room bookings for cash customers and what their cancellation policy is for such bookings? Do they require a deposit or full payment up-front? I was thinking about booking a room at rack rates to make sure I had one for the trip, then rebooking with DVC points when/if the rooms were released. I could then cancel the first reservation provided it was fully refundable. Lastly, are the room sizes in SL and NB smaller than the rooms here in the states? They look awfully small in the pictures I saw on DLP's site.

Thanks again,
Luis

I dont know the specifics of the rooms sizes, but you will find european rooms sizes generally a lot smaller than rooms in the US. When we went to Pop Century in Jan we thought the room was large .... but I know a lot of Americans find them small. But I am sure you will be spending all your times in the parks anyway!

 

[Bolanette87]

We've only stayed at the Sequoia, and it was lovely. Really enjoyed it and would go back in a heartbeat.

Our next trip is staying at the Newport Bay Club, which we are really looking forward to. Will give a more detailed review on my return!

Bob xoxoxox

 

[DisneyChristmas]

Stayed at NPB and had a gorgeous 5th floor corner room at the end of the wing (luck of the draw) overlooking the canal with views towards the parks. We loved it.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I am another DVC member who will be in Europe next June. We are going to spend 4 or 5 days in Paris and MUST have a visit to DLP. We are considering booking a hotel there because they can accomodate 4 persons per room. I have much experience at WDW and DL but, zero for DLP. For a seasoned Disney freak.....it's a little strange and humbling. Looking forward to the advice given on this thread.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

When i stayed at the NPB i had a ground floor room that had a little balcony with seating that looked straight onto the river. It was fantastic. I love that hotel and plan to stay in there again

 

[mark&sue]

With regard to booking through DVC it is a nightmare. I had to phone everyday until they opened up the booking window for my trip in July. They tend not to open up the bookings too far in advance. The points seem better value during our school holiday times but it may be better if you let your points out and pay cash for your DLPR stay if you want peace of mind and book early.

I would say that SL was much better than NY so much better value for points.

PM me for further information regarding DVC and Disneyland Paris


Susan

 

[davewasbaloo]

Hmmm, interesting thread. Remember when looking at using your DVC points, remember your breakfast is covered as a part of the deal.

I have stayed in all the DLP hotels a number of times, as well as Dixie Landings, AKL, WL, the Grand Fla, the Poly and Contemporary in WDW, and the DLH and Grand Californian in DL, so if I can answer your questions I will.

All the rooms at DLP are smaller than even the value resorts at WDW (remember the ave 3 bedroom house in Europe is about 950 sq feet), except the 5 person rooms in the Disneyland Hotel.

Personally I have had 7 wonderful stays at the Sequoia Lodge and 3 sub par stays at Newport Bay Club (inc in the admirals floor). The NBC is the largest hotel in Europe and has the staffing levels of the much smaller HNY (which offers much better service and ameneties than NBC and SL). so I would steer you towards the SL Montana Rooms personally.

SL and NBC are moderates by WDW standards. Only the HNY and DLH offer the service levels associated with the american resorts. If you go with that in mind, you will have a better time.

Bear in mind that the Euro vs the dollar is a big diff. To help you, we had 3 cocktails and a coke at the resort last week = $64.

A three course meal in a table service with a bottle of wine = $200

three counter service meals = $48

a cheap pin = $9

A night in June at the HNY = $550

So be prepared.

To answer your question about cash booking windows, they open up about 6 months in advance, so June bookings can often be made by Jan/Feb.

Europe is not as tolerant of people changing their minds, so booking requires a 10% non returnable deposit, after 3 months before your journey, you are liable for 50% and 30 days out 100%. Also you have to pay a fee for any changes, and once booked cannot opt for a cheaper option. This is not just a DLP thing, but is pretty standard.

But all of it is totally worth it. For pics and stuff to whet your appetite, you may wish to check out my trip report from last week.

 

[davewasbaloo]

The reason we bought Marriott Vacation Club instead of DVC is DVC only ever seemed like a good deal if you wanted to vacation in Florida.

MVCI is our home resort on the DLP golf course, and is redeamable in WDW and Newport Beach Orange County Ca.

You may be best off seeing if you could trade your DVC points into Marriott at DLP through Interval. Or bank your points next year and pay cash.