Grand Californian on points

[RweTHEREyet]

Much like the debate on paying with points or cash for the cruise, which is the better way to go with the Grand Californian? I was thinking that if you paid cash that you might be able to request a better view at check-in, whereas a point stay might limit what view you could get.

 

[Scratch42]

DD and I are doing the Repo Cruise next August. Since we have not been to DL, decided to go at least three days prior to check it out. When I phoned MS the points were not out for GC but she gave me a vague idea. Then I got to thinking that if I wait for the 7 month window, there might not be anything left, since there seems so many of us going and went ahead and booked thru DCL.

Never thought of an upgrade.

Thanks, I guess I will wait and see!

Scratch

 

[helenabear]

I just bought a resale and had some "reservation" status points I had to use by the end of my UY, so since I already planned to go to DL, I figured it was a good way to use them and not lose them. Truthfully I think that if you are happy using them there, then go for it. I know I wouldn't be able to use them anywhere else in my case and with lack of AP rates for the summer (so far) this is a much better deal. I don't know how lucky I would be to get a good view at the hotel, but just as an FYI, you can use about the same amount of points and go for a upper level resort view at DLH. And from what I've been told, the views at GC are really nice no matter where you stay. I guess I am not one for a view anyway since I don't plan on spending *too* much time in the room.

Scratch42, just wanted to let you know that even though there isn't that cruise going on when I am going, I was able to book the room less than 60 days out, so it might not be that hard to do.

 

[JimC]

You can book a certain view with cash or points. The decision should be which is the better deal at the time. DL is notoriously slow in setting its room rates, thus it is slow in working out the points with DVC.

The other consideration is whether it might be worth buying one DL AP and use their discount program for GC.

 

[winjos]

We stayed on points at the end of April. We had 100 points that needed to be used and we were not going to be in FL anytime soon (just had a baby in Feb., DH WILL NOT go in summer, & I'm a h.s. teacher). Since we live 20 miles from DL we decided to use our points there. We stayed concierge level with DCA view. The rooms themselves were o.k., nothing spectacular, but view of the bear was phenomenal! The big plus was that the concierge lounge made it worth the stay! We practically lived there. We have APs to DL, so we went into the parks for a little bit then headed back to the hotel for the yummy snacks! We ended up eating only one meal at the parks! We had a great time.
Here's the drawback! We spent 104 points. I talked to reservations to reconfirm our stay. He said that our rooms for that stay were ... $365 a night! Some may say we used our points foolishly. I think not! With the "hassle" of renting points, the worry of getting the money, while managing a toddler and a newborn, would have been too hectic for me. So, I had to use the points or lose the points. Therefore, I think that for me, it was worth the extra points so that I could have a stress free vacation!

 

[Cruelladeville]

Your conceirge room was $365 a night? That's good--I am paying $400 per night at AKL in July, and thought I got a good rate! Since you used your points in a way that was pleasing to you, who cares if it was a good use of points or not! Actually, I am only paying cash because I am short of points!

 

[JimC]

We are staying at AKL concierge in August and the rate is $340 AP code. But our points rate is $247 ($222 when adjusted to a pre tax room rate). AP codes are not beating the DVC points this year so we are using points.