Help for a family of 7!!!

[Raising Disney Kids]

I currently have a 5 night-2 bedroom villa booked at GCV for Dec. 12-16 (using DVC points). We were originally planning on staying 2 nights (12/10-11) elsewhere in CA to visit family and go to Legoland. However as we get closer I am re-thinking packing and moving from hotel to hotel.

I love DVC for the space & baths (family of 7), but I do not use the kitchen (don't cook on vacation!!!). I like having a separate space for kids and grandparents and us.

Is it possible to use my exisiting reservation for 3 "regular" hotel rooms at GCV or at another Disneyland hotel for 7 nights instead of my original 5? Will it cost more points to get regular rooms versus a villa?

Looking forward to our first trip to DL!!!

 

[rlovew]

Just looked at my 2011 points chart- the villa is costing 208 points for Mon-Thurs and 65 points for Fri night.

One hotel room at the cheapest point value at Disneyland is 26 points per weeknight and 33 for Friday night(137 for 1 room standard view at Paradise Pier) so you could not even get 2 rooms for the nights you are already staying for the same number of points.

 

[CarolMN]

I currently have a 5 night-2 bedroom villa booked at GCV for Dec. 12-16 (using DVC points). We were originally planning on staying 2 nights (12/10-11) elsewhere in CA to visit family and go to Legoland. However as we get closer I am re-thinking packing and moving from hotel to hotel.

I love DVC for the space & baths (family of 7), but I do not use the kitchen (don't cook on vacation!!!). I like having a separate space for kids and grandparents and us.

Is it possible to use my existing reservation for 3 "regular" hotel rooms at GCV or at another Disneyland hotel for 7 nights instead of my original 5? Will it cost more points to get regular rooms versus a villa?

Looking forward to our first trip to DL!!!

You can not use DVC points for "regular" hotel rooms at the Grand Californian.

You can use them for rooms at the DLH or PP, subject to availability. My guess is that availability may be a problem at this point so if you decide to do this, be sure to check that before you cancel the GCV reservation.

You will find the point charts for the DL resorts on the members' website. It's very likely that you will spend more points to go to the DLH rooms than you are using for the GCV accommodations.

 

[Dean]

I currently have a 5 night-2 bedroom villa booked at GCV for Dec. 12-16 (using DVC points). We were originally planning on staying 2 nights (12/10-11) elsewhere in CA to visit family and go to Legoland. However as we get closer I am re-thinking packing and moving from hotel to hotel.

I love DVC for the space & baths (family of 7), but I do not use the kitchen (don't cook on vacation!!!). I like having a separate space for kids and grandparents and us.

Is it possible to use my exisiting reservation for 3 "regular" hotel rooms at GCV or at another Disneyland hotel for 7 nights instead of my original 5? Will it cost more points to get regular rooms versus a villa?

Looking forward to our first trip to DL!!!

while unlikely to be available, you might consider 2 studios at GCV instead. Likely your best bet is to just try to add on the 2 nights in a 2 BR either for cash or points.

 

[makthompson]

You can not use DVC points for "regular" hotel rooms at the Grand Californian.

You can use them for rooms at the DLH or PP, subject to availability. My guess is that availability may be a problem at this point so if you decide to do this, be sure to check that before you cancel the GCV reservation.

You will find the point charts for the DL resorts on the members' website. It's very likely that you will spend more points to go to the DLH rooms than you are using for the GCV accommodations.

When did they change this? We've always used DVC points for "regular rooms" at GC

 

[DebbieB]

When did they change this? We've always used DVC points for "regular rooms" at GC

When the villas opened.

 

[CarolMN]

When did they change this? We've always used DVC points for "regular rooms" at GC

When the GCV became available.

Members cannot use points to stay at any "regular" resort that has a DVC component. So no points can be used to stay at the BWI, the BC, the WL, the CR or the GC.

 

[tjkraz]

When the GCV became available.

Members cannot use points to stay at any "regular" resort that has a DVC component. So no points can be used to stay at the BWI, the BC, the WL, the CR or the GC.

Also, in OP's case, three "regular" hotel rooms would have cost far more than the villa. In 2009--the last year that standard GC hotel rooms were available for points--a Standard View room in early December was 25 points per weekday and 41 points per weekend night. Getting three rooms would have cost a minimum of 75 points per night.

And that's with the Standard View. All of the villa rooms have a park or pool view. Hotel rooms in that category started at 30 points per night in '09.

 

[Raising Disney Kids]

Thank you for all the info! I will try to add on the 2 extra nights. My daughter started her count down chain.....42 days!