It's Nice to Have the West Coast Option

[Longhairbear]

We are planning our vacations now exclusively staying on the West coast.
We are staying at DLR in either the VGC, or the DLR hotels, and saving on airfare!
We cruised on the Wonder for 7 nights up and down the California coast, spending multiple evenings in port at San Francisco, and at sea. We loved it. In San Diego we spent all day on the USS Midway in the berth right next to our ship. All that at the same cost as staying at our VWL for the same amount of time, meals included. Who knew!!! Did I mention we didn't spend hundreds of bucks for airfare? We have a few trips already booked at VGC, and loading the cooler with groceries and wines for some fine dinners cooked fresh in our villa. And all the fun to be had at Trader Sam's at the DLH on the walk back to the Villas after the parks close.
Disneyland is so much fun, and in driving distance, I think we won't be back to the East coast in many years.

 

[aymekae]

Shhh! Don't tell my husband!

Just kidding. As we're just a few hours drive from DLR, he likes it a LOT better than flying to Florida. He doesn't want to go back to WDW for a long time because of the flight. Oddly enough, he doesn't have the same complaint when flying there to cruise! So I'm hoping to combine a few days at WDW with our cruises since we'll already be there, you know? I tried to convince him about the MR or Pacific coast cruises so we didn't have to fly, but he didn't want to go to Mexico or the same cities we've already been to. (For me, the cruise itself is the destination, I'd be happy if it just swam around a bit in the ocean before bringing me back home!)

Anyway, happy that there is an alternative for us west coasters! Oh, and you just have to try Aulani some day. Even though it seems to be the same cost/time to fly to Hawaii as it is to Florida, we do have the advantage of being the closest from the mainland. East coasters have a harder time getting there than we do!

 

[oktracy]

I live in Northern California. I just purchased points at VGC 1 year ago. I am so pleased. My first trip was to visit Aulani. Loved it! Cant wait to return. My ultimate plan is to alternate trips b/w VGC and Aulani every other year. We are staying at VGC this coming January. Can you tell me more about Trader Sams? Also, as West Coasters, it sure would be nice if we could get some of those discounted AP's.

 

[ACDSNY]

We're enjoying the West Coast too. We'll be at Aulani next month and VGC in May 2013. Other than the MNSSHP before our cruise we don't plan on doing the parks in FL for Nov 2013. Ticket and AP prices are out of control now so we won't be doing FL trips very often.

 

[Longhairbear]

I live in Northern California. I just purchased points at VGC 1 year ago. I am so pleased. My first trip was to visit Aulani. Loved it! Cant wait to return. My ultimate plan is to alternate trips b/w VGC and Aulani every other year. We are staying at VGC this coming January. Can you tell me more about Trader Sams? Also, as West Coasters, it sure would be nice if we could get some of those discounted AP's.

Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel, by the pool is great. The theme is a mash up of the Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Jungle Cruise I won't say more so you can have the fun of discovering it for yourself.
We do get a discount on AP's from DVC, plus discounts at almost everywhere at Disneyland when staying on points.

 

[Longhairbear]

We are looking at Adventures By Disney, and time share exchanges for something new to do instead of WDW.

 

[Greysword]

Agree! Also if anyone doesn't think the ability to use the Disney Collection is worth the price of purchasing direct, then they won't be traveling to DLR on short notice easily!

We have traded our points in a few times when VGC wasn't available, and it was nice!!!

 

[k3chantal]

We are planning our vacations now exclusively staying on the West coast.
We are staying at DLR in either the VGC, or the DLR hotels, and saving on airfare!
We cruised on the Wonder for 7 nights up and down the California coast, spending multiple evenings in port at San Francisco, and at sea. We loved it. In San Diego we spent all day on the USS Midway in the berth right next to our ship. All that at the same cost as staying at our VWL for the same amount of time, meals included. Who knew!!! Did I mention we didn't spend hundreds of bucks for airfare? We have a few trips already booked at VGC, and loading the cooler with groceries and wines for some fine dinners cooked fresh in our villa. And all the fun to be had at Trader Sam's at the DLH on the walk back to the Villas after the parks close.
Disneyland is so much fun, and in driving distance, I think we won't be back to the East coast in many years.

I think I have finally found my people! Yippee! No criticism about using my points on a West Coast cruise! Where have you guys been?

And DLR will also be my 'backyard'!!!!(even though I am a Northern Californian girl).

 

[ACDSNY]

Agree! Also if anyone doesn't think the ability to use the Disney Collection is worth the price of purchasing direct, then they won't be traveling to DLR on short notice easily!

We have traded our points in a few times when VGC wasn't available, and it was nice!!!

So true!!! I love the renovated rooms at DLH when the VGC isn't available.

I think I have finally found my people! Yippee! No criticism about using my points on a West Coast cruise! Where have you guys been?

And DLR will also be my 'backyard'!!!!(even though I am a Northern Californian girl).

Yep, we're your kind of people!

 

[Longhairbear]

I think I have finally found my people! Yippee! No criticism about using my points on a West Coast cruise! Where have you guys been?

And DLR will also be my 'backyard'!!!!(even though I am a Northern Californian girl).

And we have found you!
We loved our California Pixar Cruise, and want to book Vancouver to Alaska in the future. It makes so much more sense when you factor in the airfare, how using points is a good idea. We are in Palm Springs, and live 7 minutes from the airport, and can find flights to Canada easily.
We love breaking up our stays at DLR into 2-3 nights, stretching out our points for multiple stays at the resort over the entire year.
Now we need to get another DVC here, as my home resort is VWL, and I'm stuck with the 7 month window. We would definitely add on here in CA.
Aulani is on our "to do list" also, so I really think we won't be going to WDW in quite a while.

 

[keishashadow]

Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel, by the pool is great. The theme is a mash up of the Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Jungle Cruise I won't say more so you can have the fun of discovering it for yourself.
We do get a discount on AP's from DVC, plus discounts at almost everywhere at Disneyland when staying on points.

Such a cool place, we've had some interesting conversations with CMs there at the end of the day

go ahead, rub it in with all that west coast luv

Even as an northeast coast member, I appreciate the west coast option. Just bummed i couldn't grab reward airfare there for anytime this summer for a return trip, but i keep checking.

 

[Longhairbear]

Such a cool place, we've had some interesting conversations with CMs there at the end of the day

go ahead, rub it in with all that west coast luv

Even as an northeast coast member, I appreciate the west coast option. Just bummed i couldn't grab reward airfare there for anytime this summer for a return trip, but i keep checking.

Have you seen what they've done to DCA? OMG, we have been going there more than DL. When staying at VGC, we actually walk around to the front entrance, rather than go through the hotel entrance.
BTW I'm a Yankee from MA originally.

 

[keishashadow]

Have you seen what they've done to DCA? OMG, we have been going there more than DL. When staying at VGC, we actually walk around to the front entrance, rather than go through the hotel entrance.
BTW I'm a Yankee from MA originally.

A transplant who i'm sure doesn't miss the harsh New England weather!

Construction was throughout the park our last trip (early February after spending superbowl weekend in Vegas. DH figures since we have to fly over it, why not stop...i'll call it the best of both worlds).

 

[arthur06]

We just returned about 10 days ago from VGC.

I loved it. Walking to the parks was amazing. The resort itself is unbelievable.

Using the resort entrance into DCA was a nice way to get make the trip into the park and it was less then a 5 min walk from our room.

 

[Longhairbear]

We just returned about 10 days ago from VGC.

I loved it. Walking to the parks was amazing. The resort itself is unbelievable.

Using the resort entrance into DCA was a nice way to get make the trip into the park and it was less then a 5 min walk from our room.

We had friends stay on the pull out couch with us in a one bedroom at VGC when World Of Color was still testing. We had grilled flank steak the first night, using the gas grills and they made Jambalaya the second night in our villa. We all stayed up watching Disney testing the WOC flame throwers from our patio and having cocktails until the wee morning hours.
The next morning they bought eggs, and treated us to omelets made with the leftover shrimp and sausage from the Jambalaya. Then off to the parks. A perfect 2 night vacation.

 

[taaren]

Agree with the airfare to Florida just being too much for West Coasters many times ... I'm sad that they're taking away the DCL West Coast itineraries other than Alaska though. Went on one of the Pixar cruises and really enjoyed ourselves, seemed like they all sailed full so maybe they'll bring the California Coast itinerary back one day?

 

[Longhairbear]

Agree with the airfare to Florida just being too much for West Coasters many times ... I'm sad that they're taking away the DCL West Coast itineraries other than Alaska though. Went on one of the Pixar cruises and really enjoyed ourselves, seemed like they all sailed full so maybe they'll bring the California Coast itinerary back one day?

Travel agent friends were on our cruise, and mentioned that our cruise was only 2/3 full, and the reason they added the Pixar overlay theme to entice more guests to cruise. It was heavily discounted at the end, one could get a rebate if booked at the full price. As we used points, we didn't have that option.

 

[hjgaus]

Agree! Also if anyone doesn't think the ability to use the Disney Collection is worth the price of purchasing direct, then they won't be traveling to DLR on short notice easily!

We have traded our points in a few times when VGC wasn't available, and it was nice!!!

I have been saying this for SOOO LONG now!!! When VGC is not available the other DLR Hotels are a great option! We have not done a west coast cruise yet due to timing but we shall one day soon!! I live in So Cal so that says everything about my reasons for purchasing direct! Love our weekend staycations!! However we have been missing WDW & with the PAP discounts presented to DVC members - We ARE going for it the next 2 years and trying to get the best of both worlds! We will not renew our PAP's for DL when they end mid April then take our winter breaks (Christmas) @ WDW 2013 & 2014!! Yes the flights will be costly but well worth it!! If we need or want to do a day or 2 @ DL parks after April we will suck it up and buy them! Still definitely blessed to have MANY options with our DVC!! YEAH West Coast dwellers!!