Just back from California using points

[mlshields]

Hi everyone!

Just back from a wonderful trip to California and Mexico that included a visit to Disneyland. Had a wonderful room at the Grand Californian and we also stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego both of these we used our DVC points.

If anyone has any questions, let me know.

 

[dcfromva]

mlshields,
Welcome back! What type of room did you get for each place on points?

-DC

 

[jel0511]

Hi everyone!

Just back from a wonderful trip to California and Mexico that included a visit to Disneyland. Had a wonderful room at the Grand Californian and we also stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego both of these we used our DVC points.

If anyone has any questions, let me know.

WE're staying at both the Grand Californian and Hotel Del Coronado on points this summer. I'd definately like to hear your reviews of both. What room types did you have booked?

 

[mlshields]

We booked a standard room at each hotel. At the Hotel Del Coronado we were Upgraded to an Ocean Front room in the Towers. The Towers is a building right next to the Original structure. The room was pretty basic but nice with a balcony facing the Pacific. I think I would have liked to have stayed in the Main Building just to really experience the "Del". It is VERY EXPENSIVE to eat there but it is really beautiful. The only down side to staying at the Del is that the naval base is on the same island and the jets go overhead ALL DAY and into the night (it can get very loud at times). Staying at the Del is a once in a lifetime experience (I don't think I would go there again and I definitely would never pay cash!!!). Almost forgot - you have to pay a $20.00 per day resort fee (USA Today, coffee in room, local/long distance calls - very overpriced) as well as either $16.00 per day to self park or $22.00 per day for Valet. Make sure you budget this money in.

As far as the Grand Californian!!!!!! We stayed on the third floor room 3001. It was a LOVELY room - bigger than the Dels with two Queen size bed. A huge closet! Nice bathroom area and a lovely balcony overlooking the monorail courtyard (This is a courtyard that the monorail passes through). I loved everything about staying at the GC and would do it again in a second! While staying at the GC you can either Self Park - across the street from the hotel for $8.00 per day or $16.00 for Valet. You do not have to pay the resort fee if you are staying on your points.

Out of the two - I prefer the GC.

 

[jel0511]

Thanks for the reviews. I can't wait to go and experience these two hotels!

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks for the great reviews. How did the GC comapre with any of the WDW hotels? What are the restaurants/pool area etc like? Have you ever stayed at the Disneyland Hotel........just wondered how they compared!
Thanks
Debsx

P.S The Del sounds like The DOrchester in London which we experienced once on points.....would never do on cash! The food was very expensive and it was $80 equivalent to self park per day! On the plus side we did get an upgraded room, but wouldn't go there again!!!

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks for the great reviews. How did the GC comapre with any of the WDW hotels? What are the restaurants/pool area etc like? Have you ever stayed at the Disneyland Hotel........just wondered how they compared!
Thanks
Debsx

P.S The Del sounds like The DOrchester in London which we experienced once on points.....would never do on cash! The food was very expensive and it was $80 equivalent to self park per day! On the plus side we did get an upgraded room, but wouldn't go there again!!!

 

[mlshields]

The GC is VERY similar to the Wilderness Lodge in WDW. The lobby is very similar - I have only seen DVC rooms in the Wilderness so I can't comment on the hotel's rooms. I have not stayed in the Disneyland Hotel. I have stayed in Dixie Landings (Port Orleans Riverside Nowadays), Boardwalk & OKW. OKW by far has the largest rooms, but I am a recent Disneyland convert (1st visit in 2002 - after 22+ visits to WDW since 1977) and I ONLY want to go to DL and stay in the GC. You will love it.

Please PM me when you return and let me know what you think!