Using DVC Points at Disneyland California?

[Frances999]

Hi everyone

I understand that using DVC points to stay at "non-DVC" resorts at WDW is not good value-for-points and therefore not recommended. However, is it worthwhile using points for the Disneyland California Hotels?

Thanks!



PS - Is there a DVC office or anything at Disneyland Resort? I've never seen one on any of our visits.....but we are heading there again next month and if we decide to go for it, I would like to do it in person.

 

[dragonflymom]

I am using 108 points for 3 nights' stay at GC early August for a premium view room and believe I'm getting a good deal, given their rates start at $395 per night for a standard view and that's before 15% tax. If you're going during non-peak season, their rates would be better and you may want to re-think using points. For example, last Fall they have the 4th night free promotion that was very popular and many people are expecting the same promotion again. They also have reduced rates in January if you can go at that time. For peak times, if you book early enough, you may come out ahead with points. I'm just 6 hours away from DL and have an SSR contract intending to use some points at DL resorts until DVC has something set up for So. Cal. We do visit WDW but more like every other year and this arrangement works for me.

I have seen a DVC booth in Downtown Disney. Best thing to do is before you leave, set something up by calling their 1-800 number. They will hook you up with a Guide for your area and they can book you for a "no-pressure" presentation/ sales appointment ahead of time while you're there.

 

[lisah0711]

I am using 87 points in October for a standard room at GC. Whether or not this is a good use of points depends on you, what room you want and when you are travelling. The big question is whether what is a reasonable use of points now will remain that way -- I understand that the points usage is pretty reasonable now at DL but that may not always be the case -- and that may change if DL ever gets a DVC as is rumored (which I hope they do!)

There are DVC kiosks at DTD and GC and I believe models at DLH.

 

[utahkennedys]

We just used points at DLH in May and really enjoyed it. We felt like it was a nice use of points since this year DH didn't want to go all the way to Orlando with our 1 year old DD...bad flights with her!

We felt like 19 points/night was a bargain! We enjoyed DLH although it is definately not a 2BR at OKW, but it did have a fridge and a little alcove area with a desk that was perfect for the crib. We would consider DLH again if the points at DL stay that low. The room would have cost $300+/night so we were happy.

Making the ressie was very, very simple, just like booking a DVC through MS.

We were in the Bonita tower and there was a small parking lot behind us, as well as a small DVC building -- not sure what was in there, maybe models?

 

[Longhairbear]

We were there today, and there were DVC kiosks near New Orleans Square in DL, and in DTD. Ride the subs, and make sure you go over and check out the caves on Tom Sawyer Island/Pirates Lair. You won't be disappointed.

 

[SandyCA]

We have used our DVC points at GCH and thought it was worth it. Yes, I could have stayed 2 days in a studio at any of the DVC resorts in WDW, but when you add travel time and airline tickets, using some points at DLR doesn't seem so bad. They have DVC kiosks in DTD and in the Parks, also a DVC desk at the GCH. They do have an office building on site with a model of the SSR rooms to look at. A nice touch, if it is still going on, you buy DVC at DLR/California and you receive 2 AP's for either DLR or WDW as an incentive. We bought in April and now have 2 Premium AP's to DL/CA courtesy of DVC.

 

[Dean]

Until a couple of years ago the answer was generally no. The points for DL are currently fairly favorable returning in the neighborhood of $10 per point. I doubt that will continue long term and would not buy for that reason but take advantage while you can.

 

[MrShiny]

We are using 162 points to do the GC Conceirge at Thanksgiving (3 nights Tu-Fr). That was a LOT better than cash would have been. Plus, even though it is pricey point wise, it's something we never would have done otherwise.

With DL though, if you want a decent room to sleep in, the motels on Harbor can't be beat for value. My favs are Candy Cane and Del Sol. Actually closer to the gate of DL proper than any of the Disney hotels.

 

[Longhairbear]

We have had good rooms and service at the HoJo across from DLR. As we are an hour from DLR, we rarely stay overnight, unless we are going to meet up with a group, or family for an all weekend trip. We have stayed on points at the DLR hotels, but a DVC at DLR would see us buying points for the 11 month window to book holiday stays for shopping weekends, and a central meeting place for friends for an after park hours get together.

We are using 162 points to do the GC Conceirge at Thanksgiving (3 nights Tu-Fr). That was a LOT better than cash would have been. Plus, even though it is pricey point wise, it's something we never would have done otherwise.

With DL though, if you want a decent room to sleep in, the motels on Harbor can't be beat for value. My favs are Candy Cane and Del Sol. Actually closer to the gate of DL proper than any of the Disney hotels.

 

[deej696]

We recently joined DVC and with the incentive had all of this years points available, and not really a whole lot of time to use it in the next 6 months. So we are using 93 points for DLH over New Years. We think its a great use of the points since we figure it saves us over $1000 for the room. As a result, we added on 3 days to the trip and are driving to Vegas

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Considering that we have just returned from a stay at the Grand Californian a few minutes ago (!)- 4 nights pool view on points (116) - I can say a resounding YES to this question. We try to be frugal with our points - never do weekends on points - but we felt that the quality, convenience and level of service of this hotel was well worth the points used. We found everything about the GC to be top-notch and would gladly use points for a future stay.

It was especially convenient because of location in that with the compact size of the parks and the close proximity of the GC we felt comfortable letting our 14 y/o daughter out on her own. She has almost 2 dozen trips to WDW under her belt and we felt comfortable letting her loose after we all got familiar with the parks layout. She had no problem going to/from the parks and hotel. I would have not felt as comfortable about this if we had been further away.

I'm sure the other DLR resort hotels would be top-notch also, but since our distance makes this trip a once-in-a-while thing we splurged on the resort. No regrets, and would do it again - and probably will !

 

[ACDSNY]

DVC allows us to stay at the GC, since I wouldn't be able to afford the cash rates. We use the DLR for the short trips to get a quick Disney fix, much closer to home.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

im going to dlh in nov, gona be getting a prety nice view of fire works and useing points. my fionce says since we have extra points that have to be used then we do concenage..witch were gona do.