Using points at Disneyland. Is it worth it?

[kangaroodle]

Hi! We have owned DVC at WDW for almost 18 years now but have never ventured to the West Coast, Disneyland. We want to go at Spring Break (I know...ugh!), but with kid's school sports it's the only time available. Is it worth booking with points? Spring Break is, of course, Premier Season and the points are hefty. Has anyone done this? Is there another way you would recommend staying in the resort area? Or does it not matter that much? I haven't been there since they built California Adventure. At that time we stayed at the Hilton and just walked across the street in the morning!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dvcterry]

We stayed at VGC with a split at Disneyland Hotel. VGC is amazing, great views, and you step right into the park. We still had points to use so we ended up with Disneyland Hotel. We did like being right there next to DTD and the hopped onto the monorail. The early entry helped once the weekend came around, it got busy and Carsland got busy too. We loved our trip and can't wait to go back.

 

[rentayenta]

The GCV are totally worth it. I'd book right at the 7 month though. It can be difficult to get into. We've used our points twice there and it's amazing. The GCV are closer to DCA than the BCV/BWV are to Epcot. They've got Whitewater Snacks which is a great counter service. Storytellers is their table service and character meal during breakfast. Their bar is terrific; big and comfortable. They've also got The Napa Rose which is a four star restaurant I believe. Their pool is big, never had an issue getting chairs. The lobby is gorgeous as are the villas.

 

[keishashadow]

OP we were lucky to be able to use points to stay @ GCV twice now, totally worth it imo. Received early entry and a FP or two last trip. We've tried a couple times without success, it's a hot ticket.

We've also enjoyed the ambiance of the DL hotel and hope to book it again to see the re-do and return to see trader sam.

 

[kangaroodle]

The GCV does look amazing but at 62 pts/night for a 1 bedroom or 86 pts/night for a 2 bedroom is it THAT fantastic? Those are weekday prices! I'm used to the points chart at OKW (can't beat it!)

 

[sechelt]

VGC is our home so I'm rather partial to it. OP, were you thinking or 2013? There's pretty limited availability already, but points can be used for hotel rooms at all 3 Disney hotels. However, if you want to save your points, there are lots of reasonably priced hotels/motels within a 5 -15 minute walk of the turnstiles. The closest is Best Western Park Place Inn, or BWPPI, and it's the only one our son will stay at.

 

[dvcterry]

The GCV does look amazing but at 62 pts/night for a 1 bedroom or 86 pts/night for a 2 bedroom is it THAT fantastic? Those are weekday prices! I'm used to the points chart at OKW (can't beat it!)

Ahhhhh Old Key points, aren't they a charm? I have to honestly say I really liked VGC. It became my new favorite and of course kicked myself for not buying when we had the opportunity. It is a great resort, loved the pool and lounge chairs too. But that decision should still be yours. I still loved walking out the door and into the park literally.

 

[kangaroodle]

Thanks for all the input. I'll have to check things out. I know we're jumping into this late in the game. Not totally sure if we are going to Southern California or going on a cruise for Spring Break. I have to look at all the costs and also see what family wants to do.

 

[DebbieB]

Have you checked for availability? VGC is very hard to get under 7 months.

 

[Meggysmum]

We own at BLT so although VGC is point heavy it wasnt a huge shock to us and it was totally worth it. I cant imagine ever wanting to stay anywhere else if we ever return to the West Coast.

The only problem we had was that the 1-beds slept 5 but the extra bed in the lounge is tiny, my 5'4" teenage daughter struggled on it as she was too tall!

 

[keishashadow]

The GCV does look amazing but at 62 pts/night for a 1 bedroom or 86 pts/night for a 2 bedroom is it THAT fantastic? Those are weekday prices! I'm used to the points chart at OKW (can't beat it!)

i thought the studio to be worth it since we rarely spend much time in the rooms, either in the parks or at the pool.

 

[Snow Shoe]

Back in 2008 we went to Disneyland and stayed at the GCR. They were building the villas then. It is TOTALLY worth going and staying either in the villas or the GCR itself.

 

[drcoulsey]

Staying at VGC is totally worth it. We stayed in a 2-bedroom during spring break, the highest point value, but I'd do it again. The convenience of stepping out the door and being right in the park was worth every point.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I just booked our VGC stay using points (this too will be our first time to the West Coast Parks). We are very excited about it and the resort looks gorgeous. However, if that is truly what you are thinking about doing (especially using points at VGC), I would check availability because it really books up fast. We are going the first week of June, and just wanted to point out that when we booked 3 days ago there were tons of rooms available (we are in a Studio) but when I happen to go back in there last night to check something else, most of the days in our week were already booked up. So to answer your question....do I think it is worth it to use your points for DLR? Yes of course and have a great time too .

 

[zeferjen]

Just jumping in to say taht we loved this hotel. The convenience to get into the parks cannot be beat. The pool is really nice with a fun slide for the kids. The food is wonderful, both QS and TS. And the decor of the hotel itself is like a nicer version of WL at DW.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

We booked 6 nights in a 2 bedroom for spring break 2013 right at 7 months - i agree with OP, I initially had some serious point shock, but now that we are all booked, we're so excited!!! I did alot of research on the boards, there is great info on the GC.

That said, I looked a few weeks ago, and for the week we are going (week after Easter) the ONLY rooms with availability were dedicated 2 bedrooms, and there was one night missing in the middle of the week. So if you are thinking about pulling the trigger, I would do so soon....