Using Points at Disneyland

[Zazu]

We are thinking about going to disneyland in CA next year. Has anyone ever used their points at any of the Disney hotels out there. If so, where did you stay? Would you use points to do it again or pay cash next time?

 

[Sorcerer]

I did it to stay in the Grand Californian before the 2001 Disneyana Convention. It was wonderful! I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but only b/c it would save me the cash out of pocket to stay there. It's probably not the "best use of points" but I don't regret it.

 

[RLevy29]

I agree with Sorcerer!

 

[JimC]

We have stayed at the GC twice. It is a great resort. The theming as good as AKL or WL in WDW. We will stay there again. Cash or points depends on the what is being offered at the time, other Disney trips planned and the like. Generally the trade into other Disney resorts with DVC points is not all that good a deal, particularly if there are good discounts to be had. We have used points at AKL, so we could not say we would never do it.

 

[ohanafamily]

I am going over Halloween, and don't have any points left (even to borrow ) so I am going to pay $$$$$, but the advantage is that if I book throught a DTA authorized agent (or DTA) I can get an unlimitted FP (only available with a package)
(OK, it just means that we can go up to all of the FP machines first thing in the morning and get the tickets without the wait)

When I stay on points, that perk isn't available......

I have been trying to up my membership to a platinum level so I can use Dis-Savers, but I think the one I need to talk to is out for a few days. I would like to support the boards more and save money if at all possible.

 

[DVC-Don]

I agree it is not the "best" use of points, but we are booked at the GC at DL for next April on points.

 

[Friend Owl]

We also just booked a 2 bedroom suite at DLH using points. We have a family of 5 and are really used to having 2 rooms together. We had no problems using points at Easter week and was surprised that we could use points for a 2 bedroom Concierge level at the hotels. Again, probobly not the best use of points but it beats spending $$$

 

[jdkdorn]

We are going in January and using our points at the Grand California for Concierge. WE know it is a waste but my DH really wants to do it. I hope it is worth it. Has anyone stayed at the GC Concierge? If you have and used points did you cash upgrade or use all points?

 

[5infam]

I want to use points to stay at GC a night or 2 in Dec., but I was not aware that you can use points to get suites. Is there a point chart out there that shows how many points it will take?

 

[Friend Owl]

I could't find a point chart anywhere for the suites. Here are the points I was quoted for the DLH, 2004 Easter week, Monday checkin-Friday checkout: standard view hotel room - 30/pts/nite, 1 bedroom suite, concierge level, 57 pts/nite, 2 bedroom suite, concierge level 72/pts/nite. Due to personal reasons and the size of our party, we could use either 2 standard view rooms (total pts 240) or a 1 bedroom suite (228 pts) or a 2 bedroom suite (288 pts)

 

[wdwsos]

Originally posted by jdkdorn
We are going in January and using our points at the Grand California for Concierge. WE know it is a waste but my DH really wants to do it. I hope it is worth it.

We're doing the same thing in November - two nights in Santa Monica followed by two nights in the GC Concierge on points. My oldest son is a film student and will be interning in L.A. for the fall semester. It gives us a good excuse to visit Disneyland.

Dotti

 

[jdkdorn]

The points are not posted yet but I received them when i called. They are more than WDW resorts. It will be 57 during the week and 90 on weekends. That is why this is a hard decision. I think we might pay for the weekend and use points during the week

 

[JimC]

I will be interested in your views on GC concierge. We are thinking about doing it 2005 when we return to DL again.

 

[NancyDVC]

We stayed at the DLH 2 years ago and loved it. We had wanted the GC but couldn't get it for the dates we needed. Yes I know that it isn't the best use of points but without DVC I couldn't afford it. So for me it is worth it. If you go the restaurants at GC are great-a 'snack bar', a family style buffet restaurant and the upscale Napa Rose. The Napa Rose is fabulous but pricey. Friends let us in on the fact that you can sit in the bar/lounge area and order off the regular menu but not get an entire meal. It was great but still pricey.
I plan to go again in a few years and yes use points to do it!

 

[robinb]

Although I think staying at the GC would be very cool, I think staying off-site at Disneyland is much different than staying off-site at Disney World. We stayed at the Hilton in March and it was fine. We walked easily to the parks and there was also a quick shuttle when we didn't want to walk.

 

[ohanafamily]

I just want to let you all know that the Points Calculator on the top of this page has the DL resorts in it (at least it has the GC). I would need 246 points for our trip later this year, I am not sure what the hotel portion is, but it is $1678.50 including Park Passes. At $7 a point that would be $1722 and would not include park passes, or Unlimitted Fastpass + other Perks. It works out better to buy discounted than rent points.

 

[ohanafamily]

Oh, and one more thing, it looks like Dis savers will help me make it even less expensive... the $30.00 to join will probably more than pay for itself.

Here is how I think it will work with DTA; it is different for other things. You book it yourself with DTA (give them the special code etc) and you get the travel agent comission (less fees) rebated. I am not sure how much it will be, but I will report back... it may make it worthwihile, especially if you need expensive rooms.

 

[marksniles]

I know that staying at another WDW resort or Disneyland or Disneyland Paris are more point but why is it a waste of points? If that is the only vacation you go on that year then why would it be a waste of points? Isn't it just all in the planning. I have several ideas for the next couple of years where we want to stay.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by marksniles
I know that staying at another WDW resort or Disneyland or Disneyland Paris are more point but why is it a waste of points? If that is the only vacation you go on that year then why would it be a waste of points? Isn't it just all in the planning. I have several ideas for the next couple of years where we want to stay.

One person's "waste of points" is another person's "Dream Vacation" . If it works for you to use your points at DLP or at DLC or on a cruise or on a safari, that's cool. Have a great time .

Personally, I cannot stop myself from comparing the cheapest night at the Grand Californian (January, Standard View, 34/61 points) with the most expensive studio at BCV (Christmas, 19/43). If you want to compare the same time period, BCV is 12/22, a third of the price of the GC. I would never be able to bring myself to "pay" that much more for the CG . I would rather "spend" my points at the DVC resorts and pay cash for everything else.

 

[ohanafamily]

I am not saying it is a waste to stay on points, It is wasteful if you rent points with the current room discounts.

OK, how about this for some numbers to put things into perspective.

Costs: annual fees are just under $4.00 a point/year. For ease of use I will use the $4.00 figure.

Let's say you bought in during 2002 for $80 a point I realize this is also not the actual, but it is fairly close and it gives me easy numbers to work with (2042-2002=40, $80.00/40 years) namely $2.00 a year/point.

In my previous example (246 points for my next vacation to DL), figuring the hard cost of the points at $6.00 each ($4+$2), the room alone would be costing me $1476. This is just a little more than I figure the discounted hotel rate is. (remember, I am paying $1678.50 including 2 * 5day-for-3day park hopper passes. I am also getting the last out of my Disney Club discounts)

My conclusion: If I use points, I am getting exactly what they promised me when I signed up for DVC; a prepaid vacation at a slightly discounted rate. Is it a waste? no, you are getting your moneys worth; not a lot more. Is it wasteful? yes, when you compare it to what you get on a DVC property.

Here is the big one, Is It a waste to rent points to do this: YES. it will probably cost you $10.00 a point to rent (not $7). The rental would be $2460.00 ($984.00 more than paying for it cash) - NOT A GOOD DEAL

How is that for math at Midnight on a Sunday?



BTW, This is a good reason to be suspect if anyone is renting for less than $6.00 a point......