Using points at DLR, Anaheim a bad deal? I don't see it

[Mtnman44]

I realize you might get a better value on your points at DVC, but am I missing something else here?:

For the January travel season:

5 nights at DLH is 95 points. SSR annual points cost = $380
5 nights at DLH cash is $1,300 plus tax

5 nights at GCH is 120 points. SSR annual points cost = $480
5 nights at GCH cash is $1,800 plus tax


Obviously if you used the points at DVC you can get some nice one bedrooms and such during the sun-thurs time and thus get a better bang for your points. But if you are going to California anyway and you don't need the points that year or need to bank them for something in the next year, it certainly doesn't look like a waste to me.

 

[CarolMN]

Many people value their points at the price for which they can rent them. If you use $11/point, 95 points would have a value of $1045. That's still a good deal compared to the DLH rack rate of $1400 plus tax.

DVC recently lowered the points required for the DL resorts - believe it was done as part of the 50th birthday celebration. If they return to the prior structure and rate of increase in 2008, I don't think using points at the DL resorts will continue to be a reasonable use. But that is JMHO. YMMV.

I used points this past March to stay at the DLH (23 per night) and thought it a good value for us at that time.

 

[aclov]

I used points a couple of years ago to stay at the Grand Californian. For me it was the convenience and not having to pay cash for my stay. So it was worth it for me.

 

[ACDSNY]

I've used points for DLH and GC. For me it's worth it. Every year it gets harder and harder to find great rates for these hotels.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have used points for the GCH and will be doing it again for the DLH this June. For us its worth it. All three of the DLR hotels have really gone up in price, AP rates are incredilbly hard to come by and they sell out frequently which just drives the cash price up even more. Its not for everyone, partly because many people feel Disneyland in general can't compare to WDW value wise given it only has the two parks. But if you are going to Disneyland and want to stay onsite, points right now are a better "deal" than paying cash. Another thing to consider is that when you use points you are not charged the typical daily resort fee which is around $12 a day or tax which in So. Cal is pretty high. That can add up over a week to some more savings. They are really pushing DVC in Disneyland right now. It went from a zero presence to a very big presence. It really looks like they are going to build a DVC resort at DL so until that happens I would imagine and hope that the low points at the three current hotels will continue. If they don't there will be some mighty unhappy people who bought into DVC in California for use at Disneyland based upon current point values.

 

[Longhairbear]

We used points in a holding account for 3 stays at DLR. As we needed to use them up before they expired, I went all out and got overnights, and a weekend at all three hotels at concierge, or theme park view levels. It was alot of fun.

 

[senecabeach]

Certainly "if" I had extra pts. I would probably use them.
...but..IMHO:
The DL area is soooo easily walkable, by "ALL" the nearby hotels in the area. I would sooner stay off-prop.
I have stayed @ the Marriott R.I., comp breakfast and evening fare, which had shuttle (free) service to DL ...and most other hotels do too.

 

[darner]

your thoughts are correct about larger accomodations at DVC properties @ WDW, but i fully agree w/ your thoughts on using points at DLR...
we have ressies for March'07 @ DL as part of a longer trip out west so it'll be nice not having the hotel expense for that portion of the trip...
plus we had a few point expiring in June'07 that will now be put to good use.

** there are ticket specials for spring 2007 -- Adults pay Kids prices on hopper passes...

 

[shellbelle1971]

Certainly "if" I had extra pts. I would probably use them.
...but..IMHO:
The DL area is soooo easily walkable, by "ALL" the nearby hotels in the area. I would sooner stay off-prop.
I have stayed @ the Marriott R.I., comp breakfast and evening fare, which had shuttle (free) service to DL ...and most other hotels do too.

Ditto what senecabeach said...especially about the Residence Inn. We love our DVC for WDW. For CA it doesn't make as much sense to us. It may make sense for your situation, though.

 

[rinkwide]

...if you are going to California anyway and you don't need the points that year or need to bank them for something in the next year, it certainly doesn't look like a waste to me.

Sure, but if you're the poor sap buying into DVC to stay at the DLR...

 

[TwingleMum]

Certainly "if" I had extra pts. I would probably use them.
...but..IMHO:
The DL area is soooo easily walkable, by "ALL" the nearby hotels in the area. I would sooner stay off-prop.
I have stayed @ the Marriott R.I., comp breakfast and evening fare, which had shuttle (free) service to DL ...and most other hotels do too.

I had a different take, sure I could stay off property but living in NY I probably won't go to DL for many,many years again so I wanted to experience the DLRs. I also thought using points was worth it for us ~ and I echo Amy&Dan's points that you have to also factor paying no resort fees or tax on the room. Over the 8 days we're staying that certainly adds up. Plus I felt that it didn't cost me anything except my maintenance fees because I didn't buy DVC to be a rental agent its for our exclusive use so the $10 or $11 a point wasn't a big factor. But even using those figures I saved quite a bit of money over paying cash.

 

[wdw4life]

I haven't used points @ DLR yet but will be next year. I plan on staying @ the GC for two nights for the CHOC Walk. I was going to just pay cash but it will be cheaper on points even with the Annual Pass discount.