Using Points for a Hotel Stay

[ImTempest]

Okay, heading everyone off at the pass - yes, I know, that's not the best use of points. However, my husband had a question I couldn't answer, so I thought I would ask. Here goes:

We are currently purchasing on the resale market. We are planning on adding some points direct from Disney, not right away but eventually. My husband has a very erratic work schedule and we occasionally find ourselves at the Disneyland Resort on a day's notice, very glad we were able to make that happen, but sometimes we would like to stay over. Is it possible to walk into the Grand Californian Villas and get a room at the last minute? Is there ever a time when they have an empty room in the Villas? I know that we could possibly get a room in one of the hotels, but I was curious about the Villas. Has anybody ever done this?

 

[supersnoop]

Okay, heading everyone off at the pass - yes, I know, that's not the best use of points. However, my husband had a question I couldn't answer, so I thought I would ask. Here goes:

We are currently purchasing on the resale market. We are planning on adding some points direct from Disney, not right away but eventually. My husband has a very erratic work schedule and we occasionally find ourselves at the Disneyland Resort on a day's notice, very glad we were able to make that happen, but sometimes we would like to stay over. Is it possible to walk into the Grand Californian Villas and get a room at the last minute? Is there ever a time when they have an empty room in the Villas? I know that we could possibly get a room in one of the hotels, but I was curious about the Villas. Has anybody ever done this?

For reservations within 10 days, you should call Member Services to see if they can book something for you. They can sometimes pull back empty rooms that would not otherwise be available for a points reservation. Otherwise, there's only one night available in a studio and one-bedroom for the next three months at VGC, so I wouldn't count on it. The folks at the front desk won't have any idea how to book a last minute points reservations.

 

[Dean]

Okay, heading everyone off at the pass - yes, I know, that's not the best use of points. However, my husband had a question I couldn't answer, so I thought I would ask. Here goes:

We are currently purchasing on the resale market. We are planning on adding some points direct from Disney, not right away but eventually. My husband has a very erratic work schedule and we occasionally find ourselves at the Disneyland Resort on a day's notice, very glad we were able to make that happen, but sometimes we would like to stay over. Is it possible to walk into the Grand Californian Villas and get a room at the last minute? Is there ever a time when they have an empty room in the Villas? I know that we could possibly get a room in one of the hotels, but I was curious about the Villas. Has anybody ever done this?

I'd say the chances of success are VERY low but it's never zero. If in that situation I'd call MS and ask or talk to the resort if MS was closed. Just don't get your hopes up.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The other thing you have to remember is the Rule of Four. If you are in the last four months of your UY, you can't book outside the DVC resorts for that same time period. So if you have a Sept UY and you want to book the Disneyland Resort (or any non-DVC Disney resort stay) next weekend and you are trying to book the stay today, you couldn't do it. But if you had a Feb UY and were trying to do the same, you could. Because you would be in the last four months of your UY in the first case, but not in the second.

 

[DebbieB]

The other thing you have to remember is the Rule of Four. If you are in the last four months of your UY, you can't book outside the DVC resorts for that same time period. So if you have a Sept UY and you want to book the Disneyland Resort (or any non-DVC Disney resort stay) next weekend and you are trying to book the stay today, you couldn't do it. But if you had a Feb UY and were trying to do the same, you could. Because you would be in the last four months of your UY in the first case, but not in the second.

Disneyland Hotels are exempt from the rule of four.

 

[disneynutz]

Disneyland Hotels are exempt from the rule of four.

Per the rules today but that could change tomorrow. DVC/Disney tends to change the rules to benefit themselves, not always the DVC owners.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

Per the rules today but that could change tomorrow. DVC/Disney tends to change the rules to benefit themselves, not always the DVC owners. Bill

That could be said about almost everything. Can only base discussion on current rules.

One reminder if buying resale now - you can't book Disney Collection (non DVC Disney rooms).

 

[Dean]

That could be said about almost everything. Can only base discussion on current rules. One reminder if buying resale now - you can't book Disney Collection (non DVC Disney rooms).

While you can say the same about most everything, you can divide the issues up between contractual and non contractual issues. It's one of the risks of owning, that things may change in a negative way actually I think it's a guarantee. However, this specific issues is a little different and higher risk I believe. It's an outlier in an area that's already changed negatively for the rest of the hotels. As to the reasonableness of consider current rules vs risk of changing, it'd vary with the situation. In the OP's case it's very pertinent since not only could it change, it could change and they could be unaware in a way that affected their choices as it applies to the DC though I think their main question was walking up to the VGC and getting a villa on the spot.

 

[judydvc]

We often use my DVC points at the Disneyland Hotels. Even though I have points at VGC it's hard to make reservations for a villa close to the time you want to go. I often make a reservation for 2 nights at the Disneyland. Hotel for a short trip. Even though this may change I think Disney likes having this benefit to encourage direct sales. When I bought it was more convenient to buy direct but if I ever add on (not that I'm planning this) I would buy resale.