Using Points for Disneyland

[VMS]

We are planning a trip out West next year right after Christmas. We were thinking of using our points for one of the DL hotels for one or two nights. Have any of you done this? What are the thoughts on the differences of the three hotels? Also, when can I book this using points? Will we even be able to get the week after Christmas? We are 2 adults and 3 children, no one is three or under. What are the room options for our family size?

Thanks.

 

[SusieBea]

I can't answer very many of your questions other than to say I made reservations using points in early August for at stay in May, 2008 at the Grand Californian. We've booked two rooms for myself, DH, and adult DD. Good luck.

 

[Laurabearz]

DLH allows 5 per room... not sure about the other two.

We are making our second trip to Disneyland and the DLHotel this coming June on points. (can't wait for GCV!!)

I am pretty sure you can make reservations 11 months out. And also, for now, there is not $95 fee to book at the DLH (not sure about the other two sorry)

 

[alexandmaddie]

I just called MS yesterday to ask about this.

All 3 allow 5 in a room as long as only 4 out of the 5 people in the room are adults. The Grand Californian has a room with a queen bed, a set of bunk beds and a trundle bed, not sure how the other hotels are set up.

She did say there wasn't a $95.00 fee "at this time".

Krista

 

[utahkennedys]

We used points this past year at DLH. I chose DLH because dd5 loves Peter Pan and I knew she'd love that theme and especially the Neverland Pool. Next time we'll try GC for sure, better location. I felt like it was a longer walk back to DLH than to HoJo's -- but we did enjoy the DLH a lot. We are spoiled by DVC 2BR villas though so staying in one ROOM was hard!!!

 

[ACDSNY]

I've used points for all three, it just depends on how many points I have left to use. I prefer the GC or DLH. The walk back at the end of the day just seems so long to PP when you're tired.

 

[DBorges]

We went there April of this year loved it loved it loved it >>>>>>>>>>

We stay in the club level It was outstanding ..

Did I say we loved it !!

 

[Kupiecb]

We traveled to DL in March and stayed at the Grand Californian on Points. It was expensive but so worth it. Our room was a downtown Disney room and our balcony overlooked downtown, we were 3 floors up so everyday we just people watched and had a great time! The hotel has an entrance right into California Adventure! No lines, no waiting just exit the hotel and you are right in the park. This hotel has it all and it is beautiful. I cant wait until the Club builds the DVC villas!

 

[Snookies]

We just completed a trip and did this exact thing. We added 2 nights on points to a package stay at the Grand Californian Hotel right after Christmas. In the past 3 years, we've stayed at DLH twice and the GCH on this last trip. IMO, there is more magic at DLH, but GCH is more convenient for both Disneyland and Cal Adventure. I booked on points in mid-August for 2 nights at the end of the 1st week in January. However, I booked at that time because DL did not begin accepting reservations for January until around this time. If your dates are in late December, I recommend calling MS and asking whether you can book them now. BTW, I've never stayed at PP, but having now stayed at GCH, we'll never stay anywhere else when staying on property at DL.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DLR hotels are the exception to the rule for the $95 transfer fee. There isn't any for them. But, if you use your points to make a DLR hotel reservation, they can no longer be used to make a reservation at at DVC resort if you have to cancel. You would only be able to use them for another date at DLR, WDW non-DVC hotels, other trades or the DCL.

 

[Laurabearz]

Very good point Deb and/or Bill

Like they used to say on the old Wheel of Fortune... Once you buy a prize it's yours to keep...

Once you use your points at DLR hotels (or any NON DVC resort WDW hotels) those points can not ever be used to stay in a WDW property... AND if you can't get back to DLR to use them, and want to use them at WDW, there will be a $95 charge.

I also suspect once they start selling GCV, the $95 fee will be collected for DLR hotels too.

OH OH AND.. (the last AND I promise hehe) once the Grand Calfornia villas open... you most likely will NOT be able to stay at the non DVC section of the hotel on POINTS... At least that is how it has worked for BC, BWI and AKL... GCV may be different since there will only be 50 2 bedroom equivalnts there... but my gut tells me we wont be able to stay at the GC once DVC opens there...

Soooooooooo if you really want to try the GC, and dont want to have to fight at the 7 month window to book there (and it will be a fight) now would be your chance...

With all that said... we find the Disneyland Hotel to be our hotel of choice when heading there on points. The pool is wonderful, the grounds are wonderful, walk to parks not bad, rooms nicely themed and larger than the other two...

 

[Lexxiefern]

I used points to stay at the GC this past sept. We loved it! Can't wait until they have one bedrooms to book! It was nice that the parking charge (is there a parking charge?) is included for points and so is internet access.

 

[drag n' fly]

With three kids you will probably want to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. Great pool lots of themeing. We (five of us in a bunkbed room) stayed at the GC in November. Very nice with direct access to DD. I am not really fond of PP. It looks like a Holiday Inn to me.

 

[Laurabearz]

Oh I wanted to add... You can book one and two bedrooms at the hotels, but you have to call member services to get the point totals

 

[rangermom]

We went in November and stayed at the DLH. We chose the DLH because I felt after researching it that it would have more of the Disney magic. We loved it. I am not sure how soon you can book. I booked our stay in September. Enjoy your trip.