Using Points for DL hotel ..

[geffric]

We have decided to venture from our tradional WDW trip this year and go to DL instead. Is booking the DL hotel with points a good use of points or am I better off renting/transfering my points and paying cash for the hotels..

Am I better off staying at another property than the DL hotels since this is very different than WDW where being on property is very important.

How do I figure this out? Also do we as DVC get any discounts in CA?

Thanks

 

[poohj80]

We are also planning a DL vacation this year but plan to just pay for it instead of using points. The points are very high (comparable to using them for a non DVC resort at WDW) and we already have over half our points committed to Dec 2005 at WDW.

As for staying on site, we don't get to DL as often as I used to (native SoCal) so we are going all out and staying at the Grand Californian. Why skimp on what could be a once in a decade trip?

PJ

 

[jel0511]

Will you get more value by renting your points, sure, but it won't be as easy. We're booked at the Grand Californian and Hotel Del Coronado on points before our DCL West Coast sailing. Could I have done better by renting my points, sure. But, it's working out to about $8.50 per point in value by booking through DVC, so not worth it for me to rent myself. It all depends on what you feel the value is. We are going on a cruise next summer and do intend on renting out points to help pay for that next summer, but that's because DVC's value on DCL vacations is horrible.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Have used points twice for stays at the Grand Californian! I personally love the hotel and would definitely stay there again. I loved the location, adjacent to Downtown Disney, and a separate entrance directly in California Adventure. Next time I will splurge for the DD view, however. Lots of action to view and enjoy from the room there.

 

[palmtreegirl]

We're using our points for DL next year! I thought about using cash but it was pretty expensive and we bought the points to enjoy them so we're using them, I don't really care if it's a "good value" or not, it's going to be so much fun! LOL.

 

[bubbasmom99]

The points are "okay" if you use them on weekdays, but extremely high on weekends, which is when we'd normally use them... so we usually rent out our points and pay for the DL Hotel in cash.

Being on property at DL is not as significant as it is at WDW, but we still prefer to when we can afford to. It is about being more immersed in the MAGIC We've stayed at the Grand Cal and the DL Hotel and prefer the DL Hotel, upper floor Sierra Tower with a Downtown Disney view. (and since the points are more for the preferred room/view, we definitely lean toward renting out the points and paying cash!)

 

[domestic goddess]

You may want to check on this but our vacation club guide told us that the reason that the points are so high at DL hotels is because they include your tickets to the parks. If that is the case, it doesn't seem to be so expensive. I think that he said it was up to four tickets per room.

 

[jel0511]

You may want to check on this but our vacation club guide told us that the reason that the points are so high at DL hotels is because they include your tickets to the parks. If that is the case, it doesn't seem to be so expensive. I think that he said it was up to four tickets per room.

I believe the DL hotels DO NOT include tickets, it's the Disneyland Paris rooms that include tickets.

 

[OKWPA]

I just used points to reserve 5 nights for Jun 25-30 (1 weekend night) at Paradise Pier Hotel with a room overlookig California Adventure for 175 points. It may sound expensive but that is why I purchased the points, to stay at quality places with a view, and I don't have the hassle of trying to sell points to pay for the trip. I have no idea what the room would cost but I plan to go check and see. It is nice just to call MS and everything is taken care of for you. I traded for the Grand Californian a couple of years ago and it was great. About 5-6 years ago I trade for the Disneyland Hotel.

Good luck with you choice but you should reserve soon since things will get booked early due to the celebration and I am sure they only hold so many rooms for DVC.

Dale

 

[DisneyWatchMan]

We are also using points for the GC from June 26 to June 30 with a DTD view. There is no difference in points for the weekends, however, I think that the points are higher in July. As others have stated, using points for a DVC resort are the best use of our points, but, rather than hassle with renting them and paying cash, I bought the points to use for my vacations. Have a great trip and enjoy the GC, it's worth it!

 

[JimC]

Will you get more value by renting your points, sure, but it won't be as easy. We're booked at the Grand Californian and Hotel Del Coronado on points before our DCL West Coast sailing. Could I have done better by renting my points, sure. But, it's working out to about $8.50 per point in value by booking through DVC, so not worth it for me to rent myself. It all depends on what you feel the value is. We are going on a cruise next summer and do intend on renting out points to help pay for that next summer, but that's because DVC's value on DCL vacations is horrible.

We are staying at the Grand Californian in September on points and reached the same conclusion. We could do better if we rented the points and paid cash, but not by enough to make it worthwhile. There are not many "great deals" at DL this year.

 

[geffric]

Thanks for your help.. I am going call MS and book Grande CA on points .. or is DL better?? Hmm...

Thanks.. and if anyone is going to be at DL week of July 4... wanna DIS Meet?

 

[jel0511]

Thanks for your help.. I am going call MS and book Grande CA on points .. or is DL better?? Hmm...

Thanks.. and if anyone is going to be at DL week of July 4... wanna DIS Meet?

We'll be there July 2 - 5 and then back for the night of the 8th, before our Magic cruise!!! We'll be at Grand Californian Concierge July 2 - 5 and Disneyland Hotel for the night of the 8th. We'll have to talk about a meet!!!