Using Points for DL

[pilgrimr]

I don't know if this is the right place and I could not find any previous threads so forgive me if there is. We are DVC owners and looking to use our points next spring at one of the Disneyland Resorts. I don't think we would use them for GCV but maybe at the GC rooms. Has anyone done that before. How long do you have to wait to book and could you do it at short notice too? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

We are visiting DLR - GCH Conceirge - Garden view 6/15 to 6/19. I booked the last week of March.

IMO, there are a lot of people who stay offsite...the DLR hotels are very expensive, there are tons of offsite hotels at a fraction of the DLR cost. I would think last minute availability would be there.

Remember - if you use your points at DLR and then subsequently cancel, then they will remain DLR points and may only be used at DLR.

 

[chalee94]

I don't think we would use them for GCV but maybe at the GC rooms.

keep in mind when the GCV opens, the GC rooms will most likely no longer be available on points.

 

[DopeyDave]

I've also used points for GC Concierge rooms. We had some points we had to "use or lose," so we booked concierge to use them up. Being on the east coast, we made a vacation of Palm Springs and Disneyland. This was the first time I ever stayed in concierge, it was amazing. We were greeted as we pulled up to the porte cachere and walked up to the concierge floor and checked in at desks where we had seats to sit at. No standing in line at a counter. We felt like royalty. Not to mention all the snacks and beverages in the lounge!! Anyway... Chalee does make a good point that the rooms may become unavailable as 'trades' once the DVC portion opens.

 

[La2kw]

We rarely use our points at Disneyland for a couple of reasons.
1. We go do Disneyland about every other month.
2. There are tons of hotel rooms within walking distance that are much cheaper.

We will use points for a special occasion, but even the DVC units are going to be expensive points wise.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

We are using our developer points for GCH - CONCIERGE. Otherwise, I agree...I would have saved my points for WDW and stayed in one of the million around the park.

 

[pilgrimr]

Thanks everyone for your input. It has given me alot to think about. It is a lot easier at wdw to use points for the many dvc resorts. Our thinking is we are not going to wdw in 2010 so we can use points and not have to spend anything hotel, but if we can get a great rate on one the hotels there. Like I said it is easier at WDW to make those decisions. Thanks again.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

What about booking your point to the next year...or are they use it or lose it points?

 

[pilgrimr]

What about booking your point to the next year...or are they use it or lose it points?

We have the option of banking them for next year and get getting a bigger room for when we go to wdw in 2011. We only do one trip a year.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

That is what I would do...book and get a bigger room in 2011. You should visit the DL board. People get really cheap hotels around there. Plus it is nothing like being off site at WDW. About the only thing you miss out on is early entry into DL, but you can go to DL on non early entry days.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I would totally use pts at GCH(if possible) or GCV. It may be a lot of pts, but I'd rather spend them there than use a larger room at WDW the following year. It's true that there are a ton of hotel rooms to be had around DL. I may not choose to stay at DLH or PPH because they're not really even closer than some other hotels. But, the convenience and atmosphere of GCH along with early entry every day makes it completely worth it to me!

We used pts at GCH last October and it was great! (We had 2 little kids and it was especially nice to be sooo close to go back for naps and change of clothes when necessary too. And the pool of course.)

 

[SoCalKDG]

Offsite runs $100 - $150 when you factor in taxes and other costs. That gives you a Hotel similar to Pop Century but without the theming set along a very busy Harbor Blvd.

You can book a studio for 15-17 points at the VGC 8 months out of the year Sunday - Friday.

If you value your points at $7-8 per point, that only $128. Even at $10 you are talking $160. Thats for the Grand Californian that runs $400 a night, gives you direct access to DTD, DCA, and 5 minutes to DL. Combined with early entry, theming, the pools, restaurants, etc., its a slam dunk, a no brainer. Use your points at VGC if you can get a room.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you said you don't want to stay at Grand Cal villas, to give you an idea...

The '09 points for part of spring and our stay next week, for DLH concierge, are 39 points per night Sunday through Thursday (64/night Fri and Sat). The "cheapest" it's been or will be this year, at DLH, is 20 points per night Sun-Thurs in a standard view room.

We're using developer points for it, b/c they expired before we would be able to get to WDW (otherwise we would go for it there).


If you look around carefully you can find really good offsite motels (most are motels, a few are hotels) at DLR in walking distance. HoJo is one of the few really close hotels, and if you can get it during their special Entertainment Rate times, it's as low as 59/night plus taxes. Free parking. Walking distance. If you walk the correct side of the street, you can hear the music from Disneyland. You can see the fireworks from the parking lot and hear the music. Not the way I'd PLAN to see the fireworks, but it's fun if you happen to be there.

We had little interest in staying at Grand Cal villas, so we didn't buy those points, b/c at DLR we're happy with all sorts of places around there. And you can get them for far under 150. Heck, we got the Hilton in December for 60 (though they charge for parking and it's a bit of a walk).


If you don't particularly want the bigger room or longer stay during a WDW year, and you want to check it out at a Disneyland hotel, go for it. Some think that the ability to stay at DLH and PPH on points *without the $95 fee* will go away after Grand Cal villas open up...who knows?

 

[Halle]

We're staying in and Artisan suite at the GC in August. There are room types available that aren't listed in the DVC handbook. I too think that they may stop letting us use our points at the DL hotels, that's why we're going this summer.

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed at PP twice last year. For late April, it was 20 points a night for park view, Sun to Thurs nights. I didn't think that was bad. I stayed at a Homewood Suites previously and loved being able to walk to the parks from PP. Nothing beats this view: