using points to stay at Disneyland (CA)

[dannyb]

My family is planning a west coast trip next summer. We are considering using some of our VB points to spend a night or two at one of the DL resorts. Anybody have experience doing that? Any suggestions?

Many thanks

 

[JimC]

The GC is their best resort. It is very well themed, on par with AKL and WL at WDW. It has its own entrance into DCA. Get an upgraded view of DCA or DD. The DD view may also give you a room side view of the DL fireworks.

The number of points are high, so get a quote for cash from DU to compare to the points. DL is very slow in releasing new room rates and are just as slow in negotiating with DVC. While WDW 2005 rates are already known, DL could still be deliberating into October.

Have fun!

 

[senecabeach]

Have you ever been to DL??
If you check out the DL map and the surrounding area, you will find numerous other hotels within walking distance of Disney.
Its not at all huge.
I would stay at one of the local hotels...much cheaper!
Save your points where you need them most...WDW!!

Whatever you decide...have a great time!!

 

[dcfromva]

dannyb,
I don't know how the points will fall out next year, but this year they worked out great in my case.
I think it pays to calculate your costs both ways. Sometimes, Disney offers some really great cash rates. But cash is not always automatically the best bargin.

For my upcoming trip, the cost of the room is 29 points per night (Grand Californian Sunday thru Thurs night) for a standard view.

The best cash rate my sister could find for the same time frame was $244.00 per night (AP discount) for the same room. When you are evaluating the costs, you need to add a $7.00 per night resort fee (which is included with points) and 15% tax. This brought the cost up to $287.60.

Even if I rented my points, I figure at $10.00 per point is $290.00 per night minus any expenses incurred as the result of renting and minus whatever the income taxes would be on the gain ( I have no idea how to figure that out )

The other interesting thing was my sister could not get availablity on all her dates using cash, but I was able to book the same room using points which tells me they might have separate inventories.

If I go by my out of pocket expenses, I figure at $6.00 per point X 29 points puts the price at $174.00 per night--and this would include the price of taxes and resort fee. It is great not having to come up with the money for resort accomodations all at one time. I obtained my sister's room on points and she is paying for our weekend accomodations, so it really worked out sweet for us.

-DC

 

[wintergreen]

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, concierge level, in April on points, and really enjoyed it. The rooms were quite large, and the view of the fireworks from the Concierge lounge was wonderful. The Grand Californian also looked great. We thought it was well worth the number of points required.

 

[ceejay13]

We love the GC and have had 5 stays there, one on points. It just depends on how you want to use your points. We have had some big WDW trips the last 3 years and have used up most of our points so have paid cash. You certainly can stay cheaper at many of the surrounding hotels, but like WDW for us staying at a DL resort is part of the magic. We have also stayed several times at the DLH, and it is very nice also. My heart is with the GC as it is right in the middle of the magic, DCA on one side and DD on the other.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

We just returned from a one night stay at the GC tonight. We loved it. It was 29 points, maybe not the best use of points but well worth it for us. BOoked the morning we left as it was very last minute. If you do go and have kids do the scavenger hunt. My kids loved it. Access to CA is the best, the pool is fun and the rooms are rather large. The only down side is the lack of a refrig etc.

Have a great trip.

There are also many other good hotels walking distance to to DL. Check with AAA if you go this route.