Would you use your points for a Disneyland stay?

[nluvwithmickey]

I have recently bought a 150 point contract through re-sale and have started planning our 2009 and 2010 vacations

Before buying into DVC, we had planned a DLand vacation (plane tickets bought so there's no turning back). We had planned on staying at an offsite hotel close to the parks. This is supposed to be our only Disney vacation planned for 2009. So I am looking at what I could do with my 2009 points. Would you use them to stay at a Disneyland resort hotel or bank them and plan a bigger vacation for 2010?

I have seen the Disneyland Hotel pictures and they are very pretty. This may well be our only DL visit so I was wondering if staying there would make the vacation even more memorable since I could use my points for the very first time on our ''first'' DL vacation. I'm itching to use those points but I want it to be worth it....

 

[RevBob]

Yes, we just bought at SSR in May and since we had two trips planned to Disneyland, one this Nov and one at the end of June next year in conjunction with business trips, we are using our points that we banked to stay at the Disneyland Hotel in Nov and the Grand Califorian Hotel in June. It was a no brainer because with these two trips we would not be able to get back down to WDW until sometime in 2010, so it made sense to use our points for DL, and right now until they get the DVC built out there, there isn't the $95 fee for doing so. Go for it, and have a great time.

 

[dvcdisney]

In our situation, we would only consider using our points for the Grand Californian when it becomes a DVC resort. At this point, I think the point usage for any Disney Resort outside of DVC resorts is too costly.

 

[RevBob]

In our situation, we would only consider using our points for the Grand Californian when it becomes a DVC resort. At this point, I think the point usage for any Disney Resort outside of DVC resorts is too costly.

Actually, depending on the time of year and the type of room, if you use the figure of $10 a point, which is what most points rent for, by using points you will save considerable over the rack rate of a room. Especially, since they don't currently charge the extra $95 to do this. For example: For our stay at the Grand Califorian for next June, it is costing us 132 points. The same room lists on the disneyland web site for that time period of around $1700. The savings might vary, and this may not be typical if you consider finding specials etc. But if you have a trip allready planned, and the DVC isn't finished yet, it is worth checking whether it would pay to use points rather than paying cash.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I just back last night from a trip using points at DL. All I could get was one night at Grand Cal standard view, and 3 nights at DL Hotel.

GET THIS! When I checked in at DL Hotel, THEY UPGRADED US TO A SUITE!! We were put in a room with a living room with pull out couch, bar with stools, sink, 1/2 bathroom, and a second room with a king bed and full bath. I said, I feel liked I have been DREAMED!

I thought it was a good deal for the points, for us.

 

[CraftyMouse]

We just used points to stay at Disneyland. We stayed 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel and 1 at Paradise Pier. We had a fabulous time and really enjoyed both resorts but preferred the Disneyland Hotel. It's just got that Disneyland feel to it, you know? There's pixie dust on the wallpaper (literally...and it glows in the dark!), early sketches of Disneyland on the furniture and lots of hidden Mickeys (and Minnies, Donalds, etc.). The pool has a Neverland theme and the park is just a hop, skip and jump away.

The Grand Californian is also very nice, but we get the same feel from the Wilderness Lodge at WDW so we go with the DLH when at Disneyland. The points are higher at the GC and the rooms smaller so we just feel that the DLH is the best use of your points on the west coast.

 

[dvcdisney]

Actually, depending on the time of year and the type of room, if you use the figure of $10 a point, which is what most points rent for, by using points you will save considerable over the rack rate of a room. Especially, since they don't currently charge the extra $95 to do this. For example: For our stay at the Grand Califorian for next June, it is costing us 132 points. The same room lists on the disneyland web site for that time period of around $1700. The savings might vary, and this may not be typical if you consider finding specials etc. But if you have a trip allready planned, and the DVC isn't finished yet, it is worth checking whether it would pay to use points rather than paying cash.

Definitely. It does depend on the season. A year ago, I was planning out a Disneyland vacation to Grand Californian. The number of points we would have used in March for 14 nights for a standard room was 542 pts. When I checked for quotes from different online travel companies, I was able to get a quote of a little over $4000. At this point, the savings would have been around $1000 (if we convert the 542pts to $5420). So in this case, cash would be the better choice for us. Actually, to be honest since we were planning to visit other theme parks in California, we were going to just stay offsite. There are quite a few great hotels for $250/night (just not in walking distance to Disneyland).

At this point, I think I'll just wait until the DVC portion has been completed. Hopefully, the point use chart will be more affordable.

 

[eva]

We stayed on points at the GC back in 2005 over DL's big anniversary. It was a wonderful hotel. It was just DH and I. So we got a king standard room. But we were upgraded to a park view with a balcony and a really nice sitting area. I think all the king rooms have a couch and sitting area. Kind of like a studio through a DVC resort, but with a king bed. I'm not sure what the doubles are like. This resort was absolutely wonderful. It was so cool to walk out the resort right into one of the parks. Napa Rose was one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten out. The lounge was great and there were plenty of activites for adults and children. The robes were so great, I had to buy a couple. Have a great trip!

 

[simzac]

We plan to go to DL once GCV is open and we can get a reservation at 7 months.

 

[Marciern22]

YAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
I'm sooooo glad you are coming!!! You will love it here!! In Sept I went to WDW, but I have spent the last 3 yrs worth of points (300-400/yr) staying at DLR hotels!!!! I love it here soo much!!!!
I've stayed at all 3. I got lucky and got a suite upgrade at GC and PP. I've stayed with a DTD view at GC. Not worth it. The walk to get to your room from the lobby is very long. I love the garden view the most cuz the new Mark VII Monorail (IT IS SO COOL LOOKING!) goes thru the middle of the garden.
I've had pool view and regular at DLH. The pool can get very noisy, especially since you are surrounding by buildings on all sides. At DLH, there are these awesome waterfalls that you can walk down to that make great backdrops for pictures.
I reeeeeealllllllllly hope you have a great stay and tell EVERYONE!!!!!
Let me know when you will be here and we can meet up.

 

[Marciern22]

I stayed at WLV and SSR in Sept. I can see where the GC and WL are similar, but to me, there are very different too. I'm probably just biased.

 

[Kaylesaunt]

We stayed at the GC back in 2003 using points. We booked a park view but I wasn't impressed with it (very far back from CA, looking over a service area). Room was also very small. The pool was O.K. (our home resort is BWV, I like the pool there better - the one at GC isn't very themed and gets crowded very quickly). The front desk service varied; was good at check in but was very slow when I had to visit is at subsequent times during our visit. I'd say the best thing about the property is location - it has a direct entrance right into CA and is right next to Downtown Disney.

 

[Caskbill]

We've stayed at all of the DL hotels, on points. The GC is obviously the best.

Please note that you will be eligible for some DVC perks at DL. When we were there last, you had to be staying on site, and had to show both your DL hotel key, In-House charge card, and your DVC membership card. So be sure to take your membership card with you.

You should be able to get the perks booklet at any of the DVC kiosks.

Looking at my book from last year, just about every restaurant there, including the parks, DD, and the hotels, had a 10% discount. There were also a number of stores at DD where you also got a 10% discount.

You can also get a DVC discount on DL annual passes. Depending on how long you'll be staying, the AP may be a better deal than regular tickets. They have a 315 day AP as well as a 365 day AP. Check the blackout dates for the 315 day AP. If you're not traveling during those dates, it may be the best ticket deal for you. I know last year, the DVC member price for the 315 day AP was $219.

As mentioned the GC has a direct entrance into the California Adventure theme park. Note however that any DL resort guest can use that entrance. It is not solely for GC guests. If you are staying at the DL resort for instance, and going to California Adventure, just take a short cut through the GC and take the direct entrance into the park. This will avoid all the lines at the front gates. You'll need to show your resort room key to use the GC gate.

 

[SusieBea]

We went to DL for the first and probably only time in May and used points to stay at the GC. I would do it again in a heartbeat. You'll find DL is so different from WDW - you can easily walk to DTD and to both parks. It's a totally different experience and it was enhanced by that fact that we could walk everywhere, never needed to get into a car.

 

[Tozzie]

I just booked a room for June at the GCH using a combination of Developer points and my points, the room would have cost me $2300 for the week in cash ended up using 166 points, if I were to try to rent those points I would have to rent for $14.00 per point to get the money to pay for the room. I think the DVC points were the way to go

 

[Laneychris]

We booked a stay at the GCH using Developer points and some regular points for June 2009. I think it is a good use of points. I can't wait for June!

 

[DVC Mike]

We booked a May 2009 trip at GCH on points. We felt it didn't cost all that much, point-wise.

 

[disneymayz]

This year we did the DL trip for the first time and we used our points. Since we knew we were not going to get back there for many years we decided that we wanted to see all hotels. We are a family of 4. We started out spending 2 nights at DLH then 1 night at GC and finishing it off with 2 nights at PP. I would get up early and check into the next hotel. Then luggage services took our bags over to the next hotel. This was our way to get to experiance all the Disney Hotels. Also ask if there are any comp upgrades available at check in. We did this and got DD view at DLH.

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed at PP in late April, 20 points per night for DCA view (Sun to Thurs), loved it. Also did GCH for a Friday night in June, that was 39 points I think, really awesome. I'm doing a 3 day trip in early December, I wanted GCH but they only had PP.

 

[SunnieRN]

You will love Disneyland! I lived in northern CA all my life until a couple of years ago and have been to disneyland about 45 times. I just went to WDW for the first time a couple of weeks ago.
The difference is that at Disneyland you can walk to both parks and downtown disney easily! I have stayed on-site, at the disneyland hotel and the Grand Californian, and stayed off site numerous times and at numerous hotels.
Some of the hotels across the street are actually a shorter walk to the park turnstiles than the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier hotel.
The other nice thing about Disneyland is that you only have to make dining reservations 60 days out. Definately try napa rose as it is excellent. My favorite thing there is to try two appetizers and desert, in place of a meal as I get to experience more tastes that way!! Love it!! If you are celebrating a birthday it is a great place to eat! They give you a little box of truffles as a birthday gift!!
Also be sure to try the restaurant called Blue Bayou. Go for lunch as it is much cheaper! It is located IN the pirates of the carribean ride and the tables overlook the boats as you load and unload. Dark and romantic, just plain fun (even though the food isn't all that great).
You will enjoy it either way, on site or off site. Now that I have been to both disneyland and wdw I can say, disneyland feels more intimate and it is very compact, easy to tour. CA adventure which is really put down a lot by many people, is really a lot of fun! No it's not disneyland...but it is still a LOT of fun and has CA soarin and TofT!
Also it is nice that you can see both parks and enjoy everything in about 4 days. Less if you commando tour!!
Have a great time!!!