Would you use your points for a Disneyland stay?

[Inkmahm]

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.

Exactly! Much to my surprise, we are staying 4 nights at the GCH next August for 128 points rather than $1,700. That's standard view room. I thought for sure cash would be cheaper but it wasn't. It makes a difference though if you're there for weekend nights as points are much higher for weekends but the $ cost is the same each night of the week, no differential for weekend nights.

 

[Inkmahm]

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.

Great info, thanks!!! I never thought of discounted A/P tickets. Does it work the same as WDW where you get a voucher that you turn in for an actual AP ticket when you get there?

 

[Caskbill]

Great info, thanks!!! I never thought of discounted A/P tickets. Does it work the same as WDW where you get a voucher that you turn in for an actual AP ticket when you get there?

Don't know about a voucher. You might find something on the DL website or maybe the DVC website. 2008 prices are probably a little higher. I forget what the regular ticket prices were, but seem to think it only took 4 or 5 days stay before the shorter AP became cheaper than regular passes.

 

[JimC]

We have stayed at GC on points and cash. Used points only when it was better deal than any available discounted cash rate. That was a rare situation and before the exchange fees. Probably would not use points now. But it may work for others.

We bought our DL APs through an authorized ticket broker who has really good prices on APs and other multi-day tickets.

 

[CraftyMouse]

We have stayed at GC on points and cash. Used points only when it was better deal than any available discounted cash rate. That was a rare situation and before the exchange fees. Probably would not use points now. But it may work for others.

There is currently no exchange fee for the DL hotels. Speculation is that, once the GCV open, DL will follow DVC history meaning we won't be able to use points for the GC hotel rooms and there will be an exchange fee to stay at the other two resorts.

 

[smsnorthup]

I think it is worth it. Last June, we rented points (we were out of our own points) at $10 pp and stayed 2 nights at GC. The going rate everywhere I checked was $400 and up per night. I spent 30 points per night for a total of $300 per night...not cheap but I don't know when we'll be back there and it was only for 2 nights. GC is a beautiful hotel, I just wish we had more time there.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm from Florida, and bought DVC for the exact purpose of staying and enjoying being on-site, it does heighten the experience, IMO.

Because we've been to Disney here, so many times, I wouldn't go to Disneyland in CA, but if I was from Canada and visiting CA and Disneyland, I most certainly would stay on-site.

Unless you are planning a big family reunion where you would need to bank points for the following year, then I would use your points.

Either or, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I love California!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Because we've been to Disney here, so many times, I wouldn't go to Disneyland in CA, but if I was from Canada and visiting CA and Disneyland, I most certainly would stay on-site.

Disney World and the Disneyland Resort are like night and day. Definitely think about visiting DL someday. It's a completely different experience! Rides that you are so used to will seem brand new again (most of them are different in DL) and Disneyland itself has such a different feel to the Magic Kingdom. My WDW-regular kids had the widest eyes on the Tower of Terror when things didn't happen as expected!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It's a completely different experience! Rides that you are so used to will seem brand new again (most of them are different in DL) and Disneyland itself has such a different feel to the Magic Kingdom. !

Good to know, thanks!

 

[dvcdisney]

Disney World and the Disneyland Resort are like night and day. Definitely think about visiting DL someday. It's a completely different experience! Rides that you are so used to will seem brand new again (most of them are different in DL) and Disneyland itself has such a different feel to the Magic Kingdom. My WDW-regular kids had the widest eyes on the Tower of Terror when things didn't happen as expected!

That's what we were hoping when we decided to plan a trip to Disneyland. A few people told us that we would be disappointed because we had gone to WDW so often, that two parks would be a let down. I thought it would be new and great experience since not all rides are the same. I'm looking forward to our trip. I'm also looking forward to having the two parks within walking distance to each other so we can park hop all day without having to take a bus.

The last time I was there, it was only Disneyland. So I'm really looking forward to experiencing the other park.

I just can't wait until they build GCV!

 

[CraftyMouse]

That's what we were hoping when we decided to plan a trip to Disneyland. A few people told us that we would be disappointed because we had gone to WDW so often, that two parks would be a let down. I thought it would be new and great experience since not all rides are the same. I'm looking forward to our trip. I'm also looking forward to having the two parks within walking distance to each other so we can park hop all day without having to take a bus.

The last time I was there, it was only Disneyland. So I'm really looking forward to experiencing the other park.

I just can't wait until they build GCV!

Just off the top of my head...
Pirates (vastly different)
Splash
Pooh
The Jungle Cruise
The Treehouse (Tarzan-themed in DL)
Tom Sawyer Island (pirate-themed section)
Buzz
Peter Pan
Splash Mountain
The Tower of Terror
and
Big Thunder

...all are different at DL. In addition they have Indiana Jones (PHENOMENAL!), the Matterhorn, the Nemo Submarine Voyage, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, the Alice ride, California Screamin', the fantastic Animation building and the Monster's Inc. ride. Plus there are the Haunted Mansion (Oct.-Dec.) and Small World (Nov./Dec.) holiday versions.

I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. We have been to WDW countless times (and I even used to work there) and DL is like a breath of fresh air. We actually prefer DL (the park itself) to WDW's MK.

Have a great trip!

 

[TiszBear]

I just saw this post and had to laugh. My home resort is the BWV and I am planning a family vacation to DL in 2010. I will be on a 2 week vacation visiting family in New Mexico and decided to change the plans, one week in New Mexico and one week in California at DL. Since I won't be using my points in 2009 I figure hey this is the perfect time.

Now all i have to do is decided where I want to stay.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Yes, we've booked DLR hotels twice this year and we're going to booking again for 2010.

For only 160+ points per week, this is not a bad deal. DLR hotels are easy to book on DVC points and don't invoke the $75 fee that most Disney Collection bookings do.

We won't stay offsite as the DLR hotels are lovely, convenient and have great character dining options. You lose the magic by staying offsite. We love the walk from the hotels through Downtown Disney to the Esplanade to the Parks' gates - it really is the most beautiful Downtown Disney I've seen (comparing it to WDW's and DLRP's).

 

[CraftyMouse]

For only 160+ points per week, this is not a bad deal. DLR hotels are easy to book on DVC points and don't invoke the $75 fee that most Disney Collection bookings do.

The fee is actually $95 now and it will probably be charged for stays at the Disneyland hotels once the GCV open. Also, if history repeats itself, once the GCV open members will probably not be able to book regular hotel rooms there. This is they way it is at other DVC resorts that are part hotel (BCV, BWV, WLV, AKV).

 

[bangzoom6877]

I haven't read through this whole thread, but I would personally save the points and use them in 2010 for a bigger trip or accommodation, or rent the points out and use the cash toward the DLand vacation.

We are about to get our membership number for our new BWV ownership!! We bought 150 points and are not using them until July 2010. We will bank the current 41 points left for 2008 (as soon as I get the membership number, should be next week!), and rent them along with some of 2009's points. (Yes, I have been doing my homework on how to rent out your points, don't worry! ). We were originally planning on a smaller summer vacation in 2009 and a big Disney vacation in July 2010, and that is exactly what we are doing. My parents and sister are most likely coming with us for a part of our 2010 trip and we will have enough points for all of us after banking a certain amount of 2009's points, and borrowing some of 2011's (going to WDW every other year). So Summer 2009 we are planning to go to Hershey, PA (staying in Lancaster County), and use the cash from renting out points (hopefully we will be able to rent them out) to pay for part of our trip. That's exactly what we would have done if we had planned a DLand trip in 2009. I looked at the points charts for the hotels there and it is way too much, in my opinion.

We intend to use our points only at DVC resorts, and particularly are in love with BWV so we chose to buy there so that we can stay there vacation after vacation.

 

[Tozzie]

I haven't read through this whole thread, but I would personally save the points and use them in 2010 for a bigger trip or accommodation, or rent the points out and use the cash toward the DLand vacation.

. That's exactly what we would have done if we had planned a DLand trip in 2009. I looked at the points charts for the hotels there and it is way too much, in my opinion.

We intend to use our points only at DVC resorts, and particularly are in love with BWV so we chose to buy there so that we can stay there vacation after vacation.

The points charts might seem like a lot but compared to what a cash reservation would cost at the Grand Californian points are a better option than cash. I am staying there for a week in June for 166 points , I checked what the room would cost if I booked cash and I would need to rent those points out for at least $14.00 per point to pay for the room, add that to the hassle of renting points and using points at DL, at least at the Grand Californian is the best value.

 

[ACDSNY]

We probably use half of our points at DL resorts. We seldom even find AP rates for the DL resort hotels cheaper than what our points costs. The Grand is our favorite, then Disneyland Hotel.

 

[CraftyMouse]

The points charts might seem like a lot but compared to what a cash reservation would cost at the Grand Californian points are a better option than cash.

Exacty. In addition, while many DVC members choose to use their points only at DVC resorts there are many of us who enjoy the flexibility of going other places with our membership as well. We have used II, booked a cruise on DCL and visited DL with our points. While some of them were, technically, not as good a value as using them in DVC properties or renting them out, we don't feel like we lost anything as we still came out well ahead of the cash price.

 

[ACDSNY]

In addition, while many DVC members choose to use their points only at DVC resorts there are many of us who enjoy the flexibility of going other places with our membership as well.

That's why we purchased DVC instead of any other timeshare...the flexibility!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The fee is actually $95 now and it will probably be charged for stays at the Disneyland hotels once the GCV open. Also, if history repeats itself, once the GCV open members will probably not be able to book regular hotel rooms there. This is they way it is at other DVC resorts that are part hotel (BCV, BWV, WLV, AKV).

I'm pretty sure there is no $95 fee for staying at the Disneyland Resorts. I checked the 2008/2009 point chart.