Originally Posted By SafariRob My family is planning a trip to DLR in January. We have not been since 2011. We are seriously considering saying on property. We never have. I want to know if it's really worth it and why. I am having a very hard time justifying the cost. We are a family of seven. Kids ages are (or will be by then) 14, 10, 7, 6, 3 1/2. When I try to book online, they always have a five person limit. When you choose more people than that, you have to call to book...which means a suite or two rooms, right? You can always fib on the number of people (not that I encourage that), but since it's DLR and we will probably be hanging around the hotel more often than usual, there really is not way to hide the amount of people in our room. If we stay on property, we will have to bite the bullet and pay whatever it costs for seven people. 1. Is it worth the money to stay on property? 2. Which hotel is best for a family of seven? 3. There is such a price difference between the three hotels. Are DL Hotel and the Grand Californian worth the extra money? 4. Does Disney check the amount of people in your room and penalize you if they find more people than the room allows? Thanks for your help and advice.
Originally Posted By 73baloo SafariRob - I have stayed at all 3 but DH is my favorite as well as my kids and grandkids. One of my granddaughters calls it the Disney House. GCH is a nice hotel but missing the Disney Magic. DH has all the Disney Magic everywhere. Rooms are larger than anywhere else. You guys would like the 2 bedroom suite plus they also have 2 connecting rooms that also have it where you. An have 1 doorway for the 2 rooms. PPH is nice but just not the magic. Does have great views overlooking DCA. I would recommend using Mouse Fan Travel. Same price as going through Disney Company but they answer all your questions, make reservations and so on. Ask for Becky Breiland and say Debe sent you. Have fun.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I've stayed at PP and DLH (pre re-model). I loved both actually. But to be honest, I doubt I'll ever be able to justify that expense again. We're just not at the hotels to really get enough bang for our buck. I love being onsite, and keeping the whole atmosphere going even into the hotel, but when it's hundreds if not THOUSANDS more than a standard hotel, I have to ask myself why I'm spending the money. The rooms themselves are nice, but not crazy nice. The pools/restaurants are obviously amazing, but given that you can access at least the restaurants when you stay off site, that doesn't make it enough of a plus to justify the added cost. You should look into renting DVC points for a larger GCH room that would fit your entire family. I've checked into it and it's usually MUCH more affordable than paying direct though Disney. Especially in January at an off season time.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub To keep legal Disney must regulate hotel occupancy for fire code regulations... and in the past it was easier to sneak extra guests into a room. I think it would be difficult to utilize the early morning entry without each guest showing a room key card. I am thinking you might be able to get away with this if you do not register your youngest child and specifically request the 2 bed/with fold-out couch available at the Paradise Pier. I have stayed at all 3 resorts. My first choice would be the Paradise Pier. I think the rooms are larger and brighter decor. I also like that you only have one building of rooms to navigate. The Grand Californian and the DH are huge with long hallways. It is also much easier to grab a quick breakfast item at their small quick service lobby restaurant and a bedtime snack upon return in the evening. Don't get me wrong I love the lobbies and pools of all the resorts but in January the pool probably won't be your top priority. I think a conversation has been explored about the frustrations of booking 2 rooms because Disney will never guarantee they are adjoining with door. Makes it very frustrating for a family. Good luck with your trip planning. Hope this helps.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub P.S. Just read CC's suggestion for Dvc rental. A great site to get your questions answered would be <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mouseowners.com">http://www.mouseowners.com</a> They are extremely honest and reliable about answering all of your questions about this. Warning it does take a lot of time to navigate all the ins and outs of DVC Rentals. And the DVC at the Grand Californian is extremely small compared to the many choices at WDW. A rental is probably going to be difficult. It is hard to get a room for the DVC member/owners!!!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I think Roadtrip told me before you can use your DVC points to book rooms at the DLH and PP hotels if you are a certain level of DVC member, so that may be an option.
Originally Posted By SafariRob This is great feedback. I have a lot to think about. Thanks. How do you rent points? I'm only vaguely familiar with DVC. I know you pay an annual fee for a certain amount of points a year. I'm assuming an owner would sell you some of their points?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I've stayed at both the DLH and PP. DLH is without a doubt my sentimental favorite... especially before they got rid of the waterfalls and Koi ponds during the remodel. But I actually prefer the PP. Larger rooms, easier to navigate, and closer to Downtown Disney and the Parks. We had a room on an upper floor overlooking DCA. The view was absolutely gorgeous. If you can save money at the PP I would go for it. As for renting DVC points, it is possible but I doubt you woud be able to get a GCH reservation at the time you want. It is even hard for DVC members to book there unless it is your home resort. You could use DVC points to stay at the other hotels, but it would take way more points than at a DVC property. You would probably be just as well off paying the standard rate.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I guess a good place to start would be <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dvcbyrequest.com">http://www.dvcbyrequest.com</a> It is a company that buys points and then makes your DVC reservation. This site answers a lot of questions since they have a price calculator, rental process, FAQ. You need to know your arrival date and depart date and names and birthdates of every guest, I think. I know there are a few other sites that offer points for sale but I would be very cautious. Just because you buy points does not guarantee availability or a confirmed reservation. And the Grand Californian is one of the hardest DVC resorts to book even for members that have the GC as their "DVC Home" giving them a priority booking window of 11 months versus 7 months for a non-home resort location. For example on Davids Vacation Club Rental site the first week in January: Studio sleeps 4 144 points 1 Bedr Villa sleeps 5 271 points 2 Bedr Villa sleeps 9 394 points. The last time I checked I think he rented points at $15 per point and there might be a registration fee. Do you have your specific dates set? I could check points charts for you but can not check availability until the 7 month window opens since it is not my home resort.
Originally Posted By SafariRob Possibly 1/10-14 or 1/11-15. Four nights, three days at the parks. Something like that.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip You do have to be VERY CAREFUL when renting points. My daughter has done it several times without problems, but once had her money taken without the reservation ever being made. Only a member can book a reservation, so you are relying on them to do what they say they will do. Disney was really no help in the matter. They viewed it (justifiably) as a transaction between two individuals. Outside of expressing sympathy, they would not get involved.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance If you rent from like <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dvcrequest.com/">http://www.dvcrequest.com/</a> I think they offer guarantee to ensure that doesn't happen, they check out the people selling points or something. But you'd want to check on the site for sure.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance January 11 for four nights would cost $952 for a studio, or $1736 for one bedroom, or $2576 for two bedroom. It's $14 per point on that site. But of course, it's probably hard to get reservation. I had someone offer to rent me their points for October, but there wasn't any rooms at this time.
Originally Posted By ecdc I am a shameless Grand Californian Hotel apologist. Stayed there a few times and have had fantastic experiences. It's a nice hotel and the location trumps all, for our family. The Disneyland Hotel maybe has a touch more "Disney" in the decor, but otherwise, Grand Californian wins. Personally, I wouldn't give Paradise Pier a second glance. It's not a bad hotel, but for the walk involved and the Disney premium cost, you might as well stay at HoJo's for less. Just my 2 cents. Is GCH "worth it?" Worth it for these hotels is completely in the eye of the beholder. People complain about on-property hotels because of the expense, and I suppose I can see why since less expensive hotels are available on Harbor and Katella. But Disney hotels follow the same principle of most any hotel: location, location, location. If I go to Washington, DC, I can stay right next to the National Mall for several hundred dollars a night, or I can stay in Virginia or Maryland for less and take the Metro into town. Disney's the same deal, perhaps just more in micro. There are people here who think I'm nuts cause I stay at GCH (I know because they aren't shy about telling me) but I guarantee you they spend money on stuff that I wouldn't dream of wasting my cash on. It's all about what you value and what's important to you. I've stayed on property and off, and I've determined it's worth it to me to pay the extra cost. I'm not rich and definitely don't have money to burn, it's just that I value staying at the GCH.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh The nice thing about staying in a DVC unit when you are there for a week is you have a kitchen, so you can eat breakfast and lunch or dinner in the room and save some money. My family really enjoys going in January and spending a week hanging out at the parks and in our DVC unit, but younger kids might like the DL or PP better. Back in the late 90's, we had a cricket in our room in the old oriental garden. Disney offered us an upgrade next time we came, so we got a suite in the Bonita tower (the one closest to the PP) and let each of the kids invite a friend. The suite was really nice and spacious. Ultimately, whether it's worth it depends on how much you can afford and how important staying close is to you.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "Back in the late 90's, we had a cricket in our room in the old oriental garden" Was it Jiminy? "January 11 for four nights would cost $952 for a studio, or $1736 for one bedroom, or $2576 for two bedroom. It's $14 per point on that site. " That sounds crazy! A all inclusive Mexico vacation I am looking into for two is around $2500 and that's with airfare. I cant imagine paying the same for four nights at a hotel. I really wish Disney hotels were more affordable for everyone.I feel bad that people wanting to stay there have to pay such high fee's.
Originally Posted By tashajilek It would be great if one day there would a moderate or even a value Disney hotel. I guess this will never happen.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Did the cricket make noise all night??? Lol I can't stop laughing at the thought.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance If I had the money, I'd stay at one of the Disney hotels in a heart beat, but since I don't it's nice knowing that the hotels on Harbor are just as close or closer than the PP, DLH, and depending which park you're going to and where your room is, even the GCH.
