Welcome to planDisney, Edgar!
I'm so glad you've found your way here –– thanks for dropping by with a question today. Isn't Disney Vacation Club Membership just the best? Not only do we get to enjoy the magic of Disney vacations year after year, but because our Vacation Points offer tons of flexibility, we get to choose where, when, and what room will fit our families best for each visit. Since it sounds like you're thinking about using your DVC Points for a Disneyland Resort adventure, let me share a few details about your Membership booking options.
When it comes to The Happiest Place on Earth, there are plenty of great Disney Resort hotels to choose from. If you'd like to enjoy all the comforts of home in a Disney Vacation Club Villa, as a DVC Resort, you can book a stay at
The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa right from the
DVC website. If the Grand Californian is your Home Resort, you'll be able to make reservations 11 months from your check-in date –– otherwise, you'll be able to book your stay at the 7-month mark, just like any other DVC Resort.
In addition to the Grand Californian, you also have the option to use your Points at Disneyland's other hotels ––
Disneyland Hotel and
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel –– as part of a
Disney Collection Exchange. However, while you're welcome to view the Points Charts for this type of stay on the Disney Vacation Club website, because your Vacation Points must be converted into Reservation Points, you'll need to give Member Services a call at (800) 800-9800 to check availability and start the booking process. Unlike Disney Vacation Club Resorts, you don't have to wait until the 7-month booking window opens to book a Disney Collection Exchange, so I recommend booking these types of stays as early as possible, especially if you're planning to travel during the busy holiday season.
Since Disney Collection Exchange reservations work a little differently than booking a DVC stay, let me share a few details that you'll want to keep in mind as you book. Each exchange reservation is subject to a non-refundable $95 transaction fee due at the time your booking is confirmed (prices are subject to change) and most reservations are also subject to the
Rule of Four –– this means that you can't book during the last four months of your Use Year if you plan to travel during that same year. Most importantly, though, once your Vacation Points have been converted to Reservation Points, they can no longer be used to book DVC Resort reservations. This means that in the event your exchange reservation needs to be modified or canceled, any surplus Points wouldn't be eligible to use for stays at a Disney Vacation Club Resort. Don't worry, though –– your Points won't be lost. You'll still have the option to use those converted Reservation Points to book another Disney Collection Exchange before they expire at end of your Use Year.
Thanks for visiting planDisney, Edgar. I hope this helped to answer your question and I'm wishing you lots of pixie dust during your upcoming Disneyland Resort visit!
See Ya Real Soon,
Amy