1st stay OKW as DVC - newbie

[cnids00]

What is the differences between staying at a resort as a DVC-member versus staying at a resort as a regular paying guest? I've read about the house/mousekeeping part, that they clean every 4 days? So we don't leave mousekeeping tip every day?

Sorry if this sounds silly but I have no clue on what the differences really are as I've never used DVC before.

Do you bring all your dry groceries and /or order groceries for delivery to the resort?

What are the pros/cons comparing it to booking and staying in a room the "regular" way vs staying as a DVC member?

ANY advice or information would be SO appreciated!

Thanks!!!!

 

[Chuck S]

No daily housekeeping is probably the biggest difference. On day 4 you will get fresh towels and they will take out the trash, if you are staying 8 days or more you will get a full housekeeping on day 4.

Tipping is not required, as housekeeping is not officially considered a "tipped" position by Disney, but most guests do leave one (at least we always try to remember to do so.)

Local phone calls will be slightly cheaper (35 cents vs. 75 cents) other than that, there really should not be any differences in service or quality of room.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just remember you are part of a timeshare, and most timeshares are set up as "vacation homes". You don't say what size unit you are staying in. If you are in a 1,2, or 3 bedroom unit, you will get the most benefit from the true "timeshare" experience. If you are in a studio, it won't be a lot different than a hotel room with a kitchenette. I mention this because thinking of it as your vacation home helps most folks understand the housekeeping thing. I don't have a maid at home, and I prefer not to have maids I don't know rummaging around my "home" when I am on vacation either. I have a full laundry in the unit, a full kitchen and all the comforts of home EXCEPT maid service, and I don't know about you, but I certainly don't have that at home. It's no big deal for me to make the bed when I get out of it, just as I do at home. You can even choose to NOT make the bed if that is what you are used to. OKW 2 bedroom units are large, so if you are a messy family, perhaps you will need more cleaning than most, but I doubt it.

We usually plan how much we will be eating in the villa, and shop for groceries accordingly. We usually rent a car for the first couple of days and the last day. Besides giving us grocery stops and airport transportation, it is handy for going to dining reservations at other resorts after park hours.

The villas will have extra trash bags at the bottom of each recepticle in the room, so taking your own trash down to the trash room is no big deal either. We usually do it as we leave for the parks in the morning. For towels and laundry, we often throw them in the washer on our way out the door, and in the dryer when we come back for a midday break.

Pool towels are available at the pools, but are to be left in the dirty towel recepticles there. They are different from the room towels.

Don't forget to bring some of the kitchen staples that you might not think of like salt and pepper and cooking spices.

 

[cnids00]

Thanks for the info, we're staying in the 1 bedroom villa and we will be flying in, we're not renting a car so ordering on-line for delivery would be our option.

I take it, it is like otherwise, you don't know where you'll end up until you check-in? Same thing, am I correct?

Thanks again

 

[byoung]

You will love it at OKW, have a great vacation.