Advice for 1st DVC stay!!!!

[bbn1122]

Hi everyone,

Our first DVC stay is less than 3 weeks away. We will be staying for the first time at our home resort BLT. Any advice, suggestions, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Somethings I have been wondering about is Check in at CR, last minute grocery items available at CR (what do they have), and I have not purchased my park tickets yet. I understand I can do this at check in. If I want to do it ahead of time do I do it online or call?

Thanks everyone inadvance for your help. We are so excited!!!

 

[bbn1122]

Anyone with any thoughts, help or advice???

I am very anxious about our first stay, so excuse my begging!!!

 

[Havana]

I haven't stayed at BLT yet, our first trip there will be in a few months.

May your first trip "home" be wonderful! Take time to enjoy the resort!
I will be anxious to hear what others write so that I can plan for May.

 

[dbs1228]

Hi everyone,

Our first DVC stay is less than 3 weeks away. We will be staying for the first time at our home resort BLT. Any advice, suggestions, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Somethings I have been wondering about is Check in at CR, last minute grocery items available at CR (what do they have), and I have not purchased my park tickets yet. I understand I can do this at check in. If I want to do it ahead of time do I do it online or call?

Thanks everyone inadvance for your help. We are so excited!!!

Have a great time!!! I love BLT we have stayed there twice and it is so convenient to MK! We found it was easier/faster to walk to the MK then to take the monorail. Some afternoons we would take monorail back since BLT is the 1st stop on the way home. We also took the monorail to Epcot and found it really easy and a really nice ride. Many say it takes longer then the bus but we never had a problem with it and prefer the monorail. Make sure you check out the fireworks and have a drink at TOWL. There is also the electric light boat parade on the Lake every evening.

As far as tickets go you may want to check out Undercover Tourist, they offer discounted tickets and will mail them to you free of charge. We saved money this way.(not a lot but a family of 5 we saved over 50.00)

Enjoy your stay, and if you have a chance take the boat over to VWL and the FT. and check out the area's it is beautiful.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

1) Check in is over at CR. You can go ahead and do Online Checkin if you want, although it didn't help us a ton as there was nobody working the online checkin desk when we got there (and the main desks were swamped with a Magical Express drop off right when we arrived).

2) The store (which is also over at CR) has a selection similar to what you might find at a convenience store. Limited, but if you are only looking for one or two things, it will work for you. You didn't say if you are renting a car or not. If you are, just hit up Publix on the way in. If you aren't renting a car, you can have groceries delivered from places like wegoshop, and there's another one mentioned on these boards. But I don't know, I've never used any grocery delivery. We rented a car and just hit up Publix on the way in.

3) Do visit Community Hall if you are travelling with kids. There are lots of fun art projects there. And a Nintendo Wii to play some games together.

4) You can watch WISHES from Top of the World lounge, but you can also watch it on the walk way between the Contemporary and BLT. Our family actually liked watching it from there better.

5) It's really cool having the monorail right there....but remember, the resort monorail runs clockwise. So the Magic Kingdom is the furthest stop from BLT. It's much easier to walk there.

6) Relax and enjoy yourself. You bought into DVC, so you're going to be going to WDW more than once, so if you miss a ride or attraction, don't sweat it.

7) If you have some down time, why not take a bus over to some of the other DVC resorts. Like AKV, Boardwalk, SSR, etc. We've only stayed at BLT (our home) and AKV. On our next trip down I think we're going to do a bit of scouting to see which of the other resorts we'd like to try out.

8) You didn't say if you are staying MK view or LV (or standard view for that matter). If you are staying Lake View and don't mind a view of the pool, request an odd numbered room. The laundry room of the units on the inside of the C (facing the pool and lake) is bigger.

 

[RLRDA]

Hi everyone,

Our first DVC stay is less than 3 weeks away. We will be staying for the first time at our home resort BLT. Any advice, suggestions, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Somethings I have been wondering about is Check in at CR, last minute grocery items available at CR (what do they have), and I have not purchased my park tickets yet. I understand I can do this at check in. If I want to do it ahead of time do I do it online or call?

Thanks everyone inadvance for your help. We are so excited!!!

We've only stayed at BLT once so far but I would definitely suggest that you make sure to try the TOTWL during your trip for some food/drinks and fireworks viewing!

There is a store in the CR (close to the BLT bridge) that sells the usual grocery items that the other resorts have: milk, bread, juice, cereals, frozen items, etc. If you're looking for more extensive offerings (and you don't have a car) there are stores that will deliver groceries to you. There's a link to an online grocery order form on the DVC Member site.

The check-in for BLT is indeed in the CR. We didn't have any problems or a long wait for our trip but it was right after BLT opened so the resort wasn't filled to capacity. Not sure how more recent guests have fared.

Enjoy your first trip!!

 

[quinnc19]

I just wanted to underscore what the PP have said about check in at CR - don't let the gate guards tell you otherwise!

 

[Greysword]

We used online check-in. When we arrived (by car) a bus arrived at the same time. We went up to the online check-in desk and someone came over quickly to assist; we didn't have to wait in the big line.

If you see any issues with the room, report it immediate to front desk. They will have someone fix/replace/whatever the damaged/broken/clogged item. Please don't wait until you leave, as you can make sure it gets done for the next guest and can enjoy the repair on your stay.

The Water Pagent (parade) comes late (about 10PM), and it is loud enough to be noticed in the rooms. Just wanted to warn you if you are thinking of sleeping and hear something musical outside.

If you overlook Bay Lake, you may be able to see the EPCOT fireworks in the distance, so bring binoculars if you have them. These are fun to look at the MK, too.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Walk to the Magic Kingdom..it's faster then taking the monorail!

If you look at my signature there's a tiny link to my Trip Report from last year. We started our stay at BLT if you want to check it out!

 

[GoofyJ]

Make sure to take time to enjoy the pool at BLT.

We would enjoy the park in the morning and the pool area in the afternoon.

There is a small slide for the little children and a larger slide for bigger kids and adults.

 

[a742246]

My advice is to take it easy. You don't have to rush to do anything. Whatever
you miss you will see next time. Enjoy all the little details that Disney provides. Enjoy, its only the beginning.

 

[bbn1122]

Thanks everyone for your advice. We can not wait. TOW is definitely on my to do list. I love our resorts location.

We have a dedicated 2bed LV. There will be 5 of us DH, me and 3 sons (17, 13 and 11). We are driving. I think I will bring some food items and then pick up a few things at CR. You may think I am funny, but I do not want to waste anytime going to a supermarket. I know once we hit the FL stateline, I will want to make a bee line for Disney.

The boys and me were at WDW in '08 and stayed at All Star Sports. DHubby has not be to the world since 2006. We bought into DVC when onboard our first DCL cruise last April. We have stayed at the Poly and WL in the past.

If anyone can think of anything else...I will be checking in.

We are also going in August before our 3 night DCL and we are staying 4 nights at Kidani in a 1 bedroom. This is going to be a FUN year!!!

 

[BBG-BLT]

We've stayed at the BLT 2 times now and here's my list for a first timer.

1) Relax - you'll be back. No need to kill yourself and your family trying to do everything at WDW - you won't be able to so relax. Take a day off and pool hop.

2) Yes - pool hop to the Poly. It has a great pool and the beach bar is fun. Hop to the GF. Hop all over

3) TOWL is fun for watching the fireworks - a different view (not better than in the parks) but a lot less crowded

4) Walk to MK - It's really that easy

5) Do on line check in (I keep forgetting) but those people who do seem very happy.

6) Get your food from Garden Grocer - there's some stuff at the CR but it is very limited and over priced (I know you're shocked that it may be over priced but it is )

7) Watch a movie on the beach at least once.

 

[AnnaS]

My advice is to take it easy. You don't have to rush to do anything. Whatever
you miss you will see next time. Enjoy all the little details that Disney provides. Enjoy, its only the beginning.

I agree 100% with this.

Your first DVC - regardless of where you are staying - Relax and enjoy! You will be back. Enjoy BLT, it's view and all it has to offer. You will soon realize WDW is not all about the parks.

Observe, absorb and most of all create some wonderful memories.

 

[rutgers1]

Other people said it, but from my experience during my first DVC trip, the best part was hanging around the resort and just soaking everything up. For whatever reason, we enjoyed the "We don't have to go to the parks if we don't want to" feeling. I felt like I was looking at a Disney vacation through a new set of eyes. Walking to a park was also a similar situation, giving me this "insiders" feeling as though I truly "owned" the place.

Enjoy!!!!!

 

[The 6 J's]

a couple more thoughts - make fun of me if you want but it took me a few trips up and down to get the idea that the walkway is on the 4th floor on the CR side but on the 5th floor on the BLT side, and that the access to the monorail is a separate elevator (with a stroller, escalator without) from the 4th floor at the CR. For a newbie at the CR it was all a little confusing at first.

Also, regarding the TOTW, try to get up there during the day for a look around in the daylight. It's pretty cool. Just go to the DVC desk in the BLT lobby and tell them its your first time and you'd like to see the view.

 

[JaneSparrow]

Was last month at VGC. And we didn't know that these will be provided:
1. Kitchen pack has dishwasher soap for 1 load and small bottle of Dish soap - more than enough for our 3 night stay
2. Laundry pack has 1 box each of tide powder and bounce sheet. I needed another set so I just bought them from the laundry room dispenser for a $1. Still cheaper than buying the smallest containers fr the stores.
I didn't expect all of these. One of the cabinet doors has a list of items you can order and their prices.

They also have the usual toiletries and coffee pack but we didn't like them.

I was surprised to see a vacuum cleaner and wondered if we're supposed to clean before we leave - lol - we didn't. However, we did wash all of the dishes we used and took out the trash. Not sure if we're supposed to do that but wasn't a big deal for us.

I know this is not BLT but they probably do the same for all DVC resorts

 

[bbn1122]

Walk to the Magic Kingdom..it's faster then taking the monorail!

If you look at my signature there's a tiny link to my Trip Report from last year. We started our stay at BLT if you want to check it out!

I just read your whole trip report. It funny we are going to BLT in less than 3 weeks and then we will be at Kidani in August before our cruise. So, your report was perfect for us.

Question? What is the tronorail? Is that the monorail to Epcot or is this a connecting rail?

Rope Drop is this for guest of WDW resorts only and what time for MK? I have ADR at Liberty Tree our first full day and would love to do the rope drop. Also, do understand it correctly, you come into MK and the rope drop at each land?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I just read your whole trip report. It funny we are going to BLT in less than 3 weeks and then we will be at Kidani in August before our cruise. So, your report was perfect for us.

Question? What is the tronorail? Is that the monorail to Epcot or is this a connecting rail?

Rope Drop is this for guest of WDW resorts only and what time for MK? I have ADR at Liberty Tree our first full day and would love to do the rope drop. Also, do understand it correctly, you come into MK and the rope drop at each land?

Thanks again for all your help.

Tronorail is the Monorail that has been painted up for the movie Tron. It looks like one of the light cycles. If you google tronorail you can see pictures.

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

Here's something else to consider... There is a company called Owner's Locker in the area... What they provide, for a small fee, is a sizeable, sturdy bin that will be delivered to your resort when you arrive and picked up when you leave... While you're away from the World, your stuff is stored in a climate controlled warehouse...

We keep toiletries, coffee, sunscreen, mouse ears, extra laundry detergent, advil, a wireless router, refillable resort mugs etc. in there... We don't have to bring it with us or haul it home... This can be especially helpful when you fly... It could lighten the load or cut out a suitcase entirely...

It's not a service that might appeal to everyone, but we find it very useful... It leaves us more space on the Black Pearl for gold and rum...