Advice: where should we take our first DVC trip

[JMC]

Hey DVCers,

We just joined and can take our first trip in August. We were originally thinking of visiting HHI in August then visiting our home resort of SSR for the first time in Janurary (we really enjoy the lack of crowds).

But of course we're now only on the waitlist for HHI for the 2nd week in August for a studio.

Questions for experienced and other new DVCers:

How likely is it that we'll make it off the wait list at HHI? If its highly unlikely we'll just book an SSR trip during that time, and actually visit WDW at a time when the parks don't close at 8pm. (then probably head back again in Jan.)

Ought we to visit our home resort first?

We were thinking of staying in a one bedroom our first time at SSR, so we could really get the full ammenities of a DVC stay. Do people feel that when they stay in studios (its just the 2 of us) that they're getting a full DVC experience (i.e. feeling that we're not just staying in a nicer hotel, but in a real vacation home-like experience."

AND last question: When do DVCers feel they most use the kitchen ammenities of a one bedroom unit: during the summer months or during the slower winter months (i.e. Jan, Feb)

Thanks for any and all advice.

Its great to finally be posting to this board as a member.

 

[salvatorejrm]

First off CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME HOME!!!! We just got back from our first DVC trip. We own at Vero but we went to Old Key West. We just loved the resort. We are a family of six so we stayed in a 2 bedroom. We had a canal view room it was so relaxing. It was super to have the kitchen we used it for breakfast everyday. We ate dinner out everynight as DW would not stand for cooking dinner. The room was huge plenty of room to spread out. We also like January there was no crowds at the parks it was great. It was a little cool though but thats the chance you take in January. We also visited Saratoga my parents stayed there in a 1 bedroom. The resort is fantastic the rooms are a little smaller than the ones at OKW but the decor is beautiful. The pool area is very nice. The view of DTD is great. It will be fantastic when it is completed. We are going to do a add on there. I didn't think I was going to like it but it was great. The only thing it is lacking is a sit down restaurant. I guess they feel being that close to DTD why bother but it would be nice to have a small restaurant on site. Good Luck and Enjoy the Magic!!!

 

[RumpleMom]

We have found that we use the kitchen every day for breakfast no matter what time of year we travel.

Also as the kids became teenagers we got a later start every day, so the kitchen is perfect for Mom and Dad to eat and set off, meeting up with the teenagers later in the day. They were able to get their own breakfast, which was more like 11ish.

 

[ErinC]

Welcome Home!

I think I would want to see my home resort ASAP. But August will be hot, not that HH won't be. Summer is really hard to get at HH, so I'm not sure about your chances on the waitlist. Others will have to chime in and tell you about their experiences. As for you accomodations, if it were me I would do the studio with only 2 people. I guess it depends on what kind of vacation you want. If you are planning on spending lots of time in the room than I might do the 1 bedroom. I don't have a ton of points, so I know I would do the studio. I don't cook anything on vacation that I couldn't "nuke" in the microwave of a studio. We generally eat breakfast in, and snack, so the studio works fine for us. Laundry is easily accomplished while swimming (usually the laundry is close by the pools), so not much of an issue there. Hope this helps, best of luck with your reservations!

 

[Tigger031266]

Welcome home!!

Its always a gamble on those waiting lists but usually you get what you asked for. A few tips on waiting lists:

1 They usually open 30 days before (because people get locked in at that point)
2 If you break the waitlist request into days instead of the week it makes it easier to get days. In other words have seperate requests for each day. If you want to go Monday-Friday, they may already have Mon- Wed available, book that and wait list for Thu and Fri. The odds are much more likely that someone may cancel those two days. If you wait, someone else can take your Mon- Wed. Hope that makes sense.

The kitchens are nice but not at all necisarry. Studios have mics and fridges. The thing that I miss the most in studios is the washer and dryers. The rooms are just as magical. Do the laundry when you go swimming (usually the free washers and dryers are by the swimming pools). If its just two people the studios are a perfect fit.

Have fun SSR is a great resort. and Welcome Home! You will love the nieghbors 80

 

[dyingtodisney]

We've made two trips as Dvc members and stayed in a studio both times (4 of us). To me it felt nothing like a hotel room. That being said I didn't "know what I was missing" as I have yet to stay in a 1 or 2 bdr. (I'll let you know after our 2 bbdr stay in March)

I would conserve points and stay in a studio, but I only have 260 to work with .

hope this helps! and WELCOME HOME!!!!!