Any Tips & Tricks for a 1st time DVC vacation???

[Shelby5514]

Heading to BCV for our first DVC vacation and wondered if anyone had any tip & tricks for a newbie. Are there any DVC "perks" that I should ask for or be on the lookout for. I need to get out my DVC info and start to look through it too, but I thought I'd ask the pro's!
Thanks!!

 

[athenna]

I second that! I am new also and would love any advice thrown my way.
(I love John Taylor, too!)

 

[loveswdw]

Keep your blue DVC member card handy for those DVC discounts! You'd be surprised how much 10% here and there can add up. If its still like our last trip, when you check in they'll give you a newsletter that has all the current perks listed. That comes in handy!

Have a great trip! We own at BCV and really liked it last trip!

loveswdw

 

[athenna]

Can you tell me when, normally, people receive those cards?

 

[nezy]

We love to take turns at the pools of other resorts.

For example, if we are at MK we take a pool break at GF or Poly. When at EPCOT or MGM we go to Boardwalk (Unless we are staying at BCV). This really breaks up the day especially if it is a hot one. We also skip park days and will just spend the day away--at another resort-do lunch and pools for example got to SSr for a day and then hop over to Downtown Disney for lunch or dinner. We don't get AP's so this is a way we really extend our parkhoppers.


Most of all TAKE TIME TO ENJOY!!
I don't do commando Disney since I know we will return again and again, so we really take our time to enjoy whatever it is we wre doing at the time!

 

[AFMom]

I recieved our membership cards pretty quickly after we closed ( within 2 weeks), but was told that if we didn't get them in time for our trip, that you can get temporary cards at the SSR sales office. I think the 10% would be worth the trip over to SSR, and you can pool hop and check out the resort while you're there.
Our first DVC (and WDW!) vacation was just a few months ago, and I purchased the "Unofficial Guide to WDW" before we went - it was great for deciding on restaurants, etc.
Oh! Take advantage of the free video/DVD rentals DVC members can get at the members' Clubhouses at the resorts. Also - the kids really had a great time at the Clubhouse just playing the day we checked in.
Have fun!

 

[poohj80]

When you check in, you'll receive a folder of information including a Portable Perks booklet. Take it with you EVERYWHERE! It lists all the discounts you receive with your DVC card so you don't have to remember them all.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Read the Perk Pages because not all of the perks are mentioned on the Portable Perks.

Bobbi

 

[Doug7856]

Read the Perk Pages because not all of the perks are mentioned on the Portable Perks.

Bobbi

Aslo, verify the discount before purchasing. The DVCMember.com web site indicates that there is discount at Artist's Pallet at SSR, but we were told on our recent trip that the discount is seasonal and we weren't in the right season. Although, even with the discount, a purchase at AP is questionable.

 

[athenna]

Thanks all for the advice. I think I may be confused, though as to when I am due to receive member cards. I have the paper temporary ones. They expire the first week in April , and I am taking my first DVC trip 4/17. I don't close until 3/31.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Call Member Services and inquire about your Blue DVC Cards.

If you are staying more than 5 days, prior to arrival, have the cab driver or limo driver take you to a Publix and buy water bottles, soda, chips and breakfast foods for your stay. Even if in a Studio, these items come in handy and will save you time and money. The General Store is good, but they run out of stuff quickly (we bought grape jam in hopes of having quick pb&j sandwiches as a snack). The GS was out of pb for two weeks. I know pack my own pb.

Don't over-pack. If you have a one bedroom, you will have a washer/dryer in your unit. We go away for 10 days and I bring 3 capris, pants, bottoms and 4 tops for each person and do a quick laundry every other day.

My advise is to bring two or three different types of sandals - so you do not get blisters from walking.

Take you time and do use the water transportation. It's fun and relaxing.

Do visit DD and make time for the pool or BB/TL. Make dinner ressies for each night you will be there. Even if you change plans, it's better to have a ressie than not.

Most of all, have a great time! You will have 50 years to accomplish everything.

 

[athenna]

So, I've signed all the paperwork and my loan has been approved and I have my paper temporary member cards. They expire 4/4, I'm going 4/17. When should I start to panic that I haven't received them? If I wait until I close, that's not enough time. My trip is 17 days after I close. Some times it's hard to tell from reading some other replies, because some people have said they received theirs right away, and some get them at the last minute. I guess I just get really nervous because it's the first ''big'' thing I've ever bought for myself and I don't want anythinbg to go wrong.

 

[Shelby5514]

So, I've signed all the paperwork and my loan has been approved and I have my paper temporary member cards..

We signed all the papers and stuff at the end of July and we don't close until June 05. We received our Permanent Blue cards last week. Hope this gives you somewhat of an idea of the turnaround time. I would call your guide and ask if you don't get anything by the end of Jan. That would give them all of Feb and March to get them to you before your April trip.

 

[dizneeluvr]

The most critical tip, and I can't believe it hasn't been addressed yet, is to begin saving and/or securing financing for your add on!

 

[athenna]

Thanks Shelby, that is what I wanted to know.

 

[rocketriter]

If you're staying at Boardwalk or BCV, make several dinner PS at the better Epcot restaurants. If your pass allows it you can go to any park you want during the morning and lunchtime, come back in the late afternoon for a nap or a swim, then walk over to Epcot for dinner. Best of all, after dinner and fireworks, while everyone else is trudging toward the bus lines, you can waltz back to your room in no time.