best tips

[mickeyworld]

Although I am a seasoned Diser, this is my FIRST trip as a DVC member. WHat are the best tips you have for check-in, does it matter what time?, what to bring- I usually hit Walmart that first day- and what are the best perks for my membership, ones that you make a note to take advantage of? I am SO excited... I have cruised 4 times and visited so many times I have lsot count but as a member, this is my first !!!! all comments and ideas are welcome!!!! WE are staying at WLV and AKL~

 

[manntra]

 

[dianeschlicht]

Tips would be specific to which resort you are checking into. If you are checking in on a Sunday, that is THE busiest check in day, so be prepared for long check in lines at the larger DVC resorts. With a Sunday check-in, do it as early as possible, but don't expect to get into your room until after 4:00, since that is the official check-in time.

We like to arrive around noon, check in, and then head to a park and call the number until they tell us our unit is ready for occupancy. Then we head over to Publix and do our grocery run before we head over to unpack in the unit. That way we can be free to head to the parks again by dinner time.

If it's your first time at a particular resort, you might want to take that check-in day to get to know the resort and do some exploring. Especially if you are are at OKW, SSR or AKV! These are 3 that are spread out and/or have lots of interesting things to observe and locate. VWL, BCV, and BWV are a bit more contained, but will have some exploring to do too.

 

[RLRDA]

Although I am a seasoned Diser, this is my FIRST trip as a DVC member. WHat are the best tips you have for check-in, does it matter what time?, what to bring- I usually hit Walmart that first day- and what are the best perks for my membership, ones that you make a note to take advantage of? I am SO excited... I have cruised 4 times and visited so many times I have lsot count but as a member, this is my first !!!! all comments and ideas are welcome!!!! WE are staying at WLV and AKL~

Congratulations and to DVC! I am not a seasoned DVC veteran so I'm not full of tips. I believe Boma, Mara and Jiko at AKV give discounts to members as well as other restaurants throughout WDW. There's an up to date listing of perks/discounts on the member site. If you're staying in a 1BR or larger (washer/dryer) you'll probably want to pick up extra laundry products as they only provide a starter pack of detergent. I never thought I'd enjoy doing laundry on vacation but it's nice to return home with suitcases full of clean clothes I'm sure others will have more tips to share! Enjoy your first DVC visit!!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Congratulations and WELCOME HOME!!!

Last year, we went to Daytona in the summer and took our first trip home as DVC members. You will love it! Anyway...we had reservations at BWV. My parents dropped us off (as they were flying home that day out of MCO) around 7:15 AM. We didn't know if we could check in, but got a room right away (we had no preference - just a 1-BR villa that we reserved). There were 3 people in the lobby when we got there.

We went to our room, waited on our luggage and decided to go to MK that day. About 8:30, we went downstairs to hop a bus, and the lobby was packed! In a little over an hour, the place filled up and people were now waiting on their rooms. It was unbelievable!

Not sure what you're staying in (villa, studio), but if you're staying in a villa, you'll have pretty much everything you need to start, with the exception of food. We end up bringing (or buying) laundry detergent and bring some dishwashing powder. The rooms have a starter kit, but it's nice to be able to run the dishwasher or run as many loads of laundry as I want to while we're there. The pool areas have towels, so what was in our room worked out just fine for us (DH, DS (12), DD (5) and me!).

Enjoy your first stay! Ours was VERY special to us. It was just our family and we had such a good time!