DVC perks we enjoyed on our recent trip

[dbond]

We just got back from 6 wonderful nights at OKW. This was our first DVC trip in the heat of the summer. We've been members since 1997 but have always planned our trips in the fall, spring or winter breaks. We're Texans and know how hot it can really get this time of year so we've always been afraid that the heat & the crowds of summer would put a damper on our trips. We loved the summer & July 4th so much in FL, we might make July 4th an annual thing for our family.

I thought I would share a few of the DVC perks we enjoyed on this trip. First, we booked an Aqua Seas Tour at Epcot in the Living Seas Aquarium and received a 15% DVC discount. The tour is priced at $100, DVC members pay $85. If you like to snorkel and are fascinated by the ocean and fish, I highly recommend this opportunity. We hope to do it again, we enjoyed it so much.

DVC members get $4 off at Disney Quest, $27/adults. They also gave us a free 5 pt card for the pay as you go games and a 10% discount at the Cheesecake Factory Express counter service.

Tuesday is Member Day at the DVC resorts. Unfortunately, since Tuesday was our departure day, we missed the Member Day evening events, but we stopped by the the Conch Flats General Store at OKW on our way out and got a Member Day pin. They also had t-shirts & hats that have the Member Day logo. They only display the Member Day merchandise on Tuesday.

The Conch Flats General Store had new, (or new to us) DVC logo merchandise. DH got a polo shirt with the DVC logo on the chest and on one sleeve it says Members are Magical and the other has the OKW insignia. I bought a t-shirt with a small logo on the front and a large logo on the back that says Members are Magical under the DVC logo.

We had an awesome trip, in addition to the above, we rode Mission Space, saw the Mars Rover lift off from Cape Canaveral, walked the path from OKW to DTD (Thanks Caskbill for your excellent directions), saw the July 4th fireworks in the MK, an awesome display! In a month I can book again for next year!

 

[Credit Man]

Sounds like you had a "magical" trip. Thanks for posting.

 

[JudithM]

Thanks for sharing your positive post about DVC perks. I know the CMs who get us these perks work hard to find them for members.

 

[natt]

Sounds like you had a great time! Sounds encouraging if you want to make that an annual time of year. But you didn't really mention - just how crowded was it??? Did you spend time "doing" the parks, or did you concentrate on other areas? Natt

 

[dbond]

We spent as much time in the parks as we usually do, probably more since it was a peak time and the parks are open so late. It was crowded, I won't deny it, but, even with the crowds we were able to ride everything we wanted to ride and do everything we usually do, just at a slower, more thoughtful pace. We couldn't do our usual commando style of racing around the park, we were forced to take our time, be happy with riding a ride once instead of multiple times, we used our Fast Passes wisely and stayed late. At MK we used the time during the first Spectro to ride our favorite long line rides and then got great viewing spots for the late night parade. We expected to spend the day in the MK on the 4th not doing much, but were pleasantly surprised how we were able to manage our day with Fast Pass and we did everything we wanted to do at least once. We went to the water parks early and only stayed a couple of hours and then went back to the room for lunch. We did attempt a late afternoon visit to Typhoon Lagoon on Sunday afternoon and were turned away because of capacity. Even though there were large crowds everywhere, they really pick up the pace with extra CM's, both sides of all the rides were going, all of the ferries from the TTC to the MK were in action, monorails were pulling in as others pulled out, all 3 trains were in motion at the MK, there were trams running from & to the parking lot constantly, never a wait, all of the CM's seemed primed and ready for guests. There was so much energy and excitement in the air, it was truly a magical experience like we haven't experienced there in awhile.

 

[KNWVIKING]

... so I just fan out my DVC,DC,AP and Disney CC and tell them to pick the best one.

 

[DsnyGeek]

We too just got back from our annual summer trip. We felt the parks weren't as crowded as they have been in past summers. We were even told that most parks would fill to capacity early on the 4th and we would need to be there early and plan to spend the day in the park where we wanted to see the fireworks that evening because we might not be able to get back in. We just didn't see the big crowds we have seen in the past. Yes, it was crowded, not just as bad as it has been. We saw the fireworks on the 4th at Epcot and had front row seats at Rose & Crown (8:00 dinner reservation)! We couldn't have picked a better spot to view them. All I have to say about the fireworks is that they were AWESOME! I cannot think of a better word to describe them!

As far as the heat goes, it was hotter in Kansas than it was in Florida while we were down there. Just take it easy when you go in the summer. Parks in the morning, pool in the afternoon, and parks again in the evening after dinner somewhere nice and you will have a truly magical trip!

 

[pigget74]

Where is the walking path? We will be there in Dec. and would love to walk over.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
... so I just fan out my DVC,DC,AP and Disney CC and tell them to pick the best one.

Glad I'm not the only one who does this LOL!

Anne

 

[KNWVIKING]

****"All I have to say about the fireworks is that they were AWESOME! I cannot think of a better word to describe them! " ***

After watching the grand finale, I told DW "that's what Baghdad sounded like at night".

The end of the finale sounded and looked like somebody just threw a lite match into a massive box of rockets. It was great.

 

[Towncrier]

Member Days didn't start in earnest until after our annual vacation this year. It sounds like DVC is trying to do something extra for the members with the special merchandise and everything else that has been described in the Vacation Magic magazine.

Sounds like you had a magical vacation. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[brumley5]

Could you tell me what the Vacation magic magazine is? We have yet to use our points for the first time so am still learning alot from all of you on this board! Still piecing together Member Days and such!
Thanks,
Tammy

 

[Corinne]

Glad to hear you had a good time! I am looking forward to checking out the new Member Day items! Only 9 days to go! WooHoo!!!!!!!!!

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

So glad you had a wonderful time. I hope ours is just as lovely in Dec. Are Member Days every Tuesday?

Thanks,
April

 

[dbond]

Member Days are currently scheduled every Tuesday until September.

 

[Towncrier]

Tammy - A PM is on the way with an explanation of the Vacation Magic magazine.

 

[iluvdisney]

So... am I reading right? Or will Member Day still be going on in the fall when I get down there - I sure would like to purchase some of the Members Only merchandise.