first DVC stay

[portobello_rd]

i just wanted to say that i finally got to use my DVC membership for the first time and i am so happy with it!
we stayed BLT from 12/3 to 12/13 studio theme park view and it was beyond amazing getting to wake up every morning, throw open the blinds and see the monorail going by!!... and space mountain, and the castle! wow! i dont know about most of you but i could NEVER afford a room like that year after year without DVC.

i did have one small problem with check in- the room key didn't work on the door and then they couldn't get them to open the door so they let us in and then we had to hang out in the room for awhile- then in the end i lost room charging privledges on my room card because the # on my card ended in 103...? or something? i dont know. they tried to explain it to me but i was stuck at the part that i couldn't charge and they didn't want to fix it. it was kind of a pain sometimes in the trip but i just used DH's room card. we did get a $50 credit to our room because of the hassle- which was beyond nice.

But i just wanted to say that after FINALLY getting to use DVC after owning for over a year and simply paying my dues really makes it all worth it!!

 

[rmcildw2m]

Amen ,without my DVC i could not afford the resosts we stay in either . DVC is not cheap but it is a savings over the long haul for me and my family .

 

[MEK]

Amen ,without my DVC i could not afford the resosts we stay in either . DVC is not cheap but it is a savings over the long haul for me and my family .

Totally agree with this.

OP - congratulations on your first DVC stay!

 

[portobello_rd]

Amen ,without my DVC i could not afford the resosts we stay in either . DVC is not cheap but it is a savings over the long haul for me and my family .

it is not cheap! but i love it, and i know we made the right choice after FINALLY getting to use it. i've already booked my next trip for the food and wine festival next year in a one bedroom at the BLT- i'm going to get my moneys worth in the next few years with all these trips!

Totally agree with this.

OP - congratulations on your first DVC stay!

thank you! it was amazing!

 

[moredisneyplease]

small hiccups like that are bound to happen. What really matters is that you move on, DVC fixes it, and you enjoy the rest of your trip!!!!

 

[carlbarry]

i did have one small problem with check in- the room key didn't work on the door and then they couldn't get them to open the door so they let us in and then we had to hang out in the room for awhile- then in the end i lost room charging privledges on my room card because the # on my card ended in 103...? or something? i dont know. they tried to explain it to me but i was stuck at the part that i couldn't charge and they didn't want to fix it. it was kind of a pain sometimes in the trip but i just used DH's room card. we did get a $50 credit to our room because of the hassle- which was beyond nice.

But i just wanted to say that after FINALLY getting to use DVC after owning for over a year and simply paying my dues really makes it all worth it!!

I had the same problem 2 weeks ago. Got to the room at Jambo, and the key wouldn't work. They had to send a technician to re-program the lock.

 

[browniemtb]

Glas you enjoyed your first stay Also agree that with out DVC we'd probably never go to Disney. When we purchased we were a family of 4, now we are a family of 6. To book a room for a family of 6 with out DVC you'd have to write a home equity check or have a large bank account. Even with DVC between flights, tickets, & food it still runs a fair amount of money. My friends are feeling that now, family of 6, just booked BLT (not DVC members) and they are into the trip for over $12,000.

 

[CaskPeg]

Welcome Home to BLT--Thanks for sharing your first experience of DVC hospitality also. There are sometimes "problems" with a stay...but most of the time DVC makes up for it if they can . You will enjoy Food and Wine for sure! Best of luck with your next stay!

 

[portobello_rd]

small hiccups like that are bound to happen. What really matters is that you move on, DVC fixes it, and you enjoy the rest of your trip!!!!

and we did move on! it was just a pain at first because i had to run to guest services at magic kingdom before my dinner ressie and i was on a TIME LIMIT!!!! but they were nothing but nice and i got everything done that i needed. i feel bad for the people who let things like that fester and ruin their trips.

I had the same problem 2 weeks ago. Got to the room at Jambo, and the key wouldn't work. They had to send a technician to re-program the lock.

i think that happened for us. i dunno. i was busy taking pictures of our room to notice what was going on.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP

THANK YOU! i know i will! with a one bedroom i get a hot tub! super excited!

Glas you enjoyed your first stay Also agree that with out DVC we'd probably never go to Disney. When we purchased we were a family of 4, now we are a family of 6. To book a room for a family of 6 with out DVC you'd have to write a home equity check or have a large bank account. Even with DVC between flights, tickets, & food it still runs a fair amount of money. My friends are feeling that now, family of 6, just booked BLT (not DVC members) and they are into the trip for over $12,000.

holy cow!!!!! i cant imagine. that would be YEARS of saving for me. i mean yes, trips to disney are still expensive with the DVC but room payments are one less thing to worry about. i can spend it on other things...like cupcakes and christmas ornaments!

Welcome Home to BLT--Thanks for sharing your first experience of DVC hospitality also. There are sometimes "problems" with a stay...but most of the time DVC makes up for it if they can . You will enjoy Food and Wine for sure! Best of luck with your next stay!

thanks! i love BLT! it was perfect for us! i know i stalked the boards for all info on BLT before i left for my trip so i thought id share my experiances. also, im just so happy i got to finally USE it after PAYING for it. My DH is super excited for the food and wine festival and im just super excited to go back for another trip. we are going for 12 days!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good for you! You even have a next trip to look forward to, very lucky!

 

[NorCalDVC]

i did have one small problem with check in- the room key didn't work on the door and then they couldn't get them to open the door so they let us in and then we had to hang out in the room for awhile- then in the end i lost room charging privledges on my room card because the # on my card ended in 103...? or something? i dont know. they tried to explain it to me but i was stuck at the part that i couldn't charge and they didn't want to fix it. it was kind of a pain sometimes in the trip but i just used DH's room card. we did get a $50 credit to our room because of the hassle- which was beyond nice.

So glad to hear you had a great trip!! I had something similar happen to me with our room card this summer and I have to admit I literally broke down and cried - like a baby. For two days, our room cards just didn't work right. The first time, we checked in around 12:30 am (late flight) and the main door at BLT wouldn't open. We had to head back to the main desk at the lobby of the Contemporary to get a new room card. Then the main door opened with the card, but not our room. Back to the main desk at the lobby to get a new room card. The next day, we went down to the pool and couldn't get in. Back to the main desk at the lobby to get a new room card. Got a new room card and then we could get into the pool area and through the main doors, but guess what? Couldn't get into our rooms. Each time we heard another reason for the problem and that the problem was solved. This literally went on for a day and a half and then finally success! Or so I thought . . . we went over to the Contemporary and silly me only brought our room card to charge our meal. Well, guess what? Wouldn't take the card even though the system clearly showed a credit card on file. The cashier asked if I wouldn't mind running back to our room to get another credit card. That is when I lost it. Literally started balling my eyes out because I can't even begin to tell you how much time we wasted getting new room cards and our magical vacation was turning into a nightmare. My daughter was asking - daddy why is mommy crying? The cashier felt bad for me and took me to the kitchen area so I could compose myself. She called a very senior supervisor and he took care of the problem - finally! The rest of the vacation was uneventful and wonderful! Anyway, so sorry to have gotten off on a tangent, but I'm wondering if the room card situation is not so rare after all. Have never had it happen at any of the other resorts.

 

[amypetecar]

To the original poster.... What was cooler, the rush you get looking out over the magic kingdom from your room..... Or knowing you get to do this until the year 2060?

 

[portobello_rd]

So glad to hear you had a great trip!! I had something similar happen to me with our room card this summer and I have to admit I literally broke down and cried - like a baby. For two days, our room cards just didn't work right. The first time, we checked in around 12:30 am (late flight) and the main door at BLT wouldn't open. We had to head back to the main desk at the lobby of the Contemporary to get a new room card. Then the main door opened with the card, but not our room. Back to the main desk at the lobby to get a new room card. The next day, we went down to the pool and couldn't get in. Back to the main desk at the lobby to get a new room card. Got a new room card and then we could get into the pool area and through the main doors, but guess what? Couldn't get into our rooms. Each time we heard another reason for the problem and that the problem was solved. This literally went on for a day and a half and then finally success! Or so I thought . . . we went over to the Contemporary and silly me only brought our room card to charge our meal. Well, guess what? Wouldn't take the card even though the system clearly showed a credit card on file. The cashier asked if I wouldn't mind running back to our room to get another credit card. That is when I lost it. Literally started balling my eyes out because I can't even begin to tell you how much time we wasted getting new room cards and our magical vacation was turning into a nightmare. My daughter was asking - daddy why is mommy crying? The cashier felt bad for me and took me to the kitchen area so I could compose myself. She called a very senior supervisor and he took care of the problem - finally! The rest of the vacation was uneventful and wonderful! Anyway, so sorry to have gotten off on a tangent, but I'm wondering if the room card situation is not so rare after all. Have never had it happen at any of the other resorts.

awww thats so sad! i think you handled everything pretty well for the situation!!!
It was annoying not being able to use my card for room charges. Everytime i tried the register would show an error. Like i said, something about my card ending in #103. It would especially be frustrating when id pull out my premium annual pass, with my drivers license, and then hand my husbands room card over and they said i couldnt do that- i would have to charge with a room card with my name on it. Id have to call my husband over, and hes a wanderer and would never be nearby when id need him. So i apologize that in some stores id scream "TIM I NEED YOU AGAIN!!"
i think it does happen more than yould think. when we were in the lobby on our last day someone was downstairs with their luggage complain they couldnt get in their room.
technology.

 

[portobello_rd]

To the original poster.... What was cooler, the rush you get looking out over the magic kingdom from your room..... Or knowing you get to do this until the year 2060?

haha. i like this question. i guess i was in awe of the view the whole trip until the last day....then i got sad i had to leave....and then DH reminded me that i have YEARS of trips to make.

 

[sissy1]

it is not cheap! but i love it, and i know we made the right choice after FINALLY getting to use it. i've already booked my next trip for the food and wine festival next year in a one bedroom at the BLT- i'm going to get my moneys worth in the next few years with all these trips!


We were just at BLT in a one bedroom Dec. 8-13,2012 "very nice." We have also booked F&W Sept.29-Oct.4,2013. First time doing F&W, staying at Boardwalk. Also, We are taking my grand daughter for Mardi Gras holidays, Feb. 10-15,2013 and staying at Wilderness Villas. Can you tell, we love Disney and we are DVC owners

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I gotta ask. Why wouldn't they fix it? That's ridiculous.

 

[portobello_rd]

I gotta ask. Why wouldn't they fix it? That's ridiculous.

i had sent my DH to the front desk to ask what it would take to get back charging access....which i should have went myself but i had to shower.

what i got from it was that every time they reprinted my card it would always end in a #103. they tried three times to reprint and "hopefully" get a new #.
In order to get my card back to a #101 or a #102 for sure they would have to completely cancel the reservation, then re-enter it, then recheck us in, then retake the credit card and put it back on file....a lot of work....I dont know if the front desk person just didnt really want to do all the work, or if my DH was tired from being at the parks all day, or a combo of the two....
was the jist i got.

 

[NorCalDVC]

awww thats so sad! i think you handled everything pretty well for the situation!!!
It was annoying not being able to use my card for room charges. Everytime i tried the register would show an error. Like i said, something about my card ending in #103.

Thanks for the tip! In the future, I will check to make sure my room card key doesn't end with 103. We literally went back to the lobby no less than 8 or 9 times and they would reprogram all the cards so if my husband wasn't with me he would get locked out. I think the reality is probably that most of the people at the desk have no idea why the cards aren't working so they just repeat what they heard or think they've heard in the past. Then they cross their fingers that the card actually works or that they're not around when you come back because it's still not working. I even had a few people ask me if I knew how to use the cards. Ummm, well I only fly between 75,000 - 100,000 miles a year for my job so I'd say I'm a pretty seasoned traveler.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

i had sent my DH to the front desk to ask what it would take to get back charging access....which i should have went myself but i had to shower.

what i got from it was that every time they reprinted my card it would always end in a #103. they tried three times to reprint and "hopefully" get a new #.
In order to get my card back to a #101 or a #102 for sure they would have to completely cancel the reservation, then re-enter it, then recheck us in, then retake the credit card and put it back on file....a lot of work....I dont know if the front desk person just didnt really want to do all the work, or if my DH was tired from being at the parks all day, or a combo of the two....
was the jist i got.

Hmmm... I would have told them I'd be back in a couple of hours to get my new card and walked away. I would have done it nicely but their screw-up and the "work" required to fix it really isn't my problem.

I'm glad I asked. It could have been fixed. It just wasn't.

I just couldn't get my arms around "it couldn't be fixed."

Thanks!