First DVC trip --- leaving in 4 weeks --- what am I missing

[monicainindy]

It's finally here! Our first DVC trip, the start of Spring Break and me turning 40 all on the same day.

Our home resort is AKV, but since we were able to get a spot at BLT and don't plan on visiting AK on this trip, we went for it.

Have the Magical Express booked (already got our tags), dinner at Chef Mickey's on my bday and two other dinner reservations (Norwegian place at Epcot and one other that escapes me now).

We got the PAP since my husband and son are going back in October and we all return as a family in December, will pick those up at MS. Anything else I am missing here?

The last decision to be made is whether or not to buy the DP or just get a TIW card. Husband and I enjoy nice restaurants, but our 6 year old can live on mac n' cheese, yogurt and the occasional cheeseburger. Should we bother with it? My sense is that the DP will end up costing us more than paying OOP or OOP+TIW. Thoughts?

 

[skorpie]

Have you thought of using the sitting services at WDW? I cannot comment on them since we have never used them but a night out should always be in the plan! If your child can sit relatively quietly, he might be able to be content while you enjoy a nice dinner.(Take cryaons and paper!)
We will be at WDW 3/10-3/13 and have the TIW card. For us, it works very well. DD has just turned 21 and has been going since she was 5. She is so excited to go this year since she hasn't gone in 1 1/2 years. For her it is an eternity! Hope that you have a magical time!

 

[monicainindy]

We have not... I should think about that. Then again, we have 45 more years to do this, right?

 

[Kidanifan08]

Enjoy your first stay as a DVC member! Our home is AKV, but we have stayed at BLT a few times. It is nice to be able to walk to MK or take the monorail to Epcot.

How old is your son? We have an almost 7 year old. There is just the 3 of us. Our DS is a little picky and a light eater, as well. Despite that, we still use TIW. We generally go for about 10 nights per year. We often do 1-2 character meals and we plan a TS almost every day (we usually skip our HS day -- we like their CS options reasonably well). We also generally have an adult beverage with our TS meals, which is covered by the TIW. Check out the website for details: www.tablesinwonderland.com

The TIW for AP and DVC members is $100. Since the discount is 20%, you need to spend $500 over the 12-ish months that the card is active. There are a few CS locations at AK that it works at and all of the resort lounges take TIW. We usually have no trouble getting beyond the $500 threshold. If you think you will travel again before the end of April 2014, it probably would be a good idea. If you buy it in mid-March this year, it should not expire until the end of April 2014.

There are a number of locations that offer DVC discounts for meals. You can find details in the member perks on the member website.

Of course, make sure you have your membership card so you can go up to the Top of the World Lounge, as well as take advantage of any member discounts.

Have a great time!!

PS -- we're in Indy, too!! Sure wish we had more discount airlines with direct flights out of IND to MCO!!!

 

[Disney Princess]

It's finally here! Our first DVC trip, the start of Spring Break and me turning 40 all on the same day.

Our home resort is AKV, but since we were able to get a spot at BLT and don't plan on visiting AK on this trip, we went for it.

Have the Magical Express booked (already got our tags), dinner at Chef Mickey's on my bday and two other dinner reservations (Norwegian place at Epcot and one other that escapes me now).

We got the PAP since my husband and son are going back in October and we all return as a family in December, will pick those up at MS. Anything else I am missing here?

The last decision to be made is whether or not to buy the DP or just get a TIW card. Husband and I enjoy nice restaurants, but our 6 year old can live on mac n' cheese, yogurt and the occasional cheeseburger. Should we bother with it? My sense is that the DP will end up costing us more than paying OOP or OOP+TIW. Thoughts?

We do well personally with the TiW card. We aren't limited, and we can eat how we feel.

Regarding the bolded text, there is not a way to go to MS; you'll just need your blue member ID card to use at any Guest Relations booth.

Have a great first trip!!!

 

[monicainindy]

Thank you both! Good point on where to pick up the PAP... I would have gone to the wrong place.

KidaniFan, we are also in Indiana... Zionsville. Funny that you also have a picky eater. You can say ours is also almost seven, turns 7 at the beginning of July. I think TIW will payoff.... we have 4 days on this trip, 4 coming up in October and then 7 in December... and who knows.

Not really sure if we are hitting FL next year, we may head out to HH instead... but seems to me we will hit the $500 threshold this year. I was equating the DP to the drink package on DCL. We got the wine package and probably drank more than we would normally have.

 

[ToddyLu]

Love the TIW card. May want to pack a couple of ice trays, especially if staying in a studio...nothing worse than having to hunt for ice when thirsty. I love having DVC for that (of course now all the rooms have fridge).


Have a great time.

 

[monicainindy]

Did you find yourselves hoping you had done some grocery shopping? Or ordered through DVC? The comment about the ice trays had me wondering how often we would eat "in"

 

[anna08]

You didn't mention how long your trip is, but if there's time, when we stay at BLT we love to take a boat from the contemporary to the Wilderness Lodge and get some ice cream and soak up the beauty of their lobby or pool area one evening. If you haven't seen that resort before, it has a certain magical feel with lamps glowing along the path to the dock that is worth checking out. The landscaping makes it unique compared to the other resorts.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Thank you both! Good point on where to pick up the PAP... I would have gone to the wrong place.

KidaniFan, we are also in Indiana... Zionsville. Funny that you also have a picky eater. You can say ours is also almost seven, turns 7 at the beginning of July. I think TIW will payoff.... we have 4 days on this trip, 4 coming up in October and then 7 in December... and who knows.

Not really sure if we are hitting FL next year, we may head out to HH instead... but seems to me we will hit the $500 threshold this year. I was equating the DP to the drink package on DCL. We got the wine package and probably drank more than we would normally have.

We are your neighbors in Carmel. We probably shop at the same Target!

You can also get the TIW at guest services. You should probably put it in your DH's name, since he will be going on all 3 trips. The character meals are a great way of getting to the $500 spending threshold. We have done the DDP when it was free (during one of our cash stays). It is so restrictive and ends up being so much food. The TIW gives us much more flexibility. Using the card adds 18% tip automatically, but we usually do at least that anyway.

DS6 is generally happy if there are chicken nuggets or hot dogs on the menu. In fact, he loves the mini corn dog nuggets at Casey's Corner. They are a bargain, by Disney standards.

We don't do much dining in the villa at this point. DS6 likes to hit the parks or the pool. We generally just do a light breakfast in the room and eat out the rest of the time.

Hopefully you have booked your December stay already. December is a very high demand month for DVC, and it books up far in advance. We have been twice during the first week of Dec and always booked 9-11 months ahead. We tried to get into BLT, BWV or BCV for our most recent Christmas visit, but had no luck.

 

[monicainindy]

Kidanifan... LOL, we probably do shop at the same Super Target!

Yes, we booked AKL at the 11 point mark for our December stay, we are going Dec 27 through Jan 3. With school starting on the 6th we didn't have a lot of flexibility on the days.

Thanks so much for the TIW tip, I would have never thought of putting the card on his name. I definitely won't be there... my cousin and I are doing a girls trip to Provence during the same time.

For breakfast, do you eat at the resort with TIW or order a few groceries... milk, cereal, yogurt, etc. through DVC?

 

[Kidanifan08]

For breakfast, do you eat at the resort with TIW or order a few groceries... milk, cereal, yogurt, etc. through DVC?

Actually, we often just throw some cereal bars or some other kind of breakfast bar in our suitcase. They don't add much weight. They do sell stuff like that at the general store as well. We have never gotten enough food during the week to order from Wegoshop or Garden Grocer, but we may use one of them this summer with my brother's family (we will have 9 in a 2BR ). We will usually pick up some OJ and milk at the resort store.

If you have never been to WDW for Christmas, you will love it! Kidani and Jambo are decorated beautifully for the holidays. Definitely try to catch the Epcot Candlelight Processional. DVC offers discounts for the MVMCP, although I think the parties may end before you get there. We totally love the Osborne Lights and went there twice on our trip in Dec 2012. We weren't planning on going again in Dec 2012, after being there in 2010, but we loved it so much and had enough points, so we went the first full week of December. We felt a little guilty about pulling DS from school, but it was worth it. Now were considering going for Christmas 2014, although 3rd grade may not be so forgiving.