First Timer Primer...

[Maddysdaddy]

Hi all.

Getting ready for our first ever DVC trip on the points we purchased last year.

I looked for a sticky on the subject of "before you check in", but didn't see one - so please forgive me for asking questions that I know I have seen asked a million times before...

We (Wife, Daughter and I) are checking in to a one-bedroom at the end of September for 4 nights and then we have friends joining us for another 5 nights, and we are supposed to be in a two bedroom.

A few (hopefully easy) questions:

1. I seem to recall reading that at some point, I am supposed to contact MS to give them the names of our friends? If so, when would that be.

2. Am I correct that the room keys can be used in the parks, much like the hotel room keys, as a charge card back to the room? If so, am I able to block that ability from my friends (they're lovely people, but I don't want to put any of us in the situation of arguing over who spent what).

3. Is there anything else as first timer that I should know, but don't know enough to ask?

Thanks all.

 

[Chuck S]

Hi all.

Getting ready for our first ever DVC trip on the points we purchased last year.

I looked for a sticky on the subject of "before you check in", but didn't see one - so please forgive me for asking questions that I know I have seen asked a million times before...

We (Wife, Daughter and I) are checking in to a one-bedroom at the end of September for 4 nights and then we have friends joining us for another 5 nights, and we are supposed to be in a two bedroom.

A few (hopefully easy) questions:

1. I seem to recall reading that at some point, I am supposed to contact MS to give them the names of our friends? If so, when would that be.

Do so now

2. Am I correct that the room keys can be used in the parks, much like the hotel room keys, as a charge card back to the room? If so, am I able to block that ability from my friends (they're lovely people, but I don't want to put any of us in the situation of arguing over who spent what).

Yes, DVC and regular resort keys are identical. Do not do online check-in for your two bedroom, and then tell the front desk which keys should have charging, and which should not, at check-in.

3. Is there anything else as first timer that I should know, but don't know enough to ask?

Thanks all.

Probably not. DVC expericience is similar to non-DVC except for the limited housekeeping services.

 

[kwelsh]

Good idea to check in at the desk instead of online. Make sure that the person checking you in understands what you are asking. My cousin and I shared a room that I had reserved and thought we had made it clear that her charges where to be separate from mine. They weren't, but it was an easy fix. Enjoy your trip!

 

[tjkraz]

Many Two Bedroom villas are actually a One Bedroom plus a Studio villa with the connecting door open. If you had hoped to spend the entire stay in the same One Bedroom, with the connecting room becoming accessible when your 2B reservation begins, make sure you discuss this with Member Services and the front desk. Depending upon the type of room booked it may or may not be possible. Specifically, if your 2B reservation is for a "dedicated" room, you will be forced to switch rooms.

If it isn't possible to link the two reservations together and keep you in one room, you will have to pack up all of your belongings and store them with bell services mid-stay. In that situation, plan on being without a room from 11am to at least 4pm on the change day.

 

[butsy113]

First,I'm sorry for hijacking your thread!

We are have a similar setup on our upcoming trip. We have a 2 bd at SSR for 2 days then AKV for 7.

I was told that if we wanted the DDP that everyone staying would have to have the DDP for the whole stay. Our friends r joining us at AKV. Since that is a different resort can they buy DDP for those 7 nights only. I hope I'm explaining this properly.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Which resort are you at? If you are at OKW in a 1 bedroom and switching to a 2 bedroom, if you wait and check in at the desk, they may be able to be sure you have a lock off 2 bedroom so you might not have to move. We have done this several times at OKW without having to move rooms when we opened up to the 2 bedroom.