First Trip as DVC Members - Tips

[Love That Stitch]

Woot Woot! We are only 4 weeks away from our first trip as DVC members. We can't wait.

We are staying at OKW in a 2 bedroom. My parents (who bought DVC at the same time - it is their first trip as well!) will be with us.

I am looking for tips. The things you wish you had brought from home. I know there are the normal things to bring (coffee, creamer, dishwasher soap, laundry detergent, personal care items) but what about the things that would be nice to have.

I am thinking about bringing DVDs but from what I remember reading you get free DVD rentals right?

Anyway share with me your thoughts. I am a huge planner and I like no detail left behind.

Thanks guys!

 

[browniemtb]

The only tip I have is watch out for the guy with big black ears. He has a direct link to your pocket........

Just kidding around....have fun. Now that you are owners of DVC don't commando the parks. Relax have fun and remember you'll be back soon. We find our trips to Disney much more enjoyable now....more pool time, later starts in the mornings - unless your late for a Princess breakfast as we usually are. Have fun........

Brownie

 

[Love That Stitch]

Thanks for that tip. We are seasoned Disney Vets (we have been going around 3x a year since I was born - which makes me wonder why it took us so long to buy DVC ) and have long discovered the delights of "enjoying" Disney instead of trying to cram everything in. I love getting to the parks "after" it opens!

BTW - I stopped avoiding the big guy with black ears a long time ago. If you can't beat him, join him!

Thanks again!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Woot Woot! We are only 4 weeks away from our first trip as DVC members. We can't wait.

We are staying at OKW in a 2 bedroom. My parents (who bought DVC at the same time - it is their first trip as well!) will be with us.

I am looking for tips. The things you wish you had brought from home. I know there are the normal things to bring (coffee, creamer, dishwasher soap, laundry detergent, personal care items) but what about the things that would be nice to have.

I am thinking about bringing DVDs but from what I remember reading you get free DVD rentals right?

Anyway share with me your thoughts. I am a huge planner and I like no detail left behind.

Thanks guys!

Welcome Home! Your villa will actually have starter paks of coffee and laundry detergent (one load). They also provide the dishwashing liquid and dishwasher soap as well. I typically bring my own coffee, but purchase half and half in the general store.

I sometimes throw those little cereal boxes in my suitcase and other items such as granola bars. Depends on how full my suitcase already is, lol.

I do bring some baggies and little disposable plastic containers as they come in handy. I have even been known to save little ketchups from take out food and bring those along, too, lol.

 

[pilferk]

Woot Woot! We are only 4 weeks away from our first trip as DVC members. We can't wait.

We are staying at OKW in a 2 bedroom. My parents (who bought DVC at the same time - it is their first trip as well!) will be with us.

I am looking for tips. The things you wish you had brought from home. I know there are the normal things to bring (coffee, creamer, dishwasher soap, laundry detergent, personal care items) but what about the things that would be nice to have.

I am thinking about bringing DVDs but from what I remember reading you get free DVD rentals right?

Anyway share with me your thoughts. I am a huge planner and I like no detail left behind.

Thanks guys!

Fitted sheets for the king bed. I've been told they use flat sheets on the beds, which means they "come loose" a lot at night (which is something I HATE!).

Charger for your cell phones/ipods/whatever.

brita water pitcher(s). For me, the tap water is just awful. I buy bottled for the parks, but want a pitcher for the fridge in the room.

 

[Love That Stitch]

They also provide the dishwashing liquid and dishwasher soap as well.

How much dishwashing liquid and dishwasher soap is there? Is it a full box or one load like the laundry detergent?

Fitted sheets for the king bed. I've been told they use flat sheets on the beds, which means they "come loose" a lot at night (which is something I HATE!).

brita water pitcher(s). For me, the tap water is just awful. I buy bottled for the parks, but want a pitcher for the fridge in the room.

Sheets! Are you sure? Why would they do that? Can someone else verify this for us. I hate that too! I am a stickler about my sheets.

Bottled water. That is interesting you mention that. My husband and I are actually very allergic to Florida water. When we go we cannot drink the tap water. We can't drink coffee unless we make it, juice or smoothie type drinks. The repurcussions are terrible. Anyway I never thought about the Britta. I wonder if that would work for us? We usually bring bottled water and the big 5 gallon container for the room to make coffee and what not. It is really hard to stay away from the water down there not to mention expensive since a bottle of water is $2.50! I might just have to try it.

Thanks for the tips! Keep them coming!

 

[kent285]

We've only stayed at SSR-the bedspreads are very heavy, plus the fact that I don't like using bedspreads in hotels, so we're bringing an extra blanket to use instead. It's also very quiet there and the windows in the master bedroom don't open so we're bringing either a white noise machine or a small fan. And, I'm throwing in a couple of games since we found that because the villas are so nice, we spent more time there than we would have in a hotel room. Have a great trip!

 

[pilferk]

We usually bring bottled water and the big 5 gallon container for the room to make coffee and what not. It is really hard to stay away from the water down there not to mention expensive since a bottle of water is $2.50! I might just have to try it.

Thanks for the tips! Keep them coming!

Not sure what you're doing for transportation down there (rental car, Magical express, etc) but you can get a CASE of water from Walmart for about 3 bucks.

 

[vandy]

As a veteran, you already know the "take it easy and slow down" advice. Other advice would be to pack lighter than normal. You now have a washer/dryer in the one and two bedroom villas. Another thought is to check out the other DVC resorts for future trips. As far as DVDs, there are free rentals and obviously of various Disney movies, but the popular ones seemed to be all checked out. Laundry soap wasn't much, but we buy our own when we stock up on food. Dish soap lasted a couple of loads if I recall.

 

[PSC]

One thing you may want to consider is getting yourself an owners locker. ( www.ownerslocker.com ) Its a great way to store all the extra stuff you'll end up bringing and not wanting to carry back and forth. The web site is tells you all about it. Lots of DVC owners give it high marks.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Welcome Home! Your villa will actually have starter paks of coffee and laundry detergent (one load). They also provide the dishwashing liquid and dishwasher soap as well. I typically bring my own coffee, but purchase half and half in the general store.

I sometimes throw those little cereal boxes in my suitcase and other items such as granola bars. Depends on how full my suitcase already is, lol.

I do bring some baggies and little disposable plastic containers as they come in handy. I have even been known to save little ketchups from take out food and bring those along, too, lol.

I actually make sure I have room in my suitcase for snacks and such...... that way, I have extra room on the way back for all those things the "big guy with the black ears" has that we just can't live without!!!! (plastic mugs, goofy ears, those light up blinking things they sell at parades, etc.)

 

[CarolAnnC]

I actually make sure I have room in my suitcase for snacks and such...... that way, I have extra room on the way back for all those things the "big guy with the black ears" has that we just can't live without!!!! (plastic mugs, goofy ears, those light up blinking things they sell at parades, etc.)

LOL! Just like me...do you ever get home with WDW items such as a Christmas hat or certain items of clothing and say "what was I thinking..?" LOL!

 

[TLSnell1981]

LOL! Just like me...do you ever get home with WDW items such as a Christmas hat or certain items of clothing and say "what was I thinking..?" LOL!

NEVER!! I like those Christmas hats and certain items of clothing that other people in the "real" world laugh at.....and when my children try to throw them away.....I dig them right back out of the trash!

 

[SamSam]

Like you we were going 2-3 times a year then finally purchased in 2002; it was the best decision we ever made. All the previous items mentioned are great, we also take a travel espresso maker (big coffee drinkers), a hand drink mixer, and a Brita Faucet Filter that we screw right onto the kitchen faucet. I will second the suggestion of the owners locker, we had our's waiting for us for the first time this trip and I already know we are going to love it. All the above items, plus many more will be in our locker waiting for us when we arrive for each future trip. Ponchos, umbrellas, hip packs, backpack, bug spray, etc. Enjoy your stay as owners, it has really enhanced our trips as we now slow down and relax more.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I read about bringing those snap hooks (as advertised on TV!) and they come in very handy to hang up the wet bathing suits and shower scrubbers-puffs (which we also bring from home since that's what we use at home for showering). I found at box of eight (four big, four little) a few years ago and they go with us on every trip.

If you are going around the holiday time, bring your own decorations (little reusable tree, ornaments, lights, stockings, etc).

If you are into cooking at home and plan to do it at Disney, bring your crock pot. They don't have them in the villas.