Help for the "Expert"

[Strangeite]

Good Morning.

My wife's family has never been to Disney and my uncle has graciously going to book a Two Bedroom Villa at OKW during January, so that I can take her family. Despite the fact that I have only been to Disney twice in the last 15 years, I have somehow become the "expert". So I have a couple of questions. Please allow me this opportunity to thank you in advance for any assistance.

There could be as many as four different flights arriving at MCO and I understand that they will be able to utilize DME; but, the individuals using DME will need to be included on the DVC reservation. Does my uncle need to add them to the reservation himself, or is this something that I can handle after he make the initial reservation?

Since there will be eight of us, can we attach a credit card to each Key to the World individually, or does my credit card need to be attached to all of the cards? While I am on the subject, does anyone know what hold Disney places on a card for rooms at the OKW?

There will be 2 two and half year olds in the group. Does OKW provide cribs (yes I am using the plural) or do we need to bring portable cribs?

I know this is a lot of questions and I really do appreciate any help you might be able to provide.

Also, if anyone has any advice for this inappropriately named "expert" or this family that has never experienced Disney before, I would love to hear it.

Thanks.

 

[disneynutz]

Is your Uncle a DVC Member or is he renting points or booking through CRO?

 

[Strangeite]

He is a member.

 

[disneynutz]

Your Uncle needs to book DME for everyone.
One CC per reservation.
If it's a dedicated 2-bedroom there will be 1 folded play pen, I believe that there will be 2 if the room is a 1 bedroom/studio combo called a lock off.

 

[RCDisneyFan]

Credit cards are attached to room reservations, so you if you're all staying in the same 2br, the same credit card number will be attached to all of the keys to the world. I believe you CAN pick and choose whether or not to associate a credit card to each key to the world though - so you don't have to have your wife's family charging things to your credit card.

 

[CarolMN]

The 2 bedroom unit will include a portable crib similar to the Pac 'n Play brand. You can call housekeeping to request a second one if needed. You can also request "full size" cribs. They're not actually quite full size, but they are the more traditonal looking crib.

The printout of charges you receive at check out will tellyou which key made the charge. You can request the list anytime during your stay if you want to start "settling up" sooner. If you go to the front desk the day before you check out, you can pay the charges with more than one credit card. They will charge the card the night before check out so don't wait until check out if you want to each pay your own charges.

You can also allow some cards to charge to the room, but not others. Many guests do not allow charging on the children's keys. Perhaps your wife's family could just use their cc as they go and not charge to the room. You would set all this up at check in.

I don't recall the amount of the "credit hold", but it is the same as that done for the deluxe resorts.

 

[dgaston]

There is also a company called a babys best friend that rents equipment. I believe the website is www.abbf.com

The credit limit is $1500. I think they charge that amount when it is reached and then begin a new tally towards $1500. We never charge nearly that much. Dining plan is charged at the beginning of the stay and if you go that route needs to be booked for all on the reservation by your uncle ahead of time.

 

[Strangeite]

Thanks for all the help. This forum is such an excellent resource.

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, if you reach the $1500 room charge limit, the card will stop working. You can call the WDW Operator from any phone (I usually ask the CM when the card is declined, as almost all registers have phone with them). I call and authorize the charge out, and the card is reactivated for another $1500.

 

[Ginny]

Strangeite -

I'm so excited for you and for your wife's family! What a treat and you will love staying at the DVC resorts. Plus, OKW has the largest rooms so you can spread out a bit. I think it will be a very special vacation.

A couple of tips for the "Expert:" I have learned much from the DIS (God Bless Pete!!) in the past 9 years. From my experience, pre-planning is the best way to go. There are specific dates when you can make ressies for meals, special events (Hoop De Doo Review, carriage rides, Fireworks Cruises, etc) and the DIS and the different Discussion Boards can show you how.

For our family, we all get up early and have muffins / juice and get to the Parks when it opens (whichever one has Early Entry) and we do everything we want to do. Then, at 10-1030 AM, we have pre-planned a character breakfast or other meal. That usually holds us for lunch and we head back to the room for naps............and/or pool time. Then, we have ressies or cook dinner in the room and have the option of going back to the same park or another. Everyone is rested and relaxed.............no fuss, no tears!!

We plan each day of our visit weeks or months in advance and even have an Excel Spreadsheet with everything listed and all our confirmation numbers. And, we all get to pick our special "must do's" in advance and book them. Half the fun is the anticipation and planning. Then, if we want to throw the schedule up in the air and play it by ear on a particular day..........we have the option. But, if you don't pre-plan.............you might waste time standing in lines or waiting for a table.

I hope you have a magical trip with your family.

 

[lizanne]

Ginny is right about the planning in advance. I'm not a great planner so I don't do the spreadsheet thing, but you should research what rides/attractions are in each park and what the priorities are. You need to have some sort of idea of where you want to go when you enter the park or you'll lose valuable time just wandering.

You may find that the families may want to split up at some time. I've found that it's better to go separate ways if you want to do something different, then to suffer in silence and do what the other party wants to do and maybe not get a chance to do your thing.

Ask all the questions you want on these boards and someone with much more knowledge then me will always answer.

Have fun.

 

[javamom]

Be sure to check the refurbishment schedule to see if any rides/shows will be closed during your stay. That will save disappointment if someone is wanting to ride "that one ride, you know, that goes..."

Take the little ones to the Playhouse Disney show at Disney Hollywood Studios!

I highly recommend that you take them to Breakfast at Crystal Palace, if they like Winnie the Pooh and Friends. However, I would not spring this on them the first day. I would ease little ones into the whole character interaction thing slowly, if they have never done it. A good way to do this is to start with "face" characters like Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, and Jasmine.

Sometimes toddlers will freak on their first encounter with a giant-sized friend. So, maybe taking them to Playhouse Disney first would be good because they get to see these "big" type of characters before they have to interact with others in a character meal setting.

Above all, I advise that you rise early and get to the parks, leave around lunchtime to return to the resort (maybe swim and/or nap) and then head back to the park/s in the evening again. This will allow you to ride the things that you want to ride, avoid getting overly tired/stimulated, and generally make things go smoother.

Plusses for you are that you are going at time when it won't be HOT, and not nearly as crowded (usually). Stilll, early days with rest and then return are the way to go.

 

[SLM]

I would suggest the other family members get a guide book and do some advance reading/planning before the trip. It's just too overwhelming to go to any of the parks without a plan of what you want to do. You can be flexible, but have a plan! Doesn't WDW still send out free planning videos?
You will love OKW! Take time to ride one of the boats over to Downtown Disney-lots of great eating choices and several areas just for the little ones.
Have a wonderful trip!