Just Back From First Trip 'Home' - Loved It.

[My 2 princesses]

First of all, thank you to everyone on here for helping me with the questions I have had since buying into DVC. Much appreciated.

Let's start by saying, we had a blast. This is our first time going in July and due to the steep price on air fare, we added a day before and after our trip, hence ended up staying at 4 different resorts. As someone mentioned to me while I was at BLT, I can check in early and see if I can get my room, we took this advise when checking into Kidani village, and yes, our room was ready.

Of all the resorts, BLT and Kidani village wins hands down for the litte ones and this was what we had planned but since we added days, we also stayed at SSR and BWV. SSR is great for DDT/shopping etc.

From the advise of another thread on here, I entered DD's b/day celebration on the reservation at all the resorts. SSR, our first stay, had the pin ready for her, BLT (the place where she was there for her actualy birthday), slipped a card from Mickey and a 20% off discount card for photopass. Kidani village delivered the same card to the room but also had a cup cake towel thingy (can't call it animal per se, though it did have the Mickey head on it). She was thrilled to bits.

We did the tour of BLT and that was fun. We did towards the end of our stay so did not use the FP's but they promised to keep it for us for our next stay.

I thought I was nuts as we did not buy tickets in advance and thought we'll see how it goes before buying them. The kids had so much fun at the Community Halls that we ended up going just one day to the park. I thougth that it would not be possible to skip the parks, but I guess after 2 years of going to the parks, they were just happy with the pool and the other stuff they could do around the resorts. The cookie decorationg class at Jambo house is great.

For some reason, I'm loving DVC already, after my very first trip. I'm hoping it stays that way for a few more years.

This has gotten longer than I expected..........so if you read so far, thank you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you had such a great time and here's hoping your enjoyment lasts for many more years!

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sounds like a wonderful first trip! Probably more changing resorts than I would have wanted, but glad it worked for you.

I would have a very difficult time not going to the parks though. We aren't pool people (just hot tub people), so hanging at the pool doesn't have much appeal. We love to just go to the parks in the morning and evening and just chill the middle part of the day.

 

[Granny]

Glad you had a great first DVC trip...and sampled four resorts to boot!

The kids had so much fun at the Community Halls that we ended up going just one day to the park. I thougth that it would not be possible to skip the parks, but I guess after 2 years of going to the parks, they were just happy with the pool and the other stuff they could do around the resorts.

I think this is a key part of what makes DVC a good idea. With the nicer accommodations and the more frequent visits the trips become much more relaxing. While we still go to the parks, we do so at an easier pace. It sounds like you were smart not to buy tickets in advance or else you would have felt like you had to go to the parks (assuming an expiring ticket purchase).

Also glad to hear that Disney did so much for your daughter's birthday. I know those kinds of things are hit and miss as far as the goodies go, and it sounds like they did a nice job for you!

 

[bgraham34]

Awesome, glad you had a fun time. I just love DVC and I can't wait to go back.

 

[esrags01]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am curious what kind of fun stuff did the kids do at Community Hall. We have never taken advantage of what the
CH has to offer, but I would emagine on a hot or rainy day, that could be a great alternative.

 

[My 2 princesses]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am curious what kind of fun stuff did the kids do at Community Hall. We have never taken advantage of what the
CH has to offer, but I would emagine on a hot or rainy day, that could be a great alternative.

It actually differs from each resort. I found that Kidani was the best. Their free art was much better than the other resorts. Here you could make necklaces etc through out the day, you just had to ask as they did not want to keep the little beads lying around for the safety of little people. They had sun catchers, foam picture frames and lots of other little pictures you could paint on and they might even laminate if you ask. Lots of clouring sheets. Then there are the ones you pay to do as well - tote bags, piggy banks etc. And this is just the CH for walk in. At Kidani they also had wii around the lobby and they also had a giraffe and you had to ring it's nect with hoola hoops. They were giving away prizes and such. At BWV, they had the modelling clay, ping pong table and other little craft as well. At the CH's have TV's and video games. The make your one buttons for a buck was so cool.

 

[nickspace]

Sounds like a great first experience. May all your trip be great!

 

[esrags01]

Thank your so much for the great info.

 

[Crystal_27]

Awwwww, sounds like the perfect birthday celebration. Glad it was a great trip for you guys!

 

[TINKERIFIC]

Here is my 2 cents.

We had our first trip home to AKV - Kidani in June. Our villa was really close to the CH and arcade. My kids LOVED the CH and arcade. My DD12 would wake up in the morning and hurry to get dressed so she could head to the arcade and CH before we went to the parks. That is the place she wanted to be when not in the parks. She was always wanting to take her brother (turned 4 during our trip) and he had a blast as well. They did lots of the buttons for a buck. I do not have any exposure to the Kidani CH, but I hope they are all that great! Plus, the CH had a savanah view window.

 

[JasonDVC]

Kidani Village is an amazing place. We'll be trying BLT in April!

Glad to hear your family enjoyed it!!

 

[crazybones27]

The cookie decorationg class at Jambo house is great.

I just have a quick question about the cookie class. Is this something you can sign up for before you get there and how much does it usually run? Thank you in advance!

Also I'm so happy you had a great first time home visit!!

 

[My 2 princesses]

I just have a quick question about the cookie class. Is this something you can sign up for before you get there and how much does it usually run? Thank you in advance!

Also I'm so happy you had a great first time home visit!!

It's not actually a class per sa, it's an activity at Jambo which is absolutely free. No need to sign up, just turn up. For July it said it was at 1 o'clock, not sure if the time changes or not.

Basically we got there and there was a CM who gave us each a giraffe cookie and told us to do what we wanted with the frosting/icing, gummy animals, m&m's and of course, Mickey Heads. One mom asked if she can do it as well, so the other 2 of us joined in as well. It was a fun thing to do with the kids and they even gave us a take out cover to put on our plates. I'll try and post picture when I get home, if anyone is interested.

 

[crazybones27]

It's not actually a class per sa, it's an activity at Jambo which is absolutely free. No need to sign up, just turn up. For July it said it was at 1 o'clock, not sure if the time changes or not.

Basically we got there and there was a CM who gave us each a giraffe cookie and told us to do what we wanted with the frosting/icing, gummy animals, m&m's and of course, Mickey Heads. One mom asked if she can do it as well, so the other 2 of us joined in as well. It was a fun thing to do with the kids and they even gave us a take out cover to put on our plates. I'll try and post picture when I get home, if anyone is interested.

Oh wow that is really really cool! I really can't wait to have my little girl do this in September if we can. I'm definitely going to be on the look out for the times!! If you could post pictures that would be wonderful.

 

[DenLo]

Thanks for letting us share in your first trip home. I'm still smiling thinking about your daughter's reaction to her birthday celebrations at each resort. We did our first trip in March and I still can't believe how relaxing it was despite the fact we went to the parks each day. We just didn't spend the entire day at the park every single day.

Have you made your next reservation? If not have fun planning your stay. We find that unless we have two future trips planned it's just too long between stays.

 

[My 2 princesses]

cause DD is still small and I don't have a creative bone in my body

 

[My 2 princesses]

Thanks for letting us share in your first trip home. I'm still smiling thinking about your daughter's reaction to her birthday celebrations at each resort. We did our first trip in March and I still can't believe how relaxing it was despite the fact we went to the parks each day. We just didn't spend the entire day at the park every single day.

Have you made your next reservation? If not have fun planning your stay. We find that unless we have two future trips planned it's just too long between stays.

Hmmmm.....just looking into a Disney cruise for next year. Might end up paying for it since it seems cheaper to pay for it but do a few days before and after. I'm all out of vacation days this year, so it will have to be next year, sadly.

 

[crazybones27]

OMG thank you so much for posting these pics!! The cookies look great! My DD is 2 and I think she's gonna get a real kick out of decorating these cookies! Thank you again for sharing your trip and pics with us!!!

 

[jblrn2b]

So glad you had so much fun! Isn't it great to just hang out at the resorts!!!! I love having DVC so I don't have to do commando park hopping any more - for our trip in a few days - I haven't done summer there yet- I've said to the kids if we change our minds and want to sit by the pool its ok. - what a luxury!