More newb Questions!

[Just(donald)Ducky]

Hey all-
My wife and I are considering buying DVC as a "gift to ourselves" for... well I guess just for being awesome, because we have no other reason except we love WDW.

Anyways, I've got a DVC package coming, but after exploring these boards and looking around a bit, I've still got some questions, and I'm hoping that you guys can help me out.

OK: I'm fairly certain she will want to do the Wilderness Lodge, but it states that only four adults can sleep in the lower level accomodations. We are much happier with longer stays vs. nicer rooms, but we will (soon) have three kids..... I don't want to have to shorten our vacations later because the baby won't be able to sleep in a crib forever... can they fit more?

What about the dining plan? We absolutly loved it the last time we were there, but I'm not seeing if it's available to those staying as DVC owners.

Can you give your points to family members? What I mean is, if I wanted to send my sister one year or something like that, are they allowed to use my points without me being there?

Thanks in advance!

-JDD

 

[chalee94]

OK: I'm fairly certain she will want to do the Wilderness Lodge, but it states that only four adults can sleep in the lower level accomodations. We are much happier with longer stays vs. nicer rooms, but we will (soon) have three kids..... I don't want to have to shorten our vacations later because the baby won't be able to sleep in a crib forever... can they fit more?

any discussions of this type will get you kicked to the occupancy thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=901569&page=121

scan through the last few pages of that thread and it should help answer your question.


What about the dining plan? We absolutly loved it the last time we were there, but I'm not seeing if it's available to those staying as DVC owners.

yes. never for "free" and you have to get it for all occupants for all nights. but you can get it added with no ticket purchase requirements. (current costs are over on the dining boards.)

Can you give your points to family members? What I mean is, if I wanted to send my sister one year or something like that, are they allowed to use my points without me being there?

yes. it's a lot like renting without getting any money. (you can't give them "points" obviously - pts are worthless for nonmembers who can't even speak to MS - but you can make a reservation in their names.)

you do want to be clear with the recipient of the stay that if they have to cancel at the last minute, your points may get flushed down the toilet (or something)...so that there are no misunderstandings later...

 

[Lynne M]

The 4-in-a-studio limit is firm; once all of your children are over three years of age, you'll no longer be able to stay in a studio.

1-bedrooms are a bit more complicated. The contracts for all resorts except AKV state that 4 is the limit in a 1-bedroom, but MS will make an exception and allow 5. However, I'd be afraid to count on that exception in the future, since DVC can decide to enforce the contract at any time.

Some of the AKV 1-bedrooms do 'officially' sleep 5.

In all likelihood, you're going to end up needing a 2-bedroom villa sooner, rather than later. The kids aren't going to want to sleep on a sofa bed forever, and one of them would always have to sleep on the floor in a 1-bedroom. And as they get older, the second bathroom will become more important.

As a DVC member, you can add the dining plan to your stays. There's no ticket purchase requirement.

You can make reservations for friends, family members, etc. Only those on the contract can make reservations (you can't 'give points' to someone), so you'd need to make the arrangements.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you consider AKV, the 1 bedrooms will have bedding for 5, and the umnits in Kidani village will also have a second bathroom in the 1 bedroom unit. That is probably going to be your best option for the next few years. Personally, I wouldn't plan on limiting yourself to studios only. You really miss the true value of DVC if you aren't taking advantage of the kitchens, laundry rooms, and master bedrooms.

 

[disneynutz]

What about the dining plan? We absolutly loved it the last time we were there, but I'm not seeing if it's available to those staying as DVC owners.

Thanks in advance!

-JDD

The dining plan is a perk. I wouldn't buy based upon the dining plan. Who knows if it will be available next year and beyond?