New DVC member with a few questions....

[Macagno]

First I just want to say I think this board is great!!! We are new members and I have spent a great deal on this board and it offers a lot of tips and info. Thank you!!!

My apologies if this question has been answered before, but I am a newbie....

My husband and I and our two children (7 and 1yr) will be vacationing the last week of september. We are looking to stay at the Boardwalk. How far in advance can we book. My home property is Saratoga Springs. We are looking to stay in the 1 bedroom. I would like a non-smoking room. Other than that I really don't have any other requests. If anyone has stayed there, are there any recommendations as to specific floor or anything that I should ask for upon arrival.

My last questions pertains to food. I have seen somewhere on the boards that there is some type of meal program for DVC members. You would pay a yearly fee and that would entitle you to a 20% discount on food?

Thank you

 

[wbcincy]

While I am new to this as well, I can tell you that to make reservations at a resort other than your home resort, you cannot do it until 7 months from the checkout date of your trip. Not sure about your other questions, thought I'd answer what I could.

 

[tjkraz]

My husband and I and our two children (7 and 1yr) will be vacationing the last week of september. We are looking to stay at the Boardwalk. How far in advance can we book. My home property is Saratoga Springs.

Non-Home resort bookings are always seven months from your checkout date. If you want to stay from 9/15 to 9/20, you could have first called on 2/20 to book the room. If you know your dates, I would call immediately. BWV is pretty popular, but in September I don't think you'll have a problem getting a room right now.

In fact, you may have to make a decision on which class of room to book:

Standard View: Less points. Really isn't a bad view at all--the rooms face out toward the front drive leading to the resort. These rooms are very popular due to the lower point schedule.

Preferred Boardwalk View: Points are from the "Preferred" schedule, but you're guaranteed a room that directly overlooks the Boardwalk.

Preferred Garden / Pool View: Everything else. Includes views of the main pool, quiet pool, village green (the area by the stairway leading down to the Boardwalk) and boat canal that runs over to MGM.

We are looking to stay in the 1 bedroom. I would like a non-smoking room. Other than that I really don't have any other requests. If anyone has stayed there, are there any recommendations as to specific floor or anything that I should ask for upon arrival.

Depends on the class of room you book and your individual needs. If you don't have any specific expectations, I would just list the "non-smoking" request and leave the rest to fate. After you've stayed at the resort once you'll have a better idea of what to request in the future.

My last questions pertains to food. I have seen somewhere on the boards that there is some type of meal program for DVC members. You would pay a yearly fee and that would entitle you to a 20% discount on food?

It's called the Disney Dining Experience, but it is for Annual Passholders (and Florida residents, NOT DVC members.) Of course, many DVC members are AP holders. We get a nice discount on APs, so if you plan to be in the theme parks more than 7-8 days in a 365-day period, the AP is usually the way to go.

The DDE costs $50 for AP holders and entitles us to 20% off for the holder and 10 guests at a large list of WDW restaurants. Alcoholic beverages are included. Most counter-service (fast food) restaurants are NOT on the list of discounted locations. The breakeven point is about $250 in purchases with the card. From that point forward you start saving.

 

[Macagno]

Thank you so much !!