New to dvc. any recommendations?

[dvcdream4fld]

I'm a veteran to WDW, but I am new to dvc. I'm looking at making a list of stuff to do that dvc members can do that I shouldn't miss. We plan on taking family trips and couples trips. I just want to know what veteran dvc do with their trips. What do dvc owners do that most other guests don't do?

 

[chalee94]

What do dvc owners do that most other guests don't do?

sleep in.

skip rope drop.

take breaks in the middle of the day.

skip rides if the lines are long.

relax and realize that you are coming back again soon...

...there's also the secret handshake, but i can't tell you about that until your membership is confirmed...

(there's really not a lot that DVC members can do that other visitors cannot.)

 

[dvcdream4fld]

Hmm. I need to practice the secret handshake...

Yeah, relax is a good suggestion, because we usually tend to go go go.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Reddog1134]

What do dvc owners do that most other guests don't do?

Complain about not getting free dining.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)

 

[chalee94]

Hmm. I need to practice the secret handshake...

Yeah, relax is a good suggestion, because we usually tend to go go go.

Any other suggestions?

all i can think of is along the same lines:

take part in resort activities, like movies by the pool or night vision goggles at AKV

try a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the parks

i suppose some DVCers like to cook in the full kitchens in the 1BR villas (and up) or do laundry before they go home, but that's not generally my thing...

 

[disney212]

Our favorite is Top of the World Lounge, DVC members Christmas parties, Welcome Home Wednesdays and Members bowling at Splitsville. We love the discounted APs, discounts on MVMCP and MNSSHP, food discounts.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

Yeah. Done the disney plan a few times. I even did it years ago when it was a good deal and included appetizer and gratuity. Nowadays, I think it's only a decent deal when you a lot of kids/teens with you. I don't want to eat myself around the world. With DDP, I gain about a pound a day at the parks. Without DDP, I lose a pound a day.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

Top of world lounge sounds good. I heard some of the restaurants have wine tastings for dvc members?

 

[disney212]

Our favorite is Top of the World Lounge, DVC members Christmas parties, Welcome Home Wednesdays and Members bowling at Splitsville. We love the discounted APs, discounts on MVMCP and MNSSHP, food discounts.

Almost forgot the discounts on tours, boat rentals, special experiences (driving Nascars, parasailing, etc).

 

[mkpat]

Do they still do Welcome Home Wednesdays? I haven't seen any signs for it anywhere...

 

[disney212]

Do they still do Welcome Home Wednesdays? I haven't seen any signs for it anywhere...

It is on the member site. Looks like November and December will have the Merry Mixer instead.

 

[Andrew015]

I would look into purchasing the Tables in Wonderland card. This is the best discount dining option available to us DVC members, and in my opinion, is a better option than the Disney Dining Plan. If planned accordingly, you can get at least 2-3 trips per card, at which point, this really starts to pay for itself.

 

[Geomom]

TIW discount card: If you think you'll spend more than $500 in food/alcohol at sit down restaurants in a year, get the TIW discount card for $100, it saves you 20% off food and alcohol at most Table service restaurants for 12-13 months and a few QS restaurants (mainly at Animal Kingdom and the value resorts). Note that they add 18% gratuity to your bill at the TS restaurants.

Annual pass: We get a DVC annual pass every other year--if you're able to plan 2 trips or more within 12 months, it's worth it.

Welcome Home Wednesdays: Go to Welcome Home Wednesdays at least once--we tend to go if we're staying at BWV or BCV.

Sundown Mingle?: I don't know if they still have it...but in 8/13 while staying at AKV, we went to the Sundown Mingle event at AKV--sign up is at Jambo house--it was free alcoholic punch/non-alcoholic punches and free appetizers while mingling with other DVC owners.

Community Halls: If you have kids, check out the community halls at various DVC's. Free crafts (and some for purchase), videogames, foosball, etc.

Discount tours: we went on the Behind the Seeds tour last February.

Free activities at resorts: a few resorts have tours of the buildings on certain days. Check out the activity calendar when you check into a resort. AKV has lots of free cultural activities that are a lot of fun.

Make a list of all the things you'd like to do/restaurants you'd like to try--and check a new one off your list at each visit. We're still doing new things!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The problem with TIW is that it now has blackout dates (weeks at a time) for many restaurants. More than Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, etc, like in the past. It's not good deal for us any more.

As long time DVC members we like to just sit in the villa and watch TV sometimes. Or sit on the porch (we like to stay mostly at OKW). Go to the neighborhood pools in the resorts instead of the themed pools that tend to be very crowded.

And we usually take a nap in the afternoon.

 

[MsTessP]

Below is from the TIW website. It is only a small % of total locations that have additional blocked periods. Fortunately, there are so many great locations that have no blocked periods ( other than major holidays) that it still works out very well for our family.

Validity Dates:

**Victoria& Albert’s will honor Tables in Wonderland discount through July 31st, 2014. As of August 1st, 2014 the restaurant will no longer participate in Tables in Wonderland.

*Beginning August 1st 2014, 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey’s, ‘Ohana (Dinner Only), Cinderella’s Royal Table, LeChefs de France, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, and Le Cellier Steakhouse will be subject to the additional blockout weeks of: November 23-29, 2014; December 21-27, 2014; March 8-April 4, 2015; May 31-June 20, 2015.

Blockout dates for Tables in Wonderland are Mother’s Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Tables in Wonderland is valid for one year from date of purchase.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

Thanks to everyone's response. I was aware of some of these perks, but not all.

 

[Micca]

Welcome to the neighborhood Dvcdream4fld I'll agree that one of the benefits is the comfort in knowing that you'll be visiting many times in the years ahead.
There's no need for commando touring, as you'll eventually get to do everything you want to do on property.

As a WDW vet you probably already know the lay of the land. Being a member you'll feel even more at home. There won't be many "puzzles" left wondering how to get from point a to point b, how long things take, how to handle logistics. You'll also take the time to look around and soak up the atmosphere.

We also love to make a grocery store run to stock the room with drinks & treats.
We don't mind spending money on our trips, but paying premium prices for every little thing gets kind of old(i.e. $4-$6 for a bottle of beer.) You can have your favorite snacks and drinks in a relaxing mode at a more reasonable cost.

As a Disney fan, you'll also get to see first hand the development of new attractions and the changes on property. Most visitors see new projects getting underway and think "aww...I wish we could see this/do this now" you'll have the satisfaction of knowing. "Cool! We'll catch this next trip!"

If you haven't already, check out Owners Locker. Quite a few DVC members use them, and it can make a big difference in how you travel With airlines charging for luggage, and the hassle of schlepping stuff back & forth the service is a godsend. http://www.ownerslocker.com/

Those are some of our thoughts on membership. It's sort of a personal thing, a bit different for everybody.

 

[Andrew015]

The problem with TIW is that it now has blackout dates (weeks at a time) for many restaurants. More than Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, etc, like in the past. It's not good deal for us any more.

IMHO, Tables in Wonderland still offers good value (unless, of course, you primarily travel around the holiday blackout dates mentioned above). The few additional restrictions don't bother me, and it doesn't take long to recoup the initial $100 investment. I much prefer the flexibility offered by TIW as compared to the DDP, and it sure beats paying "full price".

 

[dvcdream4fld]

I think the best thing about TiW is that your not forced to eat to get value. You end up eating when your not hungry and ordering the most expensive thing on the menu. However, both plans are only valuable when you travel with a group of four or larger, or you plan on eating at those expensive restaurants that offer the best value or discount.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Do you get a discount when buying TiW as a DVC owner?