Newbie, last minute (non-DVC) stay. Advice for seeing DVC?

[Carolc]

I decided to book a last minute DCL cruise, and will stay in the Disney World area for a few days beforehand. I obviously can't use my DVC points.

I am a new DVC member (haven't been to WDW since purchasing) and have actually never seen the properties, aside from BWV (which I bought). I will be staying onsite in less than two weeks (trying to decide where - either All Star or Port Orleans Riverside) and am wondering what kinds of things I can do while I am in the area (as far as taking advantage of / getting acquainted with my DVC membership).

(Note - I won't have a car, so will need Disney transportation to get around, and will have three kids with me, ages 10, 12, 14).

- Will we still be able to use the pools even if we are not staying in DVC? (I know, can't use BCV or AKV) The perks book I have says we need to show our membership card and DVC room key - we'll have a value/moderate room key, but not a DVC. Is that an issue?

- What properties can we get to easily from All Star or POR? e.g. is it easy to get to SSR from POR by taking boat to DTD first and walking to SSR, or is that a tough trek in the summer? Is bus to DTD and bus to other resorts the best way for all of them?

- Any recommendations for getting acquainted with the properties? We will only be there Friday and Saturday, so can't do the Wednesday night thing, but is there anything else worth doing? Which properties have tours?

- as a side question (b/c I think the answer is 'no'), are there any benefits we can get, as a DVC member, at the Values or Moderates?

Thank you in advance

 

[CarolAnnC]

Pool Hopping is a DVC Member Perk that is only available to those members staying at a DVC Resort on points. Folks staying at WDW Resorts are not allowed pool hopping.

You may want to check the member website for the current listing of perks. I am not aware of anything at the moderates and value resorts, however.

 

[allshookup]

Why can't you stay on points? Are they booked solid?

CarolAnnC already answered your question regarding pool hopping & perks and as far as tours, I think SSR is the place to go, because they have models set up there. We just showed up one day after we purchased DVC & they gave us refreshments & let us see some models. You may want to contact your guide & see if he/she can set something up for you or you could just walk around & check out the area.

You can take a bus or boat to DTD, depending on which resort you are staying at & then it's an easy walk or boat ride to SSR or the boat to OKW. If there are any other DVC resorts you wish to check out, you could go to AK & then take a bus to AKV, bus to MGM & then boat to BCV, bus to MK & then monorail to BLT.

 

[Carolc]

Thank you both for the information.

I cannot stay on points because I've banked my points for the year (my UY is September). Unless you know of a way I can cancel my Disneyland hotel reservation (which is August 30/31) and use it for something in the WDW area, but I didn't think that was possible.

I don't know who my guide is, is one assigned to me?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Carol

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could borrow from your Sept 09 UY

 

[Carolc]

Thanks, Deb. I didn't realize I was able to do that. For some reason, I was thinking that if I'm at the end of my UY and I've already banked my points, I can't book until the next UY started.

I called Member Services and they had availability at Kidani (studio). So, I'll be going 'home' for the first time! I can't wait... the kids are excited, too they were very excited to see the photos, especially the new pool area. I just wish I would have waited to book my August DL reservation, as I could have used those (2007) points for this. Now to research some grocery options...

Thanks again,
Carol

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks, Deb. I didn't realize I was able to do that. For some reason, I was thinking that if I'm at the end of my UY and I've already banked my points, I can't book until the next UY started.

I called Member Services and they had availability at Kidani (studio). So, I'll be going 'home' for the first time! I can't wait... the kids are excited, too they were very excited to see the photos, especially the new pool area. I just wish I would have waited to book my August DL reservation, as I could have used those (2007) points for this. Now to research some grocery options...

Thanks again,
Carol

Well, sometimes the easiest solutions are the ones you don't realize you do even do. Have a nice stay.