Newbie questions: Magical Express, room cards, etc...

[Dizzy over Disney]

Howdy... this is our first trip with DVC and I have some odd and ends questions:

1. Magical Express: We want to do that again. I can't remember if I told them when I booked the trip (I might have.. but have no clue). When do they send the luggage tags and paperwork for that? Do I need to call DVC and verify?

2. We bought our tickets from Undercover Tourist.. they just came in the mail. I can take them to the resort when we check and they can put everything on the room card (the dining plan, room card and tickets) on that one card, right?

3. Online checkin... can someone explain this to me?

4. Mousekeeping. How does that work? When we went our last two trips, I made envelopes because we got it everyday. Can you explain what we get with DVC and do I tip like I use to? I am a tad confused. We are going from Nov 21 (Saturday) to the 28 (Sunday)

Thank you all soooo much!

 

[CarolMN]

Howdy... this is our first trip with DVC and I have some odd and ends questions:

1. Magical Express: We want to do that again. I can't remember if I told them when I booked the trip (I might have.. but have no clue). When do they send the luggage tags and paperwork for that? Do I need to call DVC and verify?

If you can't remember if you gave MS your flight info,call them and make sure. ME usually mails out the booklets and tags about 3 weeks prior to arrival. But if you sign up after that, they still mail until it's too late. There are instructions if you sign up too late to get the info via mail or don't get it. MS can help.

here is also a TON of info on ME over on the Transportation Board.

You can also sign up for ME on the Member's Website (but since you may have gone through MS, give them a call so as to avoid signing up twice).

2. We bought our tickets from Undercover Tourist.. they just came in the mail. I can take them to the resort when we check and they can put everything on the room card (the dining plan, room card and tickets) on that one card, right?

Yes.

3. Online checkin... can someone explain this to me?

It's just a way for you to enter your info ahead of time. (Same info they ask you for at check in). Reportedly, they have your check in packet and room assignment all done when you arrive, thus saving you time. If you are interested, there is a link on the Members' Website. It's visible once you get within 10 days of your arrival and you can find it in the Vacation Details link.

4. Mousekeeping. How does that work? When we went our last two trips, I made envelopes because we got it everyday. Can you explain what we get with DVC and do I tip like I use to? I am a tad confused. We are going from Nov 21 (Saturday) to the 28 (Sunday)

Thank you all soooo much!

SInce your stay is 7 nights, you will get a Trash & Towel service on Day 4. Day 1 is check in Day. That's it, unless you call when your arrive and order more. You would pay for any extra services you order. Tipping is up to you - Disney doesn't consider housekeeping to be a tipped position and many do not tip. Many do, however. I do not usually tip for T&T, but I do leave $15-$40 when we depart, depending on the size of the unit.

IMO, the best thing you can do for housekeeping is leave the unit in good condition. We strip the beds and place all of the towels in the tub. We make sure the refrigerator is completely cleaned out and we load the dishwasher.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[Chuck S]

Something is off a little in the original post. If you're checking out the 28th, that is also a Saturday. If you are staying the night of the 28th, and checking out Sunday the 29th, then you are staying 8 nights and you'll have full cleaning on day 4 (the 24th) and trash and towel service on day 8 (the 28th).

 

[CarolMN]

Something is off a little in the original post. If you're checking out the 28th, that is also a Saturday. If you are staying the night of the 28th, and checking out Sunday the 29th, then you are staying 8 nights and you'll have full cleaning on day 4 (the 24th) and trash and towel service on day 8 (the 28th).

Of course you are correct. I just assumed he was checking in on 11/21 and out on 11/28. That's 7 nights.

Didn't catch that 11/28 was Saturday, LOL

Either way, OP now has good info.

 

[Dizzy over Disney]

You guys are fabulous! Thanks for the information!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...4. Mousekeeping. How does that work? When we went our last two trips, I made envelopes because we got it everyday. Can you explain what we get with DVC and do I tip like I use to? I am a tad confused. We are going from Nov 21 (Saturday) to the 28 (Sunday)

Thank you all soooo much!

Since Housekeeping is a non-tipped position, there isn't a need to tip, but you can tip if you like, especially if you leave a big mess or they really help you out.

If you are staying 8 nights, the only day your bed will be made by the housekeepers is on Day 4. On Day 8, you'll get new towels and trash removed. So if you like to see the beds made up, you get to do that for every day but Day 4.

If you are only staying 7 nights, you get to make the beds every day.