Our DVC friends booked us a vacation...

[HotMama]

We have wonderful DVC friends that booked us a vacation with their points. I am trying to get the differences between being a normal resort guest to a DVC guest. We are staying at saratoga springs & boardwalk.

Since mousekeeping doesn't visit everyday I assume you reuse all your towels & don't get fresh towels for 3 days? Do you bring your own pool towels from home?

Do you still get the ever anticipated "Mickey Mail" with luggage tags & coupons??

Any other differences you could give me as a heads up I so do appreciate.

 

[chalee94]

Since mousekeeping doesn't visit everyday I assume you reuse all your towels & don't get fresh towels for 3 days? Do you bring your own pool towels from home?

basically, yes. except that the pool has towels specifically for pool use - so pick them up at the pool, use them at the pool and drop them off at the pool when you're done.

i can't remember about the luggage tags (i assume you are doing DME) so i'll leave that to someone else...

 

[erionm]

Do you still get the ever anticipated "Mickey Mail" with luggage tags & coupons??

If you are using Disney's Magical Express, you will receive a pre-arrival packet from them with luggage tags. DVC does not send out a pre-arrival packet.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

Yes - you will re-use your towels with a trash and towel on the 4th day. If you have a one or two bedroom, you will have a washer/dryer in the room.

As far as "Mickey Mail," if you have booked Magical Express, you'll get the yellow luggage tags, but you won't get the cute Disney tags you would if you booked a package.

 

[kamik86]

If you really want more towels you can call and ask for more. There is a fee for a towel pack but I don't remember how much.

I have never had this issue though I'm ok with reusing them and you can also wash them since 1 bedrooms and larger have laundry in room.

 

[k3chantal]

When you register, the CM's will say 'Welcome home'.

Don't stress about the towels, just don't forget to hang them back up,

This last time, our garbages filled up super quick(we had food delivered through Garden Grocer and beer and wine delivered through Mouse Concierge) so I found the 'garbage room' and threw the trash away. It was full again on the day housekeeping arrived, so they took care of it then.

You don't say what size room you are staying in but I think one of the best features about staying in an one bedroom or larger is the washer and dryer. We typically take a lot less luggage (and that is helpful since we have to fly to get there) and do one load a day. That keeps my family of five in clean clothes and I have to do less work when I get home from my vacation. (Also if you just must have a clean towel you can throw them in too.) Disney does provide laundry soap but I always just go to Target or Walmart and pick up several travel sized or sample sized packets.

Many of the other differences would require you to have a membership card like discounts at some restaurants or stores and the ability to purchase a TIW card. But if you have annual passes you can get that anyway.

Have fun!

 

[DebbieB]

There are several options for housekeeping services:

Housekeeping
Trash & Towel Service
For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both.

With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will:

•Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins.
•Provide fresh bathroom linens.
•Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap.
•Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
•Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.
•Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.

Full Cleaning Service
For stays of eight or more nights, Full Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both.

With Full Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus:

•Change the bed linens.
•Vacuum and dust the Vacation Home.
•Clean the bathroom(s).
•Clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.

Pay As You Play
With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:

•Toiletries Package, $5.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
•Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
•Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
•Laundry Detergent (only in One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:


•Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:


•Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

Room Change Fees:
Room change fee will apply for Member requested room changes after check-in for a different view or room location.

•Deluxe Studio - $30
•One-Bedroom Villa - $45
•Two-Bedroom Villa - $60
•Three-Bedroom Grand Villa - $75

Note: Rates are subject to change

 

[disneynutz]

If you want to use Disney's Magical Express (DME), the owner will need to order it for you, same with the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) if you are interested in it.

Bill

 

[Sandisw]

If you really want more towels you can call and ask for more. There is a fee for a towel pack but I don't remember how much.

I have never had this issue though I'm ok with reusing them and you can also wash them since 1 bedrooms and larger have laundry in room.

We have bought the towel pack a few times--its $6--when we were in studios and I have to say, with 4 of us in the room, it was worth it so that each of us had 2 towels...since some of us showered at night and the others in the morning, we always had dry towels.