Our first trip as DVC Members

[hogue123]

We just bought our DVC last year while on vacation at the AKL. This was our first time staying at AKL and we fell in love with the resort. My husband surprised me and the kids by taking us on the tour and signing up for DVC. We bought into the AKV. We have waited almost a year to use it. We are just so excited that the trip is less than 2 weeks away!

I was wondering, since we are new to this, is there any good advice you'd give us regarding DVC, what to pack or buy for the room that you needed or found useful that would make our stay more magical?

Thanks!
Amy

 

[Laxmom]

Hi neighbor!! I don't have any answers since we haven't take our first trip home but I couldn't resist congratulating you on your purchase!!!

 

[Donald is #1]

Well, I have only had one DVC trip so far but have 3 planned this year so hopefully I will become an expert. But anyways, I would suggest picking up some drinks for the room (water, soda, juice). It was really nice coming back to my room after a long day at the parks and having something to drink in the room instead of having to walk down to the food court, gift shop, etc. I also picked up some fruit so that I could snack on that while I was waiting for everyone else to get ready in the morning.

 

[hogue123]

Well, I have only had one DVC trip so far but have 3 planned this year so hopefully I will become an expert. But anyways, I would suggest picking up some drinks for the room (water, soda, juice). It was really nice coming back to my room after a long day at the parks and having something to drink in the room instead of having to walk down to the food court, gift shop, etc. I also picked up some fruit so that I could snack on that while I was waiting for everyone else to get ready in the morning.

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it. I remember the long walk to the food area after being at the parks or scrambling for some change for the vending machines. Having a large refrigerator in the room is going to be great. Especially with 3 kids.

 

[hogue123]

Hi neighbor!! I don't have any answers since we haven't take our first trip home but I couldn't resist congratulating you on your purchase!!!

Thank you! We are close neighbors! I live in Liberty Township and we go to Mason ALL the time.

 

[ranthony]

Congratulations neighbor (not in the real world but the DVC one)!

We are so excited for our first trip to AKV next March. Without really knowing how long you'll be staying or the ages of your kids I'll try to give you some very 'unsagely' advice since I have never been either.

1. Bubble bath for the tub. The tubs look so big and wonderful I know my 3 little ones will love a bubble bath.
2. Binoculars for viewing the animals.
3. DVDs for the room...Disney, of course!
4. Plan resort time for the kids to do the fun activities available like the parade in the lobby, night vision goggles and the bead/craft activity.
5. There is also a campfire/storytelling activity but I haven't been able to determine if the stories can hold the attention of preschoolers.
6. Their favorite bedtime books--especially ones about animals.

I'm sure someone with more experience will come along and offer advice. Have a great trip!

 

[Safari Queen]

You can get DVDs for free in the gift shop. One at a time, but you can take one whenever you want.

If you plan to eat meals in the room, bring coffee (they only give you 1-2 pots worth), filters, sweetner, creamer, napkins, salt & pepper. If you're really cooking, pack teaspoons, measuring cups, and a pitcher for mixing cold drinks. If you care, there are no placemats or tableclothes.

When we have a full size kitchen, we pack all our dry goods (cereal, breakfast bars, coffee, Crystal Light, etc) and a small cooler with eggs, bacon, juice. I freeze everything that freezes well and it keeps the food cold.

Take a good look at the "Portable Perks" that you'll get in your Welcome Package to see what discounts are being offered to DVC members.

Other than that, have a great time on your first trip home!

 

[Laxmom]

Thank you! We are close neighbors! I live in Liberty Township and we go to Mason ALL the time.

DS plays soccer and lacrosse. We are over on your side of I-75 alot!!

Please give us a trip report when you get back!

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Congratulations Hogue123!

I always just bring along coffee&filters, shampoo/conditioner and extra laundry detergent because we always use more than is supplied by housekeeping. They will replenish creamer, sugar for free if you run out but they charge for coffee. I usually pack some dry foods too, like cereal, mac & cheese, popcorn... to have around the room.

Bring binoculars for animal viewing.
Have a great trip!

 

[Princess Tink]

When we have a full size kitchen, we pack all our dry goods (cereal, breakfast bars, coffee, Crystal Light, etc) and a small cooler with eggs, bacon, juice. I freeze everything that freezes well and it keeps the food cold.
QUOTE]


I found this interesting.....EGGS?!?!? Just curious, how do you transport EGGS to WDW intact? Inquiring minds wants to know!

 

[hogue123]

Congratulations neighbor (not in the real world but the DVC one)!

We are so excited for our first trip to AKV next March. Without really knowing how long you'll be staying or the ages of your kids I'll try to give you some very 'unsagely' advice since I have never been either.

1. Bubble bath for the tub. The tubs look so big and wonderful I know my 3 little ones will love a bubble bath.
2. Binoculars for viewing the animals.
3. DVDs for the room...Disney, of course!
4. Plan resort time for the kids to do the fun activities available like the parade in the lobby, night vision goggles and the bead/craft activity.
5. There is also a campfire/storytelling activity but I haven't been able to determine if the stories can hold the attention of preschoolers.
6. Their favorite bedtime books--especially ones about animals.

I'm sure someone with more experience will come along and offer advice. Have a great trip!

We have 3 boys. The oldest is almost 9, the middle guy will be 6 while we are in Disney and the little one is 3. We will be there 7 nights.

Boy, I wish there was time for a nice bubble bath! With the kids, we don't get much privacy or time to do that I am glad you mentioned the binoculars. My husband last year mentioned that he wishes he would have taken some since we had a savannah view last year. I will add that to my list! We are at the parks from opening to closing and don't spend much time at the resort. We never really turn the TV on when we are there. I may pack a video just in case.

Thank you for all your suggestions!

 

[hogue123]

You can get DVDs for free in the gift shop. One at a time, but you can take one whenever you want.

If you plan to eat meals in the room, bring coffee (they only give you 1-2 pots worth), filters, sweetner, creamer, napkins, salt & pepper. If you're really cooking, pack teaspoons, measuring cups, and a pitcher for mixing cold drinks. If you care, there are no placemats or tableclothes.

When we have a full size kitchen, we pack all our dry goods (cereal, breakfast bars, coffee, Crystal Light, etc) and a small cooler with eggs, bacon, juice. I freeze everything that freezes well and it keeps the food cold.

Take a good look at the "Portable Perks" that you'll get in your Welcome Package to see what discounts are being offered to DVC members.

Other than that, have a great time on your first trip home!

Thanks for all your advice! I will get out my "portable perks" and take a look at it.

 

[hogue123]

Congratulations Hogue123!

I always just bring along coffee&filters, shampoo/conditioner and extra laundry detergent because we always use more than is supplied by housekeeping. They will replenish creamer, sugar for free if you run out but they charge for coffee. I usually pack some dry foods too, like cereal, mac & cheese, popcorn... to have around the room.

Bring binoculars for animal viewing.
Have a great trip!

Thanks for the advice! We are not coffee drinkers so the coffee stuff I won't have to worry about. So they supply some laundry detergent? I was not sure if they did or not. I bought a few single use packets to bring. I guess since we will have a washer/dryer in the room (I never do laundry on vacation) then I will not have to pack so many clothes... I guess that will leave me some room in the suitcases for dry foods.

 

[jjbescher]

Thanks for the advice! We are not coffee drinkers so the coffee stuff I won't have to worry about. So they supply some laundry detergent? I was not sure if they did or not. I bought a few single use packets to bring. I guess since we will have a washer/dryer in the room (I never do laundry on vacation) then I will not have to pack so many clothes... I guess that will leave me some room in the suitcases for dry foods.

They supply one single use of laundry detergent.

If you plan on using the dishwasher, they supply very little of it, but do supply enough hand dish washing soap.

Have fun.
jon

 

[hogue123]

They supply one single use of laundry detergent.

If you plan on using the dishwasher, they supply very little of it, but do supply enough hand dish washing soap.

Have fun.
jon

Thanks for the heads up about the dishwasher and laundry detergent. I will be sure to pack some.

 

[ranthony]

We are at the parks from opening to closing and don't spend much time at the resort.

Wow! Those sound like long days! The great thing about DVC is you know you're coming back.

My guys are 6, 3 and 3 now and they would be thrilled with a day at the pool. Our last trip in December we were at park openings (sometimes before the sun was even up) and then returned to the room right after lunch for swimming and naps. DH and I often napped too. Then, we'd return to the parks to enjoy the evening parades, etc. Sometimes we didn't return at all because the kids were happy swimming and hanging out at the resort (and this was at Pop Century)!

Don't count out that bubble bath (for them or you).

 

[hogue123]

Wow! Those sound like long days! The great thing about DVC is you know you're coming back.

My guys are 6, 3 and 3 now and they would be thrilled with a day at the pool. Our last trip in December we were at park openings (sometimes before the sun was even up) and then returned to the room right after lunch for swimming and naps. DH and I often napped too. Then, we'd return to the parks to enjoy the evening parades, etc. Sometimes we didn't return at all because the kids were happy swimming and hanging out at the resort (and this was at Pop Century)!

Don't count out that bubble bath (for them ot you).

They are very long days but that's just how we always do Disney. Always on the go. We figure we pay so much to go there, why sit around the resort? The kids would NEVER take naps if we went back to the room. We can barely get them to sleep for us at night. I am not sure why but they are not pool kinda kids. During several of our trips to Disney, we never went to the pool once the whole trip. We may have to try to fit some pool time in on this trip.

 

[wildernessDad]

We used to bring an extra suitcase full of bottled water. The empty suitcase brought back goodies. But with the charge for extra luggage hitting soon, we may not do this anymore.