Planning Golf (with the DVC Golf Membership)

[Golden Rose]

We're planning a trip for mid January. My mom and her SO are planning on making it a golf vacation. She is a DVC member, he is not. I am the planner for the family, so she has asked me to schedule all their tee times. They pla to go together so they can use the golf membership I plan to buy her.

How hot does is get in late January? Will I need to make their tee times early in the morning in January so that they don't get too hot?

How hard is it to get tee times? They are hoping to play a round a day and try out several of the different courses, but which course they play which day is flexible.

Do I have to buy her the DVC golf membership before I can reserve the tee times at all? Or do I just need to get it by the first day they play?

Will the greens fees need to be paid in advance at the time of booking, or are they charged to the room?

 

[ChelleinNC]

From Disneygolf.com:

Disney Vacation Club Membership – $50.00*
As a DISNEY VACATION CLUB MEMBER, you are eligible to purchase a golf membership that provides year-round discounts up to 60% off regular rates for you and up to three Guests.

Call (407) 938-GOLF (938-4653)† to reserve, or visit any Disney Golf Pro Shop to purchase these exciting offers.

Your mom will need to show her blue DVC member card to get her golf membership. She can do that when she checks in for her round of golf at the pro-shop. When you call & make her tee times, just let them know that she'll be getting the DVC golf membership (it shouldn't be an issue at all). We didn't know about the golf membership when we checked in for our round, the CM working in the pro shop asked if we'd like to get it, and even after paying the $50, it saved us money that day

I haven't played in January down there, but played last December. It was chilly in the morning and nice, but certainly not hot in the afternoon. It's a great time of year to take advantage of the price discount after 10am Not sure how busy they'll be in January. Tee times can only be made up to 90 days in advance.

All 4 full courses are beautiful! Oak Trail is nice, it's a 9 hole walking course (play it twice for 18) We love playing golf at Disney, let me know if you have any other questions

edit to add: A CC guarantee is required for booking, but not charged unless you don't show up or cancel your tee time. You can charge to your room or pay however you'd like when you check in.

 

[jimmacmn]

We're planning a trip for mid January. My mom and her SO are planning on making it a golf vacation. She is a DVC member, he is not. I am the planner for the family, so she has asked me to schedule all their tee times. They pla to go together so they can use the golf membership I plan to buy her.

How hot does is get in late January? Will I need to make their tee times early in the morning in January so that they don't get too hot?

We haven't been in Jan, but we have been in early Feb. It can be cool in the morning and most days that time of year shouldn't get much more than 80 so later in the morning should be just fine. You need to watch for mid to late afternoon as it does get dark earlier that time of year.

How hard is it to get tee times? They are hoping to play a round a day and try out several of the different courses, but which course they play which day is flexible.

Unless they have changed proceedures, a DVC member can only make tee times 14 days in advance. That said, I would assume you will be able to get tee times at one of the courses if you are flexible.

Do I have to buy her the DVC golf membership before I can reserve the tee times at all? Or do I just need to get it by the first day they play?

The tee times can be made on the DVC membership plan before the plan is actually purchased. The membership has to be purchased in the Pro Shop when checking in for the first tee time. The DVC member must present their DVC membership card to be able to purchase the Golf membership

Will the greens fees need to be paid in advance at the time of booking, or are they charged to the room?

When the tee time is made, they will need to have a credit card to guarantee the tee time, but the rounds are actually paid for when checking in for the round. At that time they can be put on a room charge, credit card or in cash.
They take a credit card to guarantee the times because they have a cancellation policy and if you do not show for the tee time, they say they will charge the card. I've never not cancelled the tee time in the required time frame so I do not know if this is a strict policy.

You should know that you can make your tee times on line at www.disneygolf.com instead of calling for a tee time. The courses are super and the DVC rates are excellent! Hope they have a great time and by the way, Osprey Ridge is a must play.

 

[drusba]

1. The only place you get a DVC golf member discount card is at a pro shop when you show up to play first round. So she will have to purchase it when she shows up for first tee time. However, you can make tee times beforehand.

2. Tee times can be done on-line, start here:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/golf/golfDetail?id=GolfRatesPage

The system allows you designate it as a DVC discount time. You can also call 1-407-WDW-GOLF. Credit card reserves times; if you cancel 48 hours or more before, card is not charged; if there is bad weather (e.g., it is pouring or the temp outside is 22 -- it can happen sometimes in Jan) and you cancel the same morning of your time, card is not charged.

3. When you say "mid-January," understand that it makes a huge difference what you mean by that. You have a season change at that time of year where you go from mid-range cost to highest cost time of year. The mid-range ends Jan 20, and you can make tee times for Jan 20 or before 90 days out, and DVC rate per person per round with discount card is $79 before 10 and $59 after 10. Beginning for Jan 21, you can make tee times only 14 days or less out, and cost is $109 before 10 and $89 after 10.

4. As far as actually being able to get a time, you have a high probability of getting course and appoximate time you want by reserving 40 days or more out that time of year. If you reserve at 14 days, you still have high probability of getting a time close to what you want but you may not get exact course you want for that particular time. However, if you have 40 minute flexibility in times you want, you will likely find that even the course you want has availability. It can be more difficult on Sat and Sun because many local residents play there on weekends but still should not have problem getting one of the courses for approximate time you may want. In other words, it is not hard to get something that time of year. If a twosome, they will slot you in with two others to make four. The four 18 hole courses are Magnolia. Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge. All are good, Osprey is outstanding (and listed in Golf Digest's top 100 courses).

5. As far as time of day to play, after 10 is fine and may be preferrable to earlier. It can actually be somewhat cold (and sometimes far more than somewhat) early in the morning.

6. Also note that the DVC discount card actually lasts more than a year -- it always runs to the end of a calendar month -- and if you go the same time every year you can get double use out of one card. Example: if you buy a card on any day in Jan, e.g., Jan 8, the card is good until Jan 31 of the following year.

 

[mtmbyck]

Tell me if I can take advantage if I am renting a DVC's points for our stay. As I understand, our KTTW will identify us as DVC member guests so can we pay the $50 and get the discounts? DH really wants to do lots of golfing.

 

[jimmacmn]

Tell me if I can take advantage if I am renting a DVC's points for our stay. As I understand, our KTTW will identify us as DVC member guests so can we pay the $50 and get the discounts? DH really wants to do lots of golfing.

No the membership is only available to the DVC member

 

[Golden Rose]

Our trip will be from January 18 until the 23rd or 24th (depending on if we can bring ourselves to spend points for a Friday night...)

This is our 1st DVC trip, although we've been to WDW many times before we bought DVC. Everyone in our party has been to WDW before, but only one of us has every played golf there (Mom's SO)... and it was many years ago and he doesn't seem to have many memories of it. I'm hoping to make it a great trip for them, so they'll want to come back.

My mom and her SO are not planning on going into the parks at all. They are only planning on playing golf, eating at hotel restaurants, watching movies, swimming, and hanging out around the resort. Oh, and babysitting for us once in a while since DH and I would actually like a little time without our DS (for example, for V & A...) They have made it clear to me that golf is their number one priority for the trip, and they absolutely want to golf every day. I am in charge of booking their tee times.

We're not trying to book any weekend dates at all... But I am trying to book for MLK weekend. I guess I'll book the 19th and 20th for them in a few weeks... and the 21st-23rd at 2 weeks out.

I have heard one of the courses is going to be closed for a while while a new hotel is being built. Is that going to be happening while we're there?

Oh, and they also want to know which of the courses have driving ranges and what the policies are for using them.

 

[jimmacmn]

We're not trying to book any weekend dates at all... But I am trying to book for MLK weekend. I guess I'll book the 19th and 20th for them in a few weeks... and the 21st-23rd at 2 weeks out.

If you are going to be there on an actual weekend, it shouldn't be to difficult to book a tee time. Probably no harder to book than any other time. DW and I will be there MLK weekend but no golf. My golf trip in in Feb with the guys.

I have heard one of the courses is going to be closed for a while while a new hotel is being built. Is that going to be happening while we're there?

Actually, the Eagle Pines course closed a year ago so they could build the new Four Seasons Resort on the grounds it once occupied. We were there last October and I hit a ball over the mound that seperated Ospery Ridge and Eagle Pines. It hadn't been watered or mowed for a couple of months and it broke my heart to see it. At some point, sometime in 2010 I think, Osprey Ridge will be closed and be redone. When it reopens it will be a part of the Four Seasons resort and will probably not be available to Disney guests.

Oh, and they also want to know which of the courses have driving ranges and what the policies are for using them.

All of the courses have a driving range. As I recall the DVC membership includes a bucket of range balls with the greens fees. Additional buckets can be purchased. I don't know for sure but I assume anyone could go to the Pro Shop and purchase a bucket of balls to hit without actually playing.

 

[drusba]

All four courses should be open in Jan. The Osprey is not supposed to go down until 2010. Driving ranges at all but you do not get a free bucket with DVC discount. You can use driving range at any time even if not playing course. Note that you mentioned they will be doing "swimming." All I can say to that is maybe. Sometimes it is warm enough for the pool that time of year sometimes it is not (except for those who go to the pool even when it is cool). They will provide free transportation (cab or courtesy car) to and from courses. As to courses, if they are going to play four days, try to reserve a different course each day. As to difficulty, none is overly difficult and none is overly easy. Of the group, Osprey and Palm are the more difficult, Magnolia the longest (but with wide fairways) and LBV the shortest and easiest of the group. The Magnolia is the one used for the PGA tour event in late Oct/Nov (they used to also use Palm but are now going to just the one course). The Magnolia has the Mickey-shaped sand trap on the sixth hole, the photo of which is often seen in ads for the courses. Pro shops are well stocked with Disney merchandise and the on-course refreshment cart comes often with a variety of sandwiches, hot dogs, and essentially a full bar. Golf carts have built in sky caddies (to give distance to hole) except when I last played at LBV it still did not have them but was supposed to get them.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I just booked my DH a tee time for the end of this month. I got a rate of $59 for magnolia (after 10am). Would it be worth it to buy the card? Do they discount any more than that?

 

[drusba]

I just booked my DH a tee time for the end of this month. I got a rate of $59 for magnolia (after 10am). Would it be worth it to buy the card? Do they discount any more than that?

This month is still summer rates, lowest of the year. With DVC card, after 10 a.m. rate is $39 but as you have discovered the regular after 10 rate (which they call the summer price slice discount rate) at Magnolia is only $59. DVC card costs $50 plus tax. Thus not worth it to buy if only going once because combined card cost and DVC rate is higher than that $59.

 

[DTrippie]

I'm going in September and am taking advantage of the Twilight Golf Specials. Even as a DVC member I feel that I'm getting the best deal possible. I'm paying $39 bucks for 18 holes with a cart, and taxi service to and from the course each day. I just have to book my tee time after 3:00. If your family is flexible enough to golf later in the day then its a great deal! Anyone staying on resort grounds can book 90 days in advance and odds are if you call first thing in the morning on the90th day, you will get the tee time you want:

(1) Price Slice rates are per person for greens fee and use of electric cart. Pre-round practice balls are NOT INCLUDED.
(2) 3:00pm Special rates are for tees times booked after 3pm and are per person for greens fee and use of electric cart. Pre-round practice balls are NOT INCLUDED.
(3) Twilight Special rates are per person for greens fee and use of electric cart. Pre-round practice balls are NOT INCLUDED.
(4) Twilight Times:
• Starting at 3:00 p.m. from October 3, 2008 - October 25, 2008
• Starting at 2:00 p.m. from October 26, 2008 - January 15, 2009

 

[Lexxiefern]

This month is still summer rates, lowest of the year. With DVC card, after 10 a.m. rate is $39 but as you have discovered the regular after 10 rate (which they call the summer price slice discount rate) at Magnolia is only $59. DVC card costs $50 plus tax. Thus not worth it to buy if only going once because combined card cost and DVC rate is higher than that $59.

Thanks for the info! I think it may be worth it as long as he plays at least one more time in the next year. I need to look up what is included with the card. Is it listed on the DVC member site? I thought I had read you get transfers from your hotel included?

 

[mouse]

Twilight rates are great, but just keep in mind that you may not be able to finish all 18 holes. We have played often in January, and even with a 1PM tee time, on a busy day when things may be a little backed up, we were barely able to finish before dark. Gets pretty dark by 6PM in January.

 

[DTrippie]

They pay for you to get a cab to and from the course. Range balls are included if you don't get the Twilight deal. Also, they transfer your clubs to the next course if you are playing multiple days.

 

[drusba]

Thanks for the info! I think it may be worth it as long as he plays at least one more time in the next year. I need to look up what is included with the card. Is it listed on the DVC member site? I thought I had read you get transfers from your hotel included?

Info about the golf discount and what is included is in the Member Benefits Guide that you can find on the official DVC site. They provide taxi or courtesy car service between hotels and courses at no charge, but that is not DVC benefit per se since it is for any guest who is staying at any Disney resort and wants to golf.

 

[jpmom]

Can anyone tell me about golf discounts for April?

After 10am?

After 3pm?

 

[jimmacmn]

Can anyone tell me about golf discounts for April?

For most of April the DVC rate for before 10AM is 109.00 and after 10AM it is 89.00. After April 25, the rates change to 59.00 before 10 and 39.00 after 10

 

[jpmom]

For most of April the DVC rate for before 10AM is 109.00 and after 10AM it is 89.00. After April 25, the rates change to 59.00 before 10 and 39.00 after 10

Do you know if you can apply the Annual Pass Discount to the DVC discount?

 

[jimmacmn]

Do you know if you can apply the Annual Pass Discount to the DVC discount?

No, it is one or the other.