The King, the Queen, and the Teen.... going HOME to the Kingdom!

[ILuvCrush]

We rented DVC points this summer. Paula you have it right, ADR's can be made at the same time regardless of dining plan or not. When staying DVC, you do have to declare your intention of doing the dining plan before checking in (like at least a week maybe) but you don't pay for it until you arrive.

Keep in mind Paula, from my understanding, they have people through DVC who can make your ADR's for you so you don't have to go through Disney Dining. I don't know if you can call them before the 90 day window and they can get you in when the time comes? That may only be an advantage for the really hard to come by ADR's (Kyle is planning on dining with Cindy at her castle right? ) but worth looking into

Yes the DVC members services can book alot of that for you. The different stuff I've read on the DVC threads indicate that it is sometimes better to do it on your own...though I haven't quite grasped why???

 

[michellem1118]

Yes the DVC members services can book alot of that for you. The different stuff I've read on the DVC threads indicate that it is sometimes better to do it on your own...though I haven't quite grasped why???

DVC member services can be a bit slow sometimes, especially early in the morning - there aren't as many CMs at MS, so they can't take the same call volume... but I've had better luck making ADRs through MS than through dining. I've even had a CM on the dining line tell me that there were no reservations available, and then called MS and been able to get the date & time I wanted. I generally make my ADRs through MS, unless I don't have my membership # handy.

As a random side note, apparently ME only runs to the DVC-only resorts like SSR & OKW for people staying on points; I have friends who were planning to stay in a 2BR at SSR on cash, and were told that ME wasn't available for that resort. Just sharing random DVC-related trivia today...

 

[michellem1118]

Hi I'm so glad you joined us!!

From what I understand... even with DVC, you can book 90 days from your arrival date... regardless of if you have the DDP or not.

The only big difference for DVC is whereas if you book a regular room and get the DDP, its considered a package so it needs paid in full 45 days before arrival. With DVC, the DDP is an 'add on' not a package, so you pay for it on arrival. Gives me a few extra weeks to save

Hopefully I understood it right.... Oh and you can use Magical Express too when you stay on points... they asked me if I needed it added

With any luck MEK will be stopping by here soon... she's been a DVC member for about a year (or a bit more)... I hit her up with questions all the time If I'm mistaken.... MEK PLEASE correct me!!!!!

Paula

Forgot to multiquote... but yep, you understand this correctly. In 3 months, we'll have been DVC members for 2 years... we've taken 2 trips on points already, with 2 more booked and one more getting booked (hopefully) on Tuesday morning! And we usually do the dining plan, although we're not planning on it in March... We'll be at WDW at the same time in July, too!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hey Paula,

So I just read your dining choices and I am now starving at 11:30 p.m.! Sounds so yummy. We have a lot of the same selections.

I am still mad about the darn 90 day window.

 

[Disneyfan71]

Hi Paula....be sure to check out my PTR!! I've got a major update. Hope you're doing well tonight

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Hi Paula!!! Your plan sounds great so far!!! I hope you guys have a great time!! I can't wait to read more!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Hi Paula!!! Your plan sounds great so far!!! I hope you guys have a great time!! I can't wait to read more!

Hi Melissa!!

Welcome aboard! Thanks for stopping by and for checking out my DISign thread too

Paula

 

[MEK]

Paula -

I am the worst Marcette. I have been so neglegent of everyone's post. I can't believe it took me a month to check out your pretrippie. I should be ashamed.

But now I am up to speed.

First of all - auto train - cool. I've never done it cause I've always gotten great airfare prices. I will admit, I am a little curious about the auto train. But since I always have trouble sleeping at the start of a trip, I don't think it would be good for me! I'd probably be up all night staring at everyone else sleeping. By morning I would look like this

Your potential ADR's all sound good. I really have to buckle down and think about mine.

I LOVE that you can pay for the dining plan on arrival with DVC. That makes it so user friendly. I've only ever used member services to make one ADR and that was because I was already on the phone with them. And the CM offered and I knew I had one I needed (since I change my ADR's like 10 times!)

But I changed the dates of my trip by one day. I decided to leave June8th (Monday) just incase my DS is still involved in a soccer tournament that day. That means I added a Saturday night (ouch - more points!) I got $59 flights out of PHL. We don't leave until 1pm, but the only other choices were 7am (no can do) and 10 am ( definately doable, but $40 more a person).
BTW - I officially offered to take my nephew who is 8. My DB finally sold his house, but still can't swing taking the whole family to Disney, so I offered to take his oldest. Just waiting to hear what my SIL says.

I also think I want to try the new TS at Kidani. What's it called - Sanna????

 

[faerieprincess]

By morning I would look like this

i HAVE to look like that when i travel...otherwise i don't match my passport picture.



it's not usually hard to accomplish.

 

[ILuvCrush]

i HAVE to look like that when i travel...otherwise i don't match my passport picture.



it's not usually hard to accomplish.

MEK... glad to see ya made it back Stiinks about having to add a Saturday (more points) but at least you don't need to go for a shorter trip

I would rather fly... but since Kyle won't and we will need a car anyway..the autotrain should work well. We've taken it before, it was fun...I had no trouble sleeping (granted I was drugged) but it's sorta like being rocked to sleep like a little baby...clickity clack...clickity clack!!


Paula

 

[Disneyfan71]

Hi Paula **WAVES** hope you're doing well...Check out my PTR if you get a chance.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Hi Paula!

The autotrain thing really does sound like fun. We've taken ferry boats before and it seems similar I mean without the water anyhow.

Sounds like you will have fun.

I know I had to go past that 180 day mark for my next trip. It was so hard waiting until just 90 days. However, I was totally sure of what and where I wanted so maybe it is a good thing.

I hate to rock the boat but I love flying. My Mom's worked for airlines all my life so I've been brought up on it I guess. I like a good road trip too but there is something so delicously exciting about an airport.

 

[KatGarcia]

How did I miss this??? My bad, but I'm in now!

 

[ILuvCrush]

How did I miss this??? My bad, but I'm in now!

Hi Kat!!!
Welcome aboard!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Well I figured I'd treat my few subscribers to a bit of an update. I have been kinda bad about updating for a while, just because things are in a constant state of flux regarding this trip!! I had a scary couple days that I was afraid it would be cancelled all together But fortunately, the crisis had been averted...and I'm continuing to plan with the intention that we will be there in July. The dates however MAY end up changing.... but that will not be known for at least a month... IF it even becomes necessary.

For the time being...lets continue with the CURRENT plan, shall we??

My dear friend MEK was the 1st to introduce me to the gorgeousness that is Disney's Vero Beach Resort!! From the 1st photos she posted of it, I KNEW that I HAD to go there!! Let me share a few... thanks to MEK from whom I lifted the pics..

Isn't it beautiful!!! Tom thinks so too. We have an Ocean View Inn Room (sorta like a studio with a fridge but with 2 beds) reserved for our 1st 2 nights in Florida. We will arrive in Sanford early Tuesday morning. Once our car is 'detrained' the plan is to head south to Vero Beach, stopping somewhere for a nice hearty brunch along the way. I'm hoping to be at Vero by around 2pm.

We joined a chair swap here on the DIS. So after we get checked in and find our room, we can go to bell services and pick up our 4 beach chairs and umbrella! We did the swap with a bunch of other DISsers. it only cost us each like $13. The rental cost for 3 chairs and an umbrella is about $35/day, so the swap is a pretty big $$ saver for me, but even better for those staying the whole week!!

The plan is to hang out on the beach... have pizza or something for supper...maybe do the campfire/smores on the beach in the evening. Nice and relaxing day!!

Weds will probably be more of the same. I am looking into doing a Sea Turtle program Weds night. It's not at Vero, it's about 1/2 hour north. I absolutley LOVE green sea turtles!! I don't have any pics so show...I'll try to scan some...but I fell in love with them after visiting a Sea Turtle sanctuary in Cancun. They are so beautiful. I would love to do the nesting walk. It's be reservation only, and from what I can tell...space fills quickly. So wish me luck! I can't even try to reserve it til June!!

Thursday Morning we will say goodbye to the beach, return our chairs, and head to..... Kennedy Space Center!!

We are planning on spending the day there...til about 4pm or so... maybe earlier/later depending on how much fun we are/not having. Then it's on to WDW and check in at SSR!!! Depending on what time we get there and how tired we are, we will probably just hit DTD for dinner and some shopping and to pick up my new AP and TiW cards. Maybe a dip in the pool and explore SSR a bit. No plan for a park tonite.... that will be on Friday.... and not until my next update!!!


Paula

 

[ILuvCrush]

I thought I'd stick this in here today too....

I have my binder cover DISign made and Mine and Nobby's LGMH DISigned too

I also have a tshirt for Toms birthday DISigned... but I won't print and make it for a while yet. I know I'll probably make a couple more.. I'll post them when I do.

and Tom's Shirt

 

[jenjolt]

Cool designs!! I so love Nobby's LGMH!! That is so awesome!!

Hope you are having a great day today!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Paula!
Thanks for the update!! Sounds so wonderful and Vero Beach looks like someplace I may need to add to my travels, as well! Beautiful pics!!!! Your plans so great!!! I love Sea turtles, too, but have never been anywhere like you're going before, how cool!!!!

Thanks for keeping us posted!!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Ya know, I've never really thought about Vero Beach. Now seeing your/MEK's pictures I'm thinking twice. It looks beautiful and so relaxing. Now I'm going to have to research it!

SO glad crisis averted and you didn't have to cancel!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I was just thinking the same thing as Christine. It looks like I have a little researching to do.