Tips/advice for FIRST stay

[AndreAggie]

We have our first ever stay with DVC coming up in May at Grand Californian. We'll have a 2-bedroom villa for 5 nights. We'll be coming from San Diego (flying to SD first and doing a couple touristy things there) so we'll have a rental car and plan to make a grocery stop on our way to the hotel.

Since we're flying in, I don't have a ton of space to pack extras. At the same time, I don't want to buy a whole lot of stuff that we only need for a few days.

So, what's provided? Shampoo/conditioner? Dish soap? I know I need to bring my own laundry soap and I plan to throw some pods in a baggie. The plan for groceries is to pick up a few breakfast items, stuff for sandwiches and snacks. This is still vacation, so I don't want spend all my time in the kitchen.

Give me your best tips and advice to make our first stay amazing! It's myself, hubs, 8-year old son, in-laws and sister-in-law. So 6 total...5 adults, 1 kiddo.

 

[Geomom]

We've only stayed at the Florida DVC ones...but I'd assume that in general all of them include the same stuff.

With a 2 bedroom, you have a dishwasher--they give you dishwasher soap, a small sponge, a small bottle of Palmolive. With the laundry area, you'll get 1 powdered laundry detergent. Each bathroom will have facial and body soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotion? Kitchen will have 1-2 coffee packets and condiments. None of these will get refilled until Trash and Towel day, on day 4. So...depending on your expected usage of items, you should bring extra coffee/basket filters/sugar, soap, shampoo/conditioner, laundry detergent. If you need more dishwasher soap, housekeeping 'should' give you more of that for free. We also try to remember to bring ziploc bags to put any leftovers into the fridge. When we have a 2 bedroom, I usually bring pancake mix from home...the kind you only need to add water to.

There should be a grocery section to the store near the Grand Californian so that you could pick up perishables, like eggs, milk, creamer, etc. Expect Disney pricing though...

 

[AndreAggie]

If you contact housekeeping for additional shampoo/conditioner, will you be charged?

We're not big coffee drinkers, so that's not a concern. Might grab a starbucks once or twice.

We'll be making a grocery stop so no need to worry about Disney pricing.

 

[Geomom]

If you contact housekeeping for additional shampoo/conditioner, will you be charged?

We're not big coffee drinkers, so that's not a concern. Might grab a starbucks once or twice.

We'll be making a grocery stop so no need to worry about Disney pricing.

Yes, you probably will be charged if you ask for more shampoo/conditioner. They usually have a price list in the room of how much an extra amenity pack will cost, or if you want daily housekeeping how much that costs.

I'm not sure what size bottles they have at the Grand Californian. We stayed at BWV in October and they now have the 2oz tubes (same size as the cruise line ones).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Put another way, if you request extra towels or toiletries, you are supposed to be charged. It doesn't always work out that way, but you should be.

 

[AndreAggie]

So things like paper towels? Included?

Since we're in a 2-bedroom, we'll have dishes and silverware.

And thanks for the reminder about the cruise line shampoo and conditioner. Last cruise we had an awesome room attendant who gave us a ton of shampoo and conditioner. I love the DCL products!

 

[AndreAggie]

And I just realized I should have probably posted this under the "DVC Resorts" forum.

 

[Geomom]

So things like paper towels? Included?

Since we're in a 2-bedroom, we'll have dishes and silverware.

And thanks for the reminder about the cruise line shampoo and conditioner. Last cruise we had an awesome room attendant who gave us a ton of shampoo and conditioner. I love the DCL products!

Yes, paper towels, dishes, silverware, cookware, etc. You'll get a dish towel as well.

Are you in a 2 bedroom lock-off or a dedicated 2 bedroom? The lock off consists of a studio and 1 bedroom with a connecting door (that can be locked from both sides) whereas the dedicated would have 2 queen size beds in the 2nd bedroom.

 

[CarolynK]

So things like paper towels? Included?

Since we're in a 2-bedroom, we'll have dishes and silverware.

And thanks for the reminder about the cruise line shampoo and conditioner. Last cruise we had an awesome room attendant who gave us a ton of shampoo and conditioner. I love the DCL products!

Yes, paper towel is included, and there should be a spare roll under the sink. TP is also included, as well as a couple of packets of automatic dishwasher detergent (I always use only half per load), a small bottle of Palmolive for hand washing, & a sponge. You will be provided at least one box of detergent for laundry. I bring a few color-catchers so that I can toss a small mixed load in and not worry about it. I also bring some Bounce because their detergent is unscented.
Have a great trip!

 

[AndreAggie]

We're in a dedicated 2-bedroom.

 

[Donna M]

No salt and pepper.