Vacation Planning Assistance

[jaurban]

We are considering joining DVC - but have some questions on vacation planning services. We have stayed concierge before and have enjoyed the pre-planning services offered - in that the IPO will book ADRs and events and you don't have to get up in the wee hours to get what you want. I also liked the separate check in and food offerings, which we used for breakfast. I understand that in DVC we can have our own food, so breakfast and beverages on demand is not really a problem. Wondering about the check in process and vacation planning - is it difficult to work with Member Services on this and will someone assist you with questions, etc? This is not the overall factor, I just want to understand what is part of the deal.

 

[Lynne M]

Member Services does not do vacation planning, in the way that the IPOs do. You will need to make your own ADRs, call for tickets for tours and events, etc. I think of MS as another version of CRO. You call them to book your lodging, and that's pretty much it. You can book ADRs through MS, but you need to call at the same times everyone else does - you can't give them a list of ADRs and say "book these when it hits 180 days".

There's no separate check-in at DVC resorts, or for DVC members.

That said, AKV will offer a limited number of concierge rooms. Some other folks here will be able to tell you what services are included with that.

The Disney timeshare concept is, by and large, "home away from home". Do your own housekeeping, cook your own food if you wish, as if you owned a vacation home. You won't find the concierge-level services at DVC, with the exception of some AKV villas.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Timeshares in general, are "home away from home" concept lodgings. MS CAN book other travel arrangements for you like airline tickets etc, but for ADRs and tours, you are on your own. You can book them through MS's toll free number, but you are redirected via phone tree to Disney dining when you call.

 

[vwlvette]

We stayed last year at the Poly Club Level, The lounge was very nice, but we only had breakfast there, We spent most of the time in the parks or at the pool. It was nice to have F&B at will but we get that with DVC, and we get to pick what we want. We tried to get some last minute Ressie through the Con and they could not help us.

The pre trip planning was nice but all in all with a few calls We could have done that ourselves. Actually it was a pain waiting on answers from the planning service since they have to wait for answers also.

Good luck!

 

[jaurban]

The pre trip planning was nice but all in all with a few calls We could have done that ourselves. Actually it was a pain waiting on answers from the planning service since they have to wait for answers also.

Yeah, I was thinking that. Those features seem enticing, but, as you noted, you can take care of most of that yourself anyway , (And, I would not totally surrender the planning process at any rate - as I am too much a control freak - except for the early morning call to get CRT or a fireworks cruise or something).