What does a DVC noob need to bring/know?

[Jennasis]

We're booked in a studio at BLT for 4 nights and a 1BR at AKV Jambo for 2 nights in September. What will we need to bring with us? Extra towels? Paper plates/forks-spoons-knives/cups/bowls? It's just me and DH and we aren't members (we're staying on a relative's points) and we plan on breakfast (cereal) in the room each morning.

Best place to stop off property on the drive down to grab a gallon of milk for cereal? The in-room fridge in a studio and a 1BR can hold a gallon of milk right? We are bringing soda from home so we won't need refillable mugs. Are cans or the 20oz bottles better for fitting in the fridge (we'll only put a few in each day so we really need to fit like 4 or 5 cans/bottles per day).

How's the in-room wi-fi? I really just need to check emails and such. No huge downloading or anything.

There isn't in room washer/dryer in the studio right? But there will be one in the 1BR at AKV?

Anything else a DVC newbie needs to know? Things I can/can't do or should/shouldn't?

 

[twinklebug]

I typically stock the fridge with 1/2 gallon containers of milk - not sure if a full gallon will fit.

In the studio you will have paper plates, bowls and plastic forks, spoons and knives. You don't need to bring anything additional, but I have taken to bringing:

* one sharp knife to cut bagels or fruit;
* mugs (the ceramic ones provided are tiny, often I buy the refillable ones);
* a set of decent sized plastic bowls;
* Coffee & filters (make sure to clean the coffee maker well before using)

Studios never have washers/driers, but the 1br units always will.

The 1br unit also has real plates, bowls and silverware. They have the same coffee makers as in the studios. Depending on what you plan on cooking you might want to bring tinfoil (no cookie trays or pizza pans in the 1br that I know of)

Wi-Fi is OK. It's slow depending on the time of day (usage peaks in the late afternoons and evenings and slows down)

 

[WizardLarz]

Studios have a mini Fridge, the 1BR will have a Full Size.

the Wal-Mart is pretty close.

 

[sissy_ib]

We don't bring any extras.
There will be paper plates and bowls in the studio and real dishes in the 1br. If you want real bowls for cereal you can bring two from home. There is a sink and dish soap so you can wash them in the studio.
You'll have more than enough towels for two of you. There should be four in a studio.
The wi-fi was good but for some reason my DH could not connect at first. He had to call tech support and make some adjustments to his laptop. Mine worked great.
There is a laundry room if you need to do laundry while at BLT.
You wont have housekeeping during your stays.

 

[hakepb]

If you would only be stopping for milk I'm not sure the added time would be worth it. the grocery form shows you could buy a 1/2 gallon for $2.95 at the Contemporary. And then get another at AKV. It's possible that the Hess station by the MK lot.
I'd agree with bringing bowls (usually aper bowls in studios) and coffee/filters.

And it sounds like you are doing it right, ending in a 1BR

 

[Friend of Figment]

Hi I am a new BLT owner! Would I need to bring extra soap/shampoo or do they give you enough for your stay? Also is there a hairdryer in all the units?

 

[dgaston]

There is a hairdryer, sometimes in a bag in a closet. I'll echo other posters: sharp knife especially in studios, glad bowls for cereals and/or leftovers, zip bags in a few sizes, and if in a 1 or 2 bedroom foil, or cookie sheet, muffin cups/ foil muffin cups for baking if that's your thing. Larger coffee mugs, too.

Salt/pepper, basket coffee filters, and extra coffee.

I stay in studios, so use Owner's Locker to store all of those things, and lots more,

 

[sissy_ib]

Hi I am a new BLT owner! Would I need to bring extra soap/shampoo or do they give you enough for your stay? Also is there a hairdryer in all the units?

There is plenty in the rooms. There were multiple bottles of shampoo and conditioner and lots of soap in each bathroom. It's H2O+ items which I LOVE! I wont be bringing bath stuff with me anymore. It will be replaced on your cleaning days.

 

[disneygrandma]

None of the full kitchens (1 - 2 bdrm) have cookie sheets? I read another post that someone would put all the dry ingredients for cookies in to a lg ziploc bag, and then add the moist ingredients when ready to bake. They commented how wonderful the villa smelled with cookies baking.

Are cookie sheets something that can be requested if your villa doesn't have them? I can't imagine having to pack cookie sheets to take to WDW.

 

[sskem96]

The units with full kitchens do have cookie sheets. We use WeGoShop for our groceries, and we always get some break n bake cookie dough. It keeps us from spending a lot of money on expensive snacks if we know we can make fresh baked cookies in the room.

One thing I like to bring is the disposable coffee cups with lids. I get them at Dollar Tree. It's nice to fix your cup of coffee and head to the bus stop, and then be able to just toss the cup when you're done. I also bring my own creamer because I like the liquid flavored creamer. I buy a box of the individual ones and put it in a gladware container or something similar so they don't break open in the luggage.

 

[RayJay]

The units with full kitchens do have cookie sheets. We use WeGoShop for our groceries, and we always get some break n bake cookie dough. It keeps us from spending a lot of money on expensive snacks if we know we can make fresh baked cookies in the room.

One thing I like to bring is the disposable coffee cups with lids. I get them at Dollar Tree. It's nice to fix your cup of coffee and head to the bus stop, and then be able to just toss the cup when you're done. I also bring my own creamer because I like the liquid flavored creamer. I buy a box of the individual ones and put it in a gladware container or something similar so they don't break open in the luggage.

Never heard of wegoshop? Is this a preorder food delivery? Isn't it better to bring your
own as far as expense?

RayJay

 

[ses1230]

Never heard of wegoshop? Is this a preorder food delivery? Isn't it better to bring your
own as far as expense?

RayJay

Wegoshop and Garden Grocer are grocery delivery services. We use GG every stay.

As far as bringing your own, I guess that depends. If you drive it wouldn't be a problem. But people like us bring as few bags as possible (save the hassle and the airline fees) and use Disney transportation only, so there is no way to bring your own groceries. For us, the convenience is worth the delivery fees.

 

[RayJay]

Wegoshop and Garden Grocer are grocery delivery services. We use GG every stay.

As far as bringing your own, I guess that depends. If you drive it wouldn't be a problem. But people like us bring as few bags as possible (save the hassle and the airline fees) and use Disney transportation only, so there is no way to bring your own groceries. For us, the convenience is worth the delivery fees.

This is a major reason why we bought DVC again. So we can eat at the resort, in fact I plan on saving hundreds, my days of eating in the parks and restaurants are over, the prices are just way out of whack.

Thanks
RayJay

 

[simbasmom2]

DVC newbie here-
so there will be 4 of us in a 1BR, how many towels and washcloths each will they give us?
We will fly Southwest (no baggage fees) and plan to take some groceries with us. I have started my list. Do I really need to pack salt and pepper? I figured they would have shakers. How many ice trays in the freezer do they typically have? I am a pillow person and need several to sleep. How many pillows does each bed have? Can we request more if needed? I have family planning to stay in the lodge. I will be in Kidani. Any suggestions on where I should have them book a room? I would like them to be as close as possible. I am new to AKV/AKL and I dont know the layout. Since I don't have a room number I don't know if it is even possible to plan where to have them book. Thanks a bunch!! I am sure I will think of more questions. Oh and sorry for hijacking

 

[Disney Doll]

See bolded

We're booked in a studio at BLT for 4 nights and a 1BR at AKV Jambo for 2 nights in September. What will we need to bring with us? Extra towels? The studio will have 4 towels, 4 handtowels and 4 washcloths. If you like having a bigger beach towel for the pool, you can bring that, but they do also provide the white towels at all the pools.

Paper plates/forks-spoons-knives/cups/bowls? It's just me and DH and we aren't members (we're staying on a relative's points) and we plan on breakfast (cereal) in the room each morning. The studio will have paper goods and plastic forks, but should have real (ceramic) coffee mugs. Personally, if I was driving, I'd prefer to eat off of "real" stuff, so I'd probably throw a couple of bowls, plates and real silverware in the car. The one bedroom will have a full size and fully stocked kitchen with real dishes, glasses, silverware etc.

Best place to stop off property on the drive down to grab a gallon of milk for cereal? Depends on which direction you're coming in from I guess. We usually go to the Publix on SR192. There are Publixes all around, as well as a Winn-Dixie , Wal-Marts etc. There are also 2 Hess Express stores...one near the Boardwalk Inn and one across from DTD, that have a pretty good selection of stuff if you're not looking to buy like a leg of lamb or something.

The in-room fridge in a studio and a 1BR can hold a gallon of milk right? I'd probably get two 1/2 gallons jugs rather than the one large gallon jug. The studio fridge is probably about 3.5-4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. It's like a dorm fridge.

We are bringing soda from home so we won't need refillable mugs. Are cans or the 20oz bottles better for fitting in the fridge (we'll only put a few in each day so we really need to fit like 4 or 5 cans/bottles per day). Cans, again based on the size of the studio's fridge. Once you're in the 1BR, kitchen and fridge space won't be an issue.

How's the in-room wi-fi? I really just need to check emails and such. No huge downloading or anything. It's fine for that.

There isn't in room washer/dryer in the studio right? No there is not. There is laundry by the pools though. But there will be one in the 1BR at AKV? Yes

Anything else a DVC newbie needs to know? Things I can/can't do or should/shouldn't?

Studios have a microwave, coffeemaker and toaster.

For the studio, I like to bring a small cutting board and a sharp paring knife. We tend to get snacks for the room (cheese & crackers & such) so it's nice to have a good knife.

We also bring salt, pepper, sugar, coffee, teabags. Sometimes we buy it when we get there, depending on how much I feel like packing.

I either bring disposable coffee cups or a resuable cup with a lid so I can take a drink down to the pool.

I bring a power squid so I can plug all the chargers into one spot and not have plugs all over the room.

When we get down there, we buy snacks, breakfast foods, beverages (adult and "regular"), and a big thing of water....

We also buy pool noodles. We usually fly, so we buy them when we arrive and when we leave we just give them to whatever kid is hanging at the pool the day we are leaving. If you're driving you could throw them in the car. For that matter, if you have pool noodles at home, you could bring them with you! That's what I love about driving!!!! If you "think" you might need it, toss it in the car!

As far as what not to do....people do it, but they don't like crockpots, George Foreman grills etc. on the room. Anything unusual that could cause a fire. Most of the DVC properties do have a charcoal grill or two somewhere on property, generally near the pools so if you really felt the need to grill something, you could.

 

[Disney Doll]

See bolded

DVC newbie here-
so there will be 4 of us in a 1BR, how many towels and washcloths each will they give us? 8 I think
We will fly Southwest (no baggage fees) and plan to take some groceries with us. I have started my list. Do I really need to pack salt and pepper? They do not have shakers in the 1BR. You may find a couple of the little paper packets like you get at a fast food place but that's it.
I figured they would have shakers. How many ice trays in the freezer do they typically have? It has an ice maker
I am a pillow person and need several to sleep. How many pillows does each bed have? 2 plus there's usually a couple of extras kicking around in the closet. Can we request more if needed? yes
I have family planning to stay in the lodge. I will be in Kidani. Any suggestions on where I should have them book a room? I would like them to be as close as possible. I am new to AKV/AKL and I dont know the layout. Since I don't have a room number I don't know if it is even possible to plan where to have them book. Thanks a bunch!! I am sure I will think of more questions. Oh and sorry for hijacking

I don't know anything about AKL/AKV...never stayed there, sorry..

 

[pjzkent]

DVC newbie here-
so there will be 4 of us in a 1BR, how many towels and washcloths each will they give us?
We will fly Southwest (no baggage fees) and plan to take some groceries with us. I have started my list. Do I really need to pack salt and pepper? I figured they would have shakers. How many ice trays in the freezer do they typically have? I am a pillow person and need several to sleep. How many pillows does each bed have? Can we request more if needed? I have family planning to stay in the lodge. I will be in Kidani. Any suggestions on where I should have them book a room? I would like them to be as close as possible. I am new to AKV/AKL and I dont know the layout. Since I don't have a room number I don't know if it is even possible to plan where to have them book. Thanks a bunch!! I am sure I will think of more questions. Oh and sorry for hijacking

I usually pack coffee filters and coffee of my own, there are I think 2 packs to start, not sure if they refill it on trash and towel day. I also throw in a wad of ziploc bags in my suitcase because we buy them by the case at Costco and use them to pack sandwiches/chips/etc for the parks. There is a Dollar Tree close by and we tend to pick up syrup/jelly/pancake mix there because they aren't huge packages and not as much waste

We love AKV! Welcome to DVC!

 

[rlovew]

Hi I am a new BLT owner! Would I need to bring extra soap/shampoo or do they give you enough for your stay? Also is there a hairdryer in all the units?

It depends on how much you use and the size accommodations you are staying in. I have long hair and use a bit of shampoo- I can make it 2 days on the supplies they leave in the bathroom for us but if we are staying longer than that I need my own. You get 1 bottle of each item in each bathroom in the unit.

 

[dgaston]

Not all 1 br have ice makers in the fridge in all resorts. But there will be an ice machine that you can use to fill the ice bucket.

 

[wdwcrazy]

Studio fridges are small and would probably hold a gallon of milk but it would take up most of it. Better off with half gallons. When we stay in a studio and plan on doing some in room eating, I bring along a sharp knife for bagels, a zip lock bag with tea bags because I don't drink coffee and don't want to have to buy a huge box. I also prefer larger mugs than they provide so I pack 2 in my suitcases. You can fit 4 or 5 cans of soda or beer in the fridge door as it has a can holder built in. There is no laundry in a studio but they have laundry rooms with free washers and dryers inside the DVC buildings for studio renters to use. I have often washed my clothes the night before my check out so that I go home with a suitcase full of clean clothes.

A 1 bedroom villa will have a full kitchen with full sized appliances and a washer and dryer.

There is a Walmart down the road for any extra purchases you may need. Take the ride down the road and don't go to the closest grocery store like Goodings as they are very overpriced.

Have a great trip!