What to bring? New DVC owners.

[hthrbells]

Hello everyone,
I have done a few searches with no luck, I am sure this has been asked many many times! We will be taking our first trip as DVC owners in Dec and we will be staying in a 2BRV for 7 nights. I was wondering what you all would suggest we bring or order from Garden Grocer? I have heard Coffee and filters, bottled water, salt and pepper...... there will be myself, DH, DS 10, DS 8, DD 4 my MIL and SIL. I also just read you should reclean the hot tub with dishwasher tabs? How is that done? Thanks for your help!

 

[Anal Annie]

If you plan to go to WDW at least once a year then GET AN OWNERS LOCKER!!! They are the BOMB (do they still say that)?! We LOVE our Owners Locker!! We leave our coffee filters, booze, spare flip flops, spray fan bottles, backpacks, ponchos, collapsible cooler, pool bag and personal toiletries in ours. I so hate to go anywhere else where I have to pack everything to bring!! We just got back from DL and Aulani and I hated having to pack all that extra stuff.

When we go to WDW and place an order with Garden Grocer we order stuff like a couple of cases of bottled water, beer, diet coke, gatorade, milk, coffee creamer and a few breakfast items.

 

[DVC Tink]

I agree with the owner's locker, very handy! I also would like to know the dishwasher tab trick! I use bleach to sanitize shower heads and whirlpool tub,(OCD can't help it)

 

[happymommy]

I'm OCD too! We don't own DVC but have rented several times (we own Marriott Ko Olina and have stayed at lots of Marriotts too). One item I always have on our shopping list is some sort of spray kitchen/bath cleaner/disinfectant like Formula 409! We totally clean the place down! Plus load the dishwasher and run it first - they make look clean but I'd rather know that I washed those dishes.

Last trip we did order from GG, and it was so convenient. That trip we stayed at the BWV and so didn't bother with a rental car. We got breakfast things (for the others, I could skip breakfast every day really) like biscuits, eggs, cheese, sausage, juice, frozen hash browns I think (maybe it was tater tots), lunchmeat, bread, frozen pizza, chicken nuggets, chips and salsa, beer, wine, bottled water (Dasani, I hate the local stuff), some fresh fruits, salad, etc. One more thing I think I've bought before is pillsbury cookie dough - you know the stuff you just break off and bake. They like it!

I think I spent about $200 total, and we used most of it. I also bring from home coffee, splenda, dry instant sausage gravy mix, small condiments, pancake mix, reynolds wrap nonstick (I use that stuff for a lot), plus some plastic food containers - you know the ones that lots of places use for take out now - I just keep them then don't worry if they don't make it home). Good for little leftovers.

At Disney we don't actually "cook" a ton of dinners, but I have in the past made a simple dinner with bread (pillsbury dough - the kind in the can), spaghetti and jar sauce, and a salad. Some nights we just don't feel like a lot so it's nice. But mostly it's breakfast a couple times and snacks. In contrast, when we go to Hawaii for 2 weeks, we tend to make a lot of meals in. It's just relaxing to come up from the pool for a nice lunch and then take a rest, or grill dinner and let the kids swim.

I think the owner's locker sounds great but we've brought one full suitcase of stuff (not liquids other than tiny condiments) for a trip before. Of course if you have heavy things, it's great, plus some folks may use their own linens (I have read lots of owners prefer to use their own).

 

[hardhead]

Rent a compact car off hot wire for $150 for a week then go to walmart, buy want you want, car will pay for itself not having to pay disney crazy prices. And as a bonus you dont have to deal with the horrible bus service also

 

[HarvardAce]

For those of you who do the bottled water, may I suggest that you instead look into the water bottles that have a built-in filter. Not only is it better for the environment, you save money and you can fill it up anywhere in the parks/room. We use the brita ones and it amazingly completely gets rid of that awful central Florida water taste that we can't otherwise stand.

 

[SpectroMan71]

Also, how easy/hard is it to get more soap and shampoo from housekeeping? I know they won't show up until the 4th day for trash & towel but are they pretty nice about toiletries if you ask or do you need to bring your own?

 

[medievaldave]

How much is an owners Locker how long do u get it how big are they

 

[apple9117]

this thread has been super helpful so far!

 

[Hopefully]

I bring a small cutting board and a sharp knife. None in the Villas does the trick for me. Coffee filters if I don't find Maxwell House Coffee Packs. Condiments, I order individual packets of mustard, mayo, salt and pepper from Minibiz.com. Laundry detergent pods and dryer sheets.
We order from wegoshop.com for a grocery delivery and I highly recommend them.
I order fresh fruit, juice, coffee, breakfast items, soda a case or more of water, beer, wine, cheese and crackers, snacks, the smallest container of bleach (to clean the jetted tub).
Have Fun

 

[DenLo]

It usually bring zip lock bags in multiple sizes for snacks which doesn't have a resealable bag, or toys who parts will get lost, trading pins, etc. Chip clips, a few Glad or Ziplock bowls with lids for leftovers so they can easily be reheated in the microwave.

I bring Tide pods for the laundry. You can even put some in one of the bowls mentioned in the 1st paragraph.

 

[bigAWL]

My usuals include:

• 3-in-1 laundry/softener/dryer sheets
• Air freshener like the Glade Sense and Spray things
• Garden Grocer order for breakfast items so we can get going quickly in the morning
• iPod and speakers for music (the kids like to fall asleep with this on)
• USB charging station like this: http://www.amazon.com/Family-Sized-Desktop-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology/dp/B00GTGETFG/

 

[hjgaus]

For those of you who do the bottled water, may I suggest that you instead look into the water bottles that have a built-in filter. Not only is it better for the environment, you save money and you can fill it up anywhere in the parks/room. We use the brita ones and it amazingly completely gets rid of that awful central Florida water taste that we can't otherwise stand.

We have the Brita Pitcher and that STILL DID NOT make our water taste better during our last trip this past December! We went with bottled water the latter half of our trip and will probably do the same for our upcoming trip THIS December.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Also, how easy/hard is it to get more soap and shampoo from housekeeping? I know they won't show up until the 4th day for trash & towel but are they pretty nice about toiletries if you ask or do you need to bring your own?

Any extras that you need, you will need to pay for. So if you use more than one tiny bottle of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, bring some from home. DVC member pay for everything we get in the villas. There are no freebies like in the hotels since the hotels pad the hotel room rate to cover all those extras. We pay for maintenance, housekeeping, all supplies, utilities, etc with our maintenance fees. If you want extra housekeeping or supplies, just purchase them.

Housekeeping
Trash & Towel Service
For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both.

With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will:

•Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins.
•Provide fresh bathroom linens.
•Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap.
•Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
•Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.
•Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.

Full Cleaning Service
For stays of eight or more nights, Full Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both.

With Full Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus:

•Change the bed linens.
•Vacuum and dust the Vacation Home.
•Clean the bathroom(s).
•Clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.

Pay As You Play
With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:

•Toiletries Package, $5.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
•Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
•Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
•Laundry Detergent (only in One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

Room Change Fees:
Room change fee will apply for Member requested room changes after check-in for a different view or room location.

•Deluxe Studio - $30
•One-Bedroom Villa - $45
•Two-Bedroom Villa - $60
•Three-Bedroom Grand Villa - $75

Note: Rates are subject to change

 

[Swimmergirl]

I agree with most of the great tips on here! We always also bring a roll or two of toilet paper ('cause we're picky like that). And liquid hand soap for the kitchen and bathrooms since our kids have a harder time washing hands with a bar of soap. DVC will provide small bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. We bring a shower poof to use with the gel in the shower. Also a night light so our boys can find their way to the bathroom at night.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I bring a small cutting board and a sharp knife. None in the Villas does the trick for me. Coffee filters if I don't find Maxwell House Coffee Packs. Condiments, I order individual packets of mustard, mayo, salt and pepper from Minibiz.com. Laundry detergent pods and dryer sheets.
We order from wegoshop.com for a grocery delivery and I highly recommend them.
I order fresh fruit, juice, coffee, breakfast items, soda a case or more of water, beer, wine, cheese and crackers, snacks, the smallest container of bleach (to clean the jetted tub).
Have Fun

I think you mean minimus.biz a great source for individual sized items.

 

[Anal Annie]

We keep nearly everything mentioned in this thread so far in our owners locker!! Our own toiletries / brands we like, the shower poof, scissors, packing tape, sewing kit & safety pins, night light, Brita water bottles (although we still prefer bottled water), dryer sheets, batteries, candles, flashlights, OTC meds, wine glass & bottle & can coozies, "blue ice" for our collapsible coolers (have 2 in the OL), plastic microwavable containers, a set of sharp knives & small cutting board, paper plates (we use studios which have NO sharp knives and only supply 4 plates). I have an inventory list with about 120 items on it that we keep down there. When I initially filled the OL I shipped a large box down via UPS that was the same approx. size as the OL - it weighed 45 Lbs. THAT is how much stuff I DON'T HAVE TO PACK or schlep with us. That's a whole checked bag full of crap I don't have to think about!!

https://www.ownerslocker.com/how/

I believe there is a DVC discount available too….