What's one tip you would give a new DVC member?

[Inkmahm]

On a resale, the original ones with all the detailed information comes from the seller. If you bought from Disney, they will send them to you in a big packet.

Thanks, I didn't know that. I'm buying a resale through the Timeshare Store so I'm guessing that detail is handled already as part of the listing, but I"m checking with the realtor handling the sale just to be sure.

 

[Sherri]

If you want to go to Disney for the week but want to save on weekend points, you can stay at the Disney all star resorts for $77.00 a night, atleast that is the summer weekend rate that we got for July.
Great way to extend a five night vacation and also still be on Disney property. From what I understand your luggage and such can be moved from one resort to the other. I think it is the best way of getting the best of both worlds.

 

[Inkmahm]

Don't think of Fri and Sat as costing a lot of points. Just average the number of points out over the trip. Moving on Fri and Sat is tiring.

Don't forget to bank your points if you have points to bank. You don't want to lose them. Be careful about tracking your points.

Be careful about borrowing. If you borrow and have to cancel, you can't put those points back into the next year. They become current year points.

Keep it a secret from your family members and only invite the ones you want. Forget about the needy family members or the ones who only cause you grief. Take the family and friends who appreciate your gift.

This one made me laugh! I like the idea of averaging the points out over the trip- I'm not sure I'm into room moving, either.

As for telling family members, the FIRST thing my sister-in-law said when we told her we were buying at Disney was "Can we use the points?" I said yes, if she pays me for them. It was a first reaction response to a comment I didn't expect from her.

As for the many people who say slow down because you'll be back, that's kind of why we are buying now. The last few years we have slowed down because we've been to Disney twice each year. I can miss a few attractions when I know it will be only a matter of months before we're back and then can see whatever we missed the next time. It IS more relaxing that way.

 

[Northern Lights]

I agree that DVC enables you to slow down a bit, which enhances the magic for our family. We are relatively new members and thus, like a prior poster alluded to, we are still in go mode where we take 2-3 vacations per year. Last trip we did not even do MGM and only did a half day at AK b/c we knew in 6 months we were going back with DD's 3 year old cousin who would love MGM (Playhouse Disney, etc.) and we were also looking forward to EE at AK.

That being said, we avoided addonitis as well b/c we are also looking forward to when we all agree that 1 vacation per year in a spacious 2BR satisfies the addiction.

I'm so glad we joined and I think you will be as well!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

On a resale, the original ones with all the detailed information comes from the seller. If you bought from Disney, they will send them to you in a big packet.

The response I got from my broker is a bit different:

"The sellers don't send anything to us, the buyers. You will get the same
package from Disney after the property closes as the sellers received
when they bought from disney."

So I'm buying resale but will still get the same big packet from Disney according to her. Does that make sense?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Go with realistic expectations. I enjoy my DVC, but if I believed the hype about it being the best thing people ever did for themselves, or that the rooms are so superior to Deluxe resorts, I'd have sold after the first trip.

I agree with this completely...some people make it sound like DVC villas are some type of Shang-ri-la. While I'll be the first to admit they're very nice, I think some of the posts on this board (along with the DVC advertising materials) cause some new owners to have a sense of buyers remorse when they realize the first trip "home" doesn't necessarily live up to their expections.

 

[sanddune]

The response I got from my broker is a bit different:

"The sellers don't send anything to us, the buyers. You will get the same
package from Disney after the property closes as the sellers received
when they bought from disney."

So I'm buying resale but will still get the same big packet from Disney according to her. Does that make sense?

Yes,you will get your DVC member card and member book from Disney.

 

[LisaS]

My tip is to download Caskbill's DVC Planner and DVC Chart programs. They are easy to use and will help you plan and manage your reservations. His planner program includes an online tutorial to walk you through all the great things you can do with the program.

Caskbill is a DVC owner and DIS Tech Support person. The link to his free programs can be found in the signature section of any of this posts. Here's a link to one of his posts: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=976032

 

[lovinthemouse]

Enjoy yourself. Enjoy your vacations. You know you will be back several times, don't power park it. The Sunday-Thursday is the best way to save points. Welcome and Congratulations!!!

 

[bcvillastwo]

Take time to smell the roses. We've found with each trip we slow things down just a bit more. Once we realized that we would be going to WDW at least twice a year for the 30+ more years our focus changed and we are able to really relax and enjoy our time at WDW. Which includes one trip to the Grand Floridian around 4:30 in the afternoon each trip so we can listen to the piano and the orchestra and soak up the atmospher.

 

[crisi]

Don't think of Fri and Sat as costing a lot of points. Just average the number of points out over the trip. Moving on Fri and Sat is tiring.

On the other hand, if you need to stretch points, Disney makes moving fairly easy and if you go with the right attitude, it can be less of a bother than an adventure. We "stretched" seven nights to eight by adding a Saturday at AKL last trip. We just had Disney move bags, spent the morning at the park, checked into AKL in the afternoon, got our bags, and the kids swam in the pool, we watched the animals from our room, and had dinner at Jiko. It was a great opportunity to spend a night in a resort I really wanted to experience.

 

[CarolA]

My one tip

A request is just that.... a request.

If you let the "room assignment" become the biggest deal you are wasting a lot of energy and preparing yourself for disappointment from day one. The world doesn't end if your requests for views and locations aren't granted.

 

[Jimbo]

My one tip

A request is just that.... a request.

If you let the "room assignment" become the biggest deal you are wasting a lot of energy and preparing yourself for disappointment from day one. The world doesn't end if your requests for views and locations aren't granted.

This is a real good tip, and it goes along with what we've all said about taking it easy.

Everybody's different, and yes, there are a couple rooms to be avoided (like the dumpster view at VWL). But by and large, the location difference isn't great enough to ruin a trip. And since you'll be going to WDW for many years, it's definitely not worth getting worked up about it. Pick an area, hope for the best, and shrug it off if you get something else.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Lots of good advice here, particularly along the lines of "relax, stop and smell the roses" and "a request is ONLY a request".

I'll add this: Don't take DVC ownership, the DIS boards or your trip planning too seriously. There is a tendency in this group (of which I'm a part ) to sometimes try to do everything possible to get every little detail perfect. This leads to over-planning, over-optimising and - quite often - unrealistic expectations leading to disappointment. Buying into DVC is a purchase of (mostly) pre-paid vacation - key word: vacation. It's supposed to be relaxing and fun - don't let it become a monster of obligation that stresses you out.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[bobbiwoz]

Alright, I hesitate to say this because....well. When we took our first trip home, I sort of expected people, other DVC'ers, to be like this Disboard, very friendly and welcoming. But, the reality is everyone is on vacation, and not eveyone smiles, not everyone says hi, and I was sort of sad.
DH noticed it too.

So, then, I have to add that we've never ever had as much fun with people we didn't know before than we had on the '05 Members Cruise. That was the best!! and I wish we could go on every single one they have, and hopefully schedules will pemit us to go on another one someday. I did go with some Disboard identification, like a button and a tee, but EVERYONE made that a very special time.

So, I hope you have wonderful vacations, and if you meet new people and share some good times be glad. Don't be like we were, expecting something and being vaguely disappointed because some part of what we thought would happen, didn't.

Bobbi

 

[roadtripper]

First--
Welcome Home!
Second--
I agree with those who say to keep addonitis in check for a while, and then buy resale so that you can sell the contract separately if your vacation habits change significantly.
Third--
Enjoy! DVC has been one of the best mental health purchases we've ever made-- always having a vacation on the calendar creates a wonderful sense of well-being.
Ok, that was three things, and you said one...I have never been very good at following directions--except on I-95 to WDW!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

If you stay in a 1-BR or larger, bring your own king fitted bed sheet from home. DVC will make you feel like royalty, but if you wake up your first DVC morning half sleeping on a bare mattress, royalty quickly turns hillbilly.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you stay in a 1-BR or larger, bring your own king fitted bed sheet from home. DVC will make you feel like royalty, but if you wake up your first DVC morning half sleeping on a bare mattress, royalty quickly turns hillbilly.

LOL! I've never had that happen. You just be an active sleeper!

 

[Inkmahm]

If you stay in a 1-BR or larger, bring your own king fitted bed sheet from home. DVC will make you feel like royalty, but if you wake up your first DVC morning half sleeping on a bare mattress, royalty quickly turns hillbilly.

I actually have that same problem in the resorts! I wish hotels DID use fitted sheets.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I usually remake the bottom sheet before we get into the bed, because a lot of time housekeeping tucks the blankets in with both sheets, and when you get in bed, the bottom sheet comes undone. If you remake it and re-mitre the corners, it stays put. LOL, you'd think they would teach housekeepers how to do that!