Author Archives: David Mumpower

1. The 6 Best DVC Resort Gift Shops

   April 13, 2018 10:00 am Comments Off on The 6 Best DVC Resort Gift Shops

   Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members aren’t like regular Disney guests. We visit the Most Magical Place on Earth so regularly that sometimes we don’t even need to spend the day at a theme park. We know that the resort amenities are so wonderful that hanging out on the hotel grounds is a viable way to pass the day. And one of the best ways to spend some time when you’re at the hotel is in the shops.

   The DVC resorts are all in the Deluxe tier, and the products in the stores run the gamut. Some of the available items are ones that you’d expect at any Disney merchandise vendor. Others aren’t merely exclusively to that store; they embody the immaculate theming of the accompanying resort. Today, let’s take a look at the best of the best, the hotels with the finest shopping. Here are the six best DVC resort shops.

   6) Zawadi Marketplace – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House

   Many Disney shops have a sameness to them. That’s not a bad thing, of course. Disney stocks their stores with their most popularity products. A deep inventory of a product reflects its expected sales. You see tons of Mickey key chains and Mouse Ears for a reason. People want them. They’ll move a ton of Mouse Ears and Mickey chains every day, but you’re a DVC member. You already have all the basic trinkets. You crave something different, something better. This list presumes that you do.

   The embodiment of different and unique is Zawadi Marketplace. Located just past the entrance of Jambo House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, it’s one of the most interesting themed Disney stores anywhere on the planet. The merchandise here reflects the overall theme of the resort, which is an African Wildlife Preserve.

   At Zawadi Marketplace, Disney encapsulates the look and feel of an African bazaar while showing total reverence to the safety and sanctity of animals. The products here are culturally significant and visually stimulating. Disney imported authentic carved wall art that guests may purchase. Similarly, pictures of Animal Kingdom Villas are also for sale, allowing DVC owners to bring a piece of their home resort back to their other, less exotic home.

   This store is the type place where everyone carefully studies and often touches the merchandise to feel closer to it. For example, I’m a huge fan of safari-themed plates available here, although I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Many visitors have that one item that they’ve eyed for multiple trips. The items available for sale here are so memorable that people think about them even when they’re not at the resort.

   5) Beach Club Marketplace – Disney’s Beach Club Villas

   

   Pragmatism and utility play a huge factor in Disney resort shopping. Sometimes, you’re not wandering the aisles in search of some retail therapy. Instead, you have specific needs as you shop. Beach Club Marketplace is one of the finest shops at Walt Disney World for satisfying customer needs. This place may not have kitchen sinks, but it’s got virtually everything else.

   The top half of the store is the clothing section. Here, you’ll find all the swimming/beach gear you need to spend a couple of glorious hours at Stormalong Bay, the best pool at Walt Disney World. You also have a choice of dressy apparel options for those nights when you want to eat at nearby Yachtsman Steakhouse but don’t have anything to wear.

   The combination might seem incongruous at first blush. What Disney’s shoppers understand that you don’t is that they have to service the needs of both the family vacationers ready to swim and the businesspeople who frequently attend meetings at the accompanying Disney’s Yacht Club.

   Their unusual inventory reflects this purpose, and the all-purpose nature of this de facto general store even has a secondary option. The right side of the lower level of Beach Club Marketplace sells food, and I don’t mean cereal…well, not just cereal. This store includes a Quick Service Restaurant with flatbreads and sandwiches. Whether you need to buy a new outfit, sunglasses, flip flops, or breakfast, it’s one Beach Club shop where you should stop.

   4) Fantasia – Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

   

   Photo Credit: mrkathika

   Guests at Bay Lake Tower don’t have a store of their own, but they’re always a fifth floor bridge away from the treasures of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. So, I’m including those options on the list. I do this primarily because I use these two stores as much as anything at Disney.

   Out of the two, Fantasia tends to get overshadowed because it’s small and precisely themed. It’s a shop specifically for fans of Disney toys. They have Star Wars merchandise, stuffed animals, Disney Princess dolls and clothing, and other high-end options. They also sell monorails and tracks, and I know this because I see one from where I’m sitting as I type this.

   Fantasia doesn’t have a huge lineup of shopping options, and I like that about it. During a 10-minute visit each Disney trip, you may view all their wares and decide if something tickles your fancy. Unlike the other options listed here, it’s a quick-hitter, making it a lovely change of pace.

   3) M. Mouse Mercantile – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

   Unquestionably the most elegant of all DVC resort stores, M. Mouse Mercantile exudes the patrician atmosphere of Disney’s Grand Floridian. It caters to the highest class of Disney customers, which makes it a bit pricey for many DVC members. Assuming that you don’t get sticker shock walking through here, however, you’ll find the Disney store of your dreams.

   This store has an open space concept, a fancy way of saying that the aisles aren’t right on top of each other. You won’t feel claustrophobic as you window shop. You’ll also quickly realize that it has the most Disney Princess dresses of just about store on the planet. Disney knows that parents dream of dressing their children up and taking them to the Perfectly Princess Tea Party.

   What I love about M. Mouse Mercantile (other than the room to move, something I don’t take for granted at Disney) is the mood. Everyone here always seems so happy, even by Disney vacation standards. There’s something about the lobby of the Grand Floridian that sets a tone, and it seeps into the hotel stores. Everyone walks around with a smile on their faces. That’s what Disney shopping should be!

   2) BouTiki – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

   

   Photo credit: FrankHPhillips

   I like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain. That’s a ridiculous way of saying that Polynesian Village is far and away my favorite DVC property, primarily because of its serene atmosphere. It’s a place that feels like a romantic island getaway that also happens to be a quick hop on the monorail away from Magic Kingdom.

   BouTiki is the store that represents all the wonders of island life. It’s the go-to place whenever you have a fashion emergency that you may solve only with a Hawaiian shirt or skirt or whatever. You may think said emergency never arises, but it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy at the Polynesian.

   At this Boutique BouTiki, all the items have a distinct island flair. Sundresses and bathing suits adorn the aisles next to hideous but thematic Hawaiian shirts. South Pacific artwork is available for purchase, and the knickknacks all represent oceanfront living in some capacity. Even the ties and scarves here are exotic prints of questionable (but fun) taste. Plus, Stitch merchandise is readily available, a huge plus in my and many other families. Out of all the wonderful DVC resort stores, BouTiki is the most fun.

   PS: Pay attention to the walls, shelves, and themed accessories the next time you visit. The bamboo and carvings are absolutely adorable and deserve recognition. You’ve likely ignored them in favor of the merchandise since all the products are so great.

   1) Bayview Gifts – Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

   Nicknamed BVG, this store is the ultimate in DVC resort shopping options. It combines the luxury and refinement of M. Mouse Mercantile with the functionality of Beach Club Marketplace. At Bayview Gifts, you may (and should) buy everything from the candy to luggage. It’s like an entire shopping mall condensed into one amazing retail space.

   This stylish shop has a contemporary (natch) design, one that you’ll best appreciate from a floor or two above it. Make sure to look at it this way at some point to understand the tastefulness of the design. Inside the store, you’ll discover a wealth of products that will make your credit cards scream in terror. Basic fare like picture frames and cookbooks sit beside jewelry and paintings that cost thousands of dollars. I always feel momentarily taken aback when I realize that I can buy an $1,800 lithograph and a cupcake here. It seems like a recipe for disaster, right?

   At BVG, Disney’s goal is to empty your wallet as much as possible. Shoes, clothing, and sunglasses are available alongside Disney stuffed animals and other toys. This store possesses one of the largest apparel sections of any DVC resort, and it also includes a shockingly strong selection of Christmas ornaments. I know because I’ve bought literally) dozens here.

   Similarly, luggage and other more expensive goods reside on the far side of the store (the one closest to the Bay Lake Tower connecting bridge). Anyone in the market for a new Dooney & Bourke bag will love it here. Once you get past the oddity of toasters for sale at the same place as designer merchandise and authentic Disney paintings, you’ll begin to accept that no other store can touch the overall appeal of Bayview Gifts.

2. Important Moments in DVC History

   April 2, 2018 11:21 am Comments Off on Important Moments in DVC History

   The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has satisfied millions of customers since its inception in December of 1991. Over the years, the club has experienced countless highs and lows, which is true of any business. It does lead to a logical question, though. Which were the most significant DVC events? I originally collated a list with more than 25 options before settling on my final selections. Here are my choices for the seven most important moments in DVC history.

   1991 – Disney’s Old Key West Opens

   

   I’m posting my choices chronologically rather than in order of importance. Otherwise, this event would stand apart as the most significant moment ever. Without the success of Disney’s Old Key West (OKW), none of what happened next was even possible.

   In 1991, The Walt Disney Company finally asserted dominance in the timeshare industry, a business worth $400 million to Central Florida during the 1980s. They created the Disney Vacation Club to bring back much of the hotel revenue that other Orlando timeshares had gained in Disney’s absence.

   Without turning into a semantics discussion about whether DVC is a true timeshare, the concept of the extended stay hotel is intrinsic to both. The arrival of OKW signaled that Disney wouldn’t look the other way any longer as competitors lured Walt Disney World vacationers to non-Disney resorts. Originally called The Disney Vacation Club Resort, OKW had the look and feel of a classic Florida timeshare, only with superior Disney theming and close proximity to Walt Disney World’s three theme parks (Disney’s Animal Kingdom wouldn’t debut until 1998).

   1996 – Disney Doubles Down on DVC

   

   At the start of 1996, the DVC program had precisely two participants: The Disney Vacation Club Resort (which would change its name to Old Key West two weeks later on January 15^th) and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The first six months of 1996 would alter the course of DVC, as Imagineers introduced two new properties.

   Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort opened on March 1, 1996. In the process, it doubled the number of beach resorts in the DVC lineup. During the earliest days of the program, Disney followed standard timeshare principles by prioritizing premiere vacation getaway destinations.

   While Hilton Head is a wonderful property, the other resort helped to alter Disney’s plans for the future of DVC. Disney’s BoardWalk Villas debuted as part of the BoardWalk complex close to the International Gateway at Epcot. Its proximity to the second most popular gate at Walt Disney World enticed guests to buy points here.

   By doing so, these vacationers had easy access to the World Showcase, something that DVC members have appreciated more with each passing year. The success of this resort informed Disney’s decision about DVC. Corporate executives realized that beaches and other tourist areas are lovely, but DVC members prefer spending their vacation time (and points!) at Disney theme parks. During 1996, Disney doubled their properties while discovering the best path forward for the DVC program.

   1997 – The Phantom DVC Resort at Newport Beach

   Even a corporation with the impressive track record of Disney can’t win them all. Back in the early 1990s, DVC executives meticulously planned their second participating property. At the time, Disney focused on new builds rather than adding villas to existing resorts, the concept to which they’ve gravitated in recent years.

   The thinking at the time was what I just mentioned above. Most timeshares of the era were at tourist destinations, primarily ones with beaches. Since Disneyland was only 20 miles away from Newport Beach, corporate strategists embraced the idea of a new facility close to the Happiest Place on Earth. They didn’t have a strong option for building at Disneyland due to the lack of land, and so a beachfront resort seemed like the ideal fallback option.

   Disney announced plans for a 35-acre construction on the Newport coast. You can read the original Los Angeles Times article about it here. Disney paid $24 million for this expensive piece of Southern California real estate before they realized the truth about their membership program. As this article notes, sales at Vero Beach and Hilton Head weren’t as strong as Disney had hoped/projected. Building a third DVC property without convenient theme park access wasn’t the smart move at the time. Disney canceled the project, thereby making Newport Beach the greatest DVC resort that never was.

   2000 – DVC Reaches the Magic Kingdom

   

   For all the amazing benefits of DVC during its first decade in existence, it lacked one critical element. None of the properties was close to Magic Kingdom, the most popular theme park on the planet. DVC members lamented the lack of convenient access to their favorite Walt Disney World gate, an understandable frustration.

   For its part, Disney felt ambivalent about the next step in the DVC program. Yes, park planners wanted a DVC presence close to Magic Kingdom, but they also understood that the monorail resorts shared a certain luster. Adding villas at one of these properties might lessen their appeal to the elite clientele who stay there.

   Eventually, Disney settled on a fine compromise option. They added villas to one of their newest resorts. You may not even realize this, but Disney’s Wilderness Lodge pre-dates its DVC participation. The hotel opened in 1994 and wouldn’t add DVC rooms for more than six years.

   Once Disney’s Wilderness Lodge introduced villas; however, DVC members savored their newfound proximity to Magic Kingdom. It’s only a boat ride away from the property. I’m talking about a serene seven-minute trip that even offers a great view of Disney’s Contemporary Resort at one point. While some DVC members felt disappointment that they still couldn’t buy at a monorail resort, the beauty of Wilderness Lodge’s lobby and grounds quickly won over virtually everyone.

   2007 – DVC Members Get to Stay at a Zoo

   

   All DVC resorts are breathtaking in scope and style. No business in the world can match Disney in the skill of theming. Still, one DVC resort is special, even by Disney standards. It’s Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, one of Disney’s most important expansions of the 21^st century.

   Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opened to the public in April of 2001. Its inimitable theme is African Wildlife Preserve, a pointed way of saying that this property hosts a functional zoo. Here, Disney caretakers protect several species that live in a (somewhat) natural habitat built by Imagineers. It’s a stunning achievement in hotel structure, as humans and animals inhabit virtually the same space.

   When Jambo Village opened to club participants in 2007, it provided an unprecedented view. Guests staying in the Savannah View rooms could look out their window and see several animal species frolicking. There’s nothing like this experience anywhere else in the world. It’s only available at Walt Disney World, and DVC members can enjoy it from now until 2057!

   2009 – Monorail! Monorail!

   

   But the addition of Wilderness Lodge in 2000 only distracted DVC members away from their true desire for a while. After a few years, Disney felt pressured to add a true monorail resort as a participant in the program. After all, three of the most famous Disney resorts ever constructed are also monorail stops. Oddly, Disney’s first choice for a DVC presence on the monorail wasn’t a hotel property inasmuch as a wing. Specifically, it was the North Wing of Disney’s Contemporary Resort that Imagineers demolished in order to make room for a new property.

   That DVC resort is Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the closest hotel to Magic Kingdom. When it opened in 2009 (a month prior to the next selection), it became arguably the best positioned DVC property. The hotel lobby of this resort is only 800 steps away from the entrance to the most trafficked theme park in the world. Yes, I’ve counted.

   Disney gradually expanded their DVC presence to the other monorail resorts. While Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort both have their admirers, the seminal moment for DVC members was the arrival of a monorail property in 2009. All owners had to do was walk across the fifth floor bridge to reach the legendary fourth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the place with great shops and restaurants and, most importantly, the monorail!

   2009 – DVC Reaches Disneyland

   After the aborted Newport Beach attempt, Disney still lacked a DVC presence at the world’s first theme park. These followers of Walt Disney understood that Disneyland needed a DVC resort. Adding one wasn’t easy, though. The Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel were the only two Disney-owned properties at the Disneyland Resort, and Disney hadn’t built either one of them. Instead, they’d acquired both resorts from others. Neither property offered great expansion options.

   In 2001, a third option arrived. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa debuted at (almost) the same time as Disney California Adventure (DCA). Park planners didn’t want to build DVC villas at the same time as the rest of hotel, presumably to make it more exclusive. Disney also famously miscalculated the anticipated appeal of DCA, which struggled during its first several years of existence. With the benefit of hindsight, they could have used the DVC option as a selling point to increase park attendance and hotel occupancy rates.

   Alas, DVC members would have to wait until 2009 for villas to arrive at the Grand Californian. When they did, their popularity was immeasurable. Even nine years later, the Grand Californian remains one of the most difficult reservations to book for DVC members. The beauty of the facility hearkens back to the majesty of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, only with California Redwoods and other Golden State trees on display. To this day, it’s the only DVC option at Disneyland. Rumors persist of another location opening in the area but like Newport Beach before them, they’ll qualify as vaporware until Disney (finally) breaks ground.

3. DVC Split Stay Tips & Tricks

   January 15, 2018 11:00 am Comments Off on DVC Split Stay Tips & Tricks

   As a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member, you have plenty of options in planning your various visits. One of the best uses of DVC scheduling, however, is a strategy you might not have considered before. What follows is a series of tips and things to keep in mind when booking a split stay vacation at Walt Disney World. 

   What’s a Split Stay?

   

   Disney’s Polynesian Resort is just a Monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom!

   When you visit Walt Disney World, your natural inclination is likely to stay at the same DVC resort each night. After all, when you vacation anywhere else, you want the convenience of a single hotel stay. The inconvenience of packing up your luggage and switching to a different resort negates the benefits virtually anywhere else. 

   Walt Disney World is different, though. The Walt Disney Company owns 12 different properties that participate in the DVC program, and they’ll add a 13^th in 2019. The Orlando campus also features four different theme parks that are spread out across a vast area. A resort that’s close to Disney Springs is far away from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and vice versa. Due to these logistics, you could spend a lot more of your free time on Disney transportation, thereby wasting valuable vacation hours. 

   A split stay solves this problem of Walt Disney World inefficiency. On days when you want to spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, you can use your DVC points at a monorail property such as Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. When you want to explore the amazing new themed land of Pandora, you can spend a couple of nights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House (or Kidani Village) instead. Since your hotel is only a few minutes away from the Disney gate where you plan to spend your free time, you maximize your park hours through a split stay. That’s not the only benefit, either.

   The Glory of DVC Resorts

   

   Relax “Florida-Style” at Disney’s Old Key West!

   All Disney resorts are masterpieces of design. The DVC properties in particular are at the highest end of the resort food chain. You’re staying at the finest hotels that Disney has built, and each one has special theming that differentiates it from other peers. 

   For example, Old Key West Resort celebrates the nautical bohemian style of Key West, Florida. The rooms are bright and airy, and the main lobby area overlooks a beautiful waterfront area. Photography buffs love proving their creativity by taking panoramic pictures here. Meanwhile, golf and tennis lovers obsess over the recreational activities available onsite and in the neighboring area. It’s a wonderful vacation option for guests seeking a more relaxed setting during a trip to Disney.

   Disney’s BoardWalk Villas also have an impeccable theme. The resort resides beside the BoardWalk, a gorgeous throwback tribute to the Coney Island vacation atmosphere of the early 20^th century. BoardWalk Villas also claims a wonderful position at Walt Disney World, a short walk away from both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests who stay here are likely to spend a lot of time at the two Disney theme parks. 

   Ordinarily, a guest would have to choose between the laid-back vibe at Old Key West or the park-centric but classic ambience at BoardWalk Villas. 

   Split stay guests don’t have to choose. Instead, they spend a few days at each one, enjoying the benefits of both. It’s the perfect way to appreciate many DVC resorts for the cathedrals that they are. After three vacations worth of split stays, you will have stayed at more than half of the Walt Disney World DVC properties!

   Split Stays Based on Theme Parks

   

   Disney’s Beach Club Villas is your gateway to the Epcot World Showcase!

   The benefits of the split stay are fairly straightforward. You get to compartmentalize your Disney visit. You can structure each hotel stay as a phase of your vacation. 

   For example, the DVC monorail resort stay is the Magic Kingdom portion. You’ll spend most of the time at either the Most Magical Place on Earth or at the various entertainment options available at the various monorail stops.  The restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are particularly great, and the shopping at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is arguably the best at any resort. 

   The Disney’s Beach Club Villas stay is your Epcot/water park segment. Stormalong Bay is only available to guests at Beach Club, which works to your advantage during your stay. The mini-water park is rarely crowded due to its exclusivity, and it doubles as a wonderful break from a park visit. You can spend the morning at Epcot, have some lunch at the World Showcase, and then exit the back of the park to reach your resort, conveniently located only a few hundred steps away. In the afternoon, you can have some fun in the sun without leaving the resort. Afterward, you’ll feel recharged enough to return to the park. 

   Playing with the Points Chart

   

   A Savanna View Studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge starts at just 14 points on a weekday and 16 on a weekend!

   Split stays are also a wonderful way to optimize Disney vacation time. You’re effectively booking your hotel stays as distinct itineraries. As you plan your trip, think of each resort in that way. The Pandora days are when you should target Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas. Disney’s Hollywood Studios days mesh well with either BoardWalk or Beach Club. And the days that you want to spend shopping at Disney Springs and playing golf are ones when you should book at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. 

   You’ll even discover that you can maximize your DVC points with the split stay strategy. Some resorts like Beach Club have significantly cheaper points on weekdays. Others, such as Savannah View at Animal Kingdom Villas, are only two points more on weekends most of the time. You can break your vacation down into segments such as “Animal Kingdom days” and then find the cheapest DVC points cost that suits your needs. It’s a game within a game. 

   Pro Tips about Split Stays – Magical Express

   My family has spent 50 days at Walt Disney World since 2014. It’s our home away from home. We’ve used split stays on all but one of those trips, and (not coincidentally) that one was a cash room at Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter. When we stay on DVC points, we do split stays. Here are a few tips you should know about the process.

   First of all, your Magical Express information will work the same way. You’ll check in at Orlando International Airport and head to your first resort. On your final day, you’ll head to the Bell Services area at the resort where you’re staying. 

   Disney will know about your itinerary, and the system assumes that when you use Magical Express on the way in, you’ll also use it on the way out. Still, snafus arise from time to time. Should you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact the hotel lobby and verify that your Magical Express departure information is accurate. 

   Luggage Handling and Tipping

   In terms of luggage, that’s the problematic aspect of a split stay. You’re fine through the first resort stay. It’s the first moving day when the situation changes. You’ll receive the standard checkout information on your door. When you’re ready to switch hotels, you’ll call Bell Services, and they’ll come up to your room to take your bags. This process generally takes 15 minutes, but it could take upwards of an hour on busy days. Prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised if it’s faster. 

   The Bell Services person will deserve a tip. That’s an important note here, one that causes dissension in the ranks of Disney fans. The issue of tipping is a controversial one. I’m merely going to relay the information I’ve been told by Disney cast members. You can take from it what you will. Bell Services employees at three different properties have told me that it’s customary to tip $5 per bag, which means that switching resorts multiple times can get pricey. 

   I should note that many DVC members have informed me that they only tip $1-$2 per bag, adding that the Bell Services employee(s) seemed satisfied with the transaction. As always, tip as you see fit. I’m a writer, and so I always go straight to the source on these subjects. I’m merely relaying what Bell Services workers have told me about tips. 

   Once Bell Services has your bags, you are free to switch hotels or go to a theme park or whatever. Disney used to have the next room available by 11 a.m. on a consistent basis, but they haven’t been as great about that over the past year. As a DVC member, you’re only guaranteed to have a room by 4 p.m. So, plan for that. Anecdotally, we’ve only had to wait past 1 p.m. twice, but I don’t want to lead you astray in your expectations. 

   No matter when you gain room access, your luggage is unlikely to arrive until the afternoon. Disney ships baggage in batches rather than individually, and so there’s no rushing the process here. You should keep any personal belongings that you need. You won’t have access to the rest of it until you reach the next hotel. There, you’ll again contact Bell Services, who will bring up your bags. And yes, that’s another instance where tipping is expected. A couple with three bags basically spends $30 in tips per hotel exchange during a split stay, presuming the $5 per bag. 

   You do receive an unexpected benefit this way. DVC members only receive fresh towels “on the fourth consecutive day.” During a split stay, you’re effectively a new hotel guest at check-in. So, you get towels more often than normal. This isn’t a huge deal, but it’s a nice bonus.  

   Moving Day Plans

   

   You’ll be notified by text message when your new room is ready!

   The final tip about split stays is how to handle the various moving days. Since you won’t have access to your luggage for a large part of these days, you’re probably reduced to keeping your key belongings in a backpack or purse. You’ll want to make sure that you fully charge your smartphone prior to your morning departure. While Disney does have more charging stations these days, My Disney Experience is notorious about draining battery life. You need your phone to know when your room is ready. 

   My family packs light on moving day. We only take the bare necessities and then spend the post-checkout period at a park. We’ve found that this is easiest. If you choose to carry a lot of items with you, a park visit may prove inconvenient. You’ll be lugging around heavy items, which is exhausting. On oppressively hot days in Florida, it’s a brutal exercise in endurance. My suggestion is to think about which items you truly need and then pack the rest with your luggage. 

   One final note about moving date is that a water park visit is a bad idea. If your clothes get wet, you’re stuck wearing them. Your only other choice is to buy a new wardrobe that day. For similar reasons, you should avoid wet rides at parks. 

   Split stays are one of my favorite aspects of an extended Walt Disney World vacation. My family has stayed at four different resorts in a single eight-day stay. While hiccups are inevitable on occasion, we’ve had great luck switching resorts in a timely manner. And we love the precision in knowing that when we’re staying at a certain resort, we have a set plan in place for how to spend the day. It’s a liberating feeling at Walt Disney World. 

    

4. How To Get DVC Benefits As a Resale Owner

   November 21, 2017 12:37 pm Comments Off on How To Get DVC Benefits As a Resale Owner

   Today, let’s talk about benefits. When you’ve talked about buying an ownership interest in the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), someone has probably told you that you’ll have fewer benefits when you buy via resale.

   The idea that some like to foster is that you’re getting less than those who purchase directly from The Walt Disney Company. They rarely mention the thousands of dollars you save in the process, of course, but let’s ignore that part of the conversation for now. Instead, let’s focus on the benefits of direct purchase and unearth a few ways that savvy resale buyers can get these discounts and other advantages.

   Ticket Discounts

   

   Disney trumpets the Membership Extra of discounted tickets to their theme parks. Oftentimes, these deals aren’t that great. To wit, Disney’s 2016 limited time Membership Extras ticket offer was for a four-day ticket to Walt Disney World. The actual deal wasn’t exciting. For $279, guests could visit one Disney park per day.

   This four-day ticket disallowed park hopping. Visitors enjoyed a day at Magic Kingdom, a day at Epcot, a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It worked out to roughly $70 per day. Discount ticket sites can provide a similar deal right now!

   For example, at the time of publication, Undercover Tourist sells a “four-day” ticket to Walt Disney World that includes two extra days. Effectively, it’s a six-day ticket for the price of $394.35. That’s a cost of $65.73 per day, a better deal! Plus, you get to stay longer and enjoy more wonderful vacation time at the Most Magical Place on Earth. And if that’s not enough, discount ticket sites like Undercover Tourist have more variation with their offers.

   You can add Park Hopper as an option with this deal, giving you more flexibility on your trip. Disney’s so-called Membership Extra had finite terms. When you shop for ticket discounts, the DVC deal is oftentimes worse than a deal you can find on your own.

   Restaurant Discounts

   

   The Walt Disney Company trumpets their special discounts for Disney Vacation Club members. What you may not realize is that the Annual Pass discounts are very similar. DVC direct owners receive 10-20 percent off of meals at select Disney restaurants. By my count, roughly 50 Walt Disney World establishments offer this kind of savings to DVC members. Conversely, Annual Pass holders receive similar discounts at more than 100 eateries. You can read the full list here.

   As a DVC member, you’re going to visit Walt Disney World regularly. Owning an Annual Pass is a good idea anyway. The restaurant discounts are additional incentive to do so. They also provide more dining options than the DVC restaurant discounts.

   You can actually guarantee a 20 percent discount on many of your meals, including alcohol, by purchasing a Tables in Wonderland card. It’s a discounted meal system wherein you get a set price reduction of 20 percent at more than 100 Walt Disney World restaurants. This program is only available to Florida residents, Annual Passholders, and DVC Members. While resale buyers who purchase their membership after April 4, 2016 do not qualify for the DVC member rate, they can still purchase as a Florida resident ($175 per year) or an Annual Passholder ($150 per year). This deal is one that many Florida residents use to eat cheap on the Disney campus. You can read full details about the program on Disney’s Tables in Wonderland page. It’s a good deal in theory, but you will need to eat at Disney enough in a calendar year to justify the purchase price.

   Merchandise Discounts

   Merchandise discounts are similar to restaurant savings. Disney again offers a token discount to loyal customers such as DVC members. Generally, the savings is 10-20 percent in this category as well. All Disney merchandise is 20 percent off, a terrific deal. Third party businesses on Disney property such as the stores at Disney Springs are the ones who sometimes offer only 10 percent or sometimes no discount at all. What’s interesting is that Annual Pass holders have many more options for shopping savings. You can see the full list here.

   Stating the obvious, you can direct some of the money that you saved on a resale contract toward an annual pass. You’ll get better deals than DVC direct members receive via Membership Extras. Disney doesn’t want you to realize this fact, but it’s true.

   Adventures by Disney

   Historically, one of the issues with resale membership was that you couldn’t take advantage of the Adventures by Disney program. If you’re unfamiliar with this vacation opportunity, it’s fairly straightforward…and wonderful.

   Disney knows that people trust their brand more than some fly-by-night tour group. So, Disney sets up family group tours of exotic locations. You can book a week at the Grand Canyon or tour the Galapagos Islands. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about the details of your itinerary. Disney sets it up for you, and their corporate leverage guarantees a much nicer vacation than one you would schedule on your own.

   Some of these trips truly qualify as dream vacations, and they carry the sticker shock to match. On the Adventures by Disney website, you’ll see several trips that cost more than $10,000 for a couple. DVC direct owners once had the exclusive privilege of leveraging their points for Adventures by Disney trips.

   An online retailer named David’s Vacation Club Rentals noticed an opportunity in the marketplace. He understood that savvy consumers prefer to purchase resale contracts, but many of these people also want to take vacations via Adventures by Disney. He introduced a program wherein you trade DVC points that you won’t use for the equivalent Adventures by Disney vacation.

   What’s remarkable about this offer is that it’s actually superior to Disney’s version. My friends at David’s Vacation Club Rentals (hi Melissa!) have a clever strategy. They ask you where you want to go, and then they calculate how much the trip will cost. Then, they tell you how many points you’ll need to exchange to “pay” for your vacation. The points chart listed in the middle of this page on their site proves you can save a third off points cost of an Adventures by Disney trip. Even DVC direct purchases should use this program rather than Disney’s. The savings are dramatic!

   Alternately, you can book a vacation the old-fashioned way.  Adventures by Disney has the selling power and leverage of the Disney brand, but it also has the associated Disney surcharge. You can probably book your own dream vacation for quite a bit less. Trust me on this point. I’m a veteran travel writer. Deals abound once you know where to look.  Even if you’re a Disney superfan, you don’t have to feel married to the mouse on every vacation. Mickey understands when you need time apart.

   Disney Cruises

   I read a lot of Disney message boards and social media groups. Few topics have universal agreement, but this subject is the rare exception. EVERYONE knows that using DVC points for Disney cruises is a terrible idea. The cost of points is comically high.

   For years, I have stressed to friends that they are better off renting their points via a service like David’s Vacation Club Rentals or DVC Rental Store. Then, they can turn around and use that money to buy a Disney cruise. With this bit of economic tightrope-walking, DVC members get much better rooms for the same price or simply pocket the savings for other expenses.

   Still, I understand the appeal of DVC cruises. I’ve never been on one, but I’m absolutely intrigued. The reason that I haven’t is that they tend to sell out quickly, generally the day where the booking window opens. Despite this obstacle, David’s Vacation Club Rentals has again invented a great solution. You can swap your DVC points with them, and they’ll book a Disney cruise for you. It won’t be a DVC member cruise, but who cares if the price is great?

   This program is similar to the one above, only better. You’ll generally save even more points with the DVC cruise exchange compared to Adventures by Disney. That’s how much Disney overcharges in points for DVC cruises. With these two programs in place, no one should EVER book a cruise directly through Disney.

   As you can see, the Membership Extras aren’t as good as you’ve perceived them to be. In reality, savvy shoppers can find similar or better deals for most of these so-called benefits. Now that you know the truth, you can save money on a resale contract and then save money again by maximizing your discounts and DVC points via these suggestions.

5. Pros and Cons of Multiple Home Resorts

   October 9, 2017 1:06 pm Comments Off on Pros and Cons of Multiple Home Resorts

   Now that you’re a member of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), you have likely fallen victim to the greatest temptation. Now that you have DVC points, you want MOAR! You probably have your eye on other DVC resorts in addition to your current Home, the place where you officially possess an ownership interest. Should you give into temptation? The answer is maybe. There are pluses and minuses to having multiple DVC memberships. Here are some of the pros and cons of owning at more than one DVC resort.

   You Can Stay Where You Want

   Let’s start with a basic assumption. Right now, you’ve purchased a DVC ownership interest at only one resort. You love your membership, which is why you’re open to adding more. What you’re wondering is whether you’ll gain anything in doing so. The answer is yes, but you need to understand what you’ll gain in the transaction.

   The most important benefit of owning at multiple resorts is that you will double your options at the 11-month window. By now, you understand that you’re only certain to book a room at your home resort. Everywhere else, you’re left hoping that you will find availability when the seven-month window begins.

   For example, let’s assume that you own at the oldest DVC property, Disney’s Old Key West Resort. You can book there up to 11 months in advance. If you want to stay at one of the monorail resorts, however, you must wait until seven months prior to your arrival date. That’s not ideal.

   When you purchase a second contract, you gain an additional 11-month window for those points. Let’s say that you buy a resale contract at Disney’s Polynesian Villas. You can now book there in addition to Disney’s Old Key West. You’ve given your family more flexibility with your vacation. And while it should go without saying, you also added more DVC points, giving you more time at Disney! That’s a second huge advantage of a second contract.

   Also, remember the golden rule of DVC ownership: You should always buy at the place where you want to stay the most. Otherwise, you’re leaving availability up to chance. A DVC add-on of your favorite resort assures that you get a priority booking window and should be able to stay there when you want.

   

   You Can Avoid the Dreaded Holding Account

   Have you ever had to change your DVC reservation at the last minute? Let’s face it. Life gets in the way of Disney dreaming sometimes. When that happens, you’re stuck without a vacation at the Most Magical Place on Earth.

   Even worse, the points from your last-minute cancellation wind up in a Holding Account, which feels like life kicking you when you’re down. You know that these Holding Account points are only good for reservations in a small window of two months. You can’t plan anything well ahead of time with these distressed points, negating one of the strongest advantages of DVC membership.

   With a second DVC membership, you vastly reduce the odds of Holding Account issues. You can (and perhaps should) buy a DVC contract with a different Use Year. In doing so, you’ll have a longer gap in your booking window. Anytime you’re not sure about a vacation, you can use the contract with “newer” points, i.e. the ones that have the longest time until the banking date. That’s the day when you can push your points forward to the following Use Year.

   Let’s assume that your current Use Year is February, the second-most popular one. Let’s also assume that you like to visit Walt Disney World twice a year, once in the spring and once during the holidays. Your Feb Use Year is great for a Spring Break visit, which likely occurs in March or April. It’s the November/December visit that can cause you issues.

   Should you ever have to cancel a December vacation at the last minute, you’re well past your banking date to save those points. And, if you have to cancel under 31 days in advance, you’re destined to see your points go into the dreaded Holding account. You can sidestep this issue by adding a second DVC contract with a September or October Use Year. These two months guarantee that your points are still bankable if you should have to cancel a holiday trip to Walt Disney World or if they happen to go into Holding, you have more time to re-book something before your next Use Year starts and those Holding points expire. The additional flexibility solves the problem caused by the February Use Year on your current contract. You can learn more about the importance of Use Years here.

   

   DVC Banking Windows

   Two Other Positives

   A couple of other pros of multiple memberships are primarily for huge Disney fans, which you presumably are. Otherwise, you wouldn’t participate in DVC. The first pro is that as an owner, you feel more attached to your home resort. After all, you’ve claimed a piece of it. When you buy at multiple resorts, you feel that connection with more DVC properties.

   Many owners suffer from an affliction known as “add-on-itis”, which is a tongue-in-cheek way of saying that they can’t stop gobbling up DVC contracts. That happens because of the love members feel toward their ownership interests. These contracts directly connect Disney with Disney fans.

   The other advantage is that when you have more points, you get to visit Disney more times. The upshot of this ability is that you can visit more DVC resorts over a period of time. You’ll at least visit your home resorts more often, but if you’re the adventurous type, you can leverage the additional points into visits at several DVC properties.

   By my count, my wife and I have spent time at eight DVC resorts since the start of 2014. That’s the kind of flexibility that you enjoy as a DVC member. Each time that you add a new contract, you’re increasing the odds that you can stay at all the DVC properties.

   The Difficulties of Multiple Home Resorts

   While I feel that the advantages vastly outweigh the negatives, I do want to point out three big issues that come up in the management of multiple memberships. The first one is a booking rule that Disney has in place.

   Let’s say that you want to visit Walt Disney World during Memorial Day each year. You’ve figured out that Disney introduces all their major attractions and themed areas during this time of the year, and you want to book 11 months ahead of time. For example, let’s say that in late June of 2018, you want to book Disney’s Boardwalk Resort for May of 2019 (11 months later) for no particular reason (STAR WARS LAND!!!).

   Buying a contract at Boardwalk is only a half-measure unless you do it right. If you want to spend a week there in May, you’ll need at least 104 points for a Deluxe Studio.  Let’s say that you buy a Boardwalk contract with 75 annual points. If you don’t have any banked points and don’t want to borrow points from the upcoming Use Year, then you cannot actually book your full week at the 11-month window. You don’t own enough points at Boardwalk to do so. Disney rules state that you must use the Home Resort contract at Boardwalk to book the room and you cannot carry over points from your other memberships until the 7 month window. For this reason, add-ons work best when you buy them in larger volumes…and that can get expensive.

   BOOKING TIP: Book as many nights as you have points for at 11 months and try to book the additional nights with points from your other membership when the 7 month window opens. At least you will secure part of your stay at Boardwalk and if push comes to shove, enjoy a split-stay at another resort.

   

   Another Financial Area of Concern

   The second monetary issue is the obvious one. When you own more contracts, you pay more in maintenance fees and each resort has a slightly different amount. While these expenses are reasonable relative to the overall value of a DVC contract, you should still keep them in mind when you shop for a contract.

   You’ll pay the bill for your maintenance fees in January, which isn’t the optimal time for most folks. The maintenance fee expense arrives right around the time that the holiday credit card bills start to show up. You want to make sure that you can pay for everything.  Otherwise, the first quarter of the next year could include a lot of financial stress. Only buy what you’re sure you can afford.

   Land of Confusion

   The final concern that stems from multiple memberships is one of contract management. You may not realize this, but Disney will assign you a new member number for each one if they are different Use Years. Keeping up with two or more contracts doesn’t sound difficult in theory. In practice, well, it can grow tired quickly.

   For starters, each time that you contact Disney customer service, they will ask for your membership number. If you give them the wrong one, they should be able to see what you meant, but that’s not guaranteed. You’re likely to have more minor snafus when you maintain multiple accounts because cast members cannot read your mind.

   When you book your reservations, you also may choose the wrong account, go through with the reservation process, and then realize you’re mistake after wasting a couple of minutes in the wrong account. This isn’t earth-shattering stuff, but it is a potential aggravation that you should know in advance. With time, you’ll get better at managing multiple accounts. Just be prepared for a learning curve.

   Buying additional DVC contracts is a wonderful decision for many DVC members. You simply have to understand the pros and cons ahead of time. Hopefully, you’re now better informed and ready to purchase the right resale contract for your current needs.

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6. REVIEW: Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom

   September 6, 2017 6:37 pm Comments Off on REVIEW: Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom

   Do you love Jungle Cruise? Are you looking for a great meal at Magic Kingdom, something unusual and memorable? If you answered yes to either of these questions, one of the newest Table Service restaurants at Walt Disney World is worth your consideration. Read on to find out whether Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is the right place for you.

   

   The Basics

   For many years, one of the most accurate criticisms of Magic Kingdom was that it lacked high-quality dining options. Sure, comparisons to Epcot are a bit unfair since dining is an integral part of the World Showcase experience, but Magic Kingdom was still mainly a place to get a burger and fries for many years.

   Disney has aggressively addressed that criticism in recent years. Be Our Guest is the most famous example, but a less heralded option is better, at least for foodies. That restaurant is Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen (Skipper Canteen for short), and you shouldn’t be scared off by some of the harsh early reviews about the food here. Nobody ever argued that the meals here are bad, just…unusual.

   Skipper Canteen offers world cuisine, and it does so for good reason. Disney tries to theme everything in their parks, and the theme at this eatery is that it’s a kindred spirit to Jungle Cruise, the beloved Adventureland attraction that celebrates exploration. When you dine at Skipper Canteen, the conceit is that you’re an itinerant adventurer in need of local cuisine. You don’t want the same old thing that you’d have if you were back home. What’s the point of exploring the world if you don’t think, “When in Rome…”?

   

   Jungle Cruise has operated since the opening day of Disneyland in 1955. Its rich history is the inspiration for much of Skipper Canteen ‘s décor. You’ll discover relics from foreign lands as you wander through the building. You’ll also see paintings that are reenactments (or at least embellishments) of the daring deeds of Dr. Falls and other members of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

   The ambience is outstanding, especially if you’re a Jungle Cruise fanatic. Even if you’re not, take the opportunity to wander around the restaurant and admire the theming. It’s some of the best Disney has ever done at Magic Kingdom. Be Our Guest is its only equal right now in my opinion.

   

   The Money

   In terms of price, Skipper Canteen isn’t cheap. Some pricing aggregators indicate that it’s one of the most expensive Table Service meals at Walt Disney World. It costs an average of $36 per person according to WDW Prep School.

   That’s a lot of money for a meal that a lot of people don’t enjoy. Conversely, it’s a great use of a Table Service credit if you do like the food. You’re maximizing the value of the Disney Dining Plan when you eat more expensive meals at places like Akershus, Chef Mickey’s, and Skipper Canteen, all of which cost only one Table Service credit. So, the value of Skipper Canteen depends on how you’ll pay and how adventurous your palate is.

   The Spiel

   Since Skipper Canteen is an extension of Jungle Cruise, it shares a key similarity. That’s to say your waiter will treat you to dinner and a show. Cast members perform in character as “Skipper Servers.” You will receive a script of outlandish puns and bizarre jokes, just as you would during a ride on the Jungle Cruise.

   How does this work in practice? Well, it’s relentless. As you sit down, your Skipper Server may inform you that in the event of emergency, your chair cushion doubles as a flotation device. This presentation isn’t universally loved, and I include the cast members in that. During a recent visit, one of our servers made no attempt to get into the festivities. We learned afterward that Disney suggests that you ask for a spirited Skipper Server when you check in at the restaurant. I guess puns aren’t for everyone.

   The Food

   

   Here’s where the conversation takes a turn. The most divisive element of Skipper Canteen isn’t the script. It’s the cuisine. While the complaint about Magic Kingdom is the sameness of many of its dining options, this particular establishment is too extreme for some. The menu is stubbornly rebellious in its international slant. Not many places offer lunch selections like Shiriki Noodle Salad, S.E.A. Shu Mai, and Orinoco Ida’s Cachapas. You’re probably already googling for explanations, and those are just the appetizers!

   Skipper Canteen’s menu is so eclectic that they actually name one dish, “Tastes like Chicken” – Because it is! I presume that they did this because of the idea of a basic chicken entrée seemed like a trap to some, especially after other options like Curried Vegetable Crew Stew and Baa Baa Berber Lamb Chops. Many people go their entire lives without eating lamb. It’s a basic lunch option here.

   Thematically, the idea here is clear.  Skipper Canteen is for the adventurous culinary crowd. It’s a little slice of heaven for foodies. For tired Magic Kingdom travelers seeking some protein replenishment, it’s a challenging menu.  When you choose to eat here, you should make sure that you’re doing so to try some new and exciting stuff rather than to grab a bite somewhere near your Jungle Cruise FastPass.

   

   Tips

   I’ve eaten at Skipper Canteen three times thus far. On two of these occasions, I was in a party of five, and we were all on the Deluxe Dining Plan, the one that includes appetizers and desserts. For that reason, my party has sampled a little bit of everything at Skipper Canteen by now. Suffice to say that we’re fans.

   In fact, let me offer a quick anecdote here. My brother once had an emergency appendectomy 10 days prior to our eating at Skipper Canteen. We begged him not to make the trip, but it takes more than a burst appendix to stop my family from visiting Walt Disney World!

   What my brother hadn’t realized during the months leading up to his surgery was how sick he was. He stopped enjoying food. Skipper Canteen single-handedly reminded him of the joys of international cuisine. His satisfied sounds as he ate were almost cartoonish. They seemed exaggerated, but he was sincere. It was one of the best meals of his entire life. Anyone who ever says that food isn’t love would have reconsidered while watching him dine on that day.

   What does our party enjoy so much? Well, one of the best items on the entire menu comes automatically and is free. The Ambasha bread is the tough sort of bread, but it melts into a sopping delicacy once you dip it in the accompanying honey-infused dip.

   My family recommends the Char Siu Pork, Skip’s Beefy Baked Pasta, Tastes Like Chicken, and Nile Nellie’s Noodle Bowl with Duck. The group’s favorite appetizer (by far) is the S.E.A. Shu Mai, but Orinoco Ida’s Cachapas are good, too.

   Finally and most importantly, the real star of a meal at Skipper Canteen is dessert. Independent of how the rest of your meal goes, you’re sure to find a winner at the end. Bertha’s Banh Bong Lan Cake with Mango-Lime Sorbet  is a phenomenal chiffon cake. Quick Sand!!! is a rice pudding that packs a flavor punch in a small bite, although it’s a bit much for me.

   If you’re only picking one dessert, however, your choice is clear. The Kungaloosh! Isn’t just the best dessert at Skipper Canteen. It’s one of the best anywhere at Walt Disney World. I’m salivating just thinking about the way the rich cake meshes with the caramelized bananas.

   

   Photo (C) Sam Howzit

   Are you still on the fence about this restaurant due to its mediocre buzz? I want to add that I have the palate of a four-year-old child. I’m the proverbial burger-and-fries guy. I go to Skipper Canteen more for the spiel and the happiness of my family than any foodie tendencies. Even so, I’ve discovered that Dr. Falls’ Signature Grilled Steak is a winning choice for less ambitious eaters. It does come with strange sides, plantains and Toasted Brazil Nut pesto, but they do allow substitutions. Also, I’m oddly a fan of pesto, so I enjoy it anyway.

   In summation, the debate over Skipper Canteen is understandable. The menu is stubbornly unconventional. You’re risking a lot of money per person to eat food that you may not enjoy. In exchange for the risk, you’ll enjoy one of the most novel dining experiences at Walt Disney World. Even if the flavors prove too exotic for your taste buds, you should still enjoy the meal, particularly if you get a great Skipper Server. Meanwhile, fans of international flavors will love everything about this hidden gem at Magic Kingdom.

7. How To Waitlist a DVC Reservation

   August 3, 2017 9:00 am Comments Off on How To Waitlist a DVC Reservation

   You’ve done all of the planning. You’ve picked the perfect time for your long overdue vacation. You’ve earned those glorious few days in the Disney Bubble, and you know exactly which Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort will welcome you home that day. There’s just one little problem.

   When you pull up the DVC website to book your room, Disney’s system breaks your heart. The results page informs you that your room is booked! Don’t fret, though! All is not lost. Many DVC rooms become available at a later date. You just need to know how to work the system. Here’s a guide on how to Waitlist your DVC reservation.

   The Basics

   

   The way that you plan your DVC resort will remain the same. You’re still going to select the room type that you want at the resort that you’d prefer on the days that you need. The only difference is that you’re not going to get to book the room like you’d prefer.

   Instead, you’ll receive one of the two dreaded DVC messages that inform you that your room request isn’t available. Those messages are:

   • No offers were found that matched your search criteria. Please try changing your dates, Resort or room type.
   • Your selection is not available. Please select an alternate Resort or edit your search criteria and try a new search.

   The first message indicates that you’re trying to book a popular date, and no DVC resorts in the area have availability. This status update indicates that you’re facing a real issue with DVC room availability.

   The second message is better news. While you can’t book the room type that you want at the hotel you prefer, you do have options available. This status update means that DVC has some rooms available, just not the one you want.

   The Supply and Demand of DVC Rooms

   Don’t worry! You can waitlist a room after either message, though. That leads to a note about how the Waitlist system works from Disney’s perspective.

   Disney wants to maintain a high occupancy rate at their DVC resorts. The company releases the contractually obligated number of rooms to DVC members and sometimes even adds more than legally required. When you get the message that a room type is booked, Disney’s system is saying that they’ve reached maximum occupancy for the DVC allotment.

   The various resorts could open more rooms to DVC members at any point. Your Waitlist request positions you in a virtual line queue. You’re hoping that a room becomes available. Similarly, many DVC members book reservations only to cancel at a later date. They may have conflicts that could prevent a visit, or they could be waiting for a Waitlist to open, just like you.

   That’s why the Waitlist system is so important to you and to Disney. You’re telling the company that you want to stay in a particular room on a set date. Disney’s seeing how much demand they have for various room types on certain dates. They can add more DVC rooms if they have enough availability. Disney also receives protection against a slew of hotel room cancellations. The company knows that it has other potential customers if the current ones can’t stay in the rooms.

   How to Create a Waitlist Reservation

   When you reach the search results page and see that your room type isn’t available, don’t panic! Disney has made the Waitlist process as easy as possible.

   The first thing you should do on the page is scroll down slightly. You’re now looking at a section entitled Your Resort Offer. Directly below this head is a tantalizing picture of the DVC resort where you want to stay, along with a cruel message that you can’t.

   Glance down the page a bit more. Stop at the section entitled Availability. This part is easy to spot since it includes a number of giant X’s marking the spot where you’d hoped to see room availability. Any date with a giant X over it is currently booked. You’ll need to set up a Waitlist for the applicable date(s).

   

   The good news is that you’re already on the right line to start a Waitlist. Look to the right of the giant row of X’s. You should see a message like:

   Waitlist This Entire Stay:
   December 20, 2017 – December 27, 2017
   (137 Vacation Points)

   The message looks the same on a computer or smart device. It’s also a hyperlink, which means in non-computer geek terms that you can click it to reach the page you want. You want to click this link to set up a Waitlist request.

   Disney will offer a pleasant message that you should kick back and relax while they process your request. After a moment, you’ll arrive at the Waitlist Request application form. This is the first of four pages that you’ll click through to create your Waitlist.

   Page One: Add to Waitlist – Customize Request

   

   The first page of the application process is the place where Disney confirms your desired room type. You will need to answer a few important questions on this page.

   The first question may seem strange. Disney asks when you want to set your Waitlist Request Expiration Date. For your sake and for Disney’s, a Waitlist isn’t possible past a certain date. You need to know exactly where you’re going to stay, and Disney needs to know which guests will inhabit their rooms.

   That’s why they’ve set up a pair of deadlines for Waitlist requests. Your options are:

   • 31 days prior to arrival date
   • 7 days prior to arrival date

   If you choose 31 days, Disney will stop trying to honor your Waitlist request 31 days prior to your arrival. Basically, you’re telling Disney’s booking system that you want to know a month of time if you’re not going to get your Waitlist.

   People select 31 days as an option when they’re not sure they’re going to make a trip. The thinking is that you need at least a month to plan a Disney vacation. If you don’t get your Waitlist, you may not visit Disney at all.

   Alternately, you may just want to know well ahead of time. That’s especially true of guests who like to make Advance Dinner Reservations. You could book a reservation at Boma when you think you’re staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House. If you unexpectedly get your Waitlist request for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you’ve suddenly booked dinner a long way from your DVC resort.

   By choosing seven days, Disney will attempt to honor your Waitlist request all the way up until one week before you arrive. You should pick this option if you’re sure you’re going to make your trip. That way, you maintain a chance at getting your preferred room type all the way up until the last seven days.

   The only downside to the seven-day option is if you’ve added Magical Express to your reservation. If your Waitlist request triggers, you need to make sure to let the people at the Magical Express counter know. Otherwise, they could potentially try to direct you to the wrong bus and, thereby, the wrong resort.

   

   You then must select whether you want the Waitlist booking to replace a current one. This isn’t applicable unless you’ve booked a different reservation. If you have, you’re telling Disney to update your old reservation to give you the preferred room type. Your options here are:

   • No, don’t replace an existing booking if Waitlist request is confirmed.
   • Yes, replace an existing booking if Waitlist request is confirmed.

   Pick the one that best fits your current vacation plans.

   The next section of page one is basically a verification request. Disney again asks you for the booking dates, DVC resort, and room type that you would prefer. They do this to reduce the chances of someone entering the wrong date for a Waitlist.

   

   The final section of page one is an important one. Disney asks if you are willing to borrow vacation points as needed to book a reservation. If so, you must select a Home Resort. Pick the one that has the points you need to borrow for the reservation.

   Even if you don’t think that you will need the extra points, you should still fill this out. You don’t want to miss out on a Waitlist due to a lack of points. That’s an easily avoided mistake.

   

   Page 2: Add to Waitlist – Provide Guest Information

   The second page is self-explanatory. You’re filling out a hotel reservation. Better yet, the Disney system is smart. Once you’ve booked a DVC room with them once, the system stores your data. The guest information page will auto-fill results from that point forward. So, you may not need to do any data entry here, which is convenient for smart device users. If you do, it’s a basic information request. The most important thing to remember is to list every guest in your room. Otherwise, you won’t receive the appropriate number of Magic Bands, Magical Express luggage tags, and Disney Dining Plan entitlements (if applicable).

   

   Page 3: Add to Waitlist – Review Request

   This page is the easiest to complete. You will only need to check one box at the bottom of the page. You should pay careful attention to the information on this page, though. It’s a verification step to make sure that you are creating a Waitlist for the date, DVC resort, and room type that you want. Any incorrect information will lead to disappointment once you arrive at Disney.

   The Review Request displays check-in and check-out details, along with the size of the travel party and your DVC member number. It also has a large box that shows how many DVC points you will spend on the trip. The next section shows travel party details. The section after that confirms your two choices from page one: 31 or 7 days and whether you want to replace an existing booking or not.

   The only remaining thing that you need to do is read the terms and conditions. You must scroll through these before the system lets you check the corresponding box. In doing so, you confirm that you’ve read the terms and conditions.

   

   Page 4: Add to Waitlist – Await Confirmation 

   Congratulations, you have created a Waitlist request! The fourth and final page is just a confirmation screen. You should see this message:

   “You have successfully completed your Waitlist request. A summary of your request is displayed below. If your request is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email.

   You can also check the status of your Waitlist requests by selecting “Waitlist Manager” below. Or, you can return to the Vacation Center by selecting the appropriate link below.”

   

   You will receive email confirmation of the request as well. If you’re impatient like me, you have another option. You can look under the My DVC Membership tab on DisneyVacationClub.com. The My Vacations section has a Waitlist tab. Click this link. Presuming everything has gone right, this message should display:

   “1 Active Waitlist Request(s)”

   Obviously, if you have more than one Active Waitlist Request, the number will be different. The point is that you have done what you wanted to do! Yay, you!

   

   One Last Thing…

   Should you change your mind about the Waitlist request, you can always return to this page. One of the options here is, “Deactivate This Waitlist Request.” If you click this link, a confirmation screen will appear. Again pick the “Deactivate This Waitlist Request” button to cancel your Waitlist selection.

   So, there you have it. You now know how to create a Waitlist, what your options are setting up your Waitlist, and what the pages look like in the Waitlist Request system. You should be good to go. Good luck, and enjoy your trip!