Congratulations, you have booked your Disney Vacation Club trip! What’s next? The Disney Vacation Club member website has a pre-arrival checklist to help you plan the best vacation ever. You will find the pre-arrival checklist one of two ways: first, under your “My DVC” menu in the “My Vacation” section; and second, the pre-arrival checklist is linked on the main vacation planning webpage, which you can access by clicking the “Plan Vacation” menu tab.
Theme Park Reservations
The first prompt on the pre-arrival checklist reminds you that you may need to make theme park reservations. At Walt Disney World, if you have date-based single or multi-day tickets, you do not need to make theme park reservations. However, if you have student group tickets, sport and convention tickets, Disney Military Salute tickets, an Annual Pass, or other ticket type not mentioned, you do still need to make a theme park reservation. Read more for everything you need to know and helpful hints about theme park reservations at Walt Disney World. At Disneyland Resort, all ticket types need theme park reservations.
Travel Insurance
Next, the pre-arrival checklist prompts you to consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance can save the day in case you have to cancel your trip for an unexpected reason.
Online Check-In Service
You can simplify your vacation by starting the check-in process before your trip! If you have traveled to Walt Disney World and stayed at an on property hotel, you may already be familiar with this process. Online check-in is available at all Disney Vacation Club Resorts except the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (and also available at all Walt Disney World Resort hotels). 60 days prior to your arrival at Walt Disney World your online check-in window opens. This process can also be done on the Disney World and Disneyland apps. Using the app allows you to go directly to your room’s door without visiting the front desk. You can use the app to open the door.
For Vero Beach Resort, Hilton Head Island Resort, and Aulani, online check-in becomes available 10 days prior to arrival. Once your check-in window opens, login to DisneyVacationClub.com and select “My Dashboard.” Then view “My Vacation Plans” and select your vacation to begin the check-in process online. This greatly simplifies your arrival, as once your room is ready you will be able to head straight there. While chatting with Cast Members is always a joy, it is nice to be able to breeze past the front desk and be off straight to your room.
Order Groceries
One of the many perks of a Disney Vacation Club stay is it really can feel like home! All one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas have a full kitchen. This enables your travel party to eat comfortably in your room, which many guests take advantage of. And even in a studio, without a full kitchen, many travel parties enjoy having some staples like waters, sodas, breakfast bars or cereal, and snacks in their room.
To simplify this process, you can order groceries in advance. If you want to do this directly through Disney Vacation Club, you will fill out and submit an order form for your Resort at least three business days prior to your arrival. You will also need to have a credit card on file, which you can complete during online check-in. You can also indicate if you would like to pick up your groceries or have them delivered. All orders will have a $10 service charge added to the order total. Note that this service is not offered at either DVC Resort at Disneyland, the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa or the Villas at Disneyland Hotel. Order forms for participating Resorts can be accessed at the following links:
- Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo House and Kidani Village)
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Of course, there are plenty of options for grocery delivery beyond this direct from Disney service. Take a look and see if any of these would make your trip easier.
Dining Plans & Reservations
Next on the pre-arrival checklist, it’s time to get excited about food! Consider if a dining plan makes sense for your party if you’re off to the Walt Disney World Resort. And regardless if you opt into a dining plan or not, if you want to eat at sit-down restaurant on your trip you will want to make advance dining reservations. At both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, dining reservations are accepted up to 60 days prior to check-in.
You can make these reservations online, in the mobile app, or by phone. For reservations at Walt Disney World and Aulani, you can call Members Services at 800-800-9800 or 407-566-3800. For Disneyland reservations, the phone number to call is 714-781-DINE (714-781-3463). For information on local dining options at Hilton Head Island resort, call the front desk at 843-341-4150. To learn about Vero Beach Resort dining and local dining options, call 772-234-2000.
Plan Things To Do
Finally, the pre-arrival checklist prompts you to think about what you want to do on your vacation! For Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, beyond dining you will want to consider special events, park tours, character greetings, nighttime spectaculars and entertainment, and attractions. Plus, don’t forget the all important information like park hours, maps, and services. Plus during your time outside of the theme parks, don’t forget to explore the Disney Resort hotels.
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Jacqueline R.
Contributing Writer
Jacqueline is a PhD scientist with a passion for synthesizing detailed information in an understandable format. She is a Disney Vacation Club owner, overall Disney fan, and the primary content creator on the YouTube channel Pixie Dust PhD.
