resorts switching question during trip.

[Disneymommie]

We thought we would be driving but are now thinking of taking the train. We have ressie for Pop century thru CR for our first night and then at SSR thru MS for the rest of our vacation. How would we get to SSR from Pop without a car? Could we arrange it with Disney somehow? Who should I call MS or CR? Anyone ever done this? It is a party of 7, 4 Adults and 3 children that we are traveling with. Thanks for any help!

 

[CharmedLife]

I think the easiest way would be to take a cab. We've taken ones in the past that were vans, big enough for all of us and our luggage. It's not too expensive, especially from one resort to another (compared to taking one from the airport, etc.). I think this would be the easiest, fastest, and most painless way to do it. Not really any prep work on your part, just calling the cab company in the morning and arranging for the pickup.

Good luck!

 

[wildernessDad]

Have bell services move your luggage from Pop to SSR and then take WDW transportation if you like.

 

[Disneymommie]

If we have Bell service move our luggage, how long does it take to get to our new resort? Would they just bring it to the resort or right to the room when ready?

Thanks for the help!

 

[DVC Grammy]

Bell services will get your luggage to SSR within 3 hours (approx.). Just call them as soon as you're all packed at POP. When it gets to SSR, it will be kept in the bell services storage area until you call them from your room, and they will bring it to you.

It's easy to take WDW transportation from POP (especially with 7 people; one taxi probably wouldn't do). Take the bus to DTD and then either walk or take the bus to SSR (if it's before 11 am, I don't think the launches are running yet ). Check in at SSR, and go about your day having fun.

We often do split-stays, especially on longer trips. We love them because it feels like two vacations, not one!

 

[Disneymommie]

Thank you for the help. How early do the busses run to DTD? We are looking get there by 9 so we have plenty of park time. Could we get a bus that early to DTD? Thanks again for being so helpful. This is our first trip as DVC members!!! We can not wait for Aug!!!!

 

[JimC]

Check out of POP and request Bell Services to transfer your luggage to SSR. Then go have fun. Later in the day return to SSR and check-in. Call SSR Bell Services to see if your luggage has arrived. They should have your luggage by 4:00 pm. If you are not there yet they just store it for you.

We usually tip Bell Services at both ends of the transfer.

Have fun and welcome home!

 

[DMKEDM]

We did three intra-resort transfers (OKW to SSR; SSR to BWV; and BWV-std to BWV-preferred) this past January...at that time, all intra-resort luggage transfers were done between 1 and 3 (regardless of when you asked Bell Services to come get your luggage, or when you dropped it off, and even "just" changing rooms at BWV)...after 3, the new resort Bell Services delivers your luggage to your room, but you must be in your room to receive it...so we just called Bell Services when we arrived...once we had to wait 30 minutes; the other two times it was essentially immediate...

They do expect tips ("they say" $1-$2/bag, depending on how many bags--first two transfers it was just two of us, w/3 bags to transfer; I gave each bellhop $5; last one our party had grown and we had 10 bags to transfer (backpacks and grocery bags as well as suitcases)...I gave each of those bellhops $15)...

Getting to Downtown Disney by 9 a.m. is possible, but not "easy"...buses do start running by 9, but they seemed to be few & far between to DTD that early in the day (park buses, on the other hand, at that time of day are plentiful)...you might instead want to head to a park, and then take the SSR bus back to SSR after you're finished in the park you choose...

Cabs between the resorts aren't expensive, but I was surprised at how much they do cost...on our T-giving trip, I left SSR via cab to meet family staying at ASMu...it was $10! That did surprise me...but it is the most time-efficient way to move between resorts, particularly early in the a.m.

Split stays are pretty easy and painless so long as you don't lose sight of the fact that on your day of transfer you won't be able to get your luggage til after 3, and then only if you're in the room to receive it; and so long as you're prepared for tipping...I know by the time I finished with two tips per transfer after 3 transfers I felt like tipping was a significant expense! I spent about $50 on tips for our 3 transfers...and they're pretty insistent...I know on our last transfer, I wanted to save the cash so I sent my two 18-year-old boys down to the bellstand to retrieve our bags...the bellhops there at first wouldn't give the boys our bags, saying they'd bring them themselves...when the boys insisted, the bellhops walked back to our room with the boys...(I wasn't there and the boys said they went ahead and gave the bellhops their tips...I reimbursed the boys)...

Happy vacation!

 

[Disneymommie]

I love this board you guys are a wealth of information.

We were going to just check out of POP send our luggage ahead then go back to SSR later after a day at the parks. Well I remebered last night that we need to get to SSR in the morning because we are doing the dinning plan and need to get our cards. Can I just do that for the whole party and meet them in the park or do we all have to be there to get them?

If we decide for goto the parks first, should I call SSR and let them know we are in the area and to expect our luggage?

Sorry I am a planner and like to have all lose ends tied!

 

[jamesphilipdean]

Yes, you can check-in at SSR and get the Disney Dining plan. You probably won't get your room number yet, but you will get your keys, etc. You can call throughout the day to check for your room number.

Jim

 

[jamesphilipdean]

I forgot to say the only one that needs to be at check-in is the one the reservation is made under.

 

[Disneymommie]

Thanks for the help. I think we will plan on getting up early and hopping onto a bus to get to SSR by 9ish. Check in, then go about our day and call over to see when the room is ready! Thanks

 

[Amy5000]

We did three intra-resort transfers (OKW to SSR; SSR to BWV; and BWV-std to BWV-preferred) this past January...at that time, all intra-resort luggage transfers were done between 1 and 3 (regardless of when you asked Bell Services to come get your luggage, or when you dropped it off, and even "just" changing rooms at BWV)...after 3, the new resort Bell Services delivers your luggage to your room, but you must be in your room to receive it...so we just called Bell Services when we arrived...once we had to wait 30 minutes; the other two times it was essentially immediate...

They do expect tips ("they say" $1-$2/bag, depending on how many bags--first two transfers it was just two of us, w/3 bags to transfer; I gave each bellhop $5; last one our party had grown and we had 10 bags to transfer (backpacks and grocery bags as well as suitcases)...I gave each of those bellhops $15)...

Getting to Downtown Disney by 9 a.m. is possible, but not "easy"...buses do start running by 9, but they seemed to be few & far between to DTD that early in the day (park buses, on the other hand, at that time of day are plentiful)...you might instead want to head to a park, and then take the SSR bus back to SSR after you're finished in the park you choose...

Cabs between the resorts aren't expensive, but I was surprised at how much they do cost...on our T-giving trip, I left SSR via cab to meet family staying at ASMu...it was $10! That did surprise me...but it is the most time-efficient way to move between resorts, particularly early in the a.m.

Split stays are pretty easy and painless so long as you don't lose sight of the fact that on your day of transfer you won't be able to get your luggage til after 3, and then only if you're in the room to receive it; and so long as you're prepared for tipping...I know by the time I finished with two tips per transfer after 3 transfers I felt like tipping was a significant expense! I spent about $50 on tips for our 3 transfers...and they're pretty insistent...I know on our last transfer, I wanted to save the cash so I sent my two 18-year-old boys down to the bellstand to retrieve our bags...the bellhops there at first wouldn't give the boys our bags, saying they'd bring them themselves...when the boys insisted, the bellhops walked back to our room with the boys...(I wasn't there and the boys said they went ahead and gave the bellhops their tips...I reimbursed the boys)...

Happy vacation!

ok. Just so I understand. You tipped both when they picked up your luggage and when you received it? But it was only one bell person for pick up and drop off?

 

[DMKEDM]

Yup, tipping on both ends is a necessity (if you're going to tip, that is)...the bellhops working at the resort you're leaving are different people than the bellhops working the resort at which you're arriving...two different people, two separate tips...

I remember being very frustrated and annoyed by the process the first time we did an intra-resort transfer...didn't know I would not be able to get our suitcases right away; didn't know I'd have to be in our room to receive them; and hadn't really thought through the "assault on the cash flow" that the tipping represented...but once I knew about all the steps, it became very easy ... nothing like expecting something to take the sting out of it happening! I do think Disney intra-resort transfer processes are really good--so long as you know ahead of time what to expect!

Happy vacation...

 

[alldiz]

I love to change resorts....

I am a control freak....so I take our luggage in a cab....to resort #2...
Everyone heads to a park....I meet them there...

I now check in....with my luggage.....I've been lucky with a room
ready....a lot....which is nice....I unpack and go...

If room is not ready...they will hold your luggage....when you come back from
the park...they will send it up....

Money you spent on cab....will slightly be offset by only
1 tip.....NONE if your room is ready right away and you have your
luggage
Enjoy
Keri

 

[R Dog Walt]

To get to SSR from POP using WDW transportation, I would get on one of the following buses to transfer (whichever comes first- we LOVE to play bus roulette!):

DTD
MGM
EPCOT

These resorts seem most "on the way" to SSR. If it's early entry at MGM or EPCOT, you'll likely have lots of buses to chose from!

Then, just transfer to SSR from one of these places (or walk from DTD).

We tipped on both ends as well. I personally would check my laptop. I've checked my purse before (usually inside of my suitcase though) to go to a park.

 

[Disneymommie]

Thanks for the bus tips! We were hoping to get a bus to DTD but realize it may be to early. I will have to check Early entry for Epcot and MGM!

 

[Buckalew11]

Not sure if this question will be seen on this thread or not. If I switch from the Swan to BWV, I do not have Disney's services and I know this. Last year, I switched from Dolphin to OKW by cab. But this time, I am right next door. Can I just move my lugguage over there? Or do I still need a cab?

 

[Scraper]

We always change resorts and they always do the luggage. I have never heard two dollars a bag. We tip both bell hops but we tip them each 5 dollars no matter how many bags. We realy like this service and head right to the parks.

 

[alldiz]

Not sure if this question will be seen on this thread or not. If I switch from the Swan to BWV, I do not have Disney's services and I know this. Last year, I switched from Dolphin to OKW by cab. But this time, I am right next door. Can I just move my lugguage over there? Or do I still need a cab?

I would just walk your stuff over...
Probably a shorter walk than you carried in airport...
Kerri