Split stays

[mandy2012]

I am interested in doing a split stay. I understand that I can go to Bell services and have them transfer my luggage to my new resort, but will I still be able to use the Disney transportation system to go to a park after I check out of my first hotel?

 

[roydavid7771]

Absolutely

 

[vdub322]

Yes! In fact, that's the best way to do it. Our last two trips have been split stays. We just call bell services from our room and they come get our bags, including any groceries. We always watch them put our name on everything and make sure we have an accurate count of how many items. They then give you a receipt. Then we usually go hop a bus and head to our park of choice for the day! When we are done at the park, we take Disney transportation to the new resort and check in. It's always worked well for us!

In April 2012 we switched from Bay Lake Tower to Kidani. Since we had our car, we kept our luggage and put it in the car, drove over and check in and the room was ready...and this was at 9am! This isn't common, but Kidani is a huge resort with tons of rooms. So you can always go check in at the new resort BEFORE you head to the park and they will text you when your room is ready. Luggage doesn't show up until afternoon though if Bell Services takes it.

But in short, you are still entitled to all your resort benefits, including transportation, dining plan credits, etc on the day you check out.

Just recount everything when Bell Services at the new resort brings everything to the new room! We were missing a bag of groceries on the last trip. Turned out they forgot to check the fridge!

 

[mickeynut1]

I am interested in doing a split stay. I understand that I can go to Bell services and have them transfer my luggage to my new resort, but will I still be able to use the Disney transportation system to go to a park after I check out of my first hotel?

Yes, Disney transportation is open to everyone. I know you are just changing resorts and will still be a Disney resort guest, but you don't have to be staying at a Disney resort to use it.

 

[mandy2012]

Thank you so much! I was really worried because I would not be renting a car and didn't know that guests can still use the transportation even after you check out. For this trip, I am really interested in seeing many of the resorts instead of the parks. and now I can without much hassle Thanks!

 

[POOHsie]

Thank you so much! I was really worried because I would not be renting a car and didn't know that guests can still use the transportation even after you check out. For this trip, I am really interested in seeing many of the resorts instead of the parks. and now I can without much hassle Thanks!

It's easier than you think. Any bus, any boat, any monorail, you just get on (except Magical Express buses). No one will check your credentials. Just walk on. That goes for guests who are not staying at a Disney resort, too. They are allowed full access to Disney transportation.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you so much! I was really worried because I would not be renting a car and didn't know that guests can still use the transportation even after you check out. For this trip, I am really interested in seeing many of the resorts instead of the parks. and now I can without much hassle Thanks!

Have a great trip .

 

[mandy2012]

It's easier than you think. Any bus, any boat, any monorail, you just get on (except Magical Express buses). No one will check your credentials. Just walk on. That goes for guests who are not staying at a Disney resort, too. They are allowed full access to Disney transportation.

When you get on a disney bus, do you have to show your key to the world card to prove you are staying at a disney resort?

 

[absolut_mandy]

When you get on a disney bus, do you have to show your key to the world card to prove you are staying at a disney resort?

Nope, just hop on, sit back and enjoy the ride

 

[POOHsie]

When you get on a disney bus, do you have to show your key to the world card to prove you are staying at a disney resort?

No ID necessary for the park buses, or any boat, or the monorail. Anyone at the Disney parks can use their transportation. Going back 20 years ago and more, they would check for resort cards. But since Disney's massive expansion in the late 80s thru the 90s, that has stopped. Just get on and enjoy.

 

[CoolPool]

Honestly the easiest way is just to grab a cab at the front of your hotel, load up your luggage and go straight to the second hotel. That way you know all your stuff got transferred. If your room is ready early then you go right to your room. If its not then its stored at your second hotel and will be available immediately when your room is available. If your priority is to go to the parks then I'd follow the previous advice first.

 

[mandy2012]

Thanks everybody!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Mandy2012, is it okay if I jump in on your question with a few other related ones?

My plan was to pack up all my luggage and take it down to the lobby with me when I check out. I would like to then hand it over to bell services so they can send it to my next resort. Is that a reasonable thing to do, or should I be calling Bell Services up to my room like a previous poster suggested? I'm not sure if it's a cultural thing, but I feel a bit strange getting them to come up to my room, when I'm going to be heading down to the lobby anyway.

Also, who do I tip - bell services at the first resort, second resort, or both? And how much roughly per bag? Sorry, I know tipping can be a bit of a personal topic, but I'm really intent on not offending anyone.

Lastly, at the second resort, do I pick up my luggage at the lobby, or will it automatically be delivered to my room.

thanks

 

[cluvsdisney]

Mandy2012, is it okay if I jump in on your question with a few other related ones?

My plan was to pack up all my luggage and take it down to the lobby with me when I check out. I would like to then hand it over to bell services so they can send it to my next resort. Is that a reasonable thing to do, or should I be calling Bell Services up to my room like a previous poster suggested? I'm not sure if it's a cultural thing, but I feel a bit strange getting them to come up to my room, when I'm going to be heading down to the lobby anyway.

Also, who do I tip - bell services at the first resort, second resort, or both? And how much roughly per bag? Sorry, I know tipping can be a bit of a personal topic, but I'm really intent on not offending anyone.

Lastly, at the second resort, do I pick up my luggage at the lobby, or will it automatically be delivered to my room.

thanks

You can bring the bags down to bell services yourself. We tip bell services on both ends...approx $1 per bag.

 

[maxiesmom]

Lastly, at the second resort, do I pick up my luggage at the lobby, or will it automatically be delivered to my room.

thanks

Once you check in and get to your room, call down and they will bring your luggage up. Unlike DME luggage handling, they won't bring it up until you are in your room.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Honestly the easiest way is just to grab a cab at the front of your hotel, load up your luggage and go straight to the second hotel. That way you know all your stuff got transferred. If your room is ready early then you go right to your room. If its not then its stored at your second hotel and will be available immediately when your room is available. If your priority is to go to the parks then I'd follow the previous advice first.

Honestly though, that actually sounds like a pain. And costs extra unnecessary money.

Unless of course you need to be at your next resort right away with your luggage... but on resort switching days (we're vets about this, we switch almost every trip and sometimes 3 times) we just plan for staying in the park through the afternoon. I think this year, we plan on having an early dinner for our switch.

 

[CoolPool]

Honestly though, that actually sounds like a pain. And costs extra unnecessary money.

Unless of course you need to be at your next resort right away with your luggage... but on resort switching days (we're vets about this, we switch almost every trip and sometimes 3 times) we just plan for staying in the park through the afternoon. I think this year, we plan on having an early dinner for our switch.

Honestly it's faster and more convenient which is worth the extra $25 or so. We actually rarely spend all day in the parks and we like to set our own timetable on vacation. Everybody finds their own threshold and using a cab is hardly a pain.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

You can bring the bags down to bell services yourself. We tip bell services on both ends...approx $1 per bag.

Thanks so much! Useful to know.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Once you check in and get to your room, call down and they will bring your luggage up. Unlike DME luggage handling, they won't bring it up until you are in your room.

Thank you to you also.
I'm pleased I asked, otherwise I never would have known this.