Split stay - luggage, check-in and ME questions

[andysgirl360]

We're planning a Nov 29-Dec 6 stay at WL, and arriving the day before in case of bad weather and flight delays. I've been trying to think of possible scenarios to minimize delays and aggravation (going with my parents who are not fond of time wasting LOL).

My original plan was to stay at Downtown Disney (Regal Sun or similar) since we won't have park tix for that day. However, we don't get ME so we would need to hire a car service or rent a minivan to get 4 adults one child and all the luggage into DTD.

I'm now leaning on getting a room only at a value for that night (Nov 28 is way too much at WL and my discount only starts the next day, plus we need two rooms), but I have some questions for those of you who have done a split stay:

- can I schedule ME one way to the value hotel on my room only ressie, and then schedule ME on the return only (leaving WL to the airport) on my original package? Or is it a round trip thing?

- luggage transfer - if we are at a value, and tell them we have a ressie at WL the next day - will they transport our luggage for us, or are we on our own (would still need to rent a car or call a minivan cab to get us all there)

- for those who have done luggage transfer - is it reliable? I am afraid that our luggage would get lost on the way from value to WL

- can we take a disney bus from the value to MK and then transfer to the boat (or bus) to WL - with at least our carry ons - or are no bags allowed onthe busses (carry ons only, I'm not talking huge suitcases here). Or do we need to get a cab?

- check-in at the WL - once we get there (with carry-ons hopefully), it would be early AM - do we just notify the desk that luggage is arriving from the value hotel and please put it in our room when its ready? Will they also keep our carry ons since we plan to hit the parks immediately?

If you've done this before, please reassure me and talk me through it!!

Thanks!

[Duchie]

Originally Posted by andysgirl360

We're planning a Nov 29-Dec 6 stay at WL, and arriving the day before in case of bad weather and flight delays. I've been trying to think of possible scenarios to minimize delays and aggravation (going with my parents who are not fond of time wasting LOL).

My original plan was to stay at Downtown Disney (Regal Sun or similar) since we won't have park tix for that day. However, we don't get ME so we would need to hire a car service or rent a minivan to get 4 adults one child and all the luggage into DTD.

I'm now leaning on getting a room only at a value for that night (Nov 28 is way too much at WL and my discount only starts the next day, plus we need two rooms), but I have some questions for those of you who have done a split stay:

- can I schedule ME one way to the value hotel on my room only ressie, and then schedule ME on the return only (leaving WL to the airport) on my original package? Or is it a round trip thing?

We've done the same thing. We have DVC, and when we arrive on a Saturday, we'll book a room for cash to save on points. We've had ME take us to one resort on arrival, and then pick us up at our DVC when it's time to go home. For us, it's worked beautifully every time.

Originally Posted by andysgirl360

- luggage transfer - if we are at a value, and tell them we have a ressie at WL the next day - will they transport our luggage for us, or are we on our own (would still need to rent a car or call a minivan cab to get us all there)

They will transfer your luggage for you, including any carry-ons you have. They will probably deliver it to you at the value resort, then you'd just take it down to Bell Services and ask them to transfer it to WL for you.

Originally Posted by andysgirl360

- for those who have done luggage transfer - is it reliable? I am afraid that our luggage would get lost on the way from value to WL

Very reliable, but it may take them some time. I've never had them lose my luggage, but I have had to wait for it to arrive.

Originally Posted by andysgirl360

- can we take a disney bus from the value to MK and then transfer to the boat (or bus) to WL - with at least our carry ons - or are no bags allowed onthe busses (carry ons only, I'm not talking huge suitcases here). Or do we need to get a cab?

Hmmm... This I've never done. People normally carry backpacks on the busses, so a small carry-on might be OK. But then again, you can just take your carry-ons to Bell Services and have them transfer those to WL as well.

Originally Posted by andysgirl360

- check-in at the WL - once we get there (with carry-ons hopefully), it would be early AM - do we just notify the desk that luggage is arriving from the value hotel and please put it in our room when its ready? Will they also keep our carry ons since we plan to hit the parks immediately?

Yes, the resort will hold onto your carry-ons for you. Just tell the front desk when you're checking and they'll take them.

Hope this helps!

[DisneyInDel]

I just did the same thing for the same reason..our 40% discount pin on our package at the Beach Club doesnt start till 10/25..so rather than pay full price ($420) for a room there on the 24th, we booked a room only at the AKL Savannah View..saved money and get to see that beautiful resort..allbeit for only 1 night..



I'm not worried about the luggage transfer..we wont even start unpacking till we get to the BC on the 25th..

[andysgirl360]

So I shouldn't be worried then - ME one way on each ressie will work fine?

And bell services at ASM or Pop will take care of the luggage transfer on check-out check-in day?

Final question about ME - we're coming in from Canada....last time in 2006 we came from a US airport so ME took care of everything...but this time we'd have to collect our own luggage and physically bring it to the ME bus, correct?