Adding one day cash-room to DVC reservation

[RaymOOOnd]

Has anyone done this? We're going to PVB in a couple of months and our points stretched us only from Mon until Fri. Not needing to fly home until Sun night, of course I'm tempted to add on a night at some resort we've been willing to try (i.e. a cash night at beach or yacht club). Difficulties this poses, however:

- deal with bell services to move bags for the benefit of something like an extra 18 hours.
- confusion re: the magical express, having to somehow make it known that we're coming home one day after our original resort reservation ends
- spend $500-1000 extra dollars (can't honestly expect anyone to help me personally with whether this part is worth it)
- actual time spent at the add-on resort is something like from 4pm to 10am, at least an hour of which will be packing and unpacking.

On the plus side, that 6th day would be so much less depressing if there were to be a 7th, we'd get to have an extra dinner there, and would plan on likely staying into the mid afternoon on checkout day to use the pool etc.

Any strong feelings based on experience re: whether the hassle is worth it?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The ME thing is pretty easy to handle, and I'd not fuss that part of it.

The rest is really preference.

 

[Sandisw]

I have done it and to be honest, it was worth it. To be honest, though, it was with points, not cash.
Have you called MS to see if you can get another night at PVB for cash?

On resort change day, we slept in, packed up and left at 11. Took bags to bell services to send to the next resort. Went to Disney Springs to shop and eat lunch. By the time we got back to the resort, it was close to check in time. Room was ready the few times we did it. Had it not been, we would have just hung at the pool till it was.

 

[Marionnette]

Has anyone done this? We're going to PVB in a couple of months and our points stretched us only from Mon until Fri. Not needing to fly home until Sun night, of course I'm tempted to add on a night at some resort we've been willing to try (i.e. a cash night at beach or yacht club). Difficulties this poses, however:

- deal with bell services to move bags for the benefit of something like an extra 18 hours.
- confusion re: the magical express, having to somehow make it known that we're coming home one day after our original resort reservation ends
- spend $500-1000 extra dollars (can't honestly expect anyone to help me personally with whether this part is worth it)
- actual time spent at the add-on resort is something like from 4pm to 10am, at least an hour of which will be packing and unpacking.

On the plus side, that 6th day would be so much less depressing if there were to be a 7th, we'd get to have an extra dinner there, and would plan on likely staying into the mid afternoon on checkout day to use the pool etc.

Any strong feelings based on experience re: whether the hassle is worth it?

Depending on when you are going in the next couple of months, you could purchase OTUPs for that last night. Then everything would be on one reservation. (Assuming that night is available thru DVC).

 

[Sanwich]

- deal with bell services to move bags for the benefit of something like an extra 18 hours.
- confusion re: the magical express, having to somehow make it known that we're coming home one day after our original resort reservation ends
- spend $500-1000 extra dollars (can't honestly expect anyone to help me personally with whether this part is worth it)
- actual time spent at the add-on resort is something like from 4pm to 10am, at least an hour of which will be packing and unpacking.

We’ve done this a couple of times, though not the exact same situation: once we stayed on points and then paid cash for one night on the “regular” hotel side (so switching rooms was pretty easy), and once we stayed all on points, but switched to a totally different resort for the last night due to availability.

I think this is a largely personal decision, but we didn’t mind it at all. We’re not the kind of people that have to fully unpack all of our stuff and put it in drawers, etc. We also don’t have kids, so any transfers are pretty simple and quick for us.

Our “pros” are similar to what you mentioned: checking out of our first hotel, it’s a little less sad because we get one more day; it’s kind of fun to see what room location we wind up with the second time; we get to experience a different place, which helps us decide if we want a longer stay there in the future; we get to fit in a couple more activities.

For luggage, just go to bell services as you’re checking out and tell them which hotel you’re checking into later that day. They will transfer it for free, though the luggage usually won’t be available until later in the afternoon.

For ME, just include arrival info only with your first reservation #, and departure info with your second res #. Sometimes when you’re only staying one night, the departure letter doesn’t make it to your room, but a quick stop to the concierge desk allowed us to obtain a printout, no problem.

I think it is also most worthwhile if the second resort has some unique features you could take advantage of that last night... like fireworks view, close location to a park you might want to briefly visit, nice pool, etc.