Bell Services Question

[CoachBeard]

I’m watching a YouTube video this morning from a channel that is know for handing out misinformation. Having just gone last month to WDW and using bell services for a 5 way split stay, I never incurred a charge aside from tipping the CM. However I was staying at all Deluxe hotels.

Do Art of Animation or other value resorts charge to hold your bags at bell services before your room is ready to check in?

This person and their family went to the lobby to check in but took their bags back to the car until the room was ready because they didn’t want to pay for bell services.

 

[Statefan17]

Do Art of Animation or other value resorts charge to hold your bags at bell services before your room is ready to check in?

Unless things have changed since 2025, there is no charge. We stayed at Pop Century last year and they held our bags at both check-in and check-out with no charge.

 

[CarolynFH]

I’ve never read of a charge for storing luggage at any resort including values. I wonder whether they balked at tipping the CM? Or completely misunderstood what they were told?

 

[CoachBeard]

I’ve never read of a charge for storing luggage at any resort including values. I wonder whether they balked at tipping the CM? Or completely misunderstood what they were told?

This is exactly what I knew for many years. This particular YouTuber really should know better but like I said they have a history of inaccurate info so I wanted to fact check. I was just there and used bell services so many times. Maybe they didn’t want to have to tip someone?

 

[Genie+]

Maybe they didn’t want to have to tip someone?

That could be what they were thinking when using the word ‘pay’

 

[Simba's Mom]

That could be what they were thinking when using the word ‘pay’

That's what I was thinking too. I don't stay at values any more (DVC) but I used to carry my own luggage, thinking the same thing.

 

[kanerf]

There is no charge, but I always tip rather I pick up my bags or have them delivered.

 

[Genie+]

That's what I was thinking too. I don't stay at values any more (DVC) but I used to carry my own luggage, thinking the same thing.

We’ve been doing our own luggage too. It saves money but it’s more because how many odd interactions we’ve had.

I gave up after this one - DH and I had a split stay. BWV sent room ready text 1:30pm so we moved over there. Pull up to unload our luggage and bellhop asks if they can help. I ask how long would it take to get the luggage to our room and he said 15-20 minutes. Ok. I let him load up the cart and give him $20 (I was unprepared and would’ve given $10* if had one, but I don’t mind overtipping on vacation so all is good). We go up to our room. Almost 2 hours pass - no luggage. We’re waiting on it so we can head back to the parks. I go down and see the guy who took my luggage and he tells me it’s in ‘storage’ waiting to be sent up to my room with no estimate of when that will be. Here I am getting my luggage and bringing up to my room anyway.

Our party can manage our own luggage. I’d prefer to use bell services but it’s too unreliable. The time we transferred to AKL were told luggage would arrive by 4pm. I waited until 7pm before finally going down to check what’s up. Oh, the luggage is in storage let’s have someone bring it up for you. I don’t mind waiting our turn, I do mind how often our turn never comes while plenty of staff is available yet it just doesn’t happen. Other not good experiences at OKW, Poly, and BWV.

So now I just plan around doing it myself. Nothing to wonder about. Immediate access to our belongings.

*because I also would tip when delivered, often it’s different people, and it was 2 carryons and 2 small bags with a few drinks/snacks

 

[eticketplease]

I have never stayed at a value but I thought I remember that I read bell services at those locations were contractors and not actual Disney employees. I still don't think there would be a charge though other than the tip.

 

[trishadono]

We’ve been doing our own luggage too. It saves money but it’s more because how many odd interactions we’ve had.

I gave up after this one - DH and I had a split stay. BWV sent room ready text 1:30pm so we moved over there. Pull up to unload our luggage and bellhop asks if they can help. I ask how long would it take to get the luggage to our room and he said 15-20 minutes. Ok. I let him load up the cart and give him $20 (I was unprepared and would’ve given $10* if had one, but I don’t mind overtipping on vacation so all is good). We go up to our room. Almost 2 hours pass - no luggage. We’re waiting on it so we can head back to the parks. I go down and see the guy who took my luggage and he tells me it’s in ‘storage’ waiting to be sent up to my room with no estimate of when that will be. Here I am getting my luggage and bringing up to my room anyway.

Our party can manage our own luggage. I’d prefer to use bell services but it’s too unreliable. The time we transferred to AKL were told luggage would arrive by 4pm. I waited until 7pm before finally going down to check what’s up. Oh, the luggage is in storage let’s have someone bring it up for you. I don’t mind waiting our turn, I do mind how often our turn never comes while plenty of staff is available yet it just doesn’t happen. Other not good experiences at OKW, Poly, and BWV.

So now I just plan around doing it myself. Nothing to wonder about. Immediate access to our belongings.

*because I also would tip when delivered, often it’s different people, and it was 2 carryons and 2 small bags with a few drinks/snacks

The way it works is you have to be in your room and call. They won't deliver to an empty room. Yes i know Magical Express did but they are different.

SO he didn't give you all of the information, yes its 15-20 minutes once you call and confirm with numbers from the white tag they give you when you hand over your luggage.

Once in a blue moon they do escort you with luggage on a cart as you arrive and room is ready.

This hopefully helps someone traveling soon.

 

[CoachBeard]

We’ve been doing our own luggage too. It saves money but it’s more because how many odd interactions we’ve had.

I gave up after this one - DH and I had a split stay. BWV sent room ready text 1:30pm so we moved over there. Pull up to unload our luggage and bellhop asks if they can help. I ask how long would it take to get the luggage to our room and he said 15-20 minutes. Ok. I let him load up the cart and give him $20 (I was unprepared and would’ve given $10* if had one, but I don’t mind overtipping on vacation so all is good). We go up to our room. Almost 2 hours pass - no luggage. We’re waiting on it so we can head back to the parks. I go down and see the guy who took my luggage and he tells me it’s in ‘storage’ waiting to be sent up to my room with no estimate of when that will be. Here I am getting my luggage and bringing up to my room anyway.

Our party can manage our own luggage. I’d prefer to use bell services but it’s too unreliable. The time we transferred to AKL were told luggage would arrive by 4pm. I waited until 7pm before finally going down to check what’s up. Oh, the luggage is in storage let’s have someone bring it up for you. I don’t mind waiting our turn, I do mind how often our turn never comes while plenty of staff is available yet it just doesn’t happen. Other not good experiences at OKW, Poly, and BWV.

So now I just plan around doing it myself. Nothing to wonder about. Immediate access to our belongings.

*because I also would tip when delivered, often it’s different people, and it was 2 carryons and 2 small bags with a few drinks/snacks

I don't have a car when I'm there so transferring from one hotel to another requires Bell Services, especially at OWK or a huge resort. I put airtags in all of my bags so I can track throughout the day and on transfer days I try to be prepared knowing I won't get the luggage until later.

To this day, 3 WDW trips, all multiple split stays, and I have yet to have a room ready prior to 4pm so I just make sure I'm prepared.

 

[eticketplease]

I don't have a car when I'm there so transferring from one hotel to another requires Bell Services, especially at OWK or a huge resort. I put airtags in all of my bags so I can track throughout the day and on transfer days I try to be prepared knowing I won't get the luggage until later.

To this day, 3 WDW trips, all multiple split stays, and I have yet to have a room ready prior to 4pm so I just make sure I'm prepared.

So what are you doing on checkout day?

We go to the front desk and actually check out. We then drive over (in your case Uber over) to the next resort with our luggage especially now that cold items are not being transported and then go and check in at the front desk. We have only not been assigned a room before 4 doing this.

 

[CoachBeard]

So what are you doing on checkout day?

We go to the front desk and actually check out. We then drive over (in your case Uber over) to the next resort with our luggage especially now that cold items are not being transported and then go and check in at the front desk. We have only not been assigned a room before 4 doing this.

I take my bags to the front desk if it is close like at BWV, or if at SS or OKW I call bell services and they pick them up, I ask them to please transfer to my next hotel, and I go about my day. One time, I brought my bags down at 11:30 or something, but I had a late checkout and didn't know 11am was the cut-off. But they made it happen since the driver didn't leave until 1:30.

End of the trip check out, I take the bags to bell services and have them store them for the day.

Edit: I don't generally have cold items per se. Usually waters and drinks, sadly I've had to leave left overs which is why I am not going to split next time. But I brought a duffel bag for my snacks and drinks so they could be transported hotel to hotel.

 

[eticketplease]

I take my bags to the front desk if it is close like at BWV, or if at SS or OKW I call bell services and they pick them up, I ask them to please transfer to my next hotel, and I go about my day. One time, I brought my bags down at 11:30 or something, but I had a late checkout and didn't know 11am was the cut-off. But they made it happen since the driver didn't leave until 1:30.

End og the trip check out, I take the bags to bell services and have them store them for the day.

Yes I think the key is to do an actual check out / check in thing to get the room early and then go about your day.

Certainly a good idea to keep some items with you as you mentioned previously that you might need before your luggage shows up from the transfer.

 

[CoachBeard]

Yes I think the key is to do an actual check out / check in thing to get the room early and then go about your day.

Certainly a good idea to keep some items with you as you mentioned previously that you might need before your luggage shows up from the transfer.

I always check out via the app function. I have gone to the check in desk/person at a few resorts around 2pm and they have not been able to accommodate an earlier check in for me.

 

[Genie+]

I don't have a car when I'm there so transferring from one hotel to another requires Bell Services, especially at OWK or a huge resort. I put airtags in all of my bags so I can track throughout the day and on transfer days I try to be prepared knowing I won't get the luggage until later.

To this day, 3 WDW trips, all multiple split stays, and I have yet to have a room ready prior to 4pm so I just make sure I'm prepared.

Not sure whether it’s just luck but we’ve had a pattern of early ‘room ready’ texts when transferring on site. The earliest we had was 8:30am (Jan 2021 tho, peak covid) but we’ve gotten 10:30am more recently, and most often between 1pm-2:30pm.

Enough good luck that I thought maybe already being onsite and tracked in MDE might have something to do with it?

I also found it odd when a few trips in a row our ‘room ready’ text popped up right after we got to MCO. Made me wonder if it was more than just coincidence.

 

[CoachBeard]

Yeah, I don't know the methodology. I chalk it up to my being a DVC points renter and low priority or something. It's fine, I find things to do. I sometimes visit th resort early to check in, sometimes I don't so if they do track folks being on site, I'm not being tracked. at BWV and OKW on this last trip I showed up early and spoke to a CM but they were not able to get me into a room at that time. Totally fine, but I think for like the 1 night stays I've done it kind of stinks because you really don't get much time to enjoy a nice room. I had a 1 bedroom at OKW on what was supposed to be my final night, and I felt guilty leaving it in the evening for dinner and evening activities, then again in the morning so early for a final park day.


Looking through emails I recevied:
Jan 10 - Did not do online check in, arrived after 6pm so doesn't count
Jan 11 - 12:30 - Room is being pixie dusted not ready
Jan 11 - 4:16 - Room is still being pixie dusted
Jan 11 - 4:43 - Room is ready
Jan 12 - 3:30 - Room is ready (ok, technically prior to 4pm)
Jan 18 - 4:30 - Room is ready (after speaking to front desk earlier in the day)
Jan 25 - 1:47 - Room is being pixie dusted (post checking in at lobby)
Jan 25 - 4:12 - Room is ready

 

[Dave006]

I always check out via the app function. I have gone to the check in desk/person at a few resorts around 2pm and they have not been able to accommodate an earlier check in for me.

You mentioned BWV, and OKW earlier. DVC is always supposed to be 4 PM start time for check-in.

Dave

 

[CoachBeard]

You mentioned BWV, and OKW earlier. DVC is always supposed to be 4 PM start time for check-in.

Dave

Yes, I’m well aware of that which is why I never expect an earlier check in. I was commenting about how I haven’t been one of the lucky ones to get an earlier time.