Big pain to fit two resorts into one stay?

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

My family will be doing the land/sea package next year.

We are adding two additional nights to the front of the vacation and are debating if we should add the two extra nights at the Polynesian where we will be staying or try another resort and transfer when the land/sea vacation starts.

We thought we could make reservations to dine at one or two other resorts in order to scope them out for future vacations, but will that really give us enough opportunity to get the feel of the resort?

And those of you who have transfered from one resort to a second one, was it too much of a pain or was it easy for you?

Thank you for any help/suggestions that you can give.

 

[PRaffen]

Hi, Minnesota Mouseketeers! I just answered on the cruise forum to your other post.

We switched resorts (Poly to Grand Floridian) on our last trip and it was not a pain at all. We were not there during a busy time so there was hardly any wait at either hotel at check-in. It was kind of fun checking in a second time - like we were just starting vacation. The resort will transfer luggage for you if you wish. Poly is my favorite resort but if we had only dined at GF it would not have given us a true picture of this beautiful place.

My DH wants to try AKL so we are staying there for a few nights prior to the cruise for this trip.

 

[MJames41]

We love to switch resorts. We usually live out of our bags anyway. Those who like to "move in" usually have more problems switching, due to the added time needed to pack and unpack. It all depends on how you vacation.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

We did two nights at AKL, followed by three nights at the Polynesian this summer. We have three kids (7,4 and 21 months), and did not find it a major pain. We enjoyed having a couple of days at AKL, as it is very different from the other Disney hotels. We will quite probably do the same again next year!

Mike

 

[ead79]

I love splitting my stays. As a matter of fact, I split my stay on nearly every trip so I can try out lots of different resorts. It has always been an easy transition for us. We simply check out of the first resort, have bell services load our bags into our car, and drive over to the 2nd resort to check in there. If our room isn't ready yet, they store the luggage and deliver it to the room once it is ready. I've never tried to switch without heading straight to the 2nd resort, but I've heard it's also very easy. I think that the bell services people at both resorts coordinate to move your stuff, but I'm not sure.

 

[mr.mike]

We love to do 2 resorts on our trips.

We did 3 nights at All-Stars and then 5 at the Poly last month

Never had any problems with checking in and out. Checking out is as simple as walking out the door. And what we do is check in early before we go to a park. Usually about 8 or 9am. never had a problem with lines. If no room is ready you find out on your way back. They gave us a number to call so we wouldn't have to wait on any line that might be there when we get back.


I never understood how people say the reason they wouldnt do it is because they dont want to pack and unpack. It never takes us that long to pack up. How many clothes can you bring to begin with? we take about half hour before bed to pack and the next morning we're off.

Was going to try AKL for the first time for our Oct trip back to the Poly but with no AP rates its the All-Stars again.

Mike

 

[JESW]

On our last trip in June we split resorts for the first time. I would never have thought to do that if I didn't read it on these boards. We stayed at the AKL then BWI. We loved it! 4 nights at each resort and it was if we had two separate vacations. Disney moved our bags for us no problem.

We will split our stay on all future trips as it's a great way to try out all the different resorts.

Jill

 

[daannzzz]

I have switched resorts many, many times and have found that trying out a resort for 1-2 days is okay but it takes 3 days at least to get the real feel and have a relaxed time.

 

[Ambassador]

We always split, and enjoy the completely different atmosphere of a new resort. Packing should be no problem, especially if you plan on doing laundry in between. If you are not renting a car, the bus connections between resorts can be a problem. Take a cab instead, if you have car seats for the little ones.

Have a magical day.

 

[missypie]

I just returned from a non-Disney vacation during which we were in 3 different hotels in 3 cities AND IT WAS A PAIN. Yes, I'm the type who "moves in" (puts clothes in the drawers, etc.) ... if I'm paying for a nice place to stay, I want it to look nice while I'm there.

I'm the mom of a family of 5 and the other 4 did almost nothing with respect to packing and unpacking. At each place it took about an hour to unpack and about 2 hours to pack. So, not counting the hours at home to pack and unpack at both ends, that's 9 hours of prime vacation time that I didn't get to enjoy.

However, once the nest is empty OR if I can ever succeed in teaching the rest of the family to pack and unpack, I would LOVE to split a vacation between two Disney resorts.

 

[missypie]

You know, a REALLY organized person would have one suitcase of clothes for Resort A and a second for Resort B.

 

[amymouse]

We switched resorts VERY smoothly.

We spent 2 days at PO-FQ then went to AKL for the rest of our stay this past February. All we had to do was pack up and call bell services and they took care of the rest.

They tell you to allow until 3 pm for your luggage to be delivered to your new resort. So we took off for the parks, and when we returned to AKL we just called bell services to have our luggage brought to us. It was very simple.


Note for missypie: I'm embarrassed to confess this, but I DID pack two separate suitcases for our WDW/DCL trip this May. It made it so simple to pack up at the end of our WDW stay, but it does seem a little "type A" doesn't it? Nonetheless, it saved me so much time that I'll have to use that trick the next time I change resorts, too. I just won't admit this personality flaw to anyone else anyone else.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Thank you to all who responded.

I am convinced that it will be worth it to pick a different resort at the start of our vacation.

Now, which resort to choose

 

[alexedan]

What do all of you do about afternoon naps?--My two kids left to their own nap at 12-2pm--the transistional period. Is it hard to get early check-in in December?

 

[missypie]

Be proud, Amymouse! I can only aspire to such a level of organization!

 

[Terry S]

I don't like to switch resorts. I like to unpack and move-in. I don't like having to pack everything up and unpack again. I have done it, but I really don't like it. The only exception is if coming in late one night you can save a lot of money by staying at a value resort and NOT unpacking and then move to a deluxe in the AM. I just don't even feel that is enough of an advantage or money saver to deal with the hassle. That being said. If you going to do it anyway, Disney does make it really hassle free by moving your luggage for you, so that is nice.