For those of you that have switched rooms mid-trip....

[Luvmyfam3]

Is this a hassle? We are staying at POP our first night and then switching to VWL for the rest of our trip (the points for one weekend night was RIDICULOUS!!). The next morning, when we need to check out of POP and check into VWL, my understanding is that Disney will transfer our bags over. Will we need to go directly over to VWL that morning? Or should we wait until our mid-day break from the parks? We're wanting to hit the parks as soon as possible....

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[MikeyNS]

Is this a hassle? We are staying at POP our first night and then switching to VWL for the rest of our trip (the points for one weekend night was RIDICULOUS!!). The next morning, when we need to check out of POP and check into VWL, my understanding is that Disney will transfer our bags over. Will we need to go directly over to VWL that morning? Or should we wait until our mid-day break from the parks? We're wanting to hit the parks as soon as possible....

Thanks for your help!!!

I say try it and see what you think. Some people LOVE to go to multiple resorts. In my view I will never do it again. I did an AKV/SSR trip in September, and being smart I checked into SSR at 9am. Room wasn't ready until 3:30.. needless to say we were homeless for the better part of a day.
Not fun with a 2 year old! I thought I'd have a better chance getting a room by checking in earlier rather than later. My fault for checking out of the AKV that early. Now the DW and I are totally turned off by the experience and probably never do it again. Others have had no problems what-so-ever, so give it a whirl!

 

[melk]

If you don't need the room until later, I would just wait until later that day to head over to VWL. They will take care of your luggage. Just head to the parks and have fun!

I think where you are moving after only one night at Pop it won't be that big a deal for you. We've switched mid-trip and its kind of a pain, packing up everything and making the move.

 

[beachblanket]

Depends on the definition of "hassle." We've done it twice and I'd say the biggest issue is re-packing and un-packing again mid trip. The check out/check in/luggage moving element was the last of our worries in comparison.

Bottom line: if switching villas allows you to better leverage points and/or get into a desired type of villa that isn't available for the whole trip (the two core reasons I see it being justified), I'd give it a whirl. Just go into the process knowing you'll be a little busier with packing than you may be used to.

 

[DeeCee735]

We've done our first night in value or moderate resorts and then moved into our DVC villa for the rest of the week. We don't find it too bad IF we plan to do something during the day of check in at the DVC resort, even having lunch, or taking a walk around the resort. I may be crazy, but this trip will be much moving around....one night at AKV, three at BWV, one at HH, one in Charleston! I should be packing overnight bags instead of duffles!

Then again, it's just me and DH so hopefully it'll be just fine. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THERE!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Bottom line: if switching villas allows you to better leverage points and/or get into a desired type of villa that isn't available for the whole trip (the two core reasons I see it being justified), I'd give it a whirl. Just go into the process knowing you'll be a little busier with packing than you may be used to.

Honestly, the repacking part is not a big deal to me since it's at the beginning of the trip. We could even bring overnight bags for just that one night.... I'm more concerned with the checking-out/in part. It doesn't sound like it's a big deal if we wait to check-in until the afternoon. I always think that I'll get a better room if a check in earlier... Sounds like that theory is incorrect.

Yes, it the leverage thing.... 70 freaking points for one night and I only have 50 points left! But, we found a deal for tickets with one free extra day, so we thought "what the heck! Let's add another day!"

Thanks!! Kim

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done it and never had a problem. I've always checked out, either brought my luggage to bell services or had them pick it up (just varied from trip to trip), then went out to get on the bus to the park. Mid-day, I'd get on the bus to the new resort and check in.

 

[bpmorley]

Is this a hassle? We are staying at POP our first night and then switching to VWL for the rest of our trip (the points for one weekend night was RIDICULOUS!!). The next morning, when we need to check out of POP and check into VWL, my understanding is that Disney will transfer our bags over. Will we need to go directly over to VWL that morning? Or should we wait until our mid-day break from the parks? We're wanting to hit the parks as soon as possible....

Thanks for your help!!!

I don't think it's a hassle, but I've never switched resorts just rooms in the same resort. I would go over and checking as early as possible. You may get a better choice or available rooms.

 

[RLRDA]

We did a split stay last August and we'd do it again. For us, I would only really consider it for longer trips (8 or more nights) so that we'd get 4 or more nights at each resort. I totally understand, though, why people stay at a Value resort and pay cash for the weekend nights.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We've done split stays quite a few times. I find that for us it needs to be at least four nights in each. I one night stay at the beginning is also ok, since you just pack that way with an overnight bag.

We usually send someone over to the new resort early in the morning. I do believe that you stand to get your room requests easier this way. They check in, return to the rest of us and we pack up to get out. We always plan something to do so that we don't feel homeless. Many times we have received our rooms by early afternoon, sometimes before we really needed them. Checking into SSR is great because they have the spa facilities where you can relax or head to after swimming.

We have enjoyed all the resorts this way. I have to say that our children are teenagers. I'm not sure that I would recommend this with very young children unless they are used to being on the go for the entire day.

 

[lmb]

From my experience, our room requests were not related to check in time at all. We've gotten our requests with a mid-day check in and not gotten requests with an early am check in. We've also had experience switching resorts and I'd recommend just going to the parks in the am and not wasting the morning running over to check in. For us the morning's more important though since we have toddlers and tend to only stay at the parks until 1 or so.

 

[tjcj]

We have done multiple resorts several times and it was easy.
1st- have them move your luggage (unless you have a car).
Go over to WL early and check in on your way to the parks. If I dont have a car I normaly take a cab just to make it quicker.
if a room is not ready they will give you a number to call in later in the day. Most of the time when I do this my room is ready between 3-4pm.
Head out to the parks and have fun!!!
Head back later in the day to WL and go right to the room
For me its worth saving my points instead of using them for weekend nights.

 

[BCV23]

We do it all the time as we're too cheap to use our points at DVC on the weekends. We have a car so move our bags ourselves. I do go and check in early at the next resort to get the keys if we're on a dining plan but also to drop off insulin at the bellstand.

Then we're off to the parks.

However, our children are grown. If I had babies or toddlers, I'd use weekend points and stay put.

 

[4Pluto]

Granted that repacking can be a hassle, but I like the idea of having 3 or 4 nights in one resort (like VWL close to MK) and then having 3 or 4 nights in another resort at the other end of WDW (like AKV). Not to mention that we basically get free "Mousekeeping" by making the switch.

We go to the park and come back for a swimming break and check in at that time and catch up with our bags. So far, everything has been great (keeping fingers crossed).

 

[DaveH]

We have changed resorts several times for several reasons. Changing after one night is the easiest IMO. First thing is do you believe early check-in gets a room faster? I don't know. Do you have a long list of wants for a room? We only ask for non handicap and at OKW ask for first floor. Otherwise we go with the flow and have had great rooms all the time. The things that need to be done: luggage moved either by bell services or yourself. Check in at new resort. Check out of old unless left credit card for express. Going to parks first thing for early open and such then check in or check in first is each person's preference. Depends on your wants and needs. Car and cab are easiest to new resort. From Pop to VWL by bus, I would go to MK and the boat to VWL. Unfortunately Boat starts close to MK opening. I think there is a bus from TTC. Ask about which is better. I hope this helps.

 

[paults]

Do it ! you'll love POP. Not a real hassle. We do it a lot to save wkend pts.
How many in the family? Why not do MK that day and just one of you go to VWL that morning to check in while the rest go to MK. Then just boat over and meet up in the park. Who knows your room might be ready early ( it does happen) Disney will take care of the bags. And if you give them your cell # they will call when room is ready.

have fun

 

[PEANUT1]

if your doing the dining plan, you'll need your room keys for your meals, otherwise there is really no need to go early unless you have a room preference.

On our last trip (12 days long) we stayed
2 nights VWL
5 nights akv
4 nights SSR

Now in my opinion, this was a hassle (still fun) but we did get to see 3 of the DVC properties in one trip.

I think moving after only night will be less of a hassle. Just don't unpack.

 

[newholidayx2]

TOMORROW MORNING im checking into BCV for 5 nights (friend joining me for 3), then we're off to the Swan for the wknd. Next Sun I'll switch to BWV for 2nights (she'll stay at Swan)

 

[RichieGraciemom]

Thanks for the suggestions!



Honestly, the repacking part is not a big deal to me since it's at the beginning of the trip. We could even bring overnight bags for just that one night.... I'm more concerned with the checking-out/in part. It doesn't sound like it's a big deal if we wait to check-in until the afternoon. I always think that I'll get a better room if a check in earlier... Sounds like that theory is incorrect.

Yes, it the leverage thing.... 70 freaking points for one night and I only have 50 points left! But, we found a deal for tickets with one free extra day, so we thought "what the heck! Let's add another day!"

Thanks!! Kim

we have done it one night at pop and then to boardwalk for one week. packed one bag with things for the night and never unpacked the other bags. they were waiting for us at the boardwalk when we got there around noonish the next day. just enjoy and have fun.

 

[locodemickey]

TOMORROW MORNING im checking into BCV for 5 nights (friend joining me for 3), then we're off to the Swan for the wknd. Next Sun I'll switch to BWV for 2nights (she'll stay at Swan)

We switched from BWV to the Swan for the weekend and then back to save weekend points. NEVER AGAIN! We had to move the luggage ourselves (2 adults, 3 kids (8,6,1)) because the Swan is not Disney owned. That was not fun in 100 degree Florida heat