Getting from a non-DVC resort to Boulder Ridge for check in

[KarenB]

We have a one bedroom for March 2018 at VWL (it's still called this to me ). We check in on a Wedensday but found a great flight where we can get there late Tuesday, giving us an entire extra day. We will have to book a cheap cash room at a value resort and head over to WL to check in early Wednesday. This day will be spent around the resort or using up an old water park ticket we have been hanging on to. We are open to any other park free day ideas too.

My questions is, how do we get from an All Stars (or wherever we can find a cheap cash room) to VWL with our carry on luggage?

 

[Granny]

I would suggest letting Bell Services handle the luggage transfer, including the carry on bags.

To get to VWL for check in, I'd probably just use Uber, a taxi, or the Minnie Van (Lyft) transportation. I believe that Uber would be the least expensive alternative. Or if you have a carry on that can fit on your lap, you could just use the Disney bus system to take you to a park and then transfer to a VWL bus. If your carry ons are the larger, overhead storage size bags, then I'd definitely use Uber, a taxi or Minnie Van.

You may want to let just one of the adults go to VWL to check in, and let Mom or Dad and the rest of the family hang out at All Stars until check out time. This would make for a less stressful time, IMHO. That assumes you have children travelling with you.

 

[sleepydog25]

Agree with Granny, especially letting Bell Services take care of your luggage. There's no real easy way to get from a value to VWL, so whatever is less stress for you. The Minnie Vans are set up just for Deluxe resort use; however, I have read one reviewer who said they were able to get a Minnie Van to pick them up at Coronado and take them to their Deluxe. If that is an option, then those hold up to 6 people.

Also, with Granny and me, you have found a couple of people to whom it will ALWAYS be V-W-L. . .

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's easy to let Bell services handle the luggage transfer although if you are going to do something like Uber or Taxi over then it's pretty easy to bring it yourself. Personally I always plan a park day on any transfer as we know we are unlikely to have a room. Easy to pack up, call Bell services and send your luggage or groceries or whatever to your new resort and then off to a park. With online check in you'll get a text when your room is ready and you can travel from the park you are at to the new resort. I just dislike hanging out at a resort without a room to go to - it's better for me to be off somewhere that I don't want/need the room. The one time we didn't do a park we planned as a DTD day. That worked ok too. With online check in we don't bother heading to a resort early to check in anymore.

 

[CraigInPA]

My wife and I did exactly this last february. We packed all of our carry on into regular luggage, handed it to bell services, checked out of all music, and went to the MK for the day. Got the room ready text a while later.

Realistically, you can't assume your vwl room will be ready when you check out of all stars, so you'd be checking your carry on with bell services at vwl if you arrive before the room is ready. Remember, dvc check in time is 4pm and hotel check out time is 11am.