Help!Considering Switching Resorts

[Cmbar]

Help. I was wondering if anyone had ever switched resorts in the middle of a six day stay. We are considering doing POP for the first three and BCV for the second three. We only have enough points for the 3 days at BCV and would like to stay 3 more nights. Has anyone ever switched resorts and if so how difficult is it really. How would that work? I hear Disney does this for you but I am unclear if they send your luggage over or if they shuttle you and your luggage over to the new hotel to check in. I assume I will have to stand in the second hotel to check in, is that correct. Any iformation will be helpful! Thank YOU!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I did it once, in 5 days total. I spent 3 nights at ASMusic, then 2 at AKL. And I did ASSports once before BCV. This is what I did-took my luggage to bell services and asked them to transfer it to the new resort (although I think they'll come to your room, it was just as easy for me to swing by bell services). Then I headed for the bus stop and a theme park. At the end of the day (around 2 or 3), I got on the bus headed for my new location. Yes, I did have to stand in line to check in. Then when I got to my room, I called bell services there and they promptly brought up my luggage. The first time I changed resorts, I was nervous. Then when I saw how easy it was, I don't hesitate to do it all the time now. Only time I didn't like it was one time when I "downgraded"-that is, I did the delux resort first. Otherwise, no problem!

 

[lovesdisney44]

I'd go ahead and switch, especially if you are doing BCV last. We stayed at a deluxe for 4 nights and then switched to a moderate for 4 nights. It was kind of a let down.

As far as re-checking in, yes, you'll have to. I read on a post somewhere, that they'll transfer your luggage for you, and that when you get in your new room, call bell services and they'll bring them up for you.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[johnsonet]

Hi! I would highly recommend switching It is no trouble (just pack two bags~with toiletries and other necessities going with you to both resorts) and will give you "two vacations in one In July I did GF/BWI split on a 5-night trip and loved it. Last April we did WL/AKL split on a 7-night trip. I think it's a great way to go at Disney

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I'm also considering switching resorts, so I can end at a deluxe - but then the whole stress of hoping a good room is available begins yet again! And I hate the thought of not having a room for nearly an entire day - think I would feel as though I'd lost a day.

Maybe I've just talked myself out of this, but welcome your thoughts!! Am leaving on the 27, so would have to call asap to snag a deluxe with my discount.

Thanks!!

Christine

 

[lovesdisney44]

If you have the time, use the extra day of checkout/checkin to visit the other resorts and maybe do some shopping at downtown disney. You'd be surprised at how fast time will fly!

Remember, you can still use Disney transportation!

Good luck!

 

[missypie]

I booked 5 nights at YC and 5 at CR Tower. If I'm super-organized, we'll pack the clothes for the second half of the stay in a separate suitcase to eliminate some packing/unpacking.

If you'll have food items in a fridge, be sure to pack a collapsaible cooler or pick up a cheap cooler upon arrival.

 

[sters]

Originally posted by BaciBecky
I'm also considering switching resorts, so I can end at a deluxe - but then the whole stress of hoping a good room is available begins yet again! And I hate the thought of not having a room for nearly an entire day - think I would feel as though I'd lost a day.

Maybe I've just talked myself out of this, but welcome your thoughts!! Am leaving on the 27, so would have to call asap to snag a deluxe with my discount.

Thanks!!

Christine

It all depends on what you plan to do in that day. If you're in the theme parks anyway, then you haven't really lost anything. The time we switched resorts, our room at the Dolphin was ready by lunchtime anyway (we called).

 

[johnsonet]

Originally posted by missypie
I booked 5 nights at YC and 5 at CR Tower.

NICE COMBO, Missypie!

 

[ppony]

I think you'll find a ton of us have done this and some, like ME, make a habit of it! With the excpetion of the last trip, we do it every time we go. It's one way to be able to stay at all the resorts you want to faster. Which is a plus for those of us that can only go every 2-4 years. Personally, we haven't had them move our luggage yet, but that's only because we didn't know about it till a few trips ago. We WILL take advantage of it this time. And definately end on the Deluze resort. It just gives you the best to look forward to and the hi-lite of your vacation at the very end.

Go for it!

 

[Cmbar]

Thanks So much everybody. We have decided to do it!! We are excited and I appreciate all your encouragement so my hubby could read that it was easy to do and we can experience two resorts in the same trip!

Thanks Again.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks everyone!!

I've switched alright - to the Poly for all 5 nights!! I'll just relax, relax, relax!!

 

[TWOOD]

We love to resort hop & have done it on our last 10 trips! This time it will be 3 @ BC & 4 @ WL. Only once have we had a problem with our room not being ready until after 3pm. We drop our bags off @ bell services early & hit a park until about 1pm & then hop a bus to our new resort. A few times we've beat our luggage there, but it's no big deal, especially if our room is ready!

 

[zipDdoodah]

OK, now here is a new question for the experts......We almost thought about doing this last week but weren't sure how it would work so we stayed put.....

What if you didn't plan beforehand to switch resorts but decide after 2 days you want to switch to another resort. For example, we were staying at WL and wanted to switch to AKL. Now, I know the prices are pretty much the same at both resorts, so if we stayed at the same level of room pricewise, would they charge us extra to move or would it be an even switch? We had the 5+2 Dream Maker package. Anyone done this before? Was it easy or difficult? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think you can do it with the 5+2 package. Your park passes are tied into the reservation. I think others have tried to do it and were not allowed to.

As far as 'regular' resort switching....we booked a Fri and Sat night at the Contemporary before we checked into BWV for 6 nights. We don't like to use our dvc points for Fri and Sat so it gives us a chance to try out other resorts. We called Bell Services in the morning and told them when we needed our bags taken. Tell them where you are going (has to be an on-site Disney resort) and they'll arrange for the transfer. But, be aware that it can take them a long time to get it to your next resort. When we did it last month, we had the bags taken around 7:30 a.m., we ate breakfast and went to Epcot for the morning. We walked over to BWV around 1:30, checked in and just hung out until our room was ready...about 3 hrs later. It's all very easy. And it makes you feel like you are getting two vacations, for the price of one!!

 

[zipDdoodah]

Thanks, Goofy4tink. That would make sense since the park passes are tied to the hotel. That's one of the reasons we decided not to even ask. I like your idea about Fri-Sat and then using points at DVC. We have pretty much decided to buy into DVC, and your idea shed some new light on this for me. The kids really want to stay at Poly next time, and this would allow us to do that for 2 nights before going to SS. Then we would use way less points too. Thanks for the idea and the info!

 

[TWOOD]

zipDdoodah: we have switched resorts unplanned during our stay with no problems. However, we had room only reservations w/ AP rates. Once POR was just so crowded & too loud for me, so we called CR & asked what was available w/ AP rate - we immediately moved over to the YC with no problem. Another time we moved from WL to POR out of necessity (less $) when my DD came down with a double ear infection & had to receive out of state medical care, & wasn't allowed to fly home - again it was an easy move with no problems. Normally, our resort hopping is well-planned in advance, but it is possible to do it during your stay if you want or need to & you aren't on a package.

 

[hellooothere]

We have two room only reservations. One at PoP and then the next night at POFQ. We would like to have the Length of Stay Pass for only the stay at POFQ. How early can we be at POFQ to not necessarily check in but to purchase our length of stay pass (I understand they are on your room key?) We would like to take advantange of Early Magic Hour at MGM on that day.
Thanks for any answers you can provide
Kathy

 

[Minnie&Nana]

If you can get up early enough you could go over the POFQ and do an early check-in(I would also call them the day before the let them know), pick up your Length of stay passes and take the bus to the park from there. Just let them know POP will be transferring your luggage(and remember to ask POP to send the lauuage over to POFQ . it means getting up extra early, but can be done. Or you could send one person over to pre-register and then meet them in front MGM (at a designated spot) for early entrance?

That's what I'd do...if adults only I'd go over together but if little ones are with you, I'd send DH over and then meet in front of MGM.



ps for any first timers to WDW, remember the length of stay passes are only economical if you plan on going to Pleasure Island and the water parks - if you are only doing the Theme parks think about a park hopper

 

[hellooothere]

The reason we are getting the length of stay is because there are six of us (2 adults 4 children) and we only have allowed ourselves a maximum of two days in the park. We are then staying at a timeshare on Cocoa Beach for a week. I thought this would be the most economical way to park hop. Am I wrong?Should I change my plans