How easy (or hard?) is it to switch resorts mid-stay?

[Irish9697]

We're going in January and were unable to get the rate we wanted at the AKL for all of the nights we'll be staying. It was just the first night the rate was higher...so we booked ASMovies for the first night at the winter resort rate. On the one hand, I'm excited because I'm interested to see what it's like there since we've never stayed there. But, on the other hand, I'm disappointed at the prospect of packing up and moving after only a day...and the time taken from the parks to check out and check in. Any hints or advice on how to make it go smoothly and as quickly as possible? Will they transfer our luggage? Can we check out bright and early and head over to AKL and check in (I assume a room wouldn't be ready yet and that's fine!), store our luggage and head to the parks??

Any veterans have any advice? Thanks in advance!

 

[Irish9697]

Oops, I just realized I probably posted this in the wrong forum. How do I move it to the Resort forum? Anyone want to help? Sorry about that. I wasn't thinking! LOL!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Don't worry, I'm sure a moderator will come along and move it.

I'm doing the same thing on my upcoming stay and I've never done it before also. The good people on the resort board said they do it all the time. Disney will transfer your luggage, but I'm curious about check in and out. We're doing AK that day and I'm love that park!

We'll be there from EE until it closes at 5pm.

Wondering some of the details myself.

 

[Magic2000]

We just tried switching hotels for our stay this past July. We stayed three nights at Pop Century (which we loved!), and five nights at Wilderness Lodge.

The night before we were to transfer, I called Bell Services and they told me to leave my luggage in the room and they would get it for me. (They did ask how many bags we had)

We left around 8:45 AM and went to Typhoon Lagoon. Later, we dropped my DD off at Downtown Disney and went to Wilderness Lodge to check in. The luggage was already at the hotel, and within a few minutes of getting in our room, the luggage was brought up! It was so simple!!!

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

When we are going to be switching resorts, with only a night or two in the first one....we pack one bag with anything we'll need. That way we don't have to unpack everything. We call bell services the night before to let them know what time we need our stuff picked up. Then it magically appears at the next resort. On the day we move, we usually check out of the first resort, go to a park for a few hours and then go to the new resort and check-in. Sometimes our room is ready, sometimes not. Same thing with our luggage...sometimes there, sometimes not.

 

[Mymatisse]

We switched resorts in September and it was no trouble at all. Although I think having a rental car and moving your stuff yourself probably cuts down on any potential hassels.

 

[2x_dis_dad]

We switched from POP to WL in October. It was super easy. We used our car to drive ourselves. I think I will switch resorts more often now.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I am thinking about doing this in May for the 1st time. I can't afford to stay in a deluxe for 8 nights so I think I'll split it between Pop and one of the monorail resorts. I'm not old enough to rent a car, so I would have to let Disney transfer my luggage. I like how at the values you can just leave you luggage and don't have to wait in the room. -Steph

 

[TexasErin]

We switched resorts in December and thought it was okay although DH missed out on some park time since he was nice enough to do it by himself.
We did it again on this past trip earlier this month and thought it was a little bit of a pain. Might do it again- might not. We thought we could just leave our luggage in our room at CSR, but when we went to Bell Services to tell them that we left it in the room and where it needed to go, they said for "safety reasons" we had to escort our luggage when being picked up??? I thought, for whose safety??? It made no sense to me. Its not like our luggage was not going to be left with them for hours. The only thing DH and I could come up with was that they were afraid they wouldn't get tipped. We were going to leave a tip for them to give to whoever was going to go get it anyway.
Then we didn't want to have to take a break to go back to our hotel so we waited to check into AKL until about 8:00 that night and we got a really crummy view (paid for savannah and got people pen view) and that was all they had left. We were able to change rooms the next day.
Bottom line, we might do it again to save money, if we decide it is worth missing park time to do it. But will not wait to check in to next resort since we felt like we got whatever was left.

 

[Tabetha]

Hm. Interesting idea.

We're staying at the Poly in February on a Dream Maker Silver from the 13th to the 17th (my birthday!). Then we're staying over one night, hotel only, and flying out the next morning.
I've reserved a continuing reservation at the Poly on the 17th (did I mention, it will be my birthday!?), but that's the day the rates skyrocket up to their most expensive.

I'm wondering if we should swing over to a Moderate or a Value resort for that one night, but I don't want to waste time on, you guessed it, my Birthday, going through some long checkout, baggage transfer dealy. We won't have a car, so we're at the mercy of guest services.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I enjoy switching resorts and do it most trips. the only bad thing is not having a home for a few hours during the day, but since I'm usually in the parks, anyway, it's not a big deal. Packing up can be a pain, but after one night your stuff will still be pretty contained. Personally, I'd stay at All Stay one more night so you can experience a little more of that resort and save some $.

You can check out of your first resort and then head straight to the parks unless you prefer to go to AKL to check in first.

T&B

 

[Leota]

We switched resorts once, letting Disney move our stuff & it was no problem at all. This trip, we are switching mid-stay & I have yet to decide if we will move our stuff via cab, or have Disney do it again..... I like switching, it's like having two vactions in one.

 

[WDWFAN9]

We have switched resorts midway through our stay in WDW several times, usually doing 4 nights at a value or moderate and 4 nights at a deluxe. We make the day we switch a non-park day, sleep in a little bit, let Disney move our luggage, and then have the fun of experiencing a new resort - sort of like a vacation within a vacation. This probably wouldn't be as easy with little kids, but my kids are older and can pack themselves, and some of the trips have been adult only. Doing this we have been able to experience a lot of the resorts, there are SO many and it would be hard to just limit ourselves to one at a time. Our next trip will be 4 nights at WL and 4 nights at Pop.

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

...halfway thru' my vaca, and it wasn't really too much trouble. However, I have heard DIS'ers horror stories regarding this issue. This Feb we are again switching from AKL concierge to FT W cabins, but we will have our own car, since we are driving to WDW. That's why I never make the "switch day" a park day. We usually relax at the pool, rent water mice, play mini golf, and/or visit DTD....just my personal preference!

 

[colleen costello]

We have DVC and we almost always add on a few cash nights at the beginning of the trips. If we spend the first weekend at a resort paying cash, we can save enough points for an extra trip, so I am really motivated. Have gotten it down to a science.

We drive and I pack a separate suitcase with clothes for the trip down. When we arrive at WDW I tell them we are only stayng a night or two and ask for a room close to parking. We bring our luggage to the room and that evening I sort through our stuff. Later that evening my hubby brings all the luggage we won't be using, back into our minivan. If you don't have a car you could just separate the luggage with stuff you don't need. The point is, I don't completely "unpack" in the first room and this makes the inevitable move much easier.

On moving day you can arrange for bell services to take the luggage to the new resort, or take it yourself. If bell services takes it, realize that getting it into your new room can take a while, so keep whatever items you want with you. We typically take it easy on "moving day." We will head over to the new resort and enjoy the pool, have lunch, etc. I usually do laundry. We use the moving day as a relaxing day. Usually go out to dinner somewhere nice that night. I have heard too many horror stories about getting a bad room by checking in late -- or even not being at the resort once a room becomes ready. It's too easy for them to give the last "good" room to someone who is in their face whining. So we spend time at the resort until we are actually IN the new room.

All this is easiest if you have your car. It is also easier if you are willing to view a "day doing nothing" as OK. We enjoy the resorts so much that spending a day just relaxing and getting re-checked in doesn't feel like a sacrifice. If this sounds OK to you, moving resorts can be a great way to save a lot fo money.

Have fun!