If you've done split stay is one option better than other?

[digiMom]

Thanks for all the input...I posted a reply last night, but looks like it didn't make it to the boards... I agree that it's a crap shoot as to when your room will be ready...we usually fly in early and many times over the past years checked in by or before 11am got a room or went to get an early lunch and then by the time we were finished checked with desk and our room was ready...I know the text system is far from reliable. Right now I'm leaning towards cabbing it over...at least I know my luggage is at the resort when my room is ready. It sounds like bell services is very reliable, but there is always the one time something gets lost or delayed. Also it may be helpful if we're there in person in the morning to check in for we may get one of the first rooms available or at least get an idea of when they might become available. When I do online check in I always check first available room for early check in as top priority. As far as the event, we are not planning to wear special costumes as we will be going to MNSSHP within 4 weeks. We are going to get Villain t-shirts and wear those so we can put on our shorts and villain t-shirts in morning and not worry about having to change. Then once at BWV if we don't have a room we can head towards WS or DHS or maybe go play a game of mini golf at Fantasia then head back to see if room is ready. We have a 4:55 ADR at Mama Melrose on the 23rd...figure have a nice dinner then head out and party with the Villains. Still debating if we should keep it or just do CS...if we can get in room early I'd keep it, if not maybe cancel it and do CS, but I'm not sure if I cancel an ADR the morning of I'll still be charged the $10 per person fee. Does anyone know? OH...one more question...will I have to set up new charge services to Magic Band when we arrive at BWV or will it continue to charge to the credit card we gave a AKV? Thanks for input...this will be our first split stay..and maybe the first of many others...

For ADRs, I believe it's 11pm the night before online or phone, 11:59 online only.

For room charging, I've searched through and my understanding is to avoid problems with the band for tickets you need to physically check out of first stay. You can use tickets(obviously) but you won't be able to use the band to charge until you check in to the second stay. Someone who's gone through it should confirm that though.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Right now I'm leaning towards cabbing it over...at least I know my luggage is at the resort when my room is ready.

We have a 4:55 ADR at Mama Melrose on the 23rd...figure have a nice dinner then head out and party with the Villains. Still debating if we should keep it or just do CS...if we can get in room early I'd keep it, if not maybe cancel it and do CS, but I'm not sure if I cancel an ADR the morning of I'll still be charged the $10 per person fee. Does anyone know?

OH...one more question...will I have to set up new charge services to Magic Band when we arrive at BWV or will it continue to charge to the credit card we gave a AKV?

Thanks for input...this will be our first split stay..and maybe the first of many others...

For us, a taxi/rental car made the most sense. But really, it may make sense to look into having your own car the whole time vs. taxi rates.

You should do what makes you happiest in terms of eating. The last time I did a party, we did a late afternoon lunch before 4pm. That way, we took advantage of short lines right at 4pm (when we were allowed to enter). Much later- like around 8pm, when crowds were at their peak- we ate a QS dinner. That's what worked for us. With how much the party tickets cost, I didn't want to be stuck eating for 90+minutes of that time, but that's just us.

It seems to me, the last time we were at WDW a CM told me we could keep charging to our room until midnight of the day we checked out. I recall the CM saying we even though we checked out, they could add additional charges we made. If it is important to you, I would confirm that's the case.


I can confirm though that if you need to cancel and ADR, it is supposed to be the night before to avoid charges.

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks digimom & mickeyluv'r...

I think doing a cab in morning is making the best sense...especially with Magic Bands and charging. Check out of AKV in morning, have breakfast then go to BWV and check in. Even if the room isn't ready at least we can set up charging and such with magic bands so we can start using it right away.

We fly in and use ME and this will be the only time during the trip we will need a cab instead of Disney transportation. We like the BW area because we find the transportation options to be some of the best...yes, we will use cabs every so often, but more out of laziness then necessity....hey, it's vacation.

I had it all figured out and then along came the Villains party and that changed things around..

 

[harmsja]

I just got back from doing a split stay.
We stayed the first half of week at Yacht Club, then moved over to Art of Animation. We also had an 8:10am breakfast reservation at Hollywood Studios the day we were scheduled to transfer.

It worked beautifully. We called luggage services about 7:15am, they came and tagged and took our luggage. We proceeded to go to HS for the day. We then took the bus directly to A of A from the park. We did wait until after 3pm to be sure our room was ready.
They told us the luggage would arrive at the resort between 1 and 3 pm.

Our luggage was waiting there for us when we checked in. Easy!!!