Late arrival/first night...options & opinions??

[bubbasmom99]

Okay, we have invited another family along with us on our vacation in December. We booked our airfare on frequent flyer miles and they booked cash on a totally different airline... due to our scheduling, that puts us into MCO near midnight and they are arriving mid afternoon.

We are arriving on a Saturday, and we are trying to decide what to do the first night. If I book the 2bd villa (already have Sun-Fri night reserved for the rest of the week), then will they be able to check in or do we, as the members, have to check in?

Other options would be to stay the first night at the Pop or other resort -- doesn't matter to us because we are going to roll into bed straight from the airport. However, since we are going to have to coordinate baggage transfer, etc, I would like to stay at a resort that it won't be too much hassle to get that done (i.e. will we have to haul all our bags to bell services, or will they come to our room to pick up -- is that just at deluxe resorts??)

I'm sorry for all the questions! If we were arriving about the same time, I wouldn't worry about it and just add on the first night to our DVC ressie. However, traveling with another family throws a wrench in the plans since they arrive ahead of us. No changing our airline ressie either without major penalties....

Any thoughts? TIA!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have not used bell services to move baggage from one resort to another, so I can't help you there. However, if your friends name is on the ressie, they can check in. I stayed with a cousin who got there first, and she got us a great room.

Bobbi

 

[Mahusky]

I have actually done this 2 times. Don't let the bagage time etc scare you off because that is SUPER easy and with a little upfront packing logistics you can turn it into a little fun too!

The first times I stayed at POP, arrived at 1:00am slept until 8 and off to the parks. Had my bags transferred to BWV and they were in my room by 4:30. By the way family got up at 8 ... I git up at 7 and went to BWV to check in.


The second time I stayed at AKL, arrived a little earlier 6 PM (wanted a Savannah view room for 1 night with the kids). Did the same process up at 6 head over to BWV check in and have bags transferred. In room at BWV by 4:30.

Bottom line is pick whatever your budget can afford. Make it fun and stay in a different place!!

 

[TinkGirl]

We are arriving late afternoon our first day, a Saturday, and will stay at Pop to save points. You and your friends could arrange to stay separately the first night and meet up the next day. We haven't decided if we're going to lug all our bags to BWV in the morning or have them transferred. My sister and her family stay at three different Disney resorts each trip and have their luggage moved by bell services. She says it's very easy. I still can't understand why they'd want to pack up and move so much, but they have seen almost all the resorts.

 

[LarryM]

we are arriving very late like you on 21st of July. I booked a room at the sheraton suites about a mile from the airport for 99 for the night. They have a shuttle to the airport (we will have a rental car and won't need that). If I looked at the value resorts but the suite can accomadate four people 2 in the bedroom and two in the living room. For us this was a cheaper than 2 room at the value resort.