Less than Magical Split Stay Combinations

[SpaceMountain77]

Hello everyone,

Based on personal experience and/or feelings, which Walt Disney World DVC resort combinations do you believe present the most challenge?

Stories and thoughts are much appreciated!

Many thanks,
Jim 8O

 

[pangyal]

Honestly- we only do split stays and I can say with certainty that the system works the same whether you are transferring next door from BWV-BCV or from more distant resorts such as AKV-BLT. They will tag your luggage as a resort transfer, you will be homeless until about 4pm the day you switch, and when you arrive at your new resort, you can ring Bell Services to bring up your luggage. Your Magicband may or may not work at the new resort for the door. For sure, you should check out of the first resort at the front desk so they can release the room key from your Magicband, but it is quite possible that there will be a hiccup at some point with the door when you arrive at the second resort. Which resort that happens to be has no bearing. Have fun, it's like having two vacations in one !

 

[disneynutz]

When moving to VGF, don't expect the greeters to know when your luggage is transferred in. We asked a few times and waited until 4:30, still no transferred luggage. I called from the room to bell services and was told that our luggage had been at the GF for a couple of hours.

Bill

 

[SpaceMountain77]

When moving to VGF, don't expect the greeters to know when your luggage is transferred in. We asked a few times and waited until 4:30, still no transferred luggage. I called from the room to bell services and was told that our luggage had been at the GF for a couple of hours.

Bill

Depending on how things play out, it would be a transfer to VGF. Thank you for letting me know!

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Honestly- we only do split stays and I can say with certainty that the system works the same whether you are transferring next door from BWV-BCV or from more distant resorts such as AKV-BLT. They will tag your luggage as a resort transfer, you will be homeless until about 4pm the day you switch, and when you arrive at your new resort, you can ring Bell Services to bring up your luggage. Your Magicband may or may not work at the new resort for the door. For sure, you should check out of the first resort at the front desk so they can release the room key from your Magicband, but it is quite possible that there will be a hiccup at some point with the door when you arrive at the second resort. Which resort that happens to be has no bearing. Have fun, it's like having two vacations in one !

To date, all of our split stays have been within the same resort, moving from one villa or view type to another. Potentially, this is a 1-night SSR to 8-night VGF split, which, to me, seems like it may be a hassle because of the distance and night ratio.

 

[pangyal]

To date, all of our split stays have been within the same resort, moving from one villa or view type to another. Potentially, this is a 1-night SSR to 8-night VGF split, which, to me, seems like it may be a hassle because of the distance and night ratio.

I honestly don't think it would be any different. You wouldn't have the room until about 4 anyway, and your luggage would likely be there at VGF when you can get your room, as resort transfer luggage is delivered between 3-4pm regardless of where it originated. If you're moving in the same resort, you'd still check your bags with bell services until the room is ready, so it would be exactly the same. It will be super easy !

 

[Dean]

Hello everyone,

Based on personal experience and/or feelings, which Walt Disney World DVC resort combinations do you believe present the most challenge?

Stories and thoughts are much appreciated!

Many thanks,
Jim 8O

IMO split stay issues are more a function of the group plans and expectations than the resorts involved. We hate waiting for bell services either direction, so we'll avoid it at any cost. There may be variations on storage and handling at given resorts that I am unaware of, if so, hopefully that info will be forthcoming. If you're using ME you might check into whether they can deliver you and the luggage to VGF first then backtrack to SSR OR if they'll deliver the luggage to VGF directly for you to get the next day. I haven't used the service since we drive and I wouldn't be surprised if either of these were not an option but I'd certainly check on those variations.

 

[Sandisw]

I have done several between many of the resorts and to date, have had a good experience. One time, when BLT had just opened, they forget to send our luggage from BWV to BLT, but once we discovered the mistake, they brought it right away. Other than that, we had good luck. When we had a big group, we ended up taking a taxi to BLT from BWV with our luggage so we didn't have to wait for afternoon transfer. But, most other times, it was fine.

We just kept out a few things we would want in case we were back at the new room before luggage came from old resort. I love split stays and do them almost every trip longer than 3 nights.

 

[Missyrose]

I find it to be just as easy to hop in an Uber with all my luggage and head for the second resort. You still have to store everything with Bell Services until your room is ready, but you know where your luggage is (and have access to it all day long, if you need something).

 

[bobbiwoz]

We used Uber for the first time and found it was an easy way to do a split stay for not a lot of money!

This was in December and we would definitely do it again!

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

We've only done one split stay - between AoA and Boardwalk. Luggage was tagged at AoA and off we went. When we checked in to Boardwalk at 4ish it was there and bell services brought it up. If you treat it like an arrival day, that is have your essentials with you, I think you'll be fine.

 

[RachaelA]

We did our first split stay in November 8 nights BLT 3 AoA but we had a car so we moved our own luggage.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I have done several between many of the resorts and to date, have had a good experience. One time, when BLT had just opened, they forget to send our luggage from BWV to BLT, but once we discovered the mistake, they brought it right away. Other than that, we had good luck. When we had a big group, we ended up taking a taxi to BLT from BWV with our luggage so we didn't have to wait for afternoon transfer. But, most other times, it was fine.

We just kept out a few things we would want in case we were back at the new room before luggage came from old resort. I love split stays and do them almost every trip longer than 3 nights.

I love split stays, too. It is like 2 vacations, but I usually stay 8-11 days, so have several days in each.

OP, I would suggest "moving up", meaning doing the one you are most excited about or looking forward to last. For instance, staying at OKW first because that is all that is available, or making points stretch, before moving to Poly or VGF. If you do the one you are most excited for first, the second one will seem so sad and disappointing after.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Since Disney does the luggage transfer I don't really see any differences in what resorts one does the splits between. It's all the same for us. We have bell service transfer the luggage and we head off to our parks. When we're done we bus to the new resort.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

To date, all of our split stays have been within the same resort, moving from one villa or view type to another. Potentially, this is a 1-night SSR to 8-night VGF split, which, to me, seems like it may be a hassle because of the distance and night ratio.

You could do the QSDP or DDP for that one night, and get your mugs for practically free. There is a mug refill station at the VGF pool, which is very convenient and near.

 

[NJMermaid]

We took a taxi for a split stay form SSR to AKL CL. We took a taxi, very informative driver, nice ride. we went early in the morning to get the most out of

 

[crisi]

IMO split stay issues are more a function of the group plans and expectations than the resorts involved.

Yep.

Remember your luggage may be in transit, so unless you want to Uber to keep control of your luggage, pack a day bag if you want - with a swimsuit for example. Don't make plans that would involve changing for dinner - resort change day isn't the night to do V&As - or any other meal where you feel that your park clothes need a change. If you are losing control of your luggage with young kids, a bag with a change of clothes may be a good idea - as well as a plan for a place to rest. Even with Uber, remember you might have access to your luggage from Bell Services, but your room may not be available until well after 4pm, so if you are used to a pre-dinner refresh in the room, you might be working with the lobby bathroom, pool and public areas of the resort.

Resort change day is a good day to have commando type plans - hit the parks early and don't plan on returning until after 6 or 7pm. Its easier with healthy adults and older kids than it is if you are dealing with young children or adults who need downtime.

 

[Dean]

Yep.

Remember your luggage may be in transit, so unless you want to Uber to keep control of your luggage, pack a day bag if you want - with a swimsuit for example. Don't make plans that would involve changing for dinner - resort change day isn't the night to do V&As - or any other meal where you feel that your park clothes need a change. If you are losing control of your luggage with young kids, a bag with a change of clothes may be a good idea - as well as a plan for a place to rest. Even with Uber, remember you might have access to your luggage from Bell Services, but your room may not be available until well after 4pm, so if you are used to a pre-dinner refresh in the room, you might be working with the lobby bathroom, pool and public areas of the resort.

Resort change day is a good day to have commando type plans - hit the parks early and don't plan on returning until after 6 or 7pm. Its easier with healthy adults and older kids than it is if you are dealing with young children or adults who need downtime.

I really like the Marriott Policy of retaining access to one room until the next is ready even if a different resort in the same area. And for the doubters, yes they could do this and have rooms ready as soon as they do now with any effort (100% certain).

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We used Uber for the first time and found it was an easy way to do a split stay for not a lot of money!

This was in December and we would definitely do it again!

Yes! We found Uber to be a great option this trip. We paid $10.50 for a ride from BLT to AKV. We moved our own luggage so it wouldn't be lost for hours in transit. It so happened that our room was ready at 9:00am so we moved right in, but I would still use this option to move luggage if our room wasn't ready and I had something fragile like a laptop.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

We have had a few transfers that went well, POR to BW and CR to BLT. But we've also taken a taxi, ASM to BW and that is a bit more peace of mind knowing bags are with you.