Luggage Transfer/Switching Resorts What is your day like?

[diznee25]

For those of you who stay at multiple resorts during your vacation, what are your plans like the day you switch resorts? Are you able to visit any of the parks or do you plan this as an 'off day' like going to Downtown Disney?

One more question: How early can I check in to the resort I'm transfering to? I'd like to be in Magic Kingdom around 4:30 as we are doing MVMCP that night.

Thanks for any replies,
Diznee25

Dec.14 - 18 Pop Century
Dec.19 - 25 Wilderness Lodge

 

[slimplaw]

I made 2 moves in March while I was at WDW without any problems. Since checkout is at 11:00, we had them pick up the luggage around 10:00. After the pick up, we went to the parks. The luggage was at both resorts when we arrived. We made one move to BCV and the room was not ready until 4:20, as they say your room is guaranteed after 4:00. At non DVC, I think you can check in at 3:00. We did not arrive at VWL until 5:00, but I have checked in there as early as 10:00 am. It's just the luck of the draw as if a room is ready early.

 

[WDWalways]

I'm switching on June 2 from BCV to Contemporary Tower and I plan on having my luggage sent over and just go about my day like normal which is to go to MK - I will go over to Contemporary later in the day to check-in either when I need a break from MK or just wait until I'm done for the day and check-in. I was thinking about this being a "day off" at first but I can't be an incredibly short monorail ride away from MK and not go - just can't do it!!

 

[jel0511]

I usually plan moving day to be a pool day. I like to drive over and move my bags myself, due to DS's nebulizer. You can check-in at any resort as early as 7am, but your room isn't guaranteed until 3:00, sometimes later. You'll receive your room key, and a number to call back to check on your room. When it's ready, they will then give you the room number and you just go there with your key. If you don't mind Disney moving your bags, just pack up in the morning, call bell services and have them move them for you. They also aren't guaranteed at the resort until 3:00. Go to the park of your choice and then go back to your new resort after done for the day to check-in. Disney does make it pretty painless, I just have to make it hard!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've moved resorts 3 times in the past, and this is how it went-twice Disney moved my luggage and once we moved our own (only time with rent-a-car). All 3 times we went to the parks. Twice, I dropped my luggage off at bell services on the way to the bus (could have had them come to my room, but this was easier for me). Then I got on the bus and went to the parks. At the end of the day, I got on the bus to the new resort, checked in (in both those cases my room was ready about 2:30) then went on my way. The third time we just loaded the car after breakfast, DH went golfing and I got on the bus to the park "du jour". At the end of the day, I looked for the bus headed to my new resort, checked in about 2:30. That time room wasn't ready til about 3:30, but they gave us the choice of taking another room that was ready for us. DH, however, chose to wait. Always painless!

 

[robinb]

I don't think changing resorts is painless. In fact, it's a PITA for me! First I have to pack up everything, then I have to arrange it to be moved (or move myself), I need to check out of the old resort and check into the new one, we might be "homeless" for hours and then I get to unpack . Don't get me wrong, I usually do change resorts because I don't stay at my DVC resort on the weekends. I just really don't like it and find it disruptive.

To answer the OP's question, I usually find the day to be wasted since we finally end up at the parks too late when they are too busy.

 

[goofy4tink]

Since we're arriving late in the day, we're staying at AllStarSports on our arrival day. First thing on the next morning we'll be checking out and moving over to the Polynesian. We have to check-in there first before we go to the parks since we'll need our passes. So, basically we won't even unpack the night before. We'll just unpack our clothes/toiletries for the next day and be done with it. I understand that AllStars aren't really too fast about getting your bags to the next resort but it won't be a problem for us.