Magical Express, Split Stay,

[rellabee]

I am planning on a split stay. The first part would be Pop Century at a AAA discount room, then WLV on points, then BCV on points.

The transportation is giving me a headache!!!

Can I use ME when my first part of my stay is room only at a AAA rate?

How do I move from hotel to hotel for the split stay??

Thanks much for your help. I'm trying to piece together an August vacation, and am having trouble finding availability. I have things waitlisted to get the points reservations hopefully in only one location to eliminate one of the transfers...but I need to know what to do in case that doesn't come thru!!

 

[disneykid4ever]

We did something similar to this in January. We stayed at VWL for the first 6 days and SSR for the remaining 8 days. Basically, when you make your ME reservation make it clear to them that you will be departing WDW from a different resort from your arrival. They will make a note on your reservation and you should get a confirmation under your door the day before you are to depart. If you don't get this confirmation, then you will need to call ME so make sure you have the phone number handy. As far as getting yourself and your luggage to each resort . . .
1. Just notify Bell Services that you need your bags picked up and transfered to your next resort. It will take a few hours to get your bags transfered. Or, you could just haul your bags with you into a taxi and get them over to your new resort to check in.
2. As far as getting yourself to the new resort . . . you could hop on Disney Transportation or take a taxi over and check in first thing in the morning and then spend a day at the parks while awaiting your bags to be delivered to your new room.

 

[rellabee]

Do you know if ME is available only to those on a package (ie. can I use it if I have a AAA room-only discount?)

Thanks!

 

[disneykid4ever]

ME is available to anyone staying on WDW property. It doesn't matter if you book a package, room-only rate, AAA, Annual Pass rate, DVC, etc . . . as long as you are staying on WDW property you get to use it!

 

[rellabee]

Do you know what the charge for bell services is? Is it available at all the resort categories? I just got off the phone from booking an AP rate room at POR prior to my DVC stay and the CSM I talked to said to bring my luggage on the park bus with me and transfer around!!! That sounds way too cumbersome!

 

[goofy4tink]

Do you know what the charge for bell services is? Is it available at all the resort categories? I just got off the phone from booking an AP rate room at POR prior to my DVC stay and the CSM I talked to said to bring my luggage on the park bus with me and transfer around!!! That sounds way too cumbersome!

Ah, no...bad idea. In the first place, most drivers won't let you on the bus with luggage. So, just let bell services know what time you want them to pick up your bags. If I'm at a value or a moderate then I usually just take my bags to them, rather than wait for them to come to me. With the deluxes, they will come pretty much whenever you want. Then, I tip a $1.00 or so a bag, for the handling. If I have three bags, I'll give them $5.00...that kind of thing.
But, the important thing to remember is this.....this isn't a quick service. If you give them your bags at 8 am, you still won't see your bags until after 5 pm!! It is very time consuming. If you really want your bags to be accessible, then you may be better off just having a cab called, and take your bags to the next resort yourself. You may have to leave them with bell services, but at least they'll be at the same resort you are.

 

[sixcats]

You can make your ME reservation with Disney(or AAA if you used a travel agent) for your arrival. Your return trip has to be arranged with DVC. I've done it several times, and it always worked well. I do use a taxi to get us and oour luggage to the new resort.

 

[Princess Tink]

Does anyone know how much a taxi to/from BCV/WVL is? I'm almost thinking this would be easiest.

 

[mom2rb]

I have always used Bell Services and never had a problem. I just call them about 30 min. before we are leaving for a park. They come and get my bags, I go to the park for the day. When I get to the new resort I call Bell Services and they bring me my bags. Last trip I had seven bags. I tipped seven dollars at both resorts, and I never had to carry anything. They do tell you that your bags won't be ready until after 4:00, but that has never been an issue for me.