Moving day of split stay?

[WDWFERN]

We are doing a 14 person family BLT/BCV split stay this spring. We are not going to have cars as we will be close to the different parks at each resort and have tailored schedule that way. This will be our first split stay with larger group, I had a few questions for those who have done this before. 1. Do you generally have Disney transport your luggage or would you take a taxi with your luggage to the new resort? 2. Will Disney Bell services also transport groceries from one resort to the other and can they accommodate cold items? 3. Do you usually make a special trip the morning of transfer to the new hotel just to get checked in and then head off to park until room is ready later in the day, or do you go to parks for the morning and then arrive at new hotel later in the afternoon. Any other tips on making split stay a smooth transition appreciated! Thanks

 

[SusanU]

We have done this before and had Disney transfer the luggage. They will store it (cold stuff included) just like they do when you check in. One person from ea room must go to checkin and then the luggage can be delivered to the rooms. Of course this entails lots of tips both coming and going(especially for 14!), but they do a nice job and it is well worth it. The only reason you would have to go check in early rather than after a day at the park is if you are getting the dining plan or tickets on the 2nd hotel rooms. Otherwise send your luggage, enjoy the parks or wherever and then go to the hotel when you are ready, check in (online helps this go faster) & have your luggage delivered.

 

[Sandisw]

We did a split stay the past two summers and we rented a car for a few days so we did the luggage piece ourselves. We did try bell services once, but it was the weekend that BLT opened and things got messed up in they never sent our luggage.

But, if you do use the service, just remember that it usually doesn't arrive until the afternoon, maybe 3:00 or so, so if you decide you want to spend time at the pool, be sure to keep that stuff out.

We always check in to the new resort before heading out to the parks. This way, we know we can come back when the text comes.

Good luck!!

 

[billsfan]

We just did this two weeks ago. We stayed 3 night at AKV - Kidani and then we transfered to the BLT for our last three nights.

Here's what we did.

I did online check-in for both AKV and BLT before we left home. We called bell services at 9:00 am on checkout day from AKV and they arrived at 9:30 and picked up all of our luggage (along with all of the refrigerated stuff which was kept cold). We then went to Boma for Brunch(10:05). After Brunch we took the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then we took the monorail to the Cont. We went down stairs and checked in at the counter and our room was ready (This was at 12:15). Walked to our room and called bell services and let them know we were in our room. They said they would deliver our luggage when it arrived. We layed down and took a nap/watched a movie and our luggage was delivered at 3:30.

 

[beachclub]

several times we have had trouble with Misplaced luggage on a transfer that we just use a taxi now. makes life easier.
Last month we transfered from SSR to the beach club. When we checked into SSR for the heck of it I asked if bell services could give us a lift (an old key west bell services guy did this for us one year without even asking) and the check in person said "we sure can".
So check out day comes, we head to bell Services, I walk up to the window, introduce my self and said "The front desk said it would be ok if someone could take us to our next resort". Their response was that they could call us a cab...
Didnt stand my ground on that one cause the Bell services looked like they wanted notihng to do with giving someone a ride.

Anyways, careful with your luggage. There is a possibility it may arive "late"

 

[WDWFERN]

Thanks all, I think because we have such a large group and so much luggage we will use taxis to get to BCV in the morning and bring our luggage with us at that time. I scheduled breakfast there at Cape May and figure most of the group can enjoy a meal while a few of us at least start the chek in process and get our bags/groceries to bell services to store for the day. Thanks again for the help!

 

[beachclub]

your cab fair shouldnt be more than 12-14 dollars. Plus its piece of mind that you have your luggage whenever you need it AND you can grab the cab whenever you need it
Our ride from SSR to BCV last month cost us 12.00 (+tip)

We asked Bell services to call us a cab, they did right at the window and it was there within 5 minutes, since they stage cabs all over property. Mine most likely came from DTD,.

Its pretty painless

 

[beachclub]

Oh, and some of the cabs are vans...so when Bell Services calls for a cab, make sure they call for a van at least...maybe you could all fit in the van cab and need only one

Thanks all, I think because we have such a large group and so much luggage we will use taxis to get to BCV in the morning and bring our luggage with us at that time. I scheduled breakfast there at Cape May and figure most of the group can enjoy a meal while a few of us at least start the chek in process and get our bags/groceries to bell services to store for the day. Thanks again for the help!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Glad I found this thread, I was just about to ask the same question about the cold food!!

 

[DebbieB]

Glad I found this thread, I was just about to ask the same question about the cold food!!

I'd be concerned about the cold food. I assume that they transfer the luggage in vans, what if they load it and then there's a delay? Or they make several stops? The groceries would be sitting in the hot FL sun.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'd be concerned about the cold food. I assume that they transfer the luggage in vans, what if they load it and then there's a delay? Or they make several stops? The groceries would be sitting in the hot FL sun.

It'll be mostly drinks and waters, etc. We'll be on the dining plan so we won't be cooking that much.

 

[n2mm]

We did it for our larger group a couple of years ago. I agree, the tips do add up. We were a party of 9 and had at least 10 bags. We were moving from OKW to BCV. I went to the bell service the night before and made arrangements to have my luggage picked up at 9:00AM. The CM was there right on the mark. He tagged all of our bags and we gave him a $20 tip. We had 2 cars, but not much room for luggage. We took a few personal bags in the car and snacks. After getting our room at the BCV at 5:30PM (yes a long wait that summer) we called and our bags were brought right up. Again another $20 tip. So it cost us $40 to move our luggage -- we normally move our own luggage, but with this group size and ages, it was well worth it.