Multiple Resorts in Same Visit

[WITiggerFan]

Is switching resorts really all that bad if you have a car? We currently have 5 nights at BWV and 3 nights at VWL, but are considering changing to 3 nights at BWV, 2 nights at BCV and 3 nights at VWL. We haven't stayed at any of these resorts in the past and thought it might be nice to get a feel for them to know for future visits, but the thought of two moves during the stay makes me question that decision. However, if we have a car to put our luggage in and plan to go to the parks on our move days, will it really be that bad? Anyone with experience who can tell me the good and bad about this idea?

 

[DVC Mike]

I've done it. It's a minor hassle for us -- since there's just 2 of us and no kids.

We check out of one resort in the morning, throw our stuff in the car, and check-in to the next resort that same day.

I think it would be more of an issue for larger groups, or those who have a lot of "stuff".

 

[bobbiwoz]

We do do it, for instance, in December a Saturday in a value AKV studio, then switching over to VWL. I do not like being without a room, but in December, it does give us a chance to see 2 resort's decorations.

Plus we will have the Dining plan, so there won't be food to hassle with.

Bobbi

 

[WITiggerFan]

We will also have the dining plan, so we won't have a lot of food to worry about. Should only be our luggage and us (me, DH, DD5 and DS3), so I don't think it will be that bad, but want to make sure I'm not overlooking something.

 

[vandy]

We usually always stay at a couple of resorts each trip. We are planning on two resorts at WDW and also VB for our next one. This is what we like about DVC. We also have a car so yes, it is a minor pain to move, but experiencing other DVC resorts outweighs that. We have yet to take advantage of having Disney move our stuff, but will most likely do so in the future after our kids are no longer with us to carry it all!

 

[OKW Lover]

We have done it, but prefer not to change resorts in the middle of a stay. Even with a car, you still have the inconvenience of having to pack/un-pack again and you are "homeless" for most of the change-over day.

 

[paults]

we do 2 but never 3 resorts

 

[jamstew]

It just occurred to me that I have a split DVC stay (on rented points) coming up in May. I had bell services move my luggage during my last trip, but I hopped between POFQ & WL. Is the transfer service available for DVC? I won't have a car.

 

[ILuvDVC2]

We have done it, but prefer not to change resorts in the middle of a stay. Even with a car, you still have the inconvenience of having to pack/un-pack again and you are "homeless" for most of the change-over day.

When we switched from BWV to AKV in September, our room at AKV wasn't ready at check-in, which we expected to happen. We went to TL that day, so we packed our swimsuits/sunscreen in a small bag to take with us to the park. We left our luggage with the bell desk and went on our way. Our room wasn't ready until 4 p.m., which was a little inconvenient, but not that big of a deal for two of us. But it could be tougher with more people, so it's something to think about.

We will also have the dining plan, so we won't have a lot of food to worry about. Should only be our luggage and us (me, DH, DD5 and DS3), so I don't think it will be that bad, but want to make sure I'm not overlooking something.

One thing to remember is that you will have "new" DDP credits each time you check in to a resort. When you move resorts, you'll check out from one and check in to the next one. Your meal/snack credits expire at midnight on the day you check out from a resort. If you have any credits left, you'll need to use your room key from your first resort before you start using your new DPP credits or you'll lose the credits.

This was almost a fiasco for us the night we checked in to AKV, because we went to Cali Grill for dinner and had also booked Jiko the next night. We had saved two TS credits for Cali Grill from our first DPP credits. After a fantastic meal (and lots of wine), when we were ready to "pay" for the meal, we mistakenly gave our server the AKV room key. Had we not caught our mistake, we would not have had enough credits for Jiko the next night, and would have lost our remaining TS credits from our BWV stay.

 

[ILuvDVC2]

Is the transfer service available for DVC? I won't have a car.

You can do this at DVC resorts, too. We didn't have a car either, and we elected to take a cab and our luggage from BWV to AKV. However, you can have Disney transport your luggage, and you can take a Disney bus to the nearest hub (either a theme park or DTD), then change to a bus going to the resort you're transferring to.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did it once and decided never again. That homeless feeling is just not good. We figure we'll be back again the future, so we can always try out the newest resort on a future trip. It's so nice to unpack and settle in until we have to go home.

 

[dvc at last !]

We have changed resorts --

because days we unavailable.

I do not like doing that !

You miss a day of vacation.

Packing, moving, check-in and unpacking.

 

[chevyAZ]

We just did this in October with 2 kids. We had them pick up our luggage at VWL, went to the park and when we got to OKW, we had them bring the luggage to our room.
You have to go to the desk to tell them what room to bring the bags to. Unfortunately that part is not automatic, but it was painless.

I didnt consider myself homeless since I planned to be in the park all day.

 

[Muushka]

We are just 2 adults and actually enjoy switching resorts. And with the meal plan it is nice not to have to have it the entire time. This Dec we are split at VWL. And just getting the DDP for the CP and then dropping it for the second leg of the trip.

 

[ldo]

We have only stayed at SSR. We are going to "resort hop" this summer and stay at 2 places in 4 days (one move). We will move on a park day--so we would be gone 9-5 PM anyway. We want to check out another pool and Community HAll activities. But, IMHO, I don't know that I would want to make 2 moves in 1 trip.
Hey--great idea about getting DDP just for one part of our stay--that would be perfect for us--we are going to try that too!

 

[BroganMc]

We've done it three consecutive trips but as a Marriott to Disney hop. You must bring your own car then. We also stay one week at each resort so when we unpack it is of the "moving in" variety.

There are a few things we learned along the way to make things easier:

- plan a short night before you check out. Allows you to be back in time to pack up your bags and load them in the car before you get to sleep. We leave out the things we need for the morning.

- Compartmentalize pack so you can better organize and live out of your suitcases. It begins handy the more moves you make or shorter your stay.

- pack up any perishables in a cooler bag (we use one that plugs into the car adapters) and check it with Bell Services if your room isn't ready. Our perishables usually include milk, and breakfast stuff.

- Spend a day at your resort. When we check into SSR, we come with our bathing suits and spend the day in the pool. If it's a rainy day, we go to DTD or resort hop to one of the nearby resorts. That gives us time to get into our rooms by late afternoon and get everything settled.

Our last trip we resort hopped then room hopped. Day we moved to SSR, we spent the day in the pool. Days later we moved to a smaller room but it was rainy so we went shopping instead. Since we were settled into our room and unpacked by 6, we went out to Magic Kingdom for the late night hours.

You figure the checking in and unloading your car process will take about 1-2 hours of your day. So plan around that and you're fine.

Oh and the best inside joke is when you check out and ask each other, "I don't feel like going home yet. Do you think XYZ Resort has a room for us?" It can become the trip that never ends.

 

[vandy]

I should qualify my previous post by saying our shortest stay at a DVC resort was 4 days. I would not want to do a split stay if it meant only one or two days at each resort. Our last trip we stayed 5 days at SSR and 5 days at OKW. This worked out perfect for us. Upon arrival, we purchased our groceries to last just the first week. Moving day was not a scheduled park day anyway, so we spent the time doing other things such as DTD, relaxing at the resort and getting our groceries for the next week's stay. I don't think I would like to split our stay if it was for less than 4 days.

 

[La2kw]

I wouldn't do 3 different resorts in 8 days. You will possibly be homeless for three days out of your vacation. Doesn't sound like fun at all. We like to settle in at one resort and relaxing at that resort, getting to know it. You can always try the other resorts on upcoming trips.

 

[Chester's Mum]

We've always switched resorts mid stay. We used to do 1 week Orlando (off site), 1 week at the beach. Then Disney hooked me, and reeled me in. We have since changed Disney resorts mid stay every year. This year we went too far though, 7 nights ASSP, 6 nights CSR, 3 nights Cont Magic Kingdom View. That was a bit much, but we got a great room only rate at Contemporary and I couldn't turn it down. Just bought into DVC and we are splitting between AKV and BWV next March.

We've been switching resorts mid stay ever since our daughter was 2 and our son was not even thought of. Its okay, it gives us a change of scene, and a new resort to explore. Keep in mind that check out time is 11am and check in is after 4pm. We usually have a car for moving time, and spend those days shopping off site.

 

[MagikMom]

I have done 3 resorts in 1 stay but it was a 16 day stay. I would stick with just the 2 resorts for a shorter stay.