Need Help Planning! Split-Stay with DCL in the Middle!

[KSL]

Hi all you Disney experts!

I am seeking advice on planning a split stay with a short cruise in the middle. I'm sure we're not the first people who have attempted this, but it does seem a little crazy (don't ask how we ended up with this plan! ).

Leg 1: Boardwalk Villas for 4 nights
Leg 2: Disney Dream for 3 nights (spending 1 night pre-cruise at a hotel near the port)
Leg 3: Bay Lake Towers for 7 nights
Travel Party: Myself, DH, my 3 daughters, and my mom
We will have a vehicle with us​

I would welcome any/all advice, tips, suggestions! In particular, I have these questions:

1. PhotoPass/Memory Maker: If I start a package on Day 1 of Leg 1, will it continue to the last day of Leg 3, even with the cruise days in the middle with no photos taken? Or do I need 2 separate PhotoPass/MM packages?
2. Similar question WRT refillable drink mugs. I can't remember if they are even viable at the second resort on split stays or if you need a new one, regardless. I think there's a sticky on this that I should go read but if anyone has a quick answer that would be great!
3. Long-Term Luggage Storage: Is such a thing available? When we check out of BWV, could we have a few pieces of luggage transferred to BLT and held for the 4 nights until we check in there? Is this arranged ahead, specially? Fee for this?
4. Cruising: It's our first DCL cruise, and I know there's a whole forum for that which I will check out, but if anyone commenting wants to add anything here that I should be sure to know about, please feel free! For example, I am perplexed by the whole "fish extender" phenomena...there must be further info on this somewhere...

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. It will continue.

2. They're good for 14 days.

3. No. They will not hold luggage for 4 nights for you.

 

[Anthony1971]

The refillable mugs seem to be active for it is either 29 or 30 days or about... I bought one two weeks abo I believe we got there Aug 23 and it expired on Sept. 20 according to the machine..

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We cruised in the middle of our vacation and they held the luggage for us.

Our mugs worked no problem.

The FE is super long to explain there is good sticky in the cruise forum!

 

[KSL]

Thanks, everyone! I'm really happy to hear PhotoPass/MM and the mugs will (should) span the duration. I'll be sure to get specific details upon purchasing, but this is great info to know ahead.
Some conflicting reports of whether they will hold the luggage, so I'll watch further replies and I'm sure I could contact the resort directly if needed.
Paula, I've been reading up on FE. There isn't a thread yet for my cruise (or a FE list, obviously), so we'll see if I'm brave enough to attempt this, being our first Disney cruise!
Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We did 2 nights at AoA, followed by a 4 night cruise on the Dream, followed by 2 nights at GF back in April and that trip was fantastic!!!

Definitely go and check out the DCL cruise board, those people are super helpful and I pestered them with a TON of questions prior to our cruise.

I think you will have a wonderful time! Enjoy!!!