New experience - 1st night at value, then to DVC

[Twingle]

We were able to get awesome air fare arriving the day before our DVC stay. I've booked ASM for our arrival night, and then we'll transfer to SSR.

Having never done this, I'm trying to figure out if Bell Services can transfer our luggage since we're going to another Disney Resort? Would we leave the luggage in the room, with instructions for Bell Services?

Should I check in at SSR that morning, to get it out of the way, or come back in the afternoon?

Thanks for any help!

 

[appleorchard]

We do split stays almost every visit; last visit I was surprised when Bell Services took our luggage from Boardwalk to SOG--we thought for sure we'd have to take it ourselves, since SOG isn't a Disney resort. Leave it in you room go do whatever you're planning to do, and check in at the end of day. It really is painless.

 

[alldiz]

If your a control freak like me you will......take your luggage in a cab and check into resort #2 early for best room selection

Most people just let disney do it and go about their day....coming back to resort #2 after their park day and then check in and have your luggage
sent to the room after you check in.
Kerri

 

[M&Mwish]

We do a combination of the other suggestions. We get our bags to Bell Services early in the morning and let Disney get them to the next resort at their leisure. We'll take anything we need for the day in a backpack.

Then we hop a cab and check in early at our second location. We have even gotten our room at 10am! Then we go to the parks for the day and upon returrn we call Bell Services to get the lugguage to our new location. Very easy. Have fun.

Michele

 

[spiceycat]

definitley give your luggage to bell service or at the value - luggage services.

then I go to the park that is opening early - spend an hour (sometimes more, sometimes less in the park) then go check in.

generally check in around 8:30am to 9:30 am - most of the time. Sometimes however it is hard to get a bus back to the resorts - although lately this is become less of a problem.

sometimes get a room then, other haven't gone one until late.

 

[kerickson]

Anyone have anything lost in the Bell Services abyss? We had two pillows lost in Bell Services at the Grand Californian in DL last Dec. Took a bit of work to get a reimbursement out of Disney, and I've since been through 2 other pillows trying to find the same feel as the one they lost

I know they handle a ton of luggage, so my incident may be rare, but I still tear up when I remember my old pillow

 

[DMKEDM]

Disney intra-resorts transfer is easy and relatively painless...but if the rules and procedures haven't changed since January of 2007 (the last time we did it), there are a few things you need to know to keep it from being frustrating:

First, you can't just leave your luggage in your room and leave...you have to be there when Bell Services comes to pick it up. This is not a hassle at all, but IS something you need to know! They're pretty accurate and very reliable...if they say they'll be there in 20 minutes, it'll certainly be within 5 minutes either way of that...if you specify a particular time (e.g., call the night before and ask for them to come get your luggage at a particular time the next morning), they'll be there within a minute or two of the time you request...

Next, ALL intra resort luggage transfers are done between 1 and 3 in the afternoon (at least that was the process in Jan, 2007...I won't swear it hasn't changed!)...so you will not be able to get your luggage back (whether or not you can get your room in the new resort earlier than that) until after 3.

Finally, you must be in your room to receive your luggage. Again, you can call when you get back to your room and they'll tell you how long it will take and it'll be generally accurate. Or you can ask for a particular time. But they will not just drop the bags off.

Each bell services person you deal with (pick up and drop off, both resorts) will "expect" a tip. I never didn't give a bell hop a tip, so don't know how nice they'd be (or not be) if you didn't tip them. But clearly they each did expect a tip!

This is the process whether it's a CRO resort or a DVC resort. Our first time we did this we didn't know any of the above and experienced some frustration...not being able to get our bags before 3, and then having to be in the room to get them (very different from Magical Express)! But once we knew the rules, it was very easy, very painless, and a terrific service! It does get "pricey," tho, if you have multiple bags to transfer. At $2/bag (the going rate where we come from), for 3-4 bags, 4 times comes out to $32 or so...a cab might well turn out to be cheaper!

Good luck...

 

[Questforthemouse]

Disney intra-resorts transfer is easy and relatively painless...but if the rules and procedures haven't changed since January of 2007 (the last time we did it), there are a few things you need to know to keep it from being frustrating:

First, you can't just leave your luggage in your room and leave...you have to be there when Bell Services comes to pick it up. This is not a hassle at all, but IS something you need to know! They're pretty accurate and very reliable...if they say they'll be there in 20 minutes, it'll certainly be within 5 minutes either way of that...if you specify a particular time (e.g., call the night before and ask for them to come get your luggage at a particular time the next morning), they'll be there within a minute or two of the time you request...

Next, ALL intra resort luggage transfers are done between 1 and 3 in the afternoon (at least that was the process in Jan, 2007...I won't swear it hasn't changed!)...so you will not be able to get your luggage back (whether or not you can get your room in the new resort earlier than that) until after 3.

Finally, you must be in your room to receive your luggage. Again, you can call when you get back to your room and they'll tell you how long it will take and it'll be generally accurate. Or you can ask for a particular time. But they will not just drop the bags off.

Each bell services person you deal with (pick up and drop off, both resorts) will "expect" a tip. I never didn't give a bell hop a tip, so don't know how nice they'd be (or not be) if you didn't tip them. But clearly they each did expect a tip!

This is the process whether it's a CRO resort or a DVC resort. Our first time we did this we didn't know any of the above and experienced some frustration...not being able to get our bags before 3, and then having to be in the room to get them (very different from Magical Express)! But once we knew the rules, it was very easy, very painless, and a terrific service! It does get "pricey," tho, if you have multiple bags to transfer. At $2/bag (the going rate where we come from), for 3-4 bags, 4 times comes out to $32 or so...a cab might well turn out to be cheaper!

Good luck...

Our experience has been the same except for your first point. Both stays at POP (transferring to SSR) we've called luggage services from our room the night before and set up a time for morning pick up. We've left the bags in the room with a tip and a note about which resort they're going to and then headed to the parks. We haven't had to be in the room for the pick up (I confirmed this each time I called luggage service). If we aren't heading to the parks then we'll take our own bags and catch a cab to the next resort.

 

[Twingle]

Thanks so much for all the information everyone! Right now I'm thinking I'll go ahead and get the cab - we're traveling with my parents, and I know we'll have multiple suitcases and assorted bags to transfer. Having used Bell Services multiple times for Magical Express and never lost anything, if I lose any "lovies" in between resorts, it will definately affect my children.

But, once I'm actually in Disney, I may change my mind so I can just get to the parks with my family!

Thanks again for all the feedback.