Questions about VWL & Switching resorts mid-stay

[Figment&Piglet]

We currently have BWV booked for 8 nights next May. We were thinking of switching either all 8 nights, or maybe even just the first 4 nights to VWL, just to try this resort and be closer to MK where we'll spend the majority of the time (DD will be celebrating 2nd B-day while we're there!)

Have some questions about this I hope you all can help with:

We love staying in BWV or BCV because there is such a great choice of restaurants in that area (especially for breakfast, where we usually wind up at buffets, at least 1 of which is a character breakfast). At VWL, are there only 2 restaurants? Is either a buffet and/or a character breakfast? If not, how much of a "hassle" is it to take a boat over to the Contemporary or drive to Poly or Grand Floridian in the morning? We will have a car...

If we switch resorts in the middle of our stay, I know that bell services will move your stuff. But how likely is it we'd be able to check out of VWL and check right in to a room at BWV? (Our "switch" day would be a Friday, if that matters.) Reason being, who knows what DD's nap schedule will be like, and I'd hate to be without a room for up to 5 hours (from 11 a.m. checkout at one resort to 4 p.m. check-in at the other).

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[DisneyKidds]

We own at (and love) VWL. We have split our last few trips, staying at both BCV and VWL. We always rent a car. So to answer your questions.........................

Restaurants. Neither restaurant at WL is a buffet. No character meal either. It is very easy to drive to the Poly or GF for a meal. You could also take a boat from WL to CR and then grab the monorail to either resort from there. It is pretty easy and kind of fun. How long it takes depends on how long you have to wait for the boat/monorail, but it is pretty convenient.

When we swith resorts we like to check out of one, move our own bags, and check into the other. It has been 50/50 on having the room ready when we switch. If the room isn't ready bell services will hold your bags and you can have access to them. We prefer doing this to having Disney move our bags. If Disney makes the transfer you don't know when your bags will arrive and you may not have access to them.

 

[Granny]

We own at BWV and VWL, so we're familiar with both resorts.

Restaurants: While there is no character meal or buffet at WL, there is a counter service restaurant called Roaring Fork. I really wish BWV had something like it. It's a walk up, grab your food (hot or cold) place where you can get your food and eat without the hassle of waiting for waiter/waitress, etc. I guess the buffet gives you the same expediency, but we like the snack bar at Roaring Fork.


Hopefully, with the new "room ready" policy you will be able to minimize the time between check out and check in. I think Friday is a good day since so many DVCers check out that day, and they have to be out by 11:00 a.m. If you're not heart set on a particular view, then my guess is you'll have a relatively short wait for a room.

Good luck...sounds like a great trip!