Split stay advice

[mjc2003]

We are taking our first DVC trip in 6 weeks, a quick 5 day visit. Then we go back early November for a longer trip.
Both are split stays.
I particularly have some concerns about the 1st trip. We are doing 2 days AKV, 3 days BWV. To further complicate matters, my wife is meeting us in WDW on day 2 b/c of work travel, so the 1st day/night will be just me and my 5 and 3 year old girls.
Is moving pretty easy? Do we just check out and and they will move the bags? To get from AKV to BWV is it best to hand in our bags, go to a park and then take the BWV bus back when we're done at the park? We have had some lengthy waits with ME before, do the bags take as long to switch resorts when you are moving from one to the next?
We are also doing ME so I am a bit worried about how to best pack with waiting for ME, moving rooms, packing and unpacking...etc...

I guess what I'm asking is, if anybody has any advice for how to make a short split stay easier, I'm all ears.

 

[DMKEDM]

Transferring luggage between resorts (if you're having Disney do it) is easy, but not quick.

All inter-resort transfers happen during "set hours" (last time I did it--3 years ago, the hours were between 1 and 3). You must be in your room for your luggage to be delivered (unlike ME, which will drop your bags off even if you're not there). You call Bell Services (or stop by) when you get to your new resort, ask them to bring your bags, and they do. Sometimes it's just a matter of minutes. Other times it can take a while (up to an hour)--all depends on how busy Bell Services is at the time you call. You can also go to Bell Services and pick up your luggage yourself, if you choose.

Tips are "expected" (never mandatory, of course) for each Disney person who handles your luggage. So, plan your tips (assuming you tip) based on luggage pick-up (or drop-off) and luggage delivery...

The plan that has worked best for us for split stays is we call Bell Services to come pick up the luggage on the day we change resorts. (You can take it to Bell Services yourself, but w/two little ones in tow, you might find it more convenient to have Disney come get the bags!)...

Then, we go to the park of choice. One time I went to the new resort while DS headed to a park (we met up there later), because I didn't want to have to mess with check-in at the end of the park day. Either way works, really, altho checking in first adds a bit of time to the process. Your villa may or may not be ready (they say "after 4"). Your luggage won't be delivered til your villa is ready, of course, and you're in the villa to receive your luggage. And even if your villa is ready, your luggage won't arrive til between 1 and 3.

You will be able to check in and use resort amenities even if your villa isn't ready, no matter what time you head to the new resort. For that reason, you may wish to wear or carry bathing suits if you think you might want some pool time prior to 4 (in case your villa isn't ready or your luggage is on the late side of the window in arriving).

It's really easy and very convenient so long as you're aware you may not have a villa at the new resort til after 4 and you definitely won't have your luggage til after 1 and probably not til after 3...and you need some cash for tips (if you tip), both at the "old" resort and at the "new" one...

Have fun!

 

[mjc2003]

Transferring luggage between resorts (if you're having Disney do it) is easy, but not quick.

All inter-resort transfers happen during "set hours" (last time I did it--3 years ago, the hours were between 1 and 3). You must be in your room for your luggage to be delivered (unlike ME, which will drop your bags off even if you're not there). You call Bell Services (or stop by) when you get to your new resort, ask them to bring your bags, and they do. Sometimes it's just a matter of minutes. Other times it can take a while (up to an hour)--all depends on how busy Bell Services is at the time you call. You can also go to Bell Services and pick up your luggage yourself, if you choose.

Tips are "expected" (never mandatory, of course) for each Disney person who handles your luggage. So, plan your tips (assuming you tip) based on luggage pick-up (or drop-off) and luggage delivery...

The plan that has worked best for us for split stays is we call Bell Services to come pick up the luggage on the day we change resorts. (You can take it to Bell Services yourself, but w/two little ones in tow, you might find it more convenient to have Disney come get the bags!)...

Then, we go to the park of choice. One time I went to the new resort while DS headed to a park (we met up there later), because I didn't want to have to mess with check-in at the end of the park day. Either way works, really, altho checking in first adds a bit of time to the process. Your villa may or may not be ready (they say "after 4"). Your luggage won't be delivered til your villa is ready, of course, and you're in the villa to receive your luggage. And even if your villa is ready, your luggage won't arrive til between 1 and 3.

You will be able to check in and use resort amenities even if your villa isn't ready, no matter what time you head to the new resort. For that reason, you may wish to wear or carry bathing suits if you think you might want some pool time prior to 4 (in case your villa isn't ready or your luggage is on the late side of the window in arriving).

It's really easy and very convenient so long as you're aware you may not have a villa at the new resort til after 4 and you definitely won't have your luggage til after 1 and probably not til after 3...and you need some cash for tips (if you tip), both at the "old" resort and at the "new" one...

Have fun!

Thank you, sounds like it's relatively painless. Good to know that the resort luggage transfer is not like ME, with a short stay I don't want to spend an hour or two waiting for luggage so will probably just go get it.
Thanks again. Much appreciated.