Split stay at BLT - Tips, FAQs?

[kboo]

I am doing a split stay of 2 + 6 nights at BLT (2BR lake view) in early March. This was not by choice - my elderly parents and us with a 4yo and an infant needed the proximity to MK, and we are renting points from a private individual. When he made the reservation, he was unable to make 1 reservation for our entire stay.

So - anyone who's had to do a split stay at the same resort - do you have any tips?

I'm also wondering what the chances are that we'll be able to stay in the same room, and how to maximize those chances. Is there anyone I can call in advance, etc? The thought of moving my parents and kids is ... daunting. (That said, does anyone have any tips on how to make the move as smooth as possible if we have to physically check out and check back in?)

Also, how does it work as far as DME and Magic Bands? And to complicate matters, my parents are flying in from a different city and have never used DME or MBs before. They don't have park tickets yet, I'm thinking of getting them 5-6 day PHs; our family has APs.

(also, is it easier or harder to try to use MBs from a previous trip, or do we just go ahead and get *new* MBs on this trip)

Thanks in advance!

 

[DVC Mike]

Check this thread out:

• Split Stays - A split stay is any stay that involves checking out of your room and checking back into a different room during your trip – whether that room is at a different resort or not. A split stay may involve moving resorts, changing room sizes or just changing the view. What do you need to be aware of?

 

[kboo]

Thanks for the link - it does have a lot of information but it seems to be geared toward folks who have chosen a split stay whether it is to experience two different resorts or different rooms. Here, we would have preferred to have 1 reservation since we are at the same resort in the same type of room, but at the time the reservation was made (9 months out), it was not possible. So specifically, I am looking for tips or useful information on how to make the trip as smooth as possible (with elderly parents and a baby), if there's any way of combining the reservation down the line so that we won't have to check out and back in again (and know that in advance so we don't have to unpack and repack).

 

[Disbug]

Thanks for the link - it does have a lot of information but it seems to be geared toward folks who have chosen a split stay whether it is to experience two different resorts or different rooms. Here, we would have preferred to have 1 reservation since we are at the same resort in the same type of room, but at the time the reservation was made (9 months out), it was not possible. So specifically, I am looking for tips or useful information on how to make the trip as smooth as possible (with elderly parents and a baby), if there's any way of combining the reservation down the line so that we won't have to check out and back in again (and know that in advance so we don't have to unpack and repack).

So, if you are staying at the same resort, do you have the same category of room for both parts of your stay (i.e. 2 BDRM, Lake View)? Or do you have the same size room with a different view on the 2nd reservation (Standard, or Theme Park)? The reason I ask, is if you are at the exact same resort, with the exact same room type (View matters)... then you can LINK your reservations and you do not have to move or check in/check out. If, however your rooms are different between the two reservations, then you indeed will have to check out and you cannot check back in until you are out of the previous room. It is a pain, but you can lessen it by calling Bell Services, who will come and collect your bags and store it until your new room is ready. That way you can go enjoy the parks and just come back to a different room later in the day. I personally hate the packing up part, lol! So that is why I try to avoid split stays (when possible)! Hope that answers your question?

You need to have the member who made your reservation call and link the two together so it becomes one reservation. (I am hoping you used the same member for both reservations?) I do not think Member Services will let you call and make the change yourself?

PS You do not have to have new bands, they can electronically key the bands to your new room if you have to move.

Good luck and enjoy your stay... we will be there in a month (time flies)!

 

[disneynutz]

Same room size, view and category, have the owner email MS and have the reservation modified to include all nights. The first reservation number will be used but it will show all of the nights.

You don't have to link the 2 reservations, modifying is preferred.

Bill

 

[Disbug]

Same room size, view and category, have the owner email MS and have the reservation modified to include all nights. The first reservation number will be used but it will show all of the nights.

You don't have to link the 2 reservations, modifying is preferred.

Bill

Bill is right! The word I meant to use is MERGE! LOL! Linking is totally different. Please excuse my brain f----!

 

[kboo]

Thanks! Yes, the reservations are already linked and showing up as 2 separate res's in MDE. Same room size, same category. The member tried to make it as one res when he booked it but he was unable to, and I just called again 2 days ago to try the same. They said they still couldn't do it but they did try. Is it possible to have that come through later, if I keep calling back periodically?

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks! Yes, the reservations are already linked and showing up as 2 separate res's in MDE. Same room size, same category. The member tried to make it as one res when he booked it but he was unable to, and I just called again 2 days ago to try the same. They said they still couldn't do it but they did try. Is it possible to have that come through later, if I keep calling back periodically?

I doubt that things will change, there is something missing with your issue. Why were they booked separately to begin with?

I have had several reservations modified by just sending an email to MS and have never had a problem.

Bill

 

[kboo]

They said that at the time of booking (2 months ago), they couldn't guarantee we could stay in one 2BR lake view unit the entire time; the only way to book a 2BR lake view for the entire time at BLT was to do it as 2 separate reservations. Would I have more luck asking the points owner to make the call? I have only been calling through the main disney number, as this was a points rental.

 

[rlovew]

They said that at the time of booking (2 months ago), they couldn't guarantee we could stay in one 2BR lake view unit the entire time; the only way to book a 2BR lake view for the entire time at BLT was to do it as 2 separate reservations. Would I have more luck asking the points owner to make the call? I have only been calling through the main disney number, as this was a points rental.

If the owner has already tried to link the reservations and can't I wonder if they had to use 2 different contracts to make the reservation- that is generally the only reason they would not be able to modify the reservation into 1 - but if the DVC owner links them you should not have to move. Only the owner can do that and only through Member Services. You can't do anything through the main disney number.

 

[DenLo]

I am not sure why the reservations were not merged into one reservation, two member numbers involved, perhaps, but even if it stays as is, I would just check with the front desk on check in day, making sure they know you want to stay in the same room. When the second reservation kicks in you might need to check out and back in at the front desk because of the two reservations number, but it is highly doubtful that you will need to change rooms. You can check out/in as early as 7:00 AM on the day the second reservation begins.

We had 2 reservations at SSR in June that was made up from points from two different membership numbers. I confirmed that we did not want to move. And they had DH return on the day the second reservation began to check out of the first reservation and check into the second. We were given the option of paying the first bill right of way or carrying it over to second reservation. I think DH was gone maybe 20 minutes.

 

[marsh0013]

Is it possible one of the reservations is for a dedicated and one is for a lockout? Other than the possibility of 2 member numbers, that's the thing I thought of.

 

[disneynutz]

As I posted, something else that the OP doesn't understand or know about is going on.

To the OP make sure that your reservations are correct when you check them online.

Bill

 

[kboo]

If the owner has already tried to link the reservations and can't I wonder if they had to use 2 different contracts to make the reservation- that is generally the only reason they would not be able to modify the reservation into 1 - but if the DVC owner links them you should not have to move. Only the owner can do that and only through Member Services. You can't do anything through the main disney number.

Thanks all, I went back through my communications with the DVC owner and it was two batches of points; the reservations are linked but I will follow up with the owner again to see if he can have the reservation modified/merged into one so we can confirm before we get there that we won't have to move. And as a backup, I'll do what Denise (DenLo) did and hope for the best.

 

[rlovew]

Thanks all, I went back through my communications with the DVC owner and it was two batches of points; the reservations are linked but I will follow up with the owner again to see if he can have the reservation modified/merged into one so we can confirm before we get there that we won't have to move. And as a backup, I'll do what Denise (DenLo) did and hope for the best.

If they are 2 batches of points then the owner can't merge them - if the reservation is linked there is nothing more to be done except to mention at check in that you are more interested in staying in the same room for the whole time than any requests. More than likely what you will need to do is to come down and check in for the 2nd part of the stay in the morning. It is very unusual that you would need to change rooms. In addition if you have to change rooms ask for a first available room so you have it for the afternoon but you probably have at least a 90% chance of staying in the same room with a linked reservation that you remind the front desk about. It is cheaper on them for housekeeping to do it that way as well as makes guests happier so they do their best.

 

[kboo]

If they are 2 batches of points then the owner can't merge them - if the reservation is linked there is nothing more to be done except to mention at check in that you are more interested in staying in the same room for the whole time than any requests. More than likely what you will need to do is to come down and check in for the 2nd part of the stay in the morning. It is very unusual that you would need to change rooms. In addition if you have to change rooms ask for a first available room so you have it for the afternoon but you probably have at least a 90% chance of staying in the same room with a linked reservation that you remind the front desk about. It is cheaper on them for housekeeping to do it that way as well as makes guests happier so they do their best.

Ah, got it. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Disbug]

If they are 2 batches of points then the owner can't merge them - if the reservation is linked there is nothing more to be done except to mention at check in that you are more interested in staying in the same room for the whole time than any requests. More than likely what you will need to do is to come down and check in for the 2nd part of the stay in the morning. It is very unusual that you would need to change rooms. In addition if you have to change rooms ask for a first available room so you have it for the afternoon but you probably have at least a 90% chance of staying in the same room with a linked reservation that you remind the front desk about. It is cheaper on them for housekeeping to do it that way as well as makes guests happier so they do their best.

Hi rlovew! What does 2 batches of points mean? Are you talking different Use Years, Contract Numbers, or Home Resorts?

 

[McCrae]

It could all be due to availability and allocation of rooms. No one room availability for all of your stay, but they could meet your requirements by using two different rooms.

 

[rlovew]

Hi rlovew! What does 2 batches of points mean? Are you talking different Use Years, Contract Numbers, or Home Resorts?

They are probably different use years but it could be different contract numbers because they may be titled differently (one could be titled with a spouse and one without, or an adult child could be added to a single contract. If the use years and titling are the same and only the resort is different they are still part of one master contract- it is when you have different master contracts due to titling or use year that you can not merge nights into 1 reservation but the nights can be linked.

 

[Disbug]

They are probably different use years but it could be different contract numbers because they may be titled differently (one could be titled with a spouse and one without, or an adult child could be added to a single contract. If the use years and titling are the same and only the resort is different they are still part of one master contract- it is when you have different master contracts due to titling or use year that you can not merge nights into 1 reservation but the nights can be linked.

Yes, it must be some complication along those lines that make MS unable to merge the reservations! Got it!