Split Stay - how late to get into 2nd room?

[sarahk0204]

We have a split stay planned for this June - 3 nights at AKL Jambo followed by 2 nights at our home resort, BLT. The travelers are me, DH, DMIL, and our 7 year old twins. On moving day, a Wednesday, I have a BBB appt. for DD at MK at 2:00 PM, and an ADR at 1900 Park fare at 6:00 PM. We will have a car.

I was figuring on getting into our room at BLT at around 4. I know earlier would be great, but I am not counting on it. However, what is the possibility of getting in late - like 5 or later? And when is your luggage guanteed to be there if we transfer it with Bell Services? We will likely drive over to BLT and check in in the morning, since DD, DMIL, and I have to end up at MK eventually that day. I will probably set aside swimming stuff for DH and DS, as we can keep that in the car. I will make DD a cotton sundress for BBB, so she could wear that all day if she wanted. Should the rest of keep a change of clothes in the car just in case? Or is it fairly likely we'd be in our room by 4:30 or so (with luggage delivered) to be able to get ready for dinner?

 

[vicki_c]

I would keep your stuff for dinner in the car. It's probably not likely that you will have an issue, but it is possible - between the getting into your room part and getting the bags delivered. Either item could run into a snag that could cause you a problem. Again, chances are that it won't, but I'd take the safe approach.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you don't need to get into the villa early, it usually happens that you get it early. But the one time you need to get into it early, guess what? It will be after 5PM when you get into the villa.

 

[Sammie]

on a split move we got our second room at 6pm, and our luggage at 10pm this is not the norm, but it does happen.

It ruined our evening ADRs as we needed to change clothes. I would move my own luggage.

 

[smidgy]

When you don't need to get into the villa early, it usually happens that you get it early. But the one time you need to get into it early, guess what? It will be after 5PM when you get into the villa.

so many times, we decide to "let go" the room assigned to us, and wait for a "better" room. (vero beach, BCV).. so, our mind set is all "get our book bag, swim suits, etc. from the car, get nice spots by the pool, relax till the room is ready.

invariably, as SOON as we are settled by the pool, my phone rings... ROOM READY! arrgh! you'd think that would be a GOOD thing! but now we are comfy..

but you can't ignore it, you just HAVE to see which room it is, what view, etc. and.. as long as you are going up to the room anyways, you might as well bring up a few things. .. oh, heck, might as well call bell services, have them bring up the luggage...
well, if they bring up the luggage, I'll want to unpack, settle in... can't reserve pool chairs for that long, ... bye bye pool!

 

[Elise79]

If you are driving over to BLT why not take your luggage and leave it with bell services at the Contemporary when you check in? At least once you have your room your luggage will be there soon after.

We are doing a spilt BCV/BLT in a few weeks and I plan on driving over with the luggage and checking in first thing - then once we know the room is ready we can just call and have the stuff brought up.

 

[bookwormde]

Online check in with a 7am arrival time should help if you are willing to drive over early to get your cards

 

[daisyduck123]

We always do split stays now & drive our own luggage over to the next resort....why do you even want to bother with Bell Services?

 

[nolanboys]

We just did a split stay at the tree houses and BCV. Arrived at BCV at 1:00, got settled at the pool and got the text at 2:00 that the room was ready and when DH checked, our luggage was ready to be brought up as well. We were enjoying the pool so much that we stayed there to 5:00 before heading to our room. I had packed our swimsuits and brought them with us assuming we'd not get into our room until after 4:00. It was a nice surprise, but I wouldn't expect to get in early.

 

[sarahk0204]

I really appreciate all of the input.

I think our plan will be to keep the swim stuff and a change of clothes for dinner in the car, just in case. I plan on using Bell Services for the majority of our stuff, as DH and DMIL have both had/have back issues, and my kids are 7. So, the heavy lifting will fall to me, and Bell Services is worth every penny!

Again, thanks everyone! DH says I worry too much

 

[MrShiny]

I've split stays many times, and I've found it works out best if I go over to the second resort first thing in the AM. This means I'm one of the first people checking in that day, so generally the first clean room that meets my reservation will be mine (sometimes I've gotten it right then, as it was vacant the night before).

Then I go back and get the family packed up and call bell services. Keep in mind they can also keep refrigerated good cold for you.

While there is no guarnatee the room will be ready any earlier or the luggage will be there, by avoiding rush periods for check-in and check-out, I increase my chances.