Split stay the night before going to MK

DisneyMom2000000

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Considering a split stay. We usually drive to Lake City or Ocala and then drive in and go to the parks, then check into the hotel. We are staying at AoA - big Little Mermaid fans in our family ;) But now I'm thinking maybe we will drive all the way to Disney and stay at Coronado (either standard or tower rooms aren't a bad deal)for one night, go to MK, then check in to AoA. How much of a pain is it to have luggage transferred? Thoughts on this plan?
 
Considering a split stay. We usually drive to Lake City or Ocala and then drive in and go to the parks, then check into the hotel. We are staying at AoA - big Little Mermaid fans in our family ;) But now I'm thinking maybe we will drive all the way to Disney and stay at Coronado (either standard or tower rooms aren't a bad deal)for one night, go to MK, then check in to AoA. How much of a pain is it to have luggage transferred? Thoughts on this plan?
Easy Pease. Just Take luggage to Bell Services. It does take a few hours. We went to a park around 9 am then checked into the next resort I think it was around 3pm. Checked in then got to the room and bell services brought up our stuff
 
Easy Pease. Just Take luggage to Bell Services. It does take a few hours. We went to a park around 9 am then checked into the next resort I think it was around 3pm. Checked in then got to the room and bell services brought up our stuff

MK opens at 8 AM that day... can we drop our bags off at 7 AM?
 
If bell services is open you can drop it off. Be aware you have to be in your room and call to get your luggage delivered to your next room.
 

You don't even need to take your suitcase to bell services if you don't want to. Call them about 10 minutes before you're ready to leave and they will come up and get the bags for you. I've done transfers numerous times. One time I was waiting until about 6 to get my suitcases. All the other times the luggage was there by the time my room was ready.
 
Depending on your comfort level and what you have with you, another option is to just leave your luggage in your trunk (if enclosed and if there's room) so you don't have to hassle with the transfer. I've heard horror stories of it taking 10+ hours for Disney to locate bags and complete the transfer. It seems less efficient with more room for error than the Magical Express luggage delivery does, for whatever reason. Another option to avoid the transfer would be to just drop your luggage off at AoA before going to MK. Bell Services should be near the main entrance, so 1-2 people could just run up and store the bags with them.
 
Depending on your comfort level and what you have with you, another option is to just leave your luggage in your trunk (if enclosed and if there's room) so you don't have to hassle with the transfer. I've heard horror stories of it taking 10+ hours for Disney to locate bags and complete the transfer. It seems less efficient with more room for error than the Magical Express luggage delivery does, for whatever reason. Another option to avoid the transfer would be to just drop your luggage off at AoA before going to MK. Bell Services should be near the main entrance, so 1-2 people could just run up and store the bags with them.

Yep; the one time we requested a luggage transfer, we didn't get our bags until 2am after many many calls.
 
for our family its worth the $20 to Uber it to the next resort with our luggage and have bell services take care of it from there. :)
 
Okay thanks. I think maybe we'll book the Coronado and just put all luggage in and drive to MK so we can avoid the luggage transfer sitaution.
 
Okay thanks. I think maybe we'll book the Coronado and just put all luggage in and drive to MK so we can avoid the luggage transfer sitaution.
If you do one night at the Coronado, you might want to purchase deluxe dining for that night. You get 3 table service credits, along with refillable mugs good for 14 days. The dining credits are good until midnight of checkout day.
 
If you do one night at the Coronado, you might want to purchase deluxe dining for that night. You get 3 table service credits, along with refillable mugs good for 14 days. The dining credits are good until midnight of checkout day.

Ohhh okay! Can I do that when purchasing the room at discount? We are Fl residents/passholders
 
Yes. We are passholders and dvc members who do it all the time. It is the only time we purchase a dining plan. Otherwise we use TIW.

Are the credits only good during our first day? Or can we use them after we switch to AoA? We won’t have much time at the Coronado but we could use them at the park the first day. Definitely something to think about!!
 
Are the credits only good during our first day? Or can we use them after we switch to AoA? We won’t have much time at the Coronado but we could use them at the park the first day. Definitely something to think about!!
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they are good from the day you check in to Coronado until midnight of the day you check into AoA. In essence, they are good for 2 days. I think deluxe is running about $117.00 per night. 3 table service credits, refillable mugs for 14 days, 2 snack credits, and an alcoholic beverage with each meal is a great deal for the price. It is the only way to come out ahead on any dining plan, just about and only is advantageous with a one night stay. Also, on the deluxe plan, all meals come with an appetizer.
 
they are good from the day you check in to Coronado until midnight of the day you check into AoA. In essence, they are good for 2 days. I think deluxe is running about $117.00 per night. 3 table service credits, refillable mugs for 14 days, 2 snack credits, and an alcoholic beverage with each meal is a great deal for the price. It is the only way to come out ahead on any dining plan, just about and only is advantageous with a one night stay. Also, on the deluxe plan, all meals come with an appetizer.

Sounds like a great deal for the adults, but not so sure about the kids. Would it make sense for us to get it for the parents but not the kids (6, 4, 3 year olds)
 
Sounds like a great deal for the adults, but not so sure about the kids. Would it make sense for us to get it for the parents but not the kids (6, 4, 3 year olds)
The regular dining plan would also be a great idea. We have added it to our one night stay of a split stay so we can have 3 mugs, 3 quick service meals for lunch (includes alcoholic/specialty drinks), and 3 buffet meals (also with alcoholic/specialty drinks), plus 6 snacks for $226.23. It's basically like getting your quick-service lunches and 6 snacks for free.

ETA: That's the price for 3 Disney "adults". Your kids's DDP price will be less expensive.
 
The regular dining plan would also be a great idea. We have added it to our one night stay of a split stay so we can have 3 mugs, 3 quick service meals for lunch (includes alcoholic/specialty drinks), and 3 buffet meals (also with alcoholic/specialty drinks), plus 6 snacks for $226.23. It's basically like getting your quick-service lunches and 6 snacks for free.

ETA: That's the price for 3 Disney "adults". Your kids's DDP price will be less expensive.

Thanks for all the help!! Would you buy it for the kids too???

So we get to Coronado before dinner. We'll probably have dinner there or close by. The next morning we will have a light breakfast there, followed by MK and lunch at 11:05 at the Plaza. We'll be at the AoA or nearby for dinner.

Which dining plan makes sense for this scenario???
 
You have to buy it for everyone in your room. Your price will be $234.92. Plan a buffet dinner (better choice for value) or character breakfast during those two days and you're set. :)

Plus, your kids will love having their own mugs.
 
That's true but my oldest will rekindle her love for soda ;) Haha!!

We actually have two adults and two children in each room.

I'll look into adding a buffet!
 












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