in the category of good problems to have, please give me tips on how to best manage the process of moving between resorts. We are a family of 6 (kids 16, 14, 12, and 11) and usually get plenty of groceries that we will want to take with us. We didn't start out with these plans but later in July will be doing 4 nights at SSR, 3 at AVK, and then 1 at VGF. As much as we are excited to be in the different resorts I know that moving will become a bit of a hassle.
1. I don't know your habits, but one bit of general advice is that packing and unpacking will be a lot easier if you're very neat in the first place. Even on split stays, we put our clothes in closets and drawers, and don't live out of our suitcases (except for a 1-night only stay). The neater you are, the easier it will be to pack. After packing, don't forget to do the slow visual sweep of every part of the room: beds, tables, closet, drawers, refrigerator, bathroom counter, shower, balcony, etc., to make sure you don't leave anything.
But even if you do leave something, Disney is good about getting it back to you. My SO left his C-PAP machine at our first resort last summer, we called about it, and it was at our new resort within only a few hours.
2. Drop your luggage off at Bell Services the morning of check-out, and tell them to transfer the luggage to your next resort. Be prepared to give them a cash tip for this, and you'll need another cash tip for the person who retrieves your luggage for you at the next resort. (You can also call Bell Services to pick the luggage up from your room, but I find it quicker to just take it there myself on our way out of the resort.) Your luggage will be waiting for you at Bell Services by late afternoon at the next resort. We've done this process several times and it's worked like clockwork every time.
3. If you plan on taking a mid-day swim break, be sure to carry the bathing suits in your day bag with you, as your luggage might not arrive until late afternoon. Keep them in a plastic bag, so you'll be able to put damp suits in that after the swim without dampening the other objects in your bag. Remember, Disney deluxe pools all have full towel service, so there is no need to worry about towels.
4. An active day at the park and/or pool is the best way to not notice the time you don't have access to a resort room on the transition day. Make the transition day one of your active days, not a day to sit around in the lobby waiting for your room to be ready. That's a total waste of time. And at Disney, time is money.
5. Have fun, and I hope you have a chance to enjoy all the different feature pools at your resorts! That's why we resort hop in summer.
Bill
