Switching Resorts in Middle of Stay

[JerseyBob]

Although we're staying the entire trip for our first trip home (BCV) in April, I was thinking of splitting resorts for the next few trips (can't wait to try all the resorts). Seems like most people don't like to split resorts (or rooms). I'm thinking that if we plan the switch on a pool day, the hassles would be minimal. One person can check in while everyone spends the time at the pool. Any thoughts on this (pro and con)? Thanks.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We have split resorts, and will do so again in the future. I think it is a great way to find the time for different resorts.
On our April trip, we are spending three nights at AKL concierge, then we are off for three nights in a Vero cottage, then back to WDW for five nights at VWL.
There is the 'pain in the butt factor' of packing and moving, especially if your new room is not ready. Another downside is package delivery, as your last day or two in that resort they will not provide this service.

Have fun!...

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Well.......I haven't actually done it yet, but I plan to.

On the morning of December 8th, I will be switching from The Swan to the Boardwalk villas. I plan on just rolling my luggage over the bridge myself. I scheduled this day to be an Epcot day, because Epcot is so close-by, and is open later. I don't feel that I will lose too much park time because everything is in the same vicinity.

 

[Kelly&John]

The only other pain about switching resorts is having to move all your groceries. (Of course everything is open and about half used up.) If you don't use the kitchen facilities, it's not a bother.

Kelly

 

[dvcgirl]

We actually just did this for the first time and it was great. Split a stay between VWL and BWV. We just packed everything up and called bell services to move it over to BWV. They picked it up, we went to MGM and enjoyed our day. We walked back to BWV around 4pm to check in and take a pool break. We checked in around 4:30, everything was brought right up to the room (groceries were nice and cold) and that was that. First time to VWL for my hubby and he loved it. We'll definitely be doing this again in the future!!

 

[Pinnie]

We split our last stay in August and it was a blast and the best thing we ever did. Of course there were all adults involved and we had 2 rental cars, so it was a lot easier.

We started out at the BCVs, moved to Vero Beach for a few days and then back to a 2 bedroom at OKW!


pin

 

[disneycrazed139]

Splitting a stay sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to explore all of DVC.

We checked in around 4:30, everything was brought right up to the room (groceries were nice and cold) and that was that.

DVC Girl--they moved your groceries? Now that IS service! My hesitation in moving would be in having to pack up groceries. Anyone else have their food moved? How convenient not to have to re-stock up!

 

[waltk]

I agree. Splitting is great for a longer stay. Last trip we spent a week at OKW and a week an Ft Wilderness Cabins. Next spring, we are planning to split between OKW and BWV.

We moved ourselves, but would lolve to hear more about having Disney do the moving work.

We plan to split between a known property and an unknown property so that we can be sure to stay in at least one place that we know we love. Good luck.

 

[pmcpmc]

I have split a number of times on stays of two to three weeks
The biggest hassle is repacking again nnd waiting on a new room allocation if within property.
However spending time at bwv then going to Vera and back to Olkw for shopping is atrip to remember.
Vera is such a relaxing place after the parks although the car travel is an extra hassle.
they look after the kids so very,very well.
If you are travelling down by car why not visit what you have not seen at the parks, take a trip to the beach at vero and stop off on theway bac at Hilton head for some golf .
that way mum gets what she wants at vero ,peace while the kids are taken care of, kids get to the parks, happy, and dad gets to play golf on the way home.
What could be better than that.

 

[AnnaS]

I would also love to hear some more replies. I was going to try to stay put but after reading your posts, I am not sure again if I want to switch or not. I have 6 nights for OKW (8/04) and 4 nights at BCV reserved. I did this because I have banked BCV points and need to use them. In Jan. - 7 months out - will have to decide.

 

[dvcgirl]

Disneycrazed...

Yes, they move groceries too. We made sure when we purchased groceries that everything would be able to transfer....like screw on top for half and half...stuff like that. We just told the bellman which bags needed to stay cold. Everything arrived nice and cold...including beer ;o).

 

[CRobin]

Originally posted by AnnaS
I would also love to hear some more replies. I was going to try to stay put but after reading your posts, I am not sure again if I want to switch or not. I have 6 nights for OKW (8/04) and 4 nights at BCV reserved. I did this because I have banked BCV points and need to use them. In Jan. - 7 months out - will have to decide.

Do the switch - this is painless, and fun, IMHO.

Pack up everything, have Bell Services pick it up, and tell them where you are going. They will store refrigerated items for you (keep the bags from the grocery store to pack in) and move them over to BCV. I believe they want you to wait until around 4PM to check in.

We have done this a couple of times with relatives so that they can see more than one resort / area, and it works like a charm.

 

[Dancind]

We switch on almost every trip, though not always from one DVC resort to another. As everyone has said, it's not that bad on-site, especially if they take care of your groceries! But I would do it on a park day, not a pool day. If you're hanging out at the pool, you'll have nowhere to change or shower after swimming. Yes, most of the pools have some sort of locker/dressing room, or at least a bathroom, but that means you have to take clothing and grooming supplies, etc. I'd rather have luggage picked up (maybe make a trip to check in at the new resort if it's nearby), and then head off to the parks until later in the day. The only time this doesn't work well is if you have young children (or crabby husbands) that need an afternoon nap. But it is so worth a move to have a few days at BCV with access to SAB! Diana

 

[Lesley]

We switch resorts almost every trip. Generally we pick where we want to spend the bulk of the trip, then we'll either add a couple days at the beginning or end (or both!) at another resort. A lot of times we'll do this using cash to try out the other Disney resorts....or we'll stay in a studio during the weekend to save points.

Generally I like to spend at least 4-5 days in one place for the main part of our visit....but adding a couple of days at the beginning or end of the trip doesn't really cause problems. We generally plan to eat out during those days and just pack a small bag with what we need for those couple days when heading down or packing at the end of our main trip. Everything else is left in the car.

The only time we found this to be a problem was when we all were sick on our day without a room. It would have been nice to not have to be out and about then.....but we took it easy and luckily our youngest slept in the stroller most of the day. I felt bad about asking if our room was ready every hour....but I did try to explain that I wasn't just trying to be a pest, my kids weren't feeling well! Normally on a switch day we check out of one place, go check in at the other (so we have valid room cards) and then go out for the day....usually coming back in the afternoon when our room is ready.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We are doing this in February, we are spending 4 nights in Vero and then 3 nights at BWV(waitlist for BCV) just set up BWV today, I was actually surprised there was a studio available (preferred of course!) Those that have stayed in the standard and preferred, what really is the difference if any, the CM said it would either be a garden or pool view?

 

[Nette]

ok, I know most of you have APs (and we probably will too) but...

If you do go with the UPH (length of stay) and you switch resorts mid stay, do you actually end up paying twice for the switch day on your UPH?

IOW

Say you are staying from 10/1 to 10/5 at BWV. And at VWL from 10/5 to 10/10.

You get a UPH that dates from check in on 10/1 at BWV to midnight (11:59pm) on 10/5.

You check into VWL at 10am on 10/5. So your UPH is dated from 10am on 10/5 to midnight on 10/10.

See the overlap? Are you billed twice for 10/5 on the UPH?

I've heard stories about CMs at CRO saying that you can't drop the UPH for the first or last day without making a separate room only ressie for that day.

 

[Dancind]

Nette, the CMs will work with you on this. They can see your subsequent reservation on their screen when you check in. Just make sure to mention the overlap. They do allow you to drop the first or last day on a UPH anyway. Diana

 

[JohnathanS]

We almost always switch resorts and feel that it actually adds to our trip: we get to try new resorts on each trip which gives us even more to explore.

On our last trip we spent our first night at VWL and, since we only had 1 night there, we used that day to just explore the resort and relax. Then, it was off to the Dolphin for a great $99 a night rate for 4 nights, then off to OKW 1-BR for 5 nights.

There was some method to the madness: at VWL, we were near MK for Extra-Magic Hour the following morning. At the Dolphin, we spent most of our time touring the parks, especially Epcot, and by the time we reached our 1-BR we were ready to take the rest of the trip and a slower pace-and the 1-BR was perfect for this!
We saved our DTD and Typhoon Lagoon trips for when we were at OKW as well; we were able to minimize some of the travel delays this way. With our hotels located in different resort areas, we were close many different parks and attractions at different times.


On our next trip, we will be arriving on a Saturday and booked an AP rate room at the Polynesian-lagoon view. We've never tried this resort, and the pont- expensive weekend nights are the perfect time for us to try new resorts And watching fireworks at the Poly's beach while eating KoKo Puffs is a nice way to arrive and relax at the start of the trip. Then, its off to OKW again! I love my home resort!!!

 

[castleri]

Will be switching both trips this year - Other years even went off property in the middle to save weekend points during holiday season. We will be at BCV 4 nights and then at VWL 1. Added that day later and could not get additional BCV day. Actually this way we get to try that resort and since we want to spend the last day using the water mice and pool it will be great. We will just pack one bag with what we need for that last day and leave everthing else in the trunk of the car once we leave BCV -well except for the groceries. Over NY we have the same thing with the last night being at BCV - hope we have warm weather so a day at SAB will be fun and restful before going home on the 2nd.
Hopefully with the room ready checkin system it will be an easy process. Have always had a car so have never had Disney move us but will consider it for future stays.

 

[Lesley]

Just a note on the UPH's.....DVC resorts have always allowed members to drop first or last days from these, but from what I recall the other resorts will not do this. So be sure, if you're staying partly at a DVC resort and partly at another resort on cash that you make the necessary drop of days at the DVC resort.

Also, they aren't required to allow you to drop the days...and though no one has reported that they've been refused at a DVC resort so far, you never know. The written rules state that you must purchase them from check in day to check out day.