Switching rooms with groceries??

[IndyPilot]

We will be in a 2 BR villa at BWV at the end of May/beginning of June. I booked the first part of the trip (3 nights) using my points, and a family member booked the second part of the trip (6 nights) with her points. We waitlisted Boardwalk view on both reservations. The waitlist came through on my part of the reservation! So the first three days will be with a Boardwalk view, but as of now, we will obviously have to switch rooms for the next part of the vacation. Since her part was 6 nights, I'm not as optimistic that the waitlist will come through for that one!

My big question is: We always have a fridge/freezer stocked with groceries for our trip. Since check out is 11:00 and check in is 4:00, where do I put all of my food?? Or should I plan on little amounts to be used up by the time we need to check out that fourth day.

The whole group says it's so worth it to switch mid vacation because they love the boardwalk view even if just for three nights, but I'm just trying to think ahead

 

[supersnoop]

What are you doing with your luggage for that time? If bell services is holding it for you, they can keep items refrigerated, too.

 

[jimandami]

You can just call bell services to come get your luggage and food. They will keep it cold for you if needed. They do this all the time for people who are doing a split stay.

 

[IndyPilot]

What are you doing with your luggage for that time? If bell services is holding it for you, they can keep items refrigerated, too.

You can just call bell services to come get your luggage and food. They will keep it cold for you if needed. They do this all the time for people who are doing a split stay.

Great. Thank you! We have stayed in DVC resorts MANY times, but have never done a split stay in any of those vacations, so I just wasn't sure. Yes, I was planning for them just to store our luggage, so if they store our groceries too, that is fantastic. I will just keep all the grocery bags to corral it all and make the move easier on everyone.

 

[DenLo]

Just label the grocery bags that need refrigeration and those that need to be in a freezer (I always bring a permanent marker), so bell services gets them to the correct holding area. The CM will add labels to each bag to ensure they all will return to you later. Bell Services will ask for the number of bags including grocery bags when you call for them to pick up the items so be sure to add the grocery bags to the count. That way they will have enough labels for all of them.

 

[IndyPilot]

Just label the grocery bags that need refrigeration and those that need to be in a freezer (I always bring a permanent marker), so bell services gets them to the correct holding area. The CM will add labels to each bag to ensure they all will return to you later. Bell Services will ask for the number of bags including grocery bags when you call for them to pick up the items so be sure to add the grocery bags to the count. That way they will have enough labels for all of them.

Okay. Sounds easy enough. Thanks so much!

 

[Anal Annie]

We're doing our first split stay this summer too - great tip about saving the grocery bags. We have to provide all of our own bags at home where we live (or else pay 5 cents per bag) so I'll just plan to bring a couple of the insulated ones for the cold stuff.

 

[com_op_2000]

On move day:
Call Bell Services and have them come pick-up your luggage and refrigerated items. Be sure to inform them that you have items to keep cold.
Tell them where you are transferring too.
Check-in to your new resort.
Go do whatever you want that day.
After getting your room text and you are back in it (items are not at your new resort until 2 - 4 PM), call Bell Services to have the items delivered to your room.
NOTE: You must be in the room for the pick-up and delivery.
If you want to go straight to the parks and not go to the resort first to check-in and not get the text, yes you can do that.

 

[princesslillybug]

Is it routine for bell services to transfer luggage/groceries from one resort to another with split stays? If so, how far in advance must this be arranged?

 

[jimandami]

Yes, it is routine. You don't have to arrange it ahead of time. Just call down to BS when you are ready and they will come get your stuff. Let them know what needs to be kept cold/frozen and the resort you are moving to. Be aware that your luggage will likely not arrive until late afternoon, usually around 4-5.

 

[tigger51276]

I did this last stay and all I can say is don't be surprised if your groceries go missing or aren't put in the proper refrigeration. I had so many things go missing as we switched hotels and a bunch of food (fruits and veggies) go bad. Thank god I kept all my receipts and they replaced most of what was missing, but it cost me a day of time. It was incredibly frustrating. Thankfully I've not had luggage go missing as I switch hotels every year. One other trip I had groceries go missing and on yet another I had a cooler with lactose free milk in it that needed to be refrigerated that they forgot to refrigerate and again, they had to have a runner go out and purchase a new one as they don't sell that type of milk on property. So while they do make mistakes, they are at least willing to try to fix the problem!