Talk me out of resort hopping

[dr&momto2boys]

Is this idea crazy?

We are going to be in Orlando 3 nights prior to our Disney Cruise in September. We have 3 trips to WDW planned within 1 yr after this trip (May 2010 to May 2011) and will buy APs then, so we don't see the need spend money on tickets to go to the parks on this short visit. Originally we planned to go to Universal Orlando, but now we're kicking around the idea of staying at 3 different DVC resorts on this stay to explore the resorts and pools and enjoy dining outside of the parks. We can pack one or two bags that we'll use in these 3 nights and the rest of the bags for the cruise can just follow us around. I understand that there would be a gap between check-out time at each resort and check-in time at the next. I also understand that Disney will transfer our luggage from one resort to the next. My question is when do you usually receive your transferred bags? If it's late, I guess we could hand carry a day bag and check it at the resort when we get there. Is this idea crazy? Give me reasons not to do it...

 

[mecllap]

This sounds kind of fun, but I wouldn't do it with two toddlers and a baby -- are you all going? You could just move from pool to pool I guess, which would give you restroom access. But strollers? Diaper bags? Or you could stay at one place and do day visits to other resort pools (that aren't closed to pool-hopping) -- that doesn't give you the room experience, but you can see the ambiance, restaurants, amenities, lobbies, etc. Even without the kids it's kind of a logistical nightmare.

 

[Tara]

Is this idea crazy?

We are going to be in Orlando 3 nights prior to our Disney Cruise in September. We have 3 trips to WDW planned within 1 yr after this trip (May 2010 to May 2011) and will buy APs then, so we don't see the need spend money on tickets to go to the parks on this short visit. Originally we planned to go to Universal Orlando, but now we're kicking around the idea of staying at 3 different DVC resorts on this stay to explore the resorts and pools and enjoy dining outside of the parks. We can pack one or two bags that we'll use in these 3 nights and the rest of the bags for the cruise can just follow us around. I understand that there would be a gap between check-out time at each resort and check-in time at the next. I also understand that Disney will transfer our luggage from one resort to the next. My question is when do you usually receive your transferred bags? If it's late, I guess we could hand carry a day bag and check it at the resort when we get there. Is this idea crazy? Give me reasons not to do it...

Sweet fancy moses, that's crazy!

j/k

Seriously, I would never do that - you are DVC members (I assume!) so you have decades to check out all the resorts. Yes, your bags could take several hours to transfer each time, so you either risk it or hand carry them, which is a PITA, then there's the constant in-and-out of bell services and all the tipping. But also remember that you'll likely be "homeless" every day from 11am - 4pm, and September is HOT, so no ability to take an afternoon break in the cool comfort and privacy of your room 3 days in a row would be awful. (yeah, you could swim, so you beat the heat a little, but not much - plus the you have to make sure you have swimwear with you and not in your bags which may be somewhere following you but not caught up yet. Plus - will you have a car? If not, you have to rely on Disney transportation to get from resort to resort - that will eat up a chunk of time each day. If you have a car this will be marginally easier but not much.

And as mecllap said, I wouldn't even do this on my own, let alone with 3 small children. I would pick one resort with a great pool and use it as my home base, then explore other resorts, maybe planning a lunch or dinner at ones you want to see and spending extra time at each before/after eating. I think BCV would be ideal for this given the excellent pool and the wealth of things to do within walking distance - without even going to a park.

Good luck making your decision...

 

[Sammie]

Adults only, I would definitely consider it. With kids, no way.

Worse case scenario, when are the kids going to nap, the weakest link in any trip is the child that is tired, it affects everyone. I just think you will wear yourself and the kids out before your cruise and could possibly really affect the enjoyment of that trip.

You will not get your luggage until after 3pm, once when we did this it was after 6pm before we had our luggage.

I would save the resort sampling for future trips. I agree with the others pick one resort and visit the others for meals.

 

[christa112]

I would consider a split stay for a trip of 5 days or longer, but to move everyday just seems like way too much work for me.

Like PP's said if it were me and my DH I would be more apt to do it, but with us and 3 three kids and all of our luggage. NO WAY

 

[Crystal_27]

Nope - - I wouldn't attempt it. You will needlessly stress yourself out before your cruise, when you could (SHOULD) either be enjoying your couple days at the parks or taking advantage of lounging at your resort. I think that, rather than trying to take in 3 resorts, try and explore and take in the charms of a resort that you've never stayed at before...explore its amenities, activities, pools, etc. Either way, have a fabulous time...I know you must be counting down the days (as we are...we're going on the September 26th Eastern Cruise and I'm sooooo excited).

 

[DiznyDi]

I would never do 3 resorts in 3 days - even if it were just my husband and I.

We once stayed at the same resort beginning with a studio and moving to a 1 bedroom and then finally to a 2 bedroom as family joined us. This was over the course of 11 days. I will never do that again! What an extreme inconvenience! Check-in, check-out with every new room. You basically lose a half day making the switch.

I'm in agreement with the others, pick a resort and plan to visit the others for a meal.

Whatever you choose to do, have a great trip!

 

[Dean]

Unless you're looking at trying to manipulate the DDP, I'd never do it. You lose part of a day each time you change, not worth being without a place for 5 hours or more each time. You'd have to check in to each one as well.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I pretty much expected this response! What if I said that we'd live out of one bag that we'd carry with us (plus a diaper bag and a stroller.) We'd never really unpack, just live out of the bag. I'm very organized so this doesn't seem like a big deal.

(The other bags for the cruise wouldn't be touched, but they would have to be transported each time. Or can we just ask that they transport them to the last resort, the first time they're moved?)

Also my kids are very experienced travelers--15 different states (some more than once) and 2 other countries in 2 years. The older kids don't take naps any longer and the baby sleeps comfortably in a sling or the stroller.

During the gap that we're "homeless." I figure we'll check-in and use the pool until our room is ready. Do you think the chances of our room being ready early is greater since it's a slower season? It will be early September (no holiday and Food and Wine Fest hasn't started yet.)

The one thing that's got me thinking this idea is a little hairbrained is the Disney transport from resort to resort is a bit long. We'd have to go to DTD or a park if closer to catch another resort bus, right?

Still thinking about this...

Would like to hear more. It may bring me to my senses. Or is there anyone out there who has done this before? Anyone who WOULD recommend it?

 

[keishashadow]

Several times we've followed the following pattern:

*2 nights, beginning Friday or Saturday @ Universal (onsiteof course, FOTL will spoil u), then

*4 nights @ DVC, then

*3 day DCL

i pack 1 bag with tolietries & things u'd need @ all stops & sep bags for U, WDW & DCL. Sometimes i lug them all in, usually just leave in rental car (except @ WDW where the parking is a bit more public imo)

i thought it'd be an issue the 1st time we tried it, yet it's now standard for us & makes everybody happyas we all get a mini vacation of our choice so there's no whining...priceless!

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Hi there - The hopping with little kids does not sound fun to me, but it's only a few days. What's the worst that can happen.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I would only do it if there were 3 specific resorts you wanted to try out.

 

[Luv2trav]

Sounds to me like you have your mind made up! Go for it... Now I wouldn't do it because I hate being homeless from 11:00-4:00...Plus just seems like a hassle to me... but if you want to try go for it.. Let us know how it works out.

 

[twinklebug]

What if I said that we'd live out of one bag that we'd carry with us .... We'd never really unpack, just live out of the bag. I'm very organized so this doesn't seem like a big deal.

I vacation like you - we live out of our bags. Most of our trips to date have been split stays and traveling without the unpack/pack bit going on makes the switch easier... but there is a way to make it easier:

(The other bags for the cruise wouldn't be touched, but they would have to be transported each time. Or can we just ask that they transport them to the last resort, the first time they're moved?)

I'd suggest renting a car and keeping everything with you in one spot.

During the gap that we're "homeless." I figure we'll check-in and use the pool until our room is ready. Do you think the chances of our room being ready early is greater since it's a slower season? It will be early September (no holiday and Food and Wine Fest hasn't started yet.)

As others have said, you'll be homeless for 5 hours each time. Your pool plan is great IF the weather's nice. You'll also not have access to any of your other stuff beyond that one bag you're toting around with you. May I again suggest a rental car?

The one thing that's got me thinking this idea is a little hairbrained is the Disney transport from resort to resort is a bit long. We'd have to go to DTD or a park if closer to catch another resort bus, right?

I have a theme answer going here if you haven't picked up on it... a Rental Car can fix all issues here. Although I'm a fan of the Disney transportation system, this last trip we stayed off site with family and I was surprised to find that the roads are well marked & it's very easy to hop over to DTD, the parks or where ever you want to be. If hopping from resort to resort every day of your trip I wouldn't go without my own wheels and trunk space to call home. Then again, wasn't part of the reason we bought into DVC so that we could call our resort home?

 

[Sammie]

if you are using Disney buses then yes you will have to transfer somewhere to get from resort to another resort.

As to the luggage I doubt they will store it at the last stop, you would not officially be a guest and there could be liability issues with that.

Also each time you transfer luggage you increase your chances of losing a piece of luggage.

We have had this happen and the luggage did not turn up until the next day. Would hate for that to happen before you leave for the cruise.

 

[Dean]

I pretty much expected this response! What if I said that we'd live out of one bag that we'd carry with us (plus a diaper bag and a stroller.) We'd never really unpack, just live out of the bag. I'm very organized so this doesn't seem like a big deal.

I think you'll find it's a lot bigger deal than you think it is when put into practice. The kids can't nap, no where to relax privately during the mid day. But ultimately it's you that has to put up with the issues, I wouldn't do it if I could help it. IMO, a better approach would be to do 1, NO more than 2 resorts, then head to another resort during the day for lunch, possibly pool hopping and to explore somewhat. Another issue is you may want to try to slow down somewhat during the time as your cruise might be much busier. As I hinted, it can be the perfect situation for the DDP though where you could get it for one or 2 days and make the most of it depending on the choices you end up making. It's also a good time to try to get an AKV concierge option since you're OK with a single night anyway. Good luck and enjoy no matter what you decide to do. Let us know how it goes.

 

[backyardponder]

We've done trips to WDW where our main goal was to explore different resorts. We rented a car but stayed at the same place each night.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I really appreciate all the input. I really haven't made up my mind, but will shortly. As of this moment we're leaning toward VWL or AKV or some combination. I need to research AKV concierge. Also need to find out what's available!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Well, we came to our senses! We booked VWL for all three nights. We will do a lot at Fort Wilderness and probably pool hop at Poly. I'm getting really excited about it!

 

[mecllap]

Congratulations -- I'm so relieved to hear that! I think you'll have lots more fun and relaxation, and plenty of time in the future to check out all the resorts. I'm going to try to get around for a day visit to most of them on this next trip, but I have two weeks, and can go by myself while DD and DGS are at the Parks. (They'll go to a couple of them with me, and I'll go to the parks with them, too).
Have a magical trip!