Tell Me About Switching DVC Resorts Mid-Way

[danielle782001]

Hey Guys... DH and I are planning a special trip for the kids for mid-November... It includes 3 nights at the AKL and 5 nights at VWL... We did the resort move thing for our honeymoon several years ago and we were not DVC members then.... We are looking to make the move as simple as possible because the kids are small and they make doing anything a bit more difficult...

Who has done the resort switch? How did you handle moving your stuff from one resort to another? Is there any good advice or information we should know before going?

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

 

[goldilocks_63]

My recommendation is to get a reservation the whole stay at either resort.

If that isn't possible, the easiest way is to have bell hop call a cab, and take your lugguage with you, from one resort to the other... (thinking this would be $20 ?)

If $$$ is a concern, then you could have bellhop xfer your luggage from one resort to another, but this will take several hours. SO if check out at 11, won't get luggage at new resort until 3-4 p.m. YOu can take bus to MK, and then either boatride or bus to VWL. If you wanted, you could spend a couple of hours at the park, and then got to VWL, but then maybe you wouldn't have as many choices on the room assignments.

If it was me... I'd make a dining reservation at VWL Roaring Forks for 12-12:15 p.m. Checkout AKV at 11, and then head over via bus to MK/ Boat. (kinda an adventure for the kids). CHeck in - if they don't have room ready you get your keys, and you can call in later for room number (Give you card).

Let kids eat at roaring fork while you check in... and join then for rest of lunch.

Then either go swimming at VWL, or back to MK for rides. (At least you now have keys).

The problem with having bell services more your luggage, is that you need to carry swim suits if you want to swim during the day, and valuables such as laptops, jewelry, camera, etc... so even though you can get rid of your big items, you still have a bag to haul around.....

FOr me I'd choose the cab because of convenience, and even using bell services you need to tip on both ends, so don't end up saving that much in $$$ anyway.


JMHO, Goldi

 

[DaveH]

If a choice of room is important, I would have one adult take a cab to VWL and check in. Assume room would not be ready until 4. Plan to take what you need with the person to check in at VWL and have bell services hold it for you. They will let you get to your stuff there. I always tip them like they moved some of it when I get something from them. Bell services will transfer your luggage to the new resort. Do not plan to get your luggage until late afternoon or even after normal check in.

A more leisurely way is sleep late and have bell services move your luggage except what is needed for the day. Then take the bus to MK. Then the boat ride to VWL. Check in. If room is not ready, maybe do the hidden mickey tour with the kids(if old enough). Maybe swim and/or explore the lodge. Leave the stuff you don't need until later with VWL bell services. Then go to a park or whatever. I would suggest to make it a slower day and take it slow. This is hard for me as I am a commando type. We also have no little ones.

 

[MAC3]

We always make the day we transfer a pool day. We have always moved our own luggage (my DH has issues with this). So we usually have a rental car.

Although I haven't heard anything bad about letting DIsney move your stuff except if you are staying by the pool and plan to go into a park that same day, you might want to park a seperate bag with clothes just incase of unforseen delays. Or just the opposite if you are in the park and want to come back to the new resort to take a swim.

It's really not that much of a hassle as long as you pack it up the night before and plan accordingly.

Good Luck

You never know

 

[alldiz]

Most people have Disney just transfer your luggage to the new hotel.

I always take my stuff in a taxi and checkin. Lots of times my room is ready so I like to get settled.

I had DM take DD to MGM....I took a cab to the new resort....then took a bus to MGM and met them there.

We came back.....and all of our stuff was in the room....
Kerri

 

[Nell123]

We do this quite often.

As we use Magical Express, we don't rent a vehicle and rely on Bell Services to affect the transfer. We've never had any trouble. They collect the luggage before 11:00 am; we head out to the parks; we return to the new resort and, voila, our luggage has been transferred, usually at about check-in time.

As we often head out at about 9:00 am, we let Bell Services know the night before to pick up before that time.

True, you will not have access to your bags until late afternoon. But you'll be riding Peter Pan, right? No worries.

 

[evsmama]

My recommendation is to get a reservation the whole stay at either resort.

If that isn't possible, the easiest way is to have bell hop call a cab, and take your lugguage with you, from one resort to the other... (thinking this would be $20 ?)

If $$$ is a concern, then you could have bellhop xfer your luggage from one resort to another, but this will take several hours. SO if check out at 11, won't get luggage at new resort until 3-4 p.m. YOu can take bus to MK, and then either boatride or bus to VWL. If you wanted, you could spend a couple of hours at the park, and then got to VWL, but then maybe you wouldn't have as many choices on the room assignments.

If it was me... I'd make a dining reservation at VWL Roaring Forks for 12-12:15 p.m. Checkout AKV at 11, and then head over via bus to MK/ Boat. (kinda an adventure for the kids). CHeck in - if they don't have room ready you get your keys, and you can call in later for room number (Give you card).

Let kids eat at roaring fork while you check in... and join then for rest of lunch.

Then either go swimming at VWL, or back to MK for rides. (At least you now have keys).

The problem with having bell services more your luggage, is that you need to carry swim suits if you want to swim during the day, and valuables such as laptops, jewelry, camera, etc... so even though you can get rid of your big items, you still have a bag to haul around.....

FOr me I'd choose the cab because of convenience, and even using bell services you need to tip on both ends, so don't end up saving that much in $$$ anyway.


JMHO, Goldi

We have had bell services drive us from one resort to another. They had no trouble doing it. I would say overall though, the whole thing is a big pain in the neck. Check-in, check -out, making sure your tickets, your dining plan & your keys are all in order...it can be just a mess!! On change day, if you do the dining plan, you have to make sure all of your meals are used up or you lose them at midnight that night. You have to carry old and new keys, depending on what extras you have connected with them. Stay in one resort if you can!

 

[danielle782001]

We have had bell services drive us from one resort to another. They had no trouble doing it. I would say overall though, the whole thing is a big pain in the neck. Check-in, check -out, making sure your tickets, your dining plan & your keys are all in order...it can be just a mess!! On change day, if you do the dining plan, you have to make sure all of your meals are used up or you lose them at midnight that night. You have to carry old and new keys, depending on what extras you have connected with them. Stay in one resort if you can!

Did not think about the dining plan and using the credits... Wow, I am glad you brought that up for me or anyone else that may be reading this thread!

 

[danielle782001]

Thanks everyone... I was getting anxious and anxious is not what I want when I think of vacation...

We decided to call and change the plans to VWL only.... I think we will do the split stay when the kids are a bit older... Maybe then they can help us pack or understand why they have to wait for Mommy again while she is checking-in... They are very young and one has special needs... They have trouble with change so staying in one spot is likely best for now... My guys love the AKL but we really love WL and wanted to be over there for the night of MVMCP....

Long story short, thanks for the advice...I plan to do a split-stay in the future and will keep all of your advice in mind

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done this several times, switched mid-trip to another DVC resot. I've never taken a cab and my own luggage. I've always just dropped my luggage with bell services (or had them pick it up from my room), gone to the park, then in mid-afternoon, I've gone to the new resort and checked in. It's always seemed easy to do it that way.

 

[goldilocks_63]

To be clear, I've just dropped luggage off to and then picked it up at new resort.... but that was when it was only 2 adults, and no small children.

With my daughter, it seems like we need so much more stuff, so staying in one place has been easier for me...

I would have too picked VWL for small children. They willl love the boat ride, the guyser (sp?), and how close you are to MK. (Can we go to MK every day???).

Enjoy, and I think you made a good decision,
Goldi

 

[FLYNZ4]

Some people do not mind moving. We are in the opposite camp. I think it is especially hard if you have a fridge full of food.

I have... and probably will switch again... but I always hate the process.

/Jim

 

[buzz5985]

We moved from OKW to WL. What we did - I sent DH and Grampy and DS to MK. I went to WL and checked in, did a little shopping on Main St and met them for lunch.

Just because your bags are stored - you still have access to them. Just go the bell services and tell them you need something.

Another plus about moving - you may not want the DDP for your entire trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

To be clear, I've just dropped luggage off to and then picked it up at new resort.... but that was when it was only 2 adults, and no small children.

I agree! All my moves have been on solo trips. Having small children would really make a difference in moving.

 

[dromio42]

Someone may already have mentioned this...but I believe that bell services can not only transfer you luggage, but will refridgerate items for you.

 

[hakepb]

OK to clarify for a cheapskate like me
Does the bell services transfer cost anything? Are you expected to tip? Do you just call to arrange it?

 

[byoung]

Always let Disney do the lugging of the luggage. never had a problem.