Tell me all about split stays!

[mmcguire]

We have a 7-night res at POFQ in Aug, but are considering changing it to 5 nights and spending the last two nights at BC.

To all you experienced split-stayers -- a few questions:

What is the process for changing resorts?

Do the resorts really take care of moving all your luggage?

How did you handle tipping?

Did you have any issues when splitting stays (lost/late luggage?)


TIA!

 

[maxsmomamy]

As long as you aren't doing DDP, it should be a piece of cake! They will move your bags for you. It get's very complicated with DDP and really isn't much savings I worked through all the numbers last week when we were thinking of splintin POR and Poly- turns out once all the fees and such were added in, we were only going to save a few hundered dollars.
Good luck with your decision and have a great time at WDW!

 

[carmie3377]

We had a split stay in Dec 06. It was a piece of cake. We had luggage services transfer our luggage and we had no issues with lost/missing luggage. When we checked out of ASMo, we drove to OKW, checked in and then hopped on a bus to MK. When we returned to OKW later in the day, we called for our luggage, they brought it up, and that was it. It was very simple. In fact, we are planning a split stay this fall.

 

[marivaid]

What is the process for changing resorts?

Once you're ready to check out of POFQ, call Bell Services. Explain that you're switching to the BC. Someone will come take your luggage, tag every piece, and give you a receipt. When you get to the BC and are ready to get your luggage, call Bell Services there and tell them your name and receipt number.
Depending on when you arrive at the 2nd resort your luggage may already be in your room.
They usually transfer luggage between 1 and 3pm.

Do the resorts really take care of moving all your luggage?

Yep and that's a really great thing !

How did you handle tipping?

We tip about $2 per bag, both ways.

Did you have any issues when splitting stays (lost/late luggage?)

Once, coming from ASMO to POFQ. But it was January 1st, first day of Value season, and a lot of people were switching.

All our Disney vacations so far have been split stays. Twice 2 resorts, once 3 and once 4. Disney makes it so easy!

Hope this helps

 

[mmcguire]

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone!

 

[alldiz]

I'm a control freak.....

I like to get to my new resort early for best room selection. My family takes a bus to a park from resort #1. I take a cab with my luggage
to resort #2. If room is ready(most times it is) I get us all settled in the room
and take a bus to the park they are at.

Most people just send the luggage through Disney and go to the resort at the end of their day to check in.
happy planning
Kerri

 

[Morganpics]

We did a split stay last fall between WL and BCV. It all went very well. You have received good advice here. We left WL after calling Bell Services - who sent up a great guy who warned us to be sure we had what we wanted for the day as our luggage absolutely would be unavailable until 3pm or somethings like that. We spent the day at Typhoon Lagoon. When we got to BCV we called and within 10 minutes our luggage was delivered. It worked great for us.

 

[shellybaxter]

We love split stays. We call Bell Services/Luggage assistance like most everyone else suggested and have them move our thinks. We've only had a delayed luggage problem once and that was because we had a little cooler that got separated from the rest of our stuff when it went to cold storage.

All that said, I wouldn't suggest that you do a split stay unless you change your days a little. We won't stay in a resort less than 3 days. Anything less just doen't feel like we get to really feel out the resort.

 

[time4Mickey]

We are planning a split stay in Dec. We've figured that if we do the dining plan for the first part of the stay only it will really save us since you can use it until midnight the night you check out. I can hardly wait to go!

 

[Dis Ohana]

We changed hotels 3 times on our stay in December. I know it's a bit much, but I'm so glad we did it and I would definitely do it again.

BWI - GF: We checked out of BWI at 11:00. Bell services came by to pick up the luggage to transfer it (tipped that guy). We had lunch then made our way over to GF to check in. Our room was ready and luggage already in it when we arrived at around 12:30pm. Tipped the person showing us to our room there.

GF - AKL: Checked out at 11:00. Same procedure as before, again luggage was waiting at the hotel before we arrived. Tipped leaving GF and arriving at AKL. Our room at AKL wasn't ready until 4:00, but there was so much to see and do at the hotel that we really didn't mind.

AKL - BWI: Checked out of AKL at 11:00 and again had bell services transfer our luggage. Tipped when we left AKL and when we recieved luggage at BWI. Our room was ready before 12:00 and our luggage was delivered within 10 minutes of arrival.

It was the easiest thing to do. I loved being able to experience all the different resorts. I probably wouldn't do it if I had young children that needed an afternoon nap, but for us it was perfect.