Thinking about switching resorts midway-Any Adivse

[mackeyapp]

Hi
We are booked for out first trip home to SSR from 12/31-01/11. We (mainly I) thought it would be fun experience another spot (BCV) part way through our stay. I think our boys would enjoy their water activities as well as we would be closer for the marathon day for my husband. Any advise on this?We are coming up to our 7 month window and we will have to make the call soon. Thank you for any imput on this matter.

 

[mathmagic]

Think about how much time it will involve to switch resorts. We did exactly the opposite in May, moving from BCV to SSR and we lost a good part of the day doing so. First, you have to account for time spent packing to move and getting your luggage moved. If you are willing to let Bell Services atthe first resort take charge of your luggage, they can pick it up from your room and get it to Bell Services at your next resort, but you will have to call once you are ready to have your luggage delivered to your new room and wait for it there. I have waited a long time twice, and when you are itching to get out of your room, it can get really frustrating.

The other thing to think about is the time spent getting to the other resort to check in. You can either take a cab (I think this cost me about $15 including tip) or bus it, but the bus will take quite a while given the other stops it has to make.

It could be it just took us an exceptionally long time to transfer completely from one resort to another, but it took us around 4 hours total, and that includes us being fortunate enough to have a room that we liked ready for us as soon as we checked in. Maybe there are more efficient ways to do it, but since we had some valuables that I wasn't willing to leave in Disney's hands and I cared about where we were placed I don't know if we could have done it any faster ourselves. I'm sure some people can do it quickly, but I don't want to spend another 4 hours transferring mid-trip. I'd rather be playing!

 

[mackeyapp]

Thank you for the input and may I ask you what your preference was regarding the two resorts.

 

[Muushka]

We are just 2 adults, so this may affect our take on moving resorts. But we enjoy switching resorts, part of the fun!

Even this past Dec, which would be a nightmare for some, it was just an almost nightmare for me! My poor husband developed vertigo on Sunday, the day we were to move from BCV to VWL. When he stood up, he threw up. It was so not pretty. I had to pack the villa and move everything to VWL, and do the grocery shopping. We have a car, so we always move ourselves. This was an exception. Usually it is no biggie. And like I said, part of the fun.

 

[mathmagic]

Thank you for the input and may I ask you what your preference was regarding the two resorts.

Both BCV and SSR are beautiful, in my opinion, and they each have features we like. You can't beat the pool at BCV and the ability to walk to World Showcase is a huge plus for us. But SSR is our home, and really feels like it. So though we enjoyed staying at BCV, I didn't get that "at home" feeling like I do at SSR.

But that's just me...

 

[mackeyapp]

Thanks again Mathmagic-I appreciate your feed back. We have a few more days to decide. I know we are going to have a wonderful time at either location.

 

[kmc33]

We are planning to switch resorts. I haven't done it before, so after we do so, I may feel differently. But, I know in planning what we will do each day, I planned to go to the parks the day we switch since I didn't want to feel "homeless" if we were doing a pool day. So we will get up and check out, let bell services transfer our luggage to the next resort, and then after the parks return to the new resort. I hope it goes smoothly.

 

[mathmagic]

So we will get up and check out, let bell services transfer our luggage to the next resort, and then after the parks return to the new resort.

Getting out of the first resort should be no problem. The only time you may face a challenge is when you get to the new resort. You will still need to check in, and depending on what time it is by then you may be stuck with whatever rooms they have left. If that's not a big deal, then that may work out fine for you. The other thing is that once you get into the room you have to wait for Bell Services to deliver you luggage. Even late at night, for some reason there can be big delays, so don't expect it to come right away. It can still take an hour or so, and if you have little ones, that can be problematic.

I'm not saying switching resorts can never be a good experience, just wanted to share what has happened to us the 2 times we have moved.

 

[kmc33]

The other thing is that once you get into the room you have to wait for Bell Services to deliver you luggage. Even late at night, for some reason there can be big delays, so don't expect it to come right away. It can still take an hour or so, and if you have little ones, that can be problematic.

Thanks for the advice. I will keep in mind about the luggage possibly taking awhile to reach our room.

 

[RichieGraciemom]

can you pick up your bags yourself from bell services and bring them to your room?

 

[EdDome]

We switch resorts every year. We usually stay 12 nights and split the time between two resorts. We're typically a group of 7 yet I haven't found it to be difficult or too time-consuming at all. The 5 hour or so gap is normally the time I take DW to the outlet mall (a must for her so at least I get it out of the way) or we'll go to Celebration for lunch. It's worth it to us for the change in resort scenery.

 

[diswish]

can you pick up your bags yourself from bell services and bring them to your room?

Yes, that's what we did in February at BWV after a long wait for our room. I tipped as if they were brought to the room.

 

[Cinderella]

Switching is fine, so long as you pack reasonably light. The only downside is having to pack twice. Also, bear in mind that if you want to take an afternoon nap the day you move, your room may not be ready.

It would be a nice combination - You could spend time at Epcot and MGM during the BCV part, and Saratoga is so convenient to Downtown Disney.

 

[mackeyapp]

Well you have all made the decision easier. If we are lucky enough to get a 1 bedroom at BCV or BWV at the 7 month window we are going for it. I especially like the idea of taking the time for outlet shopping. You think like me. Thanks for helping a first timer out. You are all so helpful! Joan

 

[tigger2on]

We are starting @ BWV 2 bed for 3 nights and then finishing off @ SSR 2 bed for the last 3 nights. We will have a car as we have a toddler & and disabled 9 yr old. We intend to use the Wednesday as our outlet shopping day!!! We will check out of BWV go directly to SSR and check in, leaving bags with bell services and shop in the afternoon! We also only intend to do 1 or 2 days @ parks except for the MNSSHP on the 22nd!

 

[byoung]

We do it almost every trip, no problem for us. Stay on weekends with our AP discounts.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We switched resorts during our stay last month. One advantage I saw was it gave us an opportunity to try the DDP. We bought it for the shorter part of our stay. DH and I both agree it was a lot of food, and we wouldn't want to eat that way for a whole week. But it was fun and we'd like to try it again. Maybe next May we'll split our stay again and try the DDP once more.

 

[Disney Fanatic]

Personally I would not switch resorts half way through because of the time and effort needed to do so.

I would prefer to stay at one resort and just visit the others during the trip.

Think of all the new experiences you will have on future trips at different resorts if you don't switch!

 

[rantnnravin]

We switched from CR to VWL to BWV in Feb.
I planned my laundry day for the day before, so I would have to fold the clothes anyway, but instead of putting them in the drawers, I put them in the suitcases.
In the morning, while bell services came and picked up our luggage, DH used his "morning coffee" time to go and check in at the new resort. We even took a swim on our transfer day from CR- then showered and changed before 1pm (had late check-out), went to lunch, and checked in w/the resort to see if our room was ready.
The first time it wasn't, but we headed in that direction anyway and explored our new home. When we transferred to BWV, we did basically the same thing, only DD and I went to MK while DH headed over to check us in. (IIRC, i think he stopped and rode Soarin' on the way through Epcot -lol) We met up for lunch then went to explore our new surroundings.
It's a rather painless process and can even give family members some alone time.
Enjoy the BCV.

 

[jdvm]

My daddy always said, "don't look for trouble where there ain't none." With four daughters whose luggage seems to explode when opened, the thought of switching rooms chills my blood. Other adventurous souls may disagree.