Tips for switching resorts?

[PlaneJoy1]

We made our reservations in December for a Sunday to Friday stay at AKL. At the time we didn't have DH's schedule or DD's soccer schedule so we scheduled when we thought it was best. Last week we decided to add the day before we were scheduled to arrive - so a Saturday to Friday stay - in order to have all day Sunday at a park. Well, AKL was booked solid. We ended up with a room at Port Orleans Riverside, which is just fine with me. I have wanted to see that resort but never have.

So now I am trying to figure out what to do with all of our 'stuff'. Should we check out in the morning, pack up the car, and head over to AKL and check-in (knowing they won't have a room for us) or check-out then take the buses from POR to the park we choose and come back after lunch and move our things?

I really don't know what the best/easiest thing to do it. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[collcass]

We made our reservations in December for a Sunday to Friday stay at AKL. At the time we didn't have DH's schedule or DD's soccer schedule so we scheduled when we thought it was best. Last week we decided to add the day before we were scheduled to arrive - so a Saturday to Friday stay - in order to have all day Sunday at a park. Well, AKL was booked solid. We ended up with a room at Port Orleans Riverside, which is just fine with me. I have wanted to see that resort but never have.

So now I am trying to figure out what to do with all of our 'stuff'. Should we check out in the morning, pack up the car, and head over to AKL and check-in (knowing they won't have a room for us) or check-out then take the buses from POR to the park we choose and come back after lunch and move our things?

I really don't know what the best/easiest thing to do it. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

From what I heard when you check out your "stuff" can be transferred to the new hotel. I am not sure if this is true and forgot to confirm it yesterday so hopefully someone ese who has done a split stay will know.

 

[chickenskin]

When we do a split stay, which is nearly every trip, the day we are due to change resorts we get up early and pack up and get to the next resort usually by 7:30am or 8. We most often miss long check in lines and this way if the room is not ready, we can check our luggage with bell services and head off to a park. While we're in the park we find a house phone and call the number you're given to check if the room is ready.

 

[sue1013]

We do split stays frequently. The resort will transfer your luggage to your new resort. Call bell services they will take care of your luggage. Your luggage will not get to the new resort I think they tell you after 3 or 4. We will then head to a park we don't usually check in at the new resort until later in the afternoon.

 

[heartbeeps]

well, I'm gonna do it in May. My plan is to go to the new resort in the morning, with hopes of getting the best selection of rooms! Of course, we're not planning any park activities that day so it's not like we'll be missing out on our money's worth of tickets so that may make a difference. If I was taking kids, they might be tugging at my heartstrings to get to the park and nix a good room location but I don't so they're not!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Thanks for all the advice! It seems that each person has their own way of doing things. I was thinking of checking in early, just so that maybe we'll get a good room. I don't know that it works that way though. But then part of me says get to the park and worry about the hotel later.

Decisions.... decisions!

 

[MommyBuzz909]

too bad you can't just check-in over the phone while doing a split stay

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We often go down a day early and spend the night at one of the value resorts. I get up early (7:00am) and take our luggage to the new resort and check-in. If the room is ready I go ahead and have the luggage delivered then I meet up with the family at the park we wanted to visit that day. (usually the EMH park) This way everyone is happy, and I have less distractions so check-in is quick.

 

[disprincess2002]

When we have to stay somewhere for only one night and then move to another hotel for a longer stay,we pack just an overnight bag for the one
night. This keeps DH from having to unload everyones bags for just one night.
I can't tell you how many years I did not do this! Such a simple thing that makes a big difference. It will be neat to try two resorts in one stay.
Have fun!!

 

[MommyBuzz909]

Okay, we are staying at ASMo and then transferring on over to POR. They transfer day, I have us planned to go to AK. Now I plan on checking out at ASMo at about 7-7:30AM that morning. Could I have ASMo transfer my luggage to POR and then head to POR later that day and check in??

 

[jmtf2004]

My family changed resorts on two different stays...used Bell Services both times. Won't be doing that again. The first time was on New Year's Day - we moved from POFQ to VWL. Second time AKL to BCV. Both times we packed up our stuff the Bell Services CM came to our room and took our stuff before 9am. It took 12 looooong hours to receive our stuff at the new resort both times. The first time it was New Years Day, so it was extremely busy - we attributed the delay to it being a holiday with lots of people checking in and out at both resorts. The second time was early March...not one person (and believe me, I asked a *lot* of people, including the Manager of Bell Services at BC/YC) could provide me with any explanation for what went wrong.
I'm glad the OP mentioned having a car. My suggestion for anyone considering a move who isn't driving, is to either use a rental car (can do a one day rental, maybe use it to go pick up groceries or shop offsite that day as well as change resorts) or call a taxi. That way you *know* where your luggage is at all times, and have access to it too. Speaking from personal experience, it's no fun going to a nice dinner in the clothes you were wearing in the parks all day (couldn't even find anything decent at the resort shops, especially for my 2yo) and it's even less fun trying to get two small children ready for bed with no luggage.
I am quite certain some people use Bell Services to transfer luggage and it works for them very well - just not for us. It's a 'free' service, but realize that the CMs handling your bags will be expecting tips at both resorts.
Bell Services will store your luggage at the new resort if your room is not ready if you go over early to check in. If Bell Services does store your luggage for you, it's worth noting you must be physically in your room in order for Bell Services to deliver your luggage to you.