When doing a split stay...

[golden1]

what is the best strategy? I am switching from the All-Star Family Suites to the BWV. I am planning on going to EPCOT that day with the family. Should I walk to BWV early in the day and check in to get the best choice of rooms or should I just wait until 4 pm and bring the whole family with me? What are the chances that we will be able to check in early? If I go early, am I more likely to get my room requests? If anyone can relay their experience in doing a split stay transfer, I'd be grateful!

Thanks,

 

[NewJersey]

I think I'd go there early and check in and you can leave your luggage there with them if your room is not available. I checked in there in May at 11 am and the room was ready. I think it's luck. As for room requests, the earlier you get there, the better chance of getting your requests.

Have fun!!! I loved it there, my favorite resort so far.

 

[Allison]

I always get us checked in early at the second resort.

 

[Deborah_Mary]

what is the best strategy? I am switching from the All-Star Family Suites to the BWV. I am planning on going to EPCOT that day with the family. Should I walk to BWV early in the day and check in to get the best choice of rooms or should I just wait until 4 pm and bring the whole family with me? What are the chances that we will be able to check in early? If I go early, am I more likely to get my room requests? If anyone can relay their experience in doing a split stay transfer, I'd be grateful!

Thanks,

I say yes, you should just go ahead and check in early at BWV since you never know, your room just might be ready and if not, at least you'll know where it will be for when you return. Only one time was our room NOT ready, but that was because they had assigned us a king room which was really OK but we figured dd would be more comfortable in a bed verses the pull out couch. So we had to wait for the room.

This was our experience:

My family and I did our first split stay last year between AKL/Poly and what we did was pack our stuff up (we drove our own car) and transferred over to Poly to check in. We were probably there by about 11am and we were able to get the longhouse I was hoping for (Tokelau) and our room was already ready - it was great! So we dropped off the luggage and away we went.

This year we are staying at BWI and CR and our plan (for when we switch over to CR) is to get their early (even though we just booked a standard view/wing room/non smoking this year) and then go off to FW for lunch at Trails End and then hit the pony rides for the kids. That way if our room is or isn't ready when we get there we'll stop back by when we are finished at FW to see if it is.

Hope this helps!!

Deb*

 

[Cmbar]

I would hop in the car or take a taxi over to BWV in the morning and check in. You can drop your luggage if your room is not ready and they will give you your card keys and a number to call to see what your room number will be once it is ready. Then you can hop the boat or walk over to Epcot. If you have a free day for a "switch day" the Boardwalk pool is lovely and they have towels and places to change into your bathing suits. We usually do this, but since you are staying at BWV you can easily hop over to Epcot. I would get checked in though, to get your best hope of a what your requested.

 

[golden1]

Thanks everyone!

I think my plan is this: I will pack up our luggage the night before except for what we will need for the next day and arrange to have it delivered to BWV. From what I've read, you just have to go to the desk the night before and arrange for a luggage transfer. Since I am going to EPCOT the day of the switch anyway, around 11am I will split off from my family and walk over to the BWV and check everyone in. The kids and DH can walk with me and tour WS while I check in. If I get our room, great, I'll call the family and have them come to the room for a mid-day break. If not, I'll meet back up with them and tour EPCOT and get into our room when we get tired. I'd rather not deal with our luggage or taxis if we don't have to and I'd rather have WDW take care of it.

 

[Allison]

Thanks everyone!

I think my plan is this: I will pack up our luggage the night before except for what we will need for the next day and arrange to have it delivered to BWV. From what I've read, you just have to go to the desk the night before and arrange for a luggage transfer. Since I am going to EPCOT the day of the switch anyway, around 11am I will split off from my family and walk over to the BWV and check everyone in. The kids and DH can walk with me and tour WS while I check in. If I get our room, great, I'll call the family and have them come to the room for a mid-day break. If not, I'll meet back up with them and tour EPCOT and get into our room when we get tired. I'd rather not deal with our luggage or taxis if we don't have to and I'd rather have WDW take care of it.

Sounds like the perfect way to do it.