Disney Vacation Club resort split stays are now a little more difficult due to a policy change regarding trasportation of guest belongings.
Many DVC owners have grown to appreciate split stays--spending a portion of their vacation at two or more different resorts. That may include a stay at Disney's Beach Club Villas for the easy access to EPCOT follwed by several days in the Magic Kingdom area. Or perhaps starting with the savanna of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, then a visit to Disney's Riviera Resort for Skyliner access to two theme parks.
These trips were made via free transfer of guests' luggage and other belongings between any two Disney resorts. Bell Services would collect items from one resort and several hours later they would arrive at the second destination.
However, a recent policy change now requires guests to transport their own food and other perishables from one resort to the other.
In a post dated July 17, website PlanDisney.com described the current luggage transfer guidelines. Initially, the reply on this official Disney travel planning resource confirmed that complimentary luggage transfers are still offered:
"Calli, I’m happy to tell you Bell Services is currently slated to continue offering luggage transportation between your Disney Resorts Collection hotels during your visit this November! Usually, the luggage being transferred needs to be given to Bell Services before noon, so keep that in mind when planning on transferring your things."
Later in the response, PlanDisney stated that transfer of perishable items is the responsibility of the resort guest:
"Bell Services cannot transfer perishable items, so those will need to also go with you."
The news was confirmed by Steve "Tikiman" Seifert whose sources at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort indicate that the new policy went into effect as of Friday, July 23, 2021.
The Q&A response does not explicitly confirm whether or not non-perishable food items will be transferred. Some guests may have the option of stowing items in their luggage prior to the transfer. However, the assumption should be that refrigerated and frozen items and perishable medications cannot be handled by Disney Cast Members.
Guests may use a rental car, Uber or other trnasportation to relocate such items and request storage with Bell Services at the destination resort.
Thanks to Denise for the tip!
