3 way split stay?

[amberjean15]

We are taking our five kids (ages 11,8,6,5,4,2) we rented DVC points for a 2 bedroom at AKL August 23-30, but then found much better deal on airfare if we arrive the 22 and leave the 31st so we're thinking about staying the first night at AoA then moving over to AKL then the last night moving to another value resort. We've never done a split stay is it just crazy?

Also we are celebrating the adoption of the 11 & 6 year old (hopefully it will be completed the day before we arrive!) we have lots of character meals & BBB reservations. Any other cool ideas?

 

[minnie mum]

The only problems I for see:
1. The logistics of moving all of your luggage from one resort to another. Twice. Luggage services will do it for you, but you won't have it until at least 4:00 pm. So you would need to keep everything you need for the day with you. OR you could move your luggage yourself in the morning with a taxi van and have luggage services store it until you can get into your suite/villa/rooms.

2. Afternoon naps on the move days. With children as young as some of yours, I assume the youngest still need an afternoon nap. No guarantee you will get into any of these rooms before 4.

 

[Masonmj84]

We're big fans of split stays (once stayed at 5 different resorts on the same trip) but they're not for everyone.

We do it mostly to take advantage of the locations of the deluxe resorts. Along those lines, we find split stays to be a net convenience as we plan our trips such that, on a given day, we're always close to the park we plan to visit as well as our ADRs.

The biggest hassle, IMO, is having to pack and unpack. But, to us, this isn't a big deal as we never really unpack our suitcases on vacation.

Some people claim that you "lose a day" when transferring between resorts. I disagree. We just treat our resort transfer days like any other day (check bags with bell services, go to a park, and then check into the new resort and ask for bell services to bring our bags to the room).

The other fun part is being able to experience more than one resort on the same vacation. It's like having multiple vacations in one.

 

[busymommy2pink]

We are doing this!!! Our flight is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper the day before we are booked at GF, however it makes no sense to book one more night at GF because that'll just cost more than we are saving! So we booked one night at AoA Little Mermaid room. We will arrive at lunch timeish..and plan on swimming and just hanging out. I will have all our needs for that night/next morning in one small carryon bag. Making luggage transfer VERY easy. We will ask Bell Services to please transfer our bags. Upon checking in at GF, we will be ready for the day and have our park tickets..so we are heading over to MK. Dinner is at our resort that night, so we will head back near dinner, at which point our room should be ready! Then...we decided to add two nights of BC since our girls were a little sad about missing their pool (BC is our home resort..first time at GF). This part is a surprise. Again, we will ask bell services to please transfer. Then we will do our traditional saying goodbye to Disney...where we start at MK and watch (and leave right after) the parade, then monorail over to Epcot and do our last favorites there. But instead of heading to the airport, we will walk out the back of World Showcase to BC and say surprise!!! I'm extremely excited!!!

I don't think the logistics will be too difficult. Just pack so that your needs for those short stays are in a small carry on. Then there's no need to worry about opening the larger luggage and riffling through them.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

We are taking our five kids (ages 11,8,6,5,4,2) we rented DVC points for a 2 bedroom at AKL August 23-30, but then found much better deal on airfare if we arrive the 22 and leave the 31st so we're thinking about staying the first night at AoA then moving over to AKL then the last night moving to another value resort. We've never done a split stay is it just crazy?

Also we are celebrating the adoption of the 11 & 6 year old (hopefully it will be completed the day before we arrive!) we have lots of character meals & BBB reservations. Any other cool ideas?

It's doable the way you are doing it. For the first night just have once suitcase with what you will need for the day. After the AKL stay do the same for the last night at a value.
I did similar with myself, husband, three kids and an eldery uncle. It worked fine with some planning. Also try packing cubes from ebags.com The cubes make packing and unpacking so easy.

 

[nkereina]

What times would you be arriving and leaving? Many people will stay at the Hyatt at the airport, or one of the other hotels near the airport, for convenience. If you're arriving late, you can crash there and get on DME in the morning to AKL. Similarly, if your flight out is early in the morning, you can take DME to the airport late the night before and crash at the airport hotel. Saves you from getting up extra easly as well, since DME will pick you up 3 hours before your flight time. You can take DME on any days, doesn't have to be the same days as your flights.

 

[Amanda999]

I hate split stays with my kids, but I would definitely do what you propose: just 1 night before/after a longer stay, IF it saved $$$ (and if I really liked where we'd be staying for the long portion of time - and just could not swing staying there for the day prior/after for whatever reason). But remember to add in additional car rental cost? (Even 1 day can add a ton if that 1 day has little availability, I recently learned.)

I would desperately want everything needed for the 1st night (and until you check into the 2nd resort) in my carry-ons (bathing suit, toiletries, as little clothing as really necessary, etc.). Then, in reverse, pack up (before heading to resort #3) as if you are leaving for the airport. Just have your carry-ons containing all you need for the last 24 hours/last resort.

Hope that makes sense. This way you really only do a big unpack and pack once each. Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[amberjean15]

Thank you! I didn't even think of packing that way but it sounds a lot easier!