BLT Split Stay / Trip Advice

[Aulani2021]

Hi Everyone! I'm booking our first DVC stay and our first trip to Disney World EVER in a month. We'll be 2 parents, 2 kids (4 and 6 yo girls), 2 grandparents going in October. We'll be arriving on Saturday night and stay in an airport hotel before heading to DW on Sunday. Looking for suggestions on Plan A vs. Plan B and if you have any other advice? Thanks!

Plan A:
Sunday: BLT / Magic Kingdom afternoon (Genie+ bookings for afternoon stack)
Monday: BLT / Epcot
Tuesday: BLT / Magic Kingdom
Wednesday: Transfer to Animal Kingdom Kidani Savannah / Pool Day
Thursday: AKL / HS
Friday: AKL / AK
Saturday: Leave

Plan B:
Sunday: BLT / Magic Kingdom afternoon (Genie+ bookings for afternoon stack)
Monday: BLT / AK
Tuesday: BLT / Magic Kingdom
Wednesday: Transfer to Beach Club / Pool Day
Thursday: BC / Epcot
Friday: BC / HS

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Are you absolutely dead set on a split stay? I personally don't like them, especially with young children, unless your trip was something like 10+ days. I don't fully understand the psychology of it, but for some reason two 3-night stays feels a heck of a lot shorter than one 6-night stay.

Also, are you big monorail fans? I know it's tempting to do Epcot during the BLT stretch of your trip, but Contemporary to Epcot by monorail is a much longer trip than Animal Kingdom Lodge to Epcot by bus. Even if you go with BLT/AKL rather than BLT/BCV, I'd move Epcot off of the BLT half and onto the AKV half.

 

[Aulani2021]

Yes, set on the split stay. Our top picks are either booked or too expensive so a split stay is what is left.

Good advice on the Epcot Monorail, Thanks!

 

[Nappy1380]

Wow are our first experiences quite similar! Our first DVC stay was with kids of the same age and at the same resorts your have planned for trip A. The first half of our trip was great as we took the same approach with MK days while at BLT. The real killer was the second half and taking the bus to go literally anywhere. It was quite a drag on the trip. We learned how much of a drag on our second split stay.

Our second split stay was similar to your plan B, except we stayed at BWV/VGF. I can not stress enough how much more enjoyable this was. Being able to very quickly get back to your resort and not have to worry about buses is priceless. The ability to get back for a quick nap or just to relax mid day and reset the mood when the kids just aren't feeling it or the parks are mobbed just can't be beat.

I'd also look into planning your days based on the extra magic hours. While it's late for kids that age, the ability to have that stress free time at night and being able to relax at the resort is also a huge benefit.

Another thing to think about is swapping your pool and AK days. AK is closed early as it is and would limit your bus time to that one day, to AK and then to BC.

Based on first hand experience with kids of the same age, I'd go with plan B every single time for split stays.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Assuming things stay the same, if you keep your Epcot day the Monday you should have evening magic hours for deluxe hotels. We did that a few times in October then January, and it was really nice with low wait times. Not sure if the kids and grandparents can go that late...but if so I'd stay with Monday for you Epcot day.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I vote for Plan B. I’m personally doing a MK / Epcot area split stay myself next month.
Nothing against AKL, the resort is fabulous and the food options are the best at disney imo but if you’re planning to hit the parks with kids and grandparents, then easy and quick transportation is key. Nothing beats being able to push a stroller and walk to parks! (We have a 6 yo.)
Just keep an eye out at SAB, it’s a big pool and not the most young kid friendly.

 

[DisWeaver]

Plan B. Walking distance to three parks. I did the same stay last week but did 2bw 2bc and 3blt. The family enjoyed the change in scenery throughout the stay.

 

[js]

I know you said your top picks are booked or too expensive, so are you renting the points? Not sure if BC will be available for October.

Personally, I think moving six people and being homeless for a day and living out of suitcases isnt my idea of fun for three nights at each place, especially each day is at a park, other than your one pool day.

Have you considered OKW or SSR? I would rather unpack, get some food delivered and have a home base for six nights, especially with grandparents than three and three. For me, it would seem like a very quick vacation.

But to each their own. If I had to chose, I would do most certainly Chose Option B.

 

[Aulani2021]

I know you said your top picks are booked or too expensive, so are you renting the points? Not sure if BC will be available for October.

Personally, I think moving six people and being homeless for a day and living out of suitcases isnt my idea of fun for three nights at each place, especially each day is at a park, other than your one pool day.

Have you considered OKW or SSR? I would rather unpack, get some food delivered and have a home base for six nights, especially with grandparents than three and three. For me, it would seem like a very quick vacation.

But to each their own. If I had to chose, I would do most certainly Chose Option B.

Certainly not out of the running. Curious if you stayed at one place would you recommend OKW, SSR, or AKL kidani (Savannah)?

 

[SLThomas318]

Plan B… we almost always do a split stay and try for a MK resort and then an Epcot resort or AK. We plan park days around the park closest to the resort and try to avoid buses. With plan B you only have to bus to AK and you have to do that no matter where you stay. Def prefer an Epcot resort since you’ll have easy access to 2 parks.

We did a copper creek/beach club split after Thanksgiving and I had booked a cabana for our changeover day so we could be comfy by the pool waiting for our room. We ended up canceling the cabana because it was sooo cold and did Disney Springs instead. We still enjoyed the pool, but not long enough to justify the cabana cost with as cold as it was. Just an idea if you want a “base” while waiting for the new room.

I agree with the above post… the pool is really awesome, but really spread out… lazy river has some really deep areas. You also have to exit the pool area to access the large slide. We have a 5 and 7 year old who loved it, but we didn’t get much relaxing pool time for ourselves since we had to stay with them. The sandy area is nice and we could sit back and watch from the chair, but then they kept wanting to do the slide

 

[js]

Certainly not out of the running. Curious if you stayed at one place would you recommend OKW, SSR, or AKL kidani (Savannah)?

I've stayed at OKW and SSR. AKL and RIV are the only two that I haven't yet stayed.

Anyway, what are you trying to book? Studio(s), 1-2 bedrooms?

You can get a three bedroom at SSR in the THVs for less points than a GV.

I love both SSR and OKW. SSR (my home resort) just had a major refurb and the furnishings are really beautiful IMO.
You can walk to/from DTD without any problems and never had a problem with busses.

OKW rooms are the largest I believe so that is a plus. You can take the boat to/from DTD, which is also nice.
Again, never a problem with buses and love the vibe there.

It is really a personal decision, but my first choice would be not moving and then my second choice after that would be what resort, exactly in that order and I don't believe you will get BC without a WL or constant stalking for many months leading up to October.

Good luck!

 

[RoseGold]

You aren't going to be able to book BC in October unless you own there.

I love the split stay generally and Plan B is my ideal Disney plan.