BWI for 4 nights or BWI/POFQ split stay for 5 nights?

[Erica Ladd]

We can stay in December for 4 nights at BWI - but we can do a split stay at BWI then 3 nights at POFQ (total of 5 nights) for $100 less. DDP included in both 4 or 5 night trips

 

[DWillowBay]

To my mind, more is better in this case. One more day to enjoy??? You bet! Have a great trip!

 

[JenBush]

I agree with DWillowBay, I would go for the longer split stay. Plus a split stay let’s you enjoy two resorts and their Christmas decorations

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You save money AND get extra time?!! I vote for the split!

 

[starry_solo]

For that short of a stay (one night difference), I would go with the 4 nights at BWI. If it was 2 or 3 more nights, ok. But to move from a deluxe to a moderate and then have to deal with the luggage would be more trouble (to me) than it's worth.

 

[Sue M]

2 nights BWI? Then 3 Pofq? I’d skip BWI and stay at POFQ for longer. Maybe 6 or 7 days?
Are you getting free dining? If not and you’re paying for it, this is just my opinion but I’d skip DDP and put some cash on a gift card to use for dining only. We used to get the DDP all the time. Then we decided to go without, ate what we wanted and cost was less than DDP.

 

[Erica Ladd]

The kids will be with us for the first two nights then it will be just DH and I. Kids love BWI. We have DDP for both parts but I’m debating dropping it for the adult portion of our stay...

 

[Eeyore daily]

For one night difference I would just stick with staying at the Boardwalk for the four nights.

 

[The WDW 3]

What’s the question?

 

[Erica Ladd]

Thread title

 

[nkereina]

Agree with PPs - I would definitely go for longer. Cheaper is a bonus. Its always recommended to do the lower level resort first and end with the deluxe resort. This gives you something to look forward to, and there's no disappointment or letdown by moving to the "lesser" resort.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

A split stay is a bit of a hassle, particularly if you've got young kids, a large group, or anyone in the group with a less than go with the flow attitude. For a short 5-night trip, the split isn't worth it imo unless you have a pressing desire to stay at both resorts for their own sake, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

In your position, I'd try to find a resort that I would enjoy and where I could comfortably afford to stay all five nights. Maybe a standard view room at AKL, which is cheaper than Boardwalk yet still deluxe?

 

[Erica Ladd]

The kids are older and like to split up and do their own thing some so having access to 2 parks within walking or boating distance is key for them. They will leave afternoon on day 3 do a split stay would only involve dh And I. We don’t mind ubering places but I can’t justify another night at BWI- unless maybe I play around with the dining plan. I’m gonna need a spreadsheet to figure it out.
ETA- I am comfortable with kids flying home together but don’t trust them arriving alone - to many ifs

 

[Sue M]

The kids are older and like to split up and do their own thing some so having access to 2 parks within walking or boating distance is key for them. They will leave afternoon on day 3 do a split stay would only involve dh And I. We don’t mind ubering places but I can’t justify another night at BWI- unless maybe I play around with the dining plan. I’m gonna need a spreadsheet to figure it out.
ETA- I am comfortable with kids flying home together but don’t trust them arriving alone - to many ifs

How old are they? With the DME from MCO to the resort I always felt it was safe. Depending on age of course.

 

[Erica Ladd]

19,15,12

DS19 took DME last summer when he left WDW two nights early and he was just fine.

 

[Erica Ladd]

Follow up - if they arrived after us can I still book their FP when the first reservation day opens? Or would I have to split them up? Everything would be attached to my MDE

 

[nkereina]

Follow up - if they arrived after us can I still book their FP when the first reservation day opens? Or would I have to split them up? Everything would be attached to my MDE

Will they be listed on your reservation or do you plan to add them when you check in? If they are on your reservation and will be even for nights they aren't there, you can make FPs for them at the 60 day mark assuming each of them have tickets linked in MDE.

However, if you are listing all of them on your reservation and have two other adults in the room as well, the 19 year old will incur an extra person charge for each night including the nights they aren't there. Any adult 18+ on a reservation after the first two adult incurs these charges in non-DVC rooms. This is why some people choose to add at check-in for only the nights they will be present. But if you do that, then I do not believe you'd be able to make their FPs at 60 days out.

 

[Erica Ladd]

We have two reservations one with all of us and one with just dh and I. So like a split stay but at the same resort - hoping they don’t make us switch rooms!!

ETA - I am the head of both reservations

 

[nkereina]

We have two reservations one with all of us and one with just dh and I. So like a split stay but at the same resort - hoping they don’t make us switch rooms!!

ETA - I am the head of both reservations

Make sure you call to have it noted that you have a continuing reservation. When you arrive at the resort, they should be able to tell you if you will remain in the same room or not. If you will, then you call from your room the morning your second reservation begins to formally "check-in"/activate it.

I presume since your kids are arriving late that they are only the second reservation? In that case, its my understanding you would be able to book FPs for them 60 days out from the check-in date of your second reservation. And the 19 year old would incur the additional person charges only for the duration of the second reservation.