Considering a split stay... help!

[The Hill Family]

We have already booked a trip for 8/19-8/24 at the WL. We are now thinking that 5 nights just isn't going to cut it AT ALL. We are considering adding 3 nights and splitting our stay between the WL and a moderate resort (most likely CBR or CSR). We have never split our stay before and my husband is thinking that it is going to be nothing short of a huge hassle with our 2 kids. I'm thinking that it couldn't possibly be that huge of a hassle when I've read of so many DISers doing it. His main concern is transportation from one resort to another with 8 nights worth of luggage (and the other things that you have to drag along when you have kids). Can anyone share their experiences with me?! I'd appreciate it because I am REALLY hoping to convince him that it isn't a huge hassle and, if it is, it's worth it. Do the resorts assist in transferring to another resort? Fill me in, please!!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Deborah_Mary]

My family and I split our stay for the first time last year and LOVED it! We stayed for 9 nights (4 at AKL and 5 at Poly) and are hoping to be able to do a split stay this year when we go.

As for actually transfering to the second resort... we did not utilize Disney to move our luggage, we decided to just move it ourselves and at our own pace since we did have our vehicle with us (we drive down). We just packed up our stuff, got it loaded off and drove to the next resort and checked in. It did take away some time we would've spent in the park, but we were there for awhile and it was a nice change of pace for us.

If you wanted the resort to move your luggage to your new resort upon checking out, that can be done easily. Leave your luggage/belongings with bell services and they will have it moved so when you go back to your new resort and check in your luggage will be waiting for you. Even if you go to the park and come back hours later, it'll be waiting there. We may try this year.

As a side note, we are considering splitting our stay between CSR and WL! Those 2 are high on our list along with CR and YC! I also noticed you have 2 princesses... us too! Ours are 7 & 2.

Hope whatever you decide, hope you have a magical trip!

Deb*

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We're also doing a split WDW stay for the first time - 7 nights at CBR and 4 nights at the Poly. It's my understanding that WDW will move your luggage for you. I'm just going to pack a small bag with the kids bathing suits, check in at the Poly, then go to MK. When we come back in the afternoon if our room isn't ready yet the kids can go swimming.

 

[Avivasmom]

We stayed in POR for 2 nights and then went to AKL for another 2 nights and was very easy to do. We enjoyed both hotels. Aviva keeps asking to go back to AKL!!!

 

[The Hill Family]

Thanks so much for the info! That makes me feel so much better and I'm sure that my husband will go for it now as well.

Deb: When are you planning your trip? We've never stayed at CSR or CBR before so I'm excited to try a different resort for a few days. I love having two princesses - mine are 7 (soon to be 8 - in May) and 20 months. They love Disney! I always smile when people ask if my youngest is "old enough" to go to Disney - good grief YES! She loves it!

Avivasmom: We really like AKL a lot too! My husband prefers WL only because he likes the location better - but I love them both!

DisneyMomx7: Thanks! I hope the split stay works out for you - I'm looking forward to it!

OK - off to finalize my plans. Now I need to figure out if I want to add 3 or 4 nights. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks again!

 

[Skwinkles]

We did a split stay in January btw Old Key West and Wilderness Lodge. On the day we were checking out of OKW, we called Bell Services and had them come pick up our luggage for a transfer to WL. Then we hit the parks. Later in the day we went and checked into WL. We got to the room and called Bell Services and they brought our bags up to us. It couldn't have been easier. Hope this helps!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

We're planning a split stay for the first time, too!

Right now we're booked at POR:RS for the first 5 nights (6/30-7/5) and AKL for the next 3 nights (7/5-7/8). If the Pixie Dust kicks in and AP codes are released, we're hoping to switch to WL for the first 5. We were a bit worried about the hassle of switching resorts, and spending half a day checking out, moving luggage, and checking back in. Especially because my DS has Asperger's Syndrome (an Autism Spectrum Disorder) and doesn't do well with long waits, changes to his schedule, and the dreaded "unexpected."

I've gone back and forth about just switching to AKL for the length of stay if/when the codes are released. (We'd stayed there for 11 days on our last visit.) Thankfully, the great members on this board filled me in on bell services taking care of your luggage if you want to go off to the parks and check in to the second resort later in the day.

It sounds like it *should* go pretty smoothly...Now the hardest decision is which resort to choose!

 

[MICKEEP]

We split between AKL and CSR back in december. Real smooth ....no problems. One suggestion....always do the moderate before doing the deluxe. The moderates can be a real let down after staying at a deluxe.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We have our first split stay planned for October. We're spending the first 3 nights at CSR, and then moving to BCV for 6 nights. Right now, we're planning to drive, so we'll move ourselves. But, if by some chance a great flight rate comes out, it sounds like Disney bell services do a great job moving luggage from one resort to another.

 

[johnvree]

We always split our stay. We usually check out of the first resort early, around 9'ish. Then we go have breakfast. We drive over to the second resort and check in around 11:00. There will be very few people there since check in is not until 3:00. Plus, if you don't like your room, you are more likely to be able to change it at 11:00 in the morning than later in the day.
Here are some thoughts:

1. Let Disney move your luggage. The process is flawless. We always have our own car, but still ask the resort to transfer it.

2. Think about making your transfer day a down day. Usually, we spend this day exploring the resort and swimming. Then we go to a park late in the afternoon to hit a few attractions, grab dinner and catch a parade or fireworks.

3. Do the moderate first. If you do, the deluxe will seem even bigger. If you do the reverse, the moderate will seem even smaller than it is.

Have fun. We will be there the same time as you. We are splitting our stay between the YC and the Poly.

 

[cobbler]

I will probably be the minority but I did not like the split stay. We did 4 nights at POP and 5 at Sports. It wasn't a major hassle because we drove down so we had our own vehicle, but I just never felt quite settled in.

It was in the back of my mind that in a few days we would have to pack up and move. I also wasn't a fan of checking out and checking back in again.

I planned it for our non park day because I figured it would be time consuming. It wasn't but we would have wasted a lot of park time.

It just wasn't for us.

 

[mamalle]

thanks for the tips. I added on two nights at the wilderness lodge and was worried it would be a hassle. Im sending dh off to go bass fishing in the morning and figured I would meet him over there after. Im going to use disney bell service and just drive over and check in with the kids. Then we will go and hang out by the pool for the morning. I figured it would be easier this way than plan a day at a park or such..