Debating Riviera/Boulder Ridge Split Stay or Kidani

[LadyNia]

Hello All! My original plan was to switch to a one bedroom resort view at the Boardwalk at the 7 month mark but that may not happen due to availability. Now I am debating a split stay in which we would stay at a Riviera studio at the beginning of our stay and then move into a one bedroom at Boulder Ridge. Alternatively, could also stay in a standard view one bedroom at Kidani for our whole stay. We are doing a ten night trip and would really like to end up in a one bedroom for laundry purposes.
Would love to hear thoughts about either of these options. We will be traveling with our 5 year old.
Also, any tips for unpacking/repacking when doing a split stay because we've never done one.

 

[eticketplease]

Hello All! My original plan was to switch to a one bedroom resort view at the Boardwalk at the 7 month mark but that may not happen due to availability. Now I am debating a split stay in which we would stay at a Riviera studio at the beginning of our stay and then move into a one bedroom at Boulder Ridge. Alternatively, could also stay in a standard view one bedroom at Kidani for our whole stay. We are doing a ten night trip and would really like to end up in a one bedroom for laundry purposes.
Would love to hear thoughts about either of these options. We will be traveling with our 5 year old.
Also, any tips for unpacking/repacking when doing a split stay because we've never done one.

Were you switching to 1 BR at BWV for the entire trip?

I could see the split stay working out if you will concentrate on HS/Epcot when staying at RIV and then MK when switching to BRV (Not sure if you are still using a stroller but you can push it onto the boat and not have to fold it up).

I would certainly try to do length of stay in a 1 BR with no packing and can toss something in the wash before leaving and switch it when coming back to do the pool/break time.

I would do the 1 BR at BWV if you can since you have access to 2 parks but if busses are not an issue I personally would do AKL Kidani so I would have the extra bathroom with a more manageable tub for bathing the 5 year old then the soaker/jetted tubs that are in the 1 bedrooms

 

[hockeydad21]

My vote would be the RIV and BRV option. I might feel differently if you were doing a Savanah view 1br at AKL, but if it's a standard view then definitely go for RIV and BRV.

 

[DeeCee735]

With a split stay, consider making check out/check in day a non park day so that you could be in the next resort (and get unpacking as soon as luggage arrives) no later than 4:00 pm, check in time. Also, you aren't cutting a park day short and you get to enjoy each resort for as long as possible. What worked for us a few times was taking our time getting ready in the morning, check out at check out time, and leave the luggage with bell services to have it transferred. We would book a lunch reservation outside the parks, or Disney Springs or do something different, like resort hop. With the 5 year old, there's mini golf or a movie at DS AMC. Anyway, that is just my take on it. Enjoy the vacation!

Dee

 

[stevelle]

I love a split stay, but remember the rooms and the luggage aren't always ready exactly on time so we tend to aim for a long park day on moving day so we aren't left waiting at the resort for the room to be ready or the luggage to arrive. This year you could use the free water park day on moving day, as it is a check in day. (Have not done this myself, but have heard it is the case.)

 

[Sandisw]

I also vote RIV and BRV! We split stay all the time. When I pack, I pack for each stay so I unload just one bag and then as we use things, we put them back into the suitcase to make packing easier

We also make the split day a sleep in morning and don’t leave until close to 11 am check out. Then we do a sit down meal at Disney Springs and shop or other things.

By the time we are done with that, it’s afternoon and most often are room at the new resort is ready.

We have done a water park too after checking out.

Of course, there are even times when I double book a room…for the night so we are not homeless…I do this only when we are in a studio first.

 

[LadyNia]

Thanks for all the replies. Decided to do the split stay! On our resort switch day we’re planning to spend the day at the Kennedy Space Center. 5 year old is really into space and that’ll keep us from being homeless for the day. Really excited to go home to Riviera, which we love, and spend some time at BRV which we’ve wanted to try. Thanks for all the tips, will definitely try to pack separately for each stay.

 

[Skywalker3]

Hope you have a great trip!! I love split stays, especially if one is convenient to Epcot (like RIV will be for y'all.) Stayed for the first time at WL this past year, and it was so wonderful. LOVED the resort.
One of these days, we'll get out to the Space Center. Keep meaning to.

 

[Shellyred8]

Another thing to think about for your move day is the free waterpark day that you get on your move day. So, if something falls thru with Kennedy Space Center, you have the waterpark option to fall back on.