Do you book split stays

[disprincess2213]

We are yet to do a NON split stay stay! We always do it! We usually do Epcot resort for EP and DHS, MK resort for MK days, and OKW for relaxing and downtown disney time! We just love getting a sample of all the unique resorts and what they have to offer. We never mind being "homeless" for the couple of hours between check out and check in. We pack smart- we pack different suitcases for different stays so that we stay organized! We just love our DVC!

 

[jo-jo]

For all the comments about packing and unpacking......for those who use studios, do you ever just live out of suitcases? It seems with the drop down bed being installed everywhere, there is very little storage left. I haven't been in a room yet with the new format, so I'm curious.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

I prefer to settle in when I arrive and not have to move.
I had 2 split stay's but only 1 that couldn't be avoided.
I stayed at OKW 1 night before moving to BLT just because I didn't have quite enough points for the whole 10 days. This is the one that couldn't be avoided.
The other split stay was because I left AKV for a 4 day cruise and then stayed at BLT when I returned for a day.

 

[cbnsoul]

I'm pretty sure the only time we haven't booked a split stay is for really short trips (3 days or less). We love staying at different resorts and moving from one park area to the next, thereby also decreasing the need for the busses.

 

[Tunseeker1]

I prefer to settle in when I arrive and not have to move.
I had 2 split stay's but only 1 that couldn't be avoided.
I stayed at OKW 1 night before moving to BLT just because I didn't have quite enough points for the whole 10 days. This is the one that couldn't be avoided.
The other split stay was because I left AKV for a 4 day cruise and then stayed at BLT when I returned for a day.

I will book a studio for the first night if I am flying in later in the day,then move to a 1 bedroom to save some points. I have also booked a 1 bedroom the last night after a week in studios just to do laundry and relax the last night.

 

[michelleiada]

We have done two split stays. Both times we booked two nights at AKV Jambo and then went to out home, BCV, for 8 nights. We loved trying out Jambo and felt like two nights there was just enough to enjoy that resort. It is a beautiful resort and we love the animals. But, we love our home resort because you can walk to two parks and the Crescent Lake/Epcot resort area has so much to offer without even going to a park. The dining options are unlimited especially if you enjoy World Showcase dining. So yes, we have enjoyed doing split stays but would not do it on a shorter trip. You lose a day in the check out/check in process in my opinion.

 

[TheSpooph]

I'm thinking of a split stay to bring the trip cost down. DS will be a little older than 2 by then and I'm worried about midday naps. He has napped in the stroller in the past but who knows what he'll do next summer.

What time do you get your room typically? I've heard some cases where families didn't have a room until after 5... Which may lead to a tantrum disaster!

What are the typical times I can expect?

 

[Nanajo1]

You should plan on 4pm. If you get in earlier then you are lucky.

 

[AnnaS]

I did not vote. Was not sure which one to vote for. We have done it two/three times within WDW but would rather not. It's only when absolutely necessary/no choice, etc. We do enough split stays when we combine two different locations (WDW/cruise, WDW/Vero, WDW/Hilton Head, etc.).

 

[DVCjj]

For all the comments about packing and unpacking......for those who use studios, do you ever just live out of suitcases? It seems with the drop down bed being installed everywhere, there is very little storage left. I haven't been in a room yet with the new format, so I'm curious.

Love split stays. Yes, always live out of suitcase. I prefer traveling that way anyway. But, my stays are usually not a week long.

 

[DebbieB]

When I go with friends, we frequently do a split stay. It works out well. We use my DVC points for part and one friend who is a cm books nights on cash. Last year we were there around Memorial Day, we did a VGF studio for a few nights and then a WL bunk bed room. Last summer at DL, we did a VGC 1 bedroom for Sunday to Wednesday and then Paradise Pier for Thursday to Saturday (D23 weekend). I travel a lot for work so I'm used to packing and unpacking.

 

[gmi3804]

We did it out of necessity We had to add one split-stay night at the beginning of our trip because our main resort wasn't available when our plans changed. Never got the room ready text from the first resort, and I had to call and talk to the "front desk," and was told the text should've gone out hours ago. Great. We just wasted several hours waiting and got our room assignment too late to get to MK for the evening.

The transfer of bags/Owner's Locker went smoothly, and our MBs worked on the door after we received the online check-in text early-afternoon that our second room was ready.

Our credit card, however, wasn't linked to our second stay even though I checked in online, and we didn't find this out until we tried to charge the first time that evening. Calling the "front desk" at PVR/PVB proved a giant circus, as when I gave them my number, they said they couldn't do it over the phone and we'd have to walk all the way back to the lobby (our room was near the TTC) just because they couldn't figure out how to add the card. After a couple more calls, I got someone who actually knew how to do it (I thought Disney made it easy to take money), totally contradicting the other dumb CMs I'd gotten before.

And this is one of the big reasons why I didn't care for the split stay. While attaching a credit card is/should be an easy thing to take care of with one call, you double the chance of having to interact with a clueless CM at the front desk or on the phone. I have almost zero faith that the online check-in system will work when I utilize it, and dread even more having to talk to a CM to clear up any glitches. They're sure good at saying, "I'm sorry," however. Seems to be the only consistency with CMs property-wide.

 

[kniquy]

We did a split stay for NYE last year only because we were unable to book one continuous stay. I can see both the positives and negatives of doing a split. We liked it because it was exciting to come back from the parks and get to experience a new resort, but it was a hassle to try and have everything packed up bright and early so that we could make it to the parks for rope drop. We also didn't really settle in to our first or second resorts and unpack everything because we knew that in 3 days we would be packing back up. With getting kids up and going in the morning it was a bit of a pain. On the other end - arriving at the new resort our bags were ready and bell services drove us and our bags to our room. That was seamless and we were excited to see our new room and resort. I could totally see doing a split if it was just two adults who are on a more relaxed vacation, but with younger kids it does make it a little more difficult.

 

[kittylady1972]

We've done split stays a few times for various reasons. One year it was because we were booking a 3BR Villa but the rest of the party wasn't arriving until a few days after us and we didn't see using points (esp for a Sat night stay) if we didn't need to, so we did the first night or two in OKW and then moved to the 3BR Villa when the rest of the party arrived...and booked a studio for the other two who couldn't stay with us. It worked out well.

We did our most recent split stay this past July. REALLY wanted to try the Polynesian, but also wanted to be able to do more cooking and eating in the room and save some points. So we booked 3 or 4 nights in a studio at the Poly, which was really nice, great room, LOVED it. We drove from MD so had tons of food and drinks packed, so for the first few nights we stocked our frig AND kept our cooler filled with ice for our other food and drinks because...well SMALL frig. I'll be honest...didn't want to leave the Poly but we moved to a 1BR at Bay Lake Tower which has become a favorite and we had more space for the five of us to spread out a bit plus we could do more cooking there...and we did cook a few meals. Plus we could also do laundry IN the room instead of laundry facilities (after having a shoe stolen out of a dryer, this was a good thing).

Is it our favorite thing to do? Not necessarily. We packed up and moved ourselves because it was just easier and we'd be driving over to BLT anyway and unloading more stuff. Honestly most disappointing was me standing on the curb in front of BLT, tons of bags and coolers and suitcases around me, with bellhops all around and not ONCE did one offer to help. They were helping others, but it would have been nice. At least we have our 3 kids to help with the moving duties so it wasn't too bad overall.

Will we do it again? Probably. Saving the points to be able to take other vacations is always nice.

 

[Hopefully]

Initially I said no.. I am a "nester" , even on short weekend trips to visit grandkids. I unpack & put everything away. I don't feel relaxed until I do.
Then in reading replies I realized we have actually done 3 BCV -Vero splits 5 nights each. Those really were 2 vacations in one
My eye was drawn to the thread as I am struggling with our trip next Fall. I really want to try a Poly Bungalow for 2-3 nights, but I don't really want to split a 7 night trip. Decisions, decisions

 

[apple9117]

We're thinking of doing a split stay as well for our next 7 night trip. hmm...

 

[pinklotusflower]

we've just done one split stay this year as we'd just got our points and couldn't get all the nights we wanted, so we stayed 3 nights at Cabana Bay and did the universal parks then moved to SSR for 11 nights. It made the trip seem much longer and I enjoyed both parts, although it was really nice to be able to unpack and have all the facilities you get in a one bed.

 

[sticker231]

I didn't vote. This will be our first DVC stay and we are doing a split stay. We are going Christmas week and I booked what was available. We are splitting BWV and SSR. Can't wait

 

[lovin'fl]

Need an other option. We have booked split stay a lot. I like them because I like to be near different parks and try to book ADRs and FP+ based on what resort we're at. Or it also feels like a different vacation when we move. But DH and kids hate split stays. Kids hate to have to pack up for the move and DH hates being homeless for 4-5 hours. So, yes we have done split stays but not all of us like to do them. And the last one, in Aug, was tough on me too (AKV night 1...BWV nights 2-8 with 1 night at Universal Royal Pacific during...4 nights at SSR) so I can lay off the splits for awhile and make DH happy. Down the line, though, I will only book 1 split per trip and only if we're at each resort 4 or 5 days.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Don't do split stays. Once we get settled we don't want to become "homeless" even for one day.