Do You Find Yourselves DVC Resort Hopping?

[mom2cobysyd]

For those that have done a split stay, do you get to use the facilities of the resort you are switching to as soon as you have checked out of your first resort? We have never done a split stay (even as non-DVC) and with all of the information in the responses here, it makes me really want to try it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

For those that have done a split stay, do you get to use the facilities of the resort you are switching to as soon as you have checked out of your first resort? We have never done a split stay (even as non-DVC) and with all of the information in the responses here, it makes me really want to try it.

You have whatever privileges, like using Storm along Bay, from the beginning of the first day you book to midnight of the day you leave. That included the Concierge lounge at AKV as well.

I don't know what facilities at SSR at the spa we can still use, but DSis was able to use that throughout her last day last year, even after checkout.

Bobbi

 

[eporter66]

As you can see from my signature, we like to try the different resorts. So far, my strategy every year has been to book our home resort at the 11 month window (SSR). Then, I have called at the 7 mth window and tried to switch. We stayed at SSR our first two trips and since have been to OKW, BWV's and AKV.

I love SSR, but really enjoy trying new places. We were very impressed with AKV on our last trip, loved BWV's for the location and the Boardwalk at night was a lot of fun.

I cant say anything bad about any of the ones we have stayed at.

 

[hlyntunstl]

I've been a member since 2004 and am just starting my efforts to stay at every resort. So far, I've been to SSR, VWL and BWV. Add in AKL if you can count a Disney Collection stay before DVC was added on. So far, the only one I didn't really love was BWV (the room and scary "Can't sleep, clown will eat me" pool not the location) but I'll probably give it another try after the renovations have been completed and I hit all other resorts.

When I realized that I wasn't using my DVC to it's fullest by not at least trying the other resorts (I am always happy with SSR), I made it a point of switching up. It's a benefit of your membership so, if you're interested, give it a try.

 

[kaffinito]

We've only had one trip as official members, a split stay at SSR and our home resort at BLT. I liked SSR a lot more than BLT, and won't feel any guilt over staying there on trips with DH. We'll be back at BLT this summer, and will eventually get to try out the other DVC resorts. I like the fact that there is a lot of variety to choose from!

 

[Anal Annie]

We always resort hop. Not so interested in split stays but we always stay somewhere different each trip. We're trying to run thru all of them before we start repeating. I am dying to go back to VWL but we still have to try HHI, BWV & BLT. Thinking of doing a split for these last 2 resorts as we stay in studios and are not convinced we can "deal with" a full week in the BLT studios 'cuz they are so point intensive & small plus designed dysfunctionally with the bathroom sink in the ktichenette area.

But this way each trip is different from the last. We think that's important when you go 2 or 3 times a year to keep from getting "Disney'd out". Love that we have this option and do not feel loyalty to one resort over another. After all, the ability to stay in different places is one reason to buy a timeshare.

 

[dvcdisney]

We love to resort hop. In fact we have done split stays every trip.

Our trip in May we are staying at BCV for the whole trip. I think it will be nice to not have to pack up and move, but I wonder if we will get bored being in the same place for ten days.

We have stayed at BCV for 14 nights for most of our stays there and we were NEVER bored once. As a matter of fact, I wish we could stay longer.

However, you mentioned that you do split stays on every trip, so I think you may need to get used to it. (We're the opposite, we'd prefer to stay at one resort for the whole 2 weeks and if we wanted to stay at another one, we would book it for the next vacation. We had to do a split stay (since plans had to change) this past trip, I couldn't stand packing and unpacking again.) But BCV is the best resort to try it out. There is always something to do. My family can spend days at the SAB. Actually, my husband and 2 children have often told me that they would substitute a day at Typhoon or BB for a whole day at SAB .

 

[mom2cobysyd]

If you do a split stay- what do you do with your refrigerated groceries? Do you pack them all in 1 suitcase and have bell services put the whole thing in the walk in refrigerator? This would be my biggest concern about packing up and moving.

 

[dizzneebabe]

I love the freedom to do either! Feel guilty? No way, even though I LOVE our home resorts (or at least, I EXPECT to love BLT).

Each one offers something special.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you do a split stay- what do you do with your refrigerated groceries? Do you pack them all in 1 suitcase and have bell services put the whole thing in the walk in refrigerator? This would be my biggest concern about packing up and moving.

Once the vehicle leaves your first resort, you have no idea how long it is going to take to get your stuff to the next resort. So frozen items may thaw and refrigerated items may get warm. You either need to provide a cooler of your own or move those items yourself.

 

[helloconnie]

We are new DVCer's and my first trip in February will be to AKV. We own at BLT. That trip is scheduled for May.

I love the idea of visiting all the resports. It's a GOAL!

 

[DenLo]

Once the vehicle leaves your first resort, you have no idea how long it is going to take to get your stuff to the next resort. So frozen items may thaw and refrigerated items may get warm. You either need to provide a cooler of your own or move those items yourself.

Just like bringing groceries home in the hot weather here in Texas.

However, I have seen many posts here on the DIS stating that all of their groceries were transferred just fine and kept refrigerated or frozen properly.

It's a good question as to how to pack them. I would think it wouldn't be necessary to pack them into a suitcase (I have visions of everything being flipped around in luggage), but on second thought not sure how the resort would handle shopping bags. Perhaps if you use those recyclable Disney bags?

 

[realfam]

We always resort hop. We generally book into 2 resorts per vacation with a switch at the half way point. We find it makes our holiday feel longer and since all the resorts are so different. It gives a completely different experience switching.