DVC/Regular Hotels

[Soccer Princess]

Has anyone split their stay between a DVC resort and a regular resort? The non-DVC resort would be a Deluxe (probably the Polynesian). We would be renting points for the DVC resort and not going through CRO. Would you recommend staying at the DVC or non-DVC resort first? We will be getting the dining plan for the DVC portion of our trip, but obviously not for the deluxe part. Was it easy to switch things over? Were there any problems using Magical Express with the switch? Any recommendations?

 

[The Hill Family]

Has anyone split their stay between a DVC resort and a regular resort? The non-DVC resort would be a Deluxe (probably the Polynesian). We would be renting points for the DVC resort and not going through CRO. Would you recommend staying at the DVC or non-DVC resort first? We will be getting the dining plan for the DVC portion of our trip, but obviously not for the deluxe part. Was it easy to switch things over? Were there any problems using Magical Express with the switch? Any recommendations?

We did it two years ago. We stayed at the DVC resort (VWL) for the first 4 days and then switched over to WL for the remaining 3 days of our trip. We had no problems whatsover, although we drove so we didn't use Magical Express. While we just went from the villas to the regular hotel.. it was painless. Have fun!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are staying in a DVC one bedroom or larger, stay there last. Then you can go home with clean clothes. If you are staying in a studio, it shouldn't make much of a difference. Similar sized room, but free access to a washer and dryer with DVC. Plus a microwave and larger undercounter refrigerator (instead of the cube sized dorm refrigerator like other rooms).

 

[DVC Sadie]

We do it all the time! My dh and I usually stay in a 1 bedroom DVC (SSR) resort for the first week and then we switch to either the CR or the GF for the rest of our trip....(the fireworks spectacular during New Years or the 4th of July). We wouldn't do it any other way! Have a great trip.

 

[ktbugsmom]

My experience has been easy. We have switched from WL to BWV and it was not a problem. Just took our bags to the bell hop and told them which resort - then went to the park and then to the resort in the afternoon. Our bags were there and it was fine. I am switching between two DVC resorts this January - using Dining plan for the first part - no dining for the second part. Not using Magical express for our trip to the resort, but using it to get back to the airport. Should be easy enough. Since it is two separate reservations, it won't be a problem. Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

We would be renting points for the DVC resort and not going through CRO. Would you recommend staying at the DVC or non-DVC resort first?

Okay for the non-DVC resort you need to go through CRO. the WDW resorts are not cheap using points. you get a better deal on the WDW resorts using cash thru CRO.

for DVC resort getting a DVC member to make you a reservation is very smart.

If you are arriving on fri or sat do the WDW resort first. DVC resorts are very expensive on fri and sat.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done it many times, most recently staying at AKL before BCV. I've also stayed at a "regular" resort on the weekend in the middle of my stay. I'd recommend that, if you're going to split your stay, definitely stay at a regular resort before DVC.