Favorite activities during transition days on split stays?

[Heather07438]

I'm trying to figure out our split stay plans too. The first 2 nights we'll be at Poly. We'll spend that last morning packing, eating and exploring the resort. We'll drop off our luggage at Bell Services for transfer, then rent Sea Raycers from the Poly Marina. Maybe also go swimming or use the hot tub.

Designating that last 1/2 day no-parks will leave us time to fully enjoy the resort before moving on. Transferring to Beach Club next so probably do Epcot or HS that evening.

 

[snappy]

I like arriving at the new resort early. Better chance of getting room request and maybe even early access to the room (though I never depend on either). The last couple of visits the new resort was club level so we also had a nice lounge to relax in and eat breakfast in to figure out the rest of our day.

 

[DeletedAccount]

...I have found that being there in person gives a chance to reconfirm room location preferences as well as adding other options that are hard to do on line.

I didnt realize you were able to give preferences for room location. Do you do that by calling ahead?

 

[MBTigger]

We are currently looking at DVC and are thinking abut split stays ourselves.
It is my understanding that if you pack up your luggage, they take it FROM THE ROOM you are leaving TO THE NEW ROOM you are staying at, correct?

To me this seems like the a perfect opportunity for a park hopping day. If I go from AKV to BWV I could pack up most things the night before, spend the morning at AK, then take a bus (or uber if REALLY necessary) to EPCOT - stuff myself with food and entertainment there, and then walk to my hotel room.
But I don't overpack. I love backpacking and am pretty used to packing a minimal amount up every morning, Doing the same on a hotel trip would not seem all that bad...

 

[bookwormde]

I didn't realize you were able to give preferences for room location. Do you do that by calling ahead?

I used to do it when I called in for the reservation (dating myself) after on line I did mostly calls later but I think emails work DVC was pushing back since some people were complaining when they did not get their choice. I have been on hiatus so not completely up to date on the current practices. but talking to those who can assign rooms is always a big plus. If they are not busy like first thing in the morning, they will chat and even through out room numbers and ask which would be best if they have a sense that you know the resort layout. Chatting about other rooms that you have stayed in and liked helps.

 

[Brian Noble]

We like to sleep in, do a nice late brunch/breakfast before going to a park close to wherever we are moving. Allows for a nice slow morning.

I like this idea. I like Epcot as the "afternoon" park, because World Showcase is perfect for this sort of thing, and nothing other than Frozen Ever After takes much in the way of planning.

 

[DeletedAccount]

We are currently looking at DVC and are thinking abut split stays ourselves.
It is my understanding that if you pack up your luggage, they take it FROM THE ROOM you are leaving TO THE NEW ROOM you are staying at, correct?

Yes that's correct. I believe you may have to bring your luggage to bell services when you check out, but they will definitely bring your luggage to your room at the new resort.

Split stays are part of what I'm most excited about as a new DVC member. Theming/environment building is one of the coolest things about WDW to me, so I want to check out as many resorts as I can. It's just the two of us at the moment, so it's no big deal to pack up every 2 or 3 days and head to a new place, especially packing light like you mentioned.

Love that idea of waking up at AKV, going to Animal Kingdon, Epcot, and then walking over to BWV! Sounds like amazing day. Seems like the only downside to AKV is that there's not much around except the park, so doing an AK park day during a transfer would be a great option if staying there, which we will be in July!

 

[Sandisw]

Yes that's correct. I believe you may have to bring your luggage to bell services when you check out, but they will definitely bring your luggage to your room at the new resort.

Split stays are part of what I'm most excited about as a new DVC member. Theming/environment building is one of the coolest things about WDW to me, so I want to check out as many resorts as I can. It's just the two of us at the moment, so it's no big deal to pack up every 2 or 3 days and head to a new place, especially packing light like you mentioned.

Love that idea of waking up at AKV, going to Animal Kingdon, Epcot, and then walking over to BWV! Sounds like amazing day. Seems like the only downside to AKV is that there's not much around except the park, so doing an AK park day during a transfer would be a great option if staying there, which we will be in July!

They will bring luggage to the room but it is not automatic like Magical Express

You can call bell services to pick up at resort 1 or bring it to them. Once it gets to resort 2, usually late afternoon, you have to call and be in your room for them to bring to you.

Or, you can stop at bell services and pick it up on way to the room.

 

[kboo]

We love split stays! We have only done them with kids, but it's generally the same (other than the late-night aspect suggested by @Sandisw):

We usually schedule a late morning brunch at the check-out hotel - could sleep in and pack before then, or enjoy the pool, or go to early AM EMH if they exist... at AKV I'd recommend Boma, at VGF maybe 1900 Park Fare or Grand Floridian Cafe. I'm not super familiar with brunch options at CCV since I haven't stayed there, but you could take the boat to the Contemporary and go to the Wave for breakfast, or California Grill for brunch if the dates work out (Sundays only, I believe).

We check out by 11 and rely on WDW luggage transfer (bring bags down to bell desk) and keep a day bag or park bag, and then go to brunch.

After that, we usually go to a park that is somewhat close to the check in hotel, and schedule an early-ish dinner at that park or at the check-in hotel. That way, if there's any delay in the room being ready, you're not really noticing it. If you get the text early, great, if not, you are having a nice dinner somewhere anyway. For check-in dinners:

AKV: Jiko or Sanaa (or Boma), or do a dinner package and Rivers of Light at AK (Tiffins, or Nomad Lounge)
VGF: Citrico's, Narcoosee's or 1900 Park Fare, or dinner at MK - Be Our Guest, or California Grill and fireworks....
CCV: Whispering Canyon Cafe, or dinner at MK or at the Contemporary.

The other advice I'd give is to not overpack - if you're not staying more than 2-3 days at each place, then pack at most 4 days' worth of clothes, and do (free) laundry the night before or the morning of each checkout, then you can just toss the clean laundry in your suitcase again.

 

[Anal Annie]

We've done a few splits. The first time was probably our easiest and most relaxing as we allowed plenty of time at both resorts. We did 5 n @ BCV then 5 n at AKV. We drove down so we had a car. I had 1 carry-on packed with essentials and 2 large duffles. I packed all of our first stay in 1 duffle and everything for the 2nd resort in the other so I didn't have to go thru a lot of unpacking and repacking and unpacking again. We spent our homeless day at a water park bcuz they open a little later so we weren't rushed to get out in the morning (and we kept our essentials bag in the car with us). We let Disney move our food and the 2 duffles and our Owners Locker. At the end of the day at the water park we just drove to the new resort. By then the room was ready - worked perfectly.

One time we did a split on a January trip and it was COLD. We had 2 studios at SSR for the first half (we put our DS and his college roommate in 1 and we had the other). Then we transferred to a one-bedroom at AKV Jambo to finish and we spent the entire transition day at HS (and were there for rope drop). The problem on that transfer was that both of the boys were sick and we had no place to go all day for them to rest or to get warm. They felt terrible and it was freezing. Just bad luck. Our other splits were fairly drama free - we always spend the transition day at a park after we drop our stuff off at Bell Services for the transfer. I think they work best when you either only spend 1 night (like your first night just to try a place out) and don't fully unpack or if you've allowed for several nights to enjoy each resort. I don't think I would purposely plan for more than 2 resorts unless that was the only way I could patch together a trip.

 

[snappy]

My favorite was a Split was 4 at a Universal deluxe, followed by 5 nights at GDT

 

[DeletedAccount]

Love all these ideas. We have done many split stays and have one coming up and we are doing the late night before checking out at 11 and then having a late lunch at one of the parks. I figure we will maybe Uber over to the new resort with our Luggage so we can tell them we are there and have everything there as well. Then head to the park for lunch.

Love this idea of doing a late night prior to the transition day. We just made our plans for our last night at VGF: we booked an afternoon massage, early dinner at Citricos, and then we're gonna do Villians MK after hours. That'll set us up to sleep-in and do a late lunch while everything gets set up at CCV. Thanks for the input!

 

[twinmom0019]

following

 

[mrsap]

Humm... depends. Usually go shopping, out to eat, swimming or just enjoy the resort. I don’t like going to the parks until we’re all settled in our room.