First time w/kids - split stay AoA, POR, AKL?

[Ahmne]

We are planning for our first trip with kids (9&5) in August for 10 days doing split stays at AoA, POR and AKL.

I couldn’t decide on which hotel. AoA’s theming would be most appealing to the kids. I like the theming and boat to DS at POR. AKL is my top choice for theming and food options on site but too pricey for the whole trip.

We thought of:
-3 nights at AoA, no dining plan and focusing on MK and EPCOT.
- 4 nights at POR on the dining plan doing DS, MK and maybe EPCOT.
-Then 3 days at AKL with the dining plan doing HS and AK. I’m not expecting to do full park days at either of these and spend a fair bit of time enjoying the resort.

Does this sound doable? The 5 year year old will need more breaks and we don’t want to come back too tired hence the reason for aresort days at each place and 10 days. I’m a little worried about using all our dining credits at POR before moving to AKL

I’m hoping the free dining promo for Canadians will kick in before then as the 9 year old eats like an adult! If there is a minimum of 5 nights needed, this may mean we would either have to give up AoA as I’m not willing to upgrade to a family suite for free dining and do 5 and 5 at the other two. (or convince hubby we should just do two weeks!)

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I wouldn’t do a 3 way split for a first time trip with Kids. Maybe two resorts but i would stick with one.

I would do POR and AKL. Or do POR the entire trip since AKL is out of budget for 10 days.

 

[Disneylover99]

We are planning for our first trip with kids (9&5) in August for 10 days doing split stays at AoA, POR and AKL.

I couldn’t decide on which hotel. AoA’s theming would be most appealing to the kids. I like the theming and boat to DS at POR. AKL is my top choice for theming and food options on site but too pricey for the whole trip.

We thought of:
-3 nights at AoA, no dining plan and focusing on MK and EPCOT.
- 4 nights at POR on the dining plan doing DS, MK and maybe EPCOT.
-Then 3 days at AKL with the dining plan doing HS and AK. I’m not expecting to do full park days at either of these and spend a fair bit of time enjoying the resort.

Does this sound doable? The 5 year year old will need more breaks and we don’t want to come back too tired hence the reason for aresort days at each place and 10 days. I’m a little worried about using all our dining credits at POR before moving to AKL

I’m hoping the free dining promo for Canadians will kick in before then as the 9 year old eats like an adult! If there is a minimum of 5 nights needed, this may mean we would either have to give up AoA as I’m not willing to upgrade to a family suite for free dining and do 5 and 5 at the other two. (or convince hubby we should just do two weeks!)

Sounds complicated. I'd stick to one, maybe two resorts. If you get free dining in August, definitely just choose one resort.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done 2 resort split stays, but that was after going to WDW a few times and knowing how to get around effectively. There is no way I would do a 3 resort split on a first stay. I think it will drive you bonkers. Also, if there is a free dining promo, it, most likely, won't make financial sense to split your stay as, to qualify for the promotion, you have to add theme park tickets to each reservation. If you are planning on going back to WDW, you could save one set of tickets for a future trip, but if you don't know if you are going back, that's big waste of money on tickets you may not use.

 

[Ahmne]

Gosh! I thought we had it pretty figured out. We have done a few land or land, cruise, land trips where we’ve changed locations before and it was fine. We thought it would be easier this time if Disney moves our stuff.

I didn’t think about the multiple set of tickets. We will go back but probably not for another 3-4 years.

I guess I will have to rethink this a bit.

 

[CarrieR]

I think you'll end up a) wasting valuable vacation time packing up and moving and b) find yourself "homeless" for two days of your stay. We are midday breakers, and although we've done a couple of split stays, we find ourselves really resenting those "homeless" days. For a first trip, I'd just pick a spot and settle in... I think you'll enjoy things all the more for it.

 

[Mopedmom1]

My husband and I just did a three way split of AKL (4 nights), WL (4 nights), and YC (5 nights). We were celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary so just the two of us. It was our 4th trip in 13 months. We utilized the proximity of the park at different stays, which was nice. What wasn't nice is that we got VERY sick and having to move was a major pain.

It was a lot of packing and unpacking, of which I did ALL of it, because my DH was not on board with the idea, so I wanted to keep his vacation as stress free as possible. As two adults I would do it again. He groaned when I told him our upcoming 7 day trip in January has two different resorts.

With younger children I would recommend 2 resorts at the very most. Moving takes time from the parks, disrupts your schedule, and adds stress that just isn't needed on vacation. Unless you are driving you will need to transfer your luggage either by internal shuttle, which could mean you won't see it again until early evening; or via Uber, Minnie Van, etc and that takes time away from the fun.

If it were me, I would do AofA and AKL for the theming most appealing for the kids. I have stayed at POFQ but not POR, and unless you plan on taking the boat to DS frequently, I think this resort has little to offer, other than an increase in price from AoA.

One last edit: I have never done Free Dining so not sure how that works with your tickets. It might be best to pick just one resort. A moderate obviously will cost more, and if I'm not mistaken, will only give you the same level of dining as a Value......

 

[Juliet25]

I agree with the others. No way would I do a three way split stay. I'm not a fan a split stays in general, though we've done them. I would stick with one resort, or two at the most.

 

[happymommy]

I would choose one resort personally. I hate having to unpack only to pack up again, and basically lose part of the day being without a room.