For those that DON"T like split stays...

[delgrec]

We have never done a split stay but have one planned for the dates of 12/19-12/28 with 12/19 - 12/23 at WL (for xmas vibe and access to MK - will also do a day at AK) and then YC 12/23 - 12/28 for walking access to Epcot and DHS. Was thinking the benefit of cutting down on transportation needs at such an insanely busy time makes it worth it. I am wondering, for those of you who don't like split stays, would you still recommend against it during the week of Christmas under these conditions? Or does the advantages of location during Christmas week make it more appealing? Starting to panic about the idea of changing hotels so just looking for some feedback.

 

[sponica]

I've never done a split stay and I go back and forth as to whether I want to do one, but I feel like your plan makes sense for a couple reasons.
1) Enough time to experience resorts before checkout
2) You've planned your parks around your resorts.

 

[MomOTwins]

I wouldn't, because (1) I find it really annoying to spend vacation time packing up stuff; and (2) I wouldn't like doing a "block" strategy with the first half of the trip all at MK and AK and the second half all EP and HS. Would prefer having the flexibility to do a rotation of different parks throughout the trip so they don't get old, and because the first half there are going to be Christmas parties at MK so that will limit your hours there.

 

[delgrec]

I wouldn't, because (1) I find it really annoying to spend vacation time packing up stuff; and (2) I wouldn't like doing a "block" strategy with the first half of the trip all at MK and AK and the second half all EP and HS. Would prefer having the flexibility to do a rotation of different parks throughout the trip so they don't get old, and because the first half there are going to be Christmas parties at MK so that will limit your hours there.

Thanks! As far as MK, my kids are 10 and 12 and actually prefer the other parks and we have xmas party booked for one of the nights, so i do feel like we have enough time alotted for our needs. We will do an additional AK day when we are staying at YC so it will be MK/AK and then Epcot/MK/AK.

The packing up stuff is another story...that is where some of my panic is setting in.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[robinb]

The main problem I see is that the resorts are booked pretty solid during that week. You may be "homeless" for an extended period of time while you move from the WL to the YC because there may not be any available rooms until housekeeping makes it to them.

 

[sponica]

@robinb does have a point about being "homeless" but I would make your moving day a park day. What does it matter if the room isn't available until 4 if you don't get back until late evening... Pack your daily outfits in freezer bags or the like, and only take out the days you need. The night before pack everything back into your bags. Drop everything at bell services for transfer.

But part of me is also inclined to say go with your gut, if your gut is saying "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS" then try to see what's available in either hotel to avoid the split.

 

[Hopefully]

I still wouldn’t do it. Everything will be busy including Mousekeeping and getting in your second room, luggage transfers and I like to unpack and settle in once. Being “ homeless” that week would drive me crazy

 

[Brett Wyman]

Worst part of the trip is the unpacking and packing up. No way I want to do that twice! We travel heavy though. If you travel light it may work better for you.

 

[robinb]

I still wouldn’t do it. Everything will be busy including Mousekeeping and getting in your second room, luggage transfers and I like to unpack and settle in once. Being “ homeless” that week would drive me crazy

We have gone to WDW for that week nearly every year since 1999. It is cray-cray and the crowds can be overwhelming. I would hate to feel like I was forced to stay in a busy park because my room wasn't ready.

@delgrec, if you do a split stay I would pack swim suits with you so you can possibly enjoy the pool (weather permitting) if you end up with an extended wait.

 

[Dug720]

Worst part of the trip is the unpacking and packing up. No way I want to do that twice! We travel heavy though. If you travel light it may work better for you.

I travel light and I still would not do a split stay - especially during the busiest time of the year.

 

[delgrec]

Thanks everyone! I’m scared. Lol. But we would have to give up WL which I have always wanted to stay at and with the added bonus of Xmas at WL (entire stay at WL isn’t available and feel we would be better served being near DHS and Epcot given our park preferences) Had planned on an Epcot day for check in/check out. Figured we would be more leisurely in the morning (so not stress about rope drop or anything) give luggage to bell services, take boat to MK or Contemporary and then monorail to Epcot. Unless bus is better. Not sure. Hang there until room is ready. And then enjoy resort/boardwalk area or go back to park after we get settled in room.

 

[sponica]

@delgrec look at it this way, if you do the split at that time of year, you'll come to one of these two conclusions

1) Wow I did a split at one of the most crowded times of year, and I survived! I can do this again!

or

2) I am never ever doing this again, I was a crazy person to even try.

 

[SG131]

Thanks everyone! I’m scared. Lol. But we would have to give up WL which I have always wanted to stay at and with the added bonus of Xmas at WL (entire stay at WL isn’t available and feel we would be better served being near DHS and Epcot given our park preferences) Had planned on an Epcot day for check in/check out. Figured we would be more leisurely in the morning (so not stress about rope drop or anything) give luggage to bell services, take boat to MK or Contemporary and then monorail to Epcot. Unless bus is better. Not sure. Hang there until room is ready. And then enjoy resort/boardwalk area or go back to park after we get settled in room.

I would not give up WL!!! It is absolutely gorgeous and my favorite Christmas resort. So I've done two split stays. After the first one I swore I'd never do it again. The only issue I had was being homeless. I ended up having a bad sinus infection during the trip and it was POURING so I really just wanted to go back to my hotel and nap. However, I just did a second split stay it was actually split between 3 resorts over 9 days and I loved it. I made sure when I packed I was very well organized. It was nice to get to experience a few different hotels. That was a solo trip, but I am planning a trip in February that will most likely involve foster children and I decided to do a split stay between the poly and boardwalk because of the park proximity. It really is nice to be able to minimize bus time.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We hate split stays but we did one in December once. We don't regret doing it since it went very smoothly. We were lucky that our room at the second resort was ready by the time we left our first resort.

Don't give up WL. It is a gorgeous place to stay and the boat to MK will be the best and least crowded way to get to that park. We did a GF and BC split and the only bus we ever took was for AK. It was great and we didn't mind at all splitting it that way. We spent most of our travel day at Storm Along Bay, so we never really felt homeless.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We have never done a split stay but have one planned for the dates of 12/19-12/28 with 12/19 - 12/23 at WL (for xmas vibe and access to MK - will also do a day at AK) and then YC 12/23 - 12/28 for walking access to Epcot and DHS. Was thinking the benefit of cutting down on transportation needs at such an insanely busy time makes it worth it. I am wondering, for those of you who don't like split stays, would you still recommend against it during the week of Christmas under these conditions? Or does the advantages of location during Christmas week make it more appealing? Starting to panic about the idea of changing hotels so just looking for some feedback.

Thanks everyone! I’m scared. Lol. But we would have to give up WL which I have always wanted to stay at and with the added bonus of Xmas at WL (entire stay at WL isn’t available and feel we would be better served being near DHS and Epcot given our park preferences) Had planned on an Epcot day for check in/check out. Figured we would be more leisurely in the morning (so not stress about rope drop or anything) give luggage to bell services, take boat to MK or Contemporary and then monorail to Epcot. Unless bus is better. Not sure. Hang there until room is ready. And then enjoy resort/boardwalk area or go back to park after we get settled in room.

Yes, do it! Especially during Christmas week, the closer you can be to the parks you will be visiting, the better! We went Christmas week in 2015 and stayed at BWV. Staying there SAVED our trip as we did not have to rely on transportation to DHS or EP and we could access all of the restaurants in the EP area via our feet every single day. Traveling around the resort that week via any form of transportation (other than your feet!) is not great! Make your switch day leisurely. It will need to be anyway if you plan to boat to the monorail (at MK or CR) and then switch to EP as you'll be going through security twice and waiting on boats and monorails. If you can splurge, I would seriously consider getting a Minnie Van and simply taking your family and luggage over to YC yourself. You will be there 9 nights, so, plenty of time, IMHO, to take a leisurely morning to pack, perhaps a nice breakfast at WCC, then head over to YC. If your room isn't ready, you can kill time by walking into EP, renting boats at the dock, swimming, playing mini-golf at Fantasia, etc. Honestly, if I were staying that long that week, I would DEFINITELY consider an MK/EP resort split and do exactly as you are doing.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Your logic makes sense for a split stay. Personally I like to sprinkle MK and Epcot throughout our trip so that wouldn’t work for us, but if it appeals to you it makes the split stay make a lot of sense. In particular, I think this year is a good one to avoid the main Epcot entrance and enter through IG.

For my family, I would only do one for an obscenely long trip (2 weeks+) or if we planned one of the resorts to be resort only. For us I think it would be one of those things that seems like a good idea until we’re down there and the last thing we want to do is pack up a room mid trip.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Ohhhh what a Magical time of year. I am one to believe that Anything is possible so IF I were to do what ur doing I’d do the following. I’d be using packing crates in my luggage with daily outfits coordinated for Each family member. I’d have one with All our swimstuff ( suits/paraphernalia etc) separated from everything else.
I’d have a plan for Each day and stick to it ..
I’d have Realistic Expectations ... that it’s Possible you ll have no access to a room, that packing up and moving is a Pain, lol but Worth it to try this New Adventure.
I’m a person that likes to “ settle in” so moving about is not really for me/us...
I say.. Relax, Go With the Flow and Enjoy!

Wishing you a Magical Holiday Visit OP!

 

[Helvetica]

I'm doing another split-stay in October so that I can spend more time at Disney World. I originally had seven days planned, but I raised it to twelve days. I couldn't do it with one resort, so I had to add a second.

If you want to spend Christmas time in Wilderness Lodge, then do it. It's going to be a little crazy, but if that's what you want, then you can make it happen. The only advice I'd give is to get an Uber and transfer the luggage yourself. Otherwise, you might be waiting until 10 pm or later.

 

[Karebear]

This happened to my sister and not to me, but they did a split stay moving from BC to AofA last September. They didn’t get their luggage in the new room till 8:00 at night which they were not happy about. I guess there was a big thunder storm and Disney does not transfer or deliver luggage during thunderstorms. Maybe take your luggage with you when u transfer?

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

The split will be fine. Reducing transportation time is a good reason.