For Those Who Pick a Park Based on Your Resort

[DisneyStarWisher]

I have a question for those of you who do split stays and go to the parks around your resort. For example, I sometimes hear on here people who say they stay at a monorail resort and go to MK and Epcot and then stay at AKV and go to AK and DHS. As I've gotten older, I am enjoying the travel times between Point A and Point B less and less. The split stay is sounding kind of nice. But what I'm wondering is if I will miss the other parks when I'm at the other resort. For example, if I stay at a monorail resort for a few nights and go to MK early in the trip, will I miss going back to MK later in the trip when I'm at AKV? If I break down and go to MK, then I've kind of defeated the purpose of the split stay. For those of you who do this type of trip, how do you deal with that?

 

[Sandisw]

I always split between an MK and Epcot area resorts. When we are at BCV or BWV...soon to be RIV instead...we do Epcot and DHS.

When I move over to BLT or VGF, we do MK and AK...and we Uber to AK in the morning vs. a bus,

On occasion, if I really wanted to hit MK or Epcot while in the other area, we have...but again, instead of a bus, we always Uber...most often though we are fine but don’t do more than 4 to 6 night trips.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have a question for those of you who do split stays and go to the parks around your resort. For example, I sometimes hear on here people who say they stay at a monorail resort and go to MK and Epcot and then stay at AKV and go to AK and DHS. As I've gotten older, I am enjoying the travel times between Point A and Point B less and less. The split stay is sounding kind of nice. But what I'm wondering is if I will miss the other parks when I'm at the other resort. For example, if I stay at a monorail resort for a few nights and go to MK early in the trip, will I miss going back to MK later in the trip when I'm at AKV? If I break down and go to MK, then I've kind of defeated the purpose of the split stay. For those of you who do this type of trip, how do you deal with that?

I do that in split stays, go to certain parks from resort #1, different parks from #2 I've never missed the resorts that I'd vowed to go to from resort 1 while I'm at #2 But if I did, hey it's MY vacation so I'd go where I want at the time But really, it's like 2 vacations and I'm too busy enjoying where I am at the time

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I do that in split stays, go to certain parks from resort #1, different parks from #2 I've never missed the resorts that I'd vowed to go to from resort 1 while I'm at #2 But if I did, hey it's MY vacation so I'd go where I want at the time But really, it's like 2 vacations and I'm too busy enjoying where I am at the time

How long are your vacations?

 

[KristaZ]

We a did a split stay like this for the first time this summer - BWV and CR on one trip and Swan/BRV on another and I'm finding the idea of going back to just one resort (especially one that might have bus only transportation) difficult. It was honestly amazing to be able to get to three of four parks by walking or boat (and we saved AK for our day when we change resorts to minimize busses). We didn't find we missed the parks that weren't part of our dedicated days.

 

[i<3riviera]

͏

 

[keishashadow]

For those of you who do this type of trip, how do you deal with that?

We generally do split trips that head to onsite at Universal

When we do move while @ WDW, only consider it if we have at least three nights (preferably longer) at two different resorts.

Otherwise, it turns into a hassle as it always seems to rain on the day we are ‘homeless’ on the resort change day.

 

[Simba's Mom]

For split stays 8 to 10 days Any less than that, I'll do just one resort If I'm there for 7 days, it's a tough decision whether to do a split stay or not

 

[Krystal659]

Also, you may want to consider that the monorail is reportedly not running to Epcot right now. So, you would only have MK by monorail. We completely rearranged our upcoming plans when we learned this, moving instead to the Epcot area to have walking or boat access to Epcot and HS.

I agree that you certainly want a few days at each resort or you begin to feel like you are packing up to move over and over again (not our favorite).

 

[Miffy]

I'm not in love with split stays and although I've done it before I would probably never do one again. I like unpacking and settling in and being. Not moving around.

If you have a favorite park and you like to go there a lot and let's assume that park-hopping is an option and that the parks are open late . . . then you should probably stay near that park. It's just easier.

For example, my sister and I love DAK and we stay at AKL/AKV. It's a 5-minute bus ride to DAK and we go there pretty much every day and/or evening of our trip unless we've totally exhausted ourselves at another park. It's a 5-minute bus ride to DAK and the buses come frequently.

Sometimes we just go over for an hour or two, walk around, ride NRJ, admire Pandora, and go back to the resort. It's doable and convenient only because we're staying so close by.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I'm not in love with split stays and although I've done it before I would probably never do one again. I like unpacking and settling in and being. Not moving around.

If you have a favorite park and you like to go there a lot and let's assume that park-hopping is an option and that the parks are open late . . . then you should probably stay near that park. It's just easier.

For example, my sister and I love DAK and we stay at AKL/AKV. It's a 5-minute bus ride to DAK and we go there pretty much every day and/or evening of our trip unless we've totally exhausted ourselves at another park. It's a 5-minute bus ride to DAK and the buses come frequently.

Sometimes we just go over for an hour or two, walk around, ride NRJ, admire Pandora, and go back to the resort. It's doable and convenient only because we're staying so close by.

This does describe me. I do like getting settled in one place. I'm just wondering if I would like ease of transportation better.

I definitely love AK! We own at AKV and love it! Just not crazy about the travel times to get to places other than AK. We did a split stay once and moved to BRV. It was a stark difference in traveling to MK. Loved the boat ride there.

We generally do split trips that head to onsite at Universal

When we do move while @ WDW, only consider it if we have at least three nights (preferably longer) at two different resorts.

Otherwise, it turns into a hassle as it always seems to rain on the day we are ‘homeless’ on the resort change day.

This is our luck. We love hanging out at the resorts. I'm not sure if having ease of transportation everyday would trump having a home that one day.

We are planning on 7-night stays as soon as we can get back, so it would be a 4/3 or a 3/4 split. I guess the thing that I'm not sure I would like is let's say I do AKV for 4 nights (which I would probably pick for the lower points chart and the fact I'm an owner) and then an MK resort the other 3. I just don't know if I would want to wait to go to MK until Day 5 of my trip. I think I'm leaning toward spreading the parks out throughout the trip more and just dealing with transportation.

 

[DougEMG]

We always do split stays in the MK and Epcot areas and then focus more on the parks that we can walk to. Normally stay a week or more at each resort. Doesn't mean that I won't drop in to MK if I am over at Epcot.

 

[Miffy]

This does describe me. I do like getting settled in one place. I'm just wondering if I would like ease of transportation better.

I definitely love AK! We own at AKV and love it! Just not crazy about the travel times to get to places other than AK. We did a split stay once and moved to BRV. It was a stark difference in traveling to MK. Loved the boat ride there.

The travel time to MK isn't great from anywhere that's not an MK resort. And the boat from BRV is wonderful.

I totally understand why you're thinking of splitting the stay.

Whatever decision you make, it'll be fine. You'll be at WDW!

 

[Disneykate605]

We do this sometimes and while I do like the ease of transportation, I don't like knowing I need to pack up and move. I like to feel settled in and when I know I will be moving in a few days I don't feel settled so what I will do is sometimes book only 2 nights in one area and then 6 or 7 in the other area. That way I just feel unsettled for a little while and still have plenty of time to feel settled in at the second resort.

 

[js]

Even a stay of ten nights I do NOT want a split stay. I cant imagine having everything put in its place and then knowing I have to pack up and do it over again. I would be thinking about the packing back up and moving before I even got to the first resort.

We were at SSR two weeks ago since we booked a GV with two other couples to celebrate my dh and my 30th anniversary and to be able to walk back/forth at night for dinner and drinks (that was our priority lol).

Anyway, we had two park days and the other couples were newbies but really wanted to experience the parks. They chose Epcot and AK. We also had a dinner at Topolinos. Prior to the trip, I booked Mears for our park days and dinners and LOVED it. They always arrived about 10-15 minures early, had a big clean black van, constant communication via text and the men driving were always in black pants, tie and white shirt and so personable.

Given above, I would book your stay and take Mears or Uber if you dont want to deal with busses.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Simba's Mom]

For those of you who don't like packing and unpacking for split stays, I understand I admit that I only do split stays when I travel solo One time I was traveling with my DS, DDIL, and 2 DGDs and about half way through I imagined us doing the split stay thing and said to myself "No Way!"

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I always split between an MK and Epcot area resorts. When we are at BCV or BWV...soon to be RIV instead...we do Epcot and DHS.

When I move over to BLT or VGF, we do MK and AK...and we Uber to AK in the morning vs. a bus,

On occasion, if I really wanted to hit MK or Epcot while in the other area, we have...but again, instead of a bus, we always Uber...most often though we are fine but don’t do more than 4 to 6 night trips.

Sandisw, I have a question about how you book for split stays. I know on other threads you say you book extra nights at the beginning and the end in order to check flights before deciding the actual days. Do you book your home resort nights in chunks to be able to modify at 7 months and if so, how do you chunk them since you don't know your actual dates yet?

 

[Sandisw]

Sandisw, I have a question about how you book for split stays. I know on other threads you say you book extra nights at the beginning and the end in order to check flights before deciding the actual days. Do you book your home resort nights in chunks to be able to modify at 7 months and if so, how do you chunk them since you don't know your actual dates yet?

I usually book 5 nights and then 5 night trips with overlapping days in the middle. My trips are usually 3 to 4 nights when I do this method.

Then, at 7 months, when I see what is there, at the resort I want, then I swap out and solidly. But, I have enough points to do this.

Sometimes, I will book a full 7 at the popular resort, like I will this year with BLT for early December and 7 nights for that time at RIV, and then drop when I have airfare and decide on days,

I also own a boatload of SSR so I also can book part of the stay with that too,

It’s the benefit of having so many points. Lol

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I usually book 5 nights and then 5 night trips with overlapping days in the middle. My trips are usually 3 to 4 nights when I do this method.

Then, at 7 months, when I see what is there, at the resort I want, then I swap out and solidly. But, I have enough points to do this.

Sometimes, I will book a full 7 at the popular resort, like I will this year with BLT for early December and 7 nights for that time at RIV, and then drop when I have airfare and decide on days,

I also own a boatload of SSR so I also can book part of the stay with that too,

It’s the benefit of having so many points. Lol

Yeah, I'm not that lucky. I can probably book some extra nights next year since I banked all of my 2020 points, but in the future, that won't happen. Thanks for the information!

 

[jbh275]

We always start a few nights at AKV. Then head to wherever we’re staying. We usually mix it up every time but always start at AKV for 2/3 nights.