Help! Is 3 hotels in 8 nights too much?

[lovelyk68]

We will be in Disney over Christmas for the Disney Cup soccer tournament. We will be staying at the Wyndham Palace with DS's soccer team December 27-31. We decided to come early and spend Christmas in the World. I have ressies at BWI December 24-27. Here comes the part I need advice on. We actually fly in to Tampa on December 23rd. I can either:

1) Add a night onto our BWI stay (a little pricy at $209 since we won't arrive at the resort until 6:00 pm or so)

2) Get a priceline hotel for one night (we could probably get one for $60 or less)

3) Stay at the Dolphin for $135 + resort fee and taxes. I have always wanted to try this resort, but haven't had the nerve to stay there our whole stay. Pricer than PL, but I get to try a resort that I have always wanted for a great price.

Is 3 hotels in 8 nights too much? Given the choices which would you pick? Thanks for any advice!

 

[disneyfanz04]

I would do #3. Do the hotel that you have wanted to do.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I would choose #1

The difference in #1 and #3 is $74.00 or less (tax and fees) I think the convenience of not having to move after 1 night would be worth that.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I would pay for bwi and only do 2. Cause, last year we did the wonder cruise in the middle of wdw so it was 3 moves and it was crazy. Way too much. We are doing it again in march with the magic cruise, but for longer days this time. (5, 7, 7) last year it was ( 2, 3, 12) and the short time ones where terrible. You don't unpack, always digging for something, didn't want to get pop, or water etc.. for room cause you have to move, etc... Just was like, waiting around to get to the vacation? kinda. We promised ourselves after the magic in march for october we are staying put or only spitting in half. ONCE.

MKY

 

[Sammie]

I would go with the least amount of moving. You are going during a very busy time for the resorts. You might find yourself with a very long wait to get a the room if you move again.

I would want to get settled at the BW before Christmas Eve to be able to enjoy all the Christmas decorations, etc.

 

[hookedup]

Moving the LEAST amount is what I highly recommend - esp on such a busy time of year. Don't make your holiday any more stressful or hectic than necessary!!!

 

[BethC1952]

I think it depends on how upset you get by moving. We've done a trip where we stayed one night in each of two hotels, three nights in the next, a four-night cruise on Wonder and then two nights in another hotel. It didn't bother us at all, and it felt like we had a different vacation in each place!

The key to that is you have to be very organized with your packing!

Whatever you decide, you'll have a great time!

Beth

 

[RoLaren]

I concur, the less moving you do, the more you get out of your trip.

We moved three times on each of our last two trips (once we did 3 resorts, the other times just multiple rooms in the same resort, some concierge, some not) and it was a HUGE hassle.

I know some folks live to resort hop and more power to em, but checking in and out does get to be a bore especially if it's a busy time of year. I can hardly believe we're in one spot for the whole 7 days of our upcoming trip LOL. I shouldn't have said that now I bet something will happen and we'll have to move rooms LOL.

Have a magical trip!

 

[TWOOD]

If you really want to try the Dolphin, then spend 1 nt. there & try it. You can just walk over the bridge & roll your luggage with you the next morning to check into the BWI. We did this once & it was very easy. The Dolphin is gorgeous @ Christmas & since you'll be arriving late, you won't really need to unpack. For my DD's 11th birthday - a week @ WDW - I let her choose the resorts. We did 5 in 8 nts.! We love to resort hop, but that was insane!

 

[Minky]

I am a MAJOR resort hopper....we ALWAYS split our stay between 2, and that works great! Three however I think might be pushing it, like everyone else said that is a VERY busy time of year. I would say go with 3 though, it would be cheaper than adding a night on to BWI, and you could walk over and check in the next day...also I believe they are pretty liberal with late check outs, so thats a plus.

 

[Desnik]

Go for the three resorts! We are!
We will be there in Nov. and we are staying one night at POR. We got a great code rate and we will be staying there for one night after our long drive from NY. Then we are staying 5 nights at BWV, then 2 nights at WL. We plan on just enjoying the resort for our stay at WL. It will be our first time there. We'll do the parks while at BWV. What I will do is pack one small bag with pj's and an outfit for each of us along with our toiletries. That way we only have to bring in 1 bag for our 1 night stay. It will be myself, DH, DD 6yo, DS 18mo, and DSIS 12yo. I'm not worried about switching resorts. Also, the resort can transfer your luggage for you.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Since the one night stay would be at the beginning of your stay I would go with that. You can have the bag for that first night packed from home and just bring that along with the toiletries bag. I would go for the Dolphin since you've always wanted to try it. If you decided not to stay there I would go for the two hotels.

T&B

 

[epcotfan]

Go with the least amount of moving.

 

[Pig Pen]

Stay at BWI. The Dolphin is nice, but I would spend the extra $ to stay put - moving wastes lots of time. If you wanted to stay at the Dolphin to sample the Boardwalk experience, that would be different. But since you would be moving to the BWI, I don't see what you would be gaining.

 

[flagirl]

We always resort hop. Stay a couple of days in one then move to another - makes the stay more interesting! However, if you have smaller children then you may want to rethink that. Only other concern of mine would be the waiting in the line to checkin - and having to checkout of one hotel by 11 and not able to check into the next by 3. Can you leave luggage in your car while you do a park? I guess if it were me - since you are already staying two diff places - I would just go to the BWI for the extra night. Then on your first full day there you are settled and ready for some fun!

Have a great time! I am sure whatever you pick will be fine....

 

[solotraveler]

I say go with #3.

I think you might have answered yourself in your post: you've always wanted to stay at the Dolphin but never had the nerve to book a whole stay. What a better way to try it out than to stay one night?! It's night like BWI is a long way away-- heck, if you travel light you might be able to walk there. That said, since it is such a busy time of year, you may not get into your BWI room right away, but if you have plans for most of that day, then it's a non-issue.

Just MHO.

Solotraveler

 

[3redheads]

I say #3. We're going in March and here's our plan:

1st night-Swan
Sun-Wed-Poly
Thurs-Sun-Disney Cruise
Sun PM-Royal Pacific

I can't wait. So many different experiences!!

Enjoy!
Kim

 

[emmabelle]

We did three hotels over 10 days this summer in California. It was alot of packing and unpacking, plus every time I got comfortable in a bed it was time to move. I say this yet we are going to Orlando in April for a cruise, first night Cocoa Beach, next four on the cruise, last two in Disney, what was I thinking?

 

[lovelyk68]

Thanks everyone for all your replies! I am torn because it would be nice to not have to move again after the one night, but I would love to try the Dolphin. Dare I ask my family what they think???