Help on Split Stay

[MouseOfCards]

We're hoping to do a split stay next year, between VGF and AKV. Would like to know other DVCers' thoughts on some logistics questions:

1. Is it better to do VGF or AKV first? We were thinking of VGF first because it's the first stop on the Magical Express, and we were thinking that MK would be our first theme park visit. And AKV might be good towards the end of trip to relax more after all the park activities?

On the other hand, maybe it would be nice to visit VGF last, so we could end the trip on a high note in more upscale accomodations? And would VGF handle departures better with Magical Express and air travel confirmations?

2. Which resort is better for the weekend days? Maybe AKV since VGF is pricier (more points intensive)?

3. Which resort is better for the visits to HS and Epcot? From VGF, I imagine a long trip around the monorail loop and transfer, but also a long bus ride from AKV?

We will also be bringing a couple of young kids (under 5) and possibly one senior, if that helps. Thanks for any advice on this!

 

[disneynutz]

I say just flip a coin and don't over think it!

Bill

 

[bumbershoot]

We were thinking of VGF first because it's the first stop on the Magical Express

???

There is no set route.

We were on a bus one night (from MCO) that went to a value, then a mod, then our mod POR, and THEN to the Grand Floridian.

 

[jerseygal]

We did a split stay in December two years ago specifically to enjoy the holiday decorations, first AKV Jambo then VGF. Just fell in love with the Christmas tree at Jambo and felt that the lobby was so "serene and peaceful" to relax and enjoy my morning coffee. GF tree was also gorgeous, but the lobby at GF was busier with people visiting to view the incredible gingerbread house and holiday decorations. Even though you are staying at VGF, you probably will notice that the lobby at GF is much busier anytime of the year than AK. Really enjoyed having the split bathroom at VGF in the studio. Found VGF to be extremely convenient to Epcot using the monorail. ENJOY your trip, order doesn't matter.

 

[jdmn2010]

Since both resorts are very nice (especially if you are getting the same type of room at both), I would use points as my biggest consideration and try to book AKV for Friday/Saturday nights. It should be a great trip either way!

 

[MouseOfCards]

???

There is no set route.

We were on a bus one night (from MCO) that went to a value, then a mod, then our mod POR, and THEN to the Grand Floridian.

That's interesting. Others reported that VGF was the first stop from the airport. So there's no set route?

 

[MouseOfCards]

We did a split stay in December two years ago specifically to enjoy the holiday decorations, first AKV Jambo then VGF. Just fell in love with the Christmas tree at Jambo and felt that the lobby was so "serene and peaceful" to relax and enjoy my morning coffee. GF tree was also gorgeous, but the lobby at GF was busier with people visiting to view the incredible gingerbread house and holiday decorations. Even though you are staying at VGF, you probably will notice that the lobby at GF is much busier anytime of the year than AK. Really enjoyed having the split bathroom at VGF in the studio. Found VGF to be extremely convenient to Epcot using the monorail. ENJOY your trip, order doesn't matter.

If you had a do over, would you still do AKV first and then VGF? Or would you do the reverse?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Never a set route for Magical Express. It depends on passenger flow for arrivals.

 

[jerseygal]

If you had a do over, would you still do AKV first and then VGF? Or would you do the reverse?

Had a great time at both but my decision would be made by where we were spending most of the time and at what park. Enjoy!!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We're hoping to do a split stay next year, between VGF and AKV. Would like to know other DVCers' thoughts on some logistics questions:

1. Is it better to do VGF or AKV first? We were thinking of VGF first because it's the first stop on the Magical Express, and we were thinking that MK would be our first theme park visit. And AKV might be good towards the end of trip to relax more after all the park activities?

On the other hand, maybe it would be nice to visit VGF last, so we could end the trip on a high note in more upscale accomodations? And would VGF handle departures better with Magical Express and air travel confirmations?

2. Which resort is better for the weekend days? Maybe AKV since VGF is pricier (more points intensive)?

3. Which resort is better for the visits to HS and Epcot? From VGF, I imagine a long trip around the monorail loop and transfer, but also a long bus ride from AKV?

We will also be bringing a couple of young kids (under 5) and possibly one senior, if that helps. Thanks for any advice on this!

I'd disregard any thoughts that any resort gets the ME stop first or that one handles departures better. ME switches around and they've all been handling departure for a long, long time. I reallly don't care for the monorail to Epcot from any of the resorts other than Poly. Having to take the resort monorail to catch the Epcot monorail and any waits for the monorail can make it pretty lengthy travel. Any transportation can have issues and I'd just call it a toss up for Epcot and DHS with a slight favoring towards bus from AKV.

 

[MouseOfCards]

I'd disregard any thoughts that any resort gets the ME stop first or that one handles departures better. ME switches around and they've all been handling departure for a long, long time. I reallly don't care for the monorail to Epcot from any of the resorts other than Poly. Having to take the resort monorail to catch the Epcot monorail and any waits for the monorail can make it pretty lengthy travel. Any transportation can have issues and I'd just call it a toss up for Epcot and DHS with a slight favoring towards bus from AKV.

That's what I thought. Do you happen know the walking time and distance from VGF to TTS?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That's what I thought. Do you happen know the walking time and distance from VGF to TTS?

Perhaps 15 minutes at a decent speed? Give or take depending on how fast you can go with the younger ones.

 

[MouseOfCards]

Perhaps 15 minutes at a decent speed? Give or take depending on how fast you can go with the younger ones.

Thanks. A definite option over the monorail loop.

 

[CMNJ]

We're hoping to do a split stay next year, between VGF and AKV. Would like to know other DVCers' thoughts on some logistics questions:

1. Is it better to do VGF or AKV first? We were thinking of VGF first because it's the first stop on the Magical Express, and we were thinking that MK would be our first theme park visit. And AKV might be good towards the end of trip to relax more after all the park activities?

On the other hand, maybe it would be nice to visit VGF last, so we could end the trip on a high note in more upscale accomodations? And would VGF handle departures better with Magical Express and air travel confirmations?

2. Which resort is better for the weekend days? Maybe AKV since VGF is pricier (more points intensive)?

3. Which resort is better for the visits to HS and Epcot? From VGF, I imagine a long trip around the monorail loop and transfer, but also a long bus ride from AKV?

We will also be bringing a couple of young kids (under 5) and possibly one senior, if that helps. Thanks for any advice on this!

During the day when ME is busy the 4 MK resorts WL, CR/BLT, Poly/PVB, & GF/VGF share ME bus service (lane 2 at MCO). My understanding is the order can and does change for drop off.
We have taken it 4 times in the past year and a half (and my in laws had the same routes on their buses as well) and it has been 2 routes
Either
WL
CR/BLT
Poly/PVB
GF/VGF
Or
poly/PVB
GF/VGF
WL
CR/BLT

I think they determine which resort gets dropped off first based on how many people are staying at which resorts. Obviously it is possible that they could change it up but based on how they run the theme park buses (WL then CR/BLT and Poly then GF) it seems like this might be the most efficient way to travel around the MK resorts (literally on our last trip 1 family got off at WL but we still stopped there before CR/BLT).

Another thing to keep in mind with VGF is the transportation. Yes they are on the monorail line but they are the last stop before MK and it can be very crowded by the time it arrives there. Same thing with the buses to DHS and AK. They share transportation with the Poly and our experience was that Poly was always picked up first. At busy times that meant there were was only standing room before we ever reached GF. We have not stayed at GF but have stayed at Poly, CR, and BLT so we have seen the issue. I actually had always wanted to stay at GF since I was a kid but after our trip in Oct at the Poly I was a little concerned that if be frustrated with the transportation there-we have a 4 y/o so not getting a seat for him on a bus is pretty tough and we have a stroller that we have to fit on the monorail so that seemed a bit of a pain too (cars full at busy times and people with strollers having to try to collapse them at the last minute to try to fit)

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks. A definite option over the monorail loop.

And considering its a little walk over to get the monorail at GF it compares even a little better. Still, the walk thru the Poly resort take a bit of time then another short distance to the monorail station at TTC.

 

[MouseOfCards]

During the day when ME is busy the 4 MK resorts WL, CR/BLT, Poly/PVB, & GF/VGF share ME bus service (lane 2 at MCO). My understanding is the order can and does change for drop off.
We have taken it 4 times in the past year and a half (and my in laws had the same routes on their buses as well) and it has been 2 routes
Either
WL
CR/BLT
Poly/PVB
GF/VGF
Or
poly/PVB
GF/VGF
WL
CR/BLT

I think they determine which resort gets dropped off first based on how many people are staying at which resorts. Obviously it is possible that they could change it up but based on how they run the theme park buses (WL then CR/BLT and Poly then GF) it seems like this might be the most efficient way to travel around the MK resorts (literally on our last trip 1 family got off at WL but we still stopped there before CR/BLT).

Another thing to keep in mind with VGF is the transportation. Yes they are on the monorail line but they are the last stop before MK and it can be very crowded by the time it arrives there. Same thing with the buses to DHS and AK. They share transportation with the Poly and our experience was that Poly was always picked up first. At busy times that meant there were was only standing room before we ever reached GF. We have not stayed at GF but have stayed at Poly, CR, and BLT so we have seen the issue. I actually had always wanted to stay at GF since I was a kid but after our trip in Oct at the Poly I was a little concerned that if be frustrated with the transportation there-we have a 4 y/o so not getting a seat for him on a bus is pretty tough and we have a stroller that we have to fit on the monorail so that seemed a bit of a pain too (cars full at busy times and people with strollers having to try to collapse them at the last minute to try to fit)

Thanks for the info on the ME routes. And good points regarding the potentially crowded monorail or buses. Seems to be more reasons to do the VGF part of the split stay on weekdays.