How does a split stay work?

[E&As Mom]

Hi everyone!

I'm hoping anyone who has ever scheduled a split stay can help me out with what are probably some very easy questions.

We unfortunately are not taking a family vacation to The World this year , but I am starting to collect thoughts and what not about our next trip which will happen in September, 2013.

It's been a dream of ours to stay at either the Yacht Club or the Beach Club, and with enough planning time, we're hoping to make our dream come true next year. That being said, it is a BIG difference in cost between the moderates for 9 days and a deluxe for 9 days. So, I was looking at maybe trying to do a split stay, but I'm not 100% sure on how that works. We'd probably be looking at a 4 night stay at Coronado Springs, and then maybe a 5 night stay at the Yacht or Beach club.

When it comes time to book the vacation (which won't be for a few months at least!), do I end up having to book 2 stays/trips? Is it just 1 stay/trip, with a note of a resort change? How does it work? I also wonder how much of a pain in the butt it is to pack everything up after a few days, just to move resorts. Would it be up to us to transport all of our luggage to the new resort, or is that something that Disney can/will do for us?

I can't help but wonder how the free dining would work too, if it even ends up getting offered for next September. I know that there are usually minimum nights required to stay in order to qualify for free dining, so that would be a consideration too, if we have to book it as 2 trips and not just 1 (depending on if we would meet the minimum requirement on the shorter part of the stay).

Any help anyone can offer would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks!
Kelly

 

[vicki_c]

In Disney's eyes, there is no such thing as reserving a split stay. You have 2 separate reservations. If you are on a package with minimum purchase requirements (like tickets to get the dining plan or rack rate room + minimum days of tickets for free dining), you have to satisfy those minimum purchase requirements for each stay.

Disney will move your luggage from one resort to another though.

 

[DizDaD7]

Yes what she said.

Also if it were me I would save the $$ and book an extra 2 nights at csr.
If u were doing 4 nights n 5 the difference u would save ckuld get u another 2 nights making it 11. If u cant go for 11 than just put the savings tlwards something else. Hoppers, water park n more.etc. CSR, most including myself consider it a deluxe lite (so to speak). Great pools best bus transportation nice lounge nice cs & ts restaurants. Newly refurbished rooms with comfy beds. You wont be disappointed.

 

[rentayenta]

I'd do CSR first, never go down in category. Been there, done that, no bueno.


I'd book your package on the first part with CSR and your tickets. Then book a room only for the next resort. Keep your eyes out for discounts on both packages and room only.