How many splits are too many for a split stay?

[zavandor]

My personal rule is at least 4 nights at each resort, just because I want to enjoy it and not feel rushed.
You can pack smart. I usually travel with a checked bag and a carryon. I pack in the carryon everything needed for the first stay, so I have only to open one bag and the second stays closed until the second resort. It's useful also in case the checked bag is lost or delayed, I still have everything necessary with me.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I’m planning a June 2026 trip with 3 splits to use 11-month priority at my 3 home resorts.

Current plan:
4 nights (AKL Jambo) 3 bedroom grand villa - hosting extended family for son’s high school graduation
5 nights (Riviera) 2 bedroom - just us (2 adults and our 2 “kids” DS18 and DD20)
5 nights (VGF) 2 bedroom - just us again

I want to try all the DVC resorts so I’m excited to split stay! My family is going along with it but we have never done a split stay so may end up hating it!

Is three resorts too many?
We’ve never stayed at AKL as DVC nor VGF since buying DVC so definitely want to stay at those two places.

At 7 months I can try to combine points to get the Riviera portion moved to Grand Floridian for fewer splits or maybe move it to Boardwalk or BLT to try one more resort (we have stayed at Riviera many times and love it but I want to try all the resorts).

Thanks for any input.

Since your trip is 2 weeks, I think 3 sounds fine, 4 might be pushing it. If I was on a week or shorter vacation, I would not want to change resorts (I've done it several times and feel like it "wastes" a day for us), but 2 weeks allows you to still do all the things you want and not worry about wasting a day moving.

 

[Stargazer65]

Is three resorts too many?

Definitely not! Six is too many. I base that on doing five in a two week period one time.

 

[kilik64]

1.

 

[Shellyred8]

Thanks so much for the insight! We’ve never split-stayed before so I’m excited to try new resorts and learn more about how we like to travel!

I think we will keep the 3 way split but at 7 months I may try for BWV instead of Rivera. Only to get another report I haven’t tried, I love Rivera but I’d love to walk to the park instead of riding the skyliner. I have a horrible fear of heights but do it for my kids…

I love your original plan. We did a split stay once where we only had 2 nights at a place and after that I said that 3 nights was the minimum at any one place before we moved. So, your 4, 5, 5 split sounds perfect to me!.
I also like the idea of moving the BWV if you can find something available. While I really enjoy Riviera, I don't like the threat of the skyliner closing during inclement weather. I've run into this issue a couple of times and they were pretty slow at getting alternate transportation up and running.

 

[Disney got all my$$$]

Thank you! I’m getting more and more excited as I book each leg of the trip! Jambo down!

 

[RuntheMouse]

We’re doing a 3/3 split stay between BLT and RIV in October. Then in January we’re doing 8/4/3 between RIV, SSR and BWV. We love doing split stays, most of our trips end up being one!

I think your 3 way split is reasonable.

 

[Dismas]

Given the length of your trip, 3 isn't awful, but I've only ever done a 2-way split. If possible, pack different suitcases for each resort.

 

[samsp99]

That split seems reasonable. I enjoy split stays when I have enough time at each resort, but I find 2-3 days a bit too short of a stay. Especially having 5 days at 2 of the 3 resorts, I think you'll be fine especially with your own car.

I don’t think its the number of splits, more how long each split is. As yours are 4+ days each, it gives enough time to settle in to each resort.
Having your own transport so you can move baggage more easily is key - especially for groceries.

 

[Brob2132]

We did a split stay thinking we wouldn’t mind it. We hated the split aspect. We’re also in a completely different life situation with young kids, so that was a huge factor.

I say that because until you try it, you never really know.

 

[Lumpy1106]

We usually avoid split stays but wanted to take advantage of the free waterpark day. Problem is we looked into this way too late. We had a week at Riviera planned, but wanted to move to BLT so we could walk to MK and monorail to the Poly. Problem was, BLT only had availability mid-week. SO....we are staying Riviera 2 nights, BLT 2 nights, then heading back to Riviera for 3 nights. It has a lot of advantages for transportation - will only need to take a bus to get to the waterpark and DAK. We are renting a car though so may just skip the buses altogether. Did not think about Bell Services moving our bags, but we'll have food and a car to move too so will probably just move ourselves.

 

[tom1944]

We did a split stay last year and did a 5/4 split. We are doing a modified split stay this year by doing a 6-day Kidani/4-day cruise this year.

We will not go again until 2027 and the plan will be a 5/5 split. I think for us that will be best.

 

[Disney got all my$$$]

We usually avoid split stays but wanted to take advantage of the free waterpark day. Problem is we looked into this way too late. We had a week at Riviera planned, but wanted to move to BLT so we could walk to MK and monorail to the Poly. Problem was, BLT only had availability mid-week. SO....we are staying Riviera 2 nights, BLT 2 nights, then heading back to Riviera for 3 nights. It has a lot of advantages for transportation - will only need to take a bus to get to the waterpark and DAK. We are renting a car though so may just skip the buses altogether. Did not think about Bell Services moving our bags, but we'll have food and a car to move too so will probably just move ourselves.

Let us know how this works out?!

 

[Girlstar30]

I agree with the others that say any amount is okay as long as you have at least 4 nights in between especially if its your first time staying at the resort.

In January, we stayed in 4 hotels in a 12 night stay. The 4 nights we stayed at Jambo and CCV were enough to get a nice feel, dine at some restaurants, utilize the pool etc.

Then there was 2 nights at BLT and 2 nights at VGF. Definetely NOT enough time and felt rushed and did not get to experience everything we wanted. It was a tease.

Im totally fine with weekend getaways in California, but Disney World is massive and more time is needed imo. I think 5 nights always would be the sweet spot for longer trips and 4 for shorter. With that being said I never want to go to disney world and not stay in at least 3 hotels for now. We love split stays and would be bored to tears in one hotel for the entire stay.

We are going to Disney World for the entire month of September and staying in 6 different hotels. I definetely think this will be a nice pace for us.