How many splits are too many for a split stay?

[MICKIMINI]

We use packing cubes and they make things so much easier now.

We do too! I often ship USPS to the resort! We bought Away bags because you can stuff lots into them. One purse, NO! One pair of ears, goodness NO! A girl needs what a girl needs LOL!!

I admit it, I am a serial over packer!!

 

[Girlstar30]

We do too! I often ship USPS to the resort! We bought Away bags because you can stuff lots into them. One purse, NO! One pair of ears, goodness NO! A girl needs what a girl needs LOL!!

I admit it, I am a serial over packer!!

Same here. I've never tried packing cubes but I should look into it

 

[MICKIMINI]

Same here. I've never tried packing cubes but I should look into it

Heavy duty zip bags work too...squeeze the air out. Works best for socks, underwear and tee shirts -anything soft.

 

[Disney got all my$$$]

Do any of you have specific resorts you prefer as your split stay options?

We have gone 3 years in a row on the resale points we purchased and did a BLT/BWV 5/4 1br/2br split last year. This will be our 3rd consecutive trip based on our purchase. 6 days Kidani Savannah/ 4-day cruise. We plan to skip next year for a trip to Nova Scotia and PEI.

After that I need to decide if we want to go to WDW every year. If so, I need to purchase another contract. If not, we can do a 5/5 BLT/Kidani 1 br split every other year. If I want to add a 2br as an option, I need more points or a few days of the 10 at Swan/Dolphin.

This is my first Disney split. I guess I'm trying to focus on "areas" more so than the actual resorts. For example - I would love to stay in BLT but I'm not going to swap RR for BLT (after I heard about long transport times to Epcot because that is my fav resort). I will swap RR for other Epcot resorts like BWV or BC.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Do any of you have specific resorts you prefer as your split stay options?

We like to split among different areas to make transportation easier. Like we’ll do an EPCOT resort, a MK resort and Saratoga Springs of AKV. We rarely double up on MK or EPCOT resorts.

 

[airjay75]

I'm just going to add to this thread because I think my mindset changed after this most recent trip where we did 4 nights AKL, 3 nights RIV. It was our first stay since becoming DVC owners and we bought Sorcerer's passes for the trip too. I do have two young kids, although I think that is not the primary reason I didn't like doing a split stay on this most recent trip.

I think my primary reason is this - I want time to enjoy the resort, it's amenities, it's activities, etc. I realize that now I'm a DVC owner with a fair number of points, we're going to have multiple 1-week stays for years to come. There is no reason I need to ensure every trip has time at a resort near MK and time at another resort near Epcot/HS. I can take my time. I can enjoy myself. I need to slow down, not wake up every day with a lightning lane reservation designed to make the most of a trip to the park and then think about the next day or a few days from now and what our plan is going to be to pack up and move to another resort. I did slow down on this most recent trip from my last one (where we did 2-day park hopper plus tickets and tried to do all 4 parks and a water park during a 4-night stay at Coronado). But, I didn't slow things down enough.

So, I have now changed our next planned trip from a similar 3/4 split stay to 7 nights at the same resort, and I'm looking forward to it. That said, I think the trip I'm planning after that one is going to be 4 nights at a WDW resort followed by 4 nights at Vero Beach, but I think that is pretty different sort of split stay.

 

[Mouseforward]

Heavy duty zip bags work too...squeeze the air out. Works best for socks, underwear and tee shirts -anything soft.

Amazon has vacuum bags that come with a plastic pump, I use them for the clothes I keep in my owner locker since I don't want Florida bugs getting into my stuff. I also pack with them but I have had the airline open the bag and cause issues.

 

[ShaneDJ]

I'm just going to add to this thread because I think my mindset changed after this most recent trip where we did 4 nights AKL, 3 nights RIV. It was our first stay since becoming DVC owners and we bought Sorcerer's passes for the trip too. I do have two young kids, although I think that is not the primary reason I didn't like doing a split stay on this most recent trip.

I think my primary reason is this - I want time to enjoy the resort, it's amenities, it's activities, etc. I realize that now I'm a DVC owner with a fair number of points, we're going to have multiple 1-week stays for years to come. There is no reason I need to ensure every trip has time at a resort near MK and time at another resort near Epcot/HS. I can take my time. I can enjoy myself. I need to slow down, not wake up every day with a lightning lane reservation designed to make the most of a trip to the park and then think about the next day or a few days from now and what our plan is going to be to pack up and move to another resort. I did slow down on this most recent trip from my last one (where we did 2-day park hopper plus tickets and tried to do all 4 parks and a water park during a 4-night stay at Coronado). But, I didn't slow things down enough.

So, I have now changed our next planned trip from a similar 3/4 split stay to 7 nights at the same resort, and I'm looking forward to it. That said, I think the trip I'm planning after that one is going to be 4 nights at a WDW resort followed by 4 nights at Vero Beach, but I think that is pretty different sort of split stay.

DVC has allowed us to do what was unthinkable pre-DVC: the “resort only” stay.

Such a relaxing experience. Just enjoy the resort at a slow pace with no pressure to rush to the parks.

No way we would have considered that before DVC.

 

[Girlstar30]

I'm just going to add to this thread because I think my mindset changed after this most recent trip where we did 4 nights AKL, 3 nights RIV. It was our first stay since becoming DVC owners and we bought Sorcerer's passes for the trip too. I do have two young kids, although I think that is not the primary reason I didn't like doing a split stay on this most recent trip.

I think my primary reason is this - I want time to enjoy the resort, it's amenities, it's activities, etc. I realize that now I'm a DVC owner with a fair number of points, we're going to have multiple 1-week stays for years to come. There is no reason I need to ensure every trip has time at a resort near MK and time at another resort near Epcot/HS. I can take my time. I can enjoy myself. I need to slow down, not wake up every day with a lightning lane reservation designed to make the most of a trip to the park and then think about the next day or a few days from now and what our plan is going to be to pack up and move to another resort. I did slow down on this most recent trip from my last one (where we did 2-day park hopper plus tickets and tried to do all 4 parks and a water park during a 4-night stay at Coronado). But, I didn't slow things down enough.

So, I have now changed our next planned trip from a similar 3/4 split stay to 7 nights at the same resort, and I'm looking forward to it. That said, I think the trip I'm planning after that one is going to be 4 nights at a WDW resort followed by 4 nights at Vero Beach, but I think that is pretty different sort of split stay.

I wonder if as I stay more i will change my mind on shorter split stays as well.

Right now we are just so excited to try everything and I dont think that its fully hit me that im a dvc member that will have access to these hotels for years to come.

For this upcoming trip I planned my usual four night stays, but we threw in a couple 5 night stays and a 6 night stay. I think that will help me gage what really works for us. I also think as we come to get to know our favorites we will want to stay longer in those as well. I know i am eager to return to akv and blt even though I stayed there this year.

Im looking forward to staying at 5 resorts ive never stayed in. Judging by my last trip, I know there will be some we love and some we'd rather skip. I hope I don't want to buy another resale contract

 

[Headless]

It took my wife and I about two years before we 'settled' into being DVC. We went from 'lets get it all in' to doing what we want where we want it and when the mood strikes. We get the sorcerer pass and love park hopping at a whim because we know like you said we have years to do some things. I know my wife enjoys it more now that we aren't trying to cram things in and our only 'have to be there' is for a ADR. our focus now is seeing all of the resorts and trying all of the restaurants we want to try while hitting the things we love.

I'm a huge fan of split stays because they let us stay at a resort we really enjoy (Riv) while still going somewhere else to experience that as well. I hear the logic of 'area' (staying at an Epcot then staying at an MK resort) but I find right now I'm prioritizing resorts more then areas. I know next year I'm shooting for one or two resorts we've been dying to stay at and one of them is in that same 'area' and it doesn't really bother me.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Amazon has vacuum bags that come with a plastic pump, I use them for the clothes I keep in my owner locker since I don't want Florida bugs getting into my stuff. I also pack with them but I have had the airline open the bag and cause issues.

We use those too! I need a self help course in not packing so darn much!!

 

[Disney got all my$$$]

I wonder if as I stay more i will change my mind on shorter split stays as well.

Right now we are just so excited to try everything and I dont think that its fully hit me that im a dvc member that will have access to these hotels for years to come.

For this upcoming trip I planned my usual four night stays, but we threw in a couple 5 night stays and a 6 night stay. I think that will help me gage what really works for us. I also think as we come to get to know our favorites we will want to stay longer in those as well. I know i am eager to return to akv and blt even though I stayed there this year.

Im looking forward to staying at 5 resorts ive never stayed in. Judging by my last trip, I know there will be some we love and some we'd rather skip. I hope I don't want to buy another resale contract

I think is part of my problem - I want to try all the resorts. I bought the AKL resale contract so we could do this large family trip and it’s my son’s favorite resort. But, he’s graduating high school and how we use DVC may drastically change in the next 5 years. So, I want to try everything by then so I can have a good idea of where and how to shift my membership by then.

 

[kristennn]

A split stay is whatever you feel like you can handle. Some people use the check in time as a park day (and now as a water park day). You may want to check to see if your resort has direct transportation to the water park bc we are at CCV and there is a direct bus route through the end of September (I think).

If you have a car, you can move your own luggage; otherwise you can use bell services but make sure that you have your essentials bc you may not receive your luggage until later that evening.

We do split stays all the time, so feel free to ask any questions! In fact, I need to go bc we are checking out of CCV for the YC right now.

Split stay logistic questions : I am planning my first DVC trip and doing a split stay. I know Disney will send your bags to your next resort. My understanding is - you bring your bags to bell hop - do you tell them where you are going? Then when you get to your next resort later - Do you go to the bell hop to receive your bags? Do you tip at both places? How much? I am guessing we will have 1-2 bags. Also I know you can check in on the app - do you check in for all your stays prior to the trip? alternately what time the next day do you check in on the app? If you check in on the app and then go right to your room - how do you get room keys or get your magic band connected to your room? Do you have to go to the front desk before going to your room to get that set up? I know you often dont have a room to go to between check out and check in - but are there any other downsides/hassles of switching resorts? We will be traveling pretty light and will just have two adults this time around.

 

[airjay75]

Split stay logistic questions : I am planning my first DVC trip and doing a split stay. I know Disney will send your bags to your next resort. My understanding is - you bring your bags to bell hop - do you tell them where you are going? Then when you get to your next resort later - Do you go to the bell hop to receive your bags? Do you tip at both places? How much? I am guessing we will have 1-2 bags. Also I know you can check in on the app - do you check in for all your stays prior to the trip? alternately what time the next day do you check in on the app? If you check in on the app and then go right to your room - how do you get room keys or get your magic band connected to your room? Do you have to go to the front desk before going to your room to get that set up? I know you often dont have a room to go to between check out and check in - but are there any other downsides/hassles of switching resorts? We will be traveling pretty light and will just have two adults this time around.

I’ll just tell you what I did this most recent trip. In the morning before check out (probably between 9 and 10 am), brought our bags to bell services. They tagged them and gave me a receipt. Then, after checking into our room at the new resort, called bell services (between 4 and 5 pm) and asked if our bags were there yet and, if so, could they be brought up. They were, they brought them up within 5-10 minutes, and I think I tipped about $10 or so (3 bags). I didn’t tip the resort we were checking out of - maybe I should have. Generally, I tipped anytime I had bell services bring something to our room (also had an Instacart delivery) It was all very easy.

 

[tjkraz]

When planning: "This will be great. Different resort themes. Different locations around WDW. Different pools. Different restaurants. It's the best of all worlds."

When on the vacation: "I can't believe I was dumb enough to do this again. The last thing I want to spend vacation time on is re-packing all our junk and getting settled again. This is the last time I ever do a split stay!"

 

[Mouseforward]

When planning: "This will be great. Different resort themes. Different locations around WDW. Different pools. Different restaurants. It's the best of all worlds."

When on the vacation: "I can't believe I was dumb enough to do this again. The last thing I want to spend vacation time on is re-packing all our junk and getting settled again. This is the last time I ever do a split stay!"

So true, I’m up to two owners lockers, between that, and my suitcase it’s a real pain.

It also is points heavy for me, because I tend to overlap the reservation, so I’m not locked out of my room for most of the day. If you do this have the courtesy to let the front desk know at your first hotel what your actual check out is if you’re leaving at 5 PM for example.

 

[pinkxray]

When planning: "This will be great. Different resort themes. Different locations around WDW. Different pools. Different restaurants. It's the best of all worlds."

When on the vacation: "I can't believe I was dumb enough to do this again. The last thing I want to spend vacation time on is re-packing all our junk and getting settled again. This is the last time I ever do a split stay!"

This is me every single time.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

Split stay logistic questions : I am planning my first DVC trip and doing a split stay. I know Disney will send your bags to your next resort. My understanding is - you bring your bags to bell hop - do you tell them where you are going? Then when you get to your next resort later - Do you go to the bell hop to receive your bags? Do you tip at both places? How much? I am guessing we will have 1-2 bags. Also I know you can check in on the app - do you check in for all your stays prior to the trip? alternately what time the next day do you check in on the app? If you check in on the app and then go right to your room - how do you get room keys or get your magic band connected to your room? Do you have to go to the front desk before going to your room to get that set up? I know you often dont have a room to go to between check out and check in - but are there any other downsides/hassles of switching resorts? We will be traveling pretty light and will just have two adults this time around.

We have a car so we don't use bell services, but here's a play-by-play for us. Usually it's just 2 adults, couple suitcases and our owner's locker. I always check in prior to our trip; but after packing up the car, we drive over to the next resort so I can stop at the front desk to let them know that we are switching from another resort but aren't going to the parks so we will take first available. I usually have them check our magic bands, just to be safe but they are usually already to go. Then we either go to Starbucks or First Watch for breakfast bc we can park close enough to keep an eye on the car. Stop by Walmart for my husband to run in and get some non perishables. Back to the hotel around 2p to wait for our room. I keep track of our check in times and the latest (knock on wood) time was 340p at VGF.

There are definitely downsides to split stays: Having to pack & unpack; stress of moving and waiting for a new room; moving cuts into vacation time; you can only make dining reservations for each leg; trying to organize groceries between split stays so you have less to move.

That said, we love split stays, lol. Usually spend part of our time in the MK area and the other in the Epcot area. We also stay for 2-3 weeks when we do the split stays, otherwise it is a lot of work for a short stay.