How much of a pain are split stays?

[PDXmouse]

Gah, I forgot about the dining reservations getting split, too... Hm.

 

[jo-jo]

We do a split stay almost every trip. But not just for a couple of nights. You really only have one full day there. We try to do a MK area/Epcot area split stay. We feel the better access to closer parks is worth the packing / unpacking. But also we have no kids on trips.

 

[Shibafam2011]

For our last trip (nine nights) we did a split stay for the first time, three nights at POR and six nights at WL. We genuinely thought we would love doing split stays to enjoy more resorts but that wasn’t the case. We even had a car to move our own luggage.

We found that it took too much time away from our trip. Also, having to repack to move was more of a pain than I could have imagined. I even planned ahead and had separate bags for each part of the trip for three people. We were very prepared but it was still too much of a hassle. We mentioned several times after moving over to WL that we wish we had done the entire trip at the WL. It was still a great trip but we have ultimately ruled out split stays for the future.

 

[kanerf]

I always do split stays. I usually go for 10 days each trip and do 3 nights at two different resorts and 4 nights at another at the end of the stay. As others have said, the pain is on moving day. I have an insulated backpack that I bring with me and pack up all of my cold stuff and head off to the next resort on the morning of the move. There I hand it off to bell services to keep things cold until I come back and check-in. All of my other stuff is transported between resorts by the bell staff. Make sure to tip them accordingly, when they pickup and when they deliver.

Doing this over the last decade or so, I have never once lost anything in transit.

 

[StarCruzer]

I would say only do AKL Savannah room if you plan on spending time in your actual room. Last time we went, we did very light park days and spent a lot of time in our resort room reading, snacking, and relaxing. For us it was worth it because we got to see tons of animals, and some fun interactions between animals and zoo staff (watching a CM trying to get one of the birds to stand still on a scale so he could get weighed was extremely funny--not for the CM I imagine). We also brought a small set of binoculars. We had many lovely breakfasts and lunches on our balcony. However...we very rarely saw anyone else out looking at the savannah.

TLDR: Don't pay for a savannah view room if you're not going to spend many daylight hours inside the room. There are plenty of sitting areas at AKL+JH in the common areas where you can enjoy watching the animals.

 

[snikki]

We've done them twice and I am not a fan for several reasons.

- I do not like packing and unpacking. I need to be fully unpacked to relax and start my vacation. So it becomes a real pain for me to move midtrip. I also use a lot of toiletries so I can't live out of my suitcase. We also buy bottled water and snacks which can be a pain to move. Bell services won't move cold items.

- If we decide to RD we have to be up at zero dark thirty to pack and move our bags. If you do a late start you are in the park during the hottest busiest part of the day with no plan b to head back to your room if it isn't ready.

- You are essentially homeless for half the day. We are midday break people so this cramps our style. Last two trips we worked around it but by 3 pm we wanted to head back to the room/pool but the room wasn't ready yet. We also don't like changing at the pool locker room so that's not an option.

- Having to split your ADR window.

- Waiting for your luggage if you use Disney to move your bags. We once waited until 5 pm for our bags.

- If you have small kids and they get ill (or anyone in your party) you are stuck in the lobby or elsewhere waiting for your room. I've read stories here on the Dis and people on the boards were berating the parents for having their sick kid in the lobby during their split stay. Where else were they supposed to go?

This past trip we did CSR for 9 nights and loved it. I had offered a Pop/Beach Club split to DD (BC is her favorite) but she wanted to stay put in one hotel. I don't know if I will go back to a split stay again.

 

[Eviejim]

If you're doing a grocery order, I might consider doing two smaller orders so you're not moving food items for your split stay. Also, I believe they will move your bags for you, but for the few "homeless" hours, just make sure you have what you need with you. Enjoy!

That's an awesome idea! That's my only thing that I didn't like about doing a split stay and hesitant to do it again because Bell Services lost a small bag of groceries that we had transferred.

 

[kylenne]

We do a split stay almost every trip. But not just for a couple of nights. You really only have one full day there. We try to do a MK area/Epcot area split stay. We feel the better access to closer parks is worth the packing / unpacking. But also we have no kids on trips.

This is the way. It was so amazing being able to walk to 3 of 4 parks on my GF/YC trip. The transportation convenience alone was worth it.

 

[jo-jo]

That's an awesome idea! That's my only thing that I didn't like about doing a split stay and hesitant to do it again because Bell Services lost a small bag of groceries that we had transferred.

Plus if you over buy, you are tipping twice on the food moved. That cuts into the savings of ordering in the first place.

We are doing a 13 day trip, 7 days at BLT one bedroom, 6 days at AKL. Hoping , aside from maybe drinks, I plan well. And not have more than one bag of groceries to move.

 

[danceintherain]

I don't like it. We did it our last trip, and it didn't improve the trip at all. It wasn't awful, but was a lot of work for very little reward.
We're doing it this time, because my parents are paying for most of the trip. I didn't feel like trying to convince DH to pay for a 2BR BCV points rental for the extra nights we'll be there. By the time we realized we were doing the extra nights, I'm not sure we'd even be able to get a reservation, especially since they've started their refurb.
So, we are staying 2 nights at a Cabin at Fort Wilderness instead. We'll do a Magic Kingdom day for the "full" day, then Epcot on the day we change resorts. So we won't be far away when our room is ready. DH insists on renting a car, so that will be helpful. I'm not a good enough packer to keep things organized enough to not have to unpack and repack most things. There always seems to be something that gets packed in the "wrong" bag. Plus, DH doesn't "get it," so he'll "help" and things will get mixed up, then he'll bring everything in, even if I say "only bring the purple duffle in." So anyway, it's just easier for us to plan to bring everything in. It saves trips to the car.

 

[_19disnA]

When we go on vacation we like to unpack ONCE when we arrive and only repack on the day we are leaving for the airport. Hang clothes in the closet, setting the various toileties in the bathroom and arranging various snacks we have brought. It is a hassle packing/unpacking multiple times, separating the dirty clothes from things that are clean, etc. The OP is also proposing to stay at THREE different places which we would never do. It just becomes a hassle for little benefit and being homeless part of the time can be an issue if want to take a break from the parks.

Mostly depends on how you like to vacation, but is something we would never want to do.

When others tell you that you 'must' stay at X, that also depends on budget, personal preference and which parks you like to spend the most time. Monorails resorts are very convenient to MK, but if mostly planning to do HS or Epcot would choose a hotel that is closer.

 

[snikki]

When we go on vacation we like to unpack ONCE when we arrive and only repack on the day we are leaving for the airport. Hang clothes in the closet, setting the various toileties in the bathroom and arranging various snacks we have brought. It is a hassle packing/unpacking multiple times, separating the dirty clothes from things that are clean, etc. The OP is also proposing to stay at THREE different places which we would never do. It just becomes a hassle for little benefit and being homeless part of the time can be an issue if want to take a break from the parks.

Mostly depends on how you like to vacation, but is something we would never want to do.

When others tell you that you 'must' stay at X, that also depends on budget, personal preference and which parks you like to spend the most time. Monorails resorts are very convenient to MK, but if mostly planning to do HS or Epcot would choose a hotel that is closer.

Oh yes the dirty clothes. We bring a pop up hamper for our dirty clothes. When we leave I put all dirty clothes into its own luggages and any clean clothes separate. When doing a split stay I had to figure out what to do and how to arrange it so we didn’t have dirty clothes mixed with clean. It’s not a big deal but since I hate packing and unpacking it was a pain for me.

 

[Counting Stars]

I have a love hate relationship with split stays... Love spending time at two different resorts but hate that homeless feeling. Try to plan so that on our change day we head to Disney Springs or a park with easy transportation- boat or monorail. Our experience has been the rooms are available later than previous so we plan a late lunch for change day as well, then get settled when room is ready and head back out in the evening. Split stays work best for us with longer trips. AKL is a beautiful resort but far from other parks. WL is also beautiful but has the boat to MK. I don't think there is a wrong choice between the two. Agree with previous posters, no less than 3 days at a resort. For myself on a crowded holiday week I would opt for a week at the swan and 5 days at WL. Everything will be quite busy and I would choose not to move twice. Let us know what you decide

 

[Eastern]

We are doing our very first split stay in May. We are planning on checking out, getting a Minnie Van to our second hotel, dropping off luggage to store at the bell stand until our room is ready and heading to the park. Should we expect any issues with this?

I would send one person with the luggage and get an Uber. It's about $12. The rest of you can go on to the parks and meet up whenever.

 

[Eastern]

We've done split stays a few times, but only with two resorts. We make the transfer day one where we want to sleep later, so usually Epcot, since it opens later. Or just make it your resort/DS day.

The biggest thing is packing appropriately. If you're checking bags, put the first few days of clothing in that bag. Put the rest in carryons or another checked bag, depending on how you travel. I would pack 2 people per bag. Pack your necessities in a carryon. Hopefully no luggage gets lost. It can be done!

 

[stinkpickle]

I love split stays. My wife hates them. We've reached a compromise....we don't do them. :/

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Love them

Min 3 nights at each though

Also your first hotel is usually the one you see less of because you jump into the parks and are barely there. Calms down more into the trip

 

[godfather927]

We did a 5/3/4 split at 3 resorts and I thought it went fairly well. Luggage transfer was seamless, it was cool being able to experience the different grounds and pools, and even the differences in gift shops and dining options were interesting. We'll probably do it again so that we can split up our trip with a skyliner resort for the EPCOT and DHS days, and another resort for the MK and AK days.

 

[Lewisc]

Biggest issue. Early afternoon heavy rain. Maybe you're at the pool. Maybe a park. Could even be a water park which is closing early due to the weather.

A real PITA if you're soaking wet and would like to go to a room to shower and change.

Assume your room isn't ready your option is to retrieve luggage and shower then change at locker type room near the pool or health club

Edited to add Same issue can occur on your check in date, no split stay BUT the same issue can occur on every check in day, split stay.

 

[Lewisc]

Some ideas if you book a split stay. Guests who like to unpack should use packing cubes. A few cubes to take out of your suitcase. Pack a frameless, wheel less duffel bag or backpack. Use it for your dirty laundry. Flying SW. You have a bag you can check. Good if you need room for souvenirs.