How much trouble to split stay

[DisneyShack]

Just made a last minute change on resort. Originally had 4 nights at AKL. We are now going to split our stay - first 2 nights at Poly and last 2 nights at POFQ. We have a PS for 'Ohanas the night we arrive plus the next morning an 8:10 PS for CRT and tour MK so staying at the Poly will be very convenient. On Tuesday, we transfer to POFQ and will be doing Epcot (opens @ 9:00) so we can go over to POFQ first thing, check-in, leave our bags and go to Epcot. Wednesday will be MK again and then Thursday will stay poolside at POFQ and do DTD then pack up and go home.

Is it a hassle to split your stay? I've never done this before. When we check out of Poly and go to POFQ, if the room is not ready, can we just leave our bags and head to Epcot?

 

[ChristyJ]

We're splitting our stay too. Although we've never done it before (never even been to Disney before), I've read that Disney will send your luggage to the other hotel for you. (That way you can check out, go enjoy a park, and check in later!!)

 

[photobob]

It may be a bit of a hassle, but think of it as getting to stay at two differnt cool resorts in one trip. If Iwere to do this, I'd probably split my packing, having seperate luggage for each resort. I'm sure you'll hear from more folks that have done this. BTW...Roll Tide!

 

[GEM]

We've done it a couple of times and it's kind of a pain. Packing, unpacking, etc. We personally never do it unless we have a long trip booked. In December of 2002 we spent 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge and 5 nightst at the Boardwalk. I wouldn't split anything shorter than that. We like to really explore and enjoy the resort we are at to the fullest - soak up the atmosphere, take in all the details, enjoy the recreation and restaurants, etc. If we just spent two nights and then moved some place else for two nights, I would feel like we hardly got to enjoy either resort. There's TONS to do and see at the Poly, and if you leave after two nights, you'll miss a lot. I'd rather stay at one place all four nights and really get to know it. Just my opinion, though.

 

[DisneyShack]

The Poly is not available all 4 nights with the BBY rate otherwise we would stay there all 4 nights. I will call back in a couple of weeks to see if that changes.

 

[GEM]

Honestly, in that instance, I would stay at POFQ all four nights or pick another resort that was available for the whole stay. For me, that's too short of a trip to do a split stay. That's just a personal thing, though. Everybody's different.

 

[Bird-Mom]

It is very easy to do. We have even done it a few times with dd who is 2. We pack one suitcase per resort...that way the only thing you will need for both stays are your toiletries which we put in a carryon. The first resort will transfer your luggage-just let the bellman know when he/she comes to the room and picks it up. I have only done it for longer stays of 9 nights, a 5/4 split. It is like having 2 vacations in one trip. I do agree that I likely wouldn't do it for a 2/2 split.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I wouldn't recommend it, unless you don't have kids. It's really a pain to unpack and repack, and you pretty much lose a 1/2 a park day transferring over. For example, when we checked out of the Poly last April we had our luggage sent over to the BCV, but didn't get it until after 6:00 pm. Also, after we checked in we didn't have a room for about 4 hours. It's no big deal for adults, but not good when you have an infant or toddler that needs a nap.

 

[LuvTigger]

It's just a matter of opinion, but personally I've done it 3 times and it's never been a problem as long as you plan properly (I don't have kids). And Disney will transport your bags for you. I usually just call bell services when I'm ready to leave the first resort and tell them I'd like my bags transferred to the second resort, and they come and pick up the bags. Once (at an All Star resort) bell services was too busy, so they said to just leave the bags in the room (and leave the tip under the bags) and they'd take care of them.

Bags usually get to the next resort by 3 p.m. I've also heard people say they call the night before to notify bell services. Just make sure you carry whatever you need immediate access to with you. So you can just take your time at the parks, etc., and just get to the next hotel when you're ready!

 

[Grumpy37]

Originally posted by TigrLvsPooh
I wouldn't recommend it, unless you don't have kids. It's really a pain to unpack and repack, and you pretty much lose a 1/2 a park day transferring over. For example, when we checked out of the Poly last April we had our luggage sent over to the BCV, but didn't get it until after 6:00 pm. Also, after we checked in we didn't have a room for about 4 hours. It's no big deal for adults, but not good when you have an infant or toddler that needs a nap.

I'd really like to echo TigrLvsPooh's comments. We transfered from AKL to the Floridian, and even transporting the luggage (and golf clubs!) ourselves in the rental car we still burned about a half day in the process, just killing time. We eventually wound up with a really super room with an incredible view, but you can pretty much get that just by checking in early. Anyway, we decided won't be doing split stays anymore. For us its just too much hassle in the midst of the magic. YMMV.

 

[newcomer52]

We've done split stays twice. 4 nights at WL then 4 at BC. 3 nights at POR, then 3 at WL. Both times were very easy and I don't think there was any park time lost. We checked out before leaving for a park, asked to have our bags transferred to the new place. When we returned from the parks, our luggage was there and we just checked in. The only thing to remember is to get on a different bus when leaving the park!

 

[jdonat]

We did a split stay last August between OKW and the WL. You are all right, having
to pack/repack/unpack is a bit of a pain. The easy part is getting your stuff over
to the new resort. We just called the Bell staff and they came over, picked up
all the stuff that we wanted them to move over. They gave us a bell tag with the
number of parcels/bags that we moved over. That was it!
When we got to the WL and checked in, we told the bell staff there that we
had luggage transferred from OKW. They found it, and it was up to our rooom
as we were unpacking the stuff that we did take with us. It's a way of changing
hotels that's about as painless as it can be given the circumstances.
It works!

Have fun! We're heading back to the WL in less than three weeks!!!! YAY!

jd

 

[LVDizFan]

I always split my stays, but I always have 10+ days and a car that makes the move real easy.

I like to split between a moderate first and then the deluxe. Always end the vacation in the lap of luxury!

 

[DisneyShack]

Thanks for all the replies. I added another night at POFQ (Poly not available) so now our move day will not be a park day. We'll just swim at the Poly, check-out, go to POFQ and swim some more or go to DTD.

I'm going to keep trying to get Poly for the entire stay but it looks like it will be tough.

 

[Desnik]

We stood 1 night at ASSMo with a 5yo and 8mo! Then 5 nights at BWV. I had a seperate bag for our 1 night stay. We had our car so we left the rest in there and just bought the toiletry bag in too. We moved our luggage ourselves to the BW. It was no hassel at all for us. This next trip we'll be at POP for 1 night, BWV for 5 nights and somewhere else for 3 nights! With 3 kids this time!

So, I would reccomend having a seperate bag for the first resort.

 

[johnsonet]

Hi. I have kids and I'm doing a split stay!! In about 10 days!!
We are driving so it won't be as much of a hassle I don't think.
Staying first 2 nights at Poly. Last 3 nights at AKL where we have stayed before (and love!) We are packing 2 bags each. The first bag goes with us to Poly. We'll do MK, Chef Mickeys's and 'Ohana those first two days and nights. Bright and early on the Monday we will throw the bags in the car after checking out and head to AKL to check our 2d set of bags (plus toiletries) - or check-in if the room is available. We'll have our suits on under our clothes and head to the pool or enjoy the resorts' activities if it's raining. That afternoon we're heading to Disney-MGM Studios.
We can't wait!! I will organize everything the night before we check out of Poly and I think it will be a snap. The girls are 7 and 11 so it will be easy
I think you should go for it! Ideally I'd like to split a stay with 5 days at each resort but it didn't work out that way - next time!!

 

[goodferry]

I really wanted to do this for our trip in June. We are booked for the Poly from the 4th-11th with the BBY code and I wanted to split our stay between the Poly and either the BC or BWI, but DH vetoed, he thinks it would be a pain and stressful.
Some advice on getting that BBY code for your dates at the Poly is to try checking online to see if your dates are available with that code, you never know. You may end up with two ressies, but at one resort the whole time if that's what you want.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I think DH will think it is a pain too, however I am going for it with the knowledge that I will be the one packing/unpacking the luggage and organizing the switch. I am even thinking of kicking DH out to the parks with DS and I will meet up with him later(we're taking our cell phones). That way he isn't bugging me with his "I told you this would be a pain" griping while I am getting things settled. I figure I am planning this trip and he is pretty much along for the ride so I can do what I want!! LOL

 

[McCall]

Honestly it is really easy to do especially if you pack for each resort separately. They move the bags for you, and I assume you have quick check out so you don't have to actually check out at the front desk. It is easy and convenient so as long as you don't have length of stay passes, [because then you would be loosing value on that].

 

[KathyTX]

We did our first split stay trip last week... 3 days at AKL, 4 days at Poly.

The resorts did transfer the luggage with no trouble, but I don't think I'll split a stay again. We did find the packing/unpacking a bit of a pain.

I'd much rather check in once and get completely settled into our vacation home for the duration in the future. It's just not for us, I guess.