If you do split stays ??

[Simba's Mom]

I've done many split stays, but my strategy has always been to do a shorter stay at the first resort (perhaps a resort I'm trying for the first time), then a longer stay at the second resort. But the last time I did a split stay, I wondered if there was a better strategy. Do you think that instead of 2-3 nights at one resort, followed by 5 nights elsewhere, I should reverse it and stay 5 nights in one resort, followed by 2-3 nights elsewhere? Or maybe it works better to stay an equal amount of time at each resort? Just curious as to what other split stay doers use as their strategy and why?

 

[RuntheMouse]

We try to split them evenly and if that’s not possible then have a minimum of 4 nights at any resort. We like to feel like we can settle in and feel at home each time.

Of course there are times that we do shorter but those are usually for very specific reasons like to stay at BLT for MNSSHP or BCV for a couple of days if a festival overlaps with the end of a trip.

 

[wilkydelts]

Split based on park rotation

Split based on gaining a washer and dryer, always want more time with washer and dryer at the end of trip

 

[Lumpy1106]

We've only done a split once and we did it to give us the best convenience to each park. DHS and Epcot at BWV, BCV or RIV, MK at GFV, BLT or the Poly. We thought we'd hate the move. My wife likes to get settled in and just enjoy the stay without packing everything up. It wasn't bad but we had a car. We were also able to take advantage of the free waterpark day that way which is a big reason why we even considered it. We ended up liking it so much that it is now our preferred stay. As for OP question, I would say do the move in a way that allows you to get settled in at each resort. Otherwise, does not matter.

 

[kgou]

When we've done split stays, it's been 1 night on either end of the trip with a longer stay at one resort either before or after. For example, in 2023 I did 1 night at Poly before moving over to BWV for the week. In 2024 I did 1 night at BRV before moving over to VGF for 5 nights. And in 2025 we did 6 nights at CCV before moving over to BWV for 1 night.

I've done it like this to try new to us resorts, or for a quick visit to enjoy a night at a resort we've stayed at before. Doing the 1 night on the front end of the trip is better than 1 night on the back end (especially when going from a larger unit to a studio) IMO.

On our next trip though, we're doing 3 nights at PIT and 2 nights at RIV, and I'm planning to structure park visits accordingly.

 

[Genie+]

We check in this Saturday to a 1-5-1 split stay. Not sure I have any good advice

 

[Genie+]

When we've done split stays, it's been 1 night on either end of the trip with a longer stay at one resort either before or after. For example, in 2023 I did 1 night at Poly before moving over to BWV for the week. In 2024 I did 1 night at BRV before moving over to VGF for 5 nights. And in 2025 we did 6 nights at CCV before moving over to BWV for 1 night.

I've done it like this to try new to us resorts, or for a quick visit to enjoy a night at a resort we've stayed at before. Doing the 1 night on the front end of the trip is better than 1 night on the back end (especially when going from a larger unit to a studio) IMO.

This is very similar to what we are doing.

We had VGF booked Sun-Fri on points. Later added BWV cash first night to extend the trip. When we booked flights decided to add one day at the end and booked Contemporary.

Now that our plans are shored up, it’s going to work out pretty cool! We won’t unpack until VGF.

 

[Average Joes]

We factored in the Extended evening hours to stay near on the monorail and then moved. Helped with those late hours.

 

[kgou]

This is very similar to what we are doing.

We had VGF booked Sun-Fri on points. Later added BWV cash first night to extend the trip. When we booked flights decided to add one day at the end and booked Contemporary.

Now that our plans are shored up, it’s going to work out pretty cool! We won’t unpack until VGF.

That sounds like a dream trip!!! Some of my 1 nighters were added to extend the trip too, and to save on points/try something new I've usually done a studio for those! But it's a great way to try new resorts or say a quick hello to resorts we know and love.

BWV, VGF, and Contemporary sounds like it will be great!! I hope you have an amazing time on your trip.

 

[Genie+]

That sounds like a dream trip!!! Some of my 1 nighters were added to extend the trip too, and to save on points/try something new I've usually done a studio for those! But it's a great way to try new resorts or say a quick hello to resorts we know and love.

BWV, VGF, and Contemporary sounds like it will be great!! I hope you have an amazing time on your trip.

Thank you! I’m so very excited. Saving points and mixing things up is why we did this too.

I’m loving the 1st night at BWV now! We arrive around noon Sat, will do HS and check-in. Turns out that Fantasmic has a 2nd showing at 10pm, JellyRolls is having its final night, the 10 mile runDisney will be going right past our balcony at 6/7am, and we can hit EP 9:30am EMH due to late opening. Then we’ll move over to VGF and MK/fireworks that night.

At the end of the trip we added 1 night Contemporary Club Level. Have never done either at WDW.

This trip starts out packed with plans and LLs Sat thru Wed night (HS Moonlight Magic ). The last 3 days are very chill.

 

[Disdreaming479]

I prefer to arrive on Friday, so I try to stay in the deluxe studio for 3 nights on the higher points nights. Then I move to a 1 bedroom on the less costly weekday nights. Plus I’m still ‘sleeping around’ wdw to learn which are my preferred resorts.

 

[Pens Fan]

We've started doing more split stays at WDW since we added a couple of BWV contracts in addition to our CCV ones. As for the timing, it's pretty random for us based on the situation. If we are just wanting to split time between the two it's usually pretty even - spending our EP and HS days at BWV and MK and AK days at CCV. But other times if we want to try out a new to us resort then it will be just for a few days to see if we like it. Other times, like our current trip we decided to add on to our AKV stay at Riviera. But the RIV portion is just a few days because that point chart is .

There is no hard and fast rule for us. But one thing that I doubt will ever change is you aren't getting me to budge from CCV during our annual Dec trip!!! No split stays on that one.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We check in this Saturday to a 1-5-1 split stay. Not sure I have any good advice

However, after your stay it would be very interesting to hear your perspective. I'm wondering about spending the last couple days in a 1 BR (after spending 5-6 days in a studio at a different resort) to chill and do laundry (as I think someone here brought up).

 

[Genie+]

However, after your stay it would be very interesting to hear your perspective. I'm wondering about spending the last couple days in a 1 BR (after spending 5-6 days in a studio at a different resort) to chill and do laundry (as I think someone here brought up).

Your plan sounds great! By that stage of the trip I can see the 1BR being a nice respite. Get the laundry squared away and a comfortable place to unwind at the end.

I’ll report back on our experience. We’re starting in 1BRs and moving to a regular room the last night The family voted and the choice was either 1BR or Club Level, it couldn’t be both lol.

 

[stevelle]

We always do split stays and usually try to make them even. No less than 3 nights at any resort or its too much moving for us. We book what we can based on availability and lower point cost (so weekend nights at lower point rooms) and then plan our park visits around which location (and proximity to skyliner/monorail) we will be at and when.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I've done many split stays, but my strategy has always been to do a shorter stay at the first resort (perhaps a resort I'm trying for the first time), then a longer stay at the second resort. But the last time I did a split stay, I wondered if there was a better strategy. Do you think that instead of 2-3 nights at one resort, followed by 5 nights elsewhere, I should reverse it and stay 5 nights in one resort, followed by 2-3 nights elsewhere? Or maybe it works better to stay an equal amount of time at each resort? Just curious as to what other split stay doers use as their strategy and why?

We've done one split stay, and our only important criteria was moderate before deluxe (or value before moderate... you get the idea). We didn't want it to feel like a downgrade.

Because I have family in Florida, our trips tend to involve some relaxing time at one of their homes as well. But if I didn't have that, adding a slower-paced element is one way I might use a split stay - a few go/go/go park days at a cheaper resort where I'm just sleeping, then a couple of slow days at a fancier resort to recover - so I return home refreshed instead of "needing a vacation from my vacation."

 

[beccasmom]

We do split stays once in a while, usually to check out a new resort, but sometimes to save points. The number of nights booked depends on “cost” (usually points since we’re DVC). For example, we once stayed for two nights in a RR studio when it first opened, but moved to a one-bedroom at BRV for the rest of the trip. RR units are pricey point-wise, so we booked the studio where normally we do one bedrooms. We did eventually book a one-bedroom at RR for 5 days at another time when we had some extra points.

A few years ago we were at BRV in a two-bedroom unit, but some of our party opted to stay another night due to a hurricane warning. We were in a BRV studio for one night and it was fine, but yikes. So we try to go from a studio to a one (or two) bedroom on a split stays. For us it is less “jarring”.

Once in a great while we’ll book a concierge room for 2-3 nights just as a special treat (hopefully with a nice discount), especially when we plan on a lot of resort time. We usually add that at the end of a trip.

 

[kgou]

However, after your stay it would be very interesting to hear your perspective. I'm wondering about spending the last couple days in a 1 BR (after spending 5-6 days in a studio at a different resort) to chill and do laundry (as I think someone here brought up).

yes! 100% recommend going from a studio to a larger unit and not the other way around.

A few years ago we were at BRV in a two-bedroom unit, but some of our party opted to stay another night due to a hurricane warning. We were in a BRV studio for one night and it was fine, but yikes. So we try to go from a studio to a one (or two) bedroom on a split stays. For us it is less “jarring”.

this!! on our last trip, we went from a 2BD at CCV to a boardwalk view studio at BWV. My 8 year old walked in, looked around and goes "where is our room?" lol. These DVC kids don't know how good they've got it!

 

[JulieBeeRN]

yes! 100% recommend going from a studio to a larger unit and not the other way around.

this!! on our last trip, we went from a 2BD at CCV to a boardwalk view studio at BWV. My 8 year old walked in, looked around and goes "where is our room?" lol. These DVC kids don't know how good they've got it!

Coming here to say the exact same thing! We went from a CCV cabin to a SSR studio once and it was rough, lol.

We have only had split stays but are staying at BWV next month so it will be strange to not move to another resort.