Is it crazy to try 3 resorts in one trip?

[jjl181]

My DH wanted to do a split stay this trip (our 1st as DVC members), so I planned on VWL/BLT vacation. Had everything figured out. Then he decided that due to airfare he wanted to leave 2 days earlier. VWL were booked, and the only room we could find available for the 2 extra nights was at SSR.
Would it be a complete nightmare to move so many times? Or is it a good idea to experience what the DVC resorts are like?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

How many total nights? I've fallen into the not wanting to pay a higher airfare trap too. But when you consider the extra nights of lodging, food, tickets, its a milllion more dollars.

Don't get me wrong....I'm doing it this weekend, but wanted to point it out.

 

[elaw]

Is it crazy to try 3 resorts in one trip?


My DH wanted to do a split stay this trip (our 1st as DVC members), so I planned on VWL/BLT vacation. Had everything figured out. Then he decided that due to airfare he wanted to leave 2 days earlier. VWL were booked, and the only room we could find available for the 2 extra nights was at SSR.
Would it be a complete nightmare to move so many times? Or is it a good idea to experience what the DVC resorts are like?

We love split stays ... I've found 3 nights per Resort to be the minimum for a truly enjoyable split.

 

[jjl181]

How many total nights? I've fallen into the not wanting to pay a higher airfare trap too. But when you consider the extra nights of lodging, food, tickets, its a milllion more dollars.

Don't get me wrong....I'm doing it this weekend, but wanted to point it out.

We are going for 12 nights total. Currently 2 at SSR, 4 at VWL, rest at BLT. I am always happy to extend my stay at the World, but not sure about all this resort changing....

 

[roydavid7771]

Count me in as another person who are in the same situation as you! We're spending our first night at AKL, followed by three nights at VWL, and capping it off with three nights at our home, BCV. We too had to rearrange our plans due to flight scheduling, so we used it as Ana excuse to try out resorts we wouldn't normally stay at. Can't wait to eat at Jiko!

 

[Minniesgal]

We are doing 3 nights at OKW, 6 nights in a treehouse villa, 3 nights AKV and 3 nights BLT. No exactly how I planned it but it just grew like that. Partly due to availability and partly because I took an earlier flight to save money. No it isn't mad and to be honest I find moving is more fun than hassle.

 

[Masonmj84]

I'm planning a four way split over 12 nights (3 nights at each resort) at WL/Poly/AKL/BC.

 

[bumbershoot]

Some people feel that even one move is awful. Others don't.

Organization is very important. Some people pack each stay's stuff separately. Others do it differently.

If you have a car, just move everything over on your change day. If you don't, have Bell Services move it, but be aware that the stuff being moved by them will not be available at all until after official checkin time.

Many people make moving day a pool day; I like that because you can experience two resort's pools in one day.


I thought 3 was fine. Then we got a bit ahead of ourselves with a multi-faceted trip, and there were 4 WDW resorts total, along with a short cruise and Universal. But it was the *extra* WDW resort move, where mildew/mold forced us out of one room and into another, that felt like it pushed us over the absolute limit, and now we're needing more focused stays to help heal the "wounds", LOL.

 

[Willows909]

My husband and I will be staying at Pop for 7 nights very soon..and I am thinking of trying a second resort for 3 additional nights....Please give me suggestions on best pool/bar relaxation resort. Because that's all we will be doing the last three days! I would like a room near the pool as well....suggestion please!! And of course if I am too late for this trip...I will be returning in late September as well! Thanks for all your suggestions!!

 

[elaw]

My husband and I will be staying at Pop for 7 nights very soon..and I am thinking of trying a second resort for 3 additional nights....Please give me suggestions on best pool/bar relaxation resort. Because that's all we will be doing the last three days! I would like a room near the pool as well....suggestion please!! And of course if I am too late for this trip...I will be returning in late September as well! Thanks for all your suggestions!!

Even though the WL is my favorite, I find AKL to be one of the most relaxing resorts ... especially with a savannah view. Most of the resorts have afternoon pool activities so a pool view might get a bit noisy in the afternoon. The AKL has a nice little bar right there at the pool ... I believe all the deluxes do as well.

 

[Willows909]

Thankyou! I've been curious about Poly's pool as well...

 

[johnsonet]

Go for it jjl181 - you've got plenty of time and the desire to try new resorts. You will do great!

I'm planning a four way split over 12 nights (3 nights at each resort) at WL/Poly/AKL/BC.

nice!

We did a 3-way split before and it was awesome. AKL-Poly-GF. Talk about heavenly

 

[flinkerfrosch]

We are doing a 3 way split stay as well, in Oct!

AKL- 6 nights
Poly- 5 nights &
The new Grand Floridian Villas for 4 nights.

I'm excited to try 3 resorts!!!

 

[Schmoodle]

I did a three-way split stay two years ago - it was a 10 day trip; 5 nights at the Dolphin, 2 nights at Royal Pacific Resort, 2 nights at the Wilderness Lodge. I swore I'd never do it again. Having to repack and move twice was more of a big deal than I'd expected, and I thought I was super-organized about the whole thing, but I still ended up misplacing our Universal tickets, and had a few hours of panic over that. Just too stressful for me. I will do a split stay again- in fact this summer, 7 nights at Beach Club, 2 at Royal Pacific, but not a three-way. It was also too disruptive for the kids.

 

[jjl181]

Now that I am seeing how this isn't so strange I'm feeling a little better!
I thought my DH must be out of his mind, but the more I read all your answers, the more I'm thinking this might not be such a bad plan. Thank you!

 

[Marionnette]

I did a three-way split stay two years ago - it was a 10 day trip; 5 nights at the Dolphin, 2 nights at Royal Pacific Resort, 2 nights at the Wilderness Lodge. I swore I'd never do it again. Having to repack and move twice was more of a big deal than I'd expected, and I thought I was super-organized about the whole thing, but I still ended up misplacing our Universal tickets, and had a few hours of panic over that. Just too stressful for me. I will do a split stay again- in fact this summer, 7 nights at Beach Club, 2 at Royal Pacific, but not a three-way. It was also too disruptive for the kids.

I am so with you on this! Even harder, when you're staying DVC, is that you have to pack up your kitchen as well!

We have a 9-night trip coming up. We'll stay at 2 DVC resorts. The first three nights will just be the two of us in a studio. The final 7 nights will be with my sister and her husband in a 2-bedroom unit. I won't be buying any groceries until we start that 7-night stay because I have no intentions of packing up groceries to move to another resort.

OP, I would keep the AKV reservation, but I would try to waitlist those nights for VWL so that you only need to move once. If your waitlist comes through, there will be plenty of opportunities to sample AKV on another visit when you will have more time to enjoy the resort itself.

 

[jjl181]

I did a three-way split stay two years ago - it was a 10 day trip; 5 nights at the Dolphin, 2 nights at Royal Pacific Resort, 2 nights at the Wilderness Lodge. I swore I'd never do it again. Having to repack and move twice was more of a big deal than I'd expected, and I thought I was super-organized about the whole thing, but I still ended up misplacing our Universal tickets, and had a few hours of panic over that. Just too stressful for me. I will do a split stay again- in fact this summer, 7 nights at Beach Club, 2 at Royal Pacific, but not a three-way. It was also too disruptive for the kids.

That's what I was worried about. I am super type-A and would pack per resort and try to keep everything organized, but afraid I will be 10x more stressed with an extra move.
I waitlisted for VWL, hope it comes through. If not, I will make it work, but nervous about the stress and anxiety it will cause.

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

Too Funny. I just came back from a 3 hotel split stay. Originally it was two, but we added two days last minute because of the "monstrous all-nighter". We did one night at POP, 5 nights at Kidani and 4 nights at BWV. I actually had one carry on luggage with toiletries and 1 night clothes, them another carry on with 4 nights of clothes and one main luggage for everything else. I did bring a duffle bag to move our "kitchen" stuff between Kidani and BWV. I just had the Bell Hop move the luggage. I would have to say the hardest part was the "waiting" for the room when it wasn't ready yet. We just hung out at Community Hall or went to Epcot. I did handle the packing and "moving" so that the family and DH would not get upset by it. If this is one of your first times at WDW, I probably would not recommend it if you are a commando style tourer, but I would if you are not, and enjoy hanging out at the resort then go for it!

-Virginia

 

[amypetecar]

I think if you pack an overnight bag for your first 2 nights of clothes and toiletries... you'd be fine

Over 12 nights, it seems like a fun plan!

 

[nkereina]

We like to unpack and "take care of business" like checking in/out at the beginning/end of our trips. Therefore, we would only consider split stays for 5 nights or longer. Just our own preference.

How much would you save on airfare to leave two days earlier? I am assuming it's substantial to add two room nights plus food? If it were only one day earlier, I'd suggest just staying at an airport hotel like the Hyatt, and then taking ME to your first resort.