Pro's & Con's of a Split Stay...

[JessiMommy]

Hiya! Looking for some advice on doing a split stay. Our dates are September 14-21, 2013. We are looking to try new resorts and thought we'd save a little by doing 4 nights at CSR and 3 nights at AKL. We have stayed at CSR before but only 3 quick nights, many years ago. We've never stayed at AKL. We will have our own vehicle and do plan a rest day on our check out/into new resort day. Most of our days will be spent doing rope drop at parks then returning to resort to enjoy pool after lunch. We will return to the parks most evenings.

If you have ever done a split stay do you feel it was worth it or was it a hassle? Looking for all pro's and con's. We currently have CSR booked for September 14-18 and AKL booked from September 18-21. If we decided against the split we would probably do the whole stay at AKL.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Pakey]

I love split stays and do them almost on every WDW vacation now.

The cons are obvious: packing/unpacking/moving. For some people, this is a huge hassle. For me, not so much. I do not unpack so it's not a big deal to toss my toiletry bag back into my suitcase and zip it. When we did a Grand Gathering split stay with all of the adult children/grand children, I told them to pack for the split stay. One suitcase for resort A and then another suitcase for resort B. So they unpacked suitcase A and then tossed the dirty clothes bag back into that suitcase when we moved. Only the toiletries were used at both resorts.

For me, the pros are the change in location. My favorite split is an Epcot resort and then AKL/AKV for the 2nd leg because it's so relaxing there. I take advantage of the nearby dining. When I stay at Epcot resorts, I eat at places within walking distance. When I move to AKL/AKV I then eat at Jiko/Boma/Sanaa. The time I save having to travel for dinner makes up for the extra time it takes to move.

I also like making the transfer day a resort day. In your case, I would pack the swimwear in a tote bag. Transfer to AKL, check in and get room keys for access to the resort amenities and then check luggage with Bell Services. Use your room key to access pool dressing rooms and change and enjoy the pool until your room is ready.

 

[mirage0306]

We did a split stay last time and while I prefer simply staying at one resort, we are doing it again this summer. It's honestly not that big a deal. Since you'll have a car, you can just drive your luggage over to AKL--super easy. Even without a car, it's not a big deal--you just bring your luggage down when checking out or call bell services; they bring it over to the new resort and you can pick it up later that afternoon.

The only hassle was packing up mid vacation. Even with two young kids, it just wasn't that bad. I found the best thing to do was to have two suitcases and just use one for the first resort and the other for the second (or at least try, haha).

3/4 is pretty short for a split--last year we did 5/5/1--but we are also doing 3/4 this year. I really don't think it 's that bad. and if you find out you don't like doing it, you have a great solution--just pick one resort for your next trip! Happy planning!

 

[polyfor4]

We have done split stays for 3 years now and love it. Driving and doing the rest day during your switch is definitely the key- it should be an easy transition. Also going from a moderate to a deluxe is ideal so you should have a great trip! Split stays enable us to afford longer stays and get to stay at the deluxes, it often makes our trip seem longer too. Some people do two separate suit cases but for us it's easier to use the same bag for both resorts, just get a luggage cart and it seems like no big deal.

 

[Haley]

I don't think it's too bad- but I would only do it to save money.

Like I think we have done a few nights at Pop and then moved over to Polynesian.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We did it once and I found myself concentrating and getting so excited about the second resort (deluxe) that I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the current resort (moderate). I remember waking up on the morning of transfer at 6a, I took a cab over to WL and checked us in. I couldn't wait to get there. So if you're personality is anything like mine (crazy), I'd stick to one resort.

 

[Irishlisa]

Hiya! Looking for some advice on doing a split stay. Our dates are September 14-21, 2013. We are looking to try new resorts and thought we'd save a little by doing 4 nights at CSR and 3 nights at AKL. We have stayed at CSR before but only 3 quick nights, many years ago. We've never stayed at AKL. We will have our own vehicle and do plan a rest day on our check out/into new resort day. Most of our days will be spent doing rope drop at parks then returning to resort to enjoy pool after lunch. We will return to the parks most evenings.

If you have ever done a split stay do you feel it was worth it or was it a hassle? Looking for all pro's and con's. We currently have CSR booked for September 14-18 and AKL booked from September 18-21. If we decided against the split we would probably do the whole stay at AKL.

Thanks for the help!

Great question, thanks for asking. We are doing our first split stay in November. 3 nights at AKV and 4 at BLT. My husband is the one who insisted on doing a split because we were finally able (after 3 years of trying) to get a Grand Villa at BLT. We stayed in a GV at AKV last September and LOVED it so I was fine with spending the whole week there, but I am very excited to see what the GV theme park view has in store for us too!!!! I'm just stressing about the whole packing/unpacking with 4 young children (ages 9, 8, 5 year old twins). Should be interesting

 

[peabody58]

We are doing our first split stay this Sept. Initially it was with the intent to save points, but as we got closer to the7 month booking window, the excitement of staying at 2 resorts took center stage. We arranged the trip such that we are in a studio the first 4 nights (AKV) and a 1 BR (BCV) for the last 5 nights. I wouldn't recommend a split stay of less than 3 days at any one resort, but that's just me.

Either way, you'll be at Disney - have a great time.

 

[nkereina]

Everyone is different but I would only consider a split stay on a 10+ day trip. I prefer to take care of business at the beginning and ends of my trips and not have to plan out logistics, check-in/check-out, etc. of a moving day in the middle. I also like to unpack and be organized so having to do that mid-trip wouldn't bode well with me either. 5 days or longer at both resorts would be the only way I'd consider it.

Cons: Not being able to unpack, having to deal with front desks mid-trip, might not get to try everything you'd want to do at one of the resorts, don't really get used to/appreciate the subtleties and minutiae of the resort, potential for disappointment or regret if you are loving your first resort

Pros: Can save money, get to try more than one resort, might feel like two different vacations

 

[rachel09985]

Were contemplating the same exact thing. So far I have 7 nights booked at POR and then the other option is 3 nights POP 4 nights AKL.

I think we are going to go for the split stay. Now that I have an AP I can't get free dining so it works out for us.

 

[elaw]

We love doing split stays ... For us, there are no cons
Splits have allowed us to try new resorts and our favorites all in the same vacation. Over the years, we've been able to stay at all 4 of the Mods and 7 of 8 the Deluxes .. The Poly is the only one on our "List" left to try.

 

[JessiMommy]

We did it once and I found myself concentrating and getting so excited about the second resort (deluxe) that I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the current resort (moderate). I remember waking up on the morning of transfer at 6a, I took a cab over to WL and checked us in. I couldn't wait to get there. So if you're personality is anything like mine (crazy), I'd stick to one resort.

This is something I could see myself doing so I will have to give this more thought...overall though I think it will be fun to try and we'll probably just do it. I like the 2 suitcase idea too. Thanks everyone for the tips.

 

[Dannek]

I'm going to do a split stay in September.

I like it since it makes my plans easier to accomplish, and I like a change of scenery..

My first four nights will be at the Poly, and I'll be doing two days at MK and two days at Epcot. Since I live just over an hour away from WDW, my first day is my arrival day as I'll get there early.

Then I move over to the AKL for two nights, and on the day I move I'll do Hollywood Studios and the next day Animal Kingdom for my final full day. I'll hit Downtown Disney for a half day on the day I leave, and I'll be home walking on the beach before dinner.

 

[Brownsfan317]

We did a split stay in September 2011 starting at All Star Sports and then over to AKL. The day I chose to switch resorts was also our MNSSHP date, so I took my time packing up in the morning and let Disney transfer my luggage. We went to DTD for awhile and then over to AKL for check-in. Then it was over to MK. It was a very easy transition.

In a couple of weeks we are splitting between Caribbean Beach and Yacht Club. The day we switch is a day at Hollywood Studios for us, so we will be able to take the boat from HS to Yacht Club to check in.

Split stays would be more difficult for me if:

1. I had more than one kid or perhaps younger kids (just me and DS13 on the trip)
2. If we often went back to the resort in the afternoon for naps/relaxation. We typically are out and about all day.
3. It does not bother me to pick up and move between resorts. If I had a ton of stuff to pack up, it would be less convenient.
4. We typically do not need to make any specific room accommodations so I just do online check in and take whatever they give me (or the requests I make are "would be nice" and not requirements). If I had specific needs that needed to be met, I would probably be more concerned about going through the check-in process twice.