Question for Split Stayers and those that do not like Split Stays, from a person that despises Split Stays

[js]

Hi.

I will be traveling with my mom in February, while my husband will be away for a few days golfing.

We will be staying for 12 nights. We have stayed 10/12 days before, but always in the same villa since I despise the thought of having to pack/unpack.

That all said, we are out of points until September since we did a few big trips this year and will be paying cash.

My mom uses a scooter at Disney just to be able to go at a quicker pace while we are in the parks (she just retired after being a nurse in a hospital after 40 years). Seeing over the last few months from our visits that the buses are no longer filled to capacity, we thought it would be a good idea to at least have one portion of our trip in walking distance to the parks so we booked Swan for the first six nights and then a one bedroom at OKW for the last six nights with the 35% off promotion from Disney.

If I can find someone to rent points from closer to the trip on the monorail, I will do that but right now the cost per point is too high and can get a better deal in a one bedroom booking direct with Disney, so I will wait until closer to see if someone is canceling for our dates or has distressed points, etc.

Anyway, we can walk to MGM and Epcot for our first six days and then bus to AK and MK. Even if we were on monorail, we would still have to bus to AK. We have never been to OKW before and the rest of the days will be used to relax and it looks like the one bedrooms are huge and a relaxing place to stay.

For those that have done split stays before, do you pack for two different trips or should I just pack for one trip knowing we have a washer/dryer on our second stay? Not sure if Swan moves our stuff any longer so I have to factor that in too with luggage and food but the prices is fabulous for a resort where we can walk to two parks

For those that do split stays often and for those that have done it and didn't like it, can you please give me some hints to make it more seamless.

Thank you very much.

 

[Lorana]

I can't speak to moving from the Swan to another Disney hotel, as I don't know if the Swan does the luggage transfer for you. But we have often done split days (anywhere from 4-7 nights at one resort, and 3-5 at a second), and we often pack enough for just the first stay and utilize the laundry in the villa, though we pack a duffle bag to put dirty clothes into so that when we switch resorts, we don't have to worry about clean and dirty clothes in the same luggage. We admittedly rarely unpack our clothes, but make use of packing cubes and just live out of the suitcase for our clothes. We also bring a travel cooler and an extra bag for anything groceries/food items we might want to take from one resort to the next, but we usually plan our grocery deliveries to last just for the time we're in the first resort and plan a second delivery once we're checked in to the second resort. On the day we check out, we just call down to the front desk and they come and pick up our luggage and groceries for us and take them to the second resort. We then go into the parks as we normally would that day, but at the end of the day just take transportation to the new resort. Our luggage is there waiting for us. From our perspective, it's fairly easy and seamless to do a split stay -- but if people like to unpack as if they are home, then unpacking and repacking and then unpacking again might be a hassle.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Unless you book HA at OKW you are not guaranteed an elevator or first floor. If you are on a higher floor without an elevator , I don’t know what you would do with scooter.

 

[CarolynFH]

I know I have read that in the past people have had luggage etc. transferred between the S/D and Disney resorts, but I can't remember whether I've read anything about post-COVID transfers. You might search the S/D board here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...olphin-resorts-information-questions.3264274/.

On the subject of split stays, we generally avoid them because like you we don't like packing and unpacking and being homeless for a day in the middle of our trip. However, we occasionally book them in order to try a new resort. For instance, about a year ago we stayed 3 or 4 nights in a CCV studio and then moved to a BWV 1-bedroom. We packed just enough clothing to get us from arrival through the moving day, when we knew we'd have a W/D and could launder everything and start over. Since we had a studio at CCV, we didn't have any food to move.

 

[figmentfinesse]

There are lots of points being sold at the $10-13 dollar point in the DVC rental facebook groups!

 

[js]

There are lots of points being sold at the $10-13 dollar point in the DVC rental facebook groups!

Thank you. Points I am seeing for $10-$13 are for ressies through December. I am seeing more $15-$17 per point. The points would really have to be closer to $10 for any significant savings over the 35% Disney promotion for one bedrooms. I can't see anyone right now asking $10-$11 per point for February rentals. Also, with the generous cancellation policies right now for cash ressies, I think it would be wise for me to look for points closer to/beginning of February. If anything changes, parks close (I know the governor says no, but as we all know, nothing is certain), we get sick, etc., I won't be able to change the reservation.

I love the Swan part of our stay (and OKW one bedroom too!) for MGM and Epcot and if I can change to a one bedroom so I can walk to MK (I can do from all three since I can walk from Poly to GF to MK) at a good price I will do that too but don't think I will see the point prices go down closer to that stay only if someone has distressed points or wants a quick sale.

I will certainly be on the lookout, I look all day LOL

Thank you.

 

[js]

I can't speak to moving from the Swan to another Disney hotel, as I don't know if the Swan does the luggage transfer for you. But we have often done split days (anywhere from 4-7 nights at one resort, and 3-5 at a second), and we often pack enough for just the first stay and utilize the laundry in the villa, though we pack a duffle bag to put dirty clothes into so that when we switch resorts, we don't have to worry about clean and dirty clothes in the same luggage. We admittedly rarely unpack our clothes, but make use of packing cubes and just live out of the suitcase for our clothes. We also bring a travel cooler and an extra bag for anything groceries/food items we might want to take from one resort to the next, but we usually plan our grocery deliveries to last just for the time we're in the first resort and plan a second delivery once we're checked in to the second resort. On the day we check out, we just call down to the front desk and they come and pick up our luggage and groceries for us and take them to the second resort. We then go into the parks as we normally would that day, but at the end of the day just take transportation to the new resort. Our luggage is there waiting for us. From our perspective, it's fairly easy and seamless to do a split stay -- but if people like to unpack as if they are home, then unpacking and repacking and then unpacking again might be a hassle.

Thank you. Your post is very helpful. That is a good idea about the extra bag for dirty clothes. I will pack that along with some bags for the extra food. Thank you. That would have been something I didn't think about. I use packing cubes too but cannot live out of my suitcase. I'm to Type A and would make me think I'm just waiting to pack for next part of the trip. I will need to put the cubes in the drawers. We are checking out/in on a Sunday and I won't be scheduling a park day. We will get to OKW and just relax, have lunch and walk to DTD.

Unless you book HA at OKW you are not guaranteed an elevator or first floor. If you are on a higher floor without an elevator , I don’t know what you would do with scooter.

Well this is new news to me. I certainly didn't see anyplace for HA when I booked so guessing none available. I will call them. Does not one building at OKW have elevators? I thought some did.
Thank you for this information.

 

[js]

I know I have read that in the past people have had luggage etc. transferred between the S/D and Disney resorts, but I can't remember whether I've read anything about post-COVID transfers. You might search the S/D board here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...olphin-resorts-information-questions.3264274/.

On the subject of split stays, we generally avoid them because like you we don't like packing and unpacking and being homeless for a day in the middle of our trip. However, we occasionally book them in order to try a new resort. For instance, about a year ago we stayed 3 or 4 nights in a CCV studio and then moved to a BWV 1-bedroom. We packed just enough clothing to get us from arrival through the moving day, when we knew we'd have a W/D and could launder everything and start over. Since we had a studio at CCV, we didn't have any food to move.

Thank you. I have been on that thread and just asked about post Covid and moving of food/luggage. If they do, great and if not, we will just Uber. The price for the convenience of staying in walking distance to MGM and Epcot is very good even factoring in Uber from airport and as I am typing this, I think we will just Uber from Swan to OKW. This way all our belongings will already be there with us if our room is ready and if not, it will still be there.

I will do as above said and pack for the week and just do laundry when we get to OKW.

Thanks so much!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Just don’t buy a full gallon of milk.

 

[Sandisw]

When we stay for longer, I do indeed pack for each part. This way, we unpack suitcase 1 and then put rest away. As we use things, they go back into the empty suitcase so packing up to change is easy.

I will even go as far as bringing separate toothbrushes and toothpaste and stuff so I don’t have to pack wet things to move.

 

[Carol_]

Just don’t buy a full gallon of milk.

I heard that bell services can store things in refrigeration if needed, but I’ve never done it.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I heard that bell services can store things in refrigeration if needed, but I’ve never done it.

We only tried this once at wilderness lodge (after reading on here that they do lol), and they looked at us like we were crazy. We were switching from a one bed to a two bed mid trip because two of our kids were flying in for the last couple of days. We called concierge the morning of the move and asked about storing a couple of things with them for a few hours. They said just bring it down. When we did, they acted like they had no idea what we were talking about. It was very strange. Dh just stuck it in our car in the parking lot with the rest of our bags. Our next room was available within 30 minutes which was very unusual and very lucky. So the milk survived, but I made a mental note not to go there again. Just a pain dealing with it.

 

[DebbieB]

My friends and I frequently do split stays. We’re experienced packers do it’s not a big deal. Last month we did 6 nights BWV and 2 nights GF. We planned it that way because the weekend was supposed to be Destination D at the Contemporary. That was cancelled but we kept the 2 nights (originally Poly). We got up on Friday morning at BWV, packed our stuff, were out by 8:00, got a Lyft XL (with our luggage) and moved to GF. Luckily we got the text that the GF room was ready so we went to the room and called for the luggage and were settled by 9:00. That’s unusual but it worked.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We're a family of 5 that does split stays every year at Disney as we love exploring different resorts. I'll echo a few things others have said and add a few of my own:

• packing cubes- great for easy packing and unpacking (we do take our clothes out of the packing cubes and put them in drawers or hang them up)
• bag for refrigerated items you need transferred (bell services can store refrigerated items but you need to bag them up in some way for them)
• dirty laundry luggage (we also travel with a popup hamper and put the whole thing in the suitcase when we leave for the next resort)
• be flexible- we've had some of our 2nd resort rooms ready at 11am and others at 6pm! Have something to do during the day when you will be room-less so you aren't constantly checking to see if the room is ready.
• extra detergent- sometimes we have enough laundry to do 2 or 3 loads when we get to the second resort since the dvc washers are so tiny, we always bring extra laundry tabs
• cash tips for bell services at both resorts
• If you will be swimmimg bring a 'wet bag' to store your bathing suit when packing so the rest of your clothes don't get wet- our bathing suits rarely dry all the way in FL due to the humidity
• Since you will have a washer/dryer in your 2nd unit, pack a small bag or packing cube of clean pajamas and an outfit that you can use for the first 24 hours in your 2nd resort. That way you aren't rushing to unpack everything or do laundry right when you get there just to have an outfit for the next day.

Definitely follow-up on having a scooter at OKW, you do not want to be surprised with a 2nd floor room in a building without an elevator. Only buildings 62-64 have elevators.

 

[xWilliam]

Currently doing a 4 split stay. I'm not a huge fan, but doing it to experience different resorts while it's just my wife and I.

We're only here for 8 nights, so we just pack once.

 

[Skywalker3]

We've done several split stays. I like them, gives us a chance to experience other resorts. Hubby would rather get there and stay put. But he'd also only ever stay at our home BWV if given the chance. I want to try other places....then also be at BWV.
Anyway, last trip, Thanksgiving, I actually didn't enjoy the split stay as much, but I think I made it more complicated than need be on transition day. Just too much stuff, and had issues with our magic bands/door lock. We do always drive down, so we have a car. Have never used bell services to transfer luggage, so no idea how that works. We did a 8 nights, 4 at AKL Kidani, 4 at BWV.
A couple times in the past, we did one suitcase for the first place, another for the second. Took a lot more packing planning initially (and commitment to those outfits or whatever,) but saved us dragging in all the extra luggage. same on food. Tried to leave a box of food in the car that we wanted at second place. Hubby used packing cubes for the first time this trip, and he liked them. If at all possible, I'd try this, to have one bag to leave in car, or whatever.
This past time, transition day was a long one. Hubby and son went to AK, Daughter and I stayed behind to pack up. and geez, we had a lot to pack. But we'd brought in EVERYTHING from the car. Wish we hadn't. We decided to do some off site stuff before BWV check in. When we did arrive, gave bell services our stuff to hold, then as we parked, got the room ready notification, about 2:45,. AK room was also ready fairly early, ,but in Oct, our BCV room wasn't ready until 5:30. So no guarantee on when you'll get the next room, so you'll need to plan for that day accordingly
Good luck w the planning! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[MICKIMINI]

We do split stays often. 2021 is 6 nights in 1 BR BRV and then 8 nights 2 BR Lock off OKW (hope son & DIL can make it). We fly SWA so we check our bags. We'll take ME but rent a car a couple days in and return a few days before we leave. I find Disney's Car Care Center (Alamo) convenient, same price or cheaper than MCO we save $$ renting for one week not two. We are able to transfer to the second resort with the rental and often drive to Cocoa or Vero Beach for the day. Going to a 2 BR, it is unlikely we'll get in early and will plan for 5 pm.

I agree, food is a challenge in FL heat. We bring cold bags and can transfer many items but not milk or ice cream obviously. I do laundry every day, so I TRY to bring less clothing but a girl never knows what she wants to wear, right LOL? It is a bit of a hassle, but we love different resorts and it's easier for us to take one long trip rather than two shorter ones until retirement. It really is like two different vacations and we love that part!

**Make sure you request 1 BR on first floor for MOM due to scooter. I was just a few weeks before a knee replacement last year and couldn't do stairs. CM's were wonderful when I called several months before we arrived to ensure first floor! Enjoy!

 

[sethschroeder]

I will say they have collapseable coolers and I would bring one of those for cold things. Put a bunch of ice in it and likely be good for the day.

Split stay to me though is a pain not worth going through.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I will say they have collapseable coolers and I would bring one of those for cold things. Put a bunch of ice in it and likely be good for the day.

I'll just add, I put ice in doubled up zip bags (sometimes it still leaks) or freeze bottles of water and use those in freeze bags (ones with zippers are best).

 

[MICKIMINI]

I will say they have collapseable coolers and I would bring one of those for cold things. Put a bunch of ice in it and likely be good for the day.

Split stay to me though is a pain not worth going through.

Just to add, I put ice in double zip bags or freeze water bottles.