REALLY split stay

[Stitch1404]

For our next trip we were planning on doing a split stay with one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge just to see if we like it for a future trip and then four nights at the Beach Club Villas (DVC). Our Disney vacations are usually 8-10 nights, so this short stay was really disappointing me, but it was the only time the whole family could go due to school schedules. Well now the school schedules have all changed and I just found out we could add another night to our trip. So I called DVC but they have no availabilty for the Beach Club Villas for this extra night. So I reserved the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. I am just trying to decide what I should do. If I want the extra night at Disney we will be at AKL one night, BCV four nights and VWL one night. I don't know if all this transferring is worth it or if it will make the vacation less relaxing. However, it does mean an extra day in Disney...

 

[tinagirl]

I would say this is a fantastic idea, resort hopping is so very easy at Disney.

I would say however, that you should think about planning your trip so that you visit the parks closest to your single night stays on those days.

EX: AKL - go to Animal Kingdom that day.

WL: Go to Magic Kingdom that day.

BC: hop around however you see fit, making sure you see epcot in one of those days.

It will add less stress, in my opinion.

 

[LiteBrite]

I think you should do it. We had a similar situation once - decided at the last minute to go down one day earlier than usual. We had already planned a split stay (4 nights All Star Music, one night Dixie Landings, now POR), and all we could get on the first night was the Disney Institute (can you tell this was several years ago, lol?). While I wouldn't plan 3 different resorts in one trip on purpose, it wasn't that much hassle, and another day at WDW was totally worth it.

 

[Stitch1404]

Anyone else? I really need some advice.

 

[Melynny]

We almost always have split stays... example.. Our next trip is in 2 days.. we are spending 2 nights at Saratoga, (dvc) then 7 nights off site at Parkway International (training for work) and then 6 nights at OKW. Granted, you are switching more quickly, BUT.. you do get an extra day at Disney. We have stayed at AKL for one night before a DVC stay Sun to Friday, then switched to a Pop for the weekend nights. As long as you don't try to do too much and make arrangements for your refrigerated stuff, you will be fine. AT non DVC resorts try to get a late check out.. and always try for an early check in.. you will be fine. Also, if it dosn't work out, you will know for next time.

 

[J and R's mom]

I'm not sure of the age of your kids, but since it sounds like they're all at least school age, resort hopping should be much easier than with infants and toddlers.

That being said, I think it's awesome. You get to experience 3 resorts in one trip. I think that makes the vacation more fun and refreshing.

Like a poster said, at least you'll know for next time (assuming that this might come up again).

Go and have fun.

 

[JESW]

It really depends on how much you and your family can handle.

We usually split our stays of 7 or 8 nights with two resorts. We like to start with a Magic Kingdom resort and then finish with an EPCOT (our favorite park) resort.

Last august we went for 9 nights and stayed at 3 different resorts - 2 nights at The Animal Kingdom Lodge (2nd time), 2 nights at The Wilderness Lodge (first time) and then 4 nights at The Boardwalk Inn (have stayed many times and it is our favorite resort)

By the end of the vacation I was wiped and had a hard time remembering where our room was and which resort we were at! While it was nice to try the different resorts, being at THREE different resorts was too much for MY family - it may be different for yours. Too much packing up and moving, too much feeling of not "belonging". It was fun trying the different pools and the different food selections, but we won't do that again.

Jill

 

[Sammie]

Can you add another night to the AKL, or change your DVC reservation to a location where you can stay the 5 nights.

Did you check to see if you could add another night to the beginning of your DVC stay at the Beach Club and move the AKL stay to the end of your trip.

As to moving during the trip someone else asked this recently and this was my reply based on our experiences.

We don't do this anymore due to the disadvantages so I can share those with you since others have provided why they do it.

On the day of the move you are essentially homeless. You can not get your luggage until after 3pm so plan accordingly. Also there is no way to know for sure when you will get into the new room therefore its very hard to plan ADRs for that evening. We have missed a few due to moving, did not get our room until late, luggage arrived late etc.

On the day of the move it always seems the little ones in our group, nieces, nephews etc really, really needed a nap and we had no place to go. One time one got sick right after lunch and it was a miserable afternoon. My Dad just went on and on about how if we had stayed put the kid could be back in the room.

Also you can't get settled in, as you know in a few days you will have to pack up and move. Also my Dad did not like the thought that on the day of the move he was paying for a room we might not get into until late afternoon. If we had stayed put he would have had use of a room all day instead.

Due to check in times, you truly at times pay a full day's for not much time before bedtime especially with little ones.

Many do this and it does not bother them. It is not worth the advantages to us anymore. We love all the Disney resorts therefore we are happy to just get somewhere and settle in.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Disney makes splitting your stay so easy. Call bell services, they arrive and tag your bags. When you check into your new resort, call bell sevices, and your bags will be brought up. There is no "lugging" your luggage.

Tinagirl gave you some excellent advice. Pick the park that is most convenient to your new resort. We drove our rental car to the new resort in the am, (BC) walked over to EPCOT, and returned in the afternoon for check in. If you don't rent a car, just take the bus to the park, and return to your new resort at check in time.

No hassle at all! Also, in all of our numerous trips to the world, I have never had to wait more than two minutes on a check in line.

Have a wonderful trip, and yes, the extra day at Disney is well worth it!

 

[Stitch1404]

Originally posted by Sammie:
Did you check to see if you could add another night to the beginning of your DVC stay at the Beach Club and move the AKL stay to the end of your trip.

That is such a great idea!! Why didn't I think of that in the first place? Although we would like to see Wilderness Lodge, I think two hotels should be the maximum for us for a short trip. We are all adults and our group includes me (22), my sister (24), and my two parents, so the whole getting back to the hotel for a nap wouldn't be an issue but I think it will be better that way. I will check into it tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Bashful2]

We had one trip where we planned 3 nights at CSR and 3 nights at WL. Somehow, we managed to get a rate of $199 for GF so we ended up staying 2 nights at CSR, 1 night at GF and 3 nights at WL. It was great, one of the best trips we had ever taken.