Resort Hopping

[motand1]

Hi all, I'm starting to plan our second trip for 2009 and I'm considering resort hopping. I really want to stay at AKL for the week, but it's not in my budget. So I was thinking 3 nights at AKL and 4 at a moderate. How is it doing a split stay? I just think that when it comes time to check out of the 1st to go to the 2nd...ugh, packing again. Is it worth it? What do you to kill the time (with luggage and all)?
Thanks!

 

[ChelleinNC]

We have switched resorts during our trip, and while I admit I'm not fond of packing back up, if it allows you to do what you really want, then I'm all for it. Couple of suggestions:
1. if doing a mod & deluxe split stay, do the mod first and save the best for last
2. pack seperately for each "trip" If you can open only 1 suitcase at the first hotel, it makes it easier to pack up to move.
3. Let Disney move your luggage, make sure to keep out a backpack/carryon bag with stuff you'll need during move day (bathing suits, etc) Take a bus to a park, transfer to new hotel and check in, if room isn't ready yet, spend the rest of the day at a park or the pool. Luggage will be delivered later in the day.

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure I'll think of something else later

 

[helenk]

I have enjoyed splitting my stay between resorts, make sure that you stay in the moderate first and then switch to the deluxe.
When you get to your first resort, do not unpack anything that you will just need for your second resort.
When you are ready to switch to your new resort, it really it is not that hard. Pack your stuff, call bell services to get your luggage and they will hold your luggage and then transfer the luggage to the resort later in the day.
You can just go off and enjoy yourself at the park of your choice and then later go to your new resort and get your room assignment and then someone from bell services can get your luggage to your room.

 

[MommyBuzz909]

We're going ASMo for 4 nights and POR for 3 - it turns out perfect. I wouldn't do more than 2 because than it gets too expensive and complicated! Initially, I had WL tagged on the end, but I couldn't afford it but I feel that my choice is great - I can't wait to get there already!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I do that quite often. Start with the less expensive resort first. On checkout day, call them to get your bags as early in the morning as possible. Or, take them to Bell Services yourself...might actually be easier doing that if you are at a moderate or a value. Then, say goodby to your bags until late in the afternoon. I like to head out to a park that day, with anything I may need with me in a tote bag. I spend a few hours in the park, then return to the 'next' resort, get checked in. If need be, I can leave my tote bag with Bell Services. Most times I have been able to get into my room, unless it was at a DVC resort. THen, I get some lunch and hit the parks again. Return later to unpack.

 

[Kae]

We did pop then AKL. Very easy, loved both resorts. I say go for it.

Kae

 

[Hopefully]

One suggestion is to make sure that your move day is a park day. You will be without a room and the bulk of your luggage for many hours. But if you have a bag with everything you need for that day and head to a park you will be fine. One poster here, in the past, expected to make "Move Day" a resort day. I don't think that would work very well.

 

[Goofy22]

Wow! Good ideas! I never really gave this thought! We are going in August for my DD's 8th grade graduation trip! And she has dreams of staying at AKL ! So if I did a split stay that may work especially if they offer free dining! I'll have to look into it! Does anyone know the rack rate for AKL?Maybe we will do Value 3days then akl 3days that is the min for FDP correct? And the switch could be a surprise!! Since she already knows that we are going!

 

[wezee]

Can anyone tell me how booking a split resort stay affects the price of your park tickets. We will be at the POFQ for 9 days in Sept., and I know that when booking a package....you get a real break on your tickets after 5-6 days. With a split stay, would I need to book two packages and pay more for our park tickets??

 

[BKMETV]

I just book this week for Dec 7 - 15. 3 nights AKL then 5 nights Poly...they were two separate packages. I'll have to look into the park tickets I never thought about them being two separate ones. An eight or nine day would definitely work out cheaper. Thanks

 

[MickeyNicki]

We did our first split stay this past Oct and it was so easy but we did have our own car. When we stay for a week it is great because we have 3 nights at one place and 4 at another so it is like 2 vacations in one.

We are going back in 24 days, 4 nights at OKW and 3 nights at BWV. Back in Oct for 4 nights at AKL club level and 3 nights at BWV

 

[motand1]

Thanks for all the ideas. We're driving down from Buffalo so we'll have our car to throw our luggage in for the afternoon while we have to wait. We'll definitely make it a park day.
I originally thought moderate first, then deluxe to cap off the week, but we're doing Sunday-Sunday and the weekend prices are higher...maybe I'll re-plan our days Friday-Friday.

 

[BKMETV]

Another Question

If I'm on the dining plan and split my stay 3 nights then 5 nights...will my dining plan also be split into 3 TS/CS/snack on one card and then 5 on the other...and will the first set of meals expire the day I move to the second resort?

 

[angelmav]

I would only caution that a week at DisneyWorld goes SOOOOO fast! When you plan it, it seems like youll have more time than you really do. If you have a car, OK, but I wouldnt want to waste much time to do it.

 

[MommyBuzz909]

Can anyone tell me how booking a split resort stay affects the price of your park tickets. We will be at the POFQ for 9 days in Sept., and I know that when booking a package....you get a real break on your tickets after 5-6 days. With a split stay, would I need to book two packages and pay more for our park tickets??

I doing a 8 day trip and my CM (who I booked with ) gave me a 7 days Park Hopper and then put a 1 day ticket on at the end. There's some weird reason behind it, so when you book, just do what I did. Or hope you get a CM that knows that they're doing. I've found out from calling there so much that they're not all on the "same page" if you know what I mean!!

 

[Bella O]

You can get your park tickets for however long you want them w/your 1st resort stay - we're staying 4 nights at the BC followed by 3 at the Poly - and the 1st part is a pkg stay, 2nd room only - tickets bought on the package. My TA told me that the dining plan has to be treated separately - but we won't even be doing it so it's not an issue.

 

[debbs0723]

I went to the allexperts.com page as well as asking my travel agent on this. They all explained it to me the same. The trip overall gets much cheaper with each day so if you are booking two separate trips including dining and park hoppers it is much more expensive.

They told me the best way to do it is to book the cheapest resort first and do park hoppers for my entire stay because they get to where they are just a few dollars a day. Don't do dining as long as you are at the first resort then when you book the second resort do the dining package and no tickets. I have no idea if this is the best way but when I did the math this seemed to be the best option financially.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Debbie

 

[WeluvDisney2]

We are staying at the Dolphin for the first part of our trip, then moving to Old Key West. Will the Dolphin (since they are not owned by Disney) transport our luggage to OKW for us? thanks!

 

[M&E]

We're thinking of doing a split stay too. Keep the advice coming!

Thanks.

 

[mmbrad02]

I thought I'd throw my scenario out there to see if anyone could help me..

I am currently booked at POP for December 7 - 13. I can be happy for a week there, but I REALLY would love to stay at a Moderate (Thinking Coronado Springs). I am booked for Magic Your Way with 6 day park hoppers, with dinning plan. I am also booked with a 20% PIN Code.

So here is what I *Thought* about doing, esp after reading this plan!

Arrive on December 7, via Magical Express, to POP Century for one night, room only reservations. We would go to DTD, use our $15 Planet Hollywood meal voucher, and attend MVMCP that evening (assuming their is one, and admission to the park is included in the ticket price, so no regular park ticket needed).

On December 8, I would like to move to a MOD to start my Magic Your Way, 5 or 6 day park hoppers, plus dining.

So here are my questions....

I'm assuming I can still use my PIN because my first reservation is not a package. But if I ended up splitting my stay 50/50, do you think I can book two seperate trips with the PIN?

About how much $$ does it cost outside the package (tips for services, etc.)

Can you be dropped off at one Resort for Magical Express, but be picked up at another when your (sniff sniff) vacation is over??