Snap Decision - Split Stay

[catrax]

Dear experienced split-stay Dis-ers...

This will be my 8th trip to WDW, but my first in which I'll have a split stay. Before just a few minutes ago, my trip looked like this:

11/17-11/19 - CBR - Room Only
11/19-11/28 - CBR - Free Dining
11/28-11/29 - CBR - Room Only

The reason that it's funky like this is that I originally booked for 11/19-11/28 and then, after flight prices were ridiculous, I realized it would be cheaper to stay longer and hop on cheaper flights.

So, they released the holiday promotion, which doesn't help me at all, as far as room discounts are concerned. I've been trolling the Disney site multiple times per day trying to grab a day or 3 more for free dining. No luck so far. I don't actually need more dining days, but I want to eliminate the need to change rooms as much as possible.

Now, I see Contemporary available for my last night there. Big price jump, but an opportunity? We would move over on our next-to-last day, be close to Magic Kingdom where we plan to spend our last couple of days, and be able to access the Contemporary amenities on our checkout day. Also, short trip back to the hotel for DME when it is time to go to the airport in the evening on the day of departure.

So, wise decision or not? Should we stick with CBR? Is it not worth the move to another resort? What is the process of moving from one resort to another? Will WDW move our luggage for us? If not, how do we move it if we don't have a car? What should we be thinking about before finalizing this decision?

Thanks for any good advice!

 

[Sue M]

Yes, Disney will move your luggage, but, and it may be a big but...you may be homeless until your room is ready at CR. Depending on how busy they are you may not have a room until 3:00 or beyond. With only a one night stay I'm not sure how you'd feel about this. Whether it's worth the extra cost is pretty subjective. For me it wouldn't be worth it.

 

[RedOne3781]

I have done a few split stays and while it is mostly an easy transition to make, my personal opinion is that it is not worth it for one night. You don't really get a chance to get settled in and enjoy the resort in that short amount of time, especially when talking about the Contemporary. For me it would not be worth the cost.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We have done split stays and I would never do one for less than 3 nights per resort. One night is definitely not worth the hassle.

 

[catrax]

Yikes - sounds like it's a unanimous vote to stay behind at CBR. I guess I should have added that we might never stay at a deluxe for more than one night, but your advice is resonating with me.

 

[mstephen87]

Do it! You may never get to again, so why not? For us, I would LOVE to do a one night split stay at GF because I know we would never pay to stay there for any longer. Being a deluxe, I would assume Disney will make it as smooth as possible- so live a little.

 

[stephmarty]

I've never done a split stay, but I think if I did for one night I would use Uber and transfer my own luggage so as not to waste any time with transportation or waiting for bags. Those who have done it might disagree. But worth considering.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Yes I would stay at CBR. There was no hotel that can offer you free dining for all nights?

 

[totallytigger]

A couple of years ago we did a 10 day trip to WDW--starting the day after Thanksgiving. We really wanted to stay in a cabin at FW, but they weren't available our 1st night. We were arriving late evening, so we stayed at SOG and moved to FW early the next am before heading to Epcot. Then we decided to extend our trip by one night, but FW was again full. We decided to splurge on one night at CR and it was well worth the hassle. We moved early again and walked over to MK. It was so nice to finish our trip in such a beautiful resort. We got up the next am, had a fun breakfast at Chef Mickey and headed home. DO IT!!

 

[catrax]

Thanks so much, everyone! You've given me a lot to consider. Can anyone be specific about what the transfer of luggage is like? Do you bring your luggage to guest services or do they come pick it up and whisk it away for you? Do we then pick it up at the luggage hold later, or will it just show up in my room magically (like DME)?

 

[Junebugwv]

I think it would be absolutely worth it considering the location of CR and the fact you'll be at MK. We have done splits numerous times and it has always worked out well for us. In your case, you can pack your suitcases with the things you'll need for the final night/day on top. Both times that we stayed at CR involved split stays. Next month we will stay 4 nights at POFQ, 1 night at Beach Club, and a full week at SSR. I hope you take the opportunity to have a magical stay at CR!

 

[bnk1120]

I almost always do split-stays. I did a 1 night at Grand Floridian because I didn't think I'd have another chance to stay there. I did not get to truly experience what the resort has to offer, but I did get a taste! It was worth it to me. If you are organized in your packing it's not that hard to move. Bell services takes care of your luggage.

Make sure you have the items you will want for that day in case you don't get into your room/don't get your luggage until late afternoon.

 

[Junebugwv]

You can call bell services and ask them to get the bags from your room and transfer your luggage to CR, or you can take your luggage to bell services and make the transfer request. They will deliver it to your room. If the room is not ready, it will be stored and you can request delivery to your room.