Split Hotels or Stay On-Site??

[MichelinMan]

I am looking to book 3 weeks next year in July. I was thinking about a week staying at Universal Royal Pacific to do Universal, Seaworld and Discovery Cove, before changing hotels for 2 weeks on-site at Disney.

However, as you can get free dining by staying at Disney, I am wondering whether it would be better to spend all 3 weeks on-site. The negative would be travelling to I-drive from Disney a few days, and not getting Express passes at Universal. But it would be less hassle not having to change hotels.

What do you guys think?

I am also undecided where to stay on-site. I like the idea of Beach Club, but it is really expensive - I can afford it (just got a great new job ) but I'm not sure I can bring myself to spend the price of a small car just for a 3 week holiday!

I also like the look of POFQ, but you only get QSDP there, and I notice that OKW works out better value due to the free DDP. But I'm not sure whether I would like OKW - I know it is a favourite of many people here, so please tell me why it is so good.

The other option is AKL, but I think I would rather be a bit more central to get to places easier. Plus, IMO, there wouldn't be much point going there unless you had a Savannah view, and that works out more expensive than the Beach Club anyway.

Decisions, decisions!

 

[orangetiggs]

I would stay onsite all three weeks and benefit from the ddp

I was never sure on okw till i went last year and i love it, the rooms are huge compared to value and mods and the theming is so relaxing, we are going back in just over 8 weeks and i cant wait and will prob book again for next year too

 

[ben1993]

Personally, I'd do the 1 week at RPR and 2 weeks at Disney, that's a perfect Orlando trip to me! Dining on I-drive is so much cheaper anyway I don't think not having the dining plan for the first week would be less economical.

As for which resort at Disney, I don't agree that it's pointless staying at AKL without a savannah view, we only had a standard view but the resort has so much to offer, viewing platforms for the animals are everywhere and the whole feel is so immersive throughout. The only irritant is the distance from the other 3 parks, if that really bothers you then Beach Club is in an awesome location and has a fantastic pool. Can't go wrong really!

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm with Ben. There are so many amazing options for dining off-site (and also on-site at Universal), I would not want to limit myself to 3 weeks of eating at Disney.

For me, the perfect way to do it would be a few nights at RPR and the rest at Disney. We nearly always do a split stay and it is not any hassle at all really.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

We've done exactly what your suggesting twice now.We did 5 nights Lowes `Royal Pacific then switched to Yacht Club for 12 nights
We stayed Club Level at RP which worked out really well, it opened about 6.30-7am giving us plenty of time for a hearty breakfast before heading to WWOHP for early doors.We then had a snack for lunch then either went back to the lounge for dinner or ate at places on City Walk(Pasta More for example is very reasonable)I found it worked out cheaper paying for a CL room than paying OOP for breakfast lunch and dinner.

We also found that once we were in Disney we didn't want to leave.So doing all the Universal/IOA and Sea World stuff first worked out really well,leaving plenty of time to laze at Stormalong Bay

BC/YC is also perfect for getting to EPCOT (5 min walk) HS (10 min boat ride/20 walk) and your right on The Boardwalk, which all have some of the best dining options in Disney IMO

 

[kevin harrison]

we are going back in just over 8 weeks and i cant wait and will prob book again for next year too

Do try and not burn the resort down this time...

 

[kevin harrison]

The problem with the DDP is that it ties you to Disney's restuarnts and in all honesty the size of the tips sometimes would buy you a decent meal in some places.

Also by restricting yourself to Disney, you are missing a world of fantastic dining outside.

A split stay works well for many, this is what we did last time. As long as you get up early and can leave suitcases at your new hotel to check in - you don't waste a day at all.

We left OKW at 7am, dropped off cases at the HRH and were at Universal by 08:30.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Do try and not burn the resort down this time...

 

[wayneg]

We are all different on what we like to do with holidays, which hotels we like etc.
The last 4 years we have done OKW, problem we have is we go for 24 or 25 nights so we have to change hotels as max is 21 for free DDP. We went to RPR one year for 3 nights, didn't enjoy it at all, wasn't for us, this year stayed at Fairfield Inn LBV, far better but still dislike moving hotels.

I also wouldn't stay at AKL unless it was a savanah room, we had a great few nights there but I don't see point if I don't have a view of the animals, I would rather stay at OKW which is cheaper and a more relaxing resort, we then visit AKL for meals and see animals.

Our long trip next August we have decided to stay the whole holiday offsite(hope to get a deal at Fairfield Inn LBV) due to increased costs onsite for room & tips, works out over £1,000 cheaper offsite.

You will not believe how much we dislike moving hotels, can't believe we are planning a roadtrip next Easter from Miami to Orlando, who's crazy idea was that