Split Stay - Advice...Thoughts...

[princessemsmom]

I am starting our initial planning for our annual trip in May 2016. We have stayed at POR the last 2 years and we love, but I am wanting to try a different hotel (possibly even club level). My DH is happy at POR and has no desire to change.

I was thinking what a great time to do a split stay!

My thought was Yacht Club to start. We would love Storm Along Bay. I also think it would be great to be so close to an evening on the Boardwalk, etc. Then we can switch over to POR on day 3. (Our trip is usually 8 days/7 nights).

Historically we have done the DxDP because we have DD and she loves characters so we ate a lot of those meals - we also prefer sit down meals. However, this past trip DD was happy with less characters and more rides (woohoo) so I think we plan on downsizing to regular DDP.

With that said - I was thinking that we could try Club Level for the first few days at YC and no DDP. Then when we switch to POR add a DDP for the part of the stay.

Thoughts? Opinions? Advice? In regards to split stays...club level..etc

Thanks in advance!!!

Already excited about next year!!

 

[Babsy]

I think that your idea for a split stay is great. However, I would go with the YC and CL at the end of the trip rather than the beginning. We find it nice to save the more exciting / deluxe resort for last. That way it is not disappointing to move.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Ditto! Always end with a bang!

 

[princessemsmom]

I think that your idea for a split stay is great. However, I would go with the YC and CL at the end of the trip rather than the beginning. We find it nice to save the more exciting / deluxe resort for last. That way it is not disappointing to move.

Ditto! Always end with a bang!

We will have family joining us at the end of the trip and they always stay at the same resort as us. I do not want to have them spend more money than necessary - which is why my thought was to have POR at the end...

 

[Ceryssa]

It's a great idea, but I definitely agree you don't want to do the deluxe at the beginning.

 

[mmmears]

It sounds like a good way to both try something new and also give your DH what he wants. I agree with everyone else... I'd end at the deluxe. Also, I'd play your Epcot/DHS days for the days you are at YC so that you can take advantage of being able to walk to the parks. As for the DDP, it's too much food for us when we stay CL. We do like to have a sit-down lunch, however.

 

[Babsy]

We will have family joining us at the end of the trip and they always stay at the same resort as us. I do not want to have them spend more money than necessary - which is why my thought was to have POR at the end...

Is it possible for them to join you at the beginning of the trip? Or perhaps they would like to move with you. You were only looking at staying 2 days (you suggested moving on day three).

We travel with friends/family frequently and don't always stay at the same resort for the entire time. We still meet up in parks and visit each others resorts on occasion for dining or to relax with a drink. So, it is possible to be at POR with them initially and then move to the YC for the last couple of nights.

Just my thoughts, of course.
You can always just stay at the YC first as you planned. If so, focus on the time with your friends and Downtown Disney and all the reasons why you love POR. I have done my preferred choice first, it simply wasn't as ideal that way around. we still had a fabulous time.

I am sure that you will have a great trip whichever way you arrange the stay!!

 

[Babsy]

I agree with mmmears! A TS lunch and a light dinner are great when staying CL.

 

[princessemsmom]

I agree with mmmears! A TS lunch and a light dinner are great when staying CL.

Yes we would not have a DDP if we stay club level. Only for the reservation when we are at the moderate.

And absolutely anything is possible will think on switching to POR first...we usually end the trip with a party and pool day to celebrate DD's birthday. We could possibly move the party to start the trip...something to think about since everyone seems to have same opinion of ending Deluxe!!

And I need to make sure that I plan our DHS and an Epcot day when at YC!!

This will be a whole new way to plan - between split stays, club level part time, DDP part time, less characters and more rides!!!!

That is what I think makes Disney so great for kids of all ages...depending on their age - each year is a different trip, but with all the familiarity!!

 

[loves to dive]

Love split stays, I'm going on my 4th one for F&W. Agree you should do the deluxe at the end. Other than the pool party, they could come visit you at the YC and get a little taste of what it's like without actually staying there. You aren't allowed to pool hop so they wouldn't be able to use the pool unless they were staying there.

 

[Mama Lo]

I am staying at the YC at the end of August and have been follow the Yacht and Beach Club thread. Wanted you to know that it seems that after they finish the renovations at the BC they are moving on to the YC. The nice people over there seem to think that the YC renovations will start with the CL lounge and rooms.

You may be impacted by this at the time of your visit.

If you were to select the BC instead you would find the lounge and room very recently renovated. (Although the price tag would reflect that)

 

[lizard1]

I'll go against the majority here. I would go with your plan to do YC first and then move to POR. We tried BC on our last trip, and we hated it. We thought the pool was just too big, the kids didn't have nearly as much fun at the pool as we thought they would (the pool was the main reason for booking there), we didn't really like our room, etc. Let's just say I am never going to stay at BC again! Anyway, since it is an unknown, I would stay there first and then end at the resort you love. We actually moved from BC to POR (planned split stay) and were much happier at POR with the room, location, pools, and just the resort itself than we were at BC. Just because it is a deluxe resort doesn't mean that you will like it better!

 

[Collette]

I think it is always good to try something for yourself. Then you know if you like split stays or not and what works for your family. I have done one 4/3 (Pop/WL) split stay and a one night split stay moving from Pop to KV. I thought the 3 night WL stay was too short. I don't like packing up and moving - and really like settling in somewhere. A few years ago, I would have said to definitely save the deluxe resort until last. But at that time I hadn't stayed at POR! My last trip and upcoming trip are at BLT which I am very much looking forward to, but I am longing to return to POR!! I loved our stay at that resort so much - there will be a next time!

If you really want to try YC and the YC/POR stay works out best for you and your plans with extended family and you know you love POR, I think it will be great for you. POR is a great place to come home to at night. I have visited the Boardwalk area often, but I've never stayed there. Walking to Epcot, riding the boat to DHS, and just enjoying the ambiance of the Boardwalk area especially at night seems like a great start to your family vacation!

 

[DJFan88]

We did this last trip. 6 at POR, then 4 at YC (not club). I liked POR better still, but the rest preferred the YC. Can't beat the atmosphere and food court at POR! ANYWAY, my only concern in your staying CL first is the dining plan logistics, maybe you or someone know how to work it though. When we did it, I bought the tickets as for the whole trip nights worth on the first package with POR and DP, since each additional day on tickets is cheap at the end. Then, I just had a RO at YC with additional ticket days still left, and paid OP formeals, since we did all the meals we wanted. I'm wondering how that will work for you since your package with the DP is in the second part. You don't want to have to restart a ticket buying thing with each reservation, as you will pay much more.

 

[princessemsmom]

After few months to think everyone's advice over - we have decided to change plans a bit! We will now be staying POR for our fist 7 nights and then switching to YC - Club level for 2 nights. This means my package will be first and then YC will be RO.

Based on all comments above this sounds like the best plan.

Is there anything special I need to know before I book? I will make sure to get park tickets long enough for all of the days. I am planning dining that will not be part of the plan accordingly - staying Club level - was thinking one Table Service is all I will need for those few days.

Any other hints, tips, etc?

Thanks so much for everyone's help!

 

[happymommy]

I think your plan is great.
Personally, when we've stayed CL we found any TS meal to be overkill! But choose what you prefer.
Enjoy your trip!