Split stay at AKV/BWV- looking for input :)

[goofy4wdw2]

We're doing a DVC split stay in November and looking for any input to help make it a smooth transition! We are mainly staying at BWV but we are starting our trip with a few nights at AKV so we can check out the resort.

Do you usually split half/half or what works well? We currently have 2 nights at AKV (with a waitlist for a 3rd night) and then BWV for 8 nights (will change to 7 nights if AKV waitlist comes through). We want enough time there to see the animals, enjoy the pool if it's warm enough, and try some of the resort activities (night goggles, storytelling)...but I'm a little nervous about the lack of counter service at Kidani, feeling so remote from the main part of the resort, and having to bus everywhere. Do you think 3 nights/7 nights is a good mix or should we try for 4 nights/6 nights to have more time at AKV?

I know Disney will help move our bags and groceries, but with 3 little ones and lots of stuff to move, I think we're going to be scrambling the morning that we switch resorts. Do you generally unpack your clothes/etc when you do a split stay or do you just take from your suitcase as needed to make the move easier?

Any input is greatley appreciated!!

 

[Jillpie]

We've been doing this same split (except our 2nd stay is at BcV) the last few trips and the amount you're doing is just about right. But it sounds like Jambo house would be a better fit for you, especially with 3 kids and your desire to have quick service. Mara is perfect for that, and if you stay at Kidani it is just not convenient to grab something quick and easy on a whim.

Luggage wise, I'd pack one suitcase for all of you just for the AKL stay, it's so much easier to work out of one for a few days, just throw some travel size toiletries in there and save your bigger normal size stuff for the BW stay.

And DO try the filet at Jiko one night, omg! Best night out ever!!

 

[goofy4wdw2]

We've been doing this same split (except our 2nd stay is at BcV) the last few trips and the amount you're doing is just about right. But it sounds like Jambo house would be a better fit for you, especially with 3 kids and your desire to have quick service. Mara is perfect for that, and if you stay at Kidani it is just not convenient to grab something quick and easy on a whim.

Luggage wise, I'd pack one suitcase for all of you just for the AKL stay, it's so much easier to work out of one for a few days, just throw some travel size toiletries in there and save your bigger normal size stuff for the BW stay.

And DO try the filet at Jiko one night, omg! Best night out ever!!

Brilliant idea to pack a separate suitcase for the shorter stay! We will definitely do this and just leave our other bags untouched and ready to be transferred. We will be switching resorts on my son's birthday and we have an early Pirates League reservation that morning so we can't be late getting out the door and to MK!

 

[jekjones1558]

Your kids are the perfect age to enjoy the Kidani water splash area! If the 3rd night at Kidani wait list comes through and you can get a 4th night, I would go for it. BWV will be great for getting to both Epcot and DHS with stroller(s). You should have an absolutely grand trip!

 

[jpeka65844]

We did this split last summer and had a ball at AKV! While we adore BWV, you might find yourself wishing you were at AKV a little longer!

I never thought of packing one suitcase for each stay. It seems that when we hit a hotel room, our suitcases tend to explode everywhere. I guess we're just messy people.

I will keep that tip in mind the next time we do a split!

 

[HayGan]

I would suggest the 3 nights (at least) at AKV. It really is a great resort and worth exploring for a few days.

When we do shorter split stays, I will sometimes pack a seperate bag for those nights but it all depends on how I will be packing. We tend to pack lighter now that we always book 1 or 2 BRs. I really dislike packing tons of stuff. When we are switching villas I always pack up everything but the essentials the night before. For me, it is easy to do while getting the kids to bed and after they go to bed. It seems to make the morning go much quicker. If you are moving groceries, try to remember to keep something that will be easy to pack them up. I would strongly suggest planning on only doing a small shopping when you check into AKV and then a bigger one when you check into BWV. A second trip to the grocery store sounds like a pain but trust me you don't want to worry about packing up a ton of food to make a move! I dont' like packing two sets of tpoiletries etc. I just pack the full size ones in ziploc bags and throw them in the suitcase in the morning when everyone is done getting ready.

As for the morning of your move, think about how long it will take you to finish packing and getting everyone ready and out the door. Then add 30-45 minutes on to that time. It almost always ends up taking longer than you expect - especially with little ones!

 

[dairyqueenmom]

One suggestion - Last summer we did a split stay between BC and AKV. I woke up very early(5am) and took a cab to AKV and checked in. There were no lines and I was back before anyone woke up. We then packed everything up and gave it to bell services to transfer. Then off to the parks we went. I got a text message when our room was ready.

 

[wvulion]

One suggestion - Last summer we did a split stay between BC and AKV. I woke up very early(5am) and took a cab to AKV and checked in. There were no lines and I was back before anyone woke up. We then packed everything up and gave it to bell services to transfer. Then off to the parks we went. I got a text message when our room was ready.

That's exactly what we did when we switched. I packed just for the short stay and actually stored my other bags until the move. It was really easy. I would second the earlier poster about little kids and Kidani. We're DVC members at the AKL and, though the pool area at Kidani is lovely for little ones, the dining options are not. It is easier, in my opinion, to get the kids over to the pool at Kidani for a little swimming time, than to get everyone to the Mara at Jamobo for meals, if that's your option. Just a thought.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thank you for all of the suggestions and tips! This really helps a lot...I'm not as nervous about the early morning switch now and it's making me even more excited for our trip!

 

[mousiegirl]

I'm going to be doing 3 nights at AKV and then 4 at BLT.

This is my first time so I don't know the strategy at all. My main questions are:

How do I get help moving my bags? So glad I found this thread, I thought I was going to have to move my own.

And is it better to check into the second resort before or after going to the park that day?

 

[WAWDWLUVER]

I'm going to be doing 3 nights at AKV and then 4 at BLT.

This is my first time so I don't know the strategy at all. My main questions are:

How do I get help moving my bags? So glad I found this thread, I thought I was going to have to move my own.

And is it better to check into the second resort before or after going to the park that day?

Moving is easy; just call the Bell Services from your room phone and tell them you need luggage transferred to _________ resort! Be sure to keep whatever you might want for the day; i.e. bathing suit, etc. As for checking in before or after visiting a park I think it depends on how fussy you are about your room location. If you want a specific location it's probably best to check in and repeat any requests you may have made and tell them you're willing to wait for a room that meets your requests rather than getting one that may already be available. If you don't care about your room location, I'd just go have fun and check in after 4:00 pm!!

 

[HotdogDncrs]

I'm going to be doing 3 nights at AKV and then 4 at BLT.

This is my first time so I don't know the strategy at all. My main questions are:

How do I get help moving my bags? So glad I found this thread, I thought I was going to have to move my own.

And is it better to check into the second resort before or after going to the park that day?

We almost always do split stays. Bell services will tell you to call 1 hour prior to your departure. They have always arrived within minutes of us calling, so I encourage you to make sure that you are all packed up before calling them, as you don't want to be scrambling to get everything packed up while bell services is standing there waiting. That can become very stressful. We have called bell services the night before our move to give them a heads up that we will need them the following morning, but I'm not sure if it is necessary or really impacts anything.

We tend to head over to our next resort and check in, and then go have a meal or head to the parks. That way we know when we are tired and heading back to the room there is one less thing that we need to do.

One tip that I can offer is to pack up all souvenirs that you won't be needing in one suitcase. That way when you arrive at the new resort you don't have to unpack all that stuff. We have found it keeps the room clutter to a minimum, and helps with the final pack up at the end of the trip.

For us doing a split stay is like 2 vacations in one, you get different experiences on one trip.

 

[kristenrice]

We tend to split our 5-night stays, first 2 nights in a studio and then the last 3 in a 1BR. In order to avoid having to move groceries around, we add the DxDDP to our studio stay. That gives us 3 days of dining and we max it out by eating at our favorite restaurants. Once we move to a 1BR, we stick to CS meals or use the TiW card to eat at the more affordable TS restaurants.

For "switch" day, plan on being in a park. When you are ready to head out for the morning, bring your luggage to bell services and tell them which resort you will be switching to. Then head to the park and enjoy! If you break for lunch, head over to your new resort and check in. I think you can also do online checkin for the second part since it will be a different reservation.

When we did our BLT/BWV trip, I planned our switch day to be our Epcot day. We arrived just after 9am, rode Soarin and then walked over to BWV to check in. Our room wasn't ready (it was only about 10:30am) so we walked back to Epcot and began eating around the WS for the F&W Festival.

If you plan your switch day to be a non-park day, be prepared to be "homeless". You have to vacate the first room by 11 and your new room may not be ready until after 4.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thanks everyone! We will be going to MK the day we switch to BWV. Trying decide if I should wake up super early and take a taxi to check in before MK (I am not an early riser and we are usually scrambling to get out the door) or just check in after our day in MK and not worry about what room we get. I don't think we'll want to leave the park mid-day just to check in since it's my son's birthday and he's super excited that we will be in MK all day. Decisions, decisions!

 

[AydensMom]

When bell services moves your bags for you are the held at guest services or do they put them directly in your room like Magical Express does?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks everyone! We will be going to MK the day we switch to BWV. Trying decide if I should wake up super early and take a taxi to check in before MK (I am not an early riser and we are usually scrambling to get out the door) or just check in after our day in MK and not worry about what room we get. I don't think we'll want to leave the park mid-day just to check in since it's my son's birthday and he's super excited that we will be in MK all day. Decisions, decisions!

Don't wake up too early. You won't be able to check in until some time after 6AM.