Split Stay Booking Strategy

[disneydad7281231]

In July we will be booking at 11M for a nearly 2 week split stay. This is going to be our first time booking at 11M and setting up for split stay.

I am looking for some input.

We are planning 4 nights are PIT (Home), 4 nights at RIV, and 4 nights are either BWV or BCV.

When booking PIT at 11M should I be:
1. Booking 12 nights at PIT then modifying the original booking down to just 4 nights where ever I want them within the trip.
2. Booking 3 different 4 nights stays then hopefully modifying two of them as long as those dates are available.
3. Booking the first 4 nights then do 4 - 2 night stays for more flexibility
4. None of the above lol

With no experience trying to do this I am just curious what makes its easiest and gives the best chances or modifying at 7M.

Thanks!

 

[pzw90]

Option #2 is your best bet
Option #3 if you have two memberships. You only get two waitlists per membership

 

[muppets3d]

Yep option 2, keep them as separate reservations. At the 7 month window for each reservation, attempt to modify with your chosen resorts. Be flexible! There is a lot of shuffling that happens at the 7 month window. Worst case - if you can't end up swapping at 7 months, you can call member services and have them all combined back into one continuous stay so you at least won't have to move rooms at PIT.

Split stays don't work out for my family but trying different resorts at the 7 month window is great fun.

 

[CarolynFH]

Definitely option #2. And each segment will have its own 11 and 7 month booking dates.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Another vote for option 2. That will work best

 

[Headless]

Option 2. While I've never had it happen I have been told horror stories of someone 'modifying' there reservation for a split stay and losing both sides. When they 'modify' these reservations they are really canceling then re-booking (how it's been described to me by CM's) and there is a small chance it can be taken from under you.

Be flexible and be ready to pivot. I have Riviera as my home so I don't know how competitive it is at 7 months but your other two are VERY competitive. I'm still trying for BCV (crossing my fingers for 26). Rank what is the most important of the resorts and go for that first at each of your 7 month windows (because now you have 3 with splitting). If you don't see one you want grab something that will be just just as fun. setup your waitlist. While I've only used it once and didn't have luck I know a lot of people do have luck.

Enjoy the stay! My wife and I's goal is to get ourselves to every resort.

 

[Sandisw]

For sure option # 2…this way, you get to do each section at 7 months without dropping your home resort first.

 

[airjay75]

Just want to say this thread really gifted me some new info I had not thought about before, particularly as it relates to my thinking for future points purchases. Thank you!

 

[Headless]

Just want to say this thread really gifted me some new info I had not thought about before, particularly as it relates to my thinking for future points purchases. Thank you!

Honestly this forum and what I've picked up here plus my own experience the past couple years has completely changed my next contract plans. Once the wife green lights it I'm buying a completely different resort then what I planned when we first went down the DVC road.

 

[fumanchu2488]

This is the closest thread I could find. Asking for a friend (me) but hypothetically if someone already did option 1, what would be the best way to transition to a split stay? Is it just cancel days and then rebook and risk the room not booking in the minutes it takes?

 

[CarolynFH]

This is the closest thread I could find. Asking for a friend (me) but hypothetically if someone already did option 1, what would be the best way to transition to a split stay? Is it just cancel days and then rebook and risk the room not booking in the minutes it takes?

If you have enough points to book the 7-month resort first, then modify the 11-month reservation to drop those days, that’s the best. But if you don’t have enough points for the 7-month booking, yes, you’ll have to take the chance that by the time you modify the 11-month one to free up the points, the 7-month will be gone. So think hard about whether you want to take that chance, or just stay in your home resort for the full time already booked and save the split stay for another visit.