Split stay / Club level / Logistical - August Trip

[pregnantw4thprincess]

Hey there hi there ho there!

We are a family of 5, 2A, 3 kids, 13/7/6. Traveling in August for 17 days - first trip since the world lit on fire! Last trip was Christmas 2019 #simplertimes

Doing our first ever (multi)split stay, first ever Universal stay, and first ever Disney CL stay (DH and I have stayed club level many times at other hotels for business, but never as a family).

A little apprehensive about the split stays, but hoping that it works out logistically - there is a method to my madness

Stays
3 nights at Hardrock Hotel, deluxe 2Q (wanted express pass)
5 nights at Cabana Bay, family room (building in a little relaxation - drastically cutting costs for a portion of the vacation)
2 nights at Wilderness Lodge, deluxe room CL (our favorite resort - we are not DVC members, but it sure is home - staycation for this portion, not visiting parks)
—— my husband leaves the day we switch hotels from WL to BW — —
3 nights at Boardwalk Inn, standard room CL (planning on focusing on HS and Epcot)
—— DH returns late in the evening after we have switched to GF resort
4 nights at GF, outer building TPV (focusing on MK and the super fun splash pad - renting poolside patio seating the first 3 days)

Struggling with whether we should just check into GF after WL and just stay there for the duration instead of switching to the Boardwalk in the interim

Wildcards/Questions
- our littlest two are autistic, so curious if anyone has any experience to share about staying club level with autistic kids? Interested to hear about whether experiences were generally positive and understanding of special needs. My littles also have pretty limited (but not unusual) food preferences - can a mama get a string cheese in CL? They would live on strawberries, apples, and bananas - and mama can run on (n)espresso, so feeling hopeful!
- my husband will be leaving for a conference for the length of our stay at Boardwalk CL; is it reasonably easy to navigate the property with a giant stroller? Are there bathrooms in CL in case my littles need the toilet in a hurry? Ideally handicap accessible?

Thanks in advance, Everyone - I appreciate any feedback!

 

[Narcoossee11]

WOW. !!! That is alot of moving/switching resorts.
You will be 'home less' 5 mornings. That would be my concern for your 2 artistic kids. . Some of the time , just you with 3 kids.

 

[Eastern]

I agree it is a lot of switching resorts, but it does give you convenience in terms of getting to your specific parks.

The big thing is the packing/unpacking and luggage transfer. You will need to be very organized, especially as you will be on your own for a few days. You will need to be out of your room by 11am (they are not the best about giving you even an extra hour, but you can ask. Ask at checkin) and you will not necessarily have access to your new room before 4pm. (I have waited until 6pm once, at CR CL. It was rare, but it was really annoying.) I would probably pack several suitcases, so that I had several days of outfits in each one so you don't have to go searching. Being there for 17 days, I would assume you need to do laundry, but it's still nice to know what you need for several days is in a certain bag.

Also when moving resorts at Disney, I would have one person Uber the bags over to the next resort so you will always know where you luggage is. Disney will transport your luggage but you will not have access to it until it is delivered to your new resort, and I think that happens 4pm at the earliest.

CL will be extremely helpful in terms of getting snacks when you need them and not having to leave your hotel if the kids are not cooperating.

The big question is, is it worth it to be close to the parks to fit in that 3 night BWI stay? I would say no. I think that instead, I would figure on using Minnie Vans for Epcot/HS park transportation during your GF stay. More expensive but the convenience would be worth it. It is convenient to be near Epcot/HS, but that doesn't mean it is easier than one less move and Minnie Vans, especially while your husband is not there to help.

 

[gatormom2tots]

Wowszers.....I am NOT a split stay fan. But you have a long vacation at 17 days so I do think it makes it more feasible.

If you haven't already, consider getting US/IOA version of DAS. You can call ahead and get a number to simplify the process at guest services. That will help on your Cabana Bay days if you are planning on parks with xpress pass. We used it in conjunction with xpress.

But that being said, I think I would eliminate that last change. You are going to be at the end of a long (but amazing!) trip, and are going to be tired. We have done 14-17 day trips and even with rest days my kids were spent at the end and really didnt even want to go into the parks. I also have 1 on the spectrum and he really struggles with constant changes- split stays just overwhelm him and causes a lot of anxiety for him (and then all of us as well!)

Sounds like an amazing vacation though!

 

[Jacq7414]

That’s a lot of switching. We did a Polynesian/Beach Club split. It was pretty seamless and it was nice to switch since we were there for 9 nights/10 days. We did a 2/7 split. I wouldn’t really do the 3 different Disney hotels. Seems like a lot in a little amount of time.

 

[Marionnette]

Hey there hi there ho there!

We are a family of 5, 2A, 3 kids, 13/7/6. Traveling in August for 17 days - first trip since the world lit on fire! Last trip was Christmas 2019 #simplertimes

Doing our first ever (multi)split stay, first ever Universal stay, and first ever Disney CL stay (DH and I have stayed club level many times at other hotels for business, but never as a family).

A little apprehensive about the split stays, but hoping that it works out logistically - there is a method to my madness

Stays
3 nights at Hardrock Hotel, deluxe 2Q (wanted express pass)
5 nights at Cabana Bay, family room (building in a little relaxation - drastically cutting costs for a portion of the vacation)
2 nights at Wilderness Lodge, deluxe room CL (our favorite resort - we are not DVC members, but it sure is home - staycation for this portion, not visiting parks)
—— my husband leaves the day we switch hotels from WL to BW — —
3 nights at Boardwalk Inn, standard room CL (planning on focusing on HS and Epcot)
—— DH returns late in the evening after we have switched to GF resort
4 nights at GF, outer building TPV (focusing on MK and the super fun splash pad - renting poolside patio seating the first 3 days)

Struggling with whether we should just check into GF after WL and just stay there for the duration instead of switching to the Boardwalk in the interim

Wildcards/Questions
- our littlest two are autistic, so curious if anyone has any experience to share about staying club level with autistic kids? Interested to hear about whether experiences were generally positive and understanding of special needs. My littles also have pretty limited (but not unusual) food preferences - can a mama get a string cheese in CL? They would live on strawberries, apples, and bananas - and mama can run on (n)espresso, so feeling hopeful!
- my husband will be leaving for a conference for the length of our stay at Boardwalk CL; is it reasonably easy to navigate the property with a giant stroller? Are there bathrooms in CL in case my littles need the toilet in a hurry? Ideally handicap accessible?

Thanks in advance, Everyone - I appreciate any feedback!

Five hotels in 17 days just sounds like too much moving around. I wouldn't even attempt it with just 2 adults. Add little ones with special needs to the mix, subtract one adult for 4 days and my head just hurts thinking about it.

I definitely recommend skipping the move to BWI and going right from WL to GF.

 

[Marthasor]

Hey there hi there ho there!

We are a family of 5, 2A, 3 kids, 13/7/6. Traveling in August for 17 days - first trip since the world lit on fire! Last trip was Christmas 2019 #simplertimes

Doing our first ever (multi)split stay, first ever Universal stay, and first ever Disney CL stay (DH and I have stayed club level many times at other hotels for business, but never as a family).

A little apprehensive about the split stays, but hoping that it works out logistically - there is a method to my madness

Stays
3 nights at Hardrock Hotel, deluxe 2Q (wanted express pass)
5 nights at Cabana Bay, family room (building in a little relaxation - drastically cutting costs for a portion of the vacation)
2 nights at Wilderness Lodge, deluxe room CL (our favorite resort - we are not DVC members, but it sure is home - staycation for this portion, not visiting parks)
—— my husband leaves the day we switch hotels from WL to BW — —
3 nights at Boardwalk Inn, standard room CL (planning on focusing on HS and Epcot)
—— DH returns late in the evening after we have switched to GF resort
4 nights at GF, outer building TPV (focusing on MK and the super fun splash pad - renting poolside patio seating the first 3 days)

Struggling with whether we should just check into GF after WL and just stay there for the duration instead of switching to the Boardwalk in the interim

Wildcards/Questions
- our littlest two are autistic, so curious if anyone has any experience to share about staying club level with autistic kids? Interested to hear about whether experiences were generally positive and understanding of special needs. My littles also have pretty limited (but not unusual) food preferences - can a mama get a string cheese in CL? They would live on strawberries, apples, and bananas - and mama can run on (n)espresso, so feeling hopeful!
- my husband will be leaving for a conference for the length of our stay at Boardwalk CL; is it reasonably easy to navigate the property with a giant stroller? Are there bathrooms in CL in case my littles need the toilet in a hurry? Ideally handicap accessible?

Thanks in advance, Everyone - I appreciate any feedback!

I can't comment on the ability to get string cheese, but, generally, CL staff are very positive and understanding of special needs.

Personally, I would not stay at Boardwalk alone with three children, particularly small children. The CL lounge isn't open 24 hours a day, so if you were hoping to pop in for snacks, drinks, etc., you have to do it during open CL hours. If you need something otherwise, all food services - grab-and-go, QS, are outside on the Boardwalk and not terribly close to the lobby. I've stayed there a number of times throughout the years with DS (he is now 14) and the food/beverage inconvenience has really pushed us to staying at BC/YC in the EP area. As long as you aren't planning on using the pool at the hotel (way too big to navigate with 3 kids), I would consider switching to BC if you really want an EP portion of your stay. You may also want to consider dropping CL altogether, quite honestly, and booking a villa (if available) at BCV and doing a big grocery order. BCV is closest to EP, the Skyliner entrance and the buses at BC.

Personally, I would probably drop BWI altogether and just go to GF after WL. I think you are going to get tired of switching resorts - it is so much packing and unpacking. You can take the bus or a Minnie Van from GF to get to EP and DHS.

 

[Wood Nymph]

our littlest two are autistic, so curious if anyone has any experience to share about staying club level with autistic kids? Interested to hear about whether experiences were generally positive and understanding of special needs.

The deluxe CL rooms at the Wilderness Lounge are located at the end of the building, closest to the boat dock. You will be able to hear the boats blow their whistles when they come at go at the dock. You can also hear the geyser when it goes off and the loud music from the pool party if your room faces the main pool. These rooms are not on the same floor as the club lounge. It takes a few minutes to walk to the lounge and you need to use an elevator or staircase to reach it.

 

[Minnie1222]

can a mama get a string cheese in CL? They would live on strawberries, apples, and bananas - and mama can run on (n)espresso, so feeling hopeful!

I usually see sliced and cubed cheese, not string cheese. They have whole apples and bananas. I don't recall seeing fresh strawberries.

 

[RoseGold]

Disney Club Level is not like, say, JW club level. The offerings are limited, and they don't have a lot of options. At AKL, there was cubed cheese and a fancy, wonderful cheese plate my kid wouldn't touch. Lunch is particularly weak, like uncrustables, and it sounds like this matters to you, as you aren't trying to park warrior. They might be able to go in the back and get you a Mickey bar or some chocolate milk, but they don't have a lot of food options to offer. I'd go to the club level thread and look for the photos of the spreads. They don't change much. You should know pretty much what you're getting.

I just did a quad split stay, so I like a split stay, but this sounds like a lot. If all you need strawberries and string cheese (and a bottle of wine), you can do that with a Wal Mart grocery order or in the parks with mobile order, you don't need to spend that much on Club Level. And they had a lot of fruit, at least at breakfast, but no strawberries. Disney hotels have a lot of accessible bathrooms near areas like this and everyone has a double stroller. It will be no problem, except the WL buses... At AKL, the bathroom is across from the Club Level concierge/check in desk.

I stayed at WL with a wheelchair user, and it wasn't ideal. They run two kinds of boats. The small one requires you to fold up the stroller, the big one doesn't. To get anywhere else, you have to take a bus, which will require folding it. You could get around this somewhat with some Ubers.

Edit to add: Mobile order is much better than when you last went. It added restaurants and generally works really well, in the resorts and in the parks. You should be able to get food anywhere on Disney property, even if you aren't in Club Level, without doing a whole sit down meal. Might I recommend using Mobile Order for the Tonga Toast at Poly. You can view it now on the app on your phone, pretend to make an order and then just don't check out.

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

It is a lot of switching - it probably sounds batty, but my reasoning is to try to avoid being in a vehicle (other than monorail/boats). I will have a large stroller for the girls; I *think* that sending our luggage via bell services would be easier than having to get an Uber or Minnie van with two car seats - which is why I was thinking visiting HS from Boardwalk would be a huge plus. And I am definitely really wanting to try out BW CL

We will definitely be getting the “stroller as a wheelchair” and each theme park’s version of DAS.

I suppose we could take the monorails to Epcot, then take a boat/Skyliner/walk from the IG to HS - and reverse back. I would rather skip HS all together than juggle my kids in anything with 4 wheels

We aren’t a commando family (catch me and my 13y old when it is just the two of us though ) - we usually do a park in the morning, back to the resort, maybe hit another in the afternoon.

My plan was:

On checkout day for WL CL, send luggage with bell services, hang at WL and enjoy the pool/lounge until DH leaves, then grab the boat over to MK, monorail or boat to TTC, monorail to Epcot, enjoy the park and walk to BW when we are ready

On checkout day for BW CL, send luggage with bell services, visit Epcot, monorail to TTC, monorail to GF

Now that I look at it written out, I am more concerned about the WL transfer than anything - that is a lot of transportation methods - all to avoid an UberXL

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

Disney Club Level is not like, say, JW club level. The offerings are limited, and they don't have a lot of options. At AKL, there was cubed cheese and a fancy, wonderful cheese plate my kid wouldn't touch. Lunch is particularly weak, like uncrustables, and it sounds like this matters to you, as you aren't trying to park warrior. They might be able to go in the back and get you a Mickey bar or some chocolate milk, but they don't have a lot of food options to offer. I'd go to the club level thread and look for the photos of the spreads. They don't change much. You should know pretty much what you're getting.

I just did a quad split stay, so I like a split stay, but this sounds like a lot. If all you need strawberries and string cheese (and a bottle of wine), you can do that with a Wal Mart grocery order or in the parks with mobile order, you don't need to spend that much on Club Level. And they had a lot of fruit, at least at breakfast, but no strawberries. Disney hotels have a lot of accessible bathrooms near areas like this and everyone has a double stroller. It will be no problem, except the WL buses... At AKL, the bathroom is across from the Club Level concierge/check in desk.

I stayed at WL with a wheelchair user, and it wasn't ideal. They run two kinds of boats. The small one requires you to fold up the stroller, the big one doesn't. To get anywhere else, you have to take a bus, which will require folding it. You could get around this somewhat with some Ubers.

Edit to add: Mobile order is much better than when you last went. It added restaurants and generally works really well, in the resorts and in the parks. You should be able to get food anywhere on Disney property, even if you aren't in Club Level, without doing a whole sit down meal. Might I recommend using Mobile Order for the Tonga Toast at Poly. You can view it now on the app on your phone, pretend to make an order and then just don't check out.

JW is what I am use to - do they still have the macadamia nut roll at the little coffee stand/sushi bar in the morning? That was such a hidden gem!

We usually do a 2bdrm villa (Copper Creek has been our favorite), but I promised myself I was going to try to keep some kind of a budget. My husband will only stay deluxe and likes direct access (including boats) to at least one park. I would love to do Riviera, but he is a hard no on the Skyliner

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

Wowszers.....I am NOT a split stay fan. But you have a long vacation at 17 days so I do think it makes it more feasible.

If you haven't already, consider getting US/IOA version of DAS. You can call ahead and get a number to simplify the process at guest services. That will help on your Cabana Bay days if you are planning on parks with xpress pass. We used it in conjunction with xpress.

But that being said, I think I would eliminate that last change. You are going to be at the end of a long (but amazing!) trip, and are going to be tired. We have done 14-17 day trips and even with rest days my kids were spent at the end and really didnt even want to go into the parks. I also have 1 on the spectrum and he really struggles with constant changes- split stays just overwhelm him and causes a lot of anxiety for him (and then all of us as well!)

Sounds like an amazing vacation though!

Yes, honestly it was probably a mistake to do Universal and Disney in one trip, but my 13y old has been wanting to do Universal for half their life - and we haven’t been to FL since before 2020, so I *need* to go to Disney Plus, I am extremely confident that my oldest and I can manage the littles while my husband is at his conference if we are at Disney - not confident about that at Universal

Thank you for your insights

 

[RoseGold]

Now that I look at it written out, I am more concerned about the WL transfer than anything - that is a lot of transportation methods - all to avoid an UberXL

Yea, that's a $10 problem, just get an Uber.

I'm more concerned about your homelessness so much on this trip. It's a lot to get the bags out in the morning. It works fine if you're going to be in the park all day, but that's not you. You're just stuck at the resort with no room, ugh. Disney has not been fast about getting rooms ready. Reports from the DVC side have been ridiculous, like 6PM. If anything goes wrong, like room not ready until 6PM or luggage not there until 6PM (happened to me on this trip), that could really be a problem.

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

Yea, that's a $10 problem, just get an Uber.

I'm more concerned about your homelessness so much on this trip. It's a lot to get the bags out in the morning. It works fine if you're going to be in the park all day, but that's not you. You're just stuck at the resort with no room, ugh. Disney has not been fast about getting rooms ready. Reports from the DVC side have been ridiculous, like 6PM. If anything goes wrong, like room not ready until 6PM or luggage not there until 6PM (happened to me on this trip), that could really be a problem.

I am a huge fan of $10 problems

I suppose we could Uber over while my husband was still there, with the bags - and get checked into BW CL (or GF). When we are moving to a CL stay, we will have the lounge, which helps - and my kids will play happily in the pool the entire day, so I have that going for me.

Why so many choices :shakes fist:
Nice problems to have

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

If anything goes wrong, like room not ready until 6PM or luggage not there until 6PM (happened to me on this trip), that could really be a problem.

Our first trip as a family we stayed at the Poly. I was 7 months pregnant and we had a 6y old and just turning 1 on that trip year old. They lost my luggage until the following day (with me nagging and begging). That bag had all of my maternity clothes *and* my daughter’s princess dresses

At the time at least they didn’t even sell maternity clothes on property

 

[RoseGold]

It's probably too late to change the reservations, even if you wanted to.

An option is to Uber to the next resort with the bags, and leave them at the desk. At least then, you'll know they're in the right place. This might work well for the BW move, because it takes you to the back entrance of Epcot anyway.

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

It's probably too late to change the reservations, even if you wanted to.

An option is to Uber to the next resort with the bags, and leave them at the desk. At least then, you'll know they're in the right place. This might work well for the BW move, because it takes you to the back entrance of Epcot anyway.

It’s actually not too late because they are all room only - I just looked and BW has a deluxe room available - like I needed any more variables

 

[Her Dotness]

I agree that's too many moves. But, moving rooms is not on my agenda until we leave WDW.

Not like I love the GF (3 CL stays, 4 VGF), but there's little comparison between WL CL and GF CL. Far more variety at the continental breakfast, for one thing, and better service. More variety at the other snack spreads throughout the day, too.

One morning at WL CL, I asked for a tray to take food to DH who was feeling under the weather. The CM was carrying a round serving tray that would've worked beautifully but said those weren't for guest use. He dug around in a cupboard and offered me an ugly paperboard one a little larger than a sheet of copy paper.

At the GF, the CM would have said, "Oh, please, take this one. Just leave it outside your door when done. One of us will get it." Because that's how it was done at the GF.

Too bad you're not booked in GF CL. Would be worth it to try, going there rather than BWI. Even though the CL lounge closes at around 10:00-11:00 p.m., Gaspy's is open 24/7 for snack needs.

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

I agree that's too many moves. But, moving rooms is not on my agenda until we leave WDW.

Not like I love the GF (3 CL stays, 4 VGF), but there's little comparison between WL CL and GF CL. Far more variety at the continental breakfast, for one thing, and better service. More variety at the other snack spreads throughout the day, too.

One morning at WL CL, I asked for a tray to take food to DH who was feeling under the weather. The CM was carrying a round serving tray that would've worked beautifully but said those weren't for guest use. He dug around in a cupboard and offered me an ugly paperboard one a little larger than a sheet of copy paper.

At the GF, the CM would have said, "Oh, please, take this one. Just leave it outside your door when done. One of us will get it." Because that's how it was done at the GF.

Too bad you're not booked in GF CL. Would be worth it to try, going there rather than BWI. Even though the CL lounge closes at around 10:00-11:00 p.m., Gaspy's is open 24/7 for snack needs.

I considered GF CL, but if we stay at GF I don’t want to be in the main building. We will have a large stroller and my most memorable experience of being in the GF was at Christmas bringing my MIL and DSD for tea for MIL’s birthday. The line for the elevator in the lobby was so bad that people were carrying strollers up and down the stairs.

Do you have any insights on that as a GF aficionado?

I have concerns as well about a multilevel lounge with a stroller - I will bring some kind of a tray regardless for Food&Wine - good tip in that!