Split stay CR or AK then Poly...

[Picabo]

Can someone give me advice or tell me your experience of splitting your stay between CR or AKL and then going to Poly? We have 2 toddlers (2 1/2 and 3 1/2 when we go) so not even sure this makes sense. Maybe it's just less stressful to be in one place?

If you do split stay and have them transfer your luggage FOR you to the new hotel, do you check in from the original hotel or does everyone physically have to go to the 2nd hotel to check in first? I'd assume if we wait till night to check in that any room requests - we wouldn't have a good chance of getting them, eh? Isn't it better to get there earlier for room requests?

I've also heard of taking a taxi WITH the luggage to the 2nd hotel (obviously could take Monorail if we do CR and Poly). Anyone know the cost of a taxi from AKL to Poly?

If we go CR to Poly I'd assume it's best to go in the morning before we hit any parks to check in and get the room requests out fo the way first.??

HELP!
PS if this is a pain in the neck with toddlers, please let me know that too!

THANKS!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In your situation I would go with the Contemporary. Based on the ages of your kids staying there with the Monorail makes things a lot more easier and yes WDW would move your bags to the Polynesian. So on the day you check-out of the Contemporary you can the Resort Monorail to the Polynesian, check-in and if your room is not ready go to one of the parks and come back later on.

 

[KatMark]

We have never done a split stay (we like to stay in one place and not have to worry about repacking, etc.). If you are set on Poly for the second half of a split stay, I would do AK for the first half since you'll already have the monrail experience at the Poly and this way you can see the animals at the AK. We have stayed at CR, but it is not our favorite resort. Truthfully, I'd just stay at the Poly for the whole trip and not worry about moving.

 

[goofylover]

We did a split stay in 2006.
We started at All Star Sports and then went to AKL before our cruise.
They transferred our luggage no problem.
We went to a park that day like normal, but our bags were all packed in the room.
Then we left the parks around 3 and checked in the AKL.
We got a Savannah room so when we got in the room the animals were being fed.
It was perfect!!!
Have fun!

 

[Blessedx3]

We did a split stay at the AKL and Poly last Dec. With a 3 , 2, and 1 yr old. It wasn't hard at all. We had our luggage transfered. And it went very smoothly. We did check in at the Poly mid morning. But at both places we stayed CL so we had no real big room request over there. I will say we did over a week at both resorts. I say go for it. My kids loved it!

 

[momtobrynncess]

IMHO, I think it would be a little(?) stressful changing resorts? I'm just thinking with all the things that toddlers require, etc. We transferred resorts with an 18 month old (not on purpose, but due to a long story of being bumped that I won't get into here). It was not that hard, we went from GF to CR. I'm thinking that transportation to parks from CR and Poly would be easier than at AKL with two toddlers too. Just my opinion. Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you will make it work. I do think that kids really enjoy watching the monorail travel right through the building at CR (like mine does). Good luck!

 

[mmmears]

We've done split-stays when my DD was 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. We checked out of the first hotel early in the am, spent the day at a park (usually a waterpark, so it was more restful) and then checked in to the 2nd resort around 2pm. The only thing that was hard was not having the room around 1pm for naptime. But she slept a bit in the stroller, so that helped.

I think AKL is an amazing resort (great architecture, theming, uniqueness) and worth a try. Especially if your kids like animals. The monorail resorts will be more convenient for visiting MK and Epcot, but no more convenient for the other parks. We save all of our MK days for when we move to the monorail.

Switching resorts half-way isn't for everyone, but we really think it's fun! 2 pools, more restaurants, different theming, and each area has a totally different feel. If it were me, I would do AKL plus a monorail resort or just stay at one monorail resort. IMO, it's not worth the effort for me to move from CR to Poly.

Whichever you choose, I think you'll have a great time! They are all fantastic resorts!