Split Stay: Do you recommend it? How do you handle it?

[mamaprincess]

We are thinking of doing a split stay. We want to surprise the kids with a new resort. We have booked BCV but the more we think about it, the more we miss SSR so we'd like to move on our 5th of a 10 day stay. We won't be going to a park on that day. We'd like to know how you have made transfering to your next resort easier and any other advice about split stays that you'd like to offer us.

Thank you.

 

[granolacruncher11]

We did a split stay in Dec. but switching from ASMo to SSR. The move was easy. We packed up everything except our swim gear, called bell services and asked if they would transfer our luggage. As soon as they came for our luggage we bussed to DTD and from there to SSR. We checked in, got our passes upgraded and added the dining plan. They gave us a # to call to find out when our room was ready and we headed to the pool. It was a great day off from the parks as the SSR pool is awesome and the staff was excellent. Lucky for us it was a gorgeous day, not sure how things would go if it was rainy. It was quite a while before our luggage arrived not sure why but arrive it did without a hitch. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[edk35]

We did a split for our very first DVC stay last Aug. We went to our home of SSR for 5 nights then to BCV for 3. This past Nov. we did 8 nights at SSR and that was GREAT TOO. This July we are going to OKW for 8 and 6 to BCV. Personally I kind of want to try all the DVC resorts over the next few years so we will probably do splits for a while. I think if you can stay like 5 nights at each at a min. then doing a split is better. I would not want to go somewhere for 2 or 3 days and then split. WE checked out of SSR.....took the boat to DTD, had lunch at Rain Forest Cafe and then took bus to BWV. It was a non park day.

 

[micminnieapolis]

I haven't seen the pool at SSR but I know my kids would not like to leave SAB at BCV! It's the best pool on property which is why there are no pool hopping privileges there. We've tried the split stay and decided that it is more work than it's worth. The idea of repacking or not unpacking is not what I want to do on a vacation. We only split stay when we plan at the last minute and are forced to to get the nights needed.

 

[Deb & Bill]

As a DVC member, I see no reason to split my stay, unless I waited too long to make my reservation and the only way to get there is to stay in two different resorts. I unpack and stay put. I've done it one or twice in the past and might only do it for the first night or so (using a carryon bag for that resort). Then I really unpack at my destination resort.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I know many people do it regularly and have no problems with getting luggage transferred, etc., but we are the type that get into our room and set up house. We have a place for everything and we are there to stay until we have to leave.

 

[RLRDA]

We are thinking of doing a split stay. We want to surprise the kids with a new resort. We have booked BCV but the more we think about it, the more we miss SSR so we'd like to move on our 5th of a 10 day stay. We won't be going to a park on that day. We'd like to know how you have made transfering to your next resort easier and any other advice about split stays that you'd like to offer us.

Thank you.

We surprised our boys last August and split our SSR stay with the last 1/2 spent at AKV. They thought we were going back home after the first 4 nights (SSR). They knew we had added on points at AKV so we said we'd go by the resort to "take a tour" of one of the villas. We had checked our bags with bell services for transfer so they assumed the luggage was going straight to the airport. When we got there my DH checked in but told them we had to wait a little while until someone could give us the "tour" (actually our room wasn't ready since it was only lunchtime). We stayed by the pool and ate lunch at Mara -- it was a total down-time, resort day--we had no intention of going to a park. Around 3pm the room was ready....we went for our "tour" and the boys were asking why we couldn't stay at AKV?? They loved the room and the savanna view! Shortly after that a few DVC CMs knocked on the door to ask us how we liked the villa and to wish us a pleasant stay, etc. The kids just looked at us and we confessed that we were staying there for 5 more nights! Needless to say they were thrilled We enjoyed our split stay and would do it again....we personally would not schedule a park that day but that's just our preference. It was a smooth transition and it seemed like we had 2 separate vacation experiences.

 

[bounceliketigger]

The split is nice for a change of scenery, restaurants, etc., but I think you really need to be flexible about that day. It can be a bit much and even sometimes a waste of your day, particularly if anything goes wrong. You have to pack up, put your stuff in storage until the new room is ready, unpack if you do that, have your keys changed, etc. The last time we switched, our park tickets wound up on our old key, dining plan meals were still on old keys, some on new keys. We wound up with 6 keys that we had to keep switching back and forth. The whole thing was a huge pain.

 

[edk35]

We surprised our boys last August and split our SSR stay with the last 1/2 spent at AKV. They thought we were going back home after the first 4 nights (SSR). They knew we had added on points at AKV so we said we'd go by the resort to "take a tour" of one of the villas. We had checked our bags with bell services for transfer so they assumed the luggage was going straight to the airport. When we got there my DH checked in but told them we had to wait a little while until someone could give us the "tour" (actually our room wasn't ready since it was only lunchtime). We stayed by the pool and ate lunch at Mara -- it was a total down-time, resort day--we had no intention of going to a park. Around 3pm the room was ready....we went for our "tour" and the boys were asking why we couldn't stay at AKV?? They loved the room and the savanna view! Shortly after that a few DVC CMs knocked on the door to ask us how we liked the villa and to wish us a pleasant stay, etc. The kids just looked at us and we confessed that we were staying there for 5 more nights! Needless to say they were thrilled We enjoyed our split stay and would do it again....we personally would not schedule a park that day but that's just our preference. It was a smooth transition and it seemed like we had 2 separate vacation experiences.

I love it. I think that split stays are best done with at least 4-6 days at each like you did. Our split last summer was fun but we needed more time after we moved to BCV. We also did a non park day.....and we enjoyed having a new place to try.

 

[mamaprincess]

We surprised our boys last August and split our SSR stay with the last 1/2 spent at AKV. They thought we were going back home after the first 4 nights (SSR). They knew we had added on points at AKV so we said we'd go by the resort to "take a tour" of one of the villas. We had checked our bags with bell services for transfer so they assumed the luggage was going straight to the airport. When we got there my DH checked in but told them we had to wait a little while until someone could give us the "tour" (actually our room wasn't ready since it was only lunchtime). We stayed by the pool and ate lunch at Mara -- it was a total down-time, resort day--we had no intention of going to a park. Around 3pm the room was ready....we went for our "tour" and the boys were asking why we couldn't stay at AKV?? They loved the room and the savanna view! Shortly after that a few DVC CMs knocked on the door to ask us how we liked the villa and to wish us a pleasant stay, etc. The kids just looked at us and we confessed that we were staying there for 5 more nights! Needless to say they were thrilled We enjoyed our split stay and would do it again....we personally would not schedule a park that day but that's just our preference. It was a smooth transition and it seemed like we had 2 separate vacation experiences.

Thanks so much for posting this. I will do this to add an element of surprise to our trip!!! The kids will freak out.

Our kids absolutley are crazy about SSR. I sneakily asked them what resort they would try if they could stay somewhere else and one said AKV and the other BCV, however, when doing a mock plan of our trip they both got all sentimental about SSR and decided they would rather stay at SSR again because it is awesome and they miss it so much (no prodding of any sort from us). I had already booked us at BCV (fortunate to find availability 5 months out). They always love going to cape may and they have always remarked that they would like to try BCV one day. We own at AKV so it won't be a problem for upcoming trips. This is why I will be splitting our stay between BCV and SSR.

They have an idea on our upcoming vacations that they'd like to swim at several different pools including Poly, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge one of the moderates and of course High Rock Springs. They will also get to swim at Storm Along Bay.

We will be moving on a free day. The trip is long (10 days) and we always drive so we don't forsee it being to much of a hassle. It will be summer and we won't have to much to pack up. We also figure it will be worth it for us and the kids as we really do love SSR and miss it. We haven't been "home" since December 2006. We also would love to give the kids a little variety.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It's not going to be a long visit, only 5 nights, but a DGF and I will have a split stay in September. 3 nights AKV and then 2 nights at BCV. We are hoping there will be a MNSSHP on the Friday, our last night, and rather than go to a water park, I thought a nice day at SAB would be great before the party. My friend hasn't stayed at either. We won't have a car, and we're going to try the resort switch, letting Disney take care of the luggage. I told my friend there was nothing like watching Illuminations and walking home to BCV, so she took me up on the offer. I have my fingers crossed that there will be a MNSSHP on the 19th!

Bobbi

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thanks so much for posting this. I will do this to add an element of surprise to our trip!!! The kids will freak out.

Our kids absolutley are crazy about SSR. I sneakily asked them what resort they would try if they could stay somewhere else and one said AKV and the other BCV, however, when doing a mock plan of our trip they both got all sentimental about SSR and decided they would rather stay at SSR again because it is awesome and they miss it so much (no prodding of any sort from us). I had already booked us at BCV (fortunate to find availability 5 months out). They always love going to cape may and they have always remarked that they would like to try BCV one day. We own at AKV so it won't be a problem for upcoming trips. This is why I will be splitting our stay between BCV and SSR.

They have an idea on our upcoming vacations that they'd like to swim at several different pools including Poly, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge one of the moderates and of course High Rock Springs. They will also get to swim at Storm Along Bay.

We will be moving on a free day. The trip is long (10 days) and we always drive so we don't forsee it being to much of a hassle. It will be summer and we won't have to much to pack up. We also figure it will be worth it for us and the kids as we really do love SSR and miss it. We haven't been "home" since December 2006. We also would love to give the kids a little variety.

My boys feel the same way about SSR, so we do try to split our long trips. If you split, I agree that at least 5 nights at each is the way to go. I like to unpack everything too and a 5 night stay allows us to settle in and not dread the move so much.

I will say, that our most relaxing vacations have been spending 12-15 nights in 1 villa. We really feel like we live there and I dont have to worry about moving food or packing up.

Next Christmas, we are staying at SSR the entire time.

 

[DaveH]

My DW unpacks everything and put them in the drawers. I have done it before and set up to do it again in Nov. To me we lose some down time packing up and unpacking again. Also lose some time checking in and having bell services bring up the luggage. We have had bell services pick up our stuff and go to the next resort and precheck in. We have done parks and non parks days. We are emptynesters so no experience with kids doing a move. It is more of a personal choice, just like needing a car or not to go to and from parks.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm planning a last minute spring break trip and I might have to move 4 times in 5 days!!!! Yikes - that's a lot even for me!!!! But, I don't want to spend cash if I don't have to, so we will pack light, have our own car, and just make the best of it!!!