Split stay experts how do you do it? Doing one over Christmas. A little nervous.

[mamaprincess]

We have a split stay 4 nights 1 br standard view AkV December 19th - 23rd 4 nights1br lake view BLT December 23rd- 27th. We really wanted to try both resorts and were lucky to be able to get BLT we decided to be adventurous and book it especially with it being on the monorail during Christmas! We hope the split stay will be really fun. We will have a car. I figured since check in isn't until 4:00pm, we could spend a morning at one of the parks or something then come back during the afternoon, check in then head back to the parks at night. We only really see our resort at night anyway.

How do you split stayers handle the day of the change in order to get the most out of it.

What is your routine on day of change over?

Why have you chosen to do split stays?

Thanks!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

That is funny...we are doing a split stay over Christmas with AKV-Kidani and then to BLT too...and switching on the same day as you are. We always have a car too and we just load the baggage in it in the morning and go do whatever we normally would for a day. We don't let switching resorts dominate the day. When we would normally finish touring in the afternoon, we head over to the new resort and check in, which usually is around the 3-4pm time frame anyway. We decided to split our Christmas stay so we could be on the monorial for the holiday itself and avoid the car pileup that happens at the parks. We also wanted to try BLT and it seemed like a great opportunity to do so. We probably won't even use the car much, if at all, once we get to BLT because its more of a hassle than its worth.

 

[rentayenta]

We did a split stay and it was easy peasy! No worries, it was pain free. Had the bell desk grab our bags and transfer them to the new resort. We went from OKW to AKV.

 

[HayGan]

We just returned from a split stay. We stayed the first 6 nights at Kidani and then moved over to VWL for another 4 nights. We tried to have as much packed up the night before as possible. About 20 minutes before we were leaving we called Bell Services to come and get our luggage to transfer over to VWL. We even had a container of food that need to stay refrigerated (which they marked and did keep pretty cool.) After we left AKV, we went to AK for a few hours and then drove over to VWL to check in. Our room was ready and we called Bell Services to deliver our luggage. They were there with our stuff in less than 10 minutes. It was easy.

While it was easy, DH and I agreed that we won't likely do many split stays in the future. it was nice to try out a new resort and it almost felt like starting a new vacation. However, there is a quite a bit of time in packing and unpacking twice - especially if you have a bunch of food (like we did.) It definitely does take some time away from a day (or two.)

 

[mamaprincess]

That is funny...we are doing a split stay over Christmas with AKV-Kidani and then to BLT too...and switching on the same day as you are. We always have a car too and we just load the baggage in it in the morning and go do whatever we normally would for a day. We don't let switching resorts dominate the day. When we would normally finish touring in the afternoon, we head over to the new resort and check in, which usually is around the 3-4pm time frame anyway. We decided to split our Christmas stay so we could be on the monorial for the holiday itself and avoid the car pileup that happens at the parks. We also wanted to try BLT and it seemed like a great opportunity to do so. We probably won't even use the car much, if at all, once we get to BLT because its more of a hassle than its worth.

That's great!!! Perhaps we'll see you there!

We also decided to do BLT so that we could be on the monorail for the holiday. Your strategy sounds like what I thought would make the most sense. Now I'm settling down and getting excited about our choice.

We did a split stay and it was easy peasy! No worries, it was pain free. Had the bell desk grab our bags and transfer them to the new resort. We went from OKW to AKV.

Great. This is good to know!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

That's great!!! Perhaps we'll see you there!

We also decided to do BLT so that we could be on the monorail for the holiday. Your strategy sounds like what I thought would make the most sense. Now I'm settling down and getting excited about our choice.

I'm sure we'll cross paths! Last year when we saw the car pileup on Christmas Eve morning coming into the MK, we were so glad we were on the monorial (Poly). We originally had AKV's booked for the entire stay this year and then remembered that tidbit. Being on the monorail then is definitely a good move.

 

[disneynutz]

We are at the stage in are DVC/Disney lives where we enjoy the resorts almost as much as the parks. We split stay almost every visit just to experience the different resorts. We also get the DDP for the first part of the stay to get the best value.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We are at the stage in are DVC/Disney lives where we enjoy the resorts almost as much as the parks. We split stay almost every visit just to experience the different resorts. We also get the DDP for the first part of the stay to get the best value.

OT...I noticed a new "siggie"!! Congratulations! Hope you were able to take advantage of the ever changing incentives!

 

[mamaprincess]

We just returned from a split stay. We stayed the first 6 nights at Kidani and then moved over to VWL for another 4 nights. We tried to have as much packed up the night before as possible. About 20 minutes before we were leaving we called Bell Services to come and get our luggage to transfer over to VWL. We even had a container of food that need to stay refrigerated (which they marked and did keep pretty cool.) After we left AKV, we went to AK for a few hours and then drove over to VWL to check in. Our room was ready and we called Bell Services to deliver our luggage. They were there with our stuff in less than 10 minutes. It was easy.

While it was easy, DH and I agreed that we won't likely do many split stays in the future. it was nice to try out a new resort and it almost felt like starting a new vacation. However, there is a quite a bit of time in packing and unpacking twice - especially if you have a bunch of food (like we did.) It definitely does take some time away from a day (or two.)

I will be thinking out some sort of system for the packing unpacking. I heard a tip about packing whole outfits in a large zip lock bag. I think I'll try that and just unpack our outfits for the first days of our stay, throw what ever is dirty in our laundry bag and go from there. I'm not sure about what our food situation will be.

We are at the stage in are DVC/Disney lives where we enjoy the resorts almost as much as the parks. We split stay almost every visit just to experience the different resorts. We also get the DDP for the first part of the stay to get the best value.

I'm with you in the enjoy the resorts as much as the parks category. I wish my family would agree to just a resort stay one of these days. I really love resort hopping and pool hopping also most of my fave restaurants are in resorts.

 

[rentayenta]

We are at the stage in are DVC/Disney lives where we enjoy the resorts almost as much as the parks. We split stay almost every visit just to experience the different resorts. We also get the DDP for the first part of the stay to get the best value.

I love this idea!

 

[disneynutz]

OT...I noticed a new "siggie"!! Congratulations! Hope you were able to take advantage of the ever changing incentives!

Opted for the 7 day cruise. Never been... should be fun.

 

[Tiger926]

We are split stay experts! Most resorts was 5 in 16 days last May! It's easy if you do some planning in regards to outfits, luggage, etc. We don't take tons with us, so we are easy to pack up our luggage, and we also have our laundry done if staying in 1 beds. We don't really cook in our villa, so no food wastage issues to worry about either.

My biggest tips would be to watch how much luggage, food and souveniers you have - more stuff to handle, means more work for you to pack, keep track of and for bell services to keep track of.

Second tip is to have your outfits (including bathing suits) and any other important stuff to take with you (meds, computer)set out the night before, with luggage all packed and ready to go first thing in morning. Remember, once luggage is sent with the fairies, it's pretty hard to locate it again should you forget something.

The biggest help with split stays is the luggage fairies, as we call them in our house. You call Bell Services the night before with your pick up, they come and take your luggage and it arrives at your new resort. No muss, no fuss! It's as if Tinkerbelle herself flies your luggage/package over to your new home!

Split stays are essential in our family with very young kids, as we all have different needs and desires while on vacation (different resorts, as well as allows us to switch up our dining plans), so with split stays, this is possible!

Good luck and have a wonderful time, Tiger

 

[mamaprincess]

We are split stay experts! Most resorts was 5 in 16 days last May! It's easy if you do some planning in regards to outfits, luggage, etc. We don't take tons with us, so we are easy to pack up our luggage, and we also have our laundry done if staying in 1 beds. We don't really cook in our villa, so no food wastage issues to worry about either.

My biggest tips would be to watch how much luggage, food and souveniers you have - more stuff to handle, means more work for you to pack, keep track of and for bell services to keep track of.

Second tip is to have your outfits (including bathing suits) and any other important stuff to take with you (meds, computer)set out the night before, with luggage all packed and ready to go first thing in morning. Remember, once luggage is sent with the fairies, it's pretty hard to locate it again should you forget something.


The biggest help with split stays is the luggage fairies, as we call them in our house. You call Bell Services the night before with your pick up, they come and take your luggage and it arrives at your new resort. No muss, no fuss! It's as if Tinkerbelle herself flies your luggage/package over to your new home!

Split stays are essential in our family with very young kids, as we all have different needs and desires while on vacation (different resorts, as well as allows us to switch up our dining plans), so with split stays, this is possible!

Good luck and have a wonderful time, Tiger

These tips are excellent.

I'm thinking once we do this split stay if it is successful, they will probably become the norm for us. The kids have their list of requests as far as resorts go, I the hubby and I have ours. This way both sets get what they want. All the resorts are so enticing. I hope to get around to trying them all at some point. Next year we are hoping for a split stay with the Treehouses and maybe AKV or BWV.

I'm sure we'll cross paths! Last year when we saw the car pileup on Christmas Eve morning coming into the MK, we were so glad we were on the monorial (Poly). We originally had AKV's booked for the entire stay this year and then remembered that tidbit. Being on the monorail then is definitely a good move.

Yikes!!! Pile Up!!!

We originally had our whole stay booked for Kidani but we all really wanted to try BLT also and I definitely saw the advantage of being in the thick of things during the holidays. I was really nervous when I first booked this ressie but with the responses in this thread, I'm feeling that we are going to have an awesome time with the split stay.

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks for all the tips. We are doing a split stay, too. 12/18-12/22 VWL 12/22-12/26 AKL Jambo. Christmas at WDW can't be bad even if it is crazy busy!

 

[lovetheworld]

We do it all the time! This summer we are doing 7/30-8/6 at BCV then moving to BLT 7/6-7/10. I really look at it from a planning prospective...meaning we spend most of our time @ Epcot, AK and DHS while over at the BCV. The once we are in the MK area at BLT we will do alot of resort dining and MK. I don't really get caught up in the actual change day 'stress'. Our bags are ready to go the night before with the exception of a few essentials. The bag "fairy" comes takes the bags. We continue our day as planned when we decide to check in the 'fairy' delivers the bags. It also gives the kids a chance enjoy a couple of pools. Hey I am sure it is not for everyone but with our family it is pretty much a given that we will move at least once.

 

[Tiger926]

Glad my tips helped - hope all of you split stay newbies have great trips!

Tiger

 

[starbox]

We almost always split-stay because a trip to DVC is not complete without at least 2 nights at VB!

Over the years, I've gotten it down to a workable routine.

One thing that really helped was pre-packing so that we repeat out wardrobe at the second resort. The last night before switching resorts, I'll wash all the clothes and pack them all clean. It's much easier.

Second thing is figuring out a gameplan for the second resort. We typically get there EARLY - like before 9am. At least 75% of the time, we've gotten a room upon check in (one that was not used the night before) by being early birds.

We usually eat breakfast at the resort and then either head into a park or swim until our room is ready. If we're swimming, I have the kids wear swimsuits under clothes that morning (so I only need to pack underwear and a plastic bag for wet suits) - I carry a Disney bag with the bare essentials for the pool - our refillable mugs, sunscreen, camera, my book, and suits for mom and dad.

We alwso usually play with the dining plan when we split stay - doing QS to get the mugs the first part and booking expensive dining the second half - with either TIW or the TS or Deluxe DDP depending on the particulars of our dining plans.

 

[Melani]

We are doing another split stay, BWV to BLT, week before Christmas. Leaving Christmas day to visit fam in West Palm. Hope the traffic is flowing the other way.

We did a split 2 weeks ago. BWV to SSR. It was easy, but I still got stressed out. My tips:
1) do NOT try to do am EMH that morning
2) have an extra bag to just throw all left over loose items in & sort it out when you get to the new room

My question. I looked at the BLT model while at SSR, but I forgot my camera!
Were there doors on the bath sink vanity in the studio?
Did that closet seem really small to you?
We stored our giant Rubbermaid box o' food & Igloo cooler in the closet, but I'm afraid they won't fit in that BLT one.

 

[habg1]

Another split stay newbie here as well!!!

Staying BLT (studio, bay lake view) 12/23 - 12/28
Moving to BWV (1 bdr. standard) 12/28 - 1/2/10

We've never done a split stay before or stayed this long. Can not wait!

Being on the monorail for 5 days during Christmas is going to be wonderful.

We are also renting a car for the entire time. We like to eat at different resorts, so this makes this alot easier.

Hope everyone has a great split stay!

 

[mamaprincess]

Over the years, I've gotten it down to a workable routine.

One thing that really helped was pre-packing so that we repeat out wardrobe at the second resort. The last night before switching resorts, I'll wash all the clothes and pack them all clean. It's much easier.

Second thing is figuring out a gameplan for the second resort. We typically get there EARLY - like before 9am. At least 75% of the time, we've gotten a room upon check in (one that was not used the night before) by being early birds.

We usually eat breakfast at the resort and then either head into a park or swim until our room is ready. If we're swimming, I have the kids wear swimsuits under clothes that morning (so I only need to pack underwear and a plastic bag for wet suits) - I carry a Disney bag with the bare essentials for the pool - our refillable mugs, sunscreen, camera, my book, and suits for mom and dad.

We alwso usually play with the dining plan when we split stay - doing QS to get the mugs the first part and booking expensive dining the second half - with either TIW or the TS or Deluxe DDP depending on the particulars of our dining plans.

These are excellent tips!

We are doing another split stay, BWV to BLT, week before Christmas. Leaving Christmas day to visit fam in West Palm. Hope the traffic is flowing the other way.

We did a split 2 weeks ago. BWV to SSR. It was easy, but I still got stressed out. My tips:
1) do NOT try to do am EMH that morning
2) have an extra bag to just throw all left over loose items in & sort it out when you get to the new room

My question. I looked at the BLT model while at SSR, but I forgot my camera!
Were there doors on the bath sink vanity in the studio?
Did that closet seem really small to you?
We stored our giant Rubbermaid box o' food & Igloo cooler in the closet, but I'm afraid they won't fit in that BLT one.

Thanks for the tips!

We'll be at BLT some of the time you are there! I wish I knew the answer about the closet but I haven't seen BLT rooms in person. I hope to go see one at Doorway to Dreams as a Disney fix before our Christmas vacation. Perhaps the BLT Owners and Groupie thread may be able to answer that question.

Another split stay newbie here as well!!!

Staying BLT (studio, bay lake view) 12/23 - 12/28
Moving to BWV (1 bdr. standard) 12/28 - 1/2/10

We've never done a split stay before or stayed this long. Can not wait!

Being on the monorail for 5 days during Christmas is going to be wonderful.

We are also renting a car for the entire time. We like to eat at different resorts, so this makes this alot easier.

Hope everyone has a great split stay!

Isn't it just ridiculously exciting, the thought of being on the monorail during Christmas!?! I thought it might be a good idea, but now I am really super excited! I'll see you there! I'm really looking forward to trying 2 new resorts! I wonder if I'll ever be able to go back to one after this.