Split stay lovers?

[mamaprincess]

I see we have many that can't stand them but surely there are those that enjoy them and make them work. Why do you like doing split stays?

What's your split stay strategy, (i.e. pack the night before, on line check then hit the park and go to your new resort later etc.)?

How many nights is your trip when you do split stays?

We have a split stay coming up in December and I am actually excited about it. We are doing 5 nights SSR/THV and 5 nights AKV Jambo house. I really am looking forward to enjoying two completely different atmospheres and they are both my favorites. If I was certain about the resorts I wanted, I wouldn't split with less than 10 or more days with less than 5 nights at each because I need at least 5 nights at my favorite resorts to feel like I've experienced them. If I wasn't sure about a resort and it was new to me, I'd probably sample it for less than 5 nights just to see if I like it and book the rest of my stay at a place I love.

Our first split was last year. We did one night at SSR last year just to come home (which we found was not enough), then the other seven at BLT. We didn't do anything the first day (ssr) but eat and laze around. We only brought in what we needed. We did make the mistake of checking into BLT, then going to a park. Our room was ready but we wasted a lot of time when it's best to get in the parks early rather than later when FP's are gone and lines are long. I think the best bet if you are going to do a park on the day of check in is to do online check in, hit the parks then go to your resort after you're done.

 

[bookwormde]

We pack a "light" suitcase and do 2-3 days at a resort first then switch to a long stay and then do a couple of day at the end at another resort out of our "light suitcase". It makes the last day so much easier since there is minimal packing, not to mention I would be bored being at the same resort for a week or more. We always have a car so that makes it easier.

bookwormde

 

[rentayenta]

Though I believe our days of split stays are over there are 2 things I love most about split staying at WDW:

being able to do the DDP for only a part of our vacation
experiencing different resorts

 

[daisyduck123]

We love split stays & always do them (see my signature) because my family would never be able to choose just one resort each trip. We love quite a few!!!

We just returned last Friday from:
1 night OKW (this was done just so we could arrive early at BCV the next day)
5 nights BCV
3 nights BLT

When I booked the trip, I let DD & DS each pick one resort, so that's how we ended up with BCV & BLT.

When moving to a new resort, we always wear our swim suits/cover-ups over, check-in, & then make it a pool day. We hang out, have lunch, & wait until our room is ready. We always have our own vehicle with us, making split-stays quite easy.

 

[Petraman]

I see we have many that can't stand them but surely there are those that enjoy them and make them work. Why do you like doing split stays?
We LOVE them! Mainly because it gives a chance to enjoy more resorts, more pools, and also it helps to stretch our points to accomplish more
What's your split stay strategy, (i.e. pack the night before, on line check then i hit the park and go to your new resort later etc.)?
1) We usually stay in a studio for a few nights first. Early in our trip we don't feel claustrophobic yet and have no need for the washer/dryer yet. We usually add DDP for this part of our trip so we can really "splurge" for a few days. Then last part of trip we get a 1BR or 2BR. Now we have a kitchen to cook in, plus we have more room and a washer/dryer to clean our clothes for 2nd part of our stay
2) We travel by Southwest Aitrlines (they let you have 2 bags). We pack our 1st few days necessities in one bag and rest in 2nd bag. Then we just unpack the one bag at 1st stay. Actually we usually just live out of the bag for those first few days. We pack up night before, do online checkin for new resort, call bell service to pick up our bags first thing in the AM and have them transfer them to our new resort. Then we go to our park du jour and by the time we get to new resort that night, we just pick up nags at bell service and go to new room.
3) We also like to order ahead for our food for the second part of stay so that it can all be done ahead of time. I heard from someone that they had actually called bell services (at their second resort) from the park and asked if they would take bags that were delivered and actually put them into their room. Never tried this, but soudns interesting

How many nights is your trip when you do split stays?
Usually 3/3 or 3/4

We have a split stay coming up in December and I am actually excited about it. We are doing 5 nights SSR/THV and 5 nights AKV Jambo house. I really am looking forward to having to enjoying two completely different atmospheres and they are both my favorites. If I was certain about the resorts I wanted, I wouldn't split with less than 10 or more days with less than 5 nights at each because I need at least 5 nights at my favorite resorts to feel like I've experienced them. If I wasn't sure about a resort and it was new to me, I'd probably sample it for less than 5 nights just to see if I like it and book the rest of my stay at a place I love.

Our first split was last year. We did one night at SSR last year just to come home (which we found was not enough), then the other seven at BLT. We didn't do anything the first day (ssr) but eat and laze around. We only brought in what we needed. We did make the mistake of checking into BLT, then going to a park. Our room was ready but we wasted a lot of time when it's best to get in the parks early rather than later when FP's are gone and lines are long. I think the best bet if you are going to do a park on the day of check in is to do online check in, hit the parks then go to your resort after you're done.

We actually prefer split stays now. May change after we have tried out all the resorts, but we still have several more to try

 

[sweetdana]

We prefer split stays if going more than 5 nights. Under 5 no way.

We like them for a few reasons.
1) we cannot afford a 1 bedroom the whole 8 -10 nights, though someday I hope too!
2) I wouldnt miss the spa tub, and laundry in the room for an 8- 10 night stay in a studio.
3) Long trips (10-12 days usually) We often stay 4-5 nights at a studio (a Beach night or 2) then 4-5 nights in a 1 bedroom. This allows dining plan for part, or even DDP sometimes. (shorter trips 3 and 3 is okay, but won't split less than that. )
4) We like AKV, but it is too far for the whole stay. THE animals, pool, and food WOW. We like walking to DTD for Dinner, and the Artists Pallet in the AM for coffee.. at SSR, but SSR is not so Disney to me, and everything else is a bus away. We like walking to Epcot too but BC and BWV dont have a great QS..

I have added a night to get cheaper air fare (before or after)
at the Pop, or the FQ. Adding an extra night for AP disc (like 70$-120) instead of maybe 10-25 points. To save 120$ on air fare.. Or if I do not have enough points and do not want to borrow.


We pack mostly the night before, leaving out our clothes for the day. Usually out bathing suits under our clothes in the AM, call bell services and hit the park. ... We go until 1-2 most park days. We always plan if the room isn't ready to go in the pool, but it has always been ready. Never a lick of trouble.

 

[Sandisw]

We really enjoy the split stays and can see us doing it most of the time. We are leaving in 8 days for 3 nights at BCV (studio) and 3 nights at BLT in a 1 bedroom.

Doing it this way allowed us to stay 6 nights instead of 5 and with only 3 of us traveling this year, the studio at BCV will be fine. In addition, the split stay allows us to use both the DDP and the QSDP as we do different plans with different stays. I know that things are changing in the fall and there is always a possibility that they won't allow this when the changes go through.

To us, it does feel like a different vacation. We pack at night and in the AM, head to the new resort early. We do use online check in but want our room keys as they have our new dining credits on them. If the room is ready, great (two of our three resorts were last year)--if not, we head to the park and possibly DTD until we get the text that th room is done.

Because we split between a studio and a 1 bedroom, we can cut down on what we bring as I can do laundry midway through the trip. That makes it easy to move. Plus, we always rent a car so moving from the resorts is easy. We do not like to use Disney buses to get to/from the park,

We will always do at least part of our stay at BLT and then choose either BCV or VWL for the other part. My DD 14 loves VWL but I have a feeling both DH and I are going to like BCV. That gives us the opportunity to walk to Epcot and DHS. BLT give us walking to MK. So, that only leave DTD and AK as parks to drive to. We do have the AAA Diamond parking pass so that makes it easy. And, since we head to the park first thing or late in the afternoon, we have never had a problem finding one of those spaces up close.

Right now, we will be visiting once per year for 5 - 7 nights and the split stays just gives us variety.

 

[ypv]

I think I would love split stays but DW won't allow me to book them that way. (She says that she does all the packing and unpacking, so of course it would bother her more than me). She's OK with splitting if VB is one of the splits.

 

[Sammie]

Have to agree with Sweetdana, if we were to ever consider doing them again, it would be have to be 5 nights or more.

We did it for year, to visit all the resorts. After visiting all of them multiple times, we have settled in at one place each trip now.

And we did enjoy it, until we had problems and after that I was too afraid to risk it.

 

[edk35]

We love split stays & always do them (see my signature) because my family would never be able to choose just one resort each trip. We love quite a few!!!

We just returned last Friday from:
1 night OKW (this was done just so we could arrive early at BCV the next day)
5 nights BCV
3 nights BLT

When I booked the trip, I let DD & DS each pick one resort, so that's how we ended up with BCV & BLT.

When moving to a new resort, we always wear our swim suits/cover-ups over, check-in, & then make it a pool day. We hang out, have lunch, & wait until our room is ready. We always have our own vehicle with us, making split-stays quite easy.

 

[edk35]

Though I believe our days of split stays are over there are 2 things I love most about split staying at WDW:

being able to do the DDP for only a part of our vacation
experiencing different resorts

I can say these are great reasons...... but like you WE ARE NOT GOING BACK DOWN THAT ROAD.

If I ever do them again.......it will be at least 5 and 5. Now that we have stayed at Vero..I can see splitting a trip at Disney and here or HHI.

I bet if we took a poll.... the people that like to split the most are all DVC folks that have owned less than 5 years. I could be wrong but when we started doing them it was because we were NEWBIES and we wanted to try new resorts. Well we have owned 3 1/2 years and have stayed at SSR 3 times, OKW 2 times, BCV 2 times, BWV 1 time, AKV Kidani 1 time and now Vero 1 time. WHY??!!!!
NEWBIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I can see splitting a stay if it were just DH AND ME. It is tooooooo much work with 5 people and I hate being homeless for the days you switch.

 

[mamaprincess]

I can say these are great reasons...... but like you WE ARE NOT GOING BACK DOWN THAT ROAD.

If I ever do them again.......it will be at least 5 and 5. Now that we have stayed at Vero..I can see splitting a trip at Disney and here or HHI.

I bet if we took a poll.... the people that like to split the most are all DVC folks that have owned less than 5 years. I could be wrong but when we started doing them it was because we were NEWBIES and we wanted to try new resorts. Well we have owned 3 1/2 years and have stayed at SSR 3 times, OKW 2 times, BCV 2 times, BWV 1 time, AKV Kidani 1 time and now Vero 1 time. WHY??!!!!
NEWBIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I can see splitting a stay if it were just DH AND ME. It is tooooooo much work with 5 people and I hate being homeless for the days you switch.

Hey you!

Well we have owned for 6 years, a family of 5 and we have only stayed at our 1st home resort on all of our trips until last year when we were all really curious about BLT. It was a good visit there. We have been very content with our home resort and the convenience it offers for our vacation style. We bought AKV when it first went on sale because we have always been head over heels in love with AKL. We are way over due to begin vacationing there but we realize that SSR just needs to remain a part of our vacations. Split stays mean we don't have to choose, we can stay at both. With SSR we have the gorgeous grounds, awesome dining and shopping at DTD plus the ease of going off sight as we often do and now the amazing THV's and with AKV we have a whole different experience; the spectacularly executed theme, the animals, our favorite restaurant. It's a whole new world over there. I really love how extremely different our two home resorts are from each other and I love them both for completely different reasons.

Our DD's have said they want to try BCV and BWV at some point and if that ever happens that will definitely have to be a split stay with one of those and either SSR or AKV. We would never do any of the other resorts with out a stay at home. The girls will get to do BCV etc only with split stay.

 

[El&Asmom]

I agree with the newbies wanting to try out the resorts. When we first joined we looked at it as a great way to check out each of the resorts in less time. I feel like now that we have stayed at them all except for BLT and Vero, we will try to avoid split stays. The only time we will do them is if we stay at a mod for a night or two before our trips to increase the total days of the vacation.

Last year our dds were 5, 3 and 5m. We stayed 1 night at CBR, 3 nights at VWL, and 5n at BCV. It was a lot of work with little kids and groceries. We ended up leaving a bunch of stuff in the drawer of the fridge at VWL. From now on we will just stick with one resort unless we have no other option when booking.
It is fun though being able to have two completely different vacations on one trip. It is also nice to book a MK resort with an EPCOT resort so you can hit 3 of the 4 parks easily.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

We have always done split stays, although I admit that this year will be our first trip with our two children and no help at hand (ie my mom!!!) - so I am hoping it will be ok.

We have:

7 nights BLT studio
5 nights AKV 1 bed
7 nights DCL
2 nights VB
5 nights HRH

I had originally booked a week at the Hard Rock, but fancied trying Vero for a quieter NYE - now I am wondering whether that it might be one split too far!!!!

I am really hoping I don't 'go off' of the split stay idea, as we have two home resorts - BLT and AKV and had planned to always split at both!!

 

[El&Asmom]

We have:

7 nights BLT studio
5 nights AKV 1 bed
7 nights DCL
2 nights VB
5 nights HRH

Now that's my kind of vacation! Split stay or not. Can I come along, I'll be no trouble at all.

 

[rentayenta]

I can say these are great reasons...... but like you WE ARE NOT GOING BACK DOWN THAT ROAD.

If I ever do them again.......it will be at least 5 and 5. Now that we have stayed at Vero..I can see splitting a trip at Disney and here or HHI.

I bet if we took a poll.... the people that like to split the most are all DVC folks that have owned less than 5 years. I could be wrong but when we started doing them it was because we were NEWBIES and we wanted to try new resorts. Well we have owned 3 1/2 years and have stayed at SSR 3 times, OKW 2 times, BCV 2 times, BWV 1 time, AKV Kidani 1 time and now Vero 1 time. WHY??!!!!
NEWBIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I can see splitting a stay if it were just DH AND ME. It is tooooooo much work with 5 people and I hate being homeless for the days you switch.

I want to split stay a 2 bedroom at SSR and then the THV for 5 nights each.

 

[edk35]

Hey you!

Well we have owned for 6 years, a family of 5 and we have only stayed at our 1st home resort on all of our trips until last year when we were all really curious about BLT. It was a good visit there. We have been very content with our home resort and the convenience it offers for our vacation style. We bought AKV when it first went on sale because we have always been head over heels in love with AKL. We are way over due to begin vacationing there but we realize that SSR just needs to remain a part of our vacations. Split stays mean we don't have to choose, we can stay at both. With SSR we have the gorgeous grounds, awesome dining and shopping at DTD plus the ease of going off sight as we often do and now the amazing THV's and with AKV we have a whole different experience; the spectacularly executed theme, the animals, our favorite restaurant. It's a whole new world over there. I really love how extremely different our two home resorts are from each other and I love them both for completely different reasons.

Our DD's have said they want to try BCV and BWV at some point and if that ever happens that will definitely have to be a split stay with one of those and either SSR or AKV. We would never do any of the other resorts with out a stay at home. The girls will get to do BCV etc only with split stay.

We own at both resorts too. We planned this trip to Disney too late to stay at AKV Kidani this trip. We booked in April so in order to get a full week we had to go with SSR. We love SSR too....because we like going to DTD and I think SSR is close to the DHS and EC too. At least it didn't see as far to get there when we drove.

 

[edk35]

I want to split stay a 2 bedroom at SSR and then the THV for 5 nights each.

shhhhhhhhhhh

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Our first 3 or 4 DVC trips were all for two weeks at a single resort. Lately, though, we seem to be mixing it up more. Some of it has to do with booking a studio for the two of us for part of the trip, then a larger room to invite friends/family for a second week.

Even when it's just the two of us, though, a split stay isn't out of the question. This August, we'll be doing 6 nights at Kiandi, followed by 7 nights at BLT. We wanted to try them both, but didn't want to commit to either for the full 13 nights.

 

[edk35]

Our first 3 or 4 DVC trips were all for two weeks at a single resort. Lately, though, we seem to be mixing it up more. Some of it has to do with booking a studio for the two of us for part of the trip, then a larger room to invite friends/family for a second week.

Even when it's just the two of us, though, a split stay isn't out of the question. This August, we'll be doing 6 nights at Kiandi, followed by 7 nights at BLT. We wanted to try them both, but didn't want to commit to either for the full 13 nights.

I have to agree with that too. Our best split was our 2nd summer after purchasing DVC. We did 8 at OKW and 5 at BCV. We were ready for a change after 8 days. I think if you have 2 weeks splits are not so bad. I just know ( I started a thread about NOT doing splits anymore ) that we are not splitting any time soon and if we did..it would have to be a 5/5 split at least at WDW. We are at Vero now and we would do a week at WDW and a few days here or HHI. That is a split we don't mind.