Split Stay or No - Last trip for a while

[CaliAdventurer]

I need your wisdom! Its so hard to pull the trigger when you know there are no givesies backsies.
We are planning our fall trip and have 8 nights at BLT Lake View 1bedroom. I'm deliberating whether to do a split stay and add a night- making 4 nights AKV Jambo Savannah 1bd and keep the 5 nights at BLT.

The thing is, we have been Disney Crazy the last few years and plan to take a year off and do other travel while my kids are in the sweet zone, which would effectively mean 2 years before we got back to WDW. They are 6 and 8 so, AKV may be the most appealing to them right now. Plus it will be one more resort to have checked out.

I'm not too worried about switching rooms. Should I go for it?

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't see why not.

 

[mdelano4]

It's a personal choice. I have done split stay twice and found it to be a pain. I hate having to pack up, move and unpack again. That being said, those are two great locations and I would probably bite the bullet and do it.

 

[cmarsh31]

We did a split in Feb - BCV & CR - absolutely loved it, but our kids are 8 & 11, so they were able to do a lot of the packing, etc of their own stuff. I'm not sure we'd ever go back to 8 nights at one resort!

 

[Shellyred8]

If your kids like the animals, I would recommend doing the split you are contemplating. I loved the savanna view when we stayed there. I also really enjoyed the rest of the resort and all of the other public areas where you can see the animals.

Have a great trip!

 

[Granny]

I am not a fan of split stays...we typically stay 8-11 nights at a time and always at one resort. But as others have said, if you don't mind packing up and having your stuff in storage for several hours, then why not?

In this case, I think your children are old enough to have some say in the matter.

By the way @CaliAdventurer , it's great that you want to take some time off Disney. But are you aware that next year (when your children are 7 & 9) will be the last year you can get both of them admission tickets for Children pricing? Once they hit 10, they are Adult admission from Disney's perspective. Just wanted to be sure you know that.

 

[kniquy]

Split stays are super easy and if you have never experienced or have and just enjoy AK why not? If you just pack your stuff at night, arrange bell services in the AM, head to the park then off to your new resort in the evening -- there is really no lost time aside from a little packing. I think it almost feels like 2 vacations in one when you can spend a few days at each resort. My vote -- Go for it!!! There are some great restaurants at AKL and there are activities that might interest the kids.

We bought to go every other year so that on our off years we can travel elsewhere but still know that we will be back to WDW soon. I feel that my boys (11 yo twins) are just getting to the age where we want to more exploring of the country and taking other trips that they will be interested in as as well as will remember.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We just came home from 3 night BWV and 3 nights AKV Concierge. It was a great trip, even though our AKV room was not ready on arrival. We usef Uber to transport our luggage, gave things to Bell Services and went on our way.

Good luck with your decision, I would go for the split stay with the extra day!

 

[CaliAdventurer]

You guys never disappoint! I went ahead and made the switch. I'm so excited about AK that now I realize its the right decision. It's hard to make changes when you know its FINAL, then again with CC coming online, it may open up some surprises. Being in Seattle, we don't have a big interest in that one. And I was surprised at how fast AK Jambo Savannah flew on the 7th month am. It only just popped back up a day ago.

I followed the advice found here and have used packing cubes the last couple of years- one of those small and seemingly obvious inventions you wonder where it has been your whole life! I'm sure my DH won't love the packing up but we'll send him golfing with a dinner at Cali Grill and he'll be a happy man!

 

[CaliAdventurer]

I am not a fan of split stays...we typically stay 8-11 nights at a time and always at one resort. But as others have said, if you don't mind packing up and having your stuff in storage for several hours, then why not?

In this case, I think your children are old enough to have some say in the matter.

By the way @CaliAdventurer , it's great that you want to take some time off Disney. But are you aware that next year (when your children are 7 & 9) will be the last year you can get both of them admission tickets for Children pricing? Once they hit 10, they are Adult admission from Disney's perspective. Just wanted to be sure you know that.

That is a very good point! Hmmm. I may have to reconsider my plans. We've been doing the Premium (both coasts) passes the last few years which don't have childrens pricing but wasn't planning on the next trip. Not to mention DDP will be insane and they won't eat more per se. Thanks for the reminder!!
And it's sad to think they will hardly remember the last several trips (my DD who is 6 for sure) but having a 22 yo has taught me that I only have from 5-13 (if lucky) of good, happy, cooperative years. I've also learned to give my children as little say in the matter as possible back to when I was a kid. I was just happy to not be at school or church ; ) My older son now thinks its a democracy or something! HAHA

 

[Granny]

I'm sure my DH won't love the packing up but we'll send him golfing with a dinner at Cali Grill and he'll be a happy man!

Wow...would you mind giving my wife a few tips on "how to bribe your husband"? You've got that part down pat!

 

[Granny]

And it's sad to think they will hardly remember the last several trips (my DD who is 6 for sure) but having a 22 yo has taught me that I only have from 5-13 (if lucky) of good, happy, cooperative years.

Yes, you make a good point. But you are planting seeds of great memories that will last long after their "difficult years" are gone. Enjoy!

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Yes, you make a good point. But you are planting seeds of great memories that will last long after their "difficult years" are gone. Enjoy!

Quid pro quo. ; )- to the golf and dinner comment I mean although I guess I'm gonna expect some payback from the kids. I'll put out the Disney photos (since I may have forgotten by then) right next to the adult diapers.

 

[karpy111]

Go for it. We did a split stay last may with akv and the Polynesian. Loved it. Both resorts were so different. It was awesome to experience both in one trip.

 

[Donna M]

Yes, you should go for it. Four and five nights at each resort won't be too short. It would be fun to experience both of them too.

 

[Dean]

I need your wisdom! Its so hard to pull the trigger when you know there are no givesies backsies.
We are planning our fall trip and have 8 nights at BLT Lake View 1bedroom. I'm deliberating whether to do a split stay and add a night- making 4 nights AKV Jambo Savannah 1bd and keep the 5 nights at BLT.

The thing is, we have been Disney Crazy the last few years and plan to take a year off and do other travel while my kids are in the sweet zone, which would effectively mean 2 years before we got back to WDW. They are 6 and 8 so, AKV may be the most appealing to them right now. Plus it will be one more resort to have checked out.

I'm not too worried about switching rooms. Should I go for it?

If you're OK with switching rooms and being orphaned for a while on the change day, I'd do it. We prefer not to switch if possible.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're OK with switching rooms and being orphaned for a while on the change day, I'd do it. We prefer not to switch if possible.

I think that most of us who do split stays don't do things to make us feel orphaned. Pack a bag of swimsuit and swim at the first AND second resort on that day. (especially great if staying at two resorts that do NOT allow pool hopping!)

Go to the parks during the time housekeeping is cleaning the second room. Go to Disney Springs. Just go do something other than pining for your room, and you'll be happier!

We once sat at the resort WAITING for our room to be cleaned and it was miserable. There were some other circumstances going on that made it extra miserable, but if we had forced ourselves to go do something else the time would have passed quicker and it would have been less awful.

 

[Dean]

I think that most of us who do split stays don't do things to make us feel orphaned. Pack a bag of swimsuit and swim at the first AND second resort on that day. (especially great if staying at two resorts that do NOT allow pool hopping!)

Go to the parks during the time housekeeping is cleaning the second room. Go to Disney Springs. Just go do something other than pining for your room, and you'll be happier!

We once sat at the resort WAITING for our room to be cleaned and it was miserable. There were some other circumstances going on that made it extra miserable, but if we had forced ourselves to go do something else the time would have passed quicker and it would have been less awful.

But the reality is you are in this situation though certainly planning can reduce the impact whether it be parks, pool or similar. Marriott allows you to stay in one villa until the next is ready even if it's a different resort in the same area.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We are doing our first split stay. We wanted 10 nights and wanted to try AKL savannah view- but couldn't bring myself to use up all my points. So we did a split 5/5 with wilderness lodge which is also on the bucket list. I am nervous about moving. But excited to try both in one trip. Like 2 vacations.

 

[PopGirl26]

I'm glad you pulled the trigger! We just love split stays. In the fall we're even doing a 3/2 split! And our kids are little--6, 6, 3. We find it's no big deal, especially on a busy park day. The benefit of two vacations in one is totally worth any minor hassle of packing, for us anyway. Enjoy!