Split Stay or Waitlist for 1 Resort

[tigergrad]

This is our first time booking as DVC members. We are going in June for 6 nights. There will be 7 of us- Me, DH, DD, DSiL, DGS, DS, DS's friend. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom. As of yesterday the only resorts that are available for the entire 6 nights are OKW, SSR, & AKV. We have stayed at AKV before and liked it but would like something different. Not sure about OKW and SSR. We can get VWL for the 3 nights and BWV for 3 nights. Not sure about how a waitlist works, but if I book the split stay and really want to spent all 6 nights at one resort I need opinions on which resort(s) to waitlist- BWV, BCV, or BLT? Other ideas?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I don't know which to waitlist, but I just want to say that a split stay is really not bad (other than the trouble of packing and unpacking.) Disney will transport your luggage for you while you just enjoy a day at the park. You get a clean room and clean towels! If you like to do the dining plan, you can choose to do it for just part of your stay. We did this with DxDDP once. Three days of deluxe used over 4 days was great. Oh, and we usually try to pack keeping in mind when we change rooms (for instance pack 3 days of clothes in one suitcase and the other 3 days in another that doesn't have to get unpacked until the room change.)
Personally I would choose a split stay at VWL, BWV, BCV, or BLT over staying at SSR or OKW. At least that would be the worst case scenario. You could still waitlist and see what happens.

 

[a742246]

I would stay at one resort, you have too many guests to switch resorts and keep happy at the same time.

Personally, I would choose OKW (large 2 bedroom), and waitlist for BC or BWV.

All the resorts are nice so you can't go wrong.

Good luck!

 

[gdrj]

This is our first time booking as DVC members. We are going in June for 6 nights. There will be 7 of us- Me, DH, DD, DSiL, DGS, DS, DS's friend. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom. As of yesterday the only resorts that are available for the entire 6 nights are OKW, SSR, & AKV. We have stayed at AKV before and liked it but would like something different. Not sure about OKW and SSR. We can get VWL for the 3 nights and BWV for 3 nights. Not sure about how a waitlist works, but if I book the split stay and really want to spent all 6 nights at one resort I need opinions on which resort(s) to waitlist- BWV, BCV, or BLT? Other ideas?

No wrong decision here.

I would do a split resv for VWL and BWV. I like both resorts. I would than wait list both locations so either one could become 6 nights. I would recommend calling to do waitlist so it gets entered properly. Worse case is you get to spend half of your time a walk or boat ride to Epcot and Studios and the other half a boat ride or short bus ride to MK. Plus I like the pools at VWL and BWV's

 

[twinklebug]

I would stay at one resort, you have too many guests to switch resorts and keep happy at the same time.

Personally, I would choose OKW (large 2 bedroom), and waitlist for BC or BWV.

All the resorts are nice so you can't go wrong.

Good luck!

Agreed.
I love split stays, but our group has always been 4 or fewer. The more people to move, the higher the likelihood that a phone charger, shoes or something will be left behind.... and I've had zero success in getting those items back even when reported within an hour of moving out from the room. (note, to keep from leaving chargers behind I now wrap the cord around a suitcase handle)

 

[bnk1120]

I love split stays and we do them often. But I have only one child. I would not do it with a party of 7. Seems like too much work, wasted time
Etc. I'm sure some people have it down to a science and can make it work...

I have stayed at all the DVC resorts except AKV ( which I am trying for the first time in April ) and I would be more then happy to stay at OKW or SSR. SSR is actually our 2nd favorite resort. I stayed at OKW for the first time last summer and loved it. Very laid back and relaxing, which I enjoy after the craziness of the parks.

Book at one resort and wait list the one you really want. Maybe you'll get lucky

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd also book OKW for all six nights. You know BWV only has lockoff two bedrooms, right? And at BCV, you will probably get either a dedicated with one queen and one double sleeper sofa in the second bedroom or a lockoff. If the lockoff issue isn't what you want, you'll want to consider a resort with dedicated two bedrooms.

OKW will also have the sleeper chair in the living room to give two separate sleeping spaces in the living room if you need that. BWV and BCV don't have the sleeper chair.

As far as our family goes, we don't do split stays. Packing up to move for a few nights is just a pain.

You'll have plenty of time to try other DVC resorts in the future.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'd book OKW for all 6 nights for the extra space and extra beds.

 

[cvjw]

We are in the camp that hates split stays. We like to unpack and feel settled for our vacation, especially if you are in a larger villa and there are lots of people, luggage and food involved. We have tried split stays multiple times in the past, and we always end up not getting our new room until after 4:00 on moving day, so we are basically homeless for the full day.

I would book OKW as other PP have suggested. Since you have a large group, you will enjoy having the larger villa and extra sleeping chair. If I were going to waitlist another resort, I would waitlist AKV or BLT for the extra bathroom.

 

[Pakey]

I love split stays but I wouldn't choose to do it between 2 2 bedroom villas. It's a pain to pack up the drinks, snacks, etc for a 3/3 night split.

I love OKW for that many adults. In fact, it's the only 2 bedroom I would do with that many adults.

 

[lovin'fl]

AKV Kadani (for the extra bathroom) for all 6 nights and then wait list BWV. That's what I would do. Either that or split stay between the 2 now and wait list to replace the AKV part. I have done split stays..it is better if you have a bit longer at each stay (we did 4 nights at BWV and 5 nights at VWL..or visa versa. With 3 kids. And we did 2 nights at CR (DH had a work seminar there) and then moved over to SSR for 3 nights...again with 3 kids and it wasn't too painful to move (we just lived out of our luggage at CR) but it was nicer when we had 4 and 5 nights at the split stays.

 

[Donna M]

I would also choose OKW. Seven people won't fit in any of the living rooms at any other resort unless you went with a 3bd. Check out the floor plans of the resorts you're interested in and note the seating and bed arrangements. OKW also has a dining room table for 4 and a table for 4 on the balcony, the only resort with that configuration.

OKW is a beautiful resort.

 

[amypetecar]

Pros to a split stay:

-get to experience 2 resorts
- can arrange schedule based on location (i.e visit epcot/studios while at BWV, visit MK after moving to WL or BLT)
-fits into points easier
-opportunity to buy dining plan for only 1/2 stay
- mitigates risk if you hate your first view/location.... You know youre moving in 2 days...

Cons:
- have to pack/unpack twice
- homeless on moving day
------ cant take a nap mid day
------ cant shower after a swim mid day
- have to check in twice (time consuming)
- risk of losing luggage between resorts (ive heard stories.... Hasnt happened to me)
- luggage will be delayed. They dont transfer until 3pm..... May not get luggage until evening
- risk of not liking your second resort/view as much as first (i.e. you always roll the dice with room control getting the view/location you want... If you love your first room, you may regret giving it up)

For me, i stayed on dvc points while there on business with a buddy, moved and loved it, but it was just me
With my family and kids, its a disaster trying to pack all my kids clothes, swimwear, electronic items, personal items, and 72 plush toys they buy with their allowance each trip..... I wouldnt move with a big group unless your family happens to be pretty organized

 

[sissy1]

Only DH & I going from Sept.29- Oct.4, staying at Boardwalk. My waitlist came through yesterday. Had to waitlist for the last 2 days. Really glad because I didn't want to pack up everything and move, and thats with just 2 people!

 

[wdwfan1]

Another vote for OKW. Nothing beats real beds. The rooms are large and the resort is lovely.

 

[bumbershoot]

I love split stays and we do them often. But I have only one child. I would not do it with a party of 7.

Same family size here, and the same love for split stays, and also the same feeling about NOT doing it with a bigger family group.

And I would choose OKW, as well. LOVE OKW!