Split Stay Poly/BWI-need help

[PPFlight75]

Hi there!

We have stayed at both the Poly and BWI, and we love both! Next summer, instead of staying our usual 9 or so nights at one, I was thinking about a split stay.

Originally, I didn't like the idea. I like getting settled in and unpacked, but this last summer, I was loving the Poly but missing the Epcot area.

So, I'm thinking about 4 nights BWI and 5 nights Poly for next summer. This would give us our Epcot area time plus our (my) Poly time.

The only issue I see is having 2 resort stays and only being able to book each stays FPs at 60 days and not the entire length. (We are AP and room only resort).

What else am I missing in terms of any negatives or what positives have you found in doing a split stay?

Thanks for any help!!

 

[hllb]

Is it different with APs? With regular tickets you can book FP for the entire stay when the earlier stay’s window opens. It’s on the split stay FAQ.

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

We love doing split stays and never have problems with doing all the FP's at once.

 

[PPFlight75]

Is it different with APs? With regular tickets you can book FP for the entire stay when the earlier stay’s window opens. It’s on the split stay FAQ.

That’s great to know thank you! That was my biggest worry.

I looked for a spilt stay post but couldn’t find it.

 

[PPFlight75]

We love doing split stays and never have problems with doing all the FP's at once.

Thank you!!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Thank you!!

We are doing a split stay at GF/BWV over Christmas and just made all of our FP at one time.

 

[PPFlight75]

We are doing a split stay at GF/BWV over Christmas and just made all of our FP at one time.

I'm glad to hear it. That was my biggest worry. I guess I will move ahead with my split stay plans. This will be our first split stay, so it is kinda exciting!

Have a great trip over Christmas!! That is on my list too, once the kids are older.

 

[Shanti]

Hi there!

We have stayed at both the Poly and BWI, and we love both! Next summer, instead of staying our usual 9 or so nights at one, I was thinking about a split stay.

Originally, I didn't like the idea. I like getting settled in and unpacked, but this last summer, I was loving the Poly but missing the Epcot area.

So, I'm thinking about 4 nights BWI and 5 nights Poly for next summer. This would give us our Epcot area time plus our (my) Poly time.

The only issue I see is having 2 resort stays and only being able to book each stays FPs at 60 days and not the entire length. (We are AP and room only resort).

What else am I missing in terms of any negatives or what positives have you found in doing a split stay?

Thanks for any help!!

I've done two split stays. I'd say that if you have a specific reason for wanting to do a split (mine was to give my water-loving son time in the different resorts' feature pools), then go ahead and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. But in general, I recommend just settling into a resort and making it your home away from home during the trip. I find that more pleasant than the repeated packing and unpacking, checking in & checking out that split stays require.

 

[tjmw2727]

We almost always do a "split stay" as the size of our party changes and we either need more room or want to downsize due to price

As mentioned you can book all your FP+ at T60 of the first stay for as many days as you have tickets.

Bell services will transfer your bags if you like, just drop them off in the morning, hit the parks and then pick them up after check in time at the new resort. If you choose this be sure to have your essentials for the day as the bags won't arrive until at least check in time, sometimes after.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just wanted to say I think a Poly/BWI split sounds like a GREAT idea, especially with a 9 night trip.

Splits take some getting used to/planning, but are a great way to “get the best of both worlds” when it comes to both the benefits of staying at both the MK and Epcot resorts.

FWIW, we used packing cubes for our GF/CR split earlier this year. Made packing/unpacking a breeze.

Have fun!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I'm glad to hear it. That was my biggest worry. I guess I will move ahead with my split stay plans. This will be our first split stay, so it is kinda exciting!

Have a great trip over Christmas!! That is on my list too, once the kids are older.

Thanks! You definitely need to go over Christmas. It’s my favorite time to go. The decorations are great. We have gone over Christmas and thanksgiving a handful of times.

 

[fairygagamother]

Most definitely do the split stay! And plan your Epcot/Hollywood fast passes around your BWI stay & your MK passes around your Polynesian stay. And, as mentioned, have bell services transfer your luggage for you. It's the best of 2 worlds in my opinion!

 

[PPFlight75]

I've done two split stays. I'd say that if you have a specific reason for wanting to do a split (mine was to give my water-loving son time in the different resorts' feature pools), then go ahead and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. But in general, I recommend just settling into a resort and making it your home away from home during the trip. I find that more pleasant than the repeated packing and unpacking, checking in & checking out that split stays require.

I completely agree with you about settling into your "home". I've always felt the same way. My husband really loves the BWI and I love the Poly, so we thought this would be a good way to get a little of each!! I'm not looking forward to the packing though

 

[PPFlight75]

We almost always do a "split stay" as the size of our party changes and we either need more room or want to downsize due to price

As mentioned you can book all your FP+ at T60 of the first stay for as many days as you have tickets.

Bell services will transfer your bags if you like, just drop them off in the morning, hit the parks and then pick them up after check in time at the new resort. If you choose this be sure to have your essentials for the day as the bags won't arrive until at least check in time, sometimes after.

Thanks! I didn't think of that! Will definitely pack a back up bag!!

 

[PPFlight75]

Just wanted to say I think a Poly/BWI split sounds like a GREAT idea, especially with a 9 night trip.

Splits take some getting used to/planning, but are a great way to “get the best of both worlds” when it comes to both the benefits of staying at both the MK and Epcot resorts.

FWIW, we used packing cubes for our GF/CR split earlier this year. Made packing/unpacking a breeze.

Have fun!

Thanks! We stayed at the Poly this last July and had the best time. I would really miss it if I didn't get a few days of Poly CL!!

I tried the packing cubes this summer based on recommendations on the Poly thread. Maybe that was you!! BTW, thanks for all of your recommendations on a Poly stay. I used a lot of your advice this summer!!

 

[PPFlight75]

Most definitely do the split stay! And plan your Epcot/Hollywood fast passes around your BWI stay & your MK passes around your Polynesian stay. And, as mentioned, have bell services transfer your luggage for you. It's the best of 2 worlds in my opinion!

Thanks! That's what I was thinking. Maybe a few days at EP and HS plus a rest day, then check out, go to AK, then spend the rest at MK and maybe another AK day.
Thanks for the advice on getting bell services to move our things. That will definitely help!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks! We stayed at the Poly this last July and had the best time. I would really miss it if I didn't get a few days of Poly CL!!

I tried the packing cubes this summer based on recommendations on the Poly thread. Maybe that was you!! BTW, thanks for all of your recommendations on a Poly stay. I used a lot of your advice this summer!!

Ugh oh, hope it was good advice!

 

[PPFlight75]

Ugh oh, hope it was good advice!

Definitely good advice!

We had always stayed at BC and BWI. BC was my favorite and BWI my husband's, but I always wanted to stay at the Poly so I read every post on the thread. The first time we tried it, my husband said uh-oh. I think this is your new favorite. He does love the CL though!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Definitely good advice!

We had always stayed at BC and BWI. BC was my favorite and BWI my husband's, but I always wanted to stay at the Poly so I read every post on the thread. The first time we tried it, my husband said uh-oh. I think this is your new favorite. He does love the CL though!!

It really is one of the best spots on property.

We’ve primarily been MK resort folks and I keep trying to find a good time to venture out... but Poly keeps drawing me back!

Glad y’all enjoyed it!

 

[CynBeth]

The only issue you will have is with ADRs. You can only book at 180 days from the first resort including switch day and then have to wait until 180 days of the second resort to make the rest. We have done several split stays and it was a good experience. We travel every few years and try to stay at a different resort each time so it gave us the opportunity to experience several hotels in 1 trip. We rent a car because we do 1 or 2 other area attractions so we moved our own luggage.