Split Stay Pros & Cons?

[DadMomBoyGirlBoy]

We will be taking our 3 children (6,4 & 2) on their first Disney trip in April 08. Since our youngest will be under 3 and in a crib, we were thinking of doing a split stay - 3 nights at WL, 3 nights at CSR so we can enjoy two hotels that we wouldn't be able to stay at in the future since we will need a room to accomodate 5. We can't make up our mind between the two - we really like both and are considering a split stay. Any input? Is just staying put at one for the whole week better? What about the refillable mugs - would we have to buy them at both resorts?

 

[TriMom]

This is just my humble opinion - The LAST time (as in I will never do it again) we did a split stay I had a 3 yo and a 12 month old. It was awful. We wasted an entire day packing all of the baby and toddler things up, waiting for bell services to come get our things, unpacking all of the baby things - plus we were homeless from 11 to 4 - the times I really needed to get my little ones down for a nap. They were so grumpy that night. OK - we might do a split stay again someday, when the boys are much older and don't need all the stuff and the rest.

 

[laceemouse]

It honestly depends on how much time you plan to spend at the resort. Most of the time for us it is just a place to sleep. You can visit any resort you want to eat or shop, you don't have to be staying there. We have never bought the mugs, again because we don't spend hours and hours a day hanging out eating at the resort. Maybe breakfast, and then we are out of there. Moving would be more of a hassle than it is worth to me. Once you get inside those rooms you are not gonna see much of a difference. You were only supposed to use the mugs at the resort you bought them at, but the new YOAMD mugs can be used at all resorts. Of course, most folks don't seem to follow the mug rules anyway.

 

[Robert P]

We will be taking our 3 children (6,4 & 2) on their first Disney trip in April 08. Since our youngest will be under 3 and in a crib, we were thinking of doing a split stay - 3 nights at WL, 3 nights at CSR so we can enjoy two hotels that we wouldn't be able to stay at in the future since we will need a room to accomodate 5. We can't make up our mind between the two - we really like both and are considering a split stay. Any input? Is just staying put at one for the whole week better? What about the refillable mugs - would we have to buy them at both resorts?

Split stay pros:
Get to experience different resorts in one trip.
May save money if different levels of resorts are used.
In your case, with 5, this may be the last time for some of the resorts, for a while.
Different park plans can be tailored to locations (i.e.. MK while at WL, etc..), making transpo options and timing go more smoothly.

Cons:
Homeless, indeed, while bags are moved (important for naps).
Have to add a repacking and unpacking event (loses time somewhere).
You may like Resort #1 best, but then have to end the stay at Resort #2 instead.

According to the old policy, yes, you would have to buy mugs at both resorts.

All that being said, since you are looking at 3 nights and 3 nights, and factoring in the 5 person issue for future visits, I'd say go for the split stay.
FYI - If it was just for 1 night, I'd definitely say no way. For 2 nights it would be a toss-up. 3 nights is certainly enough time to experience another resort.

 

[johnsonet]

I am a huge fan of split stays and do it for every trip over 5 days - however, on a "first trip" and with children so young, I really would not recommend it. You will be better off settling into your hotel and enjoying your resort for the full length of stay. You will stress yourself out and it's your vacation too I think your older child/ren will enjoy "getting to know" one resort rather than switching over mid-trip. Of course, I might be wrong about that, but that is my guess. They will be overwhelmed and excited whatever you do

 

[MissionMouse]

We started spilt stays when our children were 5 and 3.5 years old without issues. You did note this was also your first stay, so you might consider keeping it simple by not planning on a spilt stay, but you really need to be the judge of that decision.

Spilt stays are questionable if you:
- unpack everything
- travel heavy
- under 7 nights of lodging
- demand a room 7/24 (transfer day room not available until late afternoon)
- are using a Disney package (park ticket issue)
- are using DDP (ticket expire midnight of checkout 1st resort)

Spilt stays provide you:
- possible lodging savings depending on your plans
- a fresh new resort feel midway through your vacation
- with a new resort theme, views, location, restaurants, transportation options, etc.
- a break from a possible daily routine for extended stays
- a new location that could be closer to other points of interest, parks or restaurants

 

[byoung]

We do it alot no problems at all.