Split stay question

[JWigs]

Hi all,

Hubby and I have been brainstorming our Xmas 2017 trip since we will need to start thinking about that soon.

We home at BLT and VGC. We will be flying in from Seattle and having a new addition who will be 1 at this time as well as our 4 yr old.

Due to AK being so far out and will hopefully have night time offerings, he debated if we should stay a night at the AK DVC so that we don't have to deal with the buses in the morning from BLT and then the long haul back at night.

I feel this means we would have to stay 2 nights (night we land and night we attend park) or else you'd still end up hauling back into Monorail area after a long day at the park.

Has anyone does anything similar that can shed some light? Or just some ideas in general?

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

A splint stay with less than 5 nights in the segment makes us feel like we didn't have time to appreciate what the resort has to offer and we spent our time unpacking and making the nest, then packing, moving and repeating.

Bill

 

[JWigs]

Well we are going to be staying 12/24 through 1/1 so we definitely will be there over 5 days. It's just we know we will spend more time at MK and likely close to resort since we may need naps and breaks away from the crowds. AK just never seems to have enough appeal for us to give it more than a day and to stay out there. But I also hate the long haul back to resort hotels and that's before a night show. I'm just wondering if it's worth staying a night or two out there or if it'd be a waste of points and time.

 

[disneynutz]

Well we are going to be staying 12/24 through 1/1 so we definitely will be there over 5 days. It's just we know we will spend more time at MK and likely close to resort since we may need naps and breaks away from the crowds. AK just never seems to have enough appeal for us to give it more than a day and to stay out there. But I also hate the long haul back to resort hotels and that's before a night show. I'm just wondering if it's worth staying a night or two out there or if it'd be a waste of points and time.

4 or 5 nights per segment, 4 nights at AKV and 4 at BLT. The bus ride to AK is less of an issue than moving resorts IMO. It's all up to personal preference.

Bill

 

[ScubaCat]

I agree. It takes a lot longer to move resorts than the bus ride to/from a park. Funny how people fly/drive for hours and hours to get the WDW, but that 10-15 minute bus ride is just too much to handle. (I can't BELIEVE how many people drive from the Chicago area. That is the true definition of insanity to me. )

 

[JWigs]

Each time we've taken the bus from BLT to AK it has taken a lot longer than 15 mins. Even with the boards to tell us what time it was never on time. And on the way back in evening it was the same. It was also late and the kid was super tired.

The other option we debated was taking an Uber back at night and skipping the bus line and wait.

 

[plunk meets world]

I just stayed at AKL - Kidani and although we loved it and it is laid back, IMO, I would not stay there without a rental car especially if you have younger children like I do. So if your not planning on getting one, I would look somewhere else.

 

[Disneypapa]

I would never intentionally opt for a split stay. Way to many issues packing and moving between resorts and the time it takes just eats up a good part of the day. However; if a split stay could not be avoided, due to availability or something, then I would just grin and get her done. As always, it is an individual thing and your tolerance could be greater than mine to endure all of the hassles relocating.

 

[msjprincess]

Like others have said, I don't like split stays unless it's at least 4 or 5 nights at each resort. It will take longer to switch resorts than the ride back from AK. And since you mention going back to the resort for naps, you'll have at least 5 hours without a room on transfer day. So if kids get cranky you won't have the option of taking them to the room for a nap.

 

[ajksmom]

Me? I love split stays! Spent 13 consecutive nights at SSR once, never again. I like to change it up!

If I were you I'd book 2 nights @ AKV. 1st night recover from travel @ resort, head off to AK in the am. Sleep in 2nd day, book a late breakfast ADR @ Chef Mickeys. Have bell services transfer luggage for you. Take bus to MK, monorail to BLT. Linger over your meal. If room isn't ready BLT is a great place to be "homeless" (what we refer to as our change resort day). You can ride the monorail loop, take a boat ride to FW or WL, or walk to the MK.