Split Stay Strategy - Lots of Guesses! Are They Reasonable?

[loveshak22]

Hi folks!

I'm trying to plan a November stay and am trying to make a lot of guesses based on 2017 discounts, F&W schedule, and MVMCP schedules to plan my trip. I know you all will understand the obsessive WDW planning 8 months out!

First, I've never done a split stay. But I can't decide between YC and CR, so I thought I might give it a try this trip. I was originally thinking WL and YC and I may go back to those two resorts, but after a lot of thought today I think I'm going to do YC and CR. I want to book soon because I can never seem to get the room choice I want at CR when I've tried to price it out in the past so I feel like 8 months out may not be too crazy if I stay with CR.

Second, I'm making my plans based on a lot of guesses. I feel like my guesses are reasonable though, based on past schedules and discounts. But I was hoping some experts on here may weigh in with their opinions!

Here's what I'm thinking:
November 10 - 13: Book a reservation at YC
- Room Only/No Tickets
- Hope for a Fall RO discount of 10-20%
- Enjoy what I'm hoping will be the last 2 days of F&W on November 11th and 12th, so RO discount is better than Free Dining

November 13th - November 17th: Book a reservation at CR
- Room and 5 day tickets (even though I buy these tickets on my 11/13 package, I can use them on 11/11 and 11/12 right?)
- Hope for a Free Dining discount for this portion of the stay
- Hoping for a MVMCP on Tuesday, November 13th

So here's where I'm making guesses based on 2017:
1. That my dates won't be blacked out if Disney does a RO and FD offer for the Fall
2. That F&W will go through 11/13 again
3. That there will be a MVMCP on Tuesday (which was popular dates on 2017)

I think this strategy is also provides the best savings for my plans.

Thoughts on my guesses and if my strategy makes sense to save the most money?

Thanks!

 

[tjmw2727]

Personally I wouldn't book my tickets with the 2nd portion of a split stay, you are right that you can use them early but you can't make FP+ for the early days until that day.

 

[loveshak22]

Personally I wouldn't book my tickets with the 2nd portion of a split stay, you are right that you can use them early but you can't make FP+ for the early days until that day.

Really? So a reservation without tickets won't let you use FPs I guess that makes sense thinking about it. Hmmm...

It's cheapest to put all the tickets on one of the split stays and the free dining offer required tickets last year, which is why I put that on the second half.

 

[loveshak22]

I'm going to go play with pricing now!

 

[tjmw2727]

Really? So a reservation without tickets won't let you use FPs I guess that makes sense thinking about it. Hmmm...

It's cheapest to put all the tickets on one of the split stays and the free dining offer required tickets last year, which is why I put that on the second half.

FP+ is based on having valid tickets regardless of room reservation, when you book tickets with a package they don't become "active" until your check in date. If you arrive prior to that date you can get access to the tickets early, in person; but you can't make advance FP+ for those days.

IIRC there is a sticky on the Theme Parks board with all the details explained better than I can explain this!

ETA - Found the post from the theme parks board - https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/#post-55337492

 

[GADisneyDad14]

FP+ is based on having valid tickets regardless of room reservation, when you book tickets with a package they don't become "active" until your check in date. If you arrive prior to that date you can get access to the tickets early, in person but you can't make advance FP+ for those days.

IIRC there is a sticky on the Theme Parks board with all the details explained better than I can explain this!

You explained it pretty perfectly right there!

 

[loveshak22]

FP+ is based on having valid tickets regardless of room reservation, when you book tickets with a package they don't become "active" until your check in date. If you arrive prior to that date you can get access to the tickets early, in person but you can't make advance FP+ for those days.

IIRC there is a sticky on the Theme Parks board with all the details explained better than I can explain this!

Thanks! That makes sense. I just priced out adding 2 day tix to the first split stay and 3 day tix on the second split and the price difference is $96. I may just have to pay that if I want FPs (which I do) and want Free Dining on the second split stay, where tickets will be required. Is there another option I'm missing?

 

[tjmw2727]

If you go often - maybe again within 18 months or so I would also look at getting tickets to cover the entire stay with the first reservation (the longer the ticket the cheaper each day is) and then the minimum required on the 2nd reservation if you book a dining package to be saved for a later trip. This gives you 60 days access to FP+ for all your dates.

Since your already pricing out - may I suggest pricing out non package deals?

I have personally never found a dining package saves me $, we have AP's but I get tickets for friends and family via undercover tourist.
Or depending on the length of stay - take a look at maybe getting one AP for your party for the room discounts as well as 10% discount in most restaurants, 20% on merchandise and some good room rates (again room rates are dependent on what's offered!).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does your "switch day" being on your potential party day bother you? If this were me, I wouldn't necessarily want to be moving resorts on a party day, although since you are sleeping at CR that night it kind of makes sense.

But regardless, you'll still likely end up with a 'homeless' period that day. That may be fine with you if you otherwise plan to be out and about. We tend to stay low key on party days to rest up, hence why I'm asking.

 

[loveshak22]

If you go often - maybe again within 18 months or so I would also look at getting tickets to cover the entire stay with the first reservation (the longer the ticket the cheaper each day is) and then the minimum required on the 2nd reservation if you book a dining package to be saved for a later trip. This gives you 60 days access to FP+ for all your dates.

Since your already pricing out - may I suggest pricing out non package deals?

I have personally never found a dining package saves me $, we have AP's but I get tickets for friends and family via undercover tourist.
Or depending on the length of stay - take a look at maybe getting one AP for your party for the room discounts as well as 10% discount in most restaurants, 20% on merchandise and some good room rates (again room rates are dependent on what's offered!).

Hmmmm...that's a good idea about getting all my tix on the first package and then get the minimum for the 2nd package for free dining and use them later. I definitely imagine I'd be back in 12-18 months. I sometimes upgrade to the deluxe dining plan and leverage table credits for signature meals. There's only 2 of us and we usually eat 2 meals a day - like breakfast or early lunch and then a late dinner. And with the signature restaurants, even with the cost of the upgrade, when I've done the math with the entrees we eat it usually turns out to be an even break with what we would have paid OOP or it's a little bit of a savings. But then we get the extra snacks with the dining plan, which I usually use for food (like Werther's) to take home. Although there have been times I've priced out packages and went OOP for food, with less signature restaurants, because the room offer was so good.

I was also thinking about the AP actually. I just don't know much about the AP room discounts. Do they usually come out earlier than the general public offers? Are they usually the same or more than the general public offer? Do they apply to more room types? (edited to add - I found the info on the past release dates and discount amounts for GP and APHs! Will use that for planning)! Do the discounts usually apply to signature restaurants? I guess I should go review some threads on AP offers to learn more!

I'll also definitely check out undercover tourist. Given the 2 resorts I want to try, I am liking your thoughts about looking for room discounts and then food OOP and the cheapest option for tickets. I was looking at maybe changing to WL from CR because of the cost, but I really want to try CR for once. So I'll do some more playing around with pricing given your post. I can also take one day off my trip at the end to bring the price down and not feel like I'd be missing too much.

Thank you so much for your thoughts! It is so helpful!

 

[Jaclyn9]

Yes, def do tickets on resort package number 1. I also wouldn't want to be homeless on a non park or party day. My next trip has a split stay so I've been stewing about all these things

PS - My vote is Wilderness

 

[loveshak22]

Does your "switch day" being on your potential party day bother you? If this were me, I wouldn't necessarily want to be moving resorts on a party day, although since you are sleeping at CR that night it kind of makes sense.

But regardless, you'll still likely end up with a 'homeless' period that day. That may be fine with you if you otherwise plan to be out and about. We tend to stay low key on party days to rest up, hence why I'm asking.

I was thinking that would be the best day for the "switch". My thought was to sleep in and then check out of YC right at 11 and ask bell services to hold our bags. Then I figure we'd eat lunch around the YC and fill a backpack up with our pool goodies and hang out by the pool until it's time to head over to Contemporary. Then we can check in at CR at 3:00 and walk over to MVMCP around 4:30. I agree with your thought - party day should be low key and relaxing!

 

[loveshak22]

Yes, def do tickets on resort package number 1. I also wouldn't want to be homeless on a non park or party day. My next trip has a split stay so I've been stewing about all these things

PS - My vote is Wilderness

It's amazing how much planning there is right! LOL! So I was typing up my post above as you responded, but I feel like a homeless day will be nice and relaxing - LOL! What am I missing? Sleep in until 10, eat some food, relax by the pool, Uber over to CR, check in at like 3 and have an hour and a half before the party starts???

Thanks for the WL vote! I am really torn on that one! I've always wanted to do CR, but my traveling companion and I ate at WL once and he said he'd love to stay there. But, I've stayed there before and wanted to try CR because I've never been there before. YC is new for me though so maybe I could compromise with new resort and WL for him. But I also know he'd love views of Bay Lake and the monorail access!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was thinking that would be the best day for the "switch". My thought was to sleep in and then check out of YC right at 11 and ask bell services to hold our bags. Then I figure we'd eat lunch around the YC and fill a backpack up with our pool goodies and hang out by the pool until it's time to head over to Contemporary. Then we can check in at CR at 3:00 and walk over to MVMCP around 4:30. I agree with your thought - party day should be low key and relaxing!

Got it - sounds like you've got the relaxation part covered with a good plan!

 

[loveshak22]

So...since everyone on here is being so helpful, I wanted to throw this question out there (I know it is hotly debated on other threads and I see both sides so am torn) - are you for or against booking the resorts and rooms you want now and then when the discounts are announced calling and getting them applied to the reservation? Or waiting to make a reservation until the discounts are announced? I've heard people argue that booking early affects how discounts are offered based on vacant rooms and expected occupancy, but I feel like I'd like to get the room category I want and hope it is included in the offer and if not then make a decision to change resorts or keep what I've reserved.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So...since everyone on here is being so helpful, I wanted to throw this question out there (I know it is hotly debated on other threads and I see both sides so am torn) - are you for or against booking the resorts and rooms you want now and then when the discounts are announced calling and getting them applied to the reservation? Or waiting to make a reservation until the discounts are announced? I've heard people argue that booking early affects how discounts are offered based on vacant rooms and expected occupancy, but I feel like I'd like to get the room category I want and hope it is included in the offer and if not then make a decision to change resorts or keep what I've reserved.

Well, that'll be a quick way to change the tone of your thread.

Personally, I don't usually book ahead of discounts unless:

1) I know my exact dates, I have no flexibility, and I'm going no matter what; and/or

2) I have a certain resort and/or room type/view category that I 'must' have (or is my 'really strong' preference)

I don't always live by this, but more often than not I do.

FWIW, anecdotally, last fall these boards were totally lit up with people complaining about both the lack of any resort availability in the fall and lack of discounts. The start of your trip is Veteran's Day weekend - which isn't necessarily a major WDW holiday, but it's a holiday none-the-less. I think there's a fine line somewhere there between booking what you want based on resort preferences, and waiting to see your options. Tough call for sure! Good luck.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If you go often - maybe again within 18 months or so I would also look at getting tickets to cover the entire stay with the first reservation (the longer the ticket the cheaper each day is) and then the minimum required on the 2nd reservation if you book a dining package to be saved for a later trip.

I'm not a total expert on packages, but is this (banking the tickets for package #2 for use later) possible? My first reaction was that wouldn't work, but maybe I'm missing something?

 

[dansdad]

I'm not a total expert on packages, but is this (banking the tickets for package #2 for use later) possible? My first reaction was that wouldn't work, but maybe I'm missing something?

It definitely is possible. I know plenty of people who book the minimum tickets to be eligible for Free Dining even though they have APs. Then once their APs expire they upgrade the 2 day tickets to APs.

 

[loveshak22]

Well, that'll be a quick way to change the tone of your thread.

Personally, I don't usually book ahead of discounts unless:

1) I know my exact dates, I have no flexibility, and I'm going no matter what; and/or

2) I have a certain resort and/or room type/view category that I 'must' have (or is my 'really strong' preference)

I don't always live by this, but more often than not I do.

FWIW, anecdotally, last fall these boards were totally lit up with people complaining about both the lack of any resort availability in the fall and lack of discounts. The start of your trip is Veteran's Day weekend - which isn't necessarily a major WDW holiday, but it's a holiday none-the-less. I think there's a fine line somewhere there between booking what you want based on resort preferences, and waiting to see your options. Tough call for sure! Good luck.

Oh no, not my intention! LOL!!!

OK - I guess it's all personal opinion so maybe I should retract that question! I actually agree with you and I usually wait for discounts to be released, but what you pointed out is what I've found the last couple of years. There seem to be limited availability for rooms in the Fall. I mean even right now, there's already limited availability of room types at all 3 hotels I looked at. I wonder if that's a ploy to get people to book early because people think it will book up, when really room types will open up? Hmmmm...conspiracy theory there right! LOL!

I have 3 goals with my trip: catch the end of F&W, do MVMCP, and be there on my birthday 11/16. Although if we leave 11/16 I won't be too upset. And usually the first week of November seems to be blocked out for discounts. And I want to avoid people coming in for Thanksgiving. So that's how I settled on the 11/10 - 11/16 or 11/17.

I didn't even realize that was Veteran's Day weekend! Ugh! I do need to think about that because it may draw more locals for the long weekend, especially if it's the last weekend of F&W.

Maybe I want to skip F&W this year and just do a full WL or CR stay 11/13 - 11/17 and just wait for discounts to come out! Then I can plan a F&W and Halloween party one year. Sigh...so much to think about!

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

I also wouldn't want to be homeless on a non park or party day.

Room switching day on a non park day can be perfection depending on your plans. Unless you’re Dvc (and even then it’s limited) the only time you can pool hop is on a day when you’re switching resorts. Plan for that and it’s fun.

And the party can work the same way.