Split Stay...value to moderate

[disreport]

We are going down Dec 29 - Jan 5. The pricing is so outrageous Dec 29-31 that we were considering staying at a value (music or pop) and then moving to moderate (Caribbean or Coronado) once the value season begins. I just wanted to get some thoughts on people who have done this before. Good idea? Bad idea? Which resort? Let me know. Also if you have been to WDW around this time, please let me know if you have any tips for minimizing the crowd effect.

 

[dancin Disney style]

The differences between a value and a mod are rather minor. It's not really worth the hassle, IMO, since you are only staying for a week.

 

[Kim1964]

I am a fan of split stays, but I agree with dancin Disney style. I wouldn't bother to do it for the difference between a value and a mod. We've gone from value to deluxe or mod to deluxe, but never value to mod. The beds are the same size and the rooms at the mods aren't that much bigger. The mods do have coffee makers, refrigerators, and pool slides, but those wouldn't be enough to make me split the stay.

 

[helenk]

If it helps your budget, I would go for it. I have found it to be very easy to switch resorts. Even if you do not have your own transportation. If you are renting a car then its really easy as you can just check out of one resort and then drive over to the new resort. But if you are like me and depend on Disney transportation it still is easy to do.
Check into your first resort, just do not unpack all of your stuff. On your check out day just let bell services know that you are checking out of your resort but transferring to another resort. Bell services will hold your luggage and transfer it to your new resort later in the afternoon. I just go to whatever park I was planning to go to that day and enjoy myself. Later in the day just go over to your new resort and check in, your luggage should be with Bell services at the new resort.
Very easy and painless.

 

[dancin Disney style]

If it helps your budget, I would go for it. I have found it to be very easy to switch resorts. Even if you do not have your own transportation. If you are renting a car then its really easy as you can just check out of one resort and then drive over to the new resort. But if you are like me and depend on Disney transportation it still is easy to do.
Check into your first resort, just do not unpack all of your stuff. On your check out day just let bell services know that you are checking out of your resort but transferring to another resort. Bell services will hold your luggage and transfer it to your new resort later in the afternoon. I just go to whatever park I was planning to go to that day and enjoy myself. Later in the day just go over to your new resort and check in, your luggage should be with Bell services at the new resort.
Very easy and painless.

I do agree with this, it's not hard to do but is it worth it in this case? As far as the budget aspect goes, I think that is really the minor issue. It's a 'packing up and moving' thing.

 

[disreport]

Well, it will save us approximately $275 doing it this way. We stayed at POFQ on our last trip and loved it. Thats why I am so hesistant about going to a value. For us it is the atmosphere that matters and that is why we like the mods so much. Also I am worried about the craziness that may be POP during the holiday season. Thoughts?

 

[disreport]

....I was thinking also we probably wouldn't be in our rooms much the first few days of the trip around new years.

 

[3darlings]

We did this in November. We spent three days at a value (ASSports) and then switched to CBR for three days. We stayed at the value mainly when we were doing the parks because I figured we weren't in the room much. We switched to the CBR when we were going to spend time out of the parks so we could enjoy the amenties (boating, etc.) It worked out well for us. It is nice to have a bigger room, refrigerator, and nice amenities. It was alittle bit of a hassle switching (mostly at check in) but not much. But my kids did prefer Sports!

 

[disreport]

We did this in November. We spent three days at a value (ASSports) and then switched to CBR for three days. We stayed at the value mainly when we were doing the parks because I figured we weren't in the room much. We switched to the CBR when we were going to spend time out of the parks so we could enjoy the amenties (boating, etc.) It worked out well for us. It is nice to have a bigger room, refrigerator, and nice amenities. It was alittle bit of a hassle switching (mostly at check in) but not much. But my kids did prefer Sports!

Did you find that the price difference between CBR and ASSports was worth the extra money?

 

[MEK]

I hate overpaying for a room, so I would definately consider a split stay. I will tell you that I did stay at POP last January right after New Year's and I did not consider it very crowded. I arrived the Saturday after NY's. I was there one August during free dining when I thought the crowds were ridicuous at POP.

So, I think POP will be crowded at the beginning of you stay, but it will definately clear out by the sat/sun of your stay. But since you love POFQ I think you should finish your vacation there.

 

[1gr8mouse]

We did this....POFQ TO OKQ, they are right next to eachother.....was pretty easy.....only issue was luggage.....make sure you come back to the new resort around dinner time to get your luggage.......we didnt realize they woudnt put it in your room until you were there......we stayed at a park until 11:00pm....came to OKW and no luggage.....bellman were gone for the night....we had to wait for a night manager to deliver it.......I had already gave a generous $40 tip at POFQ for all our bags.......then had to tip the night manager!!!! lesson learned!!!

 

[JCandKT]

my friend Teresa splits her stay up all the time... says it's like having 2 vacations in one! and they move everything for you!!!

go for it!

 

[helenk]

I do agree with this, it's not hard to do but is it worth it in this case? As far as the budget aspect goes, I think that is really the minor issue. It's a 'packing up and moving' thing.

Sure, I've done it for just a few nights and found it to be well worth it. I wanted to stay at the Poly but I needed two rooms since there were 7 of us, so we stayed 4 nights at the POFQ and then 2 nights at the Poly. It gave me a chance to experience the Poly without paying $$$ for the full week. Once I stayed at the POP one night before transferring over to the POFQ for the rest of my vacation. I was able to leave for my trip a day ahead of what I had originally planned and could not get a room at the POFQ, so I booked at the POP for my arrival night and then transferred the next day.