Split Stay - What Would You Recommend?

[itutorfortravel]

Hi everyone,

Our family just purchased our first DVC contract and I just got access to my online account yesterday. So I'm working on our first reservation for this summer using some points that are going to expire if we don't use them by the end of July...so it's a "bonus" trip and we are okay that things may not work out exactly how we want it to, we're just excited to be going to WDW!

While we could get a solid week at one resort like OKW or SSR, we are sort of excited about trying out a few different resorts to see which ones we like best for future visits. I know this is going to mean checking in / out a few times, but we are okay with that for this particular visit.

I was able to get 2 nites at BWV, followed by 1 nite at BCV, then 2 nites at BLT, and 3 nites at AKV.

I could get 3 nites at BLT and drop the 1 nite at BCV, but I'm not sure whether I want to do that. I'm kind of excited about staying at BCV but can't decide if it's worth the hassle of checking in / out for one nite.

So I'm just wondering what those who have done split stays would recommend? Is the BCV experience worth the extra hassle? Or should we just go for the 3 nites at BLT? Thanks!

 

[jo-jo]

It depends on your family size and ages.

We (just DH and I) almost always do a split stay, but only two resorts. It's fine for us, but I don't think I'd like all that packing and unpacking ever day or two. Plus every time you move, you could be "homeless" for 5 or 6 hrs. And the waiting for the luggage to be brought up at every resort. Perhaps if I were driving and taking care of luggage myself.


Are you the type of person who can travel for a month with only a backpack, I'd say go for it. Need to take everything plus the kitchen sink, I think you 're asking for too much grief with all those moves.

 

[benji2012]

Hi everyone,

Our family just purchased our first DVC contract and I just got access to my online account yesterday. So I'm working on our first reservation for this summer using some points that are going to expire if we don't use them by the end of July...so it's a "bonus" trip and we are okay that things may not work out exactly how we want it to, we're just excited to be going to WDW!

While we could get a solid week at one resort like OKW or SSR, we are sort of excited about trying out a few different resorts to see which ones we like best for future visits. I know this is going to mean checking in / out a few times, but we are okay with that for this particular visit.

I was able to get 2 nites at BWV, followed by 1 nite at BCV, then 2 nites at BLT, and 3 nites at AKV.

I could get 3 nites at BLT and drop the 1 nite at BCV, but I'm not sure whether I want to do that. I'm kind of excited about staying at BCV but can't decide if it's worth the hassle of checking in / out for one nite.

So I'm just wondering what those who have done split stays would recommend? Is the BCV experience worth the extra hassle? Or should we just go for the 3 nites at BLT? Thanks!

I would skip BCV this trip. If you just bought DVC, you have many years of checking out different resorts!

I try every year to stay somewhere new...but we have our favorites so it's getting harder! BWV is our home resort, but when DBF 's kids aren't with us we rather stay at AKL-Jambo. I am checking out OKW with my friend in May and after that all we have left is BCV and GFV.

I am actually doing my first long trip in September and doing 2 nights at BLT (with my best friend); 3 night BWV to celebrate my 40th in our first Grand Villa (with 11 friends...though only 6 in the vila); and 5 nights in AKL-K.

Best of luck without whatever you decide!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, you're going to get 4 full cleanings for your 8 night stay!

I suppose I would book the 4 resorts, but wait list and really hope for pixie dust. I would wait list for BCV on the 2 nights you have BWV.

I love to swim in SAB. BLT has my least favorite pool to swim in. That's why I picked what I did.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I just checked availability again and I can now get two consecutive nights at BCV...it would mean staying a single night at BWV, followed by 2 at BCV, 2 at BLT, and 3 at AKV...

We're a family of 3, with a 12 year old child. Would BCV be more fun than BWV for 2 nights?

 

[DenLo]

I wouldn't do the BCV night either. Every time you check out of a resort you are "homeless" until your room is ready at the next resort. We like to return to the room after about 5 or 6 hours away. That is not possible when you are changing rooms.

One thing I've begun to really enjoy about DVC is the relaxed feeling of staying in one room for at least 4 or 5 nights at the end of the trip. But if we do a three way split in 7 days/nights that means we are spending a lot of our vacation moving from one resort to the next.

We usually do split stays, just because we too want to try out resorts. Or we like to have our hotel near a different park per segment. Or we are stretching our points to as many days as possible. So we'll start the trip up north at BLT or VWL (this next trip at VGF) and then move south, sometimes at an Epcot resort or other times at AKV, which we love. But I have found it's much easier to pack a small suitcase for the first segment and then unpack everything for the second segment. That way we are not packing and unpacking. And we both get a nice relaxing vacation.

 

[disneynutz]

If you are looking to make your resort pro/con list, 1 night isn't enough time, 2 nights, maybe, 3 nights are just about right.

Keep a mini journal about the resorts so later you can single out your favorite resorts for repeat stays and contract purchases.

Realize that you are increasing your check in/check out and room problem exposure. Plan for the worse and hope for the best.

Forget about moving food, too much work, pay OOP as you go.

Bill

 

[Anal Annie]

I wouldn't unpack anywhere for less than 3 nights. I despise packing. And I definitely wouldn't do only 1 night anywhere. There is no time to check out the resort. We usually book early morning flights and used to go get a hotel room by the airport and I hated even planning an overnight bag for that. We stopped doing that and just get up super early now. I think you would ultimately be happier to drop any resort that would only be 1 night and just go ahead & spend it at one of the other resorts so you can have some time to chill and enjoy the trip. We always resort hop and try not to repeat too often. So far we've hit every resort except VGF which of course hasn't been open that long. We joined in Dec 2006 so it's taken us almost 8 years to hit all of them - but this includes VB and HHI and we'll be adding VGC and Aulani this year. We've repeated AKV and SSR (usually due to availability or points crunching). We're probably going to do a split stay NEXT summer only because I think we'll plan 4 nights (hopefully at VGF) then we're doing a 4 n Dream cruise then we'll spend 3 or 4 nights somewhere else post-cruise. My advice is to take your time and enjoy each resort one or maybe 2 per trip.

 

[Minniesgal]

I am the queen of split stays. We did 4 resorts in 15 nights last trip and loved it. Even I think 4 resorts in 8 days is way too much. I would try hard and get it down to two. Plenty of time to experience other resorts over the years.

 

[com_op_2000]

If you and your family wants BCV go for the two nights. IMHO, with your planned splits, I would not plan too much time in the parks except on move days. Spend the days, that you move in the parks and the other days exploring the resorts, pools, etc. I like the PP suggestion of keeping a journal about what you like and dislike about each resort until you get a feeling for them, do not make your mind up about a resort until you have stayed at least twice at each.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I wouldn't do 4 resorts in 8 nights. You most likely won't get into your room til 4pm on check in days.

Last summer I did 8 nights AKV and 6 nights BWV. Looking at my text messages those rooms were ready at 3:54 & 4:28.

In Dec I did 4 nights OKW and 3 nights BLT. Those were 4:06 & 2:16.

Only BWV, latest checkin, was on points. BLT, earliest checkin, was only studio-bigger villas likely take longer to clean.

 

[bookwormde]

We do lots of split stay, but for 8 nights I would limit to 2 4 2.

one day does not give enough time to get a real feel for the resort,

when we do the schedule above we pack a small bag that we live out of for the 2 day portion and only unpack fully for the 4 day piece.

We often build them around parks so like 2 days at AKV, 4 days at an EPCOT resort or OKW and 2 days at BLT, VGF or VWL

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

If you have never done a split stay, I would limit it to one change. It is not as easy as it sounds-especially with kids. We just did one in August...everything went as planned, but still time consuming. There are too many things I would rather be doing then packing, unpacking, waiting on bell services or dragging stuff back and forth to car (we've done it both ways). Not to mention the probability of lines at check in ... And who knows what trouble the combination of magic bands and split stays will cause : (. Simply not worth the change of scenery for the short time actually spent at resort.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thx everyone for the advice! We are mulling over all of this

If we want to stay in a single resort, we have OKW, SSR, or AKL Kidani (Savannah view) as our options.

The range in point cost is 127 to 161 for the 8 nites...

I really want to try BLT and one of the Epcot hotels so I'm having a hard time thinking about giving those up unless someone can convince me somehow that I will love the above resorts as much (and why). I know the AKL accomodations are a premium view but is it worth 161 points for the week?

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

I can speak for AKL (stayed Jambo and Kidani). This is my favorite resort period. Best room decor, best theming, great activities and restaurants (and lounge). Had wonderful discussions with the terrific cast members. Community hall is great for kids and has savannah views. Two great pools too! The talk about it being "remote" is nonsense. All resorts are far from one park or another. The farthest bus ride is 15-20 minutes. You may walk up to a stop just as the bus pulls up ... Or you might wait 30 minutes for a boat (or even monorail) somewhere else. Transportation balance out. (Truly, MK resorts are farthest from other parks...yes you can monorail to Epcot, but the on & off times two and two lines...it takes a solid 25 minutes -and usually more- to travel there.)

My second favorite is SSR. We have stayed four times. LOVED every one. Second best room decor-classic and comfortable. We had brand new carpet and bed covers. I appreciate multiple bus stops-always close to your room when you get off! And, if you don't feel like walking the beautiful grounds, you can use the busses to travel around the resort (just take a few minutes to learn the route). They have two feature pools and the Paddock one has surprisingly yummy counter service. Yes, the "Disney-ness" is more subtle, but definitely there if you look for it.

Our family loves Epcot, and you can't beat boardwalk resorts for location (first stay at BWV coming up-ladies only for Flower & Garden), but I was disappointed in BCV rooms. Very outdated. I'm sure it was clean, but felt very worn down...and wicker furniture creeps me out ... Too many nooks and crannies for "stuff" to hide : (. I am hoping I like BWV better, but only choose that resort as we will be spending most of our time, by far, at Epcot.

Good luck...whatever you decide will be magical !

 

[Anal Annie]

Thx everyone for the advice! We are mulling over all of this

If we want to stay in a single resort, we have OKW, SSR, or AKL Kidani (Savannah view) as our options.

The range in point cost is 127 to 161 for the 8 nites...

I really want to try BLT and one of the Epcot hotels so I'm having a hard time thinking about giving those up unless someone can convince me somehow that I will love the above resorts as much (and why). I know the AKL accomodations are a premium view but is it worth 161 points for the week?

Why not just plan one of those resorts for your next trip? THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE. That's the beauty of DVC. You can always try another resort NEXT TIME because you know there WILL BE a next time. There's nothing wrong with just planning a 4/4 split with say SSR and AKV. You will be so much more relaxed that way. On the day that you switch resorts you could always just plan to go visit a couple of the other resorts on your list rather than doing a park day. Plan to do lunch at one of them.

We like pretty much all of the resorts and on a short notice trip will take whatever is available. RE: the idea of "spending" 161 points we have "spent" about that many for 6 nights at BLT for a LV studio over spring break. The convenience of the monorail was worth it for such a busy time of year. We're "spending" 78 points for only 3 nights in a studio at VGC this summer. Some resorts are more point intensive than others and only you can decide if they are worth what they cost. Personally we tend to not book those point hog resorts as often as we do other more moderately priced resorts. SSR is very reasonable points-wise while AKV and OKW can be on the cheaper side. (We usually just book a standard view at AKV tho.) You mentioned having to use some points that will expire - how many do you have to use?

You've been given a lot of advice here from veteran DVC'ers and most have advised NOT doing a single night anywhere…it's just not worth the bother. THAT would be too many points to "spend" if you don't have any time to enjoy the resort. Try hard to not do more than 2 or 3 resorts. It will be a lot more enjoyable trip.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I have 100 points I have to spend by July 31st so it's a given that those need to be used. I also have 70 points that were banked into 2014 so I could use those and consider them "freebie" points like the 100 but I'm being stingy and want to conserve as many points as I can!

I've changed things up a bit overnight and right now I have 2 nites at BCV, then 2 nights at BLT Lake View (all that was available), then nothing for the rest of the trip. I could do the AKV Savanna view (all that's available) and then only have 3 switches...the only problem is that we have to change our arrival day to Saturday vs. Friday unless I can pick up an extra night at BCV on the Friday we arrive.

Here's the other dilemma that I'm not sure how to deal with. I feel like I need to book SOMETHING before there are no options at all! But once I go over 100 points, I am borrowing 2014 points which I cannot put back should we want to change resorts if something more appealing opens up. So I don't want to book something now that costs more points than I may actually have to use if certain accomodations open and I want to switch. So should I book the cheapest accomodations now and keep watching for other resorts to open and then switch?(hope that makes sense!)

Also, I've been considering the purchase of one time use points to give us a few extra points for use this year...may do the same next year if I feel we want to "supplement" what we have available to us. Or is that crazy and should I just borrow?

 

[Anal Annie]

I totally understand trying to conserve points and not wanting to borrow (been there / done that). IF I planned the trip with borrowed points then I would book it and stop worrying about "what if something else opens up". Stop looking. Just go with what you've planned and stop dwelling on it. And yes, the availability is going to go down with each day that you piddle around trying to decide. Get it booked ASAP. And with "only" 100 points to use then I personally would just book the cheapest resorts that are available for this time (ie probably OKW and SSR or possibly 1 splurge resort). I would save AKV Savannah view and BLT LV for a longer stay when I have time to enjoy the resort. If you're not going to spend much time in the room then the savannah view is sort of a waste of points. We just stayed at AKV Jambo House in January - although we technically had a std. view we were on one of the lesser desired savannahs and did have sort of a view. The animals were only really out there while we were out at the parks. We came back to the room one day in the middle of the day for something and then we saw them. But otherwise they really weren't around. This is just your first DVC trip. The other resorts will still be there for next time. I promise. They'll still be there.