Split Stay -- Which one first?

[ShesAPirate]

I didn't give "Other" as an option because I'm really just curious about people's opinions on this specific question. Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Kidanifan08]

I voted BLT first. I personally would want to end the trip at a more peaceful resort away form the noise of the park. Of course, if there is a different room size between the two resorts, I would choose the largest room type for the second half of the stay. I also would not do a split stay for a trip that is fewer than 7 days, but I have a 6yo, so unpaking-repacking-unpacking is not desirable.

 

[Pakey]

I agree, do park resort first, relaxing resort second. We have done quite a few split stays but the one we did in the reverse order (AKV then BCV) was our least enjoyable split.

 

[WsPrincess]

I looked at it the other way. If you are doing the Theme Park View then I would end with that so that if you are tired from the parks at the end you can enjoy the fireworks from the balcony. For us, when we first get there we want to be in the parks and not enjoying the view!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I prefer VWL, so that's where I would end the stay.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Crowds high or low during your timeframe? BLT is close to the action, would be a big factor for me. Also, what size room? I'd always choose the nicer room second so it doesn't feel like a let down (for example, the studios are BLT are pretty small, wouldn't want to go there second). Other rooms at BLT, though, are great!

 

[BillPA]

It depends on the unit type. The BLT studios are so tiny, I would not want to go there after being in ANY other studio.
We had our first, and last trip to a BLT studio 2 weeks ago. So tiny I had to go out on the balcony to have space to "belch"

The location of BLT and the view is great, just too small to be comfortable. And no air circulation, where's the FAN!!!

I hope you are in at least a 1 BR.

 

[karrit2000]

I went with BLT first & VWL second. Personally I have no desire to stay at BLT so if I ever did it would be because that was the only place I could book a room. I much prefer VWL or any other DVC property.

 

[ShesAPirate]

This trip is in the super-early planning stations (meaning I haven't convinced my BF that we need to go again yet ) so nothing is booked. I'm looking at the beginning of February (my birthday!), so crowds should be low. Never stayed at BLT or VWL before. We stayed at AKV last time.

I didn't know the studios at BLT were tiny. That does concern me somewhat, but it would only be the two of us, so not too much. Frankly, it's in the running at all mainly for the location and the monorail. I'm not crazy about the theme (or lack thereof) but I would ADORE watching Wishes from my balcony

Can anyone give me an idea of how far it is from BLT to the Contemporary? I know there's a walkway, but haven't been able to find any info about the distance between the two.

VWL looks so beautiful and it much more up our alley, theme-wise. My first choice was to do VWL for the entire trip, but it's not available every night. (I know it will book fast, and that if we don't pull the trigger on this soon, we might not get in at VWL at all).

We loved AKV (stayed at both Jambo and Kidani last trip) and I would have no complaints going back there, but I would prefer something different this time.

Thanks for the advice and responses so far!

 

[Snoopygirl]

I would do BLT first and VWL second also.....just for a more relaxed feel on the end of the trip. The only split stay we have ever done was w/ my family of four and my parents....we went to Vero Beach for 3 days before we hit the World and my dad kept saying the whole entire time we were at the parks that we should have done Vero at the end....he said we needed a vacation from our vacation! He was soooo right.

 

[Sandisw]

I love BLT so would do that last. But both are nice and I just don't see how you could go wrong either way. The CR is no more than a 5 minute walk from BLT. I would say about the same distance from VWL to the main lodge.

 

[JimC]

Voted BLT first, but could easily be persuaded to reverse the order. If I were going to do a split stay, my preference would be for one MK area resort and the other elsewhere (Epcot/BW, AK or DD areas).

 

[nolanboys]

I would also do BLT first and then spend more resort time relaxing at VWL. We are going over Thanksgiving and spending the first 5 nights at VWL before moving over to AKV for 4 nights. We know we will be park crazy for the first part of the trip, including MVMCP, and then spend more time relaxing at AKV for the last part of our trip.

 

[AllieV]

I wouldn't split between two resorts so close to each other. But if I had to make a choice, I'd stay at the best pool first. It would be nice to relax for a day or two, swim, etc, then go hit the parks.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I wouldn't split between two resorts so close to each other. But if I had to make a choice, I'd stay at the best pool first. It would be nice to relax for a day or two, swim, etc, then go hit the parks.

- I always do AKV and then BLT last. We like to do a few days relaxing and then hitting the parks.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Speaking of pools, when you stay at VWL, can you use the Wilderness Lodge pool? Same question for BLT/Contemporary?

Thanks again for all the responses. I'm leaning towards BLT first.

 

[nolanboys]

Speaking of pools, when you stay at VWL, can you use the Wilderness Lodge pool? Same question for BLT/Contemporary?

Thanks again for all the responses. I'm leaning towards BLT first.

Yes you can.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Yes you can.

Fantastic, thank you!

About Wilderness -- there is a beach area, correct? What can you see from there? Like I said, I've never stayed at or even visited the Wilderness Lodge area, so I'm kinda clueless.

 

[NicoleLarson]

From the beach at VWL you see wilderness. Just trees and lake (the occasional boat going to and from the campgrounds), you really do not feel like you are anywhere near WDW. As far as size of BLT studio...for 2 people I think that would be fine. They did a great job with storage and using the space that they had. Also just FYI if points is of any concern, you can get a lake view room and see wishes perfectly as well. If looking at BLT with MK behind you, you want the left, outer side of that building.