Split stay - Will I regret this

[dolphingirl47]

We intend to stay at WDW for 9 nights in October. My 7 month window for the first 7 nights opens tomorrow. Initially we planned to try to switch our current reservation at OKW over to BLT. We were chatting yesterday and my DH finally agreed to a stay at AKV, which has been my dream ever since we became DVC members in November 2007. So we are now considering spending the first 6 nights at BLT (standard view studio) and then moving to AKV for the last 3 nights (value or savanna view studio). I have never done a split stay. Is this something we would live to regret?

dolphingirl47

 

[Princess_Melanie]

I'm really interested to see replies on your question too - how easy it is to move resorts etc - does it really impact on your vacation or not? We're doing a split stay in Sept - 2 nights at AKL and 15 at SSR.....

 

[LVSWL]

We have had split stays on several of our WDW trips. The up-side is that you have something new/fun to look forward to, almost like a new vacation when you check out from your first ressie and go to your second. The downside is that is is very nice to just settle in once to arrive on property and not move at all. I will say that our preferred split is to do the smaller number of days up front, and then the longer stay on the end.
We drive, so changing resorts for us is just a matter of packing up and driving to another resort, but many people have great success with having Disney handle the transfer of bags.

 

[disneynutz]

We split stay every trip but we usually stay for 2 weeks at a time. For a shorter stay I wouldn't split because you just get settled and it's time to move or check out.

 

[dizfanz]

I love how a 9 day visit was referred to as a short stay. Thay would be almost twice as long as my normal trip. I love the mouse but I don't think I could stand 2 weeks.

Splitting the trip into 6 and 3 days wouldn't be bad. I would do the move day when you have plans and no rush getting into the room. If you have a car, I would just move the bags myself. If not, bell services will transfer them for you. But again, you may not have them available until later in the afternoon. Plan accordingly. The upside is you could get to AKV nice and early, check in and then I would make that my day of going to AK park itself or maybe grab breakfast at Boma.

Another piece of advice, save eating for Jiko while you are there. Great restaurant.

Have fun on your "short vacation"

 

[RLRDA]

We intend to stay at WDW for 9 nights in October. My 7 month window for the first 7 nights opens tomorrow. Initially we planned to try to switch our current reservation at OKW over to BLT. We were chatting yesterday and my DH finally agreed to a stay at AKV, which has been my dream ever since we became DVC members in November 2007. So we are now considering spending the first 6 nights at BLT (standard view studio) and then moving to AKV for the last 3 nights (value or savanna view studio). I have never done a split stay. Is this something we would live to regret?

dolphingirl47

You will get many opinions on this subject - some people don't want to be bothered with switching, others find it 'no big deal' and like to experience 2 (or more) resorts in one trip. We are in the second group.

For us, if we are there for more than a week it's not a big deal. We did a split stay in 2007 for a 9 night trip. For our upcoming trip we have 5 nights booked at AKV and 3 nights booked at BLT. We also have 3 children so it's more to consider with a split stay (more luggage, more stuff to transfer) but we still find it worth it for us.

It sounds as if it's just you and your DH going on the trip - I say go for it! You won't know if it's for you until you try. If you rent a car (or have your own) it's even easier - just throw your things in the trunk and drive to the new resort. If not, Bell Services will transfer your luggage - just let the Front Desk know ahead of time. We used Bell Services last time and will again this summer.

Only you can answer if it's right for you and your DH. Good luck deciding and enjoy your trip!

 

[DiznyDi]

We have done split stays multiple times. Sometimes even at the same resort to change room size/view. It does take time, but we don't mind. We don't have a car available and depend on Disney to handle all transfers.

The day you make the move, get up early and plan your entire morning to make the switch. Depending on the resort and how busy they are, you may be able to have bell services pick up your luggage without you being in the room. If they are busy, you may have to stay until pick-up, so call them first. We have waited 2+ hours for pick-up, we have also just called and left them in the room and went on our way.

If you travel 'lite', you can also take your luggage with you and hire a taxi to your next destination. Sometimes well worth the price to save time and start the next adventure.

If it were me, I'd do the split 5/4 as opposed to 6/3.

Have fun planning your trip!
Di

 

[Pennykay]

We usually stay 10 days are so and we almost always do a split stay. We enjoy it and it is almost like two vacations in one. We usually don't go to the park the day we do the switch just because we like to relax that day. I say go for it!

 

[gk90]

it is almost like two vacations in one.

I say go for it!

I totally agree! So many great resorts, so little time--the split stay can be fun that way. Enjoy your trip!

 

[bookwormde]

I do lots of splits, but I generally try to have a car for them, that allows me to get up at 7AM and check into the new resort (without having to worry about Disney transportation from resort to resort). The room may not be ready but I have my “keys” and can call to get the room #. Then I go back and get the luggage. We travel “light” during the summer so I just take it to the car. We then go to the parks and do our move during our standard mid day break. Most of the times the room is available by the time we get back to the old resort and drive to the new resort, if not we just lounge around the pool.

I know I am the exception but I always do at least 2 moves during a vacation, I get bored if I am at 1 resort for more than 5 days. It is like having multiple vacations and when at AKV, BCV,BWV, VWL or now BLT lets us have more flexibility with coming and going to the nearby parks to these resorts.

bookwormde

 

[JackandSally79]

We have done split stays and haven't had a problem. I like staying at 2 resorts on some trips.

 

[jns]

we do this all the time too
as some one said its like starting your holiday all over again

we have a car but use bell service
saves having to pack the car

 

[dolphingirl47]

Well, the decision is made. We decided to go ahead with the split stay. The original plan was 6 nights at BLT followed by 3 nights AKV. Well, the first two days were not available at BLT in the unit type we wanted, so we are spending the first three nights in a standard view studio at Kidani Village. Tomorrow the 7 month window for the second part of the split stay will open and I will try again to get BLT, but we have a back up reservation at OKW and we are more than happy to stay there if I can't get BLT for October 13th to October 19th either. Thanks for all your input and advice. This is going to be one big adventure. We will stay 3 nights offsite, do a 7 night cruise on the Disney Magic, 3 nights at AKV and 6 nights either at BLT or OKW.

dolphingirl47

 

[LVSWL]

Good luck! Hope you get what you want when you call. Either way, I know that you will have a wonderful time!

 

[Tiger926]

We are split stay experts, as you can see from my signature! Our biggest was last May - 5 resorts in 2 weeks! We did this with a 10 month old and soon to be 5 year old and we had no problems. We have done this many times, so we have certain tricks that we utilize: have a bag ready with swimsuits for day of check-in, keep up on laundry and the best piece of advice - let the luggage fairies sweep your luggage off to your next resort!

Have a great split stay - our next one is Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom Lodge in July.

Happy split staying, Tiger

 

[noahsmom]

What about groceries? We are going to split our stay this coming July. We will order groceries, mostly breakfast items. Do I need to do 2 orders (one for each resort)? I'm at a loss on how bell services would move milk and eggs.

 

[appleorchard]

We almost always do split stays, even for short 4-5 day trips, either to avoid weekends or because we run out of points! It's a breeze if you're changing between two WDW properties, since your luggage is picked up and painlessly transferred. Check in at the new place doesn't take very long.

If we go between SOG and a Disney property, it's more complicated, although our luggage WAS transferred for us from BWV to SOG--but not the other way. We usually have a car for those trips.

 

[kendzee94]

We will stay 3 nights offsite, do a 7 night cruise on the Disney Magic, 3 nights at AKV and 6 nights either at BLT or OKW.

dolphingirl47

As I am telling you this, I have a split stay 8 nights THV and 2 AKV sav view planned for the end of Aug. so I probably sound like I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth if you know what I mean... Okay so two years ago we did the land and sea plus 3 nights after it. 3 nights at POLY/4 nights Wonder, then 3 nights OKW. It seemed like it went so fast splitting it up like that (and it was 10 nights). If your vacation were just the 9 nights, I would definitely say go for it, but I think you'll be sick of moving and won't want the last move in there-- I know we couldn't have handled another move. Good luck with whatever you decide, you'll have a great trip no matter which way you choose to go.

 

[NSL]

We are doing a split stay In June with extended family. We decided to because they have never been and we were using Dev. points to stay at Saratgoa but wanted them to experience AKV as well. I am going to have the resort transfer the luggage but should I go over to AKV and check in that morning, even though the room will not be available or should I not worry about it until that night when we want to go back? What is the benefit of checking in early? I also thought maybe we should just take a taxi over and transfer our luggage ourselves -- any ideas how much a taxi would cost for that?

 

[bigsmooth]

What about groceries? We are going to split our stay this coming July. We will order groceries, mostly breakfast items. Do I need to do 2 orders (one for each resort)? I'm at a loss on how bell services would move milk and eggs.

We had Bell services move groceries once. You can tell them which bags require cold storage and they will take care of it. That was back in 2006, so if anything has changed then someone can provide an update. It was a hassle since we had a bunch of the small plastic bags from the grocery store. For our next trip we are considering a split stay, and we are planning on bringing the canvas/cloth reusable grocery bags that you can buy, since they store a lot more and will be easier to pack and move. That way we can just hand over a few bags to bell services, tell them which ones are cold storage and call it good.