Split Stay

[Shellyred8]

We are fans of split stays. We usually take mid-day breaks, but on our move day we will sometimes get going a little later so we don't feel the need to do a mid-day break. As others have mentioned, we usually do AK on our move day since we have to take a bus there regardless of where we are staying. We also like the MK/Boardwalk resort area split. We have started doing the Boardwalk area first and end with MK. The reason being that on our last day, our flight usually leaves in the early afternoon and if we are at an MK resort, we can usually get in a quick hour or two in the morning at MK before we have to head to the airport.

Our general rule of thumb is a minimum of 3 nights at a resort. We did a 2-night/4-night split once and the 2-night just seemed too short. I won't rule out shorter splits completely, but if the options are available, I will always choose to do the 3-night minimum at a resort.

When you drop your luggage off with bell services, they tell you the luggage won't be at the new resort until sometime between 3-5pm. We usually plan for the 5pm arrival time and if it's there earlier, well that's just a bonus.

The new room being ready time is really the wild card in this plan. We've had the new room be ready at 1pm and we've had it not be ready until 5pm. If we are ready for the new room mid-afternoon and we haven't received the room-ready text, we will sometimes stop by the front desk to see if there is anything available. Sometimes our room is ready and we just didn't receive the text (this has happened on arrival day too, so it's not unique to split-stay move days).

 

[Blondie58]

Just did a split stay between GF and Riveria. No issues what-so-ever. They even moved our refrigerated food items. We did four nights in each resort. However, we often split stay three nights concierge at GF or CR and then go to our DVC at the GF Villas for a week. Never an issue of any type. We actually enjyed being on the monorail the first four days and doing EPCOT and MK. Last four days we did AK and HS. We used the gondolas a lot and enjoyed no lines or waits.

 

[VicarJT]

It really depends on what kind of trip you want. At our age, we can no longer do rope-drop to close in the parks, so we have really gotten into adventuring through split-stays. On our May trip this year, there were great discounts offered at that point, so we took advantage of that enabling us to stay at Deluxe Villas. We couldn’t narrow it down to 2, so we chose four and we had a blast. Went from Bay Lake Tower to Beach Club to Riviera to Copper Creek.

On moving days, we left our bags with bell services and headed out later in the morning. I made late lunch reservations for each of those days. By the time lunch was over, our new room was usually ready. The only day we had a long wait for our room was at Copper Creek, but hanging out with a book in that lobby is not a hardship.

Our next trip will also be a split stay, but we will be back in our normal price range and heading back to our beloved POFQ and GDT.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done LOTS of split stays. And actually, one was very similar to the one you're talking about-it was split between Poly and BCV, 4 days at each. I thought those 2 resorts "paired" well-I did MK from the Poly, and Epcot and AK from the BCV (no desire to do DHS). I did Poly first, only because I know I love BCV, and I always do the newer first, and the "old standby that I love" second. Otherwise, it may have been better to do the Poly second, because there's more relaxation to do right at the resort-ride the Ferryboat just for fun, go for a ride on the monorail, go over to the Contemporary to eat, etc.

 

[Disney Mickey&Minnie Fan]

We are looking at the potential of a split stay between BC and Poly for an upcoming trip. It sounds so good in theory, but I wanted to get some insight from those who have done one and know what issues there are potentially that I may be over-looking and whether you would you di it again. The trip is likely going to be a 4/5 night trip, and I was wondering for that type of time period, is it going to be more of a headache. We typically like to take mid-day breaks and stay at the parks very late, so I am just wondering if the 11:00 checkout v 3:00 check-in (or possibly later) has worked and also how it has been to get luggage/bags switched internally by Disney. It just sounds so good, but I am wondering about the switch day and potentially getting in a situation where we are without a room for a significant amount of time.

Thank you so much for any thoughts and opinions!

A split stay gives you more opportunity to explore the various amenities of the Walt Disney World resorts.
We just completed a split stay is May and had a wonderful vacation. Originally we had planned a cruise along with a visit to WDW, but our cruise was cancelled. We used our DVC points and added days to our WDW stay. We stayed for 4 nights at Old Key West, 3 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and 5 nights at the Riviera. Moving days were reserved for resort exploration with visits to the pools, reservations for dining at the unique table service restaurants, and doing laundry. Bell service moved our luggage and we used WDW transportation to moved between the resorts.
The split stay added to the adventure of our vacation!

 

[mpenman]

I have done split stays a Disney and really do not like it, but I think it depends how you pack. Despite traveling frequently I always overpack and so this is chore. I also like to move my own luggage which makes it harder. I also always have a lot of food with me due to the fact I like to eat really healthy and we have food allergies so you cannot just leave it with the next hotel. If you pack light and efficiently and you move fast, then this could work. Otherwise, you loose 3/4 of a day on packing/moving. I always have a car and I would rather drive. We are also a really active family and walking at Disney feels relaxing compared to many of the hiking trips we have been on so that is my bias. My suggestion is find a fabulous hotel, get settled and enjoy your vacation!

 

[jacobjennasmom]

We are doing our first split stay in a couple weeks. We are doing 3 nights at BLT and 4 at BC. We are driving so will just take all our stuff in our car. Our change resort day we have a cabana rented at BC during the day and Boo Bash at night so I’m hoping for a relaxed day and a fun night. Im excited to try a split stay.