Split Stays--Why do people do them?

[Nancyg56]

None for me! Once I'm unpacked there is no way I'd pack everything back up to switch again. Curious to hear what others have to say.

I'm like you, once I'm in...I'm in. I do understand that there are times you can save money, and in the event we ever go when my DD and her DH join us, but we plan a vacation with our DGD before or after her parents arrive, we would consider it. They want an adult Disney vacation, but never would plan it unless we all had a backup plan with their DD. (personally I think the issue is them, Kady told me she cannt get rid of them...LOL!) so we would have a little time wit them in WDW and we would leave with Kady to take a Disney Cruise, and leave them behind to tak the tours etc.

 

[Judique]

with DVC it is usually lack of availability (I have a split stay coming up because no single resort was available for the entire 4 nights) or the desire to either save points on some of the trip or be closer to a different area of WDW on part of the trip. Like, trying out the Polynesian and then moving to Boardwalk to be closer to Epcot.

I don't unpack because then there is less chance that I will leave something behind. It all goes back in the suitcase.

Just exactly what we are doing in two weeks!

 

[Judique]

In order to avoid issues with charging I always go to the front desk of resort 1 and check out and even though I do on line check in I always go to the desk to check in to have them check my MB. Since I check out and in around 7 am, there is rarely anyone else waiting and it doesn't take that much time and cuts down on any issues.

Loves to dive - you've got it! I almost always have some kind of split stay whether intentionally or because of late booking or changing. I've found that if you clear your account at one resort, you are less likely to have issues. Also, if you have a dining plan that is bridging a split stay, have it checked when you check into your next resort - don't wait till dinner time.

 

[RhodyChief]

We've done a split stay twice and have had no issues when changing resorts. We like the variety and it lets us try out a couple of days at a deluxe which we couldn't normally afford doing for a 6-7 night stay.

Funny enough we'll be doing a double split-stay in January! (one night at Hyatt Universal, two nights at Poly, four nights at AKV with rented points). We would have done six nights at AKV but only 4 nights were available together, so we decided to splurge on the Polynesian which has always been a dream of ours to stay in (the 2 nights at Poly are more expensive than the 4 nights at AKV!) Plus we decided to fly down a day earlier than originally planned and are flight arrives at 9 A.M., and since we were already planning on going to Universal we'll stay at the Hyatt across the road for free (gotta love the Hyatt CC!), have shuttle access/no parking costs and get to spend the first night at CityWalk before moving over to Disney.

I doubt a lot of people would want to move twice during one vacation and it's definitely easier doing when it's only my wife and I. We also never truly unpack and as someone who moved around quite a bit when I was younger, "living out of a suitcase" has never been a problem for me.

Another big factor? The cost of Universal tickets for both of us for two day passes was slightly more than one extra night at the Poly, and when you add in the free hotel, parking and breakfast in the morning, it was a no-brainer.

 

[happymommy]

We've only done it when we had no choice, as in we rented a BWV from an owner, but it was Sunday to Sunday rental (only paid $700 for the one bedroom for the week, so didn't mind that we only used 6 of the nights, as we were going Saturday to Saturday and couldn't change that). We got in late Saturday, so stayed one night at the Swan, then walked over in the morning.

Other than that, we did end up at the airport for an extra 3 nights when there was a snowstorm in the east coast, and our flight was cancelled! That was a hassle but fun as well.

I wouldn't book two different resorts intentionally; I like to unpack and settle in. It is a hassle to me to move. I always have snacks and things, so don't want to pack it all up! If the resort I want isn't available the whole time, I'd book a different one.

I do totally understand if it involves something like free dining, and you arrive prior to the deal starting. I guess I'd consider that, but I'd still try to stick with the same hotel.

 

[quinnc19]

I will spend 11 nights at WDW this year in all but 2 of the DVC resorts (BLT, GFV, Poly, BCV, BWV, AKV, and SSR). I love being close to the parks I am going to that day and taking advantage of each resorts unique amenities (e.g., restaurants). Split stays are less relaxing, but I can relax at home. On vacation it's all about adventure! Packing light and having a car make it doable.

 

[winterman]

Several years ago DH and I did a split stay. We were going for 10 nights and got free dining at ASMu. But, we didn't really want the dining plan for the whole trip so when a room only discount came out we switched the last 5 nights to POFQ. This was back in 2009 when the value resorts still came with the regular DDP and you could still find a RO discount at FQ. I'll probably never do another split stay even though it worked out well for us. Having a car rental made it very easy..

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

We did it once, in 2013 for our anniversary. We stayed 4 nights at POFQ, then rented DVC points to stay 3 nights at Bay Lake Tower. We didn't want to pay the price to stay DVC the whole trip.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Seems too complicated for whatever the benefit might be.

 

[Imagineer5]

We seem to do split stays for every vacation now. With calling bell services to come take the luggage, and they will transfer it to the new resort AND keep fridge items cool all day, it is pretty easy. On our next trip we are splitting between the Poly, BLT, and BCV. Mainly 1) to check out the Poly, then 2) have convenience of walking to MK then 3) have the pools at the BC along with walking access to EPCOT/DHS.

I can never pin down the single resort to stay at so this works for us! Now, if the Beach Club were on the monorail, plus walking distance to MK, AND had a Trader Sam's it would be no contest!

 

[GreatLakes]

There is only one scenario where I can see myself doing a split stay and that would be for a race weekend. I could see staying at an Epcot area resort for one of the races that start at Epcot or DHS and run through the boardwalk area just the night before the race to be close to the start and have any spectators in my party close to the course to cheer me on as I pass. That being said I have done numerous RunDisney events and never done a split stay.

I really have no desire to change resorts at Disney any more then I would want to change hotels in the same city anywhere else on a trip. I know some people like to stay at different resorts on a single trip and more power to them but I just don't see the benefit when you can still eat at any resort or visit them regardless of whether you have a room there or not.

 

[wdwrich]

There is only one scenario where I can see myself doing a split stay and that would be for a race weekend. I could see staying at an Epcot area resort for one of the races that start at Epcot or DHS and run through the boardwalk area just the night before the race to be close to the start and have any spectators in my party close to the course to cheer me on as I pass. That being said I have done numerous RunDisney events and never done a split stay.

I really have no desire to change resorts at Disney any more then I would want to change hotels in the same city anywhere else on a trip. I know some people like to stay at different resorts on a single trip and more power to them but I just don't see the benefit when you can still eat at any resort or visit them regardless of whether you have a room there or not.

As mentioned earlier, folks have different opinions on the split stay issue, and that's fine. We happen to like them. And even though you can visit and dine at other resorts (which we have done extensively), we find that you don't really get a feel for a Disney resort until you actually stay there.

 

[sharadoc]

We did it once to try theme park view at the Contemporary but didn't want to stay the whole time, only 3 days. It was a 10 day trip so we packed a small bag for the 3 days and left the rest in the car. If we didn't drive, we wouldn't have done it.

 

[MrJT]

When we went in 2008, our first night was at ASM, last night was at Pop Century, and the rest was at Shades Of Green.
We only did it for the Magical Express. Don't think that I would do it again. It was too much work.

 

[momimouse27]

I think if we had more than a week(9,10,11 days) and we had plenty of money to pick where we wanted to stay, I might do it again. Staying in a resort for 5 or 6 nights and then moving would be much easier than 2 or 3 nights.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

we are doing our first (and probably only) real split stay in January. It is for our 25th wedding anniversary and DD's 16th birthday (both are on Dec 1st but we can't travel in December). Dh and DD both think we're staying at AS Music the whole time.....I wanted to upgrade us to either AKL (our dream resort) or POFQ (where we stayed for our 20th anniversary / her 11th birthday trip). So I ended up booking AKL for 4 nights then POFQ for 3 nights. We'll get the best of both worlds and I'll save some $$ over staying the whole time at AKL. We have a car so moving the luggage etc won't be a problem and it will be an adventure. Normally I'm all about staying in one place but I'm looking forward to the surprise and the 2 resorts!

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

My family did 1 night at All Star Sports and then 4 at Bay Lake Tower. For the first night, the discounted rate we had wasn't available for BLT, and it was far too much at full price to justify a night there when it was late evening at arrival anyway.

 

[gap2368]

Is it solely because they crave the variety of experiencing different resorts? Or is there something else I'm missing? Because it seems like you could go through a lot of hassles to accomplish a split stay. I have read about people not being able to make FP or ADR for their whole trip at the same time. I have read about Magic Band difficulties. Not to mention that you have to pack up all your stuff and move in the middle of your trip. So what is the appeal?

I have done a split stay one time won a free trip and was staying at a hotel that was way out of my price range so I came a day early and stayed in a cheeper hotel,

 

[BridgetR3]

So you have plenty of answers to your question but I will offer our answer anyway!! We do split stays because we love too many resorts. There are so many that are our "Favorites" so when we stay at two in the same trip, we get to different themes, two different pools, two different atmospheres and at least two of us are happy. lol......

 

[china mom]

We have an upcoming split stay. We booked 6 nights at Pop starting on a Sat. When we realized that we would not be able to get there flying standby on Sat, we tried to book Fri night. Alas, it is sold out at Pop so we have one night at Coronado Springs.