"Split-Stays" Worth doing? Ever tried it? Any thoughts?

[canadian_hugh]

Our family of four is planning for a July visit, our first time. Since there are so many options for resorts, we thought why not do a few days at two different ones. Any thoughts on whether it's worth the hassle or anything we should consider? Ever tried it?
Just wondering - hugh

 

[Aggiegrl]

We did a split stay last year. Our first 3 nights were at AKL, our second 4 nights were at Poly. We really enjoyed it. While at AKL, we went to AK and DHS, and at Poly we focused on MK and EP.

We found that transferring luggage was a breeze, no big deal at all. It was just DH and I at the time and we are light travelers, so we didn't have much to worry about. I don't think we'll be doing split stays with our infant son though!

The main reason we wanted to do a split stay was because of dinner ADRs. Both DH and I like eating at AKL, but its a pain to get to from other resorts (we don't rent a car). We also like to eat at the monorail resorts, and those are a pain to get to from AKL.

 

[jackemail]

Our family of four is planning for a July visit, our first time. Since there are so many options for resorts, we thought why not do a few days at two different ones. Any thoughts on whether it's worth the hassle or anything we should consider? Ever tried it?
Just wondering - hugh

Done Poly/VWL split, AKL/Poly split, BWI/Poly split.......love doing it, no hassle at all. Well, it was no hassle with adults only, and just a minor hassle with 3 kids. Will definitely do it again!

 

[Disneymaniacs]

We only do split stays when we cannot get the reservation we want at one resort. It is fun to change things up a bit but it is also alittle bit of a hassle. I find we almost stay packed up until we have moved. Disney will move your bags for you. You just take the bags to the desk on your way to the parks and return to your new room at the end of the day. Easy peasy. Have a great trip.

 

[brentalex]

We have never done a split stay mostly because of the hassle of unpacking, then packing and unpacking again and then packing up one more time. We don't like to live out of suitcases so we do unpack everything and just don't want to have to spend the time packing it all up again, when we could be spending that time out at a park. For us, we would just rather stay put.

 

[jnfr2424]

Our family does it all the time! It was my mother's birthday wish one year to resort hop - we started at the Contemporary then we went to the Beach Club and ended at AKL.

You are so right - there are so many choices and this is the main reason why my family does split stays it feels like a new vacation everytime we check in!
enjoy!

 

[Sue M]

I've done split stays during longer then a week trips. Anything shorter IMO is not worth it, and more of a hassle.
It gets tricky if you want the DDP, as then you would need 2 packages, each with park tickets. So if you want the DDP, I'd get it on the first resort stay, with length of stay tickets, then make the second resort a room only booking. Otherwise to get the DDP on the second resort stay, you'd have to get everyone 1 day park tickets, which you don't need, as you've already gotten your length of stay tickets on the first reservation. So adds un-neccasary cost.
Hope this makes sense!! Split stays are easiest with doing room only bookings without DDP.

 

[Randy K]

I'm about to do my 3rd split stay and highly reccomend it. Disney makes the transferring bags a breeze for you. There are just too many nice resorts to stay at so split stay lets you experience more of them. I did one as 4 days - 5 days and now my 2nd as 5 days - 5 days. I wouldn't however recommend a split stay unless you are staying at each location for at least 3 days as it would get too tiring unpacking and re-packing that quickly.

 

[StuckInKS]

We will be doing a split stay, unless we can book AKL for the whole week. Otherwise, we will do the first 5 nights somewhere else onsite and the last 2 at AKL. As far as packing, each kid has a kid-sized suitcase and all clean clothes stay in there until they are worn. Once they are worn, they go into the dirty laundry bag. So, it will be a matter of zipping up the suitcases/laundry bag, grabbing our toothbrushes/floss/Scope/shampoo and heading out the door to change resorts. With this many little kids, each needing at least 1 weeks worth of clothes (and that is IF I can do laundry at the beach hotel before moving on to WDW,) there is no way I am unpacking everyone.

 

[Corwin]

We did an unintended split-stay on our first family visit, because we didn't want to go home, and WL was completely booked--so we stayed an extra night at the YC. The switch was completely painless.

On our most recent trip, we did the ultimate split-stay (and this time it was planned in advance): 3 nights at the Poly, a 4 night Disney cruise, followed by 3 nights at AKV!

It was great! We're going to do the same thing in 2011, but haven't decided which resorts we're staying at yet. (The cruise is already booked, though!)

 

[dzorn]

We've done a few split stays just to enjoy different resorts or to stretch our points or add a few days cash at a moderate. Once we have tried all the resorts and have our favorites I'm sure we will do less of them. For the most part we found them painless. We have been lucky every time and the next room was ready for us.

We do prefer to have a car for the move. If it means more days in Disney I'll keep doing them.

Denise in MI

 

[kdepot]

Our last trip was a split stay. 2 days at BWV we didn't un pack and the transfer was easy. 2nd part was OKW 5 days

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We did a split stay once and the logistics were very easy. We stayed at POFQ for 2 nights then moved to AKL for 5. We had no problems getting our luggage transfered and our room was ready @ AKL when we returned from the parks later that day.
We won't do it again because we enjoy the dining plan and it isn't cost effective for us to have to purchase 2 sets of tickets to have the dining plan for both parts of our stay.

 

[Needafix]

I've done it many times and each time I expect it to be a hassle and can't believe how effortless it is. It's so cool to wake up in one resort and go to sleep in another. It's like being on two different vacations. A couple of times I even made the switch for just one night and it was still worth it.

 

[iluvhawaii]

We almost always do split stays. Most popular combination is GF and BC. Love to do a MK resort and then an Epcot resort. It's the best of both worlds. We do MK and AK while at the MK resort, and then Epcot and DHS while at the Epcot resort. We rent a car, so we move our own luggage. Never been a hassle. My DDs love feeling like we have two vacations--different rooms, different pools, different activities. For practical purposes, our stays are usually at least 3 nights at each resort. Two nights feels too short, since with visiting the parks and all, two nights leaves too little time to enjoy the resorts. We LOVE split stays.

 

[cbg1027]

I liked doing it because it allowed me to experience a moderate for the first time. I stayed 3 nights at AS Sports and 3 nights at POFQ.

I wouldn't do it for a short trip though. At least 3 nights per resort. It wasn't a hassle moving, especially with my own car, but I don't like having to pack up mid trip.

If you're someone like me who wants to experience many different resorts, it's a great option.

 

[IDoBelieveinFairies!]

We talked about this last time we were there. Daughters love Epcot Resort and I always have wanted to give the Wilderness or Poly a shot.

When I talked to guy at the Wilderness Lodge he said they would move our luggage for us, has anyone else heard that? Said they could transfer between resorts, and that luggage would be there for when we checked in. Now this was two Decembers ago.

IF this holds true it would take majority of the hassle away. We want to do this the coming Christmas season.

 

[aubriee]

We won't do it again because we enjoy the dining plan and it isn't cost effective for us to have to purchase 2 sets of tickets to have the dining plan for both parts of our stay.

I've done split stays before and enjoy them. As a matter of fact, for my upcoming May trip, I'll be at AKL with the DxDDP for four nights and CSR with the basic DDP for four nights. As an AP holder I do not have to buy park tickets in order to buy the DDP, so it works out great.

As far as logistics, I will just pack in two packing folders for four nights each and I keep all my toiletries hung up anyway in a Vera Bradley toiletry organizer. Underclothes go into a packing cube. I'll unpack just one of the packing folders, so I'll have four nights worth of clothes out and then just drop the packing cube full of underclothes in a drawer. As I come in each night, I'll use the packing guide thingy that came with the packing folder and just repack my dirty clothes back into their packing folder, along with the underclothes I wore that day and keep it in the suitcase. When I get ready to transfer, all my dirty clothes are already packed back into their packing folder, and all I'll have to do is roll up the toiletry bag and get the packing cube of underclothes out of the drawer and put them in the suitcase. When I get to the second resort I'll hang the toiletry bag back up again and then unpack the second packing folder and start over. At the end of the week, all I'll have to do to do is roll up the toiletry bag, place it in the suitcase along with the empty packing cube that held underclothes. The dirty clothes will already be neatly packed into the two packing folders. I can be packed and out of the room in about five minutes. I love my packing folders and packing cubes. I keep dryer sheets in the suitcase, packing folders, and packing cubes anyway to keep everything smelling fresh.

 

[aubriee]

We talked about this last time we were there. Daughters love Epcot Resort and I always have wanted to give the Wilderness or Poly a shot.

When I talked to guy at the Wilderness Lodge he said they would move our luggage for us, has anyone else heard that? Said they could transfer between resorts, and that luggage would be there for when we checked in. Now this was two Decembers ago.

IF this holds true it would take majority of the hassle away. We want to do this the coming Christmas season.

The CM was correct. Disney makes switching resorts very easy. The night before you switch (or even the morning of) just call bell services for a pick up time. or for that matter you could just run your bags down there yourself. Tell them you are switching resorts and where you want the bags to go. They'll give you a ticket for them and you just go off to the parks and enjoy your day. That night when you get back to your new resort, check in, and ask bell services to bring the bags to your room. It's as easy as that, although usually I'll go ahead and run over to the new resort that morning and check in. I like to think that checking in early may give me a better chance of getting the room location I want.

Just be sure to carry everything you might need that day with you, as you will be homeless for a few hours.

 

[iheartdolewhips]

Just got back from a split stay (5 at Caribbean Beach, 2 at Polynesian) and absolutely loved it. I'm the type of person that starts getting sad around the halfway point of the trip because I start realizing that it will soon be over. The split stay gave me something new and exciting to look forward to. It really made it feel like two separate vacations. We'll definitely do it again. Here are the tips I have:

- Split stays for your first night can be a great way to save some money. Depending on your arrival time, if it's late enough you may not really have time to enjoy the hotel. You can spend your first night at a value or moderate, then move to the moderate or deluxe you're staying at the next morning.

- Think about the length of your stay and make sure it's long enough to split. The absolute shortest I would want to split it would be for four nights with 2 nights at each hotel, but I would say that 3+ nights at each hotel is preferable.

- Pack your luggage with your split stay in mind. The best way would be to separate your items based on your need for them. For example, if you're going on a 6 night trip with 3 nights at each hotel, then pack 3 days worth of clothes for everyone in one suitcase and 3 days worth of clothes for everyone in another suitcase. If you have a car or are renting one, you could even leave the second suitcase in the vehicle until you change hotels and switch bags. Pack a separate bag with the toiletries, medicines, etc. that you will need at both hotels.

- As others have mentioned, Disney will move your luggage for you. However, if you have your own car or are renting one, it's probably easier to move it yourself. If Disney moves it, it will take several hours for it to reach your new room.

- Many will suggest that you never "downgrade" in a split stay. For example, if you're planning on a moderate and a deluxe, start out at the moderate then move to the deluxe so that you don't miss the room space and ammenities you lose. I can see the logic in this and understand why this works for many people, but we found the opposite actually works better for us. As we get closer to the end of our trip, the commando park visiting sets in and we feel driven to get as many rides in as possible. If we stay at the nicer hotel second, then we don't get to enjoy it as much. By staying at the nicer hotel first, it lets us feel comfortable taking the time to enjoy the hotel ammenities as we visit the parks more leisurely.