Split Stays

[cusack1020]

Well my contract is at Disney right now for ROFR. It should close by the middle/end of Feb and I figure Disney won't have my info until around the 1st of March. As soon as they have my info I am going to call to make my reservation for the end of August.

Since I only bought enough points to go every other year it is going to take me an excruitiatingly long time to try every resort if I spend a 1 week trip at one resort.And I am so impatient to see them all!

I was thinking of doing 3 nights at one and 4 at another and I wanted to get others experiences on this. I know that they will move your luggage from one resort to the other (and that sometimes this can take all day,lol). If you've done a split stay do you find it a pain to have to pack up mid week? Does if make your vacation feel shorter somehow?

 

[Sandisw]

So far, two of my three DVC trips have been split stays. Our first trip was a 3 way split--2 nights BWV, 2 nights BLT, and 3 nights VWL.

That time, it was too much. Last summer, we did 3 nights at BCV and then 3 nights at BLT.

I loved it but my DH didn't like it as much. But, it really was exciting and felt like we were starting a brand new trip.

The only mistake I made is rushing out of our room on the switch day. We were lucky that the BLT room was ready by 12:45 pm, but had we had to wait until 4:00 or longer, it would have been tough. We checked out of BCV around 9:30 am.

Next summer, we may be splitting again, between BWV and BLT (if I can somehow get some major pixieust: and get a BW view 2 bedroom for a few nights). If it happens, we will stay at the resort and check out at 11:00 am, head to DTD for lunch and shopping, and then head to BLT. This way, by the time we get there, it will be late afternoon and much closer to the time the room should be ready.

I think it is a great way to find out the pros of all the resorts in a short time!

 

[keishashadow]

Well my contract is at Disney right now for ROFR. It should close by the middle/end of Feb and I figure Disney won't have my info until around the 1st of March. As soon as they have my info I am going to call to make my reservation for the end of August.

Since I only bought enough points to go every other year it is going to take me an excruitiatingly long time to try every resort if I spend a 1 week trip at one resort.And I am so impatient to see them all!

I was thinking of doing 3 nights at one and 4 at another and I wanted to get others experiences on this. I know that they will move your luggage from one resort to the other (and that sometimes this can take all day,lol). If you've done a split stay do you find it a pain to have to pack up mid week? Does if make your vacation feel shorter somehow?

you could consider transferring points into your contract from another owner or renting a reservation to be able to visit more often. Unfortunately, it's often difficult to book a reservation at many resorts during popular times of the year once the 7 month windows opens...hope you bought where you are happy to stay.

good luck on ROFR

 

[Disneypapa]

I just don't get it. Why would anyone want the hassle of packing and moving in the middle of their vacation? Seems like you would lose half a day or more away from the theme parks.

I have on arrival in Orlando spent the night off site to keep from using points for a Fri/Sat night but that isn't much fun either.

 

[helenk]

I just don't get it. Why would anyone want the hassle of packing and moving in the middle of their vacation? Seems like you would lose half a day or more away from the theme parks.

I have on arrival in Orlando spent the night off site to keep from using points for a Fri/Sat night but that isn't much fun either.

I don't mind split stays, it really is easy to manage. I like to try the different resorts and if necessary use a split stay to stay longer but use less points. In the past if I stay at a non DVC resort on a weekend night I did not unpack. When it was time to move, I took my luggage to bell services and let them know that I was going to another resort. Then I just head off to a park. Later in the day when I am ready for a break I head over to the new resort and check in, when I get to the room I call bell services for my lugagge. This has worked out fine for me and I do not lose any park time. I have moved after staying in a resort for a few days as well. I do unpack when I get to the first room, but just the items I need for those first few days. Then just like a one night stay I pack up and take my luggage to bell services. Disney transfers the luggage for you and it will be at the new resort after 1:00.

 

[sadiespicks]

Well my contract is at Disney right now for ROFR. It should close by the middle/end of Feb and I figure Disney won't have my info until around the 1st of March. As soon as they have my info I am going to call to make my reservation for the end of August.

Since I only bought enough points to go every other year it is going to take me an excruitiatingly long time to try every resort if I spend a 1 week trip at one resort.And I am so impatient to see them all!

I was thinking of doing 3 nights at one and 4 at another and I wanted to get others experiences on this. I know that they will move your luggage from one resort to the other (and that sometimes this can take all day,lol). If you've done a split stay do you find it a pain to have to pack up mid week? Does if make your vacation feel shorter somehow?

We have done a split stay a number of times and I prefer it. Two vacations, one airline ticket. Last year was the best of all, and we plan on a near repeat this year.

4 days at BLT, giving us the easy access to MK and the monorail, as well as a perfect view of the fireworks.

3 days at BCV...the pool, epcot, and boardwalk.

This year we are just flopping the number of days as we felt a little more time at SAB would be nice (waitlist dependant of course).

 

[a742246]

I like split stays. I would reccommend you stay at least 3 nights in each.
To me 1 or 2 days split is a pain.

 

[Sandisw]

I just don't get it. Why would anyone want the hassle of packing and moving in the middle of their vacation? Seems like you would lose half a day or more away from the theme parks.

I have on arrival in Orlando spent the night off site to keep from using points for a Fri/Sat night but that isn't much fun either.

It really makes it feel like two different vacations. We are not ones that bring so much that packing/unpacking is any big deal.

Plus, when we just do two nights, we don't completely unpack--only what we will need for those days.

And, now that we will be pretty much only doing 1 or 2 bedrooms, with the washer and dryer, the amount of things will be minimal.

The day of the move, we still go to a park, enjoy, and so far, it has had no impact on our schedule.

This summer, if we get the BW view room we want for the first two nights, we are planning to do night EMH at whatever park has them the night before the move, sleep in, and then make the move day the DTD day with shopping and lunch.

By the time we do all that, it will be close to, if not, check in time. We do have a rental car so that does make the move much easier.

 

[FindingFigment]

The day of the move, we still go to a park, enjoy, and so far, it has had no impact on our schedule.

What do you do with your stuff on the days you go to the park? Do you go ahead and check-in early at the new location and then leave it all with bell services? If so, do they put it in your room once it becomes available?

 

[Sandisw]

What do you do with your stuff on the days you go to the park? Do you go ahead and check-in early at the new location and then leave it all with bell services? If so, do they put it in your room once it becomes available?

We usually have a rental car so for us, we just keep it in there. But, if we did not, we would give it to bell services at resort #1 and have them transfer it to resort #2--it is very easy. You can call and have them come to your room to get it before you leave, or walk it down yourself. This is what we did the once when we used their service--I had a car, but wanted to try it.

When you get to your new resort and your room is ready, you call them and they bring it up then. They won't leave it in your room without someone there (which is different than what happens with Magical Express).

The only thing to be aware of is that the luggage can take until the afternoon to arrive at the new resort. If there is anything that you will want (ie: swimsuits), keep them in a different bag.

We didn't do that the one time we tried the luggage transfer and our room at BLT was ready a lot earlier than we expected--we went and checked in at 8:30 am and it was ready!!! We got back to the room around 1:00 pm and were going to swim when I realized we had left all that in the luggage. At that point, they had not yet arrived from BWV, so we couldn't even do that.

 

[quirty30]

I just don't get it. Why would anyone want the hassle of packing and moving in the middle of their vacation? Seems like you would lose half a day or more away from the theme parks.

I have on arrival in Orlando spent the night off site to keep from using points for a Fri/Sat night but that isn't much fun either.

We did a split stay last summer and on our "moving day" we spent the afternoon having lunch at DtD and shopping. We are doing another split stay this summer and we will likely pack a tote bag with our swim stuff and spend the afternoon at the pool while we wait for our room. But you could just as easily pack in the morning, drop everything off at Bell Services, and head to your favorite theme park. Then at the end of the day, you head to your new resort and check in. It really isn't as complicated as you might think.

 

[sweetdana]

We do splits nearly any stay over about 6 nights. We like a 1 bedroom for more than 4 or 5 nights, but cannot afford the points for the whole trip.

We try to stay at BC or SSR for the studio in the 1st part of the stay, and a lower point stay for the 1 bedroom for the last 3-4 nights. (AK standard, BW standard,) or SSR or BC, if lower point options are not available. If possible I stay in a studio for the Fri and Sat night, and the 1 bed room on sun-thurs as well. You can end up saving 5 - 10 points (maybe even an extra night) by looking at which dates cost more and picking views ect by that.

I recommend no more than 1 time switch. If you stay 3-4 nights then 3-4 nights I think it works out perfect. You also get enough coffee and shampoo for your whole stay. Only switch on a park day. (Not a resort only day.)

 

[cusack1020]

Thanks for all the advice! I am not going to be able to book until around March 1st for an August trip (assuming the closing on the conract goes through) so I know I'll probably just have to take what I can get. If the contract is scheduled to close on or before Feb 23 it usually takes Disney about a week to get your information, right?

What we'll do is just drop off luggage at bell services in the morning. Go the park and then just check in at the new resort in the afternoon so I don't see it really costing us any time. It just seems like each of the resorts has so much to offer that this will be a nice way to see more of them.