split stays

[jodywgirl]

What are the pros and cons for split stays. Thinking about 5 nights at BLT and 3 nights at AK the week before Christmas. It will be myself DH, DD(19), DD(24),DSIL(29), DGD(4),DGS(7).

Is it a hassle to pack up half way through?
Will Bell Services transfer your luggage?

I would love any experiences you have had.

 

[kaytieedid]

We always do split stays. We started with 2 hotels and are now up to 3. We try to go for 2 weeks a year. This year we're doing AKV, WLV, and BWV. We love it because it's like a different vacation every few days. We also like being closer to different parks at different times. We have 2 young children and it can be a little daunting packing and unpacking but we're used to it now. We call bell services and they transfer our luggage from one hotel to the other.

 

[Tamar]

I prefer NOT having to pack and move mid-trip. You will probably be without your luggage for the majority of one day. You'll also want to keep all valuables (cameras, phones, laptops, purses, etc) with you that day.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

We did 5 nights at BWV and 4 nights at OKW in June. Our first time doing a split stay. I wouldn't do it for a shorter stay. Bell services does transfer your luggage for you, so that makes it easier. We also had food to transfer, though, which was sort of a hassle (worried about refrigerated/frozen stuff). Although we did plan two Costco trips, one at the beginning of each stay, so that we wouldn't have quite as much to transfer. You do have to plan for not having a place to go back to or have your stuff available from about 11:00-4:00 on moving day. It is doable, though. The main reason we moved was because we had a 2-bedroom at BWV because our oldest and her friend were with us, but then they flew home after 5 nights. Didn't need the 2-bedroom at that point and 5 don't really fit in a 1-bedroom at BWV, so we moved to 1-bedroom at OKW. We also drive to WDW, so we can put stuff in our car that we might need while we're "homeless."

 

[Sandisw]

We like split stays and do them all the time. When I pack, I actually pack so that we have everything we want/need for the first resort in one bag and then everything we need for the 2nd one in the other.

This way, we completely unpack that one bag and then as we use things, put them back into the suitcase. It makes move day very easy!!!

We usually do BWV and BLT every summer and so far, things have gone very well.

 

[gray52]

Split stays let u get a feel for more resorts in a shorter amount of time and lets you take advantage of better transportation at different resorts (walking to MK from BLT or to EPCOT from BWV or BCV). A couple of the pluses. However, the DW and I have decided that we will no longer do split stays. For us, it just seemed like we never really "settle in" to either resort... always calculating days remaining in one resort and how much food/drink do we need to get there... then there's the rush of cleaning up after yourself to a respectable condition before transferring/checking out... and then the bother of unpacking, repacking, unpacking and final packing... gifts and souvenirs to gather... doubles the chances of leaving something behind.... on and on with the doomsday possibilities.
Anyway... we're glad we did a few... a last minute addition to the end of our recent trip at BWV helped us decide to buy points there... so good things can come of it too. We're just ready to pick a resort and "settle in" for the duration... that said... check back next January and there's a chance that OKW/BWV might be showing on my sig.

 

[rentayenta]

Split stays let u get a feel for more resorts in a shorter amount of time and lets you take advantage of better transportation at different resorts (walking to MK from BLT or to EPCOT from BWV or BCV). A couple of the pluses. However, the DW and I have decided that we will no longer do split stays. For us, it just seemed like we never really "settle in" to either resort... always calculating days remaining in one resort and how much food/drink do we need to get there... then there's the rush of cleaning up after yourself to a respectable condition before transferring/checking out... and then the bother of unpacking, repacking, unpacking and final packing... gifts and souvenirs to gather... doubles the chances of leaving something behind.... on and on with the doomsday possibilities.
Anyway... we're glad we did a few... a last minute addition to the end of our recent trip at BWV helped us decide to buy points there... so good things can come of it too. We're just ready to pick a resort and "settle in" for the duration... that said... check back next January and there's a chance that OKW/BWV might be showing on my sig.

Very good points here and you hit my main concern about our next split stay between THV and AKV which is the whole food/drink thing. I guess it's no different really than figuring out what we need for the entire 11 nights. I'm almost wondering if I should get groceries delivered for our second resort stay? We'll have a ride to the store when we arrive but am thinking we're bound to run out of stuff. I don't want to overbuy in the beginning and have food spoil or go mushy like apples and bananas.

 

[bumbershoot]

We enjoy our split stays, BUT we have a rental car which makes it easier. Pack up, and either leave our bags with Bell Services at the resort we're leaving or the resort we're moving to (depending on our plans). When we're ready to be at the next resort, we get our stuff from the old resort or go join our stuff at the new, and it's all good.

I do take the time to thoroughly UNpack when we get to the new place. Doesn't take all that long (there's only 3 of us) and really makes me feel at home.



And yes, with our long stays, we DO go to the store more than once. The fresh stuff just doesn't last.

 

[smidgy]

whether we rent dvc points or stay on cash (value or moderate), we LOVE split stays.
we do ususally drive, though, and take our food luggage, with us.. and have a box that never even goes INTO the rfirst resort.

but I do agree about the "never settling in" thing. so we alternate. one trip we do split stay . the next, we like to "settle in" usually at a moderate resort.

one trip (no dvc) we did 4-3-4-3. 4 nights at Royal Pacific (Universal), 3 nights at Port Orlean french Quarter, with the dining plan. 4 nights at WIlderness Lodge, then 3 nights at pop century. crazy trip!!! (the pop part happened like this: we decided to add a night just to stay at popcentury, it was new to us. but then decided one night was silly, so made it 2 nights. then figured, if we added a third night, we could see BJThomas at epcot. so, somehow, over a month or so of planning, we talked ourselves into 3 extra nights!! (funny how that just "happens"!) and, just thought of it, that was the trip wedidn't want to go se Davy Jones, but.. we were there, and it was free, so "why not?" and out of association, and Bj and davy, he was the BEST!!!

we were SO pleasantly surprised! what a showman! great singer! great raport with the audience. funny! can't praise him enough!

 

[taaren]

If you're doing a split stay, can you put your tickets on your KTTW card? Or do you need to keep it separate since you get a new card at your 2nd resort?

 

[smidgy]

you can have the tickets transferred, but, to be safe, do NOT throw out the 1st card.

due to a bad expereince once, we just like to keep it simple. we keep the first card, with the park tickets, and carry the 2nd card, for the new room key, and charging purposes.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We had no issues with our split stays. It was nice this past trip to NOT have a split stay though. I would not want to leave BLT to go to AKV, since BLT is my favorite. I always book the less desirable (but still nice) place first followed by the place i REALLY wanted to stay. As others said, you can't really take your perishable food with you or it IS a pain although I believe bell services has a large fridge they hold stuff in for people who are waiting for their rooms to be ready. We took a taxi from one resort to the other with all our bags and my husband lugged them all to the lobby from our room although you CAN get bell services to do it.