splitting between two resorts?

[caribbeanme]

Hey all!!

We've narrowed down our choices for late May, early June 2004, but we're having a hard time deciding (GF,Poly, YC/BC,WL). (3 adults, late teens, late 20s, 50s).

Should we split between a couple of resorts? Has anyone done it? Is there a certain minimum amount of days we should be at WDW to make the split worth it? Will the checkout/checking back in process take up a big chunk of our time? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Grumpy37]

Originally posted by caribbeanme
...Should we split between a couple of resorts? Has anyone done it? Is there a certain minimum amount of days we should be at WDW to make the split worth it? Will the checkout/checking back in process take up a big chunk of our time? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

We are doing exactly that, despite my better judgement.

I'm guessing the real hassles will be that:

• You check out of the first resort by 11 am, but may not get your actual room at the second resort until 3 pm.
• You have to pack/unpack a second time.
• You have to leave your luggage with bell services.
• You have to have two separate reservations/deposits.
• You have to close out the first folio on the first checkout and open a new one.
• You have to figure out the best way to get your luggage moved.

Bell services is supposed to be able to transfer your luggage between Disney resorts, but we have not actually tried this *yet*. We may go ahead and do this (since I won't have to worry about my golf clubs which are handled separately by the Disney Golf pro shops) or I may just pay $14 for a cab and move the stuff myself and get the rooms reconfigured while the rest of the family lives la vita loca at the theme parks.

Then again, that weekly minivan rental is looking better and better all the time...

 

[sandbar]

Just back from our split stay last week and loved it! It felt like we had 2 vacations in 1. Since we don't get to WDW often enough, it was great to stay at 2 different hotels. We checked out of the Swan about 10 a.m. but with express check-out there was nothing to do. We didn't need to stop at the front desk. We went to the bell desk and told them we needed a taxi to the WL but there were already several taxis out front waiting. Since the Swan does not transfer luggage to other Disney hotels we took it with us. The ride took maybe 10 min. On arrival at the lodge they tagged our luggage and kept it since it was too early and our room was not ready. Check-in only took a few minutes and we were off to the parks. We let the front desk know when we got back and our luggage was brought up to our room in 10 minutes. We had a great experience splitting our stay and I hope you do too!

By the way, we've stayed at the YC and WL and loved them both! YC has the best pool in Disney. Stormalong Bay is huge with beautiful scenery. The pool looks like it's many different pools but it all blends into one and has a sand covered bottom that gives you the feel of the beach. Our kids were teenagers when we were there and they LOVED it. The theming at WL can't be beat. The lobby is awesome and if you like the "lodge" theme you'll absolutely love the WL!

 

[xmatt0926x]

My family has done this a couple times and we really like it. It's obviously more suited for people who place a high value on the actual hotel resort as part of their vacation. If not and you only see the hotel as somewhere to sleep, you wont get anything out of it. After doing this a couple times , I definately have come to the conclusion that its well worth it if your going to stay at least 3 nights at each hotel, especially for the first part of the split. The reason for this is that when you get there on your first day of your vacation, you have to unpack, unwind, etc. By the time you do all that and get the first day stuff behind you, your likely going to be very tired and you wont get too much out of the hotel that first night. So, if your only staying for 2 nights, you really dont get too much time to enjoy the hotel itself before you have to pack up again and get ready to move to the next hotel. This is exactly what happened to us the first time. By the time we finally were able to relax and take in the resort after the initial settling down and hitting the parks, the next morning it was time to do it all over again at the next hotel. I remember being so relaxed that second day and really loving the resort, then feeling like I got punched in the stomach when I realized that it was already my last night there. Just my opinion.

 

[missypie]

Looks like everyone in your group is old enough to do his or her own unpacking and packing. If everyone just has to pack himself or herself, it shouldn't take too much time. The members of my dear family are either too young or too lazy to pack themselves, so with me doing it all it's a major undertaking. (I also unpack where ever I go - I think it's ridiculous to pay a bunch of money for a nice hotel, then have suitcases strewn about.)

I read one post where someone was actually organized enough to pack a separate suitcase for each location. I can only aspire to be that organized. (Also that would probably only work where you knew what the weather would be every day [e.g. hot], so you wouldn't have to worry about having the long pants in one suitcase and the shorts in another.)

 

[caribbeanme]

I hear ya Matt and Missypie! We've decided to stay a bit longer (8 days) in order to make our trip (and a resort split) more feasible. And even though the little one (18 yrs old ) can be a bit lazy, she'll probably cooperate... I'll probably make her pack lite just in case...


Sandbar- I posted this question in another forum, and they came back with the same concerns, and an overwhelming response for the WL and the YC/BC combo, so we'll probably do that split. It seems like a nice idea to go for a fully themed hotel and something a bit more traditional..

Thanks!

 

[missypie]

As much as I hate packing and unpacking, here is my dream combo (esp. if I can swing a 10 day trip): Start out at the CR (MK view) - we really like bright ultra/retro modern furnishings, so we should be in the minority that actually likes the decor. Get the MK out of our systems/commando the parks. Then move to YC when we're ready to kick back a little more and enjoy the pool, etc.

In my fantasy world (a world where I don't pay half of my income to the IRS), that would be June '04 with APs. Then, to continue the fantasy, I'd like to make a shorter trip Thanksgiving week '04, AKL, deluxe Savanah view.

One can dream, can't one?

 

[CalGal]

In my fantasy world, I could go to WDW every few months and experience all the delux resorts within a year or two without feeling the need to split resorts. But since I haven't won the lotto, I settle for the split resort experience. I prefer the Epcot resorts for overall location and style (BWI is my fave), but it's so nice to be close to MK. Splitting can actually save time by cutting down on transportation time, i.e. doing MK more often while at a MK part, and then doing the other parks more while staying at an Epcot resort.

I found moving from resort to resort pretty easy. During my last visit, I decided to rent a car for our 8 day trip. I loaded up the car in the morning, drove over to AK for EMM, and then hopped over to AKL after lunch to check in. Smooth & easy. Previously, I split a stay between 3 resorts. I don't remember much about the transfer because it went so smoothly. Disney handled everything. The only hassle for me is allowing the extra 10 minutes in the morning getting my bags in the car or to bell services when I am anxious to get out and have some fun before the parks get very crowded.

 

[sandbar]

I think you'll love the YC and WL split. We like to take the boats to the parks so make sure while you're staying at the YC to use the boats that go to Epcot and MGM. When you're at the WL you can take a boat to MK. AK is a bus ride either way. We think the boats are so relaxing and just alot more fun! I'd love to hear about your trip when you get back! Have a great time!

 

[twinmomplus2]

we do this each and every trip. And I travel with 4 children 2 of them toddlers! It is very easy. Honest. We do this as I use my DVC points Sunday through Friday, and move to a resort on the weekend nights. The original plan was to do DVC during the week and explore the other properties on the weekends. But, I can not seem to stay out of Animal Kingdom Lodge So for the 4th trip in a row we switch to AKL. I agree its like 2 trips in one!