Staying at 3 different resorts....are we crazy?

[robinb]

We're doing the split-stay thing also. We start with 3 nights at WL, 3 nights at Poly, 4 nights on the Wonder, and wrap things up with 2 nights at AKL. We weren't able to narrow our choices down beyond those three resorts, and figured that since this is our first Disney trip, we'll sample each of the places that caught our eye. Our kids (DD5 & DD7) are looking forward to the hotel changes.

Your first trip?!?!!?!

Ahem ... sorry for shouting.

I know that all the resorts look cool (I have stayed at all on your list) and it's hard to make a choice, but take it from someone who has been to WDW almost 20 times: For the sake of your family, please, please, please reconsider cutting back to only 1 resort for your first week. WDW is a huge place and you will lose precious time changing resorts part way through. There is an amazing number of things to do and places to see. Why spend time packing on Day 3 for the change from the Polynesian to the WL? Why risk being "homeless" with two young children who will need a rest in the afternoon? Why wait 15-30 minutes for bell services on each end so you can move your bags from the Poly to the WL. Why spend time unpacking?

Think of it this way ... if you end up loving WDW (like the rest of us crazy people) then you can plan on staying at the Polynesian or the WL on your next trip. It'll give you something to look forward to .

And one more thing (before you think I'm a total meanie) ...

Welcome to the DIS!!!
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[Mommy Poppins]

If you do a split stay, I would purchase your park tickets for your entire stay as part of the package at your first resort along with dining. At your next resort, your package will include a one day base pass (for each person in your party) along with the dining package. The one day passes never expire so you will have them to use at another time.

We are doing 2 resorts at Disney next year along with 2 nites at the Hard Rock at Universal Studios.

 

[WILDERNESSWOMAN]

For us, it's nice after spending the day at the parks to know you are going back to a familiar "home base". The parks can get really crazy and for kids there is so much stimulation - going back to the same resort each night helps to get them into a "calm down" mode and gives some kind of routine to a kind of hectic vacation. Sometimes my kids have made friends at the resort and look forward to seeing them at the pool each night. As an adult, I would never find a two or three night stay enough to say I've experienced a resort. Remember you are not there for too many hours of the day - to really get the ambience you need more days to soak it up! I would also be concerned with the time I would have to spend checking in and out, and if my room wasn't ready until late, what would I do with tired kids? The reality will be that you will always feel rushed and concentrating on the next resort instead of enjoying your time in the parks. If this is your first trip, you have no idea what you are in for - it's fun, but also requires incredible stamina and patience. Imagine being tired and worn out, then changing resorts every couple of nights! To me, this would be a nightmare. If you want to relax at all, stay at one resort.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Here's another vote for staying put. We have done the split stay and no more. Here's how it goes:

You check in on Sunday and don't get into your room until 4:00, unpack (or live out of a suitcase).

Monday you park until you drop, head back tot he hotel for pool or naps in the afternoon cuz the parks are crowded and hot and the kids need a break.

Tuesday repeat.

Tuesday night pack except for the stuff you need in the morning.

Wed call bell services (or bring your bags to the front and tell them where you are going) if you have a car, can drive yourself to new resort or you have to go to a park and transfer.

You want to check in on the early side because the last to arrive gets the not so great rooms. Get new keys and if you have passes tied to those keys, then you have 2 keys with park passes for the same day. (can not get passes for one day but extra hassle)

Wed may not get into your room until 4:00. So you are homeless from checkout to checkin. Which means no home base and no nap place.

then repeat..

LIke I said, we have done this and will not do it again. We lose too much vacation time packing and unpacking and never feeling settled. I like a home base and settling in.

If you like moving around, and don't mind the lost vacation/park time, then experience it all! But you can also experience reosrts by having a meal or wandering the grounds and not actually moving.

Good luck with your decision!