The ultimate split-stay thread

[Fall1]

We've done split stays in the past and excited to do another in December.
We're doing 7 nights total. The last 5 at SSR, but we need somewhere for our first 2.

We've never stayed at a mod but thinking that's a good choice for this trip! Excited to see December discounts hopefully coming soon!!

 

[mevelandry]

We've done split stays in the past and excited to do another in December.
We're doing 7 nights total. The last 5 at SSR, but we need somewhere for our first 2.

We've never stayed at a mod but thinking that's a good choice for this trip! Excited to see December discounts hopefully coming soon!!

Suggestion: POR and POFQ are amazing...

 

[melificent]

Question about a split split stay.

Currently I'm planning 7 days at the Poly with my husband and 2 daughters, while my mother is staying at the FW Cabins for the same length of time. We also have 7 day tix on a MYW package.

We were considering adding two days at the front of the trip, and all staying in one cabin for that portion of the trip, and increasing the length of our tickets. Are we able to do this, or is it not possible to "leave" the cabin reservation on the 3rd day?

 

[mevelandry]

Question about a split split stay.

Currently I'm planning 7 days at the Poly with my husband and 2 daughters, while my mother is staying at the FW Cabins for the same length of time. We also have 7 day tix on a MYW package.

We were considering adding two days at the front of the trip, and all staying in one cabin for that portion of the trip, and increasing the length of our tickets. Are we able to do this, or is it not possible to "leave" the cabin reservation on the 3rd day?

If I am not mistaken, the best choice would be to book 3 separate reservations "room only" and then buy your park tickets separately for the length of your stay (9 days). The first reservation (2 days) would include all your family (mother included) at FW while the two other reservations (7 days) would be your mother at FW and you at the POLY.

You did not mention if you intended to get the DDP?

 

[Masonmj84]

Anyone made ADRs recently for a splt stay trip?

I know in the past that Disney would let you make ADRs for 10 days past the opening date of your first resort reservation, including ADRs for days at a subsequent resort. However, it seemes that recently they will only let you make ADRs for the first resort, then you have to wait until the 180 day mark for the second resort to make ADRs for that resort.

This seems like it puts split stay guests at a disadvantage relative to guests staying at the same resort for their entire stay when it comes to making ADRs. I'm concerned about this because I'm noticing that, at least right now, many popular restaurants are completely booked at the 180 day mark. Along thoes lines, I've been reading a lot of comments on the board that, if you want to get a popluar restaurant at a good time, you almost have to plan to do it very late in your stay (comments such as, "I wasn't able to get a pre-park opening at CRT until day 7 of my trip, etc.").

One solution to this problem would be to first book a single resort reservation for the purpose of making ADRs and then shorten that reservation and then add a subsequent resort reservation after you've made all of your ADRs. But then you run the risk of the second resort being booked by the time you make your ADRs (for example, one of the resorts we're looking at for our next trip is Beach Club, which seems to be booking up really fast lately). So you're potentially stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The other option of course, is just to book your desired resorts and then hope you don't have any problems getting ADRs at the 180 day mark at each resort. Of course, even if you don't get everything at each 180 day mark, you can always keep checking back, hoping for cancellations. But I personally hate having to do that. Too time consuming and stressful.

I just want to book everything at once and be done (like Disney used to let me do). It ticks me off that Disney makes this so difficult for people doing split stays (we spend more money doing split stays that if we were to stay at the same resort the whole time because we typically stay at deluxe resorts for split stays whereas we would likely pick a moderate resort if staying at the same resort for the whole trip).

 

[Lehuaann]

Question about a split split stay.

Currently I'm planning 7 days at the Poly with my husband and 2 daughters, while my mother is staying at the FW Cabins for the same length of time. We also have 7 day tix on a MYW package.

We were considering adding two days at the front of the trip, and all staying in one cabin for that portion of the trip, and increasing the length of our tickets. Are we able to do this, or is it not possible to "leave" the cabin reservation on the 3rd day?

I assume by, "leave the cabin reservation on the 3rd day," you are wanting to modify/extend mom's reservation to add/accommodate your family?

The problem with being added, even for just 2 nights, is that Disney requires all on a MYW reservation to purchase equal components - tickets and dining. And your family doesn't need an extra set of tickets.

I would recommend booking all under a new and separate 2 night room-only reservation. Your tickets will be tied to your MYW packages, but can be picked up early. Just put enough days on your tickets to cover the first 2 days.

 

[melificent]

I would recommend booking all under a new and separate 2 night room-only reservation. Your tickets will be tied to your MYW packages, but can be picked up early. Just put enough days on your tickets to cover the first 2 days.

If I am not mistaken, the best choice would be to book 3 separate reservations "room only" and then buy your park tickets separately for the length of your stay (9 days). The first reservation (2 days) would include all your family (mother included) at FW while the two other reservations (7 days) would be your mother at FW and you at the POLY.

Thanks! I was afraid this was the answer, but was hoping there was a way around it.

 

[Lehuaann]

Anyone made ADRs recently for a splt stay trip?

I know in the past that Disney would let you make ADRs for 10 days past the opening date of your first resort reservation, including ADRs for days at a subsequent resort. However, it seemes that recently they will only let you make ADRs for the first resort, then you have to wait until the 180 day mark for the second resort to make ADRs for that resort.

This seems like it puts split stay guests at a disadvantage relative to guests staying at the same resort for their entire stay when it comes to making ADRs. I'm concerned about this because I'm noticing that, at least right now, many popular restaurants are completely booked at the 180 day mark. Along thoes lines, I've been reading a lot of comments on the board that, if you want to get a popluar restaurant at a good time, you almost have to plan to do it very late in your stay (comments such as, "I wasn't able to get a pre-park opening at CRT until day 7 of my trip, etc.").

One solution to this problem would be to first book a single resort reservation for the purpose of making ADRs and then shorten that reservation and then add a subsequent resort reservation after you've made all of your ADRs. But then you run the risk of the second resort being booked by the time you make your ADRs (for example, one of the resorts we're looking at for our next trip is Beach Club, which seems to be booking up really fast lately). So you're potentially stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The other option of course, is just to book your desired resorts and then hope you don't have any problems getting ADRs at the 180 day mark at each resort. Of course, even if you don't get everything at each 180 day mark, you can always keep checking back, hoping for cancellations. But I personally hate having to do that. Too time consuming and stressful.

I just want to book everything at once and be done (like Disney used to let me do). It ticks me off that Disney makes this so difficult for people doing split stays (we spend more money doing split stays that if we were to stay at the same resort the whole time because we typically stay at deluxe resorts for split stays whereas we would likely pick a moderate resort if staying at the same resort for the whole trip).

We don't have a split-stay booked this year (yet ), so I don't know if it's reverted back to way it used to be. But if it's still like it was last year (180+ doesn't cover split-stays online / 60 FP+ does), yep, frustrating.

We had a 2 night room-only / 11 night FD split stay last year. When 180+ opened on room-only, we got 3 days worth. Then, of course, with that you can't book prepaid's with a CC guarantee because you need a DP attached, which was tied to our 2nd reservation. So we had to wait until the FD 180+ to book everything properly. But then again we had an 11 night stay, so that helped...

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a straight solution anymore (online, that is). I personally wouldn't book extra nights on a single reservation to cover 180+. Too risky not being able to modify later. And as much as I hate to suggest this because I don't condone advantageous, greedy loopholes (which in this case would not be because we are true on-site Disney resort guests needing 180+) - perhaps book the full split-stay in your name, then overlap with a dummy MYW w/ DP in spouse's name to cover all nights at 180+? With the full, respectful intention of releasing promptly. But this only works if you have the extra $200 deposit to do so.

However, I've also heard that you can call CRO directly at 180+ and they are able to override/book it for you. I'm not sure if that's still the case; I hope so. But you will have to wait until they open at 7 am...

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks! I was afraid this was the answer, but was hoping there was a way around it.

I've done many split stays before. Once we've tried 5 different hotels in the same week. It's a bit more complicated to organize but not that much. Especially if you don't buy the DDP!

 

[Masonmj84]

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a straight solution anymore (online, that is). I personally wouldn't book extra nights on a single reservation to cover 180+. Too risky not being able to modify later. And as much as I hate to suggest this because I don't condone advantageous, greedy loopholes (which in this case would not be because we are true on-site Disney resort guests needing 180+) - perhaps book the full split-stay in your name, then overlap with a dummy MYW w/ DP in spouse's name to cover all nights at 180+? With the full, respectful intention of releasing promptly. But this only works if you have the extra $200 deposit to do so.

However, I've also heard that you can call CRO directly at 180+ and they are able to override/book it for you. I'm not sure if that's still the case; I hope so. But you will have to wait until they open at 7 am...

I agree with the concern about it being too risky to modify extra nights.

I've thought about your suggestion to book a full split stay in everyone's name except one spouse and then booking a separate dummy reservation in the other spouse's name for the purpose of making ADRs. Then, once all of the ADRs have been made, promptly cancelling the the dummy reservation followed by adding the dummy reservation spouse onto the split stay reservations. One could even take this a step further and book the dummy reservation to begin several days in advance of the first split stay reservation to virtually guarantee the early ADRs on the first leg of the split stay. Then, to the extent the dummy reservation doesn't cover all of the days, once all of the early ADRs have been made, cancel the dummy reservation and rebook another dummy reservation with a sligthly later start date to cover the rest of the trip.

While one could argue that booking the dummy reservation to start before the beginning of the split stay is a greedy loophole, I agree that the general idea of the dummy reservation is morally justifiable in the sense that, as you say, it's a bone fide effort by an on-site guest to get their 180+10 (and if a split stay doesn't adversely affect making FP+ reservations, then why should it adversely affect ADRs?).

A couple of years ago I had mixed success calling CRO directly and getting 180+10 for ADRs for a split stay. When I initially called at the 180 day mark for my first resort stay, the CM would not let me make ADRs past my check out date on the first reservation. So I immediately called back, and the next CM allowed me to book over the second reservation. But I've heard that this is less likely anymore (somewhere, I seem to remember reading that the CMs' computer system is now like trying to book online and won't allow making ADRs past the checkout day of a first resort stay until the 180 day mark for the second resort).

As much as I love split stays, and as much as I love planning Disney vacations in general, planning everything involved with a split stay sometimes almost seems like a full time job.

 

[Lehuaann]

I agree with the concern about it being too risky to modify extra nights.

I've thought about your suggestion to book a full split stay in everyone's name except one spouse and then booking a separate dummy reservation in the other spouse's name for the purpose of making ADRs. Then, once all of the ADRs have been made, promptly cancelling the the dummy reservation followed by adding the dummy reservation spouse onto the split stay reservations. One could even take this a step further and book the dummy reservation to begin several days in advance of the first split stay reservation to virtually guarantee the early ADRs on the first leg of the split stay. Then, to the extent the dummy reservation doesn't cover all of the days, once all of the early ADRs have been made, cancel the dummy reservation and rebook another dummy reservation with a sligthly later start date to cover the rest of the trip.

While one could argue that booking the dummy reservation to start before the beginning of the split stay is a greedy loophole, I agree that the general idea of the dummy reservation is morally justifiable in the sense that, as you say, it's a bone fide effort by an on-site guest to get their 180+10 (and if a split stay doesn't adversely affect making FP+ reservations, then why should it adversely affect ADRs?).

A couple of years ago I had mixed success calling CRO directly and getting 180+10 for ADRs for a split stay. When I initially called at the 180 day mark for my first resort stay, the CM would not let me make ADRs past my check out date on the first reservation. So I immediately called back, and the next CM allowed me to book over the second reservation. But I've heard that this is less likely anymore (somewhere, I seem to remember reading that the CMs' computer system is now like trying to book online and won't allow making ADRs past the checkout day of a first resort stay until the 180 day mark for the second resort).

As much as I love split stays, and as much as I love planning Disney vacations in general, planning everything involved with a split stay sometimes almost seems like a full time job.

Booking far in advance of *any* reservation just to have an advantage to better ADRs wouldn't be fair. I only suggested the dummy reservation as a solution to get 180+ on a split-stay, not to get better ADRs. Anyways, that's just my opinion and a whole 'nuther subject...

Also, booking consecutive dummy reservations to cover extra days requires more deposit money that some may not have. But I agree, it's exhausting having to be strategic when we have valid (and lengthy) onsite reservations...

 

[Alicatt]

I assume by, "leave the cabin reservation on the 3rd day," you are wanting to modify/extend mom's reservation to add/accommodate your family?

The problem with being added, even for just 2 nights, is that Disney requires all on a MYW reservation to purchase equal components - tickets and dining. And your family doesn't need an extra set of tickets.

I would recommend booking all under a new and separate 2 night room-only reservation. Your tickets will be tied to your MYW packages, but can be picked up early. Just put enough days on your tickets to cover the first 2 days.

I agree but be warned, we had a tough time getting into the park the first day even though a number of cast members told me it would be no problem. It took a few visits to customer service before we could get in. We missed the welcome show It did get resolved though.

 

[Lehuaann]

I agree but be warned, we had a tough time getting into the park the first day even though a number of cast members told me it would be no problem. It took a few visits to customer service before we could get in. We missed the welcome show It did get resolved though.

It shouldn't have been a problem.

We've done early pickup several times with Tyvek/KTTW card/MB and have never had an issue.

Sounds like a CM didn't know what they were doing, unfortunately...

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Anyone made ADRs recently for a splt stay trip?

I know in the past that Disney would let you make ADRs for 10 days past the opening date of your first resort reservation, including ADRs for days at a subsequent resort. However, it seemes that recently they will only let you make ADRs for the first resort, then you have to wait until the 180 day mark for the second resort to make ADRs for that resort.

For our split stay this October I was only able to make ADRs for our first reservation at Beach Club (including the day we checked out and moved to Kidani). I then had to wait for the 180-day window to open up on the Kidani reservation before I could book the remainder of our ADRs beyond the transition day which the system recognized as part of the BC res. Our BC res is from 10/16 to 10/21 and I could book for all of those dates starting 4/19. I had to then wait another five days, until 4/24, to book for the remainder of our dates while at Kidani, which are 10/21-10/24 (so I had to wait to book ADRs for 10/22 and 10/23). I hope that makes sense!

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Whoops, sorry, goofed on the format in my response! Anyway, hope that helps some.

 

[echamp404]

Hopping on the ADR discussion and hoping for some guidance from you split stay pros. Currently I have a 6-night stay booked and my ADR bookings were this morning, and I was able to get ADRs through the end of the trip. I'm contemplating doing a split stay though, to upgrade from moderate to deluxe for the last 3 nights.

If I do wind up booking a split stay, how do I preserve the ADRs I have at the end of our stay since we'll technically be shortening the stay those were booked under?

 

[dansdad]

Hopping on the ADR discussion and hoping for some guidance from you split stay pros. Currently I have a 6-night stay booked and my ADR bookings were this morning, and I was able to get ADRs through the end of the trip. I'm contemplating doing a split stay though, to upgrade from moderate to deluxe for the last 3 nights.

If I do wind up booking a split stay, how do I preserve the ADRs I have at the end of our stay since we'll technically be shortening the stay those were booked under?

You don't need to do anything. They will stay right where they are.

 

[echamp404]

You don't need to do anything. They will stay right where they are.

Thanks!

 

[Masonmj84]

So what's the most resorts you've stayed at during a split stay trip?

I'm planning a trip for next March that will include 5 resorts in 11 nights (we once previously did a 5 way split but it was over 16 nights).

The first night we plan to stay at CR because we want to see Wishes that night and I hate having to fight crowds for transporation out of the park (our kids have a hard time staying up for fireworks but since we're coming in from the Western US, we figure this will be easiest on the first night).

Then we plan to do 2 nights at WL, followed by 3 nights at Poly, followed by 3 nights at BC, followed by 2 nights at AKL. Poly, AKL, and WL are my 3 favorite resorts and we like BC mostly for the location.

For me, the biggest headache about this plan isn't the resort switching (which we enjoy) but the planning.

And while I'm generally someone who enjoys planning, for the above type of trip, it's just so much work. Because I'm not flexible about where and when I stay, I feel like I need to book the resorts as soon as they're available (although I'm currently waiting to unitl the 2017 rates are out and I can book online). Then, I'm on the lookout for discounts, which if available for my resorts, have to be applied by calling (the CM's always think I'm nuts to be staying at so many different resorts).

Then there's the headache of making ADRs. I'm less flexible about these than someone who stays at the same resort for their entire trip because I want them to line up with where we're staying. Then there's the problem of having to wait to reserve them until the 180 day mark for each resort.

Overall, assuming everything goes as planned, it's all worth it in the end (split stay WDW trips tend to be my favorite type of vacation). But I always find myself wondering at this stage of the planning if I really want to go through this again.

 

[Alicatt]

It shouldn't have been a problem.

We've done early pickup several times with Tyvek/KTTW card/MB and have never had an issue.

Sounds like a CM didn't know what they were doing, unfortunately...

It was 2 CMs and 2 supervisors. No one knew what to do!