The ultimate split-stay thread

[Hi Pluto]

Hello all! Excited to find this thread!
Here's my situation:
I have almost always stayed at deluxe resorts, with one trip to All-Star Music. I've never done a split stay but really want to check out POR, it looks so beautiful! But we also want the ease and setting of the beach club (which we've been to quite a few times now). With our budget it may be possible (after many extra hours of work) to book 5 nights at BC with deluxe DP. In calculating it all out, for about the same price we could do a split stay at POR for 3 nights, 3 nights at BC with the DP with the POR, OOP for the second half. That's an extra night at disney, plus it works really well to divide up the deluxe DP points since you can use them for the entire day of checkout.

I'm really excited about this idea, but DH does not like the idea of switching up hotels. He thinks it will be a huge hassle. I've been diligently reading through the pros and cons on this thread, but any extra advice to help me convince him that this would be a good move would be helpful.

~Cari~

P.S. Our trip wouldn't be until Spring break 2016 so I've got a lot of time to figure it out.

 

[thisismyusername]

Hello all! Excited to find this thread!
Here's my situation:
I have almost always stayed at deluxe resorts, with one trip to All-Star Music. I've never done a split stay but really want to check out POR, it looks so beautiful! But we also want the ease and setting of the beach club (which we've been to quite a few times now). With our budget it may be possible (after many extra hours of work) to book 5 nights at BC with deluxe DP. In calculating it all out, for about the same price we could do a split stay at POR for 3 nights, 3 nights at BC with the DP with the POR, OOP for the second half. That's an extra night at disney, plus it works really well to divide up the deluxe DP points since you can use them for the entire day of checkout.

I'm really excited about this idea, but DH does not like the idea of switching up hotels. He thinks it will be a huge hassle. I've been diligently reading through the pros and cons on this thread, but any extra advice to help me convince him that this would be a good move would be helpful.

~Cari~

P.S. Our trip wouldn't be until Spring break 2016 so I've got a lot of time to figure it out.

As far as any extra advice, I don't really have any to give you, but perhaps someone does. For me, I live by the belief that you only have as much fun on vacation as the person having the least amount of fun, so our vacation planning always revolves around that. If your husband really is against the split stay, and you think he might be miserable or grumpy or angry, I probably wouldn't do it. But if you think he'll be fine once you move and you make it as painless for him as possible, then I might consider it.

If I could make one suggestion based upon my previous experience with having a bad ending to an otherwise fabulous vacation, keep the best part of your vacation for last. To me, moving from BC on the DxDP to POR without any dining plan may be a bit of a let down. If you are able to, reverse it. It may give your husband something to look forward to and a reason to embrace the split stay, and I think you'll be grateful to end your vacation on a high note.

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

I was having a difficult time choosing between AOA and AKL for our trip 2/28-3/6, so I decided on doing a split stay. It will be myself, DH, DS12, DS6, and DS2. At first I was planning on doing 3 nights at AOA and 4 nights at AKL, but DH informed me last night that he has something that he needs to be back home for on 3/7, so we will have to cut the trip back to 6 nights. At this point, I am kind of torn as to how many nights to do at each resort. We aren't the type of travelers that have to do everything at every park. We will go to the park and hit a few important rides and anything else that may be a short wait, and then head to the resort for the evening. DH wants to drive to the beach for part of a day, so I figured the day we switch resorts would be our beach day. I want to make sure that we are able to really enjoy the resorts in the evenings and that we have enough time to explore the grounds. We will be checking in around 7pm on 2/28, so won't have a lot of time to explore that night.

So, what would be your suggestion for us? 2 nights at AOA and 4 at AKL, 3 and 3 like I have planned right now, 4 at AOA and 2 at AKL? I think I'm more excited to try AOA and so is my YDS, whereas my other boys and DH are more excited about AKL. Being a split stay newbie, I am open to all suggestions. TIA!

 

[thisismyusername]

I was having a difficult time choosing between AOA and AKL for our trip 2/28-3/6, so I decided on doing a split stay. It will be myself, DH, DS12, DS6, and DS2. At first I was planning on doing 3 nights at AOA and 4 nights at AKL, but DH informed me last night that he has something that he needs to be back home for on 3/7, so we will have to cut the trip back to 6 nights. At this point, I am kind of torn as to how many nights to do at each resort. We aren't the type of travelers that have to do everything at every park. We will go to the park and hit a few important rides and anything else that may be a short wait, and then head to the resort for the evening. DH wants to drive to the beach for part of a day, so I figured the day we switch resorts would be our beach day. I want to make sure that we are able to really enjoy the resorts in the evenings and that we have enough time to explore the grounds. We will be checking in around 7pm on 2/28, so won't have a lot of time to explore that night.

So, what would be your suggestion for us? 2 nights at AOA and 4 at AKL, 3 and 3 like I have planned right now, 4 at AOA and 2 at AKL? I think I'm more excited to try AOA and so is my YDS, whereas my other boys and DH are more excited about AKL. Being a split stay newbie, I am open to all suggestions. TIA!

Personally, I'd do 2 nights AoA and 4 AKL, but that's only because I like AKL more (however, I still really like AoA). If you feel like you want equal time at both resorts, then I'd likely go for the 3 nights at each option.

Also, I would likely float your beach plans and make them flexible and contingent on the weather: Late February/early March weather is still very variable, and there are going to be some warm days, maybe some hot days, and maybe some cool days. We've traveled during the same timeframe, and didn't get much pool time in because our weather never got above 70 degrees, and was pretty cloudy and cool (like jeans and sweatshirts and light coat cool) during our other days. Hopefully you'll get lucky and have great weather and some really warm temperatures, but I'd just keep in mind that you may not have great beach weather on whichever day you plan to do the resort move.

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

We aren't planning on swimming at the beach. DH just wants our kids to see the ocean. But, yeah, if it's cold and rainy we'll probably do a park and hit the beach another day. It won't bother me if he decides against it altogether

 

[Alicatt]

Has anyone done a split stay recently and been able to have the DDP and park tickets roll over? An early poster seemed to have done that. I want to stay at POR for the whole stay but I think part of my trip will be during a non-discounted time and part during a discounted time. Any advice on this? I would like to keep the same room if possible and the DDP for the whole stay as well. for us it saves us a good amount of money but I have 2 children under 10 who are good eaters.

Thanks!

 

[Jillianna]

We are planning a split stay. The first at AoA -4 nights(MMY); the second AKL CL access -7 nights. At AoA will be having a family of 4 joining us in a family Suite. I am assuming we all will need to get tickets for 5 days. Will my DH and I be able to up grade are tickets to 10 days after we get to Disney?

 

[ekatiel]

I wanted to head over here and give an update on our FP+ window with our split stay. Yesterday was my 60 day mark for the fist part of our stay. We were actually able to book FP+ for the entire trip-- both parts of the split stay. I was expecting to have to stay up late again at 60 days out from the second part of our trip, but I didn't have to . Good news for those with split stays!!

 

[thisismyusername]

Alicatt, I'd like to know the same thing about the DDP. Previously, you weren't allowed to have tickets & the DDP roll over unless you bought a new set of tickets, so if anyone could confirm that's a new policy so I could update the information, that would be great! Obviously, you can still purchase tickets with your first reservation that last your length of stay and still make two separate reservations--the first with the DDP, the second without.

Jillianna, yes, you will be able to upgrade your tickets. Sounds like a great stay!

 

[Jillianna]

Thank you ThisIsMyUserName!!!

 

[Hi Pluto]

As far as any extra advice, I don't really have any to give you, but perhaps someone does. For me, I live by the belief that you only have as much fun on vacation as the person having the least amount of fun, so our vacation planning always revolves around that. If your husband really is against the split stay, and you think he might be miserable or grumpy or angry, I probably wouldn't do it. But if you think he'll be fine once you move and you make it as painless for him as possible, then I might consider it.

If I could make one suggestion based upon my previous experience with having a bad ending to an otherwise fabulous vacation, keep the best part of your vacation for last. To me, moving from BC on the DxDP to POR without any dining plan may be a bit of a let down. If you are able to, reverse it. It may give your husband something to look forward to and a reason to embrace the split stay, and I think you'll be grateful to end your vacation on a high note.

You say you don't have any good advice, and then you give REALLY good advice! That's a good point about you're only as happy as the most miserable person. I will definitely keep this in mind. And who knows, maybe a split stay won't be our best choice this time around... disney decisions are so hard!

~Cari~

 

[pixarmom]

We just finished a 4-resort split over 9 nights! AOA for one night, AKL CL for one night, GF RPC for two nights and Poly CL for five nights. Wanted to report that each transfer went really well, and Disney made it very easy to accomplish. I saw a thread reporting something about luggage delivery between 5 and 7pm and a possible $25 charge to transfer luggage. I asked about this at each and every resort, and no CM - front desk, bell services or CL staff - had heard of this. Doesn't mean it's not happening in the future, but for now, it's the same as usual: no charge for luggage transfer (other than the tip that we give each CM who handles our luggage) and delivery between 1 and 3pm. Our luggage always arrived before 3pm and when we called for bell services, a CM was in our room to either pick up or deliver luggage within 10 minutes every time.

 

[Bektasmic]

We just finished a 4-resort split over 9 nights! AOA for one night, AKL CL for one night, GF RPC for two nights and Poly CL for five nights. Wanted to report that each transfer went really well, and Disney made it very easy to accomplish. I saw a thread reporting something about luggage delivery between 5 and 7pm and a possible $25 charge to transfer luggage. I asked about this at each and every resort, and no CM - front desk, bell services or CL staff - had heard of this. Doesn't mean it's not happening in the future, but for now, it's the same as usual: no charge for luggage transfer (other than the tip that we give each CM who handles our luggage) and delivery between 1 and 3pm. Our luggage always arrived before 3pm and when we called for bell services, a CM was in our room to either pick up or deliver luggage within 10 minutes every time.

This is very reassuring. We have an upcoming 9 nights with 3 resorts, and I've been a bit nervous about it. Thanks for confirming ease of luggage transfer.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I will be doing out very first split stay this coming August. 5 days at the Poly and then 5 days at BC.

We will be paying down our room on a daily basis with GC's. On check out day I want to do breakfast at Kona around 10 and then check out, take a cab to BC and check in there and then head to AK around 12 or so. What's the best way to do it? Check out before Kona and just pay it with a GC or check out after Kona and pay off the fees with my GC?

 

[thisismyusername]

I will be doing out very first split stay this coming August. 5 days at the Poly and then 5 days at BC.

We will be paying down our room on a daily basis with GC's. On check out day I want to do breakfast at Kona around 10 and then check out, take a cab to BC and check in there and then head to AK around 12 or so. What's the best way to do it? Check out before Kona and just pay it with a GC or check out after Kona and pay off the fees with my GC?

Great question, and something I have much experience with since we exclusively pay for our vacations with GCs. To pay the balance, you'll want to pay it the night before you check out (I usually try to get to the desk before 10) as they'll run the CC on file with any charges while you're sleeping. If you don't go to the desk every night or every other night, just be aware that there is a limit at which they will charge your CC on file and re-start your room charges (I'm sure you can ask what that limit is). If they run your CC before you have a chance to use your GCs, ask that they refund your CC and use your GCs.

At the point that we settle the room charges, we stop using our MBs for room charges and use GCs or cash until we check into the next hotel. The 2nd resort can check you out of the 1st resort to assure that your MB charges won't be charged back to the 1st resort. Similarly, you can physically check out of the 1st resort in the morning of your departure if you don't plan to get to the 2nd resort until later in the day.

Also, it's great to hear there aren't any luggage transfer fees! Thanks for the continued updates on that!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Great question, and something I have much experience with since we exclusively pay for our vacations with GCs. To pay the balance, you'll want to pay it the night before you check out (I usually try to get to the desk before 10) as they'll run the CC on file with any charges while you're sleeping. If you don't go to the desk every night or every other night, just be aware that there is a limit at which they will charge your CC on file and re-start your room charges (I'm sure you can ask what that limit is). If they run your CC before you have a chance to use your GCs, ask that they refund your CC and use your GCs.

At the point that we settle the room charges, we stop using our MBs for room charges and use GCs or cash until we check into the next hotel. The 2nd resort can check you out of the 1st resort to assure that your MB charges won't be charged back to the 1st resort. Similarly, you can physically check out of the 1st resort in the morning of your departure if you don't plan to get to the 2nd resort until later in the day.

Also, it's great to hear there aren't any luggage transfer fees! Thanks for the continued updates on that!

Thank you for your help!

So you're telling me I don't have to go to the front desk and check out that morning? I can go straight to the BC and have them check me out of the Poly and check me into BC all in one shot???

Now that I think about it even when I've checkout on a non split stay I've never gone to the front to check out. We've always just had them charge to our card and slip the receipt under our door at 6 am and then we leave before 11.

We will have a CG ADR Sunday night around 8 pm. I was thinking I could settle our room charges after that meal but thinking maybe I should settle our room charges before I leave for that ADR and just pay for that meal with GC. And pay for Kona with a GC the next morning.

 

[thisismyusername]

Thank you for your help!

So you're telling me I don't have to go to the front desk and check out that morning? I can go straight to the BC and have them check me out of the Poly and check me into BC all in one shot???

Now that I think about it even when I've checkout on a non split stay I've never gone to the front to check out. We've always just had them charge to our card and slip the receipt under our door at 6 am and then we leave before 11.

We will have a CG ADR Sunday night around 8 pm. I was thinking I could settle our room charges after that meal but thinking maybe I should settle our room charges before I leave for that ADR and just pay for that meal with GC. And pay for Kona with a GC the next morning.

Yes, exactly. The BC would have to check you out of the Poly first for your MB to work for charging and room access at the BC since you can only have access to one room at a time. Just as long as you don't make any charges to your band in between the time your account is settled and the time you are checked into the BC, you'll be fine.

I would actually settle exactly as you have described--too often the charges from dinner have not been on our bill if we go immediately from dinner to the front desk and we have to dig out the receipt to have them add that amount to the settlement, or we let the charges fall to our CC.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Yes, exactly. The BC would have to check you out of the Poly first for your MB to work for charging and room access at the BC since you can only have access to one room at a time. Just as long as you don't make any charges to your band in between the time your account is settled and the time you are checked into the BC, you'll be fine.

I would actually settle exactly as you have described--too often the charges from dinner have not been on our bill if we go immediately from dinner to the front desk and we have to dig out the receipt to have them add that amount to the settlement, or we let the charges fall to our CC.

Thank you again ! Makes one less thing to worry about.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Another question....

We are checking out of the Poly and then into the BC. We want to do AK that day.

Would it be a good idea to take a cab, with our bags, to the BC, check in and then head off to AK? I don't think we will make rope drop but could do close to 9 am.

I will be doing a room request of full balcony and hear that getting there early is your best bet. We've always checked in before 10 am on every trip and luckily been able to get our requests fulfilled. We don't request anything extra or out of the ordinary. Just a room location or balcony.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Okay, I have a multi-part split stay related question. This December we're planning a DCL/WDW vacation. During the WDW portion that would follow the cruise we're staying at The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. I've recently been trying to figure out where it would be best to stay for the night BEFORE the cruise, and it occurred to me that using a few points on a DVC studio somewhere and Disney transportation would actually be the most economical way to go (plus, fun!). So, now I'm thinking one night at AKL or BWV, followed by a 7 day cruise, followed by 8 nights at VWL. That would be a split stay with a weird gap in the middle. I wouldn't plan to go to any parks on that first night, so there are no ticketing issues. Anyways, now that I've given my life story, here are my questions:

1. Can you link reservations that are split up in this manner?
2. If so, can you use just one set of MB's for both stays? I really think multiple magic bands would just confuse people (mainly my parents, who will be traveling with us)
3. Assuming you can link these reservations, are my FP+ and/or ADR reservation windows determined by the first stay date (which is only 8 days prior to the second stay date) or the later one? Notably, this would put a couple, but not all, of my WDW stay days more than 14 days after the first check-in date.
4. Assuming I could book my FP+ based on the earlier check-in date, how unethical would it be for me to do so?