Tips for Split Stay?

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We do split stays every trip and can't recommend packing cubes enough. Definitely go from the smaller room then to the larger room or the lower tier resort (AoA) then to the higher one (AKL). If you do the split stay in reverse you could wind up a bit disappointed and the second resort can seem like a step down. You don't want to spend the 2nd portion of the split stay wishing you were still at the 1st resort as that can take away from enjoying your whole vacation.

 

[Jacq7414]

It is not worth the hassle to re-pack and un pack again in MHO

I never unpack our suitcases lol. So it’s not a big deal

 

[Jacq7414]

We do split stays every trip and can't recommend packing cubes enough. Definitely go from the smaller room then to the larger room or the lower tier resort (AoA) then to the higher one (AKL). If you do the split stay in reverse you could wind up a bit disappointed and the second resort can seem like a step down. You don't want to spend the 2nd portion of the split stay wishing you were still at the 1st resort as that can take away from enjoying your whole vacation.

Ugh this makes sense.
We have a pool/marina view at the Poly and are moving to a standard room at BC. I didn’t think anything of it, but now wondering if we will be disappointed with the change in view.

 

[kylenne]

Ugh this makes sense.
We have a pool/marina view at the Poly and are moving to a standard room at BC. I didn’t think anything of it, but now wondering if we will be disappointed with the change in view.

It could be my Poly bias talking but I would reverse this if at all possible, if you care about views. BC/YC are the only 2 resorts I would never stay standard because of the infamous roof views. Even with a Water View room at YC it definitely felt like a step down moving there from GF and I was kinda sorry I left…the Crescent Lake area is nice and convenient, don’t get me wrong, and I have a lot of nostalgia for it because we were a Dolphin family growing up. But there’s an “it” factor with Poly & GF that’s hard to explain.

 

[Jacq7414]

It could be my Poly bias talking but I would reverse this if at all possible, if you care about views. BC/YC are the only 2 resorts I would never stay standard because of the infamous roof views. Even with a Water View room at YC it definitely felt like a step down moving there from GF and I was kinda sorry I left…the Crescent Lake area is nice and convenient, don’t get me wrong, and I have a lot of nostalgia for it because we were a Dolphin family growing up. But there’s an “it” factor with Poly & GF that’s hard to explain.

It’s not possible . It’s sold out entirely for the week (easter).

 

[rick1zoo2]

We have been doing split stays recently and a few things we learned: for us 3 resorts in one week is too many, we prefer minimum of 3 nights at a resort to fully experience it. If staying at different levels of accommodation, go in increasing order - value, moderate, deluxe. If one of the stays includes Club Level, we make that the last one. For Advanced Dining Reservations, each resort reservation will have it's own 60+ days to reserve dining, which makes it more difficult to get some popular restaurants. But by having one of the resort reservations cover the entire trip, dining reservations can be made for all days, then later just shorten that resort reservation.

 

[Jacq7414]

But by having one of the resort reservations cover the entire trip, dining reservations can be made for all days, then later just shorten that resort reservation.

It won’t delete the reservations if you do it down?

 

[Misha72683]

OP, I didn't catch whether you'll have your car with you, or if Disney will transfer your luggage. What I learned when moving between resorts with a car is, don't leave your Mickey balloon in the car for several hours while in between resorts. The balloon will deflate.

Most people prefer to start at the lower level resort and then move to the higher level resort. If you're able to plan it that way, it usually makes for a better experience.

It is fun to experience two (or more) resorts in one trip; it makes your one trip seem like two trips.

No car. We are coming in from Ontario and while we did drive last time, my mother refuses to make a 42 hour round trip with 3 kids and I don’t blame her, so we will be flying.

 

[VicarJT]

We are not pool people, and since our trips tend to be in January or February, we couldn't count on that anyway. What we do is make an ADR for a late breakfast at Boma (we have a car, but it's an easy Uber), then head to Epcot for a few hours, then to the new resort. Some folks do a monorail crawl on moving day - there are lots of options if you're not all-day-in-the-parks people.

 

[karma459]

We love split stays and do them every trip now.
As far as the packing, we simply pack according to the resorts. We use packing cubes in our suitcases, and everyone has their own color. Everybody's clothes for resort #1 one go into one suitcase, and the same for the next one. Then we have a carry on which hold things we use in both, like the cosmetic bags and pool necessities etc. It's simple!

We do the same thing and it's a game.changer - honestly.

I love split stays, and as long as Bell Services continues to transfer luggage we will probably always do them. I've done both calling down to have luggage picked up from the room and dropped directly at bell services - the same overall process for each, so it just depends on the timing and how quickly we are looking to get out of the room.

Bummer that they aren't transferring refrigerated anymore - I was able to do that on my last split stay in May 2021 and it was great... I'll have to keep this in mind in our next trip.

We are going to be at THREE resorts: Swan, POLY and AKL.. we'll drop bags at Bell Services as we head out to the park in the morning, and call to have them delivered at the next resort when we return... easy peasy.

 

[VicarJT]

We are going to be at THREE resorts: Swan, POLY and AKL.. we'll drop bags at Bell Services as we head out to the park in the morning, and call to have them delivered at the next resort when we return... easy peasy.

We did four resorts last time and decided it was one too many. We're doing three this time - AKL, WL and Gran Destino. It makes each part of the vacation feel both new and comfortable!

 

[Misha72683]

Thanks for all the tips! We have officially booked our split stay: 4 nights at AoA and 3 nights at AKL.

 

[VicarJT]

Thanks for all the tips! We have officially booked our split stay: 4 nights at AoA and 3 nights at AKL.

Both great resorts!

 

[mernin]

I like split stays so we get to try out different resorts. I have a trip coming in March and we are staying Poly / AKL / BLT. Originally was just the first two, but added a few more nights on and chose what was available. Trying to convince hubby to stay 4 more but no rooms left on those dates, so guess it will be 3 resorts this trip, not 4!!

I agree about which order they go in. Pick the “best” for last so it doesn’t feel like a disappointment moving. I’m not following my advice with my upcoming stay based on our preferences. But that’s ok

 

[LadylovesTramp]

I do split stays quite often as I rent DVC points. I like to go to Epcot on my transit day as they have a later park opening. FYI: Never had an issue with luggage transfer although I don't plan on having my luggage until the early evening.

 

[hes122]

We did a split stay (Pop/Coronado) in March. We packed a bag with our swimsuits and took it with us to AK after we dropped the bags off at Bell Services. Around 1ish we left AK and checked in at Coronado so we could change and hit the pool for a bit. After our pool break we called to see if our bags had arrived and they brought them right to us.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

We do split stays every trip and can't recommend packing cubes enough. Definitely go from the smaller room then to the larger room or the lower tier resort (AoA) then to the higher one (AKL). If you do the split stay in reverse you could wind up a bit disappointed and the second resort can seem like a step down. You don't want to spend the 2nd portion of the split stay wishing you were still at the 1st resort as that can take away from enjoying your whole vacation.

These were going to be my two main suggestions also. Packing cubes for the win! I usually pack my cubes by type of item, as in pants in one, shirts in another, etc., but the last trips to WDW I've been putting a complete outfit in each one. It makes it even easier.

I also use pouches for things like my charging cords and toiletries. I find it easier to keep track of things when they're contained in bags, pouches, or some other container. I pack extra Ziploc bags in a variety of sizes.

It could be my Poly bias talking but I would reverse this if at all possible, if you care about views. BC/YC are the only 2 resorts I would never stay standard because of the infamous roof views. Even with a Water View room at YC it definitely felt like a step down moving there from GF and I was kinda sorry I left…the Crescent Lake area is nice and convenient, don’t get me wrong, and I have a lot of nostalgia for it because we were a Dolphin family growing up. But there’s an “it” factor with Poly & GF that’s hard to explain.

I also have a lot of nostalgia for Crescent Lake, we stayed at the Yacht & Beach Club when I was growing up. Polynesian has my heart now.

We did four resorts last time and decided it was one too many. We're doing three this time - AKL, WL and Gran Destino. It makes each part of the vacation feel both new and comfortable!

On my last trip, I did an absolutely ridiculous FIVE resorts, followed by visiting my brother and we stayed a night in a hotel in the middle of that week as well. Packing NIGHTMARE. The saving grace was the climates and activities were similar enough that I could reuse the same outfits over the course of three weeks. I ended up with 1-3-3-4-2 nights; the 1 at the front was due to a flight change at the last minute and I took what I could get when I added a night.

I would do no fewer than 2 nights at any one resort when doing a split stay going forward, with the exception of those flight changes I often seem to have. With just one night, it's hard to fully enjoy the resort.

 

[Disney Mickey&Minnie Fan]

We have found split stays increase the fun and adventure of our vacation time when visiting Walt Disney World.

Plan your resort transfer days as non-theme park days and use the transfer day to explore all of the resort amenities. Visit the gift shops, schedule meals at the resort restaurants, spend the afternoon at the pool, go for a walk and enjoy the landscaping, rent a bike and go for a ride, get an afternoon cocktail at the resort bar, do a load of laundry, ...

Split stays allow you to visit and experience the swimming pools and restaurants at the different resorts. It is fun to explore the theming, amenities, and menus at the different resorts.

If you use bell services to move your luggage between the resorts, remember to tip the staff.

 

[Disney Mickey&Minnie Fan]

We have been doing split stays recently and a few things we learned: for us 3 resorts in one week is too many, we prefer minimum of 3 nights at a resort to fully experience it. If staying at different levels of accommodation, go in increasing order - value, moderate, deluxe. If one of the stays includes Club Level, we make that the last one. For Advanced Dining Reservations, each resort reservation will have it's own 60+ days to reserve dining, which makes it more difficult to get some popular restaurants. But by having one of the resort reservations cover the entire trip, dining reservations can be made for all days, then later just shorten that resort reservation.

You have made an important point for consideration -- with a split stay each resort reservation is separate and has a separate 60 days for dining reservations. This is an important consideration if dining reservations at exclusive restaurants are an important part of your vacation plans.
Thank you for the tip to work around this problem.

 

[maryj11]

We stayed 4 nights CBR and 3 nights WL this past month. We are just 2 people and pretty much leave everything in our carry on luggage except toiletries. We had express check out so we didn’t have to go to the desk at CBR when we left. They send your invoice to your email. I did check my email and made sure no unwanted charges were on it. It was super easy to pack up and take an Uber to WL. We arrived at WL around 11:00am. Our room was not ready so we went to eat lunch at Roaring Fork. We just took carry on bags that have wheels with us to lunch lol. While we were eating we got the room ready text. I’m not sure how easy it will be with a group of people.
There is one thing I did not like about a split stay. It was making dining reservations. I could only do the first 4 days of our stay and then wait for the last 3 to open up. The problem with this is all the hard to get reservations are not easy to get because if you book towards the end of your trip you are more likely to get a reservation. With only trying to book working with 4 and then 3 days most reservations were booked for like Space 220 and Topolino’s breakfast. We did manage to get Topolino’s a few days before our trip, but never did get Space 220.