To Split Stay/ or NOT?? wwyd?

[supersuperwendy]

We've had this habit of doing split stays in recent years. This past summer we did 3 resorts in 9 days. It was just too much and I wouldn't do 3 in one trip again. My thoughts for next summer were to just stay at one resort the whole time. But yet again I keep thinking I'd like to experience different things in one visit. If you haven't yet stayed at all of the DVC resorts would you split stay on a 5 night trip to experience more? I was thinking maybe 2 nights at one resort and 3 nights at another? crazy? or go for it?

 

[Simba's Mom]

What size family is going? If it's a good size family, and especially if it includes young children, I wouldn't do a split stay for that short a period of time. When I go solo, split stays don't usually bother me-I've done 2 nights at each of 2 different resorts, and last time I stayed in 4 locations over 12 days. However, it might be nice to take a break-my next stay will be at one location only, and that's probably what I'd recommend for you-a break from split stays.

 

[dvcterry]

We did a BLT-WVL-SSR split 2 summers ago with a stopover at HHI with a drive down from CT. It was for a longer period of time. Nice to experience the resort but I'm not a fan of packing up and moving. And if I could pick stay at one resort and enjoy what that resort has to offer over split stay I'd do the one resort.

 

[disneynutz]

We will only split stay if we can stay 5 nights per leg. Anything less and we aren't enjoying our vacation, we are moving.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't like split stays as much when I'm with others. I have a 5 night split stay with friends in January and I am not looking forward to it, but it seemed like a good idea. I have Jambo for 2 nights because I wanted to show it off, and then my one friend really enjoys the International area of Epcot, so I thought BWV would be perfect, too. So we have 3 nights there. I did go back and forth about changing it, but always kept it. Now, it can't be changed, it's in the MLK jr weekend time.

If I were you, with 5 nights in one place, I would keep it.

Bobbi

 

[AlohaAnnie]

We are doing a split stay June 2013, we are going for 2 weeks. One week at BCV & one week at BLT.

I don't think I would do a split stay for a week, my DH would have a fit. But if that is what you like go for it. You do have many years left of DVC to stay at all the resorts.

 

[MulanMom]

We find ourselves doing split stays often. However, no matter how well planned, there still seems to be time devoted/lost to switching hotels. Like a PP said...if on my own, I think doing a split stay with 5 nights would be okay. With others, or a family, it might not be worth it.

BTW, one year when we went on our kids' bdays (they are a week apart), my son's bday wish was for us to check in and stay at one property...not move. Unfortunately, OKW booked us in a 2nd floor room and we had to move to a first floor the next day...which happened to be his actual bday. He was not a happy camper!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I did go ahead and book the split stay. BCV was available for the last two nights of our trip. We'll have my MIL and BIL in tow, so they'll just have to deal!!!

 

[eliza61]

I'm a squatter. LOL. We tried a split stay a few times, generally when we are there 7+ nights. I simply don't like having to move after the 4th day. I really don't like moving if I'm at a resort I've never stayed at before, just around day 3 or 4 I've gotten the lay of the land so to speak and settled into the resort only to have to move.

I think I'm pretty much over doing split stays.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I'm the one who does the packing of everyones stuff and we always leave our room early in the morning anyway so on a split stay check out day nothing changes for my family! Out the door we go as usual bright and early. Mid afternoon we go to the next resort and check in then back out for a fun night! It doesn't put a crimp into our days at all. I like that we get to experience different resorts via split stays. Once we visit BVC next summer we only need to try out OKW, Jambo, a treehouse and the new grand floridian villas and maybe we can finally stop split stays!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm the one who does the packing of everyones stuff and we always leave our room early in the morning anyway so on a split stay check out day nothing changes for my family! Out the door we go as usual bright and early. Mid afternoon we go to the next resort and check in then back out for a fun night! It doesn't put a crimp into our days at all. I like that we get to experience different resorts via split stays. Once we visit BVC next summer we only need to try out OKW, Jambo, a treehouse and the new grand floridian villas and maybe we can finally stop split stays!!!

You are a good sport! Well, enjoy whatever you decide!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Packing and unpacking always stresses me out. Even through we are out the door super early, I don't want to be up late too, making sure every thing is packed up. My vacation does start until I am unpacked and spread out. So, no more split stays for us if we can help it.

Also, there are always carryon stuff like electronics, cameras, etc. we never leave with bell services, so we always wind up lugging extra stuff on the change over day.

Have a great time no matter what!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The only reason I've done a split stay (twice in 12 years) is because I decided later than usual on the trip and couldn't get all of my days at the same resort! I wait-listed but one didn't come through. Personally, I find split stays to be a nuisance a waste of precious relaxation time but to each his own!

I can see the benefit of down sizing or the reverse depending on the amount of guest coming & going in order to save a a big amount of points!

 

[SDSorority]

We have done a split stay before. Last year we did POP and SSR... but we STARTED with SSR.

Don't do that.



Always go to the "lesser" hotel first, and end with the big one.

Would I do a split-stay again? No, probably not. We didn't LOVE doing the check in, get settled, pack up, check out, check in, get settled, pack up, go home situation. But, to each his own!!

 

[KSL]

We did a split stay last year (AKV-Jambo and BLT) and are planning one this upcoming August (BWV and BLT). I agree with OP that it's a great way to experience different resorts and we didn't find the move to be a problem or very time-consuming. We took it as an 'off' day where we slept late, checked out the resort one last time (including gift shop which could take my girls hours as it is!), transportation over to BLT, checked in, went to the pool, went to the room when it was ready, received our luggage from AKV and had some groceries delivered, had a nice dinner, etc. It was a great day and very relaxing, actually! But with 12 days we could take a day to do all of that and not feel like it was 'wasted'. With only 5 nights, I might feel like the relocation process was taking too much of my vacation time. Our trip was 5 days at AKV and then a week at BLT (and upcoming will be 5 @ BWV and a week at BLT). I think I would still do a split stay for fewer days, maybe 4-4 or 3-5 for an 8 day trip. But I'm not sure I would do it for less than that. Just our opinion. But if there's a resort you really want to try and can only get it for a night or two, then go for it! Have a great time!