Too many resorts for a limited time?? 1st time split stay

[TLM2015]

So I've been lurking on this board for awhile and I have read most of the split stay post that has been very helpful. For my next visit I've decided to take the plunge and do a split stay. In the past I've stayed at AOA, ASMo, and Fort Wilderness Cabins and two off site stays as a kid.

The next trip is in June 2017 with DH, DD(7), DS (1), and my sister (17). My sister really wanted to try out Pop Century and staying a few days at a value saves money, and I wanted to try a moderate and Stormalong Bay at BC.

Here is the plan- 2 nights at Pop Century then 3 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort then the final night at BCV (I'm renting points and anymore nights would be too expensive)- So six nights and three hotels

We will probably rent a car even though we could get around with Disney transportation but we never do so transferring hotels will not be too complicated we'll just take our luggage ourselves. In my mind this shouldn't be too bad we'll pack a small bag for the first few days and pack up the luggage in the morning then go to the parks after an early check in at CBR. But maybe I'm being too idealistic??? Any feedback will be great.

 

[Lyricallie]

Personally I would think it's slightly too many. I did a split stay between Disney and universal and found it a pain. Especially as we had to travel to get there and it took time to check out etc. And I was there for 2 weeks!

I suppose it depends why you're there for the resorts or for the parks. I personally would stay at AoA longer then maybe your final day at CBV.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it is a lot of moving in a compressed timeframe. If you are okay packing the troops up a few times you might be okay, but I think after the second move, it might get old. Personally I would skip BCV and just remain at CBR, moving for one night is a lot IMO.

 

[jerseygal]

Personally, would only do a split stay between two resorts. ENJOY your vacation!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

In order to really enjoy the resort and feel "home" versus thinking, " Okay tomorrow we need to be ready by...and don't forget...

I am doing two with an 8 night stay, and I really though long and hard about it. I like to feel that "home" feel on vacation.

You will make the best of whatever you decide.

 

[Disneylover99]

3 different resorts within 6 nights are too many IMO. Drop the one night at BCV if you can.

 

[Hopefully]

Way too much moving, in my opinion. I too would drop BCV for this trip. Stormalong Bay is not worth that much moving for a short trip.

 

[Ensusieasm]

So I've been lurking on this board for awhile and I have read most of the split stay post that has been very helpful. For my next visit I've decided to take the plunge and do a split stay. In the past I've stayed at AOA, ASMo, and Fort Wilderness Cabins and two off site stays as a kid.

The next trip is in June 2017 with DH, DD(7), DS (1), and my sister (17). My sister really wanted to try out Pop Century and staying a few days at a value saves money, and I wanted to try a moderate and Stormalong Bay at BC.

Here is the plan- 2 nights at Pop Century then 3 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort then the final night at BCV (I'm renting points and anymore nights would be too expensive)- So six nights and three hotels

We will probably rent a car even though we could get around with Disney transportation but we never do so transferring hotels will not be too complicated we'll just take our luggage ourselves. In my mind this shouldn't be too bad we'll pack a small bag for the first few days and pack up the luggage in the morning then go to the parks after an early check in at CBR. But maybe I'm being too idealistic??? Any feedback will be great.

Two years ago I did a split stay at 5 different resorts over my 12 night vacation.
AoA first night, AKV second night, GF 2 nights, SSR 3 nights, and Disney's Vero Beach Resort the final 5 nights. I wasn't interrupting park time because I only went to parks on my last two days at SSR, and I had a nice long rest at VB. I relied on Bell Services and Disney transportation for the first 4 resorts, then a car to get to Vero Beach, and I flew in to Orlando and out of Melbourne. I would do it again anytime! However, I had only myself to pack up each time. Perhaps if I was there with children I would have a different feeling about so much moving around.
For me it was so much fun!

 

[goofy4tink]

I do split stays all the time, but....here's the worst one yet. 1 night at AKL, 4 nights at BWV, 2 nights at Kidani, 5 nights at Pop, 3 nights at BWV. The issue? I had to stop and think before getting on a bus at the parks. I actually got on the wrong bus once..completely forgot where I was staying. I had very good reasons for all those changes, but man, it was time consuming. And after those first 5 days I was alone, so not a huge deal. I can't imagine packing up others in my family.

I really don't recommend switching resorts that often. You really need more than 2 days at a resort to get a true feel for it. If it were me? I would stay at Pop for 2 nights and then at CBR for 4 nights. SAB is okay, but, imho, not worth it to stay for one night! The other thing to keep in mind is that you're without a room for part of the day when you move. Sure, you might get lucky and be able to get into the next room right away, but I can tell you from experience, it's not fun to have no room to go to until late afternoon!!!

 

[cluvsdisney]

I also think it's a lot of moving around for a 6 night trip. We did something similar once...we visited my mother on the west coast so 2 nights at a hotel there, 5 nights at the Boardwalk then 1 night at the Dolphin. One night at the Dolphin felt like a waste of energy. We had so little time in the room and it was annoying to have to unpack (even just what we needed) and repack for just 1 day.

I don't know how this would work price wise (compared to your costs now) but I would consider doing 4 nights at Pop then 2 nights at BC.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

That's a lot of moving for 6 nights and with two little kids. I did my first split stay last year and that was a 10 night trip. I wouldn't do it for anything less than 6 or 7 (6 is pushing it for me) nights but only split between two. Maybe do Pop and BCV 3 nights each. Skip the moderate in between. We did 5 nights and loved the BC and SAB. I highly recommend it!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done a ton of split stays and I would never do less than 3 nights per resort. 4 nights is ideal. Otherwise you never really get a chance to enjoy the resort and you are just packing and moving the whole time. With one night at BCV, there is a big chance you won't have a room until 4 pm and then you have to check out at 11 am the next day. Yes, you can use the amenities on both days, but that means having to pack day bags, not having a room to change in if you are swimming, etc. I've done it and it's not fun.

I would pick two resorts, max, for 6 nights.

 

[Sue M]

I wouldn't do a split stay for 6 days. 3 is way to many IMO. Especially having to pack kids too, a 1 yr old has so much paraphernalia. And with a 1 night stay you're basically checking in at 4:00 for DVC, and check out is 11:00, very rare a DVC room is ready early.
I have done 1 night stays only if I'm arriving late, and don't want to spend $$$ on a deluxe first night when I'm arriving late.

 

[Marionnette]

So I've been lurking on this board for awhile and I have read most of the split stay post that has been very helpful. For my next visit I've decided to take the plunge and do a split stay. In the past I've stayed at AOA, ASMo, and Fort Wilderness Cabins and two off site stays as a kid.

The next trip is in June 2017 with DH, DD(7), DS (1), and my sister (17). My sister really wanted to try out Pop Century and staying a few days at a value saves money, and I wanted to try a moderate and Stormalong Bay at BC.

Here is the plan- 2 nights at Pop Century then 3 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort then the final night at BCV (I'm renting points and anymore nights would be too expensive)- So six nights and three hotels

We will probably rent a car even though we could get around with Disney transportation but we never do so transferring hotels will not be too complicated we'll just take our luggage ourselves. In my mind this shouldn't be too bad we'll pack a small bag for the first few days and pack up the luggage in the morning then go to the parks after an early check in at CBR. But maybe I'm being too idealistic??? Any feedback will be great.

Your room at BCV would probably not be ready before 4 PM. Yes, you could make use of SAB on your first and last day of your stay BUT you would be "homeless" for that first day (while you wait for your room to be ready) and then again after official checkout (11 AM) on your last day. It's not something that I would attempt with a 1 year-old.

 

[loves to dive]

I've done a number of split stays and most with only one or two nights in one resort so I don't necessarily agree with others that the time frame is too short for a resort. I do agree that just one night at BCV might be stretching it since you probably aren't really going to get to enjoy all that is available at that resort. How about a two way split with either a value and a moderate or a moderate and a deluxe. If money is an issue, look into a two way split with a value up front and maybe Swan/Dolphin on the end. They can be less than the moderate resorts if you are good at searching for discounts. Word of caution on them though, you need to factor in the resort fee, which doesn't always show up until you get ready to push the button on booking and if you have a car you have to factor in parking fees. I've found in some cases it's still less and my last trip, I actually was able to stay at YC for less than Swan. As far as being homeless, it depends on your style of visiting. I drive down so on transfer day, I've packed the night before and just move my bags to my car, check out via phone from resort #1 and drive over to resort #2 and check in around 7:30 or 8 in the morning. Rarely is my room ready but I've found if they know you are there that early they do tend to try to find you something a little earlier. Either way, I just either leave my bags in the car and head to a park or drop them with bell services and head to a park. When I get the room ready text, depending on if I'm ready to leave the park or not, I just head back to the resort or stay and finish my fun. I don't find it ever cuts any into my days to transfer resorts. As far as handling packing, some swear by packing cubes. Put the first stays things in one cube and you just have to pull that cube out, put the dirty clothes back in the cube and move the next resorts cube to the top of the pile. Since I drive I just take two suitcases and a small tote bag that holds things that are going to be used at each resort. I have an over the door toiletry bag that just goes in that tote and all I have to do is pull it out and hang it. I never unpack it, I put my toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. right back in it after I've used them every morning, which also cuts down on junk on the counters in the bathrooms.

 

[sdsatl]

I would start at BCV. One night won't spoil you, and you'll basically get two full days to enjoy the pool (which would be worth it to me in June). Then I would switch to Pop and make those full park days. I would end with a nice moderate stay (which, for me, would be POFQ ). I have laidback kids and I'm organized, so I think it's doable. And your sister should hopefully be a big help.

 

[TLM2015]

Thanks for all the input. The 1 yr old (he'll be almost 2 by then) is really the wild card because other than a one night trip to WDW we haven't gone to the parks with him but I did go when my daughter was about 1 1/2 and I've gone with her last year so my assumption is that we will tour similar to last time which is mid day pool breaks and naps every day a very relaxed pace.

I think I may have to eliminate one. With the amount of people in the room I think that Pop Century for a week would be too small but a moderate would be just right especially if we get a murphy bed at CBR. I did price out Swan/Dolphin way too expensive with the resort fee and parking fee added in and the whole family likes hotels to be more themed and DD loves interesting pools so those hotels are out although if I take an adult only trip then I would consider those and probably will ditch the car so the parking fee won't be an issue.

I am renting points for BCV so that one day is not changeable and honestly the deluxe resorts are too expensive even when renting points for me to consider more than one night. It would be doable but it would cut into food and souvenir budget and probably reduce the amount of days in the park. I've always been curious about SAB though and since I can use the pool during the day while we wait for our room I figured why not. It'll probably be a once in a lifetime stay.

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks for all the input. The 1 yr old (he'll be almost 2 by then) is really the wild card because other than a one night trip to WDW we haven't gone to the parks with him but I did go when my daughter was about 1 1/2 and I've gone with her last year so my assumption is that we will tour similar to last time which is mid day pool breaks and naps every day a very relaxed pace.

I think I may have to eliminate one. With the amount of people in the room I think that Pop Century for a week would be too small but a moderate would be just right especially if we get a murphy bed at CBR. I did price out Swan/Dolphin way too expensive with the resort fee and parking fee added in and the whole family likes hotels to be more themed and DD loves interesting pools so those hotels are out although if I take an adult only trip then I would consider those and probably will ditch the car so the parking fee won't be an issue.

I am renting points for BCV so that one day is not changeable and honestly the deluxe resorts are too expensive even when renting points for me to consider more than one night. It would be doable but it would cut into food and souvenir budget and probably reduce the amount of days in the park. I've always been curious about SAB though and since I can use the pool during the day while we wait for our room I figured why not. It'll probably be a once in a lifetime stay.

You are living dangerously with your wildcard nearly 2 year old Having a room for naps, each time you switch resorts is unlikely.
Good Luck

 

[Lynne M]

Thanks for all the input. The 1 yr old (he'll be almost 2 by then) is really the wild card because other than a one night trip to WDW we haven't gone to the parks with him but I did go when my daughter was about 1 1/2 and I've gone with her last year so my assumption is that we will tour similar to last time which is mid day pool breaks and naps every day a very relaxed pace.

Unless he can nap in a chair by the pool, or in a chair in a lobby, you'll need to assume there aren't going to be naps on your arrival day, or your moving days, and plan accordingly. Sometimes you get lucky and can get into a room early, but more likely you'll be without a room until at least 3 PM at Pop and CBR, and at least 4 PM at BCV.

 

[TLM2015]

Yeah I think we're going to stick to one resort in addition to the BCV (non refundable). I think my frugal side is going to win in the end and I will go with a value resort. Although the little one can and probably will sleep in the carrier, it'll be nice to have a room just in case.

Thanks everyone!