Two bookings, two sets of bands?

[JohnDaleswife]

Was thinking about booking night one of our stay with Orbitz, to use our Orbitz bucks then booking the following 4-5 days with a room only directly with Disney. Day 1 would not be doing anything but checking into hotel, getting settled in, ect. No parks or anything.

If I did this would I receive two different sets of magic bands? If so, would it just be better to book with one or the other for the entire trip. I do not really want two different sets of bands.

Really did'nt want to have to try to argue with Orbitz either about having to add my 10-year-old daughter to the reservation and I make it with just me and my husband either, but if I must I will.

 

[Amanda999]

Unless the Orbitz bucks were significant (to you), I'd just cancel that and do 1 single reservation with Disney direct.

It's just not worth the risk of IT issues, or having to re-check in (they will almost always let you stay in the same room, but you do have to recheck in and worry - I do!- if you keep the same room).

I had many problems, requiring many visits to GC every morning for almost a week last August when I had a split stay. Just too risky, even if the risk is actually small. (See also in the Theme Parks section of this discussion forum a recent topic - today - about a family who had massive IT problems with a split stay.)

Yes, you get 2 sets of MagicBands with 2 stays like that. No way around it. You can't convince them to not send it.

FWIW, I've done the phone call to Orbitz 3x or so, to add a (free) child. They are nice about it, but its 10 minutes out of your life. They put you on hold and then call Disney while you wait and wait. It does get done, but ugh. And you HAVE to do it else your kid won't be able to have FP+ booked for that night (because s/he isn't staying at a resort).

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Ok, well the Orbitz bucks are rather important because I think I will have enough by the end of October to pay for one whole night at either AOA, LM room or a moderate with a Disney discount on it.

What if I were to book the first 4 or 5 nights with Disney and use the magic band that comes with that reservation first and then book the last night with Orbitz. I would be using the bands that came with the Disney reservation the most and have it linked to my tickets. Would that help you think?

I really rather not do a split stay but one free night on Orbitz is a nice little discount. Or I could just maybe book the whole thing through Orbitz, I just have to come up with a lot of cash to pay if all off at once.

 

[Amanda999]

Could work just fine - doing the 1 Orbitz night at the end. You would still have to check in again for that, and your FP+ 60 day window would be different. (You'll be doing a split stay in Disney's eyes.) And, my personal phobia about 'IT' problems remains, but it could be rare. And you'll still have to do the phone call to Orbitz to add kids (not a bad process, but still). Keep in mind you can't schedule FP+ for the kids until you do that - as they won't be on the onsite reservation until then.

I know $150 (or so it seems) Orbucks is real money, but its short dollars compared with just the theme park tickets (not sure how many in your family, but even just 2 people, 3 days, is over $800). One quick serve meal for 4 is over $50. I'm sure my experience was rare, so I guess I just offer it to you so you can weigh it in your decision. Could work out just fine. It's just so bad when it doesn't.

Could you spend the Orbucks anywhere else - any other weekend trips upcoming? If not and the Orbucks are important to you to be used this trip, then I would do what you just said - book with Disney first, then Orbitz last night. Keep in mind your ME reservation could be a bit more work too, going home - you need to go to a Disney link (i don't have it handy but google disboards for it) to set it up online, or call (they are great on the phone). Then call again to confirm a week or two prior. Then make sure you have the paper the morning you are leaving.... (Can you guess this hasn't worked out for me sometimes?!)

Anyway, just giving you my 2 cents. Lots of people I'm sure have no problems with split stays - they seem very popular.

 

[darrengs]

Last month we had a one night stay at POP, followed by 10 nights at YC, we were sent two sets of Magic bands. Both sets were assigned to us and both worked fine.