What would you do?

[Native NYer]

We're planning our second DVC stay and would like to make it a split stay.

We currently have 3 nights at BCV in a 2 bedroom and 10 nights at BLT in a 1 bedroom lakeview booked for August. Since we have 3 adults and 2 children in our group, we could not book a 1 bedroom at BCV.

I have been rethinking our plans and wondering if my nephews (7 and 3) would enjoy AKV. I am considering switching our last two nights at BLT for 2 nights at AKV in a 1 bedroom.

Is three resorts on one trip too much?

TIA

 

[dianeschlicht]

It would be too much for me. Might not be for you. I don't even like doing two resorts in one trip, and will only do it for a night or two at one end of the trip. The only time I've done it was when I wanted to get a couple nights at Concierge Level AKV before we started the main part of our trip. I just HATE packing and unpacking again. By staying somewhere for 2 nights, I can have one small bag for that part of the trip and then be content to put everything away on the second longer portion once we get there. My biggest issue last time was the Owner's Locker. I needed a few things from it, but I really didn't want to unpack the whole thing in the AKV-CL studio for those first couple nights. I felt totally disorganized the whole trip! I much prefer to spend all my time in one place.

I would think kids would appreciate being in one place too. Kids often take awhile to adjust to a new place, and asking them to move once might be bad enough. Kids get exhausted at Disney as it is, and they don't need the extra stress of moving every few days.

 

[delmar411]

It would be too much for me. Might not be for you. I don't even like doing two resorts in one trip, and will only do it for a night or two at one end of the trip. The only time I've done it was when I wanted to get a couple nights at Concierge Level AKV before we started the main part of our trip. I just HATE packing and unpacking again. By staying somewhere for 2 nights, I can have one small bag for that part of the trip and then be content to put everything away on the second longer portion once we get there. My biggest issue last time was the Owner's Locker. I needed a few things from it, but I really didn't want to unpack the whole thing in the AKV-CL studio for those first couple nights. I felt totally disorganized the whole trip! I much prefer to spend all my time in one place.

I would think kids would appreciate being in one place too. Kids often take awhile to adjust to a new place, and asking them to move once might be bad enough. Kids get exhausted at Disney as it is, and they don't need the extra stress of moving every few days.

^^^ This. 100% agree.

 

[Native NYer]

It would be too much for me. Might not be for you. I don't even like doing two resorts in one trip, and will only do it for a night or two at one end of the trip. The only time I've done it was when I wanted to get a couple nights at Concierge Level AKV before we started the main part of our trip. I just HATE packing and unpacking again. By staying somewhere for 2 nights, I can have one small bag for that part of the trip and then be content to put everything away on the second longer portion once we get there. My biggest issue last time was the Owner's Locker. I needed a few things from it, but I really didn't want to unpack the whole thing in the AKV-CL studio for those first couple nights. I felt totally disorganized the whole trip! I much prefer to spend all my time in one place.

I would think kids would appreciate being in one place too. Kids often take awhile to adjust to a new place, and asking them to move once might be bad enough. Kids get exhausted at Disney as it is, and they don't need the extra stress of moving every few days.

Good points! Thanks so much for your input.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We are going down in two weeks with two kids. We are at BLT for two nights, the Disney Cruise for four nights and the BWV for three more nights. Three places in less days than you in total. While I enjoy staying in one place, we also enjoy doing different things. Considering the number of nights you are staying at BLT, I don't think cutting two nights off is a big deal. It will give the kids something different to look forward to at the end of the trip too.

HBC

 

[a742246]

We're planning our second DVC stay and would like to make it a split stay.

We currently have 3 nights at BCV in a 2 bedroom and 10 nights at BLT in a 1 bedroom lakeview booked for August. Since we have 3 adults and 2 children in our group, we could not book a 1 bedroom at BCV.

I have been rethinking our plans and wondering if my nephews (7 and 3) would enjoy AKV. I am considering switching our last two nights at BLT for 2 nights at AKV in a 1 bedroom.

Is three resorts on one trip too much?

TIA

Three resorts is alot but you are staying there 13 nights so I believe you would be find. My suggestion though is to stay 3 nights at AKV. Why?
You would get a better feel for it . AKV has fantastic pools for that age group. Just bring your luggage to bell services and they will deliver to your
next resort its pretty easy. I always do split stays and it works out find.

 

[Native NYer]

We are going down in two weeks with two kids. We are at BLT for two nights, the Disney Cruise for four nights and the BWV for three more nights. Three places in less days than you in total. While I enjoy staying in one place, we also enjoy doing different things. Considering the number of nights you are staying at BLT, I don't think cutting two nights off is a big deal. It will give the kids something different to look forward to at the end of the trip too.

HBC

That is true! I figure if we add the nights on at the end at AKV, we would probably spend more time at the resort. I thought AKV would be a great place to enjoy the pool and the animals. The pool is the main reason we added BCV at the beginning. We wanted the kids to experience SAB and spend time in the Epcot resort area.

Your vacation sounds fantastic! Will this be your first Disney cruise? We are planning to take a Disney cruise next year. In that case, our split would be exactly like yours.

Three resorts is alot but you are staying there 13nights so I believe you would be find. My suggestion though is to stay 3 nights at AKV. Why?
You would get a better feel for it . AKV has fantastic pools for that age group. Just bring your luggage to bell services and they will deliver to your
next resort its pretty easy. I always do split stays and it works out find.

I hadn't thought about spending 3 nights at AKV. I need to look into that. My concern about AKV has been the distance from everything. But, since we're renting a car, I thought it wouldn't be such a big deal.

 

[bumbershoot]

But, since we're renting a car, I thought it wouldn't be such a big deal.

You are correct.


We had a 5 room stay (CBR to 2 bed OKW to 1 bed OKW to Universal to Jambo), which turned into 6 rooms b/c the Jambo room was unacceptable. Only that last move was annoying. With the car, everything else was simple, except for the tip money for Bell Services! (if we had bigger, rolling, luggage it would have been easier, but we don't, so needed the carts which they keep under lock and key LOL)

I don't necessarily recommend that many moves, but it was doable for us, and needed for our particular plans.

 

[Native NYer]

You are correct.


We had a 5 room stay (CBR to 2 bed OKW to 1 bed OKW to Universal to Jambo), which turned into 6 rooms b/c the Jambo room was unacceptable. Only that last move was annoying. With the car, everything else was simple, except for the tip money for Bell Services! (if we had bigger, rolling, luggage it would have been easier, but we don't, so needed the carts which they keep under lock and key LOL)

I don't necessarily recommend that many moves, but it was doable for us, and needed for our particular plans.

It's too bad they don't have the luggage carts available in the lobby for DVC guests to use. We had that problem at BLT last August. After checking in, we drove over to BLT and had to wait awhile for Bell Services. There weren't any luggage carts available at BLT. Next time, we are just dropping the luggage at the CR.

We've rented cars on our past two Disney trips and can't imagine not having one.

 

[Sandisw]

We did a three way split for our first DVC visit but did it on a 7 night stay--too much.

However, for 13 nights, I might go for it. As mentioned, I might try to change the AKV from 2 to 3.

I too like switching resorts as it just seems like something new to experience. And, as DVC, since we are in rooms with washers/dryers, its not as cumbersome to move our luggage--we too have a rental car so we can drive to DTD and AK. We split between the Epcot resorts and BLT so for the rest of the parks, we can walk.

We will also be there in August but only for 5 nights--2 at BWV and 3 at BLT.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Your vacation sounds fantastic! Will this be your first Disney cruise? We are planning to take a Disney cruise next year. In that case, our split would be exactly like yours.

We are looking forward to it. This is the third time we've done exactly this type of trip. We always end at the BWV's. This will be Disney cruise #6 but the first in a few years. We have been doing another cruise line but wanted to try the new Disney Dream.

I do agree that having a car makes it better. We've always had one and it's so much easier, especially when moving.

HBC

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's too bad they don't have the luggage carts available in the lobby for DVC guests to use. We had that problem at BLT last August. After checking in, we drove over to BLT and had to wait awhile for Bell Services. There weren't any luggage carts available at BLT. Next time, we are just dropping the luggage at the CR.

We've rented cars on our past two Disney trips and can't imagine not having one.

You are not going to find luggage carts at DVC resorts and probably not at WDW resorts. They belong to Bell Services and they are not going to give up that tip for you to move your own luggage.

 

[Native NYer]

We did a three way split for our first DVC visit but did it on a 7 night stay--too much.

However, for 13 nights, I might go for it. As mentioned, I might try to change the AKV from 2 to 3.

I too like switching resorts as it just seems like something new to experience. And, as DVC, since we are in rooms with washers/dryers, its not as cumbersome to move our luggage--we too have a rental car so we can drive to DTD and AK. We split between the Epcot resorts and BLT so for the rest of the parks, we can walk.

We will also be there in August but only for 5 nights--2 at BWV and 3 at BLT.

I am considering 3 nights at AKV instead of 2.
The washer/dryer is one of the reasons I DVC. We just bought in last year and could never imagine going back to a standard hotel room. The washer/dryer makes the split much easier because we won't have to transport dirty clothes. Plus, we won't have to pack as much to begin with.

2 nts BWV and 3 nts BLT sounds perfect! And from your ticker, it looks like we're both arriving the same day.


Have you gone to Welcome Home Wednesdays? I think we're going to check it out for the first time this summer.

We are looking forward to it. This is the third time we've done exactly this type of trip. We always end at the BWV's. This will be Disney cruise #6 but the first in a few years. We have been doing another cruise line but wanted to try the new Disney Dream.

I do agree that having a car makes it better. We've always had one and it's so much easier, especially when moving.

HBC

The Dream looks absolutely beautiful! I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful time.

I like how you split up your trip; WDW-cruise-WDW. When we try DCL, we'll probably do the same thing. A cruise seems like such a nice break from the parks.

Having a car makes getting around SO much easier, especially to buy some groceries.

 

[Native NYer]

You are not going to find luggage carts at DVC resorts and probably not at WDW resorts. They belong to Bell Services and they are not going to give up that tip for you to move your own luggage.

I agree about the tip! We just add tips into our vacation budget.
This time, we know to drop luggage off at bell services at the CR as BLT does not have a bell desk.

 

[4everGoofy]

In June we split a two week trip at three resorts. BCV, BLT, and AKV. It was fine for us. The biggest issue we had was the Dining Plan. If you are on the Dining Plan you need to use your credits at each resort. You cannot carry them over from resort to resort. DW just informed me that the Dining Plan options have changed for split stays but she cannot remember the details.

 

[Pixieflip]

Yes, 3 night minimum at AKV. It's such a great resort to enjoy. Your length of trip is the only way I'd do 3 resorts. I am not generally a fan of packing and lugging. It's a lot of work for the mom.

Plus, you are essentially homeless the day you transition. I've spoken of this before, so bear with me if you've seen it. Last year we added one night to the beginning of our trip. Got up early the next morning, sent our luggage from POFQ over to OKW, went to DHS, and Mom got violently ill. All she wanted was a bed by a bathroom. All she got was a bench in the shade by the public restroom between RRC and ToT. The front desk at OKW was sympathetic and hinted that if I brought her over then (at 1pm) she could probably get into our studio, but over the phone she was not allowed to promise. Mom didn't want to get on a bus at that moment without a guarentee, so she opted she stay on her bench. Most days it shouldn't be a problem, but once in a while it would really, really matter.

For what it's worth...I guess with kids in the group, I'd consider that, too. You just never know. Lots of people do it all the time and never have a problem. That's just one experience. But it's changed the way we do DVC.

 

[bookwormde]

I Do lots of multiple splits (doing BLT/BWV/Kidani this time, 15 days) and I would recommend 3 nights minimum for a villa (for studios we do as little as 2 since we are not setting up a kitchen).

I assume you wanted a 2br for BCV for your guests comfort since by DVC standards you are allowed 5.

bookwormde

 

[Dean]

We're planning our second DVC stay and would like to make it a split stay.

We currently have 3 nights at BCV in a 2 bedroom and 10 nights at BLT in a 1 bedroom lakeview booked for August. Since we have 3 adults and 2 children in our group, we could not book a 1 bedroom at BCV.

I have been rethinking our plans and wondering if my nephews (7 and 3) would enjoy AKV. I am considering switching our last two nights at BLT for 2 nights at AKV in a 1 bedroom.

Is three resorts on one trip too much?

TIA

I prefer not moving resorts but it's not that big of a deal for us. Each of us has different wants so no one else could decide what's best for you of course. All we can do is offer suggestions based on our own desires, knowledge and experience. For me it'd depend on the group and the specifics of what I wanted to do. Your best bet for a 13 day stay where you'll be at 2 or 3 resorts is to match your resort and daily activities to what and where you'll be doing things those days. For example, do EPCOT and DHS, while at BCV, MK while at BLT and just chill out and enjoy the Animals with a day at AK while at AKV. IF you could get the Concierge rooms for AKV, it might be fun to be lounge rats and just enjoy the animals for a couple of days.

One thing to consider is that you'll be orphaned while in between resorts to plan accordingly. I wish Disney would adopt the policy of Marriott where you can stay in one room until the other is ready when changing rooms or resorts. While I don't want to get this thread locked for occupancy discussions and I wouldn't do it myself, I want you to know that DVC will currently allow you to have 5 in a 1 BR at BCV and BWV even if all are over 3. Have a great trip, sounds fun with any of the options.

 

[Native NYer]

In June we split a two week trip at three resorts. BCV, BLT, and AKV. It was fine for us. The biggest issue we had was the Dining Plan. If you are on the Dining Plan you need to use your credits at each resort. You cannot carry them over from resort to resort. DW just informed me that the Dining Plan options have changed for split stays but she cannot remember the details.

How many nights did you spend at each?

Keeping DDP credits straight for one resort is enough of a pain.
We're not doing the DDP this trip. We purchased TiW last sumemr and plan on just using that for table service meals.

 

[Native NYer]

Yes, 3 night minimum at AKV. It's such a great resort to enjoy. Your length of trip is the only way I'd do 3 resorts. I am not generally a fan of packing and lugging. It's a lot of work for the mom.

Plus, you are essentially homeless the day you transition. I've spoken of this before, so bear with me if you've seen it. Last year we added one night to the beginning of our trip. Got up early the next morning, sent our luggage from POFQ over to OKW, went to DHS, and Mom got violently ill. All she wanted was a bed by a bathroom. All she got was a bench in the shade by the public restroom between RRC and ToT. The front desk at OKW was sympathetic and hinted that if I brought her over then (at 1pm) she could probably get into our studio, but over the phone she was not allowed to promise. Mom didn't want to get on a bus at that moment without a guarentee, so she opted she stay on her bench. Most days it shouldn't be a problem, but once in a while it would really, really matter.

For what it's worth...I guess with kids in the group, I'd consider that, too. You just never know. Lots of people do it all the time and never have a problem. That's just one experience. But it's changed the way we do DVC.

I am considering 3 nights at AKV. Now, I have to figure out standard or savanna view if we book those last nights there.

I Do lots of multiple splits (doing BLT/BWV/Kidani this time, 15 days) and I would recommend 3 nights minimum for a villa (for studios we do as little as 2 since we are not setting up a kitchen).

I assume you wanted a 2br for BCV for your guests comfort since by DVC standards you are allowed 5.

bookwormde

We booked the 2 br in order to have 2 bathrooms.

I prefer not moving resorts but it's not that big of a deal for us. Each of us has different wants so no one else could decide what's best for you of course. All we can do is offer suggestions based on our own desires, knowledge and experience. For me it'd depend on the group and the specifics of what I wanted to do. Your best bet for a 13 day stay where you'll be at 2 or 3 resorts is to match your resort and daily activities to what and where you'll be doing things those days. For example, do EPCOT and DHS, while at BCV, MK while at BLT and just chill out and enjoy the Animals with a day at AK while at AKV. IF you could get the Concierge rooms for AKV, it might be fun to be lounge rats and just enjoy the animals for a couple of days.

One thing to consider is that you'll be orphaned while in between resorts to plan accordingly. I wish Disney would adopt the policy of Marriott where you can stay in one room until the other is ready when changing rooms or resorts. While I don't want to get this thread locked for occupancy discussions and I wouldn't do it myself, I want you to know that DVC will currently allow you to have 5 in a 1 BR at BCV and BWV even if all are over 3. Have a great trip, sounds fun with any of the options.

That's exactly what we plan to do; match our plans according to where we are staying. It'll be so much easier to visit Epcot and DHS from BCV, MK from BLT, and AK from AKV. We won't have to move the car as much.