What's the deal with split stays?

[Paigesmom2013]

I'm noticing a lot of people on these boards do split stays, but I don't know if I understand why? Isn't it too much packing and unpacking and spending time on different check-ins?

I have never gone on vacation before and stayed at two different places unless we split the trip between different cities.

 

[Mr. Pig]

I don't really fully unpack so re-packing isn't too bad. Checking in doesn't take that much time and it's always fun to see your room for the first time.
Other reasons:
You can mix lower and higher cost resorts so you can do deluxe but still save some money by averaging costs.
It kind of feels like two vacations. The time seems to go slower.
You can try out more resorts.

I wouldn't want to stay for less than 4 days at any one resort.

We usually do split stays but this year it will be a full 8 days at Poly. I can see why someone would not want to split - as always to each their own.

 

[jade1]

We split with BLT and concentrate on walking to MK, then BCV for EPCOT and DHS.

On move day we have the bags taken to BCV by bell, then hop the monorail to EPCOT for lunch-then walk to BCV and SAB until room is ready.

We do 8 to 12 night stays so plenty at each.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We split with BLT and concentrate on walking to MK, then BCV for EPCOT and DHS.

On move day we have the bags taken to BCV by bell, then hop the monorail to EPCOT for lunch-then walk to BCV and SAB until room is ready.

We do 8 to 12 night stays so plenty at each.

This is what we are doing this year. 9 nights total.

 

[princessallegra]

We are not fans of the split stay. For us it is too much packing/unpacking, moving. We like to unpack and settle into the room. The only split stay we really enjoyed was we did 7 nights at CSR and 2 nights at AKL arusha view and that was nice. We were supposed to go to DH'a grandma's for those two nights but she wasnt up to visitors so we had 2 extra night at disney to book, got a great discount. Enjoyed the weekend at AKL. For us it's not worth it to stay 3 or 4 nights somewhere and move.

 

[princessallegra]

We split with BLT and concentrate on walking to MK, then BCV for EPCOT and DHS.

On move day we have the bags taken to BCV by bell, then hop the monorail to EPCOT for lunch-then walk to BCV and SAB until room is ready.

We do 8 to 12 night stays so plenty at each.

That's nice! With a 12 night stay (heaven, wow!) we would consider a split stay like that.

 

[Yellosno]

I typically never unpack more than a few things. For moving the only inconvenience ive found is if my room isnt ready in time for my midday nap.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

We split with BLT and concentrate on walking to MK, then BCV for EPCOT and DHS.

On move day we have the bags taken to BCV by bell, then hop the monorail to EPCOT for lunch-then walk to BCV and SAB until room is ready.

We do 8 to 12 night stays so plenty at each.

That's our idea for next year too. 3 nights at the contemporary and 6 at the yacht club. Though I want a car next year to go out and do some shopping.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Kim1964]

The first time we did a split stay was for financial reasons, and we did POR/YC. Now we do them every trip, and it's more about trying new places than money. We pack so that the suitcase for the second hotel doesn't even have to be opened while we are at the first hotel. We always have a car, so the transfer isn't a big deal. We don't purchase a dining plan and we get our park tickets from UCT, so there are no issues with those things. For us, the fun of new places is worth a little time packing and a little time without a room.

 

[Masonmj84]

We split with BLT and concentrate on walking to MK, then BCV for EPCOT and DHS.

On move day we have the bags taken to BCV by bell, then hop the monorail to EPCOT for lunch-then walk to BCV and SAB until room is ready.

We do 8 to 12 night stays so plenty at each.

Similar to jade1, we find that split stays can actually be a net convenience because they can allow you to be close to the parks and restaurants you plan to visit during a given part of your trip (e.g., plan MK days and MK area restaurants while staying at a MK resort and then plan EP/HS days and EP/HS area restaurants while staying at an EP resort, etc.).

Plus you get to experience more than one resort, so it's like two vacations in one.

It helps if you're the type of traveler that doesn't fully unpack while on vacation. We fit that bill because we frequently take trips where we stay at multiple places and never unpack our suitcases. In that regard, we have a system for staying organized and bring clothes that are less susceptible to wrinkling (I personally like UnderArmor).

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We've done many split stays but typically they are for at least 4 nights at each resort, otherwise it does feel like too much packing and unpacking. I think the major benefit to a split is having the chance to experience 2 vacations in one. For example, if you stay in a monorail resort for 4 nights you could then head to an Epcot resort for another 4 nights and have the opportunity to enjoy both destinations and what they have to offer.

 

[Minnesota!]

We have found split stays a nice way to see 2 (or more) places, and, for us personally, we stay deluxe the first few days and enjoy the amenities - pool, sit down restaurant, etc. and ignore the parks. Then, for our park days where all we need is a bed and shower, we move to a value. Very nice to kick the vacation off TRULY relaxing...

And split stays are SO easy. WDW makes it so easy. Love it! We pack one small bag for the first few days, and then when we get to the 2nd hotel, everything gets unpacked.

Last trip, DH took a cab to CSR (from AKL) with our luggage. Me and the kids went to hop on the bus to HS...he checked us in, stored our luggage, got our tickets, and was on the bus to HS from CSR before we left AKL. It's very quick, very efficient. Love it!

Doing it again in 21 days!

 

[jennilouwho]

I finally decided to do a split stay for our trip next year. We live 10 hrs from Disneyland and drive there every year and a half or so. I have been putting a little $$$ aside each year since our honeymoon though to do a big trip for our 10 year anniversary to WDW and we now have 3 children as well. We are going to do one week at AKL and one week at AoA. I decided it'd be fun to check out the stuff at each resort and not get bored staying in one spot too long.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I finally decided to do a split stay for our trip next year. We live 10 hrs from Disneyland and drive there every year and a half or so. I have been putting a little $$$ aside each year since our honeymoon though to do a big trip for our 10 year anniversary to WDW and we now have 3 children as well. We are going to do one week at AKL and one week at AoA. I decided it'd be fun to check out the stuff at each resort and not get bored staying in one spot too long.

That sounds really fun!!

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

I'm noticing a lot of people on these boards do split stays, but I don't know if I understand why? Isn't it too much packing and unpacking and spending time on different check-ins?

I have never gone on vacation before and stayed at two different places unless we split the trip between different cities.

Why not take advantage of enjoying two or even three different resorts while staying on property when CM's make it so easy by moving your luggage from place to place. Disney themes their resorts in so many ways you just might want to experience as many as you can. Not to mention the fact that most resorts will offer different dinning experiences and other amenities it might just justify doing a split stay.

 

[karenklo]

WE are doing the split stay due to family. We are overlapping by 4 days with my parents and niece and nephew. We are at the POFQ with them first, then hopping over to my FAVE the Poly for the rest of the vacation! Great way to check the POFQ since we have not stayed there but hear great things!

 

[mousefan73]

We have planned 2 split stays. As we fly stand-by I need wiggle room at the beginning. We book the longer portion as a package, usually with FD. the first few nights then a room only discount. This year we are doing AKL then POR.

We are also relativily new to WDW and will continue to do split stays just to try the different resorts. Also next year we may be 5 people and really want 2 bathrooms. So we are playing around ideas how to do this. Here cost saying with a split plays a role. We are thinking first half AOA family suite and then either a mod or deluxe 2 rooms/villa.. A split stay with a value allows use a longer stay with partial delux..

We also like to outlet shop so here AOA makes sense to save resort costs and then do the parks while at a delux.

For us our stays are at least a week. I couldnt do a short split stay. 2 nights here and there.. That is too much action for me.

 

[Irishlisa]

We are doing our first split stay in November. I am a little nervous about the packing/unpacking aspect of it, but I've read some great advice from others who are fans of doing a split stay. For us and this upcoming trip, we decided on a split stay because we have been trying to get a grand villa at BLT for the past 3 years and we were able to get one finally. We stayed at AKV last September for the first time and absolutely loved it so we decided to go back again but couldn't and didn't want to pass up BLT also. Instead we decide to add 2 more days to our trip and stay at both resorts

 

[wyurm]

Some do split stays to enjoy the benefits of two deluxe resorts. For example they might do AKL and Poly. Others like myself do it for money. We are doing 6 nights Poly CL and planned to do some non-Disney stuff as well so we will be staying at AoA for 2 nights after. It didn't make sense to spend 500 a night for 2 more nights when we weren't even going to be in the parks.

The packing and un-packing might not be lots of fun but I don't think it will be that bad either.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Most of the pp's have given you the reasons. I will rate the reasons why we love splits

1. The amenities- We SS in order to do the stuff at each hotel. For example, SS between POFQ and WL. We stay three nights at POFQ- the boys get to swim at both the POFQ and the riverside pool. We spend one night taking the boat to downtown and eating, shopping there. I get to know the friendly bartenders at Mardy Grogs, River Roost, muddy Rivers and Scat Cats. Then we head to WL for 3 nights- Boys get the pool, the bike path, the water sprites and I get to meet new bartenders at Territory Lounge and Trout Pass. We get to eat at Whispering Canyons. We enjoy the boat to MK and also the one to CR and the monorail. And, we get to watch the water parade from the balcony over the lobby with the music piped in .

2. Convenience- Yes, it is convenient because we arrange our park days to follow our SS. Water parks, Studios, downtown and AK while we stay at POFQ. MK and Epcot via the boat to CR and the monorail while we stay at WL.

3. New Rooms- Something about just moving to a new room, a new view, a new maid, a new experience.

4. Savings- Yes, splitting does save because I can convince all that we stay in a mod for the first 3 nights, then splurge on a deluxe the last three.

5. Satisfy everyone in the family- This hits us as each person likes different things. My daughter loves WL while my boys really like POFQ. SS's make both happy.

But the most important thing that allows us to do this is-

Disney makes it so easy! Really, they make it seamless if you know what you are doing. As we drive down, I just have the wife and kids head to the park on the bus. I take our luggage or have bell sevices transfer it, whichever I feel like at the time (usually depends on our room location at first resort). I drive the van to new hotel and head to the park to meet up. They get a few moments away from dad and I get a leisurely trek (did I mention I quickly run to meet new bartender) to the park that morning.

Oh, and as for packing- We always pack light. 3 or 4 outfits each and most are shorts and t shirts or the like. I prefer to do one afternoon laundry day than pack for the full 8 days. Helps with travel. Lundry day is last day @ POFQ and I wash/mardygrogs/rinse/mardygrogs/dry/mardygrogs. Flies by.