Would it be stupid to stay at two different resorts over one week?

[micheluvscorgis]

Ay, me. So we are in the throes of planning our first (and only) major trip in five years...and the first out of state trip with both of our sons, who will have just turned two and four at the time of the trip (November).

We really are undecided as to where we should stay: VWL or BLT. We want those two resorts because they are the closest, which is hugely important to us with the two small kiddos. We were all set to book (and did) a one week stay at the BLT but then realized there was a problem with the date (wrong month), so we're back to square one. It was an honest mistake, but just when we thought it was figured out...

There is availiablity at VWL for the week we want to stay, which includes our oldest son's fourth birthday. That would be fantastic, except that we're from Colorado, and we're concerned the wilderness/mountain theme might be lost on us, considering we already take a one week cabin trip to the mountains each summer.

So now we're considering splitting our stay between the two places (three nights at one, four nights at another).

Is this a terrible idea? Are we better off just staying put at VWL? How much of a pain is it to check in and out of the resorts? Will they transfer our bags for us while we tour the parks?

Thank you so much! We really appreciate your advice on this matter.


-Michele

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We will be doing two resorts this upcoming trip in August. We will be staying 2 nights at Vero Beach and then 5 nights at AKV. I think it will be a pain but we really want to try Vero. I don't know if we were on WDW property for the whole 7 nights if I would switch. I think it would take to much time to pack up and then unpack again.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

It's a fine idea. Disney makes it easy by bringing your bags between the two resorts. But there are two cavats:

First, you do have to pack up to move. For some people, that's not a problem. But if you are the kind of family that completely unpacks and totally makes yourself at home, packing is an ordeal. Only you know how your family is.

Second, plan on being homeless the afternoon of your move. For us, it's zero problem. Leave in the morning, hit a park for the day, and the end, go home to the new resort and check in. But with two kids, you may be thinking mid-day naps. If so, what will you do if your room at the new resorts isn't ready until after 4PM?

As I said, I think it's a great option. But it's not right for everyone.

 

[jbdisneymom13]

We will be doing a split stay in Aug for the first time - staying at POR for a few days to save points before our stay at OKW. I am hoping too that this won't be too much of a pain but figure since we're flying this trip we won't have as much "stuff" as usual to pack and unpack. I'm hoping that in switching it will add some spice to our stay!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

We do this all the time. And now that I own at the BLT (for easy access to the MK) and the BW (easy access to Epcot and DHS) we will be doing it every trip. No Buses to deal with!!! Except to the AK and waterparks

Our next trip we are staying 3 nights at the BW and 4 nights at the BLT and hopefully 2 nights at VB (have to wait to book at the 7 month window)

Our 1st trip was 2 Nights at VB, 3 nights at the BW and I at the BC.

Our 2nd trip was 7 days at the BW

Our 3rd trip was 6 nights at the BW

Our 4th trip was 4 nights at the BW, 1 at the AKV and 2 in VB

It works out okay. The biggest pain is the packing, but bell service collects your bags and moves them to the new hotel. It cost a few extra bucks in tips, but its so worth it!!!

 

[work2play]

How about if you have food in the fridge?? Can you store it will bell services in a refrigerated environment??

 

[TosaTrio]

We have split stays before to save points on weekends and it was ok. Disney transports your luggage so that works well, however it can take a while to check in the new resort depending on a magical express arrival of a new group of visitors.

With that being said, we may be splitting our stay in December if our VWL waitlist for one night doesn't come in.

We have VWL for one night, SSR for the next and 5 additional nights at VWL. Yuck to the double move!

If our waitlist doesn't come through we may just cancel our 1st two nights and stay somewhere for cash to only move once.

Wish us luck!

 

[oakmanner]

We did BWV & SSR on our last trip, no problems at all. Go for it!

 

[Tinkerbelljean]

We have done several trips with moves. If we could not get into the new resort room early (before 4 pm) we rented a pool locker and stored the things we could not live without and went to the parks or elsewhere. You can go to either pool on the day you transfer (your old resort or new one) My kids now 14 and 20 would hang out at their favorite pool if they did not want to go to a park. We fly to Florida and bring a soft-sided cooler to store cold items for the transfer. I try to time my consumable purchases like milk and eggs so we run out at the old resort and buy new at the new resort. If there is something you can freeze like juice boxes, it helps keep things cold. When the kids were younger, I had a small cooler that we took to the pool or stored in a pool locker.

If we do the "studio for the weekend then move to a larger unit" (because of availability or points), we pack a small suitcase for just the two days in the smaller unit and then when we get to the larger unit, we buy more groceries and unpack. Easier to do when kids are older.

 

[jade1]

We do this all the time. And now that I own at the BLT (for easy access to the MK) and the BW (easy access to Epcot and DHS) we will be doing it every trip. No Buses to deal with!!! Except to the AK and waterparks.

Same, only BLT and BCV. So good.

 

[simmons_m]

We did it in '08 with a 2 year old and a 5 year old.
It worked out fine, bell services transfered our luggage. We kept our day stuff in a backpack.
I do not recall how tired everyone was at the end of the day, so I do not think it was that bad. We will be splitting our next trip across two resorts, possibly 3 if akl is available.

 

[micheluvscorgis]

Thank you! You have been very helpful.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the naps are as beneficial for the kiddos as they are for me and my husband...if not moreso on the latter side of that equation.

And I am the type to completely pack and unpack.

And since this really is our first trip out of state with the boys, we have decided not to dive right into the deep end of the pool, and instead make it easy on ourselves...so we're just going to stick to original reservation at the VWL for one week.

Really appreciate all your feedback!

-Michele

 

[alldiz]

I think you made a good decision....I personally love a split stay...for me feels like 2 vacations in one. BUT....I am NOT a "complete unpacker"....AND I don't have 2 toddlers....BIG DIFFERENCE.

You will LOVE the lodge. Take the time with the boys to explore the lobby and all the floors above. There is cute things everywhere....nooks and crannies to explore.
I think at 2:30 everyday they have crafts for the kids in the cubs den.
You must eat at Whispering Canyon Cafe. This place is a riot....and the kids LOVE it. Remember to ask for ketchup and a large ice water
Kerri

 

[eastcoastcan]

We split our last vacation between BWV and SSR. We moved on a Saturday as we didn’t want to go the parks that day anyway. We did have a TON of stuff, including groceries, but we shoved the extras in plastic bags and the Disney staff moved it just fine. Once we got packed we were able to swim at BWV, go to Downtown Disney for lunch and were back at SSR in the early afternoon – room was ready just in time for naps!! I would recommend it - we’re doing it again this year as we love location of BWV and kids love the pool at SSR!