Would you do a split stay when travelling with a first-timer?

[Jerusalem Gal]

I stayed at Coronado with a first-timer two years ago for a full week and we both loved it.
Then this past January I went with my sister for 10 days and did a split stay- Pop and the Contemporary. It was my first split and we both also loved it. (But my sister's been there before.)

I might be travelling with a friend who's never been before (also probably around 10 days) and am wondering if a split stay would be too much. Maybe overwhelming?

Any thoughts?


(My thoughts right now are mostly- OMG OMG, I want to go again!!!)

 

[dansdad]

We have found split stays are a great way to enjoy 2 resorts in one trip. With a 1st timer I think it'd be great for them to experience 2 different WDW resorts and all they have to offer.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

We have found split stays are a great way to enjoy 2 resorts in one trip. With a 1st timer I think it'd be great for them to experience 2 different WDW resorts and all they have to offer.

Thanks! I guess I'm a little worried it would overwhelm them. (Disney in itself is overwhelming!)

 

[craigkerstiens]

I'd echo and say it's a great way to see two resorts, and the resorts can be just as much a part of the experience as anything else. Far too often those new to WDW just view the resort as a hotel vs. as part of the experience. A split-stay seems like a great way to open them up to that and force both of you to see even more.

 

[brittbrat63]

We did a 3 way split stay our first trip and loved it. We spent 6 nights at BC, 4 nights at Kidani and 2 nights at Jambo. I have to say though, only doing 2 nights in the middle may have been overwhelming for us.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I'd echo and say it's a great way to see two resorts, and the resorts can be just as much a part of the experience as anything else. Far too often those new to WDW just view the resort as a hotel vs. as part of the experience. A split-stay seems like a great way to open them up to that and force both of you to see even more.

I agree. The resorts (like the restaurants) are a big part of the experience for me. I'll definitely consider a split stay! Thank you for your input!

We did a 3 way split stay our first trip and loved it. We spent 6 nights at BC, 4 nights at Kidani and 2 nights at Jambo. I have to say though, only doing 2 nights in the middle may have been overwhelming for us.

Thanks! A three way split would be a bit much even if it was just me But two ways seems ok if it's planned right.

 

[addiln]

I am not sure how it would be overwhelming for someone. Castmembers will handle moving you bags over to the new resort for you so pretty much you can get up in the am at one resort and just head over to the new resort once we are ready to return to the resort later that day. I think it would be nice for a person on their first visit to experience more then one resort.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

I think a split stay is a great idea for the reasons already mentioned. The only thing I would add is that I always suggest if staying in two different categories of resorts you start with the lessor and move up. Value to mod or mod to deluxe not the other way round.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We are taking my daughter's boyfriend who has never been there and who is disabled like her in November for a week right after Thanksgiving. We are staying two nights at bay lake so we can go to the very merry Christmas party One night and let him watch the fireworks from the top of Bl. And we can take boat over to Wilderness to see the Christmas decorations and have dinner st Artist Point. Then we move to Boardwalk for four nights. We will do Epcot and Hollywood for one day while we are there. And the young adults have the freedom to walk around on their own at night, and our last two nights will be at AK so he can watch the animals from our room. We are using points at all of them and had to get a two bedroom at all places to accommodate the sleeping arrangements and ensure he has his own room. He is so excited And while we rarely go to parks any more, it will be fun to take someone who has never been known there.

 

[TeamSy]

I think I would do a split stay ESPECIALLY with a first timer so they can experience more than one hotel/level Disney offers.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I think a split stay is a great idea for the reasons already mentioned. The only thing I would add is that I always suggest if staying in two different categories of resorts you start with the lessor and move up. Value to mod or mod to deluxe not the other way round.

Thanks- I actually read that while planning my last trip in January. We moved up from Pop to the CR. I'm only wondering if I should gamble on resorts I myself haven't been to yet or go with the safe choices I already know

We are taking my daughter's boyfriend who has never been there and who is disabled like her in November for a week right after Thanksgiving. We are staying two nights at bay lake so we can go to the very merry Christmas party One night and let him watch the fireworks from the top of Bl. And we can take boat over to Wilderness to see the Christmas decorations and have dinner st Artist Point. Then we move to Boardwalk for four nights. We will do Epcot and Hollywood for one day while we are there. And the young adults have the freedom to walk around on their own at night, and our last two nights will be at AK so he can watch the animals from our room. We are using points at all of them and had to get a two bedroom at all places to accommodate the sleeping arrangements and ensure he has his own room. He is so excited And while we rarely go to parks any more, it will be fun to take someone who has never been known there.

This is wonderful! I'm so happy for you guys! I'm sure he'll have a good time with all of you
I'm seriously considering a savannah room in AKL for my next trip but I don't know if my friend would be into that...

I think I would do a split stay ESPECIALLY with a first timer so they can experience more than one hotel/level Disney offers.

Thanks

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, we had a very split stay on OUR very first time at WDW.

OKW 2 bedroom with extended family, OKW 1 bedroom once they had to get back to work and school, over to Universal for 3 or 4 nights, then back to AKV to end the trip.

We've had more split stays since then.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Well, we had a very split stay on OUR very first time at WDW.

OKW 2 bedroom with extended family, OKW 1 bedroom once they had to get back to work and school, over to Universal for 3 or 4 nights, then back to AKV to end the trip.

We've had more split stays since then.

Sounds like a lot of moving around!
I saw OKW (from the outside) for the first time on my last trip. It looked gorgeous and so relaxing!
I think I'll seriously consider a split stay. Maybe Coronado and AKL if we get the free dining deal. (If we end up going!)

 

[Sue M]

We've done split stays, 5/5 on visits of 10 days or more. But lately we've become lazy and like to just unpack and stay at one resort. Our trips are usually 10-14 days.

I assume it's just the 2 of you, I'd number crunch between room discount vs free dining. It's usually just 2 of us when I go, and at a deluxe resort free dining is never the better deal for us. Depends on discount and how much a night it saves you.

 

[Disney Khi]

I'm doing a trip in August and taking my aunt and uncle who are first-timers. My mom and I decided to do a split stay with four nights at the GF and then three nights at BC. We've never stayed at the GF but thought it would be great for transportation to MK, especially since my grandmother will also be with us and she will be in a wheelchair most of the time. We've never stayed at an MK resort at all, so we are looking forward to it. We are also going to AK and TL while staying there. We will be at GF Sun-Thurs. On Thurs we will transfer to BC and go to DHS for lunch and afternoon FP. Friday and Saturday will be for Epcot and hanging out at BC. That's my plan so far, anyway.

I think it will be nice for my aunt and uncle to experience two resorts, since I'm not sure if they will ever be able to go back to WDW.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

We've done splits many times and absolutely LOVED IT. We've also done it splitting between WDW and Universal. In fact we did it more often than not. We just last year started doing Fort Wilderness because we bought a camper and it's been hard to have someone watch our pets. If I didn't have my pets with me, I would do it again in a heartbeat. We love the resorts as much or even better at times than the parks. The resorts are absolutely incredible and part of the experience. Got a lot more out of the trip that way for us. Would recommend if you are doing a lower and higher priced resort, do the cheaper one first though.

 

[buzznina]

Just adults, yes I would definitely do it.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

We've done split stays, 5/5 on visits of 10 days or more. But lately we've become lazy and like to just unpack and stay at one resort. Our trips are usually 10-14 days.

I assume it's just the 2 of you, I'd number crunch between room discount vs free dining. It's usually just 2 of us when I go, and at a deluxe resort free dining is never the better deal for us. Depends on discount and how much a night it saves you.

Yeah, just the two of us. I hate number crunching (And yet, if it gives me something Disney to do on my dreary days at work, it's still fun somehow!)
I have a weakness for free dining, even though I realize it's not always worth it. I'm not sure if we would do deluxe on this trip (although I really want to try AKL) - I'd have to see what our budget is. We're talking $900+ each just for the flights!
Thanks for the tips!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I'm doing a trip in August and taking my aunt and uncle who are first-timers. My mom and I decided to do a split stay with four nights at the GF and then three nights at BC. We've never stayed at the GF but thought it would be great for transportation to MK, especially since my grandmother will also be with us and she will be in a wheelchair most of the time. We've never stayed at an MK resort at all, so we are looking forward to it. We are also going to AK and TL while staying there. We will be at GF Sun-Thurs. On Thurs we will transfer to BC and go to DHS for lunch and afternoon FP. Friday and Saturday will be for Epcot and hanging out at BC. That's my plan so far, anyway.

I think it will be nice for my aunt and uncle to experience two resorts, since I'm not sure if they will ever be able to go back to WDW.

Sounds like fun! And if your grandma is with you then a monorail resort would really be a good idea!

We've done splits many times and absolutely LOVED IT. We've also done it splitting between WDW and Universal. In fact we did it more often than not. We just last year started doing Fort Wilderness because we bought a camper and it's been hard to have someone watch our pets. If I didn't have my pets with me, I would do it again in a heartbeat. We love the resorts as much or even better at times than the parks. The resorts are absolutely incredible and part of the experience. Got a lot more out of the trip that way for us. Would recommend if you are doing a lower and higher priced resort, do the cheaper one first though.

Thanks, It's been years and years since I visited Universal. But somehow I just feel it's a waste of Disney days I'll have to go back at some point. I used to love it!
And I agree about the resorts being incredible and part of the experience. I hope my friend gives me free reign and lets me plan everything on my own

Just adults, yes I would definitely do it.

Thanks!

 

[Sue M]

Sounds like fun! And if your grandma is with you then a monorail resort would really be a good idea!


Thanks, It's been years and years since I visited Universal. But somehow I just feel it's a waste of Disney days I'll have to go back at some point. I used to love it!
And I agree about the resorts being incredible and part of the experience. I hope my friend gives me free reign and lets me plan everything on my own


Thanks!

Although it would be fun to get her in on the planning! You could get together for planning nights! And it will get friend more excited about trip. Give friend some planning info sites like this one, Allears.net, Easy Disney, and maybe a book. For new people WDW The Unofficial Guide is great.

For moderate resorts we love POR Riverside mansion section. It has lots to offer like a boat to Disney Springs, Carriage rides, fun evening entertainer in the lounge.

I've been off the DDP. We put what we'd pay for DDP on a Disney Gift card, and use that for dining. Always have a balance left on it. And we eat well, and what we want. Having a dining gift card is almost like having a dining plan, just give card to pay. And free dining isn't really "free" when you're paying rack rate for room. The room discount is generally better for us. Especially at deluxe resorts.

Air fare for us isn't that bad, but still $650 - $700 each RT from west coast of Canada. Ugh.