WWYD: BCV 10 nights or Split w/AKV [Updated 05/04/09 - Post#31]

[rlduvall]

You know, the disboards can be very stressful and unsettling for a Type A person like me. I currently have 10 nights booked in a studio at BCV for early June - never stayed there. Then I start seeing all the incredible photos of AKV [it's my home resort for a reason] which I dearly love.

Should I see about waitlisting for the last 3 nights at AKV? Would save me about 18 points, BUT, not sure if I want to pack and re-pack. Because of my point borrowing addiction, it will probably be 2 years before we make it back.

Someone just make the call for me.

[Updated 05/04/09] Well, I couldn't help myself. The pictures for Kidani looked too cool, so on April 24th I went on a WL for either a standard view or savannah view studio - deciding I wouldn't be heartbroken if it didn't come through because of the great location of BCV. It came through today. And while I am truly not looking forward to repacking for 3 nights - I must say I am excited to try out the new place.

 

[Sandisw]

I think you should wait list for the 3 nights at AKV. Just think of it as two vacations.

We typically go for only 1 week at a time so we are always "packing" at the 7 day mark. I think if its going to be 2 years before you are back, you might regret not getting a chance to stay 'home'.

If you are anything like me, I think it will be okay until I get there, then I regret it and its too late to change.

Good luck!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Best split stay ever!!
We love a split stay with BCV & AKV.

We did it last summer & will be doing it again this July (8 nights BCV & 3 nights AKV). We're doing this split stay with another DVC family as well.

 

[mikeandkarla]

If you have never stayed at AKV, definitely do it! It is a completely different style of vacation than BCV. I truly love them both for very different reasons. Good luck.

 

[culli]

I'm probably not the best person to comment because BCV is our favorite and have no desire to go to AKV. The walk to EPCOT and DHS is just about priceless for our family. I would stay at BCV the whole time, but if it was up to me I think all our stays would be at BCV.

 

[RLRDA]

I think if you're open to the idea of splitting your stay in the first place, you should try it! Waitlist for your AKV nights and hopefully something will become available. I'm sure you will read on other threads that other members will never do split stays. Others, like me and my family, like them a lot and will continue to do it in the future (depending on the trip). You won't know until you try it for yourself and form your own opinion . I think your trip is a great length to try it. Either way - hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[allshookup]

Two years may seem like a very long time, but it goes fast. I personally would never do a split stay. It's a hassle to pack & unpack when you get to the resort, never mind packing again & then again at home. Plus you could be homeless for most of that one day, while you check out of BCV & wait for a room to become available at AKV.

We haven't done every DVC resort yet, we'd still like to try AKV, BLT & THVs, but it's going to be a 4-5 years before all that happens. We're doing BCV this summer for a second time, but we're meeting a lot of families that are also staying there. Anyway, it's fun looking forward to those future vacations, I don't see the point of trying to do 2-3 different vacations in 1, but that's just me.

 

[bookwormde]

If you do not have to have “everything” available to you, pack for departure at BCV and just have a smaller bag(s) for what you must have for the last 3 day, it sure make the final packing a lot easier. This is especially easy in June since the lighter clothes are easy to deal with.

If you do split we will be at AKV when you would be (beginning of out trip, BCV at the end). We are on the 2 years off after this trip schedule also (then back to 2 trips within 12 months to take advantage of the APs)

bookwormde

 

[DVC Mike]

Two years may seem like a very long time, but it goes fast. I personally would never do a split stay. It's a hassle to pack & unpack when you get to the resort, never mind packing again & then again at home. Plus you could be homeless for most of that one day, while you check out of BCV & wait for a room to become available at AKV.

I've grown weary of split stays for this very reason. However, I think a split stay may be worth it to try out a resort you haven't ever stayed at. That way, you would know if you would enjoy a longer stay there.

 

[edk35]

Well we have done them the past two summers. Our first DVC stay was 5 nights at SSR and 3 at BWV. Then last summer we did 8 at OKW and 6 at BCV. We were ready to switch last summer. I think the best splits are when you have a week at at least one of the resorts. Last summer was the best trip however we would have preferred to do 8 at BCV and the 6 at OKW. We LOVED LOVED LOVED BCV. This summer we have a weird split that is the product of me changing my mind too many times, cancelling and rebooking and losing out on my savanna view. However we are still at WDW so we will be fine.

My dd wants to stay at Poly so we are staying at Poly for 2 nights, then 5 at BCV then 2 at AKV. We may not want to split again after this. We shall see.

I think you should try it at least once. I think you would regret not going to AKV if you can't go back for 2 years.

 

[La2kw]

You know, the disboards can be very stressful and unsettling for a Type A person like me. I currently have 10 nights booked in a studio at BCV for early June - never stayed there. Then I start seeing all the incredible photos of AKV [it's my home resort for a reason] which I dearly love.

Should I see about waitlisting for the last 3 nights at AKV? Would save me about 18 points, BUT, not sure if I want to pack and re-pack. Because of my point borrowing addiction, it will probably be 2 years before we make it back.

Someone just make the call for me.

Stick with BCV. It's a much nicer resort, IMO. I don't like split stays because I don't like being "homeless" for a day. I'd much rather spend that day doing something fun rather than checking out and checking back in somewhere else.

 

[Lady V]

We love a split stay but i agree with a prior poster that anything less then 6 days would feel crazy to split! Last summer we were there 19 nights and did 6 at AKV, 5 at BCV, and 8 at OKW. This summer we are in Orlando for 20 nights doing 5 at Hard rock Hotel, 7 at AKV, and 8 at BWV's. We love it!! It really gives you two seperate trips. We book our dining around our hotel and nearest parks.

 

[edk35]

Stick with BCV. It's a much nicer resort, IMO. I don't like split stays because I don't like being "homeless" for a day. I'd much rather spend that day doing something fun rather than checking out and checking back in somewhere else.

I wouldn't really call it homeless especially if you have plans to be out that e day. We usually take our luggage to Bell Services before check out or have them get it before we officially check out. THen if we want to linger in the room til 11:00 we can. Then we either go to park or go to lunch at DTD and maybe shop. We have had luck with our villa being ready when we get to the next resort. I know you can also bring a small bag with swim suits and spend the day at the pool of the resort of where you are moving to waiting for the villa too. We have friends that stay the night at a moderate on their arrival day because they drive and get to WDW late afternoon so they stay one night in a mod then get up fairly early the next morning and check into their DVC resort. They spend time at the pool and enjoying the resort.

For the OP.......I think you are going to get a lot of different replies about split stays. Some people love them, others don't. It really just depends on your vacation style. I am sure either way you will have a wonderful trip.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

For the OP.......I think you are going to get a lot of different replies about split stays. Some people love them, others don't. It really just depends on your vacation style. I am sure either way you will have a wonderful trip.

Yes I agree with this. Just really depends on number of people travelling, older children vs. younger children, couples only, whether food is involved or not, etc. For just the hubby and I, split stays are fine, although I would not want to move unless it was after a 3 day stay, or if for only one night, in the beginning of the vacation. I wouldn't mind staying at AKV concierge if for only 2 days just to be able to get the discount on the tours. I would love to stay at SSR for 3 days after a cruise when I only want to relax. I probably will only want to stay at BLT for 3 days as MK is not my favorite park, but its great for proximity to restaraunts, buses, bay lake. With my family all vacationing, nope, I want to stay put!

 

[edk35]

Yes I agree with this. Just really depends on number of people travelling, older children vs. younger children, couples only, whether food is involved or not, etc. For just the hubby and I, split stays are fine, although I would not want to move unless it was after a 3 day stay, or if for only one night, in the beginning of the vacation. I wouldn't mind staying at AKV concierge if for only 2 days just to be able to get the discount on the tours. I would love to stay at SSR for 3 days after a cruise when I only want to relax. I probably will only want to stay at BLT for 3 days as MK is not my favorite park, but its great for proximity to restaraunts, buses, bay lake. With my family all vacationing, nope, I want to stay put!

Hi Hope!!!

I couldn't have said it better.

 

[florep1]

We're doing 7 days at BCV and 7 days at AKV Kidani this summer, Got everything lined up, ADRs confirmed but I'm still second guessing myself if we really want to switch after a week, as personally, I prefer to stay put but ds and dh are really looking forward to the AKV part of our trip so that makes it an easier sell. So, we'll visit Epcot and DHS on week 1, MAYBE MK, and save AK for week 2, then MK.

 

[RLRDA]

We're doing 7 days at BCV and 7 days at AKV Kidani this summer, Got everything lined up, ADRs confirmed but I'm still second guessing myself if we really want to switch after a week, as personally, I prefer to stay put but ds and dh are really looking forward to the AKV part of our trip so that makes it an easier sell. So, we'll visit Epcot and DHS on week 1, MAYBE MK, and save AK for week 2, then MK.

I think a 2 week vacation begs to be split ! It's like two experiences in one trip. Don't second guess - relax and have a great time!

 

[rlduvall]

I think a 2 week vacation begs to be split ! It's like two experiences in one trip. Don't second guess - relax and have a great time!

I totally agree. As the OP, I'm just not sure I want to split stay with only 3 nights left . . . and I don't want to do it earlier in the week because my DH will still be there - and I don't want to subject him/myself to his griping.

To clarify a few more issues: It would only be me and my DS9 and I have already stayed at AKV. I have really enjoyed all the responses. Since I am still on the fence today, does anyone know if MS is open Easter Sunday?

I have got to make a decision, I have got to make a decision, I have got to make a decision.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I totally agree. As the OP, I'm just not sure I want to split stay with only 3 nights left . . . and I don't want to do it earlier in the week because my DH will still be there - and I don't want to subject him/myself to his griping.

To clarify a few more issues: It would only be me and my DS9 and I have already stayed at AKV. I have really enjoyed all the responses. Since I am still on the fence today, does anyone know if MS is open Easter Sunday?

I have got to make a decision, I have got to make a decision, I have got to make a decision.

Yes MS will be open on Easter.

For 3 days, I would stay put and just visit AKV

It is very freeing to unpack and not have to worry about moving until it's time to leave.

 

[yandbfan]

I've grown weary of split stays for this very reason. However, I think a split stay may be worth it to try out a resort you haven't ever stayed at. That way, you would know if you would enjoy a longer stay there.

We are trying out AKV for the first time and then going to BCV. I am thinking of renting a car to make the switch easier rather than using the bus service. Also the in-laws will be staying one extra day at AKV and we can hang them and have lunch after checkout and before check-in to better utilize the the homeless time.