WWYD - Split stay or Stay in place?

[Marionnette]

We've set the dates for what will be our last trip to WDW for a long time. A total of 7 nights.

We know that we want to spend a couple of nights at Universal at the beginning of the trip. My husband likes Portofino Bay, so we'll probably stay there to take advantage of Unlimited Express Passes.

The remaining 5 nights will be at WDW with a couple of park days but mostly just taking it easy and enjoying the resort. F&W will be going on and more than likely some sort of Christmas party.

I have a ton of points to burn and the Cascade Cabins have been on my bucket list. I already have a 1BR at BWV reserved but the waitlist for my first night just hasn't come through.

Would you book a cabin for a couple of nights and then move to BWV for the rest of the stay or would you stay put in the cabin for the whole 5 nights? My husband will go along with whatever I decide but I know that he's partial to the Crescent Lake area. I'm on the fence. Im not a fan of split stays and we are already switching resorts at least once. I wish that we could just stay longer and get lots of time in at both but we can't be away from home for more than 7 nights.

So, what would you choose?

• 2 nights at Universal + 5 nights in the cabin
• 2 nights at Universal + 5 nights at BWV (hoping the waitlist matches)
• 2 nights at Universal + 3 nights in the cabin, then 2 nights at BWV
• 2 nights at Universal + 2 nights in the cabin + 3 nights at BWV
• Other (because there are always other choices to consider)

 

[mort1331]

If your ok with the 3 switches,,,which for some is a lot in 7 nights, I would go with the 2 nights cabin,,to relax then 3 nights at BWV and get the best of both. At the cabin you can just chill have some drinks and escape like there is no resorts around anywhere.

 

[cvjw]

I would hate to move 2 times for just a week long trip. I would stay at the cabins the whole time if you can swing the points. Those seem like a splurge and a fantastic place to stay.

 

[Sandisw]

I’d add the cabins to the mix and do 3 nights. Pack in a way that makes the move easier and go for it. If it’s the last time for awhile, cross off the bucket list.

One thing we do on a split day is sleep in, go to lunch, and then shopping at DS, which kills the time to be homeless. If it’s still early, we head to pool at the new resort, or make a quick stop to a park for a few things.

ETA: if you have points to burn, book a double night so you are not homeless…book 3 nights cabin and 3 nights BWV so when you check out of the cabin, you go to BWV and room will be ready because you Booked it to start the same night as your last one at the cabin.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

If I had a bunch of built up points I would 1000% go with 2 nights at US and 5 nights in the cabins. Although I've never stayed in one, the cabins look like the best rooms on property. I feel like this would make a pretty cool "send off" until you return down the road.

We own BWV and love the location. If this trip is planned to be a heavy Epcot/HS i would probably say stay there if your WL comes thru. If not I'd choose whatever allows me to stay 5 nights at one place.....as I LOATH split stays and having to move.

 

[EatMoreVeg]

I totally second what @chicagodisneyguy says! The cabins are a bucket list stay for me but I don’t think I’ll ever have enough points for a 5 night stay. But if I could swing it, I would 100%! If you are not planning on a lot of park time, the cabins would be an amazing place to chill, hang out and enjoy your vacation time.

I really don’t mind split stays and quite enjoy them as a change of scenery and a new location for easier access to different parks, but I think 3 times in one week would be a bit much for me!

 

[Disneykate605]

I would definitely do the cabins for 5 nights! I think it would be relaxing. I do love the boardwalk area so I understand the dilemma but wilderness lodge is amazing as well! I think with 5 nights you will really get to enjoy the cabins which I don't think you can do in just 2 or 3 nights.

 

[PurdueTodd]

I’d do the cabins as well. You’d only be a boat ride away for a Christmas party and wilderness lodge is beautiful at Christmas.

 

[LRdismom]

I would totally stay in the cabins for 5 nights. They look amazing and I love the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[bbn1122]

5 nights in a Cabin! I think it will be relaxing and you can really enjoy the cabin. Unless you stayed there before.

 

[nlenguyen]

I would just do the cabins, having to move too many times and waiting for your room to be ready was not worth it on our last trip

 

[lovewdwdvc]

2 Univetsal
5 Cabin

You lose a day with a move.

 

[kes601]

I'd never want to move 3 times in 7 days. We will not do a split unless the trip is at least 10 total and then would do 5/5. If you want to know how much I dislike split stays though we are doing 17 nights at SSR in a studio in June / July

 

[MickeyMice]

2 Univetsal
5 Cabin

You lose a day with a move.

having done a ridiculous number of split stays over the past 6 mos, i disagree.

on move day, your luggage can be whisked away to arrive at your new resort. just pack a day bag for a park or pools (and you can choose between your checking-out or checking-in resort pools), take the day to hit DS or a resort on the way, or just uber and get to your new resort in a few minutes.

i'd do universal first with the split between cabin and BWV. i would prefer BWV before cabin but i guess that depends on availability.

I'd never want to move 3 times in 7 days. We will not do a split unless the trip is at least 10 total and then would do 5/5. If you want to know how much I dislike split stays though we are doing 17 nights at SSR in a studio in June / July

ha, in two separate trips lasting fewer total days that that, we stayed in, i'm not even kidding, 12 different hotels.

split stays are maybe the most YMMV thing around here

 

[DduzDis]

If you only plan to spend a day at EP I'd go with the cabins. That is a wonderful area to decompress and Geyser Point is fantastic. But, you really can't beat walking into EP through IG from the Crescent Lake area. Tough call, but I would let how much time you plan to spend in EP weigh in the decision.

 

[Brian Noble]

We've set the dates for what will be our last trip to WDW for a long time.

[...]

Would you book a cabin for a couple of nights and then move to BWV for the rest of the stay or would you stay put in the cabin for the whole 5 nights?

Burn the points and book the cabins. Is it the best use of points? No. But IMO if you're not going to come back to WDW for a long time, this is worth doing. Fewer points to hassle over renting out later and/or depositing to Interval.

Especially given you want to just enjoy the resort, a cabin would be a great way to do it.

 

[KSL]

I don't mind split stays and might even consider a three-way-split in 7 nights under the right conditions (which this would be, with a couple of nights for UO, a couple of nights at BWV for hubby, plus a couple of nights at cabin for luxury splurge). My only comment would be if you could possibly do the BWV first and then the cabins (which I know you can't right now with that first BWV night waitlisted) -- that would be my preference because I'm thinking "save the best for last" and it would feel like a downgrade to go from cabin to 1BR villa.

 

[kboo]

Burn the points and book the cabins. Is it the best use of points? No. But IMO if you're not going to come back to WDW for a long time, this is worth doing. Fewer points to hassle over renting out later and/or depositing to Interval.

Especially given you want to just enjoy the resort, a cabin would be a great way to do it.

I join in this 100%. For five days at WDW, you'd lose a big portion of that time on moving day. We did a 3-way split at WDW over 9 days (4-3-2) and we realized that even over 9 days, that was 1 move too many. And we do split stays all the time.

 

[OhhBother]

One thing to keep in mind with split stays -- they completely mess with your 60-day window for dining reservations. Not sure if you're planning on making dining reservations, but if you are, that would be reason enough to skip the split stay.

 

[Marionnette]

Well, we opted to stay put in the cabin for all 5 nights. The deciding factor came down to our dislike of split stays. Since we are already doing a Universal/WDW split, it just didn't sound like a relaxing visit if we have to pack up a second time to move.

Because we own at BWV and have done everything from standard view studios to spectacular grand villas there, we opted to do something completely different this time. Five nights in a Cascade Cabin struck us as being both relaxing and a great last hurrah before we take a long break from Disney.

I canceled the BWV 1BR this morning and after modifying the cabin reservation, we still have points leftover in this UY.