Multiple hotels???

[rmsongs]

I'm just starting to plan our next trip to "the World" and I have a question: There are a couple of resorts I'd love to try, but the cost of a deluxe (AK or WL) is probably out of the realm of possibility. I was thinking of spending one or two nights there, then moving to a moderate. Any thoughts? How much of a hassle is it to book the trip that way and move after a night or two? Also (now I'm getting crazy here!!!!) has anyone ever made the hotel switch TWICE in one trip??? Maybe AK, then Port Orleans, then........who knows???

[Dr. Facilier]

Only twice? We tend to switch several times in an effort to avoid the points gouging on the weekends. It lets us stay there longer.

It's not much of a hassle to plan, but you may have to live out of your suitcase during the short portions of your trip.

[GrandFlo]

We have switched hotels on many trips. If we want to go to Universal, we spend two nights at the Hard Rock or Portifino before heading to Disney.

We always stay at the GF but want to try other hotels too, so we will split the stay. Once we did AKL and the GF.

In the interest of saving money and being able to go to Disney more often I am now thinking we might try a split between a value and the GF.

As the previous poster mentioned, sometimes you do have to live out of your suitcase for part of the trip.

As far as moving from hotel to hotel we either have our own car or rent one so it's easy. I'm sure Disney could move your luggage too given how many people do switch hotels during their stay.

As for booking, it was not a problem at all.

[Mousemates]

As a veteran (and proponent) of split stays let me make a suggestion if you do choose to do two (three would be alot of moving to me)...always try to end at the more upscale resort. I say this for a couple of reasons.

1) The resort you tend to remember when you return will be the last one you stayed at....so if you stay at the Pop for four nights and the GF for the last two, then when you remember the trip you'll remember the GF...almost as if you stayed there the entire trip.

2) Its fun to upgrade....to get added amenities, more elaborate theming, larger rooms, better transportation and dining option, more convenient location, etc....going the other direction is not so much fun.

[disneyfanfromoz]

We are doing 3 resorts this trip, but we are there for three weeks, so have plenty of time to move.

[TammiMcMan]

The only drawback I can think of, is you can't combine your multiple reservations for a single package. Each one is treated totally separate.

I agree with "moving up" in categories as opposed to starting with a deluxe and then going to a mod or value.

[DisneyPrincess21]

I am trying this for the first time on our upcoming December trip. We enjoy both POFQ & CBR, while my mom leans more towards POFQ for it's smaller size & boat ride to DTD , while I prefer CBR for it's theme.

So we decided to do a split stay. Staying at POFQ our first 3 days, then staying at CBR our last 3 days. That way we get the best of both worlds.


Whatever you decide...

I Hope You Have A Magical Vacation!

[jenperich]

For those of you that have split your stay between two Disney hotels...how exactly do you go about doing it?

We're going from one VWL to BLT, so how do we do it when we actually get there? Thanks!

[Mousemates]

We went from the WL to the GF on our last trip and the advice we got from the concierge (after mentioning to us that our luggage likely would not be transferred until much later in the day...which was not an appealing prospect for us since we had earlier had him call ahead to inquire about a room with an early check-in) was to make the trip by taxi...it cost less than six dollars (plus tip) and was super convenient.

However, if you don't perceive having a need for access to your luggage in the morning or have plans for an early check-in...then you can let disney transfer the luggage for you...just contact bell services when you arrive and you can either pick it up yourselves or use their services. Either way is very easy. Hope you have a great trip.

[Disney Crazy]

Only twice? We tend to switch several times in an effort to avoid the points gouging on the weekends. It lets us stay there longer.

It's not much of a hassle to plan, but you may have to live out of your suitcase during the short portions of your trip.

Dr. Facilier, I have thought about trying this strategy just to save points on the weekend. So I am curious how you accomplish this? Are you changing to another resort that takes fewer points, changing resorts and paying cash for the weekend or something totally different? Hope you don't mind sharing your expertise!

[2Epcot]

We've done this on multiple trips and it isn't really a hassle at all. I enjoy seeing many resorts, especially since I don't get to WDW so often. I don't think we've ever done more than two resorts on any visit.

[princessgirls]

To me...and it's just MY opinion, that it is a lot of packing up and moving...wasting precious vacation time. Remember the check-in procedure all over again. Annoying.

Julie

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

We just did a split stay starting at the Dolphin for 5 nights then moving to POFQ for 5 nights. We had my sister's van though so it was easier.
We also did CS, then the cruise then the Dolphin in 2005. That was a lot of packing and moving. But it was still cool to try all the different experiences.

[MinniesMom]

We've done this many times. One time even going from the Nick Hotel to PoP and then POLY - over 12 nights though. This upcoming trip we're doing PQFQ 4 nights - BW 4 nights but really because we were able to get free dining at the first & 40% off at the second. Disney makes it very easy to do by moving your luggage for you. We always get everything ready and either have it picked up or taken to bell services. Then we go and do what we'd planned for that day and then come back to the new resort around dinnertime, do a quick check-in. We've never had an issue and it's always been really easy. Although it might take an extra bit of time to do, it's fun to try different resorts so for us the benefits (plus lower cost of splitting between a mod/deluxe) outweigh the small amount of time lost. Also because we've done this so much we've now stayed at every mod & deluxe resort except for 2 (which we'll get to eventually, LOL.)

[disneymom2000]

If I was staying over a week and a half I might try three splits but any more than 2 on a shorter time frame is too chaotic. Having to pack and unpack during vacation time is not my idea of relaxing.