Have you ever wanted to stay at a fancier resort at some point, but just can’t get past the price tag of staying at that resort for your entire trip? Maybe you’ve wanted to double-dip by seeing Mickey Mouse at every turn for most of your trip, but also have a romantic night at a Disney Deluxe resort. Many go resort hopping and add other resorts to their bucket list. What if I told you that you can stay at more than one resort during your next trip to Walt Disney World? It’s possible!
The Split Stay Defined
Allow me to introduce you to the split stay. This is not a new concept and, if you hang around anyone who frequently visits Walt Disney World, it’s likely you have heard this term before. A split stay is defined as one trip split between two (or more) resorts. Essentially, you have more than one hotel resort reservation during the same trip to Disney World. The MouseHouseNews.net team has become experts in split stays, so let’s dive into the pros and cons of this concept to see if it is right for you on your next trip.
The Benefits
Why would you want to do a split stay? There are numerous reasons; here are a few:
- To experience more resorts… there are over 20 to choose from!
- To save money… splurge on that bucket-list Deluxe resort one night, while sleeping at a cheaper resort the rest of the trip
- Changing up the vibe… let your inner-child loose at Disney’s Art of Animation then, on date night, class it up at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Stay in the parks longer… on certain days and in certain parks, Deluxe resort guests stay two hours extra with Extended Evening Hours (by timing this right, you can stay in a cheaper resort, then switch to a Deluxe resort the night of Extended Evening Hours)
- To use that great pool… for the most part, there are no pool hopping privileges. You can’t use that fancy pool unless you are staying at the resort, so stay there for one night of your trip… and use that pool!
How Split Stays Work
Disney World does make split stays easy. When it is time for you to check out of one resort and move on to the next, they can even transfer your luggage to the next resort. Then, when you check into the next resort, you can call Bell Services and request delivery of your bags to your room.
To take advantage of this bag transfer service, I suggest that you visit Bell Services the night before and ask what the cut-off time is to have your bags to them the next morning, as you won’t want to get your bags there too late. Then, the morning of your transfer, take your bags to Bell Services before the cut-off time and tell them you would like to have your bags transferred to your next resort. They will take your name and transfer resort name, then they will tag your bags and make sure the bags get transferred. (Please note that this service will not transfer food items). At that point, you are free to enjoy your day and Disney World will handle the rest.
Additional Planning Is Required
While the concept of a split stay sounds great, there are some cons that you should consider. First, when booking a split stay, you must consider which days you will be at one resort vs. the other resort. Obviously, you need to figure this out well in advance of your trip, as it affects your reservations. Once you determine which days you will be at one hotel or another, the entire trip will revolve around that decision. That same decision also plays into how you purchase your trip.
Consider if you are going to purchase a vacation package (resort and park tickets). These are the packages you can reserve for as little as a $200 deposit, then need to have the balance paid in full 30 days prior to check-in. With a split stay, that means you will have two reservations, which means multiple deposits.
Generally speaking, you will purchase a package for one resort (which would include all your park tickets) and then purchase a resort-only reservation for the other resort. Resort-only reservations have a different reservation policy; you will need to pay the first night rate plus tax as the deposit. If you will be at that resort for more than one night, the remaining balance is due at check-in.
Prepare To Be Busy On Transfer Day
Another thing to consider when you have a split stay is that there will be a number of hours when you will need to find something to keep you busy. Most Disney Resorts Collection Hotels have an 11:00 AM check-out. With a 3:00 PM check-in at your next resort, you will not have a bed to rest in during those hours. As such, it is a good idea to schedule activities on resort transfer day. Options include visiting a theme park, Disney Springs, or taking advantage of the free water park perk! That’s right, because you are transferring to a new resort on this day, you get another free entrance to one of the water parks!
The last thing of note is that if you utilize the bag transfer service, your bags may not arrive at your next resort right at check-in time. Plan ahead because you may not have your bag until the evening when using this service. When I used this service earlier this month, I didn’t even check into my room until 6:30 PM because I was doing other things. The bags had arrived by that point, but just know that they may not be there if you arrive right at check-in time. If you want to ensure that your bags are available immediately at check-in, consider taking them with you if you plan to taxi or drive to your new resort. As a side note, luggage is not allowed on Disney Transportation, so you cannot bring your luggage on a Disney bus or the Skyliner when you move to a new resort.
Planning Assistance Is Here
With a little planning, a split stay can be a great way to experience different resorts at Walt Disney World. There are even some built-in perks to switching resorts, such as receiving another free day at a Disney water park on your second check-in day! However, just as a general rule, the MouseHouseNews.net team agrees that it is almost always best to start your stay at the cheaper resort, then move to the more expensive resort. It’s a perception thing; you always want to “move up” in life, not go the other way!
If all of this seems a little too confusing for you, I am happy to help. As a Travel Agent, I can help you plan out all the details to make sure everything goes smoothly. Additionally, my expertise costs you nothing… the price you would otherwise pay Disney directly is the same price you pay when booking with me. Feel free to reach out for a Disney vacation price quote by clicking the button below.
Thanks for reading. We at MouseHouseNews.net are committed to making sure you know all the details before deciding if a split stay is right for you.
