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 and see Mickey Mouse at every turn for most of your trip, but have one date night on your trip which includes an overnight stay at a Disney Deluxe resort where the sophistication is turned up a notch. What if we told you that you can stay at more than one resort during your trip to Walt Disney World? It’s possible!
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.
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!
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.
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 you will be making 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. If you have any questions, you can always call and speak with a Cast Member at (407) 939-7702 (or your travel agent) and they can help you.
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 check-in at your next resort likely at 3:00 PM (4:00 PM in the case of Disney Vacation Club resorts), 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: visit a theme park, go to Disney Springs, or take advantage of the free water park perk offered this year! 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. Always be prepared to be without your bag until the evening when using this service. When we used this service earlier this month, we didn’t even check into our room until 6:30 PM because we were 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 use a taxi or ride sharing service (or your own vehicle) to move 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.
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! 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.
