9 Reasons To Book A Split Stay in Walt Disney World

When you plan a Disney vacation, you’ll be faced with an astounding number of choices.

How many nights should you stay? How many park days do you need? Should you buy standard or Park Hopper tickets? Which attractions should you prioritize, which restaurants should you choose, should you buy the Disney Dining Plan?  

In truth, the number of decisions you’ll make when planning a Disney World vacation can prove utterly overwhelming.

And this is especially true when it comes to the most important decision of all: WHERE SHOULD YOU STAY?

There are A LOT of factors that go into choosing the right Disney World hotel. From budget and theming preferences to dining options and park transportation, each Disney Resort is distinctly unique, with different amenities, perks, and overall vibes.

And with over 20 Disney World hotels to choose from, picking just ONE can feel like an impossible choice. 

But did you know that you don’t have to choose just ONE resort for your Disney World vacation? It’s true!

If you’ve never heard of a split stay in Walt Disney World, prepare to have your mind blown.

What is a Split Stay?

A “split stay” refers to a Disney vacation where you stay at MORE THAN ONE Disney World resort. Yup! Not only is it possible to enjoy more than one of Disney World’s incredible resorts on your next visit, but it’s also beneficial in many cases. 

@mickeytravels_ SPLIT STAYS are the MOVE! 👌🏻 #mickeytravels #disneyresorts #wdw @Disney Parks ♬ original sound – Albert Awol

1. Convenience

The logistics of a split stay may seem complicated at first glance. However, Disney actually makes it astonishingly easy to transfer from one Disney World resort to another.

On the day of your resort transfer, simply call Bell Services and a Disney Cast Member will arrive at your room to take your luggage. They’ll count your number of bags and initiate a transfer to your next Disney World resort. 

When you’re ready to check in at your second resort, just pop by Bell Services, where you can pick up your luggage yourself or ask a Cast Member to deliver it to your room. In the meantime, you’re free to enjoy your day in Disney World however you please!

2. Switch Up Your Vacation

Disney resorts are FAMOUS for their attention to detail and immersive theming. As a result, your choice of resort has an enormous impact on the feel of your Disney vacation. 

Want to feel like you’re on a tropical island? Try Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Looking for the charming vibes of New Orleans? Opt for Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter. 

Want both? Book a SPLIT STAY!

Changing up your resort is a great way to experience Disney’s various resorts, or even just change up your vacation vibe. This can be particularly effective for keeping things fresh on a longer stay.

3. Luxury on a Budget

If you’ve ever dreamed of a stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, but find those prices hard to swallow, a split stay may be the perfect solution.

Split stays give you the chance to experience different hotel tiers without breaking the bank. Try booking a few nights at a value resort, and pair it with a short stay at your favorite moderate or deluxe resort. 

During your stay at the value resort, plan to be in the parks from rope drop to close. When you transfer to your higher-tier resort, spend your time relaxing by the pool, enjoying those delicious dining options, and soaking up all the amenities the resort has to offer.

You’ll tick off that bucket-list Disney experience AND save yourself some cash in the process.

Sure, upgrading to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for a few nights will cost you more than booking your entire stay at Disney’s POP Century Resort… but it’s still a heck of a lot cheaper than booking the whole shebang at the Yacht Club.

4. Location, Location (and Transportation)

There are a lot of benefits to a Disney World split stay, but one of the biggest perks is all about LOCATION.

To make the most of a split stay, plan to spend your time in the park (or parks) that are closest and most accessible to each respective resort.

For example, if you’re spending the first leg of your visit at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, plan to spend the bulk of your time at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, since you can use the Disney Skyliner to get there.

Then, plan the second portion of your stay at a resort near Magic Kingdom, like Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

From these resorts, you’ll enjoy easy transportation to Magic Kingdom via water taxis, walkways, and the monorail.

This strategy provides convenient access and short transit times into the parks, allowing you the most relaxing and stress-free vacation Disney has to offer.

5. Take Advantage of Early Entry

When you stay on Disney property, you enjoy a variety of special perks.

Currently, the biggest of these is probably Early Theme Park Entry, which allows guests of all Disney World hotels to enter all four Disney World parks 30 minutes early, every day. 

When you book a split stay, you’ll still enjoy Early Theme Park Entry each day of your stay!

6. Extended Evening Hours

While Early Theme Park Entry is available to ALL Disney resort guests, Extended Evening Hours is a perk exclusive to guests of deluxe resorts.

Extended Evening Hours occur on select nights in select parks (generally EPCOT and Magic Kingdom).

To be eligible for Extended Evening Hours, you must be a guest of a Disney deluxe resort on the night that Extended Evening Hours are in effect (side note: Disney Vacation Club guests and guests of the Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green resorts are also eligible for this perk). 

To use a split stay to your advantage, book a room at a value or moderate resort, then transfer to a deluxe resort on the morning of Extended Evening Hours. You’ll enjoy entry to this exclusive, nighttime event without paying the deluxe premium for your entire stay!

7. Get a Taste of Club Level

Have you ever wanted to try Club Level at a Disney World Resort? This high-end service includes access to an exclusive Club Level Lounge, where you’ll find a variety of “complimentary” snacks and beverages, like continental breakfast, evening beer and wine, and a selection of desserts and cordials.

With the exception of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Club Level is only available at deluxe Disney resorts. In addition, when you book a Club Level room, you’re required to book Club Level for the entire length of your stay.

Naturally, if you’re splurging on a Club Level room, you’ll want to take advantage of all the food on offer – and getting the best bang for your buck will ultimately mean foregoing Disney World’s vast variety of fabulous restaurants. 

So what if you just want to take Club Level for a test drive? Or what if you only want Club Level for part of your stay? The solution, of course, is a split stay!

With a split stay, you can book a standard room at one resort, and use the time to visit your favorite Disney World restaurants.

Opt for a Club Level room at your next resort, where you’ll focus on slowing down to enjoy all those fabulous Club Level offerings. 

Want to switch room categories but not resorts? No problem! You can book a split stay at the same resort by booking two separate reservations for whatever room categories suit your needs.

8. Promotions

When you book a split stay, your reservations are considered two (or more) separate stays. As a result, when you book a split stay, you’re also eligible for two (or more) separate promotions.

For example, you may be interested in a Disney Dining Plan promotion for one part of your visit but would prefer a room discount for another. With a split stay, you have the freedom to mix and match!

9. Free Water Park Access

Beginning in 2025, Disney Resort guests will receive FREE admission to a Disney water park on check-in day. Depending on Disney’s refurbishment schedule, this means you’ll have access to either Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Disney’s Blizzard Beach.

Since a split stay is considered two separate stays with two (or more!) check-in days, you’ll receive free water park admission on EACH check-in day! 

Water parks are a relaxing and refreshing way to break up those busy park days. Even better? They’re also the perfect (free!) way to pass the time as you wait for your new room on transfer day.

Tips for a Split Stay

If you’re considering a split stay in Disney World, check out these helpful tips to ensure a smooth and seamless stay:

Advance Dining Reservations:

Currently, Disney resort guests can make Advance Dining Reservations 60 days before arrival day, for the entire length of their stay. However, split stays qualify as two separate stays, so you’ll need to make Advance Dining Reservations in relation to EACH of your check-in days. Be sure to set your calendar!

Packing:

Use packing cubes to organize your luggage (especially if you’re traveling with a family). If possible, pack everything you’ll need for Resort #1 in one suitcase and everything for Resort #2 in another.

This makes it easy to stash unneeded suitcases away in a closet or under a bed to stay organized and maximize space in your hotel room. 

Transfer Day:

On transfer day, Bell Services will transport your luggage to your next resort. While this is super convenient, it also means your belongings will be temporarily unavailable to you

. Be sure to stash necessities in your park bag to see you through the day! Important items may include swimsuits, sunscreen, cosmetics, or even a toothbrush or an extra pair of underwear.

Luggage Transfer: 

Bell Services will be happy to transfer your luggage between any Disney Resort Collection hotels.

Be aware that this DOES NOT INCLUDE the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the Walt Disney World Swan, the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, or Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels like B Resort & Spa.

Resort Tiers: If you’re changing resort tiers during your split stay, book the higher-tier resort for the last leg of your stay. While Disney’s value resorts are full of charm, checking in at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort after a stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge may leave you feeling slightly deflated.

Instead, give yourself an upgrade for the second part of your visit. You’ll have something extra special to look forward to during those first few days.

Airport Transportation: If you’re booking airport transportation like Mears Connect, there’s no need to worry about your pick-up and drop-off points.

Upon booking, you’ll provide information on the resorts where you’d like to be dropped off AND picked up. Your drop-off and pick-up locations DO NOT have to be the same. 

Ready to Book Your Disney World Split Stay?

Ready to book a split stay in Disney World? MickeyTravels can help you choose the perfect accommodations and plan a visit that’s simple and seamless – at no extra cost to you.

As always, stay tuned to MickeyBlog for all the latest Disney news!

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