Split Stays at Walt Disney World Resorts and Shades of Green

Here is Military Disney Tips’ advice on this slightly out-of-the-ordinary subject.

What’s a Disney World Split Stay?

Splitting your vacation time between 2 or more Resort Hotels during your Walt Disney World vacation.

We regularly do this in order to stay up to date with what’s going on at all the Disney resorts to keep you informed. On one trip, we were at 6 different Disney resorts.

Why would you do a Split Stay?

There are many potential reasons that people do split stays:

• You want to splurge on a Deluxe Resort during part of your vacation, but not all of the stay due to the cost
• You want to try different resorts
• You have a group reservation at one resort (kid’s team sports, etc.) and then want to spend the rest of your vacation at another resort
• You really want to stay elsewhere, but have must do attractions that are part of Disney Genie’s Individual Attraction Purchase and want to get the 7 a.m. purchase slot offered at select Disney hotels (before others can purchase)
• You want to get the free Disney Magical Express airport transportation on one or both ends of your vacation, but wish to stay elsewhere most of the time Until 2020 when it ends
• You have lots of hotel points that you want to use but want to mix in a Disney Resort
• You are a member of a non-Disney Time-Share but want to mix in a Disney resort

Kinds of Spilt Stays

Split stays fall into 3 different types with varying amounts of ease or difficulty.

Disney Resort – Disney Resort Split Stays

Easiest!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (left and AllStar Sports (right)

Staying at 2 or more Walt Disney World Resorts during your vacation is by far the easiest type of split stay to accomplish.

Considerations:

• Multiple Disney reservations will be needed
  • This means 1 night’s deposit for each reservation
• Linking all reservations to you’re my Disney Experience account
• Purchasing multiple discounted Magic Bands, 1 for each resort stay for those in your party if desired
• Easy luggage transfer
  • Disney will transfer your luggage for you between Disney Resorts. Call a bellhop or drop your bags at the bell stand, tell them the resort to transfer to and the bags will arrive in your new room (or you may have to call for them on arrival)
• Easy Check In
  • Check In online (well ahead of time)
• Disney’s Magical Express from and to Orlando International Airport (through the end of 2021, then Mears Connect in 2022)

Disney Resort – On Property Non-Disney Resort Split Stays

The ease of this type can vary widely!

AllStar Sports (left) and Shades of Green (right)

This includes Shades of Green, the military only resort on Walt Disney World Property.

With these Split Stays you start getting into some non-Disney variables. Close pre-coordination with the Non Disney hotel will be required.

Considerations:

• Multiple reservations will be needed
  • This means at least 1 night’s deposit for each Disney reservation plus whatever the non-Disney resort requires for their reservation
  • Linking all eligible reservations to you’re my Disney Experience account (Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, Swan & Dolphin, Disney Springs Resorts)
  • Purchasing discounted Magic Bands if desired for those in your party if desired
• Variable luggage transfer ease
  • Some Disney Resorts will transfer your luggage for you to some on-property, non-Disney resorts. Check on this with the Disney Resort ahead of time!
    • Call a bellhop or drop your bags at the bell stand, tell them the resort to transfer to and the bags will arrive in your new room (or you may have to call for them on arrival)
  • Some Disney Resorts will pick up your luggage for you from some on-property, non-Disney resorts. Check on this with the Disney Resort ahead of time!
    • Call the Disney Resort you are transferring to in order to arrange a pickup
  • If you can’t have your bags transferred you will have to do it yourself. Walt Disney World does not allow luggage on their bus fleet. This means you’ll need other transportation e.g. rental car, taxi, uber, Minnie Van.
• Check In
  • Check In online (well ahead of time) for Disney Resorts
  • Check on non-Disney Resort’s policies, but you’ll probably have to go there to check in versus heading to the parks
• Disney’s Magical Express only for Disney Resort stays at the start and/or end of your vacation (through the end of 2021, then Mears Connect in 2022)
  • If staying non-Disney at the start or end you’ll need to procure your own airport transportation for that leg. Starting 1 Jan 2022 Try Mears Connect

Disney Resort – Off Property Split Stays

Hardest!

Disney AllStar Movies(left) and Off Property Resort (right)

These Split Stays are the most difficult and are not really recommended. Close pre-coordination with the Non Disney hotel will be required and a method of transportation for you and your bags pre-planned.

Considerations:

• Multiple reservations will be needed
  • This means at least 1 night’s deposit for each Disney reservation plus whatever the non-Disney resort requires for their reservation
  • Linking all eligible reservations to you’re my Disney Experience account for Disney Resort stays
  • Purchasing discounted Magic Bands if desired for those in your party if desired
• No luggage transfer ease
  • Transferring your luggage will be up to you. This means you’ll need transportation e.g. shuttle, rental car, taxi, or uber.
• Check In
  • Check In online (well ahead of time) for Disney Resorts
  • Check on non-Disney Resort’s policies, but you’ll probably have to go there to check in versus heading to the parks
• Disney’s Magical Express only for Disney Resort stays at the start and/or end of your vacation (through the end of 2021, then Mears Connect in 2022)
  • If staying non-Disney at the start or end you’ll need to procure your own airport transportation for that leg. Starting 1 Jan 2022 Try Mears Connect

Notes On Luggage Transfer

• As noted above, free transport of your luggage is provided between Disney Resorts
• Disney will deliver luggage to some on-property resorts
• Disney will pick up luggage from some on-property resorts
• Off site you are on your own (check on the offsite hotel’s transport offerings)

MDT Tip: When transferring your luggage between Disney resorts it is smart to snap a pic of all your bags! If they go astray (to the wrong resort) a pic is better than trying to remember the brand and description of your bags for Bell Services to find them. This does rarely happen, only once in all these years for us.

You’ll need to determine if your desired Disney/Non-Disney resorts have service between them. Call your Disney resort at the number below to inquire from the bell staff if there is service in the direction you desire (delivery from your desired Disney Resort to the Non-Disney Resort or pickup from the Non-Disney resort for your desired Disney Resort).

Resort Phone Numbers

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort: (407) 939-7000
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort: (407) 939-6000
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort: (407) 939-5000
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: (407) 938-3000
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: (407) 938-7000
Disney’s Beach Club: (407) 934-8000
Disney’s Beach Club Villas: (407) 934-2175
Disney’s Boardwalk Villas: (407) 939-5100
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn: (407) 939-5100
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: (407) 934-3400
Disney’s Contemporary Resort: (407) 824-1000
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: (407) 939-1000
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground: (407) 824-2900
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:  (407) 824-3000
Disney’s Old Key West Resort: (407) 827-7700
Disney’s Polynesian Resort: (407) 824-2000
Disney’s Pop Century Resort: (407) 938-4000
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside: (407) 934-6000
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter: (407) 934-5000
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: (407) 827-1100
Walt Disney World Swan: (407) 934-3000
Walt Disney World Dolphin: (407) 934-4000
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: (407) 824-3200
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Villas: (407) 824-3200
Disney’s Yacht Club: (407) 934-7000

Give a Split Stay a Try

It can be a great way to lengthen a vacation while still splurging a little, or to try several resorts to find your favorite.

Let everyone know in the comments below if you’ve done a split stay and how it worked out!

Split Stays at Walt Disney World & Shades of Green — Frequently Asked Questions

What is a split stay?

A split stay means dividing your vacation between two or more resorts during one Walt Disney World trip.

Why do a split stay?

Popular reasons include: trying different resorts, mixing a splurge night or two with budget nights, joining a group block for part of the trip, or aligning resort benefits and locations with specific park plans.

Is Disney-to-Disney the easiest kind of split stay?

Yes. Disney will transfer your luggage between Disney resorts. You’ll have separate reservations (and deposits) for each stay and should link all of them in My Disney Experience.

Will Disney transfer luggage to or from Shades of Green or other on-property, non-Disney resorts?

Sometimes. Disney will deliver to and/or pick up from some on-property non-Disney resorts. You must arrange this directly with Bell Services at the Disney resort and confirm the direction (pickup vs. drop-off) they can accommodate. Policies can vary by resort pair.

Can I bring luggage on Disney buses?

No. Disney buses don’t allow luggage. If your bags can’t be transferred by Bell Services, use a rideshare, Minnie Van, taxi, or your own vehicle.

How do deposits, check-ins, and room keys work with multiple reservations?

Each reservation requires its own deposit and check-in. Link every reservation in My Disney Experience. You may receive separate MagicBands/keys or manage access digitally in the app.

Can I still use airport transportation with a split stay?

Yes—book your airport transfers (e.g., Mears Connect or a rideshare) based on where you start and end your trip. If you begin or finish at a non-Disney resort, arrange that leg independently.

Any planning tips for Shades of Green split stays?

Confirm luggage transfer options in advance; if unavailable, plan a rideshare. Remember Shades’ ID requirements at check-in and for boarding Shades of Green buses. Coordinate park days so your “move day” is a lighter schedule.

What’s the hardest kind of split stay?

Off-property + Disney. You’ll handle your own luggage and airport transfers, and you’ll likely rely on a car or rideshare between resorts.

Pro tip for any split stay?

Photograph your bags before transfer; pack a day bag with meds, swimwear, and essentials; and expect your new room to be ready mid-afternoon.

How to Plan & Execute a Split Stay (Step-by-Step)

1. Choose your sequence. Decide which nights to spend at each resort (e.g., start at a Value/SoG, finish at a Deluxe near desired parks).
2. Book separate reservations. Make (and deposit) a reservation for each resort. Link all stays in My Disney Experience.
3. Align park plans. Schedule parks to match locations (e.g., monorail-area resort on MK/EPCOT days; Skyliner-area for EPCOT/Studios).
4. Confirm luggage transfer. If moving Disney↔Disney, plan to use Bell Services. If Disney↔Shades of Green (or other non-Disney), call the Disney Bell Services team in advance to verify they can deliver/pick up for your specific pair. If not, plan a rideshare/taxi or use your car.
5. Prep a move-day bag. Keep meds, valuables, swimwear, park clothes, and chargers with you. Refrigerated items should be moved by you or ask Bell Services how they handle them.
6. Move morning. Drop luggage with Bell Services before park touring (or summon rideshare if self-moving). Take a photo of every bag and save claim checks.
7. Check in at your next resort. Complete online check-in; rooms typically become available mid-afternoon. Retrieve luggage via Bell Services or request delivery when your room is ready.

• Back to Basics Posts - A great place to start, offering basic topics!
• Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
• The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide 
• Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist 
• Disney Military Tickets – Your Start-to-Finish Guide

• Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
• Dining Overview Page
• Transportation Overview Page
• Technology Overview Page
• Shades of Green, WDW’s Military-Only Resort

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