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. Our last trip we were at 6 Disney resorts.
UPDATED: August 2021
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.
- 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!
- 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!
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- 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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We did a split stay from POP to SOG on a trip and from POR to SOG on another trip without a hitch and they were very accommodating. The last trip we started at PO-FQ to SOG and the last night to the Beach Club. Both transfers were a night mare. The PO-FQ bell services lady said, we don’t do that. I answered yes you do, they did it a few months ago from POR to SOG. She was rude but they finally did it. The last night SOG bell services told me I needed to call the Beach Club to make arrangements. I called and their response was SOG had to send them. I told them they can’t and the SOG bell hop had to explain the process to the Beach Club on my phone. We had 2 rooms at all three hotels. Disney was getting over $1600 from us and they acted like it was a big imposition to move our luggage. Good grief, the SOG is right across from the POLY. We were going 1-2 times a year. I wrote a complaint letter to Disney with no response. It will be a long time before we go back.
Dang Debbie,
I’m sorry you has so much trouble!
Do you think the Magical Express will ever be available to Shades of Green?
Sadly no linda.
Shades would have to pay Disney for that. With how they have cut their discounts from the 50-40% they used to be to 8-12% I think they are more interested in profit.
Hi Steve,
I have another question I would like to ask you. I see where Disney has raised their prices on park tickets. I’m thinking of calling Shades of green and seeing if they have a better price. I’ve never bought tickets from them before and wanted to get your thoughts on the subject. Are they the same as what I’ve purchased through Disney and can they be linked to My Disney experience and armbands. I really appreciate your input…thank you.
Best regards
Linda Duffy
Hi there Linda,
The Magic Your Way tickets sold by Shades (or Base Ticket Offices) are identical to those sold by Disney and are always a better deal (4-8% less based on length and options). They work in all respects identical to those sold by Disney. The Disney Armed Forces Salute are a way better deal and the Fall 2018 and March 2019 ticket price increases do not affect these.
We are in a unique situation in that the Fall 2018 and March 2019 ticket price increases have not hit Shades of Green tickets yet (as of a couple days ago). They are still at the Feb 2018 price increase level.
For more see: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/how-disney-price-increases-affect-military-ticket-discounts/
We did a split stay between All Star Movies and Saratoga Springs. They transferred the luggage, but it took us forever to get it. We checked out before 11 am, but didn’t get our luggage until 6:30. So if you need anything from your luggage, either unpack it & take it with you or get a Lyft or Uber to transport you & your luggage to the next resort. That’s what we’re going to do this year when we split between POR & SOG.
Great tip Peg!
Thanks so much!
We are planning a split stay this summer. This article is right on time!
Awesome Ron,
Have a great time!!!