Here is Military Disney Tips’ advice on this slightly out of the ordinary subject.
What’s a Split Stay?
Splitting your vacation time between 2 or more Resort Hotels during your Walt Disney World vacation.
Why would you do a Split Stay?
There are many potential reasons:
• 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 want to get free Magic Bands with your Disney Resort stay, but really wish to stay elsewhere
• You really want to stay elsewhere, but have must do FastPasses that you need to get 60 days prior as they will be unavailable 30 day out
• 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
• You have lots of hotel points that you want to use but want to mix in a Disney resort (for Magic Bands or Disney’s Magical Express)
• You are a member of a non-Disney Time-Share but want to mix in a Disney resort (for Magic Bands or Disney’s Magical Express)
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
- Receiving multiple Magic Bands, 1 for each resort stay for those in your party (unless you opt out of multiple bands, but who would)
- 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
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)
- Receiving Magic Bands for each Disney Resort stay for your party (unless you opt out of multiple bands)
- 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
- If staying non-Disney at the start or end you’ll need to procure your own airport transportation for that leg
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
- Receiving Magic Bands for each Disney Resort stay for your party (unless you opt out of multiple bands)
- 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
- If staying non-Disney at the start or end you’ll need to procure your own airport transportation for that leg.
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)
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!
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See our:
Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. For where to stay see our Resorts/Hotel Overview Page. Disney doesn’t discount dining for the military, but there are a few places on property that do, see the Dining Overview Page to learn where plus more dining info. You can also learn about Transportation Options. Be sure to check out our Technology Overview to learn about Magic Bands and My Disney Experience to see how they work with military tickets. Walt Disney World visitors might be interested in staying at Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort.
See: Top 8 Reasons to Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Steve Recommends
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Walt Disney World for Military Families 2019 - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
The Essential Guide to Shades of Green - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
Disneyland for Military Families - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
Here are my recommendations for products and services I've reviewed that can improve your Disney planning. This is a short list since it only includes my top picks.
Ears of Experience - My recommended Travel Agent, Fee Free, Disney Only, Military Family Owned
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Other Planning Resources
My Disney Experience - The Official Disney iPhone App (Free iTunes Download)
Buy Your Magic Bands at the Disney Store
Best Ever First Timers WDW Book The Easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit
YourFirstVisit.net The premier website for first time visitors to Walt Disney World!
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World The Ultimate WDW Guide!
TouringPlans.com - The website of the Unofficial Guide - Crowd Forecasts, Pre-made Touring Plan, plus lots of detailed info
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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/