How to Do a Split Stay at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando (Military Edition)

For military families headed to Orlando, the choice between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando can be a tough one. But what if you didn’t have to choose? A split stay lets you enjoy the best of both worlds—thrilling adventures in the Wizarding World one day, and magical memories with Mickey the next. It’s not just possible, it’s surprisingly easy to plan, especially with all the military discounts available to help you stretch your budget.

From discounted tickets and hotel options to transportation, dining, and practical tips, this guide will walk you through how to make it happen, from using your military benefits to planning your park days, getting between resorts, and maximizing every moment of your well-earned vacation.

Tickets and Military Discounts

Walt Disney World

For Disney, the Armed Forces Salute ticket is the best deal out there. This heavily discounted multi-day Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus ticket is available only to eligible service members and must be purchased in advance through a base ticket office or Shades of Green. It’s valid all year except for a few blockout dates.

If the Salute tickets don’t meet your needs, regular Military Discount Theme Park Tickets (aka Magic Your Way) are also available with a smaller discount and more flexibility.

When it comes to skipping the lines at Disney, you now have three options—but none of them can be pre-added to military tickets. These must be purchased day-by-day via the My Disney Experience app:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass – lets you book up to 3 rides in advance each day.
• Lightning Lane Single Pass – a pay-per-ride option for select attractions.
• Premier Pass – allows Lightning Lane access to every eligible attraction in a single park for one day.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal knocks it out of the park with their Military Freedom Pass, which is valid for the entire calendar year and offers exceptional value, especially for families planning more than a one-day visit.

For 2025, you can also add on a 1-day Epic Universe ticket, which lets you explore Universal’s brand-new theme park filled with next-gen attractions and themed lands.

To ride the Hogwarts Express between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, you’ll need a Park-to-Park ticket, which is required even with the Freedom Pass.

Line-skipping is also easier to manage here:

• Universal Express Pass allows you to skip the regular lines at most attractions—and it’s free for guests staying at Universal’s Premier hotels, while others will pay a fee.

🔗 Links:

• Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
• Disney Military Theme Park Tickets
• What’s the difference between the two?
• Disney’s Theme Parks
• Universal Orlando Military Freedom Pass
• Regular Universal Military Tickets
• Epic Universe 1-Day Add-On for the Freedom Pass
• Epic Universe 1-Day Add-On for Regular Universal Military Tickets
• Universal’s Theme Parks (external link to my other site)

Resorts and Military Room Discounts

Walt Disney World

Shades of Green

At Disney, the ultimate military resort is Shades of Green. Located on Disney property, this resort is exclusive to military families and offers huge rooms, a peaceful setting, tax-free pricing, and on-site amenities like an AAFES Exchange.

You can also book Disney’s official Value, Moderate, or Deluxe resorts using the Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts, which offer substantial savings off rack rates. Availability is limited, so it’s best to book early.

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

Need more space? Consider renting a Disney Vacation Club villa, especially 1-bedroom and up, which come with in-room laundry and full kitchens.

Universal Orlando

Universal has its own military discounts on hotel rooms, too, available through military ticket offices or Universal Studios Vacations. Your choice of hotel tier affects your stay experience significantly.

Endless Summer Dockside Resort Pool

🔗 Links:

• Shades of Green Resort
• Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts
• Disney World Resorts
• Universal Orlando’s Hotels (external link to my other site)

Here’s a quick comparison of the different hotel tiers at both resorts:

Military Planning Pro Tip: I recommend booking through an experienced and trusted military-focused travel agent. This ensures you get the best deal and help every step of the way.

• The Mouse Experts Military Disney Vacation Specialists can help you book your Disney stay.
• Universal Studios Vacations by Jen Novak can guide you through your Universal vacation.

Universal First, Disney Second – Why It Works

If you’re wondering which order to visit the resorts, here’s my strong recommendation: start with Universal and finish with Disney.

Here’s why that order is best:

• Disney offers higher levels of service, theming, and polish—ending your trip with that “wow” factor feels like an upgrade.
• You want to feel like your trip is building up, not stepping down.
• Universal’s fun and energetic atmosphere sets a great tone, while Disney’s immersive storytelling helps you slow down and savor every magical moment.
• You’ll avoid feeling like you’re “downgrading” when switching from Disney to Universal.
• End your trip on a high note—with Mickey-shaped waffles, fireworks over Cinderella Castle, and all the feels.

How Long Should You Stay?

Your ideal length of stay depends on your travel goals, prior experience at these parks, and leave availability, but here’s a general recommendation:

• Universal: 2–3 days (add 1 more if Epic Universe is on your list)
• Disney: 4–5 days to cover all four parks comfortably
• Rest Day(s): Build in one or more “no-park” day to enjoy your resort, a water park, Disney Springs, or Universal CityWalk

Why You Might Want a Non-Park Day

Arrival, departure, and transfer days often leave you with less time to enjoy the parks, especially when you factor in travel, check-in/check-out times, and transportation between locations. Rather than burning a valuable park ticket for just a few hours of access, consider filling those days with lower-key activities that still deliver Disney or Universal magic.

Any non-park days will be on top of your planned park days!

Here are some great ideas for how to spend those “off” days:

Optional Non-Park Day Activities at Walt Disney World

• 🌊 Enjoy your resort pool — most have themed pools, waterslides, splash pads, and poolside bars.

• 🏨 Explore other Disney resorts — take a self-guided Monorail or Skyliner loop to check out deluxe resorts and grab a bite or a snack.

• 🍹 Visit a lounge or bar — try Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Enchanted Rose, or Geyser Point for themed cocktails and food.

• 🚤 Rent a boat at one of the marina resorts like the Contemporary or Fort Wilderness.

• 🛍️ Shop and dine at Disney Springs — over 100 stores and restaurants, plus entertainment.

• 🎳 Hit the lanes at Splitsville or see a show at AMC Dine-In.

• ⛳️ Get in a round of golf, mini-golf, or Foot Golf – Disney has 4 championship golf courses and 2 mini-golf courses

• 🎣 Go fishing with a guided excursion from a Disney marina.

• 🐴 Take a pony ride or carriage ride at Fort Wilderness.

• 📸 Do a mini photo safari with your camera or phone at the Animal Kingdom Lodge or Caribbean Beach Resort.

Optional Non-Park Day Activities at Universal Orlando

• 🏊 Lounge by the pool — Universal hotels like Cabana Bay and Portofino Bay have awesome pools, lazy rivers, and cabanas.

• 🍕 Do a resort-to-resort dining crawl — sample pizza at Sal’s, sushi at Orchid Court Lounge, and gelato at Vivo.

• 🎤 Enjoy live music at CityWalk venues like Hard Rock or Pat O’Brien’s.

• 🍩 Grab breakfast at Voodoo Doughnut in CityWalk for a fun and quirky treat.

• 🎥 Catch a movie at Universal Cinemark in CityWalk — a great, low-key afternoon option.

• 🎳 Hit the lanes at Galaxy Bowl – in Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

• 🧙‍♂️ Browse themed shops — even without park access, you can visit the Universal Studios Store, the Legacy Store, and more.

• 🛶 Take a boat ride between resorts and CityWalk — scenic and relaxing, especially at night.

• 🧼 Do laundry while relaxing poolside — many hotels offer laundry near the pool areas.

• 🎮 Play at the resort arcades or enjoy family games in hotel lobbies.

🔗 Links:

• Top 10 Free or Low-Cost Things to Do at Disney World
• Disney Springs
• Military Discounts at Disney Springs
• Military Discounts on Golf at Disney World
• Disney World Mini Golf
• Military Discounts at Universal’s CityWalk (external link to my other site)

Transportation: Getting Around

From and To Orlando International Airport (MCO)

• Mears Connect provides shared transportation to Walt Disney World.
• Uber/Lyft are usually quicker and more flexible for families with children or a lot of luggage.
• Rental cars are a good option if you plan to explore off-site or prefer more control, but add parking fees (at Shades of Green, Disney Parks, if staying at Shades of Green, Universal’s Theme Park parking lot, and hotels)
• Private car or van services are great for larger families or those with special needs.
• Universal Super Star Shuttle – Universal operates paid shuttles between its resorts and the airport. The price is added to your room bill.

Between Resorts

• Uber/Lyft is the most popular choice for speed and simplicity.
• Private car or van services are great for larger families or those with special needs.

Bell Services at both resorts will store your bags on transfer day, so you can hit the parks while you wait for check-in.

🔗 Links:

• The Best Way to Get Between Disney and Universal
• Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle (external link to my other site)

Food, Groceries & Delivery

Many families choose to order groceries to their resort. We always get at least one case of water!

Order separately for each stay, or pack what you can transfer. If switching resorts mid-stay, you’ll need to transport cold items in insulated bags. Amazon, Walmart+, Instacart, and Garden Grocer all serve both resort areas.

🔗 Links:

• Shipping Items to Your Disney Resort
• Shipping Items to Shades of Green

Stroller & Scooter Rentals

If you need a stroller or ECV, keep in mind that you’ll need two separate rentals—one for each resort area.

Disney and Universal don’t coordinate on this, so third-party vendors like Amusement Park Rentals are your best bet.

Dining Reservations

Walt Disney World

Dining at Disney can be competitive, so plan ahead. Guests staying at a Disney resort (or Shades of Green) can make dining reservations 60 days before arrival for their entire length of stay (up to the first 10 days of the trip).

Use the My Disney Experience App or the Disney Website.

Universal Orlando

Universal is much more laid-back when it comes to dining. You can:

• Book select restaurants on OpenTable
• Make reservations directly through the Universal website
• Often walk up to most dining locations with little to no wait

However, making reservations at Universal is just a bit more complex. Most locations are now on Universal’s website or app (only a few were in the past, and it was a nightmare). The locations that are not are all in Universal CityWalk  (link  or number included if available):

• Bob Marley—A Tribute to Freedom [no contact]
• Pat O’Brien’s [(407) 224-3663]
• Hard Rock Cafe

🔗 Links:

• My Guide to Disney Advance Dining Reservations

Line-Skipping Add-Ons

Disney

Military tickets can use Lightning Lane options, but Lightning Lane must be purchased in app each day:

• Multi Pass for planning key rides ahead
• Single Pass for pay-per-ride access to the biggest attractions
• Premier Pass for the VIP-style experience

Universal

• Express Pass is a time-saver that works all day and is valid on most rides.
• Included free with Premier hotel stays
• Can also be purchased as a stand-alone upgrade for other guests

🔗 Links:

• Disney Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass
• Disney Lightning Lane Premier Pass

Packing & Laundry

Split stays mean a little more logistical planning when it comes to clothes and laundry.

Here’s how to manage it:

• Pack separate bags or cubes for each part of the trip
• Bring a laundry kit or use on-site machines at both Disney and Universal resorts
• 1-Bedroom and larger DVC villas include in-room washers and dryers
• On transfer day, just drop your bags at Bell Services and head to the parks or pool until your new room is ready.

🔗 Links:

• Shades of Green’s Laundry Rooms

Final Thoughts

A split stay lets you double the fun of your Orlando vacation—and for military families, it’s an unbeatable way to stretch those benefits. With smart planning and the right help, you can enjoy the thrills of Universal and the magic of Disney all in one amazing trip.

Ready to start planning? Work with travel pros who understand your military benefits and how to make the most of them:

• The Mouse Experts for all things Disney
• Jen Novak’s Universal Studios Vacations for Universal

You serve—we help you save (and play)!

• 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

The Mouse Experts is a travel booking company specializing in Disney vacations. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!