Disney Resorts

One of the most challenging decisions many Disney travelers face is choosing the perfect Disney resort for their visit. With so many incredible options, making that final decision can be a real dilemma. But what if I told you there’s a way you don’t have to choose just one? In this post, I’m talking about the magic of planning a split stay at Disney World and why it could be the game-changer for your next Disney vacation.

What is a split stay? 

A split stay is the key to unlocking a world of Disney magic. Simply put, it means planning to stay at more than one resort during your visit to Walt Disney World. It’s a choice that offers numerous benefits, and here’s why you might want to consider it.

Benefits of Planning a Split Stay at Disney World 

Each Disney resort is a unique experience, and with a split stay, you get to enjoy not one but two (or more) different hotels. It’s like having two separate vacations in one.

Are you eyeing a stay at a Deluxe Resort but worried about the cost? A split stay allows you to indulge in the luxury of a Deluxe Resort for just a few nights, making it easier on your budget.

Plus, if you opt for a Deluxe stay, you gain access to Extended Evening Hours, which means lower crowds, shorter lines for attractions, and the opportunity to join virtual queues for new rides like TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy.

And if you’ve ever wondered about the Disney Dining Plan, a split stay lets you try it for only a portion of your trip, giving you the flexibility to sample Disney’s culinary delights without committing to it for the entire vacation.

How to Plan A Split Stay at Disney World

Booking a split stay is a bit more complex but absolutely worth it. A knowledgeable travel agent can streamline the process for you. 

You’ll need to choose your travel dates, select the resorts you’d like to experience and decide on the number of nights at each. Booking separate reservations is necessary as the Disney system doesn’t accommodate multiple resorts under one booking. 

When it’s time to transition to your second resort, bell services will handle the luggage transfer, so you don’t have to worry about lugging bags around.

Tips for Planning a Split Stay

Planning a split stay at Disney World is all about crafting an experience that seamlessly combines the best of both worlds. To help you make the most of this unique strategy, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind:

Strategic Sequencing:

• If you have the flexibility, consider scheduling your stay at a Deluxe Resort toward the end of your trip. Why? It makes transitioning from a more luxurious setting to a less extravagant one much smoother. It’s like easing back into the real world after living the high life. Plus, when you’re winding down your vacation, you’ll have a chance to bask in the premium amenities and services a Deluxe Resort offers. It’s the perfect way to savor the Disney magic as you wrap up your adventure.

Take It Easy:

• While it’s tempting to spend every moment exploring the parks, remember to allocate some downtime to appreciate the unique amenities at each resort. Whether it’s a lazy day by the pool, a tranquil walk through beautifully landscaped gardens, or savoring delectable cuisine at the resort’s restaurants, don’t rush through your stay. Part of the charm of a split stay is experiencing the distinctive character of each resort. So, relax, unwind, and enjoy what each has to offer.

Optimize Extended Evening Hours:

• If one of your chosen resorts falls into the Deluxe category, pay special attention to the dates when Extended Evening Hours are available. These hours grant Deluxe Resort guests the privilege of enjoying the parks after regular closing time, which means fewer crowds, shorter lines, and a more relaxed atmosphere. It’s a game-changer for experiencing popular attractions with minimal wait times. To fully maximize this perk, make sure the dates of your Deluxe Resort stay align with Extended Evening Hours. This way, you’ll make the most of your time in the parks during those magical, less crowded evenings.

Examples of a Split Stay at Disney World

Let’s walk through a sample split stay: Imagine a six-night stay. Begin at a value or moderate resort like Pop Century or Caribbean Beach for the first 4 nights. Take advantage of the Skyliner access for trips to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. And you can make a visit to Animal Kingdom during this time as well.  

For the remaining 2 nights, shift to a monorail deluxe resort like the Polynesian or Contemporary. Slow down your pace, soak up the amenities, savor great restaurants, and leverage that convenient transportation for a fantastic Magic Kingdom experience. Early entry and extended evening hours could be your ticket to more attractions with fewer crowds.

Now you’re in on one of the best-kept Disney secrets. Your Disney World experience just got a magical upgrade. I hope this post has shed some light on the enchantment of split stays at Disney World. If you’re ready to start planning your split stay for 2023 or 2024, click here to request a quote, and I’ll help plan an epic trip for you. Thanks for reading, and until next time, happy planning! 🏰✨

Congratulations, you decided to take your family to Disney World. Great! Now what? Buckle up, because that is just the first of many decisions you’ll make when planning your trip. One of the most important, and challenging choices is whether to stay offsite or at a Disney resort. The best choice is going to vary depending on the needs of your family. Here are a few factors to consider to help you make your decision.

What is your budget?

Budget is one of the main considerations when deciding whether to stay on Disney property or offsite. Many people automatically assume that it will be cheaper to stay offsite, but Disney does have some reasonably priced rooms. Accommodations and food can certainly be less expensive outside of Disney property. However, it’s not always the most cost-effective option.

It’s important to establish an approximate budget for your trip, and consider any extra costs you may incur by staying offsite. Those costs can include:

• Rental car
• Rideshare costs
• Resort parking
• Theme park parking

How many people are you traveling with?

A major factor you will want to consider when deciding whether to stay on Disney property is the size of your travel group. Many Disney resort rooms only sleep up to 4 adults and a young child.

There are still plenty of options for larger families. Here are some good choices for onsite resorts that will sleep 5 or more adults.

Value

• Art of Animation: family suites (sleep up to 6 adults)
• All-Star Music: family suites (sleep up to 6 adults)

Moderate

• Coronado Springs: a variety of suites (sleep 6-8 adults)
• Cabins at Fort Wilderness (sleep up to 6 adults)

Deluxe

Most Deluxe resorts offer suites and/or villas that are great for large groups. A few of our favorites:

• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn: rooms, suites, studios, and villas (sleep 5-9 adults)
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary Resort: villas (sleep 5-12 adults)

Another option for larger spaces onsite is to rent Disney Vacation Club points.

In terms of offsite options for large groups, a great choice is to rent a condo or home. Having a kitchen also allows you to prepare some of your meals at home and save some money. We chose to rent a house through VRBO last year with a group of 10. We were in a resort community about 15 minutes away from Disney and had a ton of space to spread out. I will admit, I was concerned about having major FOMO at the idea of not staying at a Disney resort. In the end, it really was the best choice for our group during that trip. And our vacation was still just as magical.

Transportation

One of the huge benefits of staying at a Disney Resort is the convenient use of their transportation services. Even though the complimentary use of Magical Express is no longer an option, you can still have a pretty seamless transition from the airport to your resort.

Once you are on Disney property you can use the busses, monorails, ferryboats, or Skyliner to get around. Personally, I love the fact that I don’t have to drive or park at all on my entire vacation when staying onsite.

Many offsite hotels offer free shuttles to the parks. It’s important to check out the details of the shuttle schedules to be sure that those will work with your plans. Renting a car, or rideshare services are also an option.

Extra Perks

In recent years, the perks of staying onsite have been reduced. The free use of Magical Express has ended. The Disney Dining Plan is not currently being offered. In addition, guests staying at a Disney Resort no longer receive complimentary magic bands.

Even with those reduced offerings, there are still many little perks and benefits that onsite guests receive. These include:

• Early Theme Park Entry
• Extended evening hours for Deluxe resort guests at select parks on select evenings
• The ability to book Individual Lightning Lane selections at 7 am rather than at park opening
• Discounted magic bands
• Disney Dining plan (when available)
• Ease of charging to the room
• Ease of taking a midday break
• The magic and theming of being inside the “Disney Bubble”

Do you plan to visit other Orlando attractions?

One more thing to think about when making the choice to stay onsite or offsite is whether or not you plan to visit other Orlando area attractions. If you plan to visit Universal Studios, SeaWorld, or any other attractions, it could make sense to stay outside of Disney property. Universal Studios offers a lot of great benefits to guests staying at their resorts. They also offer a good range of hotels at various price points.

Conclusion

Making the decision to stay onsite or offsite can be difficult. If you take the time to think about what is most important to you for your vacation. Overall, here are my recommendations.

You may want to stay onsite if:

• You plan to spend most of your time in the Disney parks
• You don’t want to rent a car or worry about driving
• Disney theming is important to you
• You don’t want to cook or clean on your vacation

You may want to stay offsite if:

• You have a strict budget and want the least expensive option possible
• You will have a car or don’t mind using rideshare services
• You are traveling with a big group and want lots of space to spread out
• You want a kitchen to prepare your own meals
• You plan on visiting other Orlando area attractions.

Truthfully, no matter which option you choose you will be in store for an incredible experience. Happy planning!