how do you handle split stays?

[Tammy296]

We're thinking of trying a split stay this trip...

We're going 3/15 - 3/22 so for example 3/15 - 3/18 we'd stay at one resort. 3/18 - 3/22 we'd stay at the second resort. How do we best add tickets and food? The trouble we are having is when we try to add food regular dining plan for the entire week....can't seem to do that without booking at least one ticket on each stay....

Thoughts?

 

[strat68]

WDW does not recognize what we call split stays. It sees it as 2 different and separate reservations, so that may be why you have to book a second ticket. Is the dining plan worth the trouble?

 

[kmg1107]

Split stays are wonderful because you get to experience two (or more) unique properties, but it does make some logistics challenging. We always add the park tickets to our first stay, as those tickets will be valid for 14 days from first use and will follow you to your second resort. However, dining plan does not. You'll have to choose whether to go without the dining plan for the second part of your stay, or whether it makes sense to purchase another package. If buying more than 3 days of park tickets, it's really not worth it to split up the tickets over two stays, as each additional day is cheaper than the last.
Hope this helps!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We're thinking of trying a split stay this trip...

We're going 3/15 - 3/22 so for example 3/15 - 3/18 we'd stay at one resort. 3/18 - 3/22 we'd stay at the second resort. How do we best add tickets and food? The trouble we are having is when we try to add food regular dining plan for the entire week....can't seem to do that without booking at least one ticket on each stay....

Thoughts?

Split stays are wonderful because you get to experience two (or more) unique properties, but it does make some logistics challenging. We always add the park tickets to our first stay, as those tickets will be valid for 14 days from first use and will follow you to your second resort. However, dining plan does not. You'll have to choose whether to go without the dining plan for the second part of your stay, or whether it makes sense to purchase another package. If buying more than 3 days of park tickets, it's really not worth it to split up the tickets over two stays, as each additional day is cheaper than the last.
Hope this helps!

You absolutely can book a split stay with dining on each reservation and tickets only (for your entire length of stay) on the first reservation. It's called a "ticketless package" and can only be booked by calling the reservation in. You can't book it online.

This is what you would need to do:

1) Book your first package with your room, tickets for ENTIRE length of stay and the dining plan. For example, 3/15 - 3/18, 8-day tickets (or how many days you will be visiting the parks) and dining plan. You can do this online if you want.

2) Call and book your second "ticketless package" - room from 3/18 - 3/22 plus a dining plan, but NO tickets.

The only time you HAVE to have tickets on a package to get a dining plan is during a free dining promotion.

 

[dansdad]

You absolutely can book a split stay with dining on each reservation and tickets only (for your entire length of stay) on the first reservation. It's called a "ticketless package" and can only be booked by calling the reservation in. You can't book it online.

This is what you would need to do:

1) Book your first package with your room, tickets for ENTIRE length of stay and the dining plan. For example, 3/15 - 3/18, 8-day tickets (or how many days you will be visiting the parks) and dining plan. You can do this online if you want.

2) Call and book your second "ticketless package" - room from 3/18 - 3/22 plus a dining plan, but NO tickets.

The only time you HAVE to have tickets on a package to get a dining plan is during a free dining promotion.

This.

 

[Dreamin192]

We just booked a split stay and it was so easy. I had already made one reservation for our entire stay so I just told the CM I wanted to shorten that one and add another to replace the days I was taking off the first. She knew exactly what I was talking about and I had no problems booking our second resort as a ticketless package so we could get dining. The first stay has dining and tickets for our entire stay.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

We love split stays and may only do those from here on out. Like to switch resorts halfway through and get the best of both worlds and a change of scenery at that. We had no problem with our tickets/MB's etc.

When it comes to your luggage, when you are ready to switch resorts, you call bell services at the resort you will be leaving in the morning and have them come collect your luggage to be moved to the next resort and they will take care in transferring it to you. Be aware that your luggage will arrive anytime from 3-6pm at the new resort.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

This sounds very straightforward and painless. We are doing a Pop/AOA split stay in May. We can probably just roll our luggage across the bridge from one resort to the other and just leave it with bell services until the room is ready.

 

[tcherjen]

I was only able to do the split stay once. My husband was not a fan of moving resorts.

 

[carolk2016]

Is there any impact on booking fastpasses?

 

[bcbmommy]

I was only able to do the split stay once. My husband was not a fan of moving resorts.

Same here. We've never done a split-stay at WDW, but did one at Universal last year, and it was pretty bad. Admittedly, I did it backward, though. We went from Portofino to Cabana Bay midway through our trip. BAD move. Now, my dh and oldest dd are against the idea of moving.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Book the favorite/nicer place second...

It's the cardinal rule of splits

 

[Jfsag123]

Is there any impact on booking fastpasses?

No impact of fastpass booking - your entire window will open 60 days out from the start of your first stay. It does impact dining - 180+ length of time at first resort, then a second booking window for 180+ length of time at second resort.

 

[bumbershoot]

I had already made one reservation for our entire stay so I just told the CM I wanted to shorten that one and add another to replace the days I was taking off the first.

FYI this *could* have been a problem. Nowadays it's not simple to drop days. If there's no availability for the shorter stay, since they now have to cancel it all then rebook, you might not have been able to do it. It's also possible the price for the days you were keeping had gone up, and in that case you would have had a price change.

You got lucky in that the shorter stay was available and at the same cost. Do not expect to be able to do that so easily, and without a price increase, in the future.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

We do split stays all the time. if the issue you are having is making dining reservations for the entire stay, just call and have them make the reservations over the phone for you. That is how we always do it with splits and dining and haven't had an issue

 

[Dreamin192]

FYI this *could* have been a problem. Nowadays it's not simple to drop days. If there's no availability for the shorter stay, since they now have to cancel it all then rebook, you might not have been able to do it. It's also possible the price for the days you were keeping had gone up, and in that case you would have had a price change.

You got lucky in that the shorter stay was available and at the same cost. Do not expect to be able to do that so easily, and without a price increase, in the future.

Yes, the CM didn't touch my first reservation until we confirmed the new reservation. Also, I had checked availability online for my dates before I even called so I knew the resort I was already booked at still had availability for the shortened stay. And the promo I used originally was still available. I'm not sure she cancelled and rebooked my first reservation because I didn't have to put another deposit down for that stay and the booking number stayed the same.