How to Book a Split Stay

[blackpearl77]

Hi all-
We've never done a split stay before and are thinking of trying it in April. We are thinking 2 nights at one place and the rest at another. How do you book a split stay online on Disney's website? Do you just book 2 different room only reservations? And then buy tickets separately online and then link everything in MDE? Or do you do one room only and then one package? We want to buy the hopper passes along with our room (only ever done the package all at once so not sure how everyone does their spilt stay online). How does everyone do it? Thanks for your help!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Do you just book 2 different room only reservations?

Yes.

And then buy tickets separately online and then link everything in MDE?

Yes, or buy length-of-both-stay tickets with the chronologically FIRST room booking as a package, and make the second room only.

 

[blackpearl77]

Thanks.

I have another question. When you do a split stay - and buy tickets - how should you buy them to be able to do fast passes at 60 days. I thought you could only do fast passes at 60 days if it's with a package. So if you do a split stay, say the first 2 days at one resort and then 5 days at a second resort. If you buy the tickets for the whole length of stay (7 days) with the first resort to be a package and then the second resort as room only - will I really be able to buy tickets for all 7 days on the first resort even though we're only staying 2 nights? And then I can book fast passes for all 7 days? Just want to make sure I'm understanding all of this... Thanks!

 

[dbavis]

making fast pass reservations 60 days out has nothing to do with whether you bought a package or not. speaking generically, as long as you have a room reservation and tickets linked to your MDE account, you'll be able to make FP reservations 60 days from the first day of your first reservation. i can't speak to the details of a split stay with a package on one end or the other and what that might do to you. i just want to make sure you're not under the impression that you must purchase a package in order to be able to make FP reservations at 60 days.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When you do a split stay - and buy tickets - how should you buy them to be able to do fast passes at 60 days. I thought you could only do fast passes at 60 days if it's with a package.

Untrue. You can do FP+ at 60 days with any on-site booking and any valid ticket. Doesn't need to be a package. That said, if you are going to book a package with tickets, you must make it the first stay. Otherwise, you won't be able to book at 60 days for the first stay, since the tickets won't be valid until the date of your second stay.

That's why I'm saying if you buy tickets as a package from Disney, do it with the first stay. Otherwise, you have to activate them on-site.

 

[blackpearl77]

making fast pass reservations 60 days out has nothing to do with whether you bought a package or not. speaking generically, as long as you have a room reservation and tickets linked to your MDE account, you'll be able to make FP reservations 60 days from the first day of your first reservation. i can't speak to the details of a split stay with a package on one end or the other and what that might do to you. i just want to make sure you're not under the impression that you must purchase a package in order to be able to make FP reservations at 60 days.

oh thanks! I always thought it had to be a package! Thanks - good to know! So I just need a room reservation and tickets then?

 

[blackpearl77]

Untrue. You can do FP+ at 60 days with any on-site booking and any valid ticket. Doesn't need to be a package. That said, if you are going to book a package with tickets, you must make it the first stay. Otherwise, you won't be able to book at 60 days for the first stay, since the tickets won't be valid until the date of your second stay.

That's why I'm saying if you buy tickets as a package from Disney, do it with the first stay. Otherwise, you have to activate them on-site.

Awesome - thanks for your help!!! I think I'm getting it now! haha

 

[dbavis]

oh thanks! I always thought it had to be a package! Thanks - good to know! So I just need a room reservation and tickets then?

that's right. a package MIGHT end up being cheaper depending on what discounts are being offered but it isn't a guarantee. Otherwise, you can book a room-only reservation and buy your tickets from Disney seperately or from a reputable re-seller where you might be able to save a few bucks. if you buy them third party, you just need to link them to your MDE account and then you should be good-to-go.

 

[blackpearl77]

Ok one more question then I'll shut up! hahaha

If we decided to not do the parks on the first 2 days - just do resort pool day and disney springs day - then should I do the package/tickets and room on the second resort reservation? Or just do 2 room onlys and then buy tickets online at disney separately? Or does it not matter and I'm totally over complicating this? As long as I have a room and tickets I can book fast passes?

 

[dbavis]

in general, as long as you have a room and tickets, you can book fastpasses. it sounds like an exception to this is what @_auroraborealis_ is saying about not having your second stay be the package. i don't fully understand those implications.

I'd suggest that you go one of two routes. 1. Two room-only reservations and tickets purchased separately (even if still through Disney, just not as a package). or, 2. a package for the first part of your trip, with tickets the length that you want for your entire trip, and then a room-only ressie for the second resort. For me, I'd run the numbers on both options and go with whichever is cheaper.

There are some additional benefits to packages but nothing that i've ever found personally worth spending extra to have. Unless things have changed, there are also different requirements for when you must pay things off for a room-only reservation vs a package.

 

[blackpearl77]

in general, as long as you have a room and tickets, you can book fastpasses. it sounds like an exception to this is what @_auroraborealis_ is saying about not having your second stay be the package. i don't fully understand those implications.

I'd suggest that you go one of two routes. 1. Two room-only reservations and tickets purchased separately (even if still through Disney, just not as a package). or, 2. a package for the first part of your trip, with tickets the length that you want for your entire trip, and then a room-only ressie for the second resort. For me, I'd run the numbers on both options and go with whichever is cheaper.

There are some additional benefits to packages but nothing that i've ever found personally worth spending extra to have. Unless things have changed, there are also different requirements for when you must pay things off for a room-only reservation vs a package.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[sheila14]

Untrue. You can do FP+ at 60 days with any on-site booking and any valid ticket. Doesn't need to be a package. That said, if you are going to book a package with tickets, you must make it the first stay. Otherwise, you won't be able to book at 60 days for the first stay, since the tickets won't be valid until the date of your second stay.

That's why I'm saying if you buy tickets as a package from Disney, do it with the first stay. Otherwise, you have to activate them on-site.

Here is my question: I am doing a split stay WL Oct 14-18 then Pop 18-21. I have a 5 day base ticket linked to WL. Why is it that I am being told that I can only make FP for my WL 60 day window and then when my 60 day window comes up for my Pop reservation, then I can make those at that time????

 

[no one]

I just decided to do a split stay also and had those same questions. I did find "the ulimate split-stay thread" which answers a lot of these types of questions. Actually convinced me to do a split stay after reading it. Good luck.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Here is my question: I am doing a split stay WL Oct 14-18 then Pop 18-21. I have a 5 day base ticket linked to WL. Why is it that I am being told that I can only make FP for my WL 60 day window and then when my 60 day window comes up for my Pop reservation, then I can make those at that time????

Dunno, because that's not how it's been. But Disney IT is pretty much the worst.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks.

I have another question. When you do a split stay - and buy tickets - how should you buy them to be able to do fast passes at 60 days. I thought you could only do fast passes at 60 days if it's with a package. So if you do a split stay, say the first 2 days at one resort and then 5 days at a second resort. If you buy the tickets for the whole length of stay (7 days) with the first resort to be a package and then the second resort as room only - will I really be able to buy tickets for all 7 days on the first resort even though we're only staying 2 nights? And then I can book fast passes for all 7 days? Just want to make sure I'm understanding all of this... Thanks!

Here's an explanation of how to book your split stay and ensure you can make FP+ 60 day prior to your first reservation for your entire length of stay: https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/#post-55337492

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Sorry I have to hijack we check in on February 6 but we go to the park on the 7th so is my fp booking day the 8th or 9th of December

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Sorry I have to hijack we check in on February 6 but we go to the park on the 7th so is my fp booking day the 8th or 9th of December

December 8