Split Stay and free dining?

[labdogs42]

Can it be done? I'd love to stay at POP or Art of Animation, then move to WL for a few days and also get free dining (looking to go Aug 25 week). Can I do this? I have planned many a Disney trip before, but I have never tried the split stay and I don't really know how to book it. I like to price everything out on Disney's website, then call my TA once I know exactly what I want. Help!

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney doesn't really acknowledge a split stay. To them, it is 2 separate reservations. So the only way to have free dining for both is if both of your first days at each resort qualify for free dining.

For example, say free dining was offered October 1-20. You want to check in to the Pop on the 18th and the Poly on the 21st. You could get free dining for the Pop, but not for the Poly. You have to start your stay at each resort within the free dining dates.

 

[laurafergie]

You would have to have two reservations, and remember that you also have to a have a minimum 2 day ticket per reservation.

I would price out both reservations with FD.

Then price FD at the POP with a ticket for the entire stay....and a room only reservation at WL. Also price the second senario in reverse. You'll have three senarios to compare. Right off the top of my head, I think you'lll do better on #2. Keep us posted.

 

[PelletierBears]

Unfortunately you have to book the stays separately. The Disney reservation is system is surprisingly unsophisticated....it's a bit frustrating.

As long as your dates fall within the free dining offer there should be no reason why you won't qualify for both stays.

Have fun

 

[pixieprincessmom]

If you comPare remember that values are free quick service dining and WL would be regular dining plan.

 

[huskies90]

When I did this several years ago, I posted a similar question and was told that it could be done with one reservation but the normal CRO cannot do it. You have to call Guest Services directly and they can bridge the reservation. In my case, I ended up not doing the dining package over the entire split stay, so I never called. Also, it was just the dining package not free dining so I have no idea if that advice was true. But it is worth giving them a call. Personally, I am curious if this would actually work.

 

[tasha99]

I think you would have to do 2 reservations, which would be expensive. Multiple tickets of shorter length would cost more than fewer, longer stay tickets (the cost per day goes down as your stay increases).

 

[stitchlovestink]

I think you would have to do 2 reservations, which would be expensive. Multiple tickets of shorter length would cost more than fewer, longer stay tickets (the cost per day goes down as your stay increases).

As long as you meet the minimum number of nights at each resort you can do this, but like the previous poster said keep in mind you're going to have to buy 2 separate park tickets. Now, what you could do is buy the first ticket for the length to cover this trip and then on your second ressie just buy a base two day ticket and put it away for a future trip when maybe you would do a room only ressie if you got a good deal on a room?? Also remember that the meal credits expire from the first hotel stay at midnight of the day you check out of that hotel. So be sure you use them by then including the snack credits. Also, as stated keep in mind that values get the quick service dining plan free while mods/deluxes get the regular dining plan free. You can pay to upgrade the quick service plan, but you want to factor that additional cost into your budget. Personally, I think when they are doing free dining, it is not the best time to choose to do a split stay, but that's just me. Best of luck with your planning!!

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

We just did a split stay last month. But, never changed resorts. We did this because free dinning was offered as of our 4th day. And yes the previous posters were right in saying you have to make 2 seperate ressies. I purchased our full 10 day hoppers w/plus on the first ressie. On the second ressie I purchased a 1 day base ticket per person. I'm planning on putting these tickets away til the next trip. I know everyone keeps saying a 2 day base needs to be purchased, but, that's not what I was required to do. I would do it again if needed.
We purchased the dinning plan for the first 3 days and then upgraded our quick service for the free portion of the stay. This trip cost more than most of our trips. We don't usually do hoppers or plus'. But, we were 3 families w/11 people so we wanted to make sure we could move around freely. And honestly it was worth every penny.

 

[jcemom]

We just did a split stay last month. But, never changed resorts. We did this because free dinning was offered as of our 4th day. And yes the previous posters were right in saying you have to make 2 seperate ressies. I purchased our full 10 day hoppers w/plus on the first ressie. On the second ressie I purchased a 1 day base ticket per person. I'm planning on putting these tickets away til the next trip. I know everyone keeps saying a 2 day base needs to be purchased, but, that's not what I was required to do. I would do it again if needed.
We purchased the dinning plan for the first 3 days and then upgraded our quick service for the free portion of the stay. This trip cost more than most of our trips. We don't usually do hoppers or plus'. But, we were 3 families w/11 people so we wanted to make sure we could move around freely. And honestly it was worth every penny.

Hmm...everyone keeps saying you must purchase a two day ticket because that's what Disney's offer says. Did you book online or over the phone? I just ran through booking on the Disney website for free dining in September and the site will not allow me to book anything less than a two day base ticket.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Hmm...everyone keeps saying you must purchase a two day ticket because that's what Disney's offer says. Did you book online or over the phone? I just ran through booking on the Disney website for free dining in September and the site will not allow me to book anything less than a two day base ticket.

I booked over the phone. I modified my ressies to a split stay only about 3-4 weeks before our trip. When I was speaking to the CM I asked her if I had to buy a 1 or 2 day base ticket. She said she wasn't sure but she would try with a 1 day first. She was as surprised as I was it worked. She said as long as the system accepted it, it was good. So, no complaints from me. It might be worth asking if they can try a 1 day first. Good luck.

 

[jcemom]

I booked over the phone. I modified my ressies to a split stay only about 3-4 weeks before our trip. When I was speaking to the CM I asked her if I had to buy a 1 or 2 day base ticket. She said she wasn't sure but she would try with a 1 day first. She was as surprised as I was it worked. She said as long as the system accepted it, it was good. So, no complaints from me. It might be worth asking if they can try a 1 day first. Good luck.

It would definitely be worth asking for anyone considering a split stay. Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[labdogs42]

I booked over the phone. I modified my ressies to a split stay only about 3-4 weeks before our trip. When I was speaking to the CM I asked her if I had to buy a 1 or 2 day base ticket. She said she wasn't sure but she would try with a 1 day first. She was as surprised as I was it worked. She said as long as the system accepted it, it was good. So, no complaints from me. It might be worth asking if they can try a 1 day first. Good luck.

Oooh, that makes a big difference. I have a few one day base tickets left from a time we had AP's and booked a free dining trip with one day tickets. I don't want to buy too many more extra tickets! The two days really made me think about if that would be worth it or not.

I don't think I'll do the split stay thing this time. But, if I did, I'd probably book the first part with free dining and the full tickets I needed for my whole trip. Then, I'd get the last few days with the room only discount they have out for the end of August, too. And pay for those meals OOP.

Another scenario I keep trying is doing YES tickets with the room only discount and paying OOP for dining. But, even that seems to come out as a wash vs just free dining with full price tickets. I do enjoy running all the different scenarios!

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Oooh, that makes a big difference. I have a few one day base tickets left from a time we had AP's and booked a free dining trip with one day tickets. I don't want to buy too many more extra tickets! The two days really made me think about if that would be worth it or not.

I don't think I'll do the split stay thing this time. But, if I did, I'd probably book the first part with free dining and the full tickets I needed for my whole trip. Then, I'd get the last few days with the room only discount they have out for the end of August, too. And pay for those meals OOP.

Another scenario I keep trying is doing YES tickets with the room only discount and paying OOP for dining. But, even that seems to come out as a wash vs just free dining with full price tickets. I do enjoy running all the different scenarios!

I too run every possible scenario thru my head. Lucky for me, I'm one of 3 seasoned planners. So, if there is something I don't think of, one of them will.
When we booked our split stay free dinning wasn't offered for the first 3. We could have paid OOP, but, weighed the odds and it was still cheaper for us to pay for the DDP with what we had ADR's for. Plus, we booked the first 3 days on an AP discount.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I've booked a split stay with a room only reservation followed by a free dining reservation. My room only reservation is for 4 nights. I'll be picking up our tickets from the free dining reservation on the day after we arrive for our room only reservation as you can pick up the tickets 3 days before checkin. The first reservation is at a resort where we've never stayed before where there are lots of activities so we don't care if we can't go to a park on arrival day.

I booked over the phone. I modified my ressies to a split stay only about 3-4 weeks before our trip. When I was speaking to the CM I asked her if I had to buy a 1 or 2 day base ticket. She said she wasn't sure but she would try with a 1 day first. She was as surprised as I was it worked. She said as long as the system accepted it, it was good. So, no complaints from me. It might be worth asking if they can try a 1 day first. Good luck.

Check your reservation. I suspect you are paying for your dining and don't have free dining. The system won't allow less than 2 day tickets when the free dining promotion is attached to your reservation. Or, was it a few years ago back when the requirement was only 1 day tickets?