Split Stay Logistics

[missyek]

Hi all! I have my vacation plans finally nailed down for April 2018--Star Wars Half Marathon weekend! Whoop Whoop! So this is what I have going on:

• We are flying in on Wednesday night at 9:20 and staying at ASM for that night only, so room only stay. I made the reservations for this night.
• Thursday we check out of ASM and then check into Coronado for our vacation package. Our flight out is Monday at 6:35 am (Ouch! Nothing like getting on a bus at 3:30 am... ). My sister made the reservations for the vacation package.
• My sister and I are linked on My Disney Experience

So, I have a few questions, only because I have never done a split stay and I have not used Magical express since 2008.

1. So, what do I need to do for Magical Express? Is it just as simple as calling them and letting them know that we have a split stay and Get all the proper documentation and luggage tags? Can I do this online without talking to anyone?
2. Since the first night is room only, we won't use our magic bands, sooooo do we just get a room key?
3. One thing I noticed in both of our reservations is that the Online Check-in button is active. I have not clicked it. Why is it active six months out? Or is it something that if I click it, it will tell me no way goof...
4. We would love got get a refurbished room at Coronado (who wouldn't?!). We are booked for a standard room. Is this something that we indicate when we check in online? Or is it a cross your fingers situation. I mean, our vacation is not going to be ruined if we don't get one.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and to help a person who needs to have every detail nailed down waaaaaay ahead of time. My sister is thankful that I am the anal retentive one...

 

[hakepb]

Why wouldn’t you use magic bands for the 1st night?

Nothing is added to a Magic band.
Magic bands are tied to your MDE account, and “unlock” any valid entitlement in your account (Hotel room, FP+, tickets...)

If Both rooms are in your MDE account, then all of your magic bands will work for both rooms.

With the ASM night, you can customize another set of bands. Use a different color and choose whatever color you feel like any day of your trip.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

OK- I think I get what you are asking about the Magical Express, you can book that online and they will know which resort to/from based on your stay info. As the PP mentioned, you can have it all on your bands, no reason not to, so much easier and then if you do online check in (which 6 months early is a little early) but if you do get it, you can sometimes bypass the front desk and go straight to your room with your MB. We never book that far out but online check in is there whenever I look at my reservations....not 6 months but it's there even 4+ weeks out. You can make a request but WDW does not have to honor it about getting a refurb room.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Hi all! I have my vacation plans finally nailed down for April 2018--Star Wars Half Marathon weekend! Whoop Whoop! So this is what I have going on:

• We are flying in on Wednesday night at 9:20 and staying at ASM for that night only, so room only stay. I made the reservations for this night.
• Thursday we check out of ASM and then check into Coronado for our vacation package. Our flight out is Monday at 6:35 am (Ouch! Nothing like getting on a bus at 3:30 am... ). My sister made the reservations for the vacation package.
• My sister and I are linked on My Disney Experience

So, I have a few questions, only because I have never done a split stay and I have not used Magical express since 2008.

1. So, what do I need to do for Magical Express? Is it just as simple as calling them and letting them know that we have a split stay and Get all the proper documentation and luggage tags? Can I do this online without talking to anyone?
2. Since the first night is room only, we won't use our magic bands, sooooo do we just get a room key?
3. One thing I noticed in both of our reservations is that the Online Check-in button is active. I have not clicked it. Why is it active six months out? Or is it something that if I click it, it will tell me no way goof...
4. We would love got get a refurbished room at Coronado (who wouldn't?!). We are booked for a standard room. Is this something that we indicate when we check in online? Or is it a cross your fingers situation. I mean, our vacation is not going to be ruined if we don't get one.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and to help a person who needs to have every detail nailed down waaaaaay ahead of time. My sister is thankful that I am the anal retentive one...

Also now that I see your sister booked it, I think your best bet is to call WDW about the magical express, but you will get two different travel travel packages for the trip, the CM on the phone will be able to tell you where it will be sent.