Split Stays

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

For those of you with experience doing split stays at WDW hotels, can you fill me in with your experiences?
What was your main reason for doing a split stay?
Was it a hassle? Or Was it an easy process?
Did Disney handle you luggage throughout the transfer?

 

[Malyficent]

We did a split last year. Had a five night stay booked at POR but added on two nights before as ASMo. Process was pretty simple - I had the bags picked up by bell services and then called once we arrived at POR to have them delivered to the room. Worth the tip $ to not lug them to / from the lobby.

We're doing another split this year. One night at AKL followed by seven nights at AoA. I am not sure if we'll have the luggage transferred this year or just hold it while we enjoy a day at AKL and then take it with us (via Lyft) to AoA. Reason this year is I booked a bounce back so I had the seven nights set but flights were better the day before and it buys us a whole day at a resort we haven't done yet to go a day early.

Last year we had a ton of stuff - I think at one point we were up to 13 bags/boxes. This year will be much leaner and try to keep to one or two family suitcases and a carryon each (still 5-6 bags).

 

[AllieBoo]

We started out doing them so we could try a deluxe resort without spending too much. We would do a few days at a mod and then a few at a deluxe. Now we split between two deluxe's in order to be within walking distance of a park(s), i.e. Contemporary and Yacht Club.

As far as luggage transfer, we've done it both ways - letting Disney handle our luggage and moving it ourselves. It wasn't a hassle either way for us. We don't do less than 3 nights at a place, because I feel like that wouldn't be long enough.

 

[buzznina]

You do it to help with cost, if you want to stay at a deluxe or even a Mod but do not want to pay the per night cost for the whole trip. You get to experience 2 resorts and possibly have more transportation options, etc.
We use to do it when it was just DW, DD (infant) and myself, and it was really easy. But now that there is 4 of us and (this is the big reason) since we drive, we bring a lot more stuff then a family that flies and packing everything back up is a pain, since we like to unpack everything and not live out of the suitcases. We rather settle into our room and fully enjoy the resort we're at. The minimum that I would do it would be 4 nights.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We do it, occasionally, to try new resorts or room categories and to save money. For instance, I have wanted to stay at VGF since it opened and I finally found a room available for 2 of our nights last March. I supplemented that 2 night stay with 4 more nights at the Dolphin. While at VGF, we did our MK day and enjoyed the resort (and the room which was GORGEOUS!) and did our EP/DHS days while at the Dolphin. Switching resorts was super easy. We chose to uber over to Dolphin with our luggage and simply checked-in, left our luggage with bell services and then spent the day in EP. If you choose to do luggage transfer instead, it's super easy. Simply call bell services and have them come to your room to get your luggage or drop it off at bell services on your way out of your first resort and ask them to transfer it for you. I've always found it best to have a park day scheduled on our transfer day. By the time we are done with the park, our room at the second resort is typically ready. I do have to do some strategic packing to make this a smooth process and it isn't something I would do on every trip, but it was fun in March to be able to try a new resort and also make our park touring very convenient.

 

[Lynne M]

One thing to remember about split stays is.... to Disney, there’s no such thing as a split stay. That term is a creation of internet sites like this one. From Disney's perspective, you simply have two completely separate reservations.

So there's not really a "process" to deal with. You leave resort 1, you go to resort 2. They will transfer your luggage to another Disney resort if you like, just drop it off at Bell Services as you're leaving your first resort and let them know where to take it.

 

[Malyficent]

One thing to remember about split stays is.... to Disney, there’s no such thing as a split stay. That term is a creation of internet sites like this one. From Disney's perspective, you simply have two completely separate reservations.

So there's not really a "process" to deal with. You leave resort 1, you go to resort 2. They will transfer your luggage to another Disney resort if you like, just drop it off at Bell Services as you're leaving your first resort and let them know where to take it.

Do you know of other resorts that offer the luggage transfer piece? I loved that service and would like to book more stays at resorts that offer it. Thanks.

 

[Jfsag123]

We’re here on a split stay right now. We spent the first four nights at BWI and are now at BLT for another 4 nights (listening to MK fireworks right now). We actually also have one night at Beach Club after this because we ended up extending the trip and couldn’t add to our BLT reservation. This is our 4th split stay and our second 3 resort split. So obviously we have no issue with splits and love them. We do it because we want to experience multiple resorts and take advantage of different resorts’ proximity to different parks. The luggage transfers are always easy - we have always had Disney come get our luggage from our room at the first resort and transfer it to the next. Nothing has been lost and our bags have always been waiting for us at our new resort by the time we’re ready for them. We just send the bags, head into a park for the day, then head to the new resort once we’re done for the day and call for our bags once we get there. Easy peasy.

 

[Chami]

We did a split stay in February because we wanted to experience more than one resort. It was nice to be close to 3 of the 4 parks during our vacation.

As this was our first Disney trip, we were a little nervous about the switch. Things couldn’t have gone more smoothly. We dropped off our bags, headed to the park, then checked into our new resort. Our bags were waiting in our room.

The only painful part was getting up at o’dark thirty twice in one week to make ADRs.

 

[JenboJambo]

Split stays rock. We do them because they feel like two different vacations in one. Very easy transfer. We take our bags to bell service when checking out of first hotel and pick them up at bell service (usually after 5) at our second hotel. The thing to remember is some extra money for tipping, but not a big deal. It's so nice to walk into a new room with everything fresh! Also, remember that as of now you can't book dining reservations across your entire stay. I've also heard to stop at the desk and check out of the first resort to ensure there are no issues checking in at the next one (don't know if this really matters or not but wanted to pass it along).

 

[denecarter]

Our splits are usually to try a new resort or for travel adjustments. In March, we’re doing a 3 night Pop/5 night 1 BR DVC split with the Deluxe Dining Plan for the Pop part. We’ll do all our character meals & Flower & Garden snacks the first 4 days; then, we’ll have meals in the Villa and Quick Service.

 

[Castlequeen5]

We did a triple split stay this summer. It it initially started because I booked a free dining package at All Star Music that didn't begin until July 5. But we wanted to be there for the 4th of July, so I booked Fort Wilderness for a few days before our package started. Then we decided to go to the DAH at HS, which was 1 night before our FW reservations started. So I booked All Star Movies resort for that first night. We had never been to the first 2 resorts, so we got to try out the pools and explore a bit. Switching resorts was very easy for us, but we drove.

For some people, it might be a hassle packing up your stuff and moving. You also have to keep in mind, usually check-out is at 11:00 and check-in is not until 3:00. So it could be an issue that you're losing part of your resort time, that you wouldn't lose if you had a continuous stay.

 

[Lynne M]

Do you know of other resorts that offer the luggage transfer piece? I loved that service and would like to book more stays at resorts that offer it. Thanks.

Well, all Disney resorts in WDW will transfer luggage to any other Disney resort in WDW. Do you mean resorts outside of Disney? I really think it's just a Disney thing. They're basically a hotel chain running 30-ish resorts in a limited area, so it's not a huge deal for them to send trucks around to the resorts and do a mass pickup of luggage, then a mass dropoff later in the day. That's quite a different thing than the Marriott taking luggage over to the Holiday Inn, the Hyatt, the Hilton...

 

[Malyficent]

Well, all Disney resorts in WDW will transfer luggage to any other Disney resort in WDW. Do you mean resorts outside of Disney? I really think it's just a Disney thing. They're basically a hotel chain running 30-ish resorts in a limited area, so it's not a huge deal for them to send trucks around to the resorts and do a mass pickup of luggage, then a mass dropoff later in the day. That's quite a different thing than the Marriott taking luggage over to the Holiday Inn, the Hyatt, the Hilton...

Yes, thanks, I meant non-Disney resorts. To me, that is what is so unique about a split at Disney - not having to lug my bags from one resort to another. I love to try out new resorts and my kids are old enough now that it isn't such a hassle.The way that Disney handles luggage - from/to MCO and from/to the resorts is really their edge and a huge part of the reason why I stay onsite.

We're years away from Universal trips but they seem to be adding new hotels at a brisk pace. Maybe they'll adopt the same service in a few years.

Thank you!

 

[poppinsmomof2]

We are doing a split stay for our next trip. We originally planned for 7 nights at CBR, but looking at flights, it was cheaper to fly down the day before. We added on 1 night at Pop and that way we will be able to get up that next morning, have Bell Services get our luggage and head to the parks earlier than we had planned!

 

[nkereina]

One thing to remember about split stays is.... to Disney, there’s no such thing as a split stay. That term is a creation of internet sites like this one. From Disney's perspective, you simply have two completely separate reservations.

So there's not really a "process" to deal with. You leave resort 1, you go to resort 2. They will transfer your luggage to another Disney resort if you like, just drop it off at Bell Services as you're leaving your first resort and let them know where to take it.

Is it still the case where people lose the +10 advantage on split stays because of this? I know it used to be that you'd have to wait until 180 days from the check-in day of your second resort to book ADRs for the second half of your stay, but wasn't sure if there's a workaround for this now.

 

[JenboJambo]

wasn't sure if there's a workaround for this now

No workaround that I'm aware of. Just reserved dining and had to wait 180 days from each resort. I was able to book fastpass together.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The thing to remember is some extra money for tipping, but not a big deal.

Yeah, it's probably more of a big deal to the Bell Services CMs

 

[SG131]

Well I did a split stay last December and it didn't work out great. I swore I'd never do a split stay again.... so of course now I have an other split stay coming up in two weeks.....

My first split stay I did because I had POP booked and decided to add on a couple of nights at the start of my stay and by that point POP was not available. So issue number 1 was that I tried to call bell service the night before the transfer when I got back to my hotel around 11, but I couldn't get a hold of them. I needed to leave the room early the next morning so I eventually emailed the account on the welcome letter in my room and that got a response. Not a big deal, but kept me awake a little longer than intended going around in circles. The bigger issue was I ended up with a sinus infection on the trip, was feeling particularly lousy the day of the switch and it was pouring, but unfortunately I was homeless so I couldn't go back to the hotel. If I had young kids I could see this being a problem with nap times.

The reason I'm doing a split stay again, well I just bought my first DVC resale contract and was able to cobble together the last 4 nights of my August trip with points which saved some money. Due to availability seeing as it was a last minute switch, I've actually got a 3 way split over 9 nights, but I'm really excited to check out all of the resorts I'm staying at. If Disney wouldn't transfer my bags I would probably be a bit more hesitant, but they do make it easy. You tell them how many bags and what time you expect to be out of the room then you just leave the bags there and they magically appear at your next resort.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Split stays rock. We do them because they feel like two different vacations in one. Very easy transfer. We take our bags to bell service when checking out of first hotel and pick them up at bell service (usually after 5) at our second hotel. The thing to remember is some extra money for tipping, but not a big deal. It's so nice to walk into a new room with everything fresh! Also, remember that as of now you can't book dining reservations across your entire stay. I've also heard to stop at the desk and check out of the first resort to ensure there are no issues checking in at the next one (don't know if this really matters or not but wanted to pass it along).

thanks for the heads up