The ultimate split-stay thread

[kcpinwdw]

Thank you so much for this thread! I just put our deposits down on a split stay next year, 4 nts/ beach club and 4 nts/ poly. I'll be keeping up with this thread for preparation!

 

[martinmont]

What about MM during a spilt stay? I bought it as a package in WL (bought together when we booked the myw and dining) but recently added a value resort on arrival day to save money since we are planning to go straight to mvmcp after checking in. Would MM only work we check in the next day in WL since I bought it as a bundle when making the reservation? Is there a way to check if it's working lol

 

[thisismyusername]

Memory Maker will work for the duration of your trip. During the summer, we received it complimentary with our AP room rate on the first two nights of our trip. We then used DVC points for the second part of our trip. I was able to access all of our pictures from our entire trip. It even allowed me to go back to a trip we went on a few weeks earlier and download those pictures (which hadn't yet expired), so I don't think it will matter which reservation it's tied to--though it's probably always best to do it for the first reservation.

my head is spinning now! Is it possible to 1. book your dining (180 days in advance) 2. at a later time add hotel/ maybe 2 for a split 3. later add tickets and a dining plan? My husband does not want to book a package in case we need to cancel for any reason.

I'm a little confused by your question, but:

You can book dining at 180 days with or without a resort reservation. If you have a resort reservation, you can book 180+10 days of dining. If you don't, you can only book reservations at 180 days exactly.

Yes, you can book your hotel(s) later.

And you can always modify your room only (RO) reservation to a MYW package with tickets and dining; just be aware that any discounts would change and you would need to put down a new deposit and have your RO reservation refunded. If you purchase a RO reservation with a discount and then change to a MYW package closer to your travel date, chances are most discounts will be expired.

 

[Masonmj84]

We love split stays and recently did a 5 way split at POR, WL, Poly, BC, AKL. Poly, AKL, and WL are our 3 favorite resorts (love the theming of all three). We like BC mostly for its location and did POR to check out the Royal Rooms and for its boat access to DTD.

With all that resort changing, we were pleased that we didn't have any problems with Magic Bands, ADRs, FP+ reservations, lost luggage, or checking into or out of resorts.

A big part of why we love split stays is not only to experience different resorts but also because dining is a big part of our WDW vacations and IMO, most of the best dining experiences are in (or within walking distance of) the deluxe resorts. So doing split stays enables us to have a variety of dining experiences in different parts of WDW without having to go out of our way.

Along those lines, we always strategically plan our park days and ADRs to coincide with the resort we're staying at. And we always visit parks on transfer days and use bell services to transfer the luggage (so far, have not had a problem with lost luggage, knock on wood. Because we're out enjoying a park during the transfer, we never feel "homeless."

We typically book room only, don't bother with dining plans, and buy our tickets separately. We buy trip insurance through a separate company (Allianz).

One note about making ADRs over the phone and that is, some CM's will let you make ADRs past your first resort stay (at 180 days before your check-in date at the first resort) and others won't. If you get one that doesn't, your best bet is to simply call back and hope for better luck (more often than not, once the CM gets rolling, they'll continue making ADRs beyond the first resort stay).

Applying discounts to a bunch of consecutive resort stays is also an interesting experience (CM's usually think I'm completely nuts).

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I hope someone can help me on this. I arrive WDW on 2/4 and currently have a room only GF reservation. Niece 1 arrives late night on 2/5 and is on the room only reservation. On 2/6 niece 2 and boyfriend arrive early morning and take ME to FW where we have a 3 night MYW package for the 4 of us. Simultaneously niece 1 and I check out of GF and go over to FW. On 2/8 late night niece 2 and boyfriend leave WDW to go back home. Niece 1 and stay 1 more night and have a late night fligfht home.

First question, I was looking for confirmation that once at FW I can add on 1 more day for niece 1 and me to our MYW package (because adding that extra day only adds about $20 each).

Second question, with a RO to MWY, is there anyway I can add a day onto my the package for the 1st day? As we all know the first day parkhopper costs over 100. So, if I could legitimately add 1 day to the beginng it would save me 100.

I've never done a split stay with RO/MYW. The only reason I booked it this way was because I didn't want to have to pay for 2 days of niece 2 and her boyfriend that they wouldn't even be there.

TIA

Tom

 

[mockers]

I'm getting excited. I just made all my fpp last night for my split stay in January. One issue that I'm thinking on is how to get from Music to BWI around 7am. Since I can check into the club lounge at 6:30 and breakfast is available at 7, I planned for my family to grab food there. We plan to go to Epcot that day and want to be at rope drop. I thought we could take the early morning ADR bus to bc for cape May and then just walk over. CM said we'd need to take bus to hs and walk over but I'm assuming that is the standard response. Does anyone know how strict they are with the early ADR bus? Alternatively, we take a taxi, but we'd need a van with a car seat and a booster seat so worried about that too. Appreciate the opinions. Thanks

 

[ScrapHappy]

This thread has been so helpful - thanks so much! We're doing a "different" type of split stay next summer. We're using FF miles for our airfare so we had to book our flights around availability. We'd already booked a DCL cruise for 7/15-7/19. We're now flying in on 7/13 and plan to stay at POP for 2 nights. We're adding 6-day park tickets onto that reservation. We check out of POP on 7/15 and cruise until 7/19, then are staying at POR 7/19-7/24. I have a few questions:

1. Will our 6 day park tickets still "work" after we check out of one resort and before we check into another since we're not doing 6 days straight? I'm assuming they will since there we'll be within the 14 day limit from the first day of use (7/14) until the last day (7/23) but you know what can happen if one assumes something!

2. Will we be able to make all of our FP+ reservations starting 60 days out from the start of the first stay (7/13) or will we have to wait for the second stay start date to make reservations for those days?

3. Will we be able to do ADRs for the whole trip starting at the 180+10 from the first check in date or will we have to wait to do them for second part of the trip on 180+10 out from the second check in date since the stays aren't consecutive?

I think I've figured out the answers to the rest of my questions from all of the great information on this thread. Thanks again!

 

[thisismyusername]

1. Will our 6 day park tickets still "work" after we check out of one resort and before we check into another since we're not doing 6 days straight? I'm assuming they will since there we'll be within the 14 day limit from the first day of use (7/14) until the last day (7/23) but you know what can happen if one assumes something!

Yep! You should be fine.

2. Will we be able to make all of our FP+ reservations starting 60 days out from the start of the first stay (7/13) or will we have to wait for the second stay start date to make reservations for those days?

From what I understand (someone correct me if I'm wrong), FP+ reservations are tied to your ticket media and not your room reservation. So you should be able to make reservations based upon the number of days your tickets are good for. Since we have APs, I am not an expert on FP+ reservations and how your ticket length affects your reservation window. The best thread on this is the FP+ thread in the TPAS board.

3. Will we be able to do ADRs for the whole trip starting at the 180+10 from the first check in date or will we have to wait to do them for second part of the trip on 180+10 out from the second check in date since the stays aren't consecutive?

I would call Disney dining to do your reservations and see if they're willing to work with you. I'm sure a helpful CM could see your reservations and likely override the system so that you could do 180+10.

Glad the thread was helpful!

 

[thisismyusername]

I'm getting excited. I just made all my fpp last night for my split stay in January. One issue that I'm thinking on is how to get from Music to BWI around 7am. Since I can check into the club lounge at 6:30 and breakfast is available at 7, I planned for my family to grab food there. We plan to go to Epcot that day and want to be at rope drop. I thought we could take the early morning ADR bus to bc for cape May and then just walk over. CM said we'd need to take bus to hs and walk over but I'm assuming that is the standard response. Does anyone know how strict they are with the early ADR bus? Alternatively, we take a taxi, but we'd need a van with a car seat and a booster seat so worried about that too. Appreciate the opinions. Thanks

I think I might just take the taxi so I could get my luggage and my family over there in one shot--it's probably worth the $20. Our kids are older, so I don't know about the booster seat/car seat issue, but I'm assuming some of the taxis have them? You could always check with the valet the night before and have them call into Mears. If the taxis don't have them, then I think I'd probably take the HS bus and walk.

 

[summerw]

Thanks for the great thread! We're (Me, DS5 and DH later) going to do a split stay April 29-May 3 at AoA and switching to BWI (or BC if the RO discounts are good!) once my husband can get off work to join us May 3-11.

I had a few questions if anyone knows… can the taxi pick us up at our building at AoA or can they only go to the front? We'll be in a Little Mermaid room so it would be a trek.

I know late checkout will depend on availability at the resort, but would a split stay affect that? I'm just hoping for noon as we'll be slow from EMH at MK the night before.

If we get a refillable mug (not on any DP), can we use it for the second half of our stay as well?

Thanks!

 

[thisismyusername]

I had a few questions if anyone knows… can the taxi pick us up at our building at AoA or can they only go to the front? We'll be in a Little Mermaid room so it would be a trek.

I don't know for sure, but I think all taxi service must be from the front of the resort. It shouldn't be that far of a walk from your room to the lobby.

I know late checkout will depend on availability at the resort, but would a split stay affect that? I'm just hoping for noon as we'll be slow from EMH at MK the night before.

A split stay wouldn't affect your ability to get a late check out--resort occupancy would.

If we get a refillable mug (not on any DP), can we use it for the second half of our stay as well?

Yep!

 

[summerw]

I had a few questions if anyone knows… can the taxi pick us up at our building at AoA or can they only go to the front? We'll be in a Little Mermaid room so it would be a trek.

I don't know for sure, but I think all taxi service must be from the front of the resort. It shouldn't be that far of a walk from your room to the lobby.

I know late checkout will depend on availability at the resort, but would a split stay affect that? I'm just hoping for noon as we'll be slow from EMH at MK the night before.

A split stay wouldn't affect your ability to get a late check out--resort occupancy would.

If we get a refillable mug (not on any DP), can we use it for the second half of our stay as well?

Yep!

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately the little mermaid rooms are pretty far with a stroller and luggage, but bell services were awesome last time we stayed there. Just trying to figure out the timing. Thanks!

 

[mrsmomo]

Great thread!! I read through the first few pages and got a ton of great info.

Here's my dilemma: I really want to do a split stay, I love the resort part as much as the Disney part!! My husband while he likes the resorts and thinks it's cool we stay at different places every trip, does not see a point to switching resorts. He however is very organized and a light packer so it would actually be easiest for him to pack up and move lol! He also hates the check in process, I'm always the one who does it but just the waiting gets in his nerves!

Soooo I guess my question here is how do I make the split stay so smooth he will be onboard for the next one, cause we are totally doing it with our without his approval, I'm the vacation planner!

PS we live in Florida so always drive

 

[Huggups]

Very happy I found this thread! I'm so close to planning our December 2015 WDW trip and since I'm a DVC member split stays have become an obsession. Last December my husband and I stayed at 2 DVC resorts but next year I'm thinking of doing either 3 or 4 in a 12 day span. I must have changed my Disney reservation at least a dozen times before finally deciding and getting a resort I hadn't stayed at before. That's the beauty of DVC I can easily do it online myself. Next year, shooting for VWL or BWV and maybe AKV. OKW is also on my list but since it's my home resort I shouldn't have any problem getting that. Love the 1 BRs at OKW! Was also considering either the Swan or Dolphin to kick-off the trip because I love the Boardwalk location but won't be able to book DME and would probably have to pay for taxi to transfer luggage to Disney resort. Does anyone know if Swan or Dolphin will transfer luggage for you since they aren't a Disney resort?

 

[thisismyusername]

Huggups, yes, I think that Swan and Dolphin will transfer your luggage. I'm not 100% sure on it, but I think I've read elsewhere that they will. If they don't, then I'd just cab it to your next resort with your luggage.

Mrsmomo, I hope some of the advice I offered in the post on determining if your family is a good candidate for a split stay was helpful. If I wanted to do a split stay and my spouse didn't, then I'd likely send him to the park as usual and drive the car over to the new resort to check us in and then meet him over at the park to take all of the work and inconvenience off of him. Likely, this wouldn't keep you two apart any longer than an hour.

 

[3adorablekids]

Excited to have just changed to a split stay between POR and CBA. Just a quick question I don't remember seeing the answer to. We will be getting refillable mugs with our package in the first part of our split stay. Can we continue to use them during our room only second stay at a different resort? TIA for your help!

 

[adrienne21snow]

We are just 60 days away from our very first split stay and I'm pumped, but I have some questions.

Our stay will be begin at All Star Music with a move to POR on Sunday, March 8th. I imagine we'll need to take the bus to DTD and connect back to POR after leaving our luggage at bell services to move from hotel to hotel.

What time will we need to leave ASM in order to make it to to POR by 9am? My 5yo would like to the 9:30 pirate cruise that leaves from POR.

Would it be wiser to just take a taxi? I'll have my husband and (almost) 2yo too. Do the taxis have carseats/can they be requested in advance?

 

[WDWFanForLife]

I'm so glad to hear this is helpful! Please feel free to add tips or questions!

Thank you so much for all of this great info!

I have traveled to WDW many times, but I have never split up my stay like this. I have thought about doing it, but I thought the logistics might be too difficult with kids. However, now that my DH and I are planning our very first "trip for two", we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try it.

And now that many of my questions and concerns have been addressed in your post, I feel so much less stressed about it now. Can't wait for this new experience!

Thanks again!

 

[thisismyusername]

3adorable kids, yes, if you purchase the refillable mugs for length of stay, they will be good through the next reservation. They simply activate the mugs for 2 weeks.

adrienne21snow, I would likely just take a taxi. I do think you can request one with carseats, but I am not entirely sure. That's a good question for the valet when you get to ASMu. If they don't, then I'd probably leave ASMu at 8.

Glad that this thread continues to be helpful! Please feel free to answer questions, too!

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

We love split stays and recently did a 5 way split at POR, WL, Poly, BC, AKL. Poly, AKL, and WL are our 3 favorite resorts (love the theming of all three). We like BC mostly for its location and did POR to check out the Royal Rooms and for its boat access to DTD.

With all that resort changing, we were pleased that we didn't have any problems with Magic Bands, ADRs, FP+ reservations, lost luggage, or checking into or out of resorts.

A big part of why we love split stays is not only to experience different resorts but also because dining is a big part of our WDW vacations and IMO, most of the best dining experiences are in (or within walking distance of) the deluxe resorts. So doing split stays enables us to have a variety of dining experiences in different parts of WDW without having to go out of our way.

Along those lines, we always strategically plan our park days and ADRs to coincide with the resort we're staying at. And we always visit parks on transfer days and use bell services to transfer the luggage (so far, have not had a problem with lost luggage, knock on wood. Because we're out enjoying a park during the transfer, we never feel "homeless."

We typically book room only, don't bother with dining plans, and buy our tickets separately. We buy trip insurance through a separate company (Allianz).

One note about making ADRs over the phone and that is, some CM's will let you make ADRs past your first resort stay (at 180 days before your check-in date at the first resort) and others won't. If you get one that doesn't, your best bet is to simply call back and hope for better luck (more often than not, once the CM gets rolling, they'll continue making ADRs beyond the first resort stay).

Applying discounts to a bunch of consecutive resort stays is also an interesting experience (CM's usually think I'm completely nuts).

Hehe 5 and 6 resort changes, you guys are toooo funny but I get it. We get so much enjoyment out of the resorts themselves. I think to me at least, I enjoy them more than the parks themselves.