Hello and welcome to planDisney with an excellent question, Peter!
As a fellow international visitor, I try making the most of my time while visiting Mickey, so I usually book a split stay to enjoy at least two different
Disney Resorts Collection hotels. Considering currency exchange rate differences, a strategy that works for my family is staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort or Disney’s Pop Century Resort for the first part of our vacation while we are touring the parks, and then moving to a moderate or deluxe Disney Resort hotel for the second part of our stay to enjoy rest days by the pool, explore Disney Springs and dining options at other resort hotels. I recommend checking out Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Booking a split stay means you will have to make different reservations. The check-in date at your second Disney Resort hotel will be on the date you check out of the first resort hotel. Your travel professional in Australia will be able to assist you to book your reservations, and then you can link the confirmation numbers to
My Disney Experience. What I really like about split stays is that you do not have to worry about transferring your luggage from one property to the next – simply contact Bell Services at your first resort the day before check-out and they will be happy to coordinate the transfer with you.
Be sure to complete
Online Check-In for your second Disney Resort hotel before checking out of the first resort, this way you will receive a notification when your new Guest room is ready. You can also check the
My Disney Experience mobile app to find out your room number. On the day of resort change, I usually check out of the first hotel early and go enjoy my day at the parks while my luggage is transferred. Upon arriving at the second resort later in the day, I stop by Bell Services to retrieve my belongings and go straight to my Guest room. If you plan to purchase
MagicBands at special pre-arrival prices (a benefit available for Guests staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel), I recommend buying them for your first reservation because you will have to stop by Front Desk to pick them up (MagicBands are not shipped internationally).
planDisney tip: Please note that it may take a few hours for your luggage to be transferred from one Disney Resort hotel to the next, so be sure to keep important items with you on the day you switch resorts, like passports, medication, MagicBands, and maybe a change of clothes.
I hope this helps you plan a magical split stay, Peter. Come back to visit us if you have additional questions and check out our
Panel Extras for more tips and advice!
Best magical wishes,
Thiana