Hey there, Amy! Welcome to planDisney! I'm so happy that you've stopped by with your Disney vacation planning question!
In just a couple of weeks, you'll be arriving to
Disney's Art of Animation Resort, ready to begin your magical split stay at Walt Disney World Resort! How exciting! I LOVE a split stay. In fact, my family and I do a split stay almost every time we vacation to Walt Disney World Resort. I love the adventure of exploring the different Resorts and taking advantage of my current Resort's proximity to a specific theme park, planning my Park Pass Reservations accordingly. It's also the perfect way the experience everything that a Deluxe Resort Hotel has to offer while staying within a budget. Your vacation planning seems to be off to a fantastic start, as you will be staying at one of my very favorite Disney Resorts Collection Hotels,
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. With some of
the best dining in all of Walt Disney World Resort, an endless
list of recreation offerings and Resort activities, and watching the animals roam the savanna, you can have the most magical and memorable vacation without ever even leaving your Resort! You will absolutely LOVE this split stay, and once you see how easy the process is, you might want to split your stay every visit!
To prepare for your split stay, make sure that you complete the online check-in for both Resort Hotels on the
My Disney Experience website or app. This way, you won't even have to worry about stopping at the front desks to check in, and while you are playing in Disney's Hollywood Studios, you'll be notified when your Animal Kingdom Lodge room is ready. Then, on your Art of Animation Resort checkout day, about 30 minutes before you are ready to head over to Hollywood Studios, have your bags packed up and counted. Then, just call Bell Services by hitting the "Bell Services" button on your room phone and let them know that you are moving to another Resort and would like help transferring your luggage. A magical Cast Member will give you a claim ticket and will be happy to assist you! Then, just hop the Disney Skyliner over to Hollywood Studios and enjoy your day! When your day is done, just take a bus from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Once your amazing room is ready, give Bell Services a call to retrieve your luggage. It's that easy and just one way that Disney adds extra pixie dust to your vacation!
Amy, just make sure that on your transfer day, you pack everything that you may need, including medications, in your park bag, as the luggage transfer process can take several hours. I've even packed swimsuits and a change of clothes for dinner in my park bag on transfer day, just to be prepared for wherever the magic might take me.
I am wishing you the most magical split stay at your two fabulous Resorts! Have the BEST time at The Most Magical Place on Earth! Stop by any time with any of your vacation planning questions.
I hope to see ya real soon,
Mandy