Hi Noel! Welcome back to planDisney! I’m so glad you stopped by with this question. I love split stays and do them often. I actually did one last month and will be checking in on another one in just a few weeks, so I’m happy to share what I’ve learned through my own experience!
Split stays are great because they give you a way to experience more than one resort during a single vacation. I love doing this since all of the resorts are so unique and each one has its own special charm. It can also be a budget-friendly option if you want to spend a few days at a Deluxe resort but hope save some money for other fun extras during your vacation! Unfortunately, the one downside is that you are not able to combine both reservations into one. They are essentially treated as two separate vacations with their own confirmation numbers. Since only one of your reservations is currently showing in
My Disney Experience, you’ll need to add the second one. To do this, just log in to your online account, and from the “My Disney Experience” tab on the far right of the top navigation menu, choose “My Plans and Tickets.” After you click on this, you will see an option that says “Resort Hotel.” When you hover over that, select “Link Reservation.” You’ll need your confirmation number that you received via email and will enter that along with the last name on the reservation.
The other important detail to keep in mind is that you will have two separate check-in days. This means that when your 60-day window for dining reservations opens and your 7-day window opens for Lightning Lanes, you will only be able to book those experiences for the length of your first stay. This is likely the issue you are currently running into. You will need to repeat this process when those windows open up for the second stay. It does require a little extra planning, and I know this is probably not the news you were hoping to hear, but I have always felt the effort is worth it in the end when I get to enjoy two different resorts during the same trip.
One benefit that will make this transition smoother for you is that
Bell Services is very helpful in transferring your bags between resorts, as long as both reservations are at Disney Resorts Collection hotels. On the day you check out of your first resort, simply drop your bags off at Bell Services and let them know which resort you’re heading to next. You can then go enjoy your day, and they will take care of the rest. By the time you’re ready to check in at your second resort later that day, your bags may already be there waiting for you. On more than one occasion, I’ve returned late in the evening after a full day in the parks and found that Bell Services had already delivered my bags directly to my room, which feels like a little extra magic when I’m tired and ready to relax!
Noel, I know this isn’t exactly the pixie-dusted news you were hoping for, but I promise that every time I do a split stay, I never regret it. With just a little extra planning on the front side, you’ll get to enjoy even more of what makes Walt Disney World Resort so special. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to
send them my way. I’m always here to help make your vacation planning a little more magical!
Casey