Why switching resorts mid-vacation is actually easier than it sounds
When I first started planning our very first Disney trip, I had absolutely no idea where to begin. It had been 20 years since I’d been to Disney, and everything felt completely different.
I was talking to my sister-in-law, who had recently taken her first family Disney trip, and while I was spiraling over all the resort options and trying to decide where we should stay, she casually said:
“Why not do a split stay?”
I’m sorry…a WHAT?
She explained that their family had done exactly that and loved it. They started their trip at Art of Animation, a value resort with adorable theming and Skyliner access. Midway through the week, they checked out, took the Skyliner to EPCOT for the day, and then hopped on the monorail afterward to check into the Polynesian.
My mind was blown.
I genuinely didn’t know split stays were a thing, and suddenly it felt like a whole new world of possibilities opened up. Choosing a Disney resort can feel overwhelming — value, moderate, deluxe, Skyliner, monorail, proximity to parks — there are SO many decisions. A split stay lets you experience more than one “type” of Disney vacation in a single trip.
For our first visit, we copied their exact strategy and stayed at both Art of Animation and the Polynesian.
Honestly? It worked great.
Being on the Skyliner made our Hollywood Studios and EPCOT days incredibly easy, and then transitioning to the monorail loop gave us a completely different Disney experience during the second half of the trip.
On our transition day, we decided to make the move part of the fun. We checked out, took a bus to Disney Springs, explored the LEGO Store and M&M’s Store, had lunch at The Edison, and wandered around for a while before heading to our next resort to relax by the pool.
On our second trip, we did another split stay — this time starting at Caribbean Beach Resort and ending at the Grand Floridian.
Again, it let us experience two completely different transportation systems, atmospheres, restaurants, and resort styles all in one vacation.
Why We Love Split Stays
1. Disney Transfers Your Bags for You
This is honestly the part that makes the whole thing feel magical.
On transfer day, you simply bring your luggage to Bell Services and tell them which resort you’re moving to. They tag everything and transfer it for you.
Suitcases? Yep.
Backpacks? Yep.
Strollers? Also yes.
The only thing they won’t transfer is loose grocery bags or open food items.
At the end of the day, your bags will usually be waiting at your next resort, and Bell Services can deliver them directly to your room after you check in.
Quick tip: transfers can happen anytime between roughly 1–5 PM, so if you plan to arrive at your new resort early, pack swimsuits or essentials in a separate bag you keep with you.
2. You Can Maximize Resort Perks
Depending on the year and promotion, Disney sometimes offers free water park admission on check-in day for resort guests.
With a split stay, that can mean TWO check-in days…which can mean TWO water park days.
We actually used this strategy on our most recent trip. We checked out in the morning, headed to Blizzard Beach for the day, and then took a bus to our second resort afterward. By the time we arrived, our bags were there and we still had time for dinner and swimming.
It made the transition day feel like part of the vacation instead of a travel day.
3. You Get More Disney for Your Money
Some people love settling into one resort for the entire trip, and I completely understand that.
But personally? I want to experience as much Disney magic as possible.
Different resorts have different restaurants, pools, transportation options, themes, views, and overall vibes. A split stay lets you experience more of the Disney bubble without needing multiple vacations.
And because I’m an aggressively organized Type A packer (see my carry-on-only post), this system works really well for us.
The last few trips, we each packed one suitcase plus a shared backpack for overflow items and snacks.
But next trip?
We’re going full bananas.
We’re staying at FOUR different resorts in one week.
Honestly, I’m already excited just thinking about it. I’ve started mentally organizing which outfits belong at which resort and planning which restaurants we want to try at each stop.
Is it a little ridiculous? Probably.
But it’s also going to be SO much fun.
So yes…maybe we are bananas.
But once you try a Disney split stay, you just might become bananas too.
