Let’s talk about those coveted Deluxe Disney Resorts. Every family has that dream trip of staying in a Deluxe resort and enjoying all of the amenities that they have to offer. For some they may think the Polynesian’s gorgeous newly reimagined Moana rooms, or maybe that beautiful Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay Pool, or the Contemporary’s recently announced Incredibles rooms are all out of reach to stay within their Disney budget. I’m here to explain how they ARE within your Disney reach with a Disney Split Stay.
I recently spent a week at Walt Disney World for my annual summer trip and did my first split stay. This is a great way to enjoy your deluxe resorts & stay within your budget set forth for your Disney vacation. Each vacation has many things a family wants to achieve while heading to Walt Disney World. Some families do not want to take a rest day while others require it. I used to NEVER have a resort/rest day with my family and I have now discovered how much each resort has to offer and the fun you can enjoy taking a resort day. Your family just about needs it after a few days of walking the parks. This is also a great time to consider a stay before or after going to an after hours party event if you have one of these planned!
Why try a Disney Split Stay?
You may be asking yourself after doing pricing, how you are going to achieve the dream of deluxe resorts while staying within budget? My pro tip is to start with a value resort for the bulk of your stay. Then plan to end your trip at a deluxe resort. By doing this, you can hit the parks while at a value resort and then relax for a few days and enjoy the amenities of a deluxe resort at the end. While creating your schedule for your split stay can be scary, it is easy with your agent working with you along the way. Your stay and your schedule will all depend on what you have in store for the week at Walt Disney World. Why not have a few days of a Disney Staycation?
What about luggage on a Disney Split Stay?
Are you worried about your luggage? No worries. Transferring your luggage is easy at all resorts with a phone call to bell services. Is it really that easy to transfer you might ask? It really is! Once you are ready to transfer your luggage to your next resort you will call down to bell services. Upon arrival to your current room a cast member will tag your luggage, give you a receipt, and explain to you that the transfer typically takes place between 1PM-4PM. Now how do you get your luggage at the next resort? That is just as easy! Once you are checked-in to your next resort, you can go to bell services desk or call them from your room and ask them to bring your luggage to you. It’s that easy!
My Disney Experience and Disney Split Stays
Let’s talk about your My Disney Experience App and split stays. When you’re using your My Disney Experience, you will see two room reservations that will each need mobile check-in requests filled. If you fill these correctly you will receive your text with your room ready and you can proceed ahead. If you do not, guest services will get you squared away. You will, as with each reservation, need a credit card on file for the room records.
You will also have the option to purchase magic bands for both reservations but you don’t have to. Magic Bands will work for all your reservations so you can use ones from a previous trip or purchase to one new set and continue to use them for the next reservation seamlessly.
What are the Benefits of a Deluxe Disney Resort?
Now, the real question many have is, Are the Deluxe Resorts worth my money? This is a loaded question to all who are about to embark on a magical vacation to Walt Disney World. You are headed to a place where your whole family’s eyes will light up as they see the magic take place in the parks. This doesn’t end there.
Each Deluxe resort has their own bit of magic also. The Contemporary has the walkway path to Magic Kingdom, making it the easiest on transportation to Magic Kingdom. It is also the home of the Monorail which can guide you to Epcot. These are very easy ways of transportation. You can head to the 4th floor to watch fireworks at the Contemporary from the observation deck. The Polynesian is a beautiful resort with the monorail giving you transportation to Magic Kingdom or Epcot or you can take the ferry boat over to Magic Kingdom. You also have a gorgeous beach you can watch the fireworks from each evening. Heading over to the Grand Floridian you have the monorail to take you to Magic Kingdom or Epcot, also featuring a walking path to the Magic Kingdom. The Grand Floridian can also help you see those beautiful fireworks we all fall in love with, from the marina dock and a few other places around the area. Animal Kingdom Lodge is not close with transportation, everything will be done via the bus transportation system. However, you will have gorgeous views of the Savanna animals. This is something many can’t argue with when its what they want in a room. Deluxe resorts feature pools with gorgeous slides and many activities around the resort. Starting October 1st, while staying in a Deluxe resort you will receive extra magic hours. That alone is amazing! I love extra magic hours because for me it means getting to ride my favorite ride possibly multiple times without the long wait!
Ready to try a split stay?
If you are wondering if its worth the extra money to upgrade to deluxe I would say YES! Even if it’s just for one or two nights to get to experience it! We definitely enjoyed the experience on our trip this summer and look forward to many more split stays in the future. It was fun and exciting to resort hop! Try something new on your next vacation.
