If you’ve ever looked at Disney’s resort lineup and thought, “I want to stay at all of them,” you’re not alone. But unless you’ve got a glass slipper budget, that’s probably not happening in one trip—unless you do a split stay at Disney World.

Our family recently tried a split stay and absolutely loved it. From resort hopping to saving money while still getting that deluxe experience, it’s a strategy that more families—especially big ones—should consider. Here’s what a split stay is, why we’d totally do it again, and what to watch out for when planning your own.

What Is a Split Stay at Disney World?

A split stay means staying at two (or more!) different Disney resorts during the same vacation. You could start your trip at a value resort like Pop Century, then switch to a deluxe resort like Beach Club. Or you might do one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge and the rest at Old Key West. It’s totally customizable based on your family’s priorities and budget.

You don’t need to leave Disney property or check out early—Disney’s Bell Services will transfer your luggage between resorts for you. So you can enjoy park time or relax while your bags make the move.

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Pros of a Split Stay at Disney World

We’re big fans of this approach, especially for larger families. Here’s why:

1. Experience Multiple Resorts
Why choose just one vibe when you can try more than one? Maybe you want the proximity to Magic Kingdom at the beginning of your trip, and the peaceful Savannah views at Animal Kingdom Lodge later. You get to enjoy different pools, food courts, transportation options, and playgrounds without committing to one for the entire stay.

2. Budget Flexibility
You can start off at a value resort to save some money, then end with a few nights at a deluxe resort for that extra pixie dust. Our family started with a confirmed DVC reservation at Saratoga Springs (more on that below), added a night at Animal Kingdom Lodge (something we couldn’t afford for the whole trip), and finished with a few days at Old Key West. It gave us the best of everything!

3. More Countdowns = More Magic
This may sound silly, but the mental reset of switching resorts adds a little excitement. “Only 2 more nights until we move to Animal Kingdom Lodge!” kept the energy going, especially with our kids.

4. Disney Handles Your Bags
One of the biggest perks: you don’t have to haul your luggage. Bell Services will collect your bags from the first resort and deliver them to the next. Just pack a day bag with essentials and enjoy your transfer day.

Cons & Things to Consider

While we loved our split stay, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Packing Up Mid-Trip
Yes, Disney moves your luggage—but you still have to repack it all. If you’re traveling with littles (or teens who like to unpack their entire wardrobe), this can feel like a chore. Keeping things organized in cubes or having “first resort/second resort” packing categories can help. For us, because we packed each day in it’s own packing cube, we avoided everything getting unpacked.

2. It Affects Dining Reservations
Because your resort stay is split, your 60-day dining reservation window is also split. That means you may need to get up early twice to snag those hard-to-get spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Space 220.

3. It’s Two Separate Reservations
Even if you book both stays through Disney or a travel agent, they’re treated as separate reservations. You’ll need to check in twice (though that’s mostly digital now), and MagicBand room access updates accordingly.

4. Lightning Lane Booking Isn’t Impacted
Good news! Your Lightning Lane booking access is tied to your park tickets, not your resort stay. So nothing changes there.

Our Split Stay Experience (With a Fun Tip!)

Our most recent split stay looked like this:

• Started at Saratoga Springs using a DVC confirmed reservation we booked through DVC Rental Store – Dave’s (here’s my tutorial on how to book a DVC rental)
• Added one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge, just to soak up the amazing vibes, check out the views.
• Finished at Old Key West, which is such a relaxed, spacious resort—especially great for large families with its roomy villas and laid-back vibes

We got to experience multiple pools, new-to-us dining spots, and totally different resort atmospheres. It felt like three mini-vacations in one!

Final Thoughts: Is a Split Stay Right for Your Family?

If you’re looking to save money, explore more resorts, or squeeze a deluxe experience into your budget, a split stay at Disney World is 100% worth considering.

Yes, it takes a bit more planning. Yes, there’s some mid-trip repacking. But the tradeoff? A richer, more varied Disney experience that lets your family soak in even more magic without going overboard.

Got questions about doing a split stay with a big family? Drop them in the comments or check out our DVC rental guide to see how we stretch our Disney budget further without sacrificing the fun.

✨ Until next time—pack light, plan smart, and try all the pools. ✨