Is Two Better than One? What I am Looking Forward to on my Upcoming Split Stay

Posted:  Resorts Tips

What could be more exciting than staying at a single Disney Vacation Club Resort? How about a split stay at two DVC resorts near different parks, each offering unique experiences? In February, I’ll embark on my first-ever split stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort alongside team member Kristen. I can’t wait to stay at each resort, explore, and discover what makes each resort unique!

Front of Bay Lake Tower with a blue sky in the background.

Front of Disney's Riviera Resort with palm trees to the side of the building.

A split stay is when a guest stays at multiple resorts during the same vacation. It involves dividing the stay between two or more different types of accommodations. Many Disney guests opt to split their stay among two or more resorts during their vacation so they can enjoy different activities, dining options, and scenery.       

Back of Bay Lake Tower with lines of trees in front of the building.                                                                           

Any guest can reserve a split stay through our company, contingent on DVC Inventory availability. For split stays, we require guests to submit a reservation request form for each room they are looking to stay in, treating each room as a separate reservation with its own unique confirmation number. In the comments, we ask that you specify “split stay request 1 of 2” or “split stay request 2 of 2” with the corresponding travel dates. Upon receiving these notations, we link all requests and proceed with reservations contingently, meaning that we will only secure the stays if all rooms are available at the time of booking. As split stays are considered separate reservations with different confirmation numbers, you must link both reservations to your My Disney Experience account. 

Riviera Resort emblem on the ground in the garden of Disney's Riviera Resort.

When staying at a DVC resort, the check-out time is 11:00 am. After checking out from your first resort, you can leave your luggage at Bell Services, specifying the location of your next reservation, and they will move your luggage to the next resort for you. Once your luggage is dropped off, you’re free to enjoy the theme parks, Disney Springs, or explore Orlando without the burden of carrying your bags. Check-in at DVC Resorts begins at 4:00 pm. Upon reaching your next resort, you can collect your luggage from Bell Services or request delivery to your room. Please keep in mind that luggage can only be delivered to your room if you are present.

Exterior of Bay Lake Tower from the walking bridge at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Exterior of Disney's Riviera Resort with a lake in front of it.

 I want to share my top 3 things I am looking forward to while doing my split stay:

 

Location

Bay Lake Tower is one of the Magic Kingdom resorts and is around a 10-minute walk to the front entrance of Magic Kingdom. I can’t wait to be able to see the fireworks extravaganza, Happily Ever After, from Bay Lake Tower at night! I have watched the fireworks from different locations in the park, so I am excited for a new location to watch them! I am also ready to wake up in the morning and enjoy a cup of Joffrey’s coffee on my Deluxe Studio – Lake View balcony and take in the view.

Photo of the Sign for the Walkway to Magic Kingdom from Bay Lake Tower.

Disney’s Riviera Resort is located between the Epcot resort area and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is my favorite theme park at Walt Disney World, so I am happy to stay close by and pop over to the park in no time. Disney’s Riviera Resort has so many incredible views I can’t wait to experience from the Deluxe Studio – Preferred View and all around the resort.

Disney Skyliner Sign pointing towards Epcot with a yellow gondola getting ready to take off.

 

Transportation

Both resorts have my two favorite modes of transportation to travel around Walt Disney World. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has the monorail, while Disney’s Riviera Resort has the Disney Skyliner. Both are super convenient ways to travel and great ways to see the Walt Disney World resort properties from a different angle. They are rides I enjoy without having to go into the parks!

Orange monorail driving by Bay Lake Tower.

Interior of a Skyliner Gondola.

 

Dining

 I am a huge foodie and always love trying new restaurants and different menu items. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort only has the Cove Bar, the pool bar at Bay Cove Pool for a dining option right at the resort. For other dining options, we will have to go to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. My top three restaurants I would like to dine at would have to be Steakhouse 71 to have Walt’s Prime Rib Hash for breakfast, California Grill to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks after dinner, and Contemporary Grounds for donuts and a Matcha Latte.

Exterior of Steakhouse 71. The sign is wooden with gold lettering, and black and white photos are on the wall down the hallway.

While staying at Disney’s Riviera Resort, my top three restaurants I would like to dine at include Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera and sit on the outdoor terrace to take in the landscape as I enjoy a decadent meal, Le Petit Café to start my day with a house-made pastry and specialty coffee, and Bar Riva for an appetizer before I sit in the pool area with a book.

Topolino's Terrace entrance rug with the restaurant name on the brown rug.

Pastries in a glass case at Le Petit Café.

 

I can’t wait to be able to cross two more Disney Vacation Club resorts off my bucket list, meaning I have twelve DVC resorts to go! Which two DVC resorts would you want to do a Split Stay at, and how many resorts have you crossed off your Disney Vacation Club Bucket List?

 

~Mya

 

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