Should You Split Your Stay Between Disney World and Universal Orlando?
Published: October 15, 2026
A split stay between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando can be worth it when you plan to spend several days at each destination and want the convenience and eligible benefits of staying at their hotels. Keeping one hotel may be a better fit for a shorter visit, a single day at the other destination, or a family that values unpacking once.
The decision comes down to whether the advantages of changing hotels outweigh the cost and effort of moving.
At Key to Adventure Travel Co., we recommend comparing the complete vacation: hotel prices, park tickets, benefits you will use, and what moving day will actually look like.
What Is a Disney World and Universal Orlando Split Stay?
A Disney–Universal split stay means spending part of your vacation at a Walt Disney World hotel and the other part at a Universal Orlando hotel.
For example, you might stay at a Disney resort while visiting the Disney parks, then move to a Universal hotel for the Universal portion of your trip.
Disney and Universal are separate destinations with separate reservations, tickets, and hotel benefits. An Adventure Advisor can help coordinate both portions into one vacation plan.
Is a split stay or one hotel better for your family?
Neither arrangement is automatically better. Start with how you want your vacation to feel.
A split stay is worth considering when… | One hotel is worth considering when… |
You have several park days planned at each destination. | Most of your vacation focuses on one destination. |
You want to use eligible hotel benefits at both. | You would use few of the second hotel’s benefits. |
You want to experience two different resorts. | Keeping the same room and routine matters more. |
You are comfortable packing and moving once. | Moving luggage, equipment, or supplies would be difficult. |
Your itinerary can accommodate a hotel change. | Your schedule leaves little room for moving day. |
A split stay should solve a problem or improve your experience. It does not need to be another task added to an already busy vacation.
What are the advantages of staying at Disney during your Disney park days?
A Disney hotel can make the Disney portion of your trip more convenient through its location, transportation options, and eligible guest benefits.
Disney Resort hotel guests receive 30-minute Early Theme Park Entry at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, with valid admission and any required reservations. Guests at eligible Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts can also access Extended Evening Hours at select parks on select nights.
Transportation varies by hotel. Depending on where you stay and where you are going, options may include buses, boats, the monorail, or Disney Skyliner.
The right hotel depends on your priorities. A resort that works beautifully for frequent EPCOT visits may offer a different experience for a family focused on Magic Kingdom.
Adventure Advisor tip:
Choose your Disney hotel around the parks, room setup, and amenities your family values. A higher hotel category is not automatically a better match.
What are the advantages of moving to a Universal hotel?
Moving to a Universal hotel lets you choose accommodations around the Universal portion of your vacation rather than traveling back to a Disney hotel after every visit.
For some families, the deciding factor is a specific hotel benefit. Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel include Universal Express Unlimited for registered guests at participating attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.
That benefit does not cover Epic Universe or Volcano Bay. Not every Universal hotel includes it.
If you already intended to purchase Express Unlimited, compare the total hotel and Express costs before deciding where to stay.
Our guide explains whether a Universal hotel with included Express can cost less than buying passes separately.
Does a split stay save money?
A split stay can save money, but changing hotels does not automatically reduce your vacation cost.
Compare:
The total price of both hotel stays, including taxes and applicable fees.
The price of keeping one hotel for the entire vacation.
Any promotions affected by the length of each stay.
The cost of moving your party and luggage.
Optional purchases that an included hotel benefit might replace.
For example, an included Express benefit may improve the value of a Universal hotel if your family would otherwise buy comparable access. It provides less financial value if you would not have purchased Express.
A hotel change can also affect eligibility for an offer with a minimum stay requirement. Price the actual reservations rather than comparing a few advertised nightly rates.
Should you visit Disney World or Universal first?
Either order can work. We recommend choosing the sequence after comparing hotel availability, pricing, park schedules, and your family’s priorities.
Consider whether you have a special event, dining experience, or specific hotel that needs to anchor the itinerary.
Also think about your arrival and departure days. A late flight may make your first night primarily a place to sleep. An early flight home may limit how much you can enjoy your final hotel.
There is no universal rule that Disney must come first or that Universal should be the “relaxing” half. Both can involve long days and plenty of walking.
How much time should you allow for changing hotels?
Pack Up & Check Out
Allow time to gather your belongings, pack your luggage, and check out of your first resort. Avoid scheduling your morning so tightly that you're rushing to get out the door.
Transfer to Your Next Resort
Arrange transportation between Disney World and Universal Orlando that can accommodate your family and luggage. Remember, this isn't a Disney-to-Disney resort transfer, so you'll need to plan accordingly.
Arrive & Get Settled
Your new room may not be ready when you arrive. Ask about luggage storage and plan activities around check-in, especially if someone in your family needs an afternoon break.
You can absolutely enjoy a park on moving day, but we recommend building some flexibility into your schedule. Keep a few essentials easily accessible while you're between hotels:
- Medications and necessary medical supplies
- Identification, tickets, and reservation information
- Chargers and valuables
- A change of clothes
- Anything you'll need before your next room is ready
The goal is to avoid discovering that the one thing you need is buried at the bottom of your largest suitcase. Naturally.
How do you handle luggage during a Disney–Universal split stay?
Plan to arrange transportation for your party and bags between the two destinations. Do not assume that luggage services offered between certain Disney hotels also apply to a move to Universal.
Confirm luggage storage options with your selected hotels and choose transportation that accommodates your passengers, suitcases, stroller, and any mobility equipment.
For a family traveling with substantial luggage or equipment, the practical details of the move may matter more than a small difference in hotel price.
Is a split stay worth it with young children?
It can be, particularly when staying closer to each destination makes breaks and evenings easier. However, moving hotels can also interrupt familiar routines.
Consider how your children handle packing, transitions, naps, and waiting for a room.
If maintaining one home base helps everyone sleep and function better, that is a valid reason to keep one hotel. If your family enjoys changing settings and has time for the move, two resorts may be part of the fun.
Room layout matters, too. Make sure both hotels provide the sleeping arrangements and space your family needs.
Should you switch hotels for just one Universal day?
If you're spending most of your vacation at Walt Disney World and only planning one day at Universal Orlando, changing hotels may be more trouble than it's worth.
A one-night Universal stay can still make sense, especially if the hotel includes benefits your family would otherwise purchase. But it's important to compare the overall value, not just the nightly room rate.
Adventure Advisor Tip
You don't have to change hotels to enjoy both destinations! If Universal is only a one-day stop during your Disney vacation, staying at your Disney resort may be the easier option. Save the hotel switch for when the benefits truly make it worthwhile.
Can one travel advisor book both Disney World and Universal?
Absolutely! A Key to Adventure Travel Co. Adventure Advisor can help you plan and book both destinations while coordinating all the details in between.
From comparing resort options and ticket packages to understanding hotel benefits and planning the logistics of a split stay, we'll help you figure out what works best for your family.
You can also explore our free vacation planning tools to start narrowing down your options.
Two Destinations. One Amazing Vacation.
Disney, Universal, or a little of both? Your Adventure Advisor will help you create a vacation that fits your family, your priorities, and your budget.
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