Universal Orlando now features nearly a dozen hotels to stay at, but what if your vacation needs change during your trip? Then consider a split stay! This article will cover the concept of the split stay, the benefits, and some suggestions for your own split stay.

What is a Split Stay?

A split stay is what it sounds like: you split where you are staying during your vacation between two or more locations. Split stays include staying at a hotel close to the airport for an early or late flight, moving to a hotel closer to a cruise departure, or staying at hotels in WDW and UOR to split your vacation between the two theme park resorts.

Why Do a Split Stay at Universal Orlando?

Taking time to repack, move resorts, and unpack again is precious vacation time, so why do a split stay? There are several instances where a split stay would be worth the hassle of changing hotels:

⭐North Campus & South Campus – The original parks and CityWalk are part of the North Campus, along with the hotels that include complimentary Express Pass for USF & IOA, while the South Campus is home to Epic Universe and its hotels. A UOR split stay between the two campuses would focus on access to the parks on the campuses, with a short stay on the South Campus for Epic Universe and a longer stay on the North Campus for the other three parks and CityWalk.

⭐Complimentary Express Pass – Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific offer complimentary unlimited Express Passes for USF & IOA during your stay. This is a fantastic perk that saves at least $150 per person per day. WOW! But sometimes, at over $700 per night for these rooms, the price benefit of the perk is lost when not actively visiting the parks that accept it. Splitting your stay between the complimentary Express Pass hotels and other Universal hotels when not visiting USF & IOA can save you several hundred dollars a night.

⭐Theme Park Stay vs Hotel Resort Stay – Universal’s hotels offer amenities for all sorts of guests, from high-tech rooms in a minimalist tower to a sprawling resort mimicking an Italian village. A value resort with just enough for your stay or a huge resort with a bowling alley, multiple pools, a lazy river, and more. Splitting your stay between multiple resorts can give you more amenities than you could by staying at one.

With an expanded resort with nearly a dozen hotels, now is the time to consider a split stay at Universal Orlando.

Split Stay Ideas

What sort of options are available for folks looking to split their stay at Universal Orlando? Here are some suggestions and situations where we think switching up your hotel could save you time and money.

As Close as Possible – Helios Grand Hotel & Hard Rock Hotel

Want to sleep a short walk from the parks? How about two hotels that are located next to the park, and one that is even inside it? Consider the split stay at the Helios Grand Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel. Helios Grand is located at the back of Epic Universe and is a great hotel to stay at while visiting Epic. Then, when it is time to tour Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure, switch to the Hard Rock Hotel. Hard Rock is located immediately next to USF and is a 10-minute walk to Islands of Adventure. Plus guests staying at Hard Rock receive complimentary Express Pass for USF & IOA for each day of their stay.

Theme Park Trip – Stella Luna or Terra Nova & Aventura

Focused on the parks first and foremost? Then consider skipping some of the amenities at the other resorts and staying at Universal’s Prime Value Hotels. These hotels offer on-site dining, pools, fitness centers, and transportation to the parks without the frills of the Signature Collection hotels. The Stealla Luna and Terra Nova properties offer a quick ride to Epic Universe for Early Park Admission, while Aventura is a short boat ride to USF & IOA or a walk to Volcano Bay.

Theme Parks to Resort Stay – Royal Pacific & Cabana Bay

Here’s a unique one. Say you want to visit the parks with Express, then relax at a resort (or vice versa)? Then consider a split stay between a hotel close to the parks and one with incredible on-site amenities. For this split stay suggestion, we are looking at at Royal Pacific for its access to IOA & USF (plus the complimentary Express Pass), but then hop over to Cabana Bay for a relaxing time at the hotel’s two pools, lazy river, and bowling alley.

TouringPlans Tips

• Universal offers a shuttle between the Signature Collection hotels that can assist with moving hotels. Inquire at the desk for times and the latest information on the service.
• The quickest way to transfer from hotel to hotel is using a ride share service like Uber or Lyft from one hotel to the other, or you can use Universal’s buses to transfer at the CityWalk bus terminal.

Have you done a split stay at Universal Orlando? What are your favorite hotel combos? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!