Our Ultimate 8-Day Disney World & Universal Orlando Split-Stay Itinerary

Quick Answer: What is the best way to structure an 8-day Disney and Universal vacation? 

Book a split-stay to base yourself closest to the action. We spent our first 5 nights at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (checking in May 5) to conquer all four Disney parks, then transferred to Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort for 3 nights (checking out May 13) to hit Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay. This layout eliminates cross-town park traffic and unlocks early entry perks for both resorts.

Text Us to Plan Your Custom Orlando Split-Stay

Trying to tackle both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort in a single vacation can easily turn into a logistical nightmare if you don't map it out correctly. If you stay at a Disney hotel while visiting Universal, you'll waste hours sitting in traffic on I-4. If you stay off-site entirely, you miss out on the crucial early theme park entry windows that keep you ahead of the crowds.

For our 8-day family getaway in May, we utilized a split-stay strategy. By dividing our time between an on property Disney resort and Universal hotel, we got the absolute best of both worlds. We flew out of the Provo Airport (PVU) via Breeze Airways directly into MCO, setting up an incredible, fast-paced week of theme park magic.

Here is the exact day-by-day framework of our 8-day Orlando split-stay itinerary.

Part 1: The Disney World Base (Coronado Springs)

On May 5, we arrived from Provo and officially kicked off the trip by checking into Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for a 5-night stay. Coronado Springs served as our launching pad for the Disney portion of our trip, allowing us to utilize Disney's complimentary bus system to navigate the massive property.

May 5: Arrival & Settling In

After grabbing our rental car at MCO, we went to Disney Springs to get dinner and do some shopping (Pro tip: Browse Disney Springs before your park days to scout for souvenirs. If you don't find anything better inside the parks, you'll already know exactly what you want to pick up at the end of your trip). Then, we went to the resort to unpack, explore the sprawling property, and get a good night's rest before the park days began.

May 6 – May 9: The Four Disney Parks

Over the next four days, we dedicated one full day to each of Disney’s core theme parks. Because we were staying on-site, we were able to maximize our mornings and adapt to the rising May heat.

• Magic Kingdom: Classic attractions, character greetings, and fireworks.

• Epcot: A mix of futuristic innovation, incredible food options, and world showcases.

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: High-thrill adventures, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and fantastic family entertainment.

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Immersive wildlife trails, Pandora, and great live shows. Early closing times give you more flexibility for the night, whether you want to go to Disney Springs, explore your resort, or get extra rest.

The Switch: May 10 – The Hotel Transfer & The Walmart Run

On the morning of May 10, we checked out of Coronado Springs and officially transitioned to the Universal portion of our vacation.

• The Logistical Save: Renting a car through Turo for this trip turned out to be an absolute nightmare (a story involving poor communication, a subpar vehicle, and being told after pickup that our older Chrysler Town & Country required premium gas). However, having that vehicle for the transfer day did provide one massive advantage: we were able to stop by a local Walmart on our way to Universal.

• The Souvenir Hack: This specific Orlando Walmart features a massive Disney and Universal souvenir section. We loaded up on high-quality t-shirts, lanyards, and gifts at a fraction of the prices you see inside the theme parks.

• Checking into Universal: By noon, we arrived at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort to check in for our final 3 nights.

Part 2: The Universal Orlando Base (Cabana Bay)

Cabana Bay is a massive favorite for family adventures because of its incredible retro styling, family suites, and unmatched geographic placement.

May 10 – May 12: The Universal Parks & Volcano Bay

Over the next three days, we shifted our focus to Universal’s four incredible theme parks. Staying on-site at Cabana Bay allowed us to maximize our mornings, beat the crowds, and enjoy effortless access to the entire resort using the complimentary Universal busses.

• Universal Studios Florida: Immersive movie magic, Diagon Alley, and blockbuster adventures, just a short stroll down the resort's scenic garden walkway.

• Universal’s Islands of Adventure: Legendary heroes, jaw-dropping roller coasters, and epic wizarding encounters, also easily accessible by foot.

• Universal’s Epic Universe: Breathtaking new worlds, Super Nintendo World, and cosmic innovation, reached via a quick and efficient complimentary resort shuttle.

• Universal’s Volcano Bay: High-thrill water slides and tropical relaxation. Cabana Bay’s dedicated side entrance lets you walk straight into the park, and free swim diapers at the towel stations mean less packing for parents!

May 13: Checking Out & Heading Home

On the morning of May 13, we packed our bags, checked out of Cabana Bay, and left our bags with luggage services so we could enjoy our last day at Epic Universe. After a few hours at Epic Universe and final souvenir shopping, we went back to Cabana Bay for lunch and a shake, then booked an Uber to take us to the airport for our flight back to Provo.

Split-Stay Lessons for Next Time

While our 8-day framework allowed us to experience an incredible amount of entertainment with minimal down-time, it taught us a few valuable lessons. First, we would absolutely skip renting a car through Turo, opting instead for a traditional rental car, rideshares like Uber, or dedicated airport shuttles like Mears Connect or the Universal SuperStar Shuttle.

Second, balancing your time between these two resort worlds requires understanding the effort involved in changing resorts and how tiring 8 straight days at theme parks can be—especially if you are traveling with toddlers. Over the next several weeks, we will be diving deep into individual reviews for both hotels, ride guides, food comparisons, and our survival tips for managing the Florida heat.

Text Us to Plan Your Custom Orlando Split-Stay

Coming Up Next: Post 2: Flying Breeze Airways out of Provo Airport (PVU) to MCO.