\nTwo Resorts, One Trip
\n\nThe Hendersons Figured Out the Math
\nThe Henderson family owned points at Saratoga Springs. Every fall they wanted to stay at the BoardWalk during EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, which runs from gate to gate along Crescent Lake. Walking distance to EPCOT. No bus, no boat wait. Just walk out the back of the resort and through the International Gateway.
\nFor their travel dates, a full week at BoardWalk in a studio would use most of their annual point allocation. They wanted to leave some points in reserve for a second shorter trip in the spring. So they pulled up both point charts and ran a comparison for their specific dates and view types.
\nThe calculation showed that spending the first three nights at Saratoga Springs, then checking into BoardWalk for the last three nights, saved enough points to fund the spring weekend they had been skipping. They booked it as two separate reservations. Bell services moved their bags the day they switched. They were at EPCOT every evening that mattered and they still had points left over.
\nWhat a Split Stay Is
\n\nA split stay books your trip across two different DVC resorts: check in to the first resort for part of your trip, then check out and move to the second. Bell services transfers your luggage between resorts the day you switch. You do not need to leave the parks or manage the move yourself.
\n\nThe strategy works because DVC point charts are not equal across every date, view type, or demand season. Each resort has its own chart, and the same calendar dates can have different point costs depending on the resort's proximity to a park, the room category you choose, and whether you are traveling on weekdays or weekends. If part of your trip does not require proximity to a specific park or area, spending those nights at a resort where your travel dates cost fewer points can free up allocation for the rest of the year.
\n\nThe savings depend on your specific dates and the view types you choose. Always pull up the actual point charts for both resorts and your exact travel window before deciding whether a split stay makes sense for your trip.
\n\nHow to Book a Split Stay
\n\nYou make two separate reservations. There is no combined booking in the DVC system. Each reservation is independent. When the first reservation ends, you check out, bell services picks up and transports your bags, and you check into the second resort.
\n\nBook the high-demand portion first. If the second half of your trip is at a resort that books out quickly at the 11-month window, secure that end of the trip first, then fit the first resort around it.
\n\nSplit Stay Combinations That Work Well
\n\n| If Your Priority Is | Start With | Finish With |
|---|---|---|
| EPCOT Food and Wine or Flower and Garden | Saratoga Springs or Old Key West | BoardWalk or Beach Club |
| Magic Kingdom fireworks and monorail access | Saratoga Springs or Animal Kingdom | Polynesian or Grand Floridian |
| Animal Kingdom savanna view rooms | Saratoga Springs or Old Key West | Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House |
| Balanced trip across all four parks | Old Key West (most centrally located) | Resort nearest to the park you love most |
One Thing to Plan For
\n\nThe day you switch resorts, you will check out of the first resort in the morning and may not be able to check into the second until late afternoon. Bell services will hold and move your bags. Plan a full park day on your move day. Do not schedule a resort-heavy afternoon on the day you are switching.
\n\nBrowse current listings at the premium resorts to see what contracts are available. Our team can help you think through which combination fits how your family travels and how many points the full trip will actually cost.
