If you plan on visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland regularly, you should consider joining the Disney Vacation Club.
Membership gives you and your family access to various amenities and a motivation to visit the resorts on a frequent basis.
However, it will come at a price. And, with all due respect to Dumbo, joining the Disney Vacation Club will set you back far more than peanuts. But in the long run, you could save a lot of money.
So, is it worth it?
Well, let’s have a look at Disney Vacation Club in more detail and see what value you could gain from it.
What Is Disney Vacation Club?
The Disney Vacation Club, or DVC, is the company’s timeshare program. It allows you to share and own a vacation resort and schedule trips there, like other timeshares.
Only these timeshares are on Disney property, and you join the Disney Vacation Club as a result.
DVC is a points-based timeshare in which members can use their points to book various Disney holidays each year. It’s a flexible timeshare that lets members schedule Disney cruises, resorts, and other activities.
How It Works
DVC, as we just mentioned, is a points-based timeshare. Disney Holiday Club members purchase rental points to rent future vacation stays at various locations on Disney property.
Members purchase a certain number of points and select a “home resort” at the time of purchase.
The number of points purchased does not fluctuate from year to year, but you can choose to add more points at any moment during the timeshare’s lifetime. Year after year, points can be stored or borrowed.
When determining how many points you require for a stay, there are several aspects to consider.
Common elements that influence the number of points required for a stay include:
- The resort or holiday destination
- The size of the hotel
- The time of year
- The duration of stay
Once you’ve looked into all these factors, you should be able to figure out how many points you need.
Where Can You Stay on DVC Points?
There are many places to stay on Disney property, whether it’s in Florida, California, or the beach resorts, but not all of them accept DVC points.
However, there are various places at Walt Disney World in Florida where you can stay with Disney Vacation Club points.
These include:
- Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Animal Kingdom Villas
- Beach Club Villas
- Boardwalk Villas
- Old Key West Resort
- Riviera Resort
- Saratoga Springs Resort
- Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
You can also use DVC points to book the two Disney beach resorts in South Carolina and Florida: the Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina and the Vero Beach Resort in Florida. You can also use the DVC points to book the Aulani Resort in Hawaii.
Disney Vacation Club members can use their points to book a variety of different destinations around the world, including:
- Disney Cruise Line
- Adventures by Disney
- Disney hotels in other parks around the world
- RCI timeshares
- Concierge Collection Hotels
Unfortunately, the Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel are the only place at Disneyland in California that accepts DVC points.
Yet, having such an extensive range of vacation destinations to choose from is undoubtedly a positive factor. It could undoubtedly make Disney Vacation Club worthwhile for you and your family!
How to Decide if DVC Is Worth It?
The cost is a critical consideration when deciding whether Disney Vacation Club is suitable for your family. DVC is highly pricey and necessitates a significant initial investment.
After all, it is a timeshare, and you own a piece of property. It requires a down payment, sometimes monthly fees, and annual maintenance expenses.
Therefore, it’s essential to consider how frequently your family visits Disney World or other points accepting resorts. This way, you can work out whether it’s worth the investment.
Your membership will ensure you have a vacation every year. You can also save your points for a bigger vacation later on. Alternatively, you can borrow from the following year to take a huge trip the current year. So there’s plenty of flexibility for you and your family on the table.
Bear in mind; your points will expire after 50 years, which isn’t so bad! And you can pass on your membership to someone else.
Key Benefits of DVC Membership
There are numerous advantages to owning with Disney Vacation Club.
Every year, you can have a Disney vacation! Plus, DVC members can also take advantage of unique trip planning services from Disney, which can assist them in determining how to spend their points effectively and when and when to travel.
After-hours events in Disney parks are available to DVC members. Some parks offer free drinks and snacks, and you can enjoy these parks when they a relatively deserted. Plus, owners of Disney Vacation Club can also enjoy exclusive lounges and can get freebies sent to them year-round.
As a DVC member, you have the choice of booking the Dining Plan. But, because most villas feature full kitchens, you may prepare your own meals and save money on your vacation. Also, having your groceries delivered is a terrific method to be ready for creating your meals without sacrificing time during your trip.
DVC members can save money on anything from Annual Passes to restaurants and select merchandise with exclusive discounts.
So as you can see, there’s plenty to take advantage of as a DVC member. And if you wish to join, check out the DVC Shop.
Are There Any Downsides?
There are a few downsides to consider before becoming a Disney Vacation Club member.
For example, a Disney Vacation Club membership takes away some of the pleasure and spontaneity of planning a Disney vacation. You can’t schedule a Disney World vacation on the spur of the moment and go on a short trip whenever you please. To get the most out of your points, you must book well ahead of time and plan a vacation.
Also, over time, you might not want to go as often or at all — yet you’ll have a 50-year membership. Although, many people are pretty sure that they and future family members will use it.
Lastly, the costs involved are hefty. Therefore, to get the most out of a membership, many of the benefits have to make sense to you.
So Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It?
For those who like to plan ahead and love all things Disney as a family, it’s definitely worth the investment. This is especially true if you regularly go to Disney parks year on year, as you can gain so many benefits by joining the Disney Vacation Club.
So thanks for stopping by, and we hope you feel better informed about DVC. Also, if you have the time, feel free to check out some of our other blog posts.