The Disney Vacation Club is the Disney’s version of a timeshare. However, it has many perks and benefits that make the term ‘timeshare’ seem inadequate. As you know, Disney doesn’t do anything halfway.
The Disney Vacation Club (also called the DVC) works on a points system. You buy a specific number of points and you are allowed to cash those points in at over 500 locations throughout Disney World, Disneyland, The United States and even overseas. Each year you are issued your points, but you can bank or borrow points from one year to the next to maximize your trip. And even though you might start with a minimal amount of points, you can purchase additional points as your needs change.
So what can your points get you? Here’s an example form the Disney Vacation Club website:
- 51 Vacation Points for a Deluxe Studio at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for a 3-night fall getaway (Sunday-Thursday)
- 106 Vacation Points for a 1-Bedroom Villa with a Savanna View at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas for 3 nights (Friday – Sunday) to celebrate Memorial Day.
- 144 Vacation Points for a 1-Bedroom accommodation in Europe for a week during the Mid Season.
- 158 Vacation Points for a 3-night cruise on the Disney Dream to the Bahamas in a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (Category 9) for 2 adults.
- 183 Vacation Points for a Deluxe Studio with a Theme Park View at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for the week of the 4th of July.
- 217 Vacation Points for a Deluxe Studio with an Oceanview at Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, for the week of Christmas.
If you are interested in purchasing into the Disney Vacation Club, I highly suggest you order the FREE DVD and stop by the DVC kiosks when you are on your next Disney vacation. You can even schedule a no hassle tour on your next Walt Disney World vacation. It takes a couple hours, they provide childcare and they even give you a perk for taking the tour (I’ve heard of gift cards and Fastpasses for your entire party). Be sure to schedule your tour as soon as you arrive for your vacation if you are interested.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Resorts and contact Destinations in Florida to help you book your perfect resort.
Actually the article was factual- you can’t lie about the point value at the resorts. As a DVC owner for 9 years I can tell you everything in the article is valid.
We purchased 150 points at animal kingdom and 150 points at bay lake tower in dec of 2010. We paid 34,000 and it is worth every penny. It guarantees us a yearly vacation or two with our kids for the next almost 50 years. Disney quality cannot be beat. One of the best decisions we have ever made.
We have been DVC members since 2005 and it is the greatest investment we have made. We love staying at the AK Kidanni Village the savanna view rooms are fantastic for my two boys. My younger son who has Sensory Processing Disorder enjoys going to Disney because he know all the things about the room and resort that we stay at. We orginally went on the tour because you could get a $100 Gift Card for listening to the presentation (always looking for extra money for my disney trips) and at the end my DH says ok lets buy I was so happy as I am the huge Disney Fan in my family. It is a great feeling when you check in and they say Welcome Home, because yes it does feel like home when you are there.
After my car is paid off-next year-we’ll be joining the DVC. On our 2010 Disney trip, we did the tour and talked with someone about joining. Let me say, it was THE most pleasant experience. The DVC Castmember was so kind to work with, no pressure, and it was actually an experience we enjoyed. I wasn’t so excited about it-I didn’t want to spend 2 hours of my vacation listening to a sales pitch-but my husband wanted to check it out. The kids were entertained, we had ice cream afterwards, and for our our time, they gave us a $100 Disney gift card. But, the best part was, it got us thinking about another investment, in a non pressured way. I can’t wait to be a DVC member!
We became DVC members in 2003 and it was the best investment. We love Disney but we also just love being able to go and stay in hotels and areas we would not otherwise be able to afford. It is just so flexible and easy to use. And the break-even point is much better than other timeshares and most things. We broke-even in 3 years! Now it’s all just good times!
Our twins are almost 3 and have been to Disney twice! They would not have been at all yet if it had not been for the DVC!
How much do points cost?
It depends on the resort you buy, and when. The minimum to buy has been 150 to start. We started with 200 at Saratoga Springs and added on 160 at Bay Lake Tower. Contact the DVC if you are interested. They are the most low pressure sales you will ever find but will be very happy to answer your questions. If you are going to Disney anytime soon make sure you stop by a DVC kiosk and find out about any preview events going on. They have great offers during those.
Sometimes they offer incentives too. Our incentive was a free 100 points to use in the first year. Also, sometimes they lower the minimum number of points to buy-in directly from Disney. When we bought two years ago, the minimum was only 100 points, so that’s what we bought – 100 points. Although, I am hoping to add-on one day.
Our DVC membership is the best thing we have ever done. We just got back from a 12 night Disney Mediterranean Cruise using almost all points. And we are dreaming of our next vacation to Disneyland. Also, as a marketing ploy… if you are referred by a DVC member, you get extra benefits (as does the person referring). Feel free to contact me – win – win for both of us!
my email is: gmelissa76 @ gmail.com (no spaces)
We LOVE DVC!!!!! We have been to Disney twice a year since purchasing in 2002. We have used it in London, we have used it on a cruise… We’ve added on once and have had 2 different couples buy in. You’d be surprised at how many friends suddenly want to vacation with you once you join!
We LOVE our DVC membership! It is the best investment decision we made for this family…the investment of family time and always having a place that welcomes us home. Love the dining plan we can purchase with our stay and the other perks. Now if only they would allow DVD members to purchase annual passes at a monthly rate as FL residents do and I would be on fluffy white hidden mickey’s year round!
We love our DVC Membership. It is the best investment we ever made and the whole family can enjoy it!! It is so nice to have the flexibilty of all of the locations you can choose from.
I wish I did this I have a timeshare in Orlando hope to sell soon, and I will join
I can’t wait to join! We want to pay off our other debts and wait until our kids are old enough to endure regular visits before we join. We didn’t have time for a tour last time we were there, but they sent us the DVD and answered all of our questions and were very helpful. It really is an amazing program (I really hesitate to call it a timeshare because it’s so much more than that)!
As a DVC member, I can tell you it will be the best investment you ever made!!