What is Disney Vacation Club?

What is Disney Vacation Club?

The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) provides an innovative approach to vacation ownership, catering to Disney enthusiasts with its flexibility, savings, and exclusive perks. Instead of booking a hotel for every trip, members utilize vacation points to enjoy stays at luxurious Disney resorts and global partner properties. DVC stands out from traditional timeshares by allowing members to customize vacations based on timing, duration, and destination, making it one of the most adaptable vacation ownership programs available.

How Does Disney Vacation Club Work?

Joining DVC involves purchasing a real estate interest at a specific Disney resort (your "home resort"), which provides an annual allocation of vacation points. These points can be used to book stays at:

• Disney Vacation Club Resorts
• Disney Hotels
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii
• Disney Cruise Line
• Adventures by Disney trips
• Partner resorts worldwide

The points needed for a stay vary based on the resort location, room type, and season. Members can bank unused points or borrow from the next year, adding flexibility for planning extensive vacations. Discover the points required for your dream vacation using the Disney Vacation Club Point Calculator.

Understanding the Home Resort Advantage

One of the key features of DVC is the home resort booking advantage. Members can book stays at their home resort up to 11 months in advance, while reservations at other DVC resorts can be made 7 months in advance. This advantage can be crucial during peak seasons when availability is limited. Choosing a home resort that aligns with your vacation preferences can enhance your DVC experience.

Aulani and Other Premier Resorts

DVC membership grants access to exceptional resorts such as:

• Aulani in Hawaii
• Disney's Beach Club Villas
• Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney's Riviera Resort
• Vero Beach Resort

From family-sized villas and beachfront serenity to gourmet dining and immersive theming, each resort is uniquely enchanting. For those interested in Aulani resale options, DVC Sales offers competitive listings and expert advice.

Key Benefits of Disney Vacation Club

Custom Vacation Planning: Select your resort, dates, and room style to create a personalized vacation experience.

Long-Term Savings: Secure decades of deluxe accommodations at current prices, potentially offering significant savings over time.

Flexibility: Bank or borrow points to fit your schedule, allowing for larger or more frequent vacations.

Exclusive Member Perks: Enjoy discounts on dining, merchandise, special events, and access to member lounges. Learn more about DVC perks on the official Disney site or explore our DVC Member Perks guide.

Understanding Annual Dues

Members pay annual dues that cover maintenance and operations of the resorts. These dues vary by resort and are subject to periodic increases. However, they are often lower than the cost of booking equivalent accommodations independently, contributing to the long-term savings potential of DVC membership.

Should You Buy Disney Vacation Club?

If you visit Disney every 1-2 years and prefer deluxe accommodations, a Disney Vacation Club membership could offer substantial savings over time. Though members pay annual dues covering maintenance and operations, these costs are often lower than booking equivalent accommodations independently. For additional savings, consider Disney Vacation Club resale options through DVC Sales, which provide many of the same benefits at a reduced price.

Understanding the Resale Market

Purchasing DVC through the resale market can be a cost-effective way to join the club. However, it's important to note that resale contracts come with some restrictions, such as the inability to use points for Disney Collection, Adventure, or Cruise Line perks. Despite these limitations, resale contracts offer the core benefits of DVC membership, including access to DVC resorts and the flexibility of the points system.

Right of First Refusal (ROFR)

When purchasing a DVC contract on the resale market, Disney has the Right of First Refusal (ROFR), allowing them to purchase the contract under the same terms. This process typically takes 30-60 days and is an important consideration for buyers and sellers in the resale market.