Disney Vacation Club Review [2024]: Should you buy into it?

If you jet off to Walt Disney World at least once a year with your family or friends, then the Disney Vacation Club or DVC is made for you! 

You can earn and spend DVC points easily, which means you're saving considerable amounts of money when you vacation in eligible stays. You can spend your points at various times throughout the year, at different resorts, and in different rooms.

Talk about a flexible and versatile program that can be helpful even as you experience lifestyle changes. You can even use Disney Vacation Club to your advantage if you visit Disneyland while in Paris!

This program sounds too good to be true, right? Find out whether you should join the Disney Vacation Club.

What is Disney Vacation Club?

Disney Vacation Club is a point-based program where you can buy an end-dated real estate interest at selected Disney resorts. It's a more flexible option than a conventional timeshare. 

You must purchase a certain amount of "vacation points" each year at a specified "home resort." Then you use your points annually to book accommodation at any DVC resort in any capacity and for any date, depending upon the room availability.

How does the Disney Vacation Club work?

Are you already hooked on all that DVC has to offer? If that's a big, fat "Yes!", let me guide you through the ins and outs of how the Disney Vacation Club operates. Here's how you can book a stay at their resorts:

• Once you sign a Disney Vacation Club agreement and join DVC, you purchase a yearly allocation of DVC vacation points.
• Users can select the number of points that best suit their travel preferences and use them to book accommodations at DVC resorts at Disney parks worldwide.
• Each resort determines the number of points required for a stay. The cost will also depend on the number of nights you're staying, the time of the year you visit, and the type of room you select. 

For example, Disney's Animal Kingdom rooms start at seven points per night for a classic studio villa room that can accommodate up to four guests. But prices can shoot up to 36 points per night for a club-level room with a savanna view.

You can use your points however you wish, whether for one extravagant trip or a series of shorter vacations throughout the year.

Perks of joining the Disney Vacation Club?

DVC members enjoy access to various benefits and discounts, which can quickly add up based on how users travel. Some of these benefits are:

Discounts

Members get discounts on specific dining, ticket prices, and tours. 

Sorcerer's Pass

Members also receive a Disney World annual subscription titled the Sorcerer Pass, which gives access to all four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Convenient Perks

Other benefits include access to a member lounge at Epcot with complimentary Wi-Fi and charging points. There are also special member cruise ships on Disney Cruise Line, and parking facilities when planning to stay at DVC resorts.

Moonlight Magic

Members can also attend Moonlight Magic, a special event that offers after-hours entry to a Walt Disney theme park. This comes with complimentary refreshments, beverages, different character sightings, and shorter wait lines for rides.

How much does Disney Vacation Club cost?

The crucial question you're probably asking by now is the cost of joining DVC.

The cost of booking a DVC contract is determined mainly by the number of yearly points you buy.

Point Availability

The contract contains 150 to 1,000 points. When this blog was published, points were priced at $207 per point for available resorts such as Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Disney's Riviera Resort.

Overall Cost Breakdown

The overall membership cost for 150 points bought directly from Disney is $31,728.30.

• The overall cost breakdown is based on a sample price of 150 points at $207 per point.
• $250 for documentation charges. 
• $578.30 for closing costs. 

And the good news is that a small discount is currently accessible to new members!

Alternative method for buying DVC points

Suppose you're not interested in fully committing and buying a membership. In that case, you can rent DVC points from third-party point rental companies like David's rental club.

Accessing the points through rental companies allows you to experience the benefits and decide if Disney Vacation Club is worth your investment.

How to book a Disney Vacation Club holiday

Aside from the difference in booking windows, booking a stay at Disney Vacation Club is similar to booking a stay at any Disney resort.

You can book a DVC stay 7 to 11 months in advance by logging into your Disney account. DVC also offers a booking window calculator to assist you in deciding when to make your reservation.

Is Disney Vacation Club worth it?

If you visit Disneyland regularly and enjoy staying the night at their resorts, you're missing out on a big savings hack if you're not a member of DVC.

Disney Vacation Club is ideal for vacationers who can't get enough of Disney World. It's excellent if you want a wide variety of options to choose from when you visit. DVC is also an ideal option if you have fixed holidays and can book and plan long in advance.

Disney Vacation Club offers fantastic experiences for individuals worldwide, including in Tokyo, Japan. But it's a substantial investment that's only worth it if you're a big Disney fan!

Our rating: 3.5/5

Pros:

• Helps with long-term savings
• Excellent option for hosting large groups
• Additional savings available

Cons: 

• Expensive for infrequent visitors
• High upfront costs
• Annual maintenance fees
• Requires a lot of prior planning

Ready to become a Disney Vacation Club member?

DVC provides a diverse and flexible range of properties, rooms, and other added facilities to enjoy your stay at a Disney property. 

However, despite all the awesome perks, there may be a better option for you than Disney Vacation Club. If you opt-out of this program, you can still enjoy the magic of Disneyland!

If you're planning your dream trip to Disneyland, I know it's probably a lot of hard work. That's why you should use a travel planning app to help make your life a bit easier.