Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It? [An Honest Evaluation]

Trying to decide if Disney Vacation Club is right for you? You’ve come to the right place! As with all things Disney, DVC timeshares carry a relatively high price tag. However, unlike a day at the Disney parks or a stay at one of Disney’s non-timeshare resorts, a DVC timeshare is a gift that keeps on giving. As a Disney Vacation Club member, you can lock in a lifetime of magical vacations, complete with convenient access to attractions, spacious accommodations, and theme park-worthy amenities, at today’s prices. Still, the initial purchase price of a DVC timeshare can be prohibitive for some buyers. That’s where we come in. When you purchase DVC points on the resale market, you can save big on upfront costs compared to buying retail. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy most of the same benefits enjoyed by the original owner. So, is Disney Vacation Club worth it? Well, the answer depends on your needs. In this blog post, we’ll break down the costs and benefits of Disney Vacation Club ownership so you can make an informed decision. Let’s get started!

Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It?

Do you love the Disney theme parks? For regular visitors to Walt Disney World and Disneyworld, a Disney Vacation Club membership can be a great value. This is even more true if you understand how the points system works/how to maximize your usage. And it’s especially true if you buy your DVC points on the resale market.

When you buy DVC points from a reputable resale company like BuyATimeshare.com, you can potentially save thousands of dollars compared to buying directly from Disney. And while certain resale restrictions apply, you’ll be able to stay at the same amazing DVC resorts, in the same beautiful, spacious suites, and use the same top-notch amenities, as owners who bought their points on the retail market.

That said, buying any timeshare is a big commitment, and it’s important you understand what you’re signing up for. Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know to make the best decision for you and your family.

What Is Disney Vacation Club?

Disney Vacation Club is one of the most popular timeshare programs in the world. Unlike traditional timeshare brands, Disney Vacation Club operates primarily on a points-based ownership system. When joining DVC, you buy a deeded real estate interest at a specific home resort from DVC’s portfolio. From there, you’ll receive an annual allotment of Disney points based on the “value” of your home timeshare, which you can redeem for stays at your home resort or other Disney Vacation Club resorts, as long as your allotment of points amounts to a value equal to or greater than that of your chosen stay. The number of points you’ll receive each year (i.e., the value of your home timeshare) depends on factors like the popularity of your home resort, the size of the room you purchased, and the season within which your usage rights fall.

Popular DVC locations include:

Unlike a one-and-done hotel reservation, your DVC ownership lasts for decades. In fact, DVC contracts may last up to 50 years. Thus, while a timeshare is not a financial investment, you can think of your DVC ownership as an investment in your quality of life through a lifetime of incredible vacations.

How the Disney Vacation Club Points System Works and Why It’s Worth It

So, how do DVC vacation points actually work? When you buy a DVC contract, you receive an allotment of vacation points, which renews every year. As mentioned, each stay costs a certain number of points depending on:

Booking Windows

As a DVC member, you’ll enjoy access to Disney resorts across the country. But choose your home resort carefully. This is where you’ll enjoy priority booking, and likely where you’ll vacation most years. So, if you value proximity to the theme parks, for instance, you’ll want to choose a home resort in Orlando or Anaheim. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for something more low key, consider Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. Here’s how booking at your home resort compares to booking at other DVC properties:

• 11-month priority booking at your home resort
• 7-month booking at other DVC resorts

Managing your points

DVC members can:

Unused points expire if not banked by the end of the use year, so be sure to plan ahead!

How the Resale Market Makes Disney Vacation Club Even More Worth It

The resale market is flooded with Disney timeshares, and owners who turn to the resale market are often highly motivated to sell. Thus, when you shop for Disney Vacation Club resales on a website like BuyATimeshare.com, you’ll often find DVC timeshares priced well below retail value.

When you buy resale, you still get an official deed from DVC and enjoy most of the same rights granted to direct buyers. The main difference? Savings of up to tens of thousands of dollars.

That said, there are a few resale restrictions you should be aware of. These include:

• Limited access to Disney Cruise Line exchanges
• Some newer resorts may be restricted
• You may be ineligible for certain promotional perks

While these restrictions are certainly something to think about when deciding if Disney Vacation Club is worth it, the reality is that most owners use their membership as a way to enjoy home-like accommodations and luxury amenities when they visit the Disney parks. So, if you’re like most owners, these restrictions won’t have much impact on the value of your ownership.

What You Actually Get: Accommodations and Locations

As mentioned, DVC accommodations are not like hotel rooms. In fact, they aren’t even like typical Disney resort rooms. Disney Vacation Club villas are designed for longer stays, with everything you need to feel at home.

Multi-bedroom villas come with fully equipped kitchens, letting you save on dining during your stay. They also feature in-room washers and dryers, private balconies, state-of-the-art entertainment centers, and master bedrooms with full attached baths. Studios, meanwhile, feature most of the same amenities, minus the private bedrooms and full kitchens (studios come with well-appointed kitchenettes).

Walt Disney World Resort Orlando

Magic Kingdom

EPCOT

Animal Kingdom

Disney Springs

Hollywood Studios

Disneyland Resort Anaheim

Disneyland

Disney California Adventure Park

Non-Park Locations

Oahu, HI

Vero Beach, FL

Hilton Head Island, SC

The Financial Side: Costs, Dues, and Savings

While the resale market can save you thousands, a DVC resale timeshare is still a major purchase. In addition to the initial purchase price and closing costs, you’ll also be responsible for annual maintenance fees.

Maintenance fees vary from resort to resort and tend to go up slightly each year. They are the same whether you buy your timeshare from Disney or on the resale market. Annual maintenance fees are an important part of ensuring Disney can offer a quality product. They go towards things like property maintenance, unit upkeep, amenity maintenance, new amenities, and staff payroll.

Pros and Cons of Disney Vacation Club

Looking for an easy way to tell if Disney Vacation Club is worth it for you? Check out our breakdown of the pros and cons of DVC!

Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It for Your Family?

Disney Vacation Club tends to make sense if you:

Final Verdict: Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It?

So, is DVC worth it? Well, for families who plan to visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland for years to come, Disney Vacation Club is an incredible value. Love the Disney magic but not the Disney crowds? Vero Beach, Hilton Head, or Oahu could have just what you’re looking for! In short, DVC membership turns rising hotel costs into predictable travel expenses, provides larger villas in incredible locations, and delivers the kind of quality and consistency the Disney brand is known for. In the end, however, the answer to whether or not Disney Vacation Club is worth it depends entirely on you!

BuyATimeshare.com: Your One-Stop Shop for DVC Points on the Resale Market

Ready to join Disney Vacation Club? Start by browsing the resale market! Our marketplace features tons of DVC resales for amazing deals, with an easy, secure on-page offer form that lets you secure that perfect DVC timeshare before it’s gone. Our search filters let you hone in on exactly what you’re looking for, from resort to location to season to week, to number points, unit size, and more! Need help setting up your search? Call or email us today!