You love vacationing at Walt Disney World every year. There’s always a new attraction, show or restaurant that invites you back to explore. Of course, nostalgia is the heart of Disney trips along with fireworks and shopping! If you return to Disney destinations every year, or want to, looking into Disney Vacation Club sounds like a good idea. Is Disney Vacation Club like a timeshare? Yes and no. Yes, Disney Vacation Club is the Disney timeshare. However, it is a bit different than other timeshares. Let’s talk about those differences.
Is Disney Vacation Club Like a Timeshare?
Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare. DVC is a point based timeshare that can be used at many Disney destinations worldwide. As of 2022, there are fifteen resort hotel options and all are in the Deluxe tier category. Someone becomes a Disney Vacation Club Member when they buy a contract, also referred to as points, at one of those resorts.
Are There Other Timeshares at Disney?
There are other timeshares on Walt Disney World property and close by. For example, Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek is located just across from Epcot. There are also assorted timeshare offerings more centrally located between all of the theme parks in Orlando. For additional options, there is an assortment of other hotel brands at Walt Disney World Resort in the Disney Springs area. This may be helpful for those interested in sticking with their loyalty programs. These, of course, are enticing options for some travel parties but are not all timeshares. Disney Vacation Club is the only official Disney timeshare. When considering different hotel and timeshare options note that Disney Vacation Club includes all of the regular Disney hotel extras. This means DVC Members can attend special early entrance or after hours access opportunities granted to guests staying at Deluxe tier level properties. DVC resorts will also include Disney transportation, like monorails and busses, and special little things like celebration buttons at the front desk.
How Does Disney Vacation Club Compare to Other Timeshares?
Disney Vacation Club is always in demand and has excellent resale value. There’s a misconception that timeshares are impossible to leave behind if they are no longer a good fit. That may be true for some but it’s not the case at all with Disney Vacation Club. The Disney timeshare remains popular and continues to add new resorts. It’s common for Members to add on more points to their Memberships even. And if a Member does decide they no longer want their contract, they can absolutely sell their contract. There’s an entire industry dedicated to helping those who want to sell DVC contracts. Resale DVC is popular and works out well for sellers and buyers. Average DVC prices continue to go up over time. Those who bought in early are usually able to sell and still make money from their contract, even after taking decades of vacations with it. For those interested in becoming a DVC Member at the best possible rate, resale presents many options. Resale DVC prices are usually much lower than buying direct from Disney and can save buyers thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a win, win for all.
Booking is Flexible with Disney Vacation Club
Flexibility with booking is a Disney Vacation Club plus. You don’t have to stick to a certain time period each year. As a Member, you refer to the resort point chart for each property to see how many nights your Disney Vacation Club points can book at different times. Point charts show that different nights of the week and times of the year cost different point values. If you have a 150 point contract, you may be able to book at a slower time of year and have points left over. Those left over points can be banked for future use. Banking and borrowing your own points from other years is another great flexibility option for DVC. There are also booking options outside of the designated DVC properties when you use the exchange partner.
Home Resort Booking Advantage
With Disney Vacation Club, the Membership you buy has an attachment to a resort which is called your Home Resort. You can still use the points on your contract to book at other resorts. The Home Resort advantage can be very helpful in booking specific dates though. We recommend buying a DVC Membership at the resort you want to stay at the most. Members are able to book eleven months out at their home resort and seven months out everywhere else. Those few months can make a difference if you have specific dates you need to travel. It’s not quite as important for those with flexible schedules for travel and an interest in staying at different resorts.
Resale Disney Vacation Club vs. Buying From Disney
There are some differences between buying resale DVC and buying directly from Disney. For starters, resale is much less expensive. It doesn’t include some of the little things though. In order to be eligible for all of the Membership extras, like discounts and events, new Members need to purchase a minimum of 150 points from Disney directly. For some, that’s more points than they planned to purchase so resale is the right option anyway. For others wanting or needing a higher point value, buying a 150 points from Disney directly and the rest via resale can give you all the perks and save you money. Even if you’re leaning toward buying from Disney so you can get all of the perks and extras, at least take a look at resale prices first. You’ll always want to compare the per point prices because what you save upfront can be significant enough to change your mind. See more restrictions on DVC resale.
DVC Resale Experts Can Help
If you’re thinking about buying the most magical timeshare there is, DVC Resale Experts can help! Our team is made up of former Disney Vacation Club Guides. During their time working for Disney, our agents gained valuable experience. Now, as independent, licensed real estate agents, the Experts continue to make magic for families, couples and individuals who want to buy and sell DVC. Take a look at our resale DVC listings for current pricing and availability. Don’t see the contract your wishing for? Join the DVC Resale Buyer Wish List to be contacted when it magically appears.
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