Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It? Things To Know Before You Buy
Are you thinking of planning a Disney getaway but don’t know if it’s worth the price tag? The thought of signing up for a vacation club might feel overwhelming, so let us give you an overview of how magical and beneficial joining Disney Vacation Club can be.
With its variety of incredible amenities, unbeatable discounts, and more flexibility than ever before with points-based reservations, we’ll show you why becoming part of the DVC family might be worth your consideration! So keep reading to find out if Disney Vacation Club is right for your family!
Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It?
My short answer is no…unless:
- You have the ability to make a sizable investment over the next few years
- You plan on taking a Disney vacation for your family every year or every 2 years for the next 50 years
- Disney is your life, and you can’t live without it!
If you said YES (especially to the last point) like this…
Then my answer is yes. But for most, I think the answer is going to be no. Keep reading to find out why!
What Is The Disney Vacation Club?
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a timeshare program operated by The Walt Disney Company, offering its members the opportunity to purchase real estate interest in 11 resorts located throughout the United States. It allows members to access exclusive benefits such as discounts on dining, merchandise, and recreation, as well as discounts on stays at Disney Resorts.
Members can also book “points-based” vacations with their DVC membership for stays at any of the resorts within the network. DVC offers vacation club points that are allocated every year from a member’s account, allowing them to choose from more than 450 destinations worldwide. Members receive additional perks like priority seating at select attractions and complimentary parking at certain theme parks.
All memberships have an annual dues payment associated with them which must be made in order to keep active status in the program. It is important to note that a DVC membership is not a “discount” program. Just because you invest, doesn’t mean you will be saving money on a future Disney trip.
How Does DVC Work?
First, you choose your “home” resort. For example, if you prefer to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows then you would choose this as your “home base.” Your DVC membership comes with a base allotment of points based on your “home” resort.
Essentially, you are buying a 50-year contract with Disney, for access to exclusive resorts on select properties. Keep in mind that when/if you do decide to purchase, you’ll have to purchase whatever is currently available.
While it may seem complicated, Disney does provide an easy-to-understand breakdown of the program here.
Benefits To Disney Vacation Club
The purpose of DVC is to lock in a price for booking your favorite resort. While Disney hotel rates may increase from year to year, but buying into DVC allows you to lock in your own rate. But the benefits don’t stop there.
✅ Accommodation Benefits
- Access to exclusive (upgraded) rooms that may not be available to the public
- 5 times/year access to DVC members-only events
- The ability to enjoy Disney for years to come
✅ Other Perks
- Dining discounts
- Member Cruise to The Bahamas (select dates/times)
- Discounts on shopping locations and select merchandise (including a product line of DVC items)
- Access to DVC/Club level lounges in select resorts
- Event ticket discounts
- Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Soarin’ Around the World
Reasons To NOT Get Disney Vacation Club
I’m not going to sugarcoat it, it’s expensive! But then again, it’s Disney! And while you can plan a Disney vacation relatively inexpensively (see my blog on Disney resorts here), this is a totally different ball game. The average cost of a DVC membership is $45,000-$50,000. There are plenty of payment plans, but this is a typical cost.
I have a family of 5 and typically bring my mother along for a vacation making us a party of 6. A vacation for my entire family for over 10 days at an all-inclusive resort, will net me the same price as 5 days in Disney. To be honest, other locations aside from Disney properties hold more appeal.
❌ It doesn’t include park tickets or food.
One of the biggest issues is that the DVC membership is for the resort stay only. You still have to factor in the cost of park tickets, transportation, and food for the entirety of your stay. So while, the membership itself may be manageable, when you factor in the additional expenses, you are not really “saving” on an annual Disney vacation.
❌ Disney might not work for older kids.
Working as a high school history teacher, I’ve been able to view Disney from the lens of a teenager, and it’s not that exciting. Some adults can carry the magic of Disney with them their entire lives (I envy them). But for the most part, Disney appeals to smaller children, and a DVC membership might pay off early on when the kids are young, but what happens when they get older and don’t want to go? Does the value remain, if you cannot take the entire family?
That being said, they do offer packages to their other properties around the world, including Disney adventures.
❌ Even after you pay off the membership, there are still annual dues.
In 2023, the annual dues for maintenance for DVC membership average $1,835. This is a figure that changes and continues to increase as the year’s progress. It also never goes away.
DVC Reviews: What Do Others Say About DVC?
➡️ Active DVC Club Member (and Disney enthusiast) Review:
“It forces me and my husband to take a vacation. It also takes the stress out of a Disney vacation because we feel that we don’t have to make each trip a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event, we can relax knowing that we will be back and check out what we missed next time.”
-J. Hubbell
➡️ Avid Disney Fan Who Travels Annually:
“For us, it really boils down to the dues (that increase yearly and don’t go away), the fact that it expires so it’s not like real estate where you can make it a true investment, and the fact that we can rent DVC without having to commit to owning it.”
-A.Fricker
➡️ Avid Disney Traveler:
“We don’t live in Florida, but still manage to visit Disney 2-3 times per year. Between RV rentals, campgrounds, and special sales, we can make 2-3 trips/year for a fraction of the cost. We also, don’t find it necessary to stay at the upgraded resorts, we are content with the more affordable options since we can do more each year that way.”
-D. Ross
DVC: FAQs
There are a lot of factors that go into considering DVC as an investment opportunity. Your best bet is to speak with the experts themselves to see if this is the right option for you. You can calculate your own DVC membership here.
How much does DVC cost?
On average, you can expect the DVC contract to run approximately $45,000-$50,000 plus the annual dues/fees. The payment plan requires a down payment (approximately 10%) and then you can apply for their payment plan. The average is a 10-year loan plan which can average approximately $800-$1000/month, plus interest.
How long is DVC good for?
A contract is valid for 50 years. You can sell your contract, according to the current terms and conditions if you no longer want to be under it, but there may be a few loop holes to jump through.
What happens when you pay off Disney Vacation Club?
You would still be responsible for the annual dues, for the lifetime of the contract.
Is it considered a timeshare?
It works similarly to a timeshare, in that you have to request your resort week at least 11 months in advance.
Is Disney Vacation Club a ripoff?
No. If you are a Disney enthusiast you are going to get what you pay for.
Are there alternatives to Disney Vacation Club?
Yes, you can rent DVC points from current members. In fact, since you can rent DVC points from current members, then you can stay at an upgraded hotel for a fraction of the cost if you try to book on your own. Renting DVC points costs up to 65% less than booking a vacation directly with Disney.
Conclusion: Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It?
It is clear that while there is some benefit to the Disney Vacation Club, it’s just too expensive for most families. Thankfully, there are other options out there for large families to reap the benefits of a grand vacation without investing as much money.
For those willing to make the investment, DVC has a lot to offer and could provide decades of wonderful family memories. If you would love the magical experience that comes from booking a Disney-themed vacation but don’t want to break the bank doing so, don’t worry! There are plenty of options and deals available for you. But if you’re ready to dive into DVC membership and all its rewards, your dream can be achieved.
Now go get packing and create those fabulous family memories with Disney! And if you need help getting started or have any questions about planning your magical Disney vacation—contact me today. I’m here to help make sure your next trip becomes an unforgettable one!
