What Types Of Rooms Are Available For Dvc Members
Disney has a few different types of rooms that are standard at their DVC resorts . The first is a deluxe studio. These rooms are the most similar to a standard hotel room and typically sleep four guests.
Deluxe studios almost always contain a queen size bed and full-size sleeper sofa. These rooms have kitchenettes with a small refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and other essentials. They have a balcony , beautiful bathrooms, and cable television.
As you are moving up in size, the next option is a 1-bedroom villa, which sleeps up to five people. These rooms have a separate master bedroom with a king-size bed, a full sleeper sofa, and a twin sleeper chair in the main living room. The living room, kitchen, and dining areas are open, facilitating family togetherness.
These rooms come with fully-equipped kitchens, including a full-size refrigerator and freezer, stove and cooktop, and cooking utensils. The bathroom connects to the master directly and to the main living area as well. Many of them have walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs.
All Disney Vacation Club properties also have 2-bedrooms villas. These sleep up to nine guests. The master bedroom with a private en-suite bathroom has a king bed, the second bedroom has two queen beds, and there is a sleeper sofa and sometimes a sleeper chair in the living room. They have double bathrooms as well.
Easy Access To Disney Springs And Golf
If being close to the parks isnt a top priority particularly if you drive or rent car then Disneys Old Key West Resort and Disneys Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are two sprawling, lower price-per-point resorts with spacious, recently renovated rooms and easy access to both Disney Springs and Disneys Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
What Are The Best Home Resort Options
When you decide to buy into the DVC membership program, you have to pick a home resort. This is the main resort your points belong to, and this really doesnt matter much for new purchases, but it does matter when it comes to resale whether buying or selling.
Your home resort is also important when it comes to booking your vacations. You are able to book at your home resort up to 11 months in advance, but youre only able to book other DVC resorts 7 months in advance.
You can pick any of the home resorts they are offering to be your home resort when you purchase, but you may get the best deals on the newest or newly renovated resorts. Currently, Disney is offering huge discounts on Disneys Riviera Resort, Aulani in Hawaii, and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disneys Wilderness Lodge.
When it comes to deciding which are the best options for your home resort, consider the value and the space that you need. You are able to choose from Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom Villas, 2-Bedroom Villas, and some even have 3-Bedroom Villas. The bigger the family, the bigger the space you will need, but remember that the Deluxe Studios sleep 4/5, and the costs are much cheaper.
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Imagination Lounge At Epcot
One of the newer Disney Vacation Club perks is the Imagination Member Lounge in Epcot. Its located in the Imagination pavilion, and accessible via the gift shop at the end of the attraction .
Almost immediately inside the door, theres a podium with a kiosk where a Disney Vacation Club rep will ask to see your membership card and photo ID, and then allow the member upstairs. The lounge is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and offers free Coke Freestyle, coffee, and snacks. There are also charging stations.
We love the Imagination Lounge, and visit once per day while in Epcot. First of all, free soda and gummy bears. Thats a nice plus. Second and more importantly, I have fond memories of the upstairs ImageWorks from when I was a kid, and revisiting that is always nice. The atmosphere is wonderful up there, and its a nice respite from the crowds and humidity.
If youre considering joining DVC, first be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to Disney Vacation Club. If you still cant decide whether membership is right for you, try before you buy and rent points from DVC Rental Store. If you are convinced a membership is for you, check out the discounted options at DVC Resale Market.
How Do You Become A Member
Its easy! DVC Shop is a full service DVC Resale and Rental agency dedicated to helping you purchase the perfect DVC contract for you and your family from the comfort of your own home.
At DVCShop we have a selection of resale contracts available at all of the DVC locations:
- Animal Kingdom Villas
- Vero Beach
*Available listings subject to change
Explore our currentDVC Shop resale listings now and start enjoying great value priced vacations plus unparalleled customer service. Remember, when purchasing from DVC Shop youll receive the same banking, borrowing and booking usability as direct buyers at all of DVCs 14 original resorts. Plus, just like direct buyers, youll also receive access to use RCIs network of worldwide resorts, allowing you to travel around the world at a fraction of retail prices.
If youre considering becoming a member of Disney Vacation Club our DVC Shop representatives are standing by to answer any of your questions and help you make the best decision for you and your family. Feel free to contact us seven days a week at 407-242-6442 or send us a message anytime through our DVC Shop contact form.
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Disneys Financing Option For Dvc Membership
If you need help paying for your DVC membership, there is a Disney payment plan for qualified buyers in most locations.
For example, a membership with Disneys Aulani resort and 100 Vacation Points costs $19,886.06. If you financed it with a 10% down payment and a 10-year loan, your monthly payment would be $249.21, plus $69.42 in monthly dues.
DVC interest rates are dependent on your creditworthiness, down payment and selected loan term. To increase your chances of obtaining Disney Vacation Club financing approval, you should have good to excellent credit and at least a 10% down payment.
Do I Have To Visit Disney Every Year To Make It Worth It
When people are determining if the Disney Vacation Club is worth it, they always ask me, Do I have to visit Disney Every Year? The answer is a definitive no. You do not have to visit Disney every year to make your Disney Vacation Club Worth it.
There are several options you can utilize if you are planning on having a non-Disney Vacation year?
1) You can bank your points to use the next year. Even if you have only a few points left over from your current year, you can bank them for the next year.
2) My favorite Method You can rent your points through a service like Davids Vacation Rentals and make money off your Disney timeshare. In fact, you actually can make a bit of a profit off it. The company pays $14.50 per point and since dues are around $7, you can make a little extra money to pay off that timeshare. The points typically rent very fast since it is Disney, usually within a month.
3) You can use them at one of the thousands of other timeshares around the world.
If you are planning on only doing a Disney trip once every few years, the Disney Vacation Club is still worth it, because you can bank your points or rent them out and use that money for another vacation. Now, if you are only going to Disney once or twice in 10-15 years, then I would pass.
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How Much Does A Disney Vacation Club Membership Cost
One of the reasons that many people dont consider a Disney Vacation Club membership is because they assume that it will be too expensive. However, it is more affordable than they might think.
Like any real estate, specific properties are more valuable than others therefore, the points at one sometimes cost more than at another. For example, the Grand Floridian is Disneys flagship in Florida, so when they built villas and sold membership, it cost more than at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. Not only does it carry real and symbolic luxury, but the Grand Floridian is also in a better location.
When you buy into Disney Vacation Club, the actual value item youre purchasing is the vacation points themselves. You will pay a specific dollar amount for every point you buy. Currently, points start at just over $200 each. Since you have to buy at least 150 points to get in, your initial investment will be over $30,000.
Different factors can drive this price up. We already mentioned which resort you buy, and if you buy more than 150 points, youll pay more. There are other fees attached as well. Since this is a real estate transaction, you must pay closing costs, which Disney states start at $628. Disney offers a financing program for up to 10 years, and these costs roll into a single payment that includes monthly membership dues.
Breaking Down The Costs
Currently at the time of this post to purchase a Disney Vacation Club costs $188 a point. That is the total cost for the vacation club with the exception of the annual dues. These points typically last for 50 years. If you bought at the new Disney Riviera resort, your points would end in 2070
I would estimate on average 120 points is enough for a studio at a resort in the summer .
The cost per point at the New Riviera Resort is $188/50 years = $3.76 per point plus annual dues $8.31 = $12.07 per point
So, a one week stay at one of these Deluxe Studios would end up costing you = 120 points * $12.07 = $1,448.40 or $206.09 per night including all taxes and fees.
Now, if you finance your vacation club it will be more. You are looking at $7.76 per point + 8.31 in dues = $16.07So, a one week stay at one of these Deluxe Studios would end up costing you = 120 points * $16.07 = $1,928.40 or $275.51 per night including all taxes and fees.
That same room at Disney in the Summertime costs between $450 $650 + taxes, parking etc. so most likely you will save 40% 70% on your hotel rooms. Its an incredible deal!
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Should You Buy A Dvc Membership Or Not
As with any large investment, it is always a good idea to take the time to really weigh the pros and cons of this commitment. What you may enjoy today, may not be what you enjoy in 10 to 20 years. The cost of your investment does not include Park admission nor any of the hidden fees, such as taxes, that accompany staying in a Resort.
You can sell, rent, or transfer ownership at any time however, Disney Vacation Club does not have a resale department nor do they assist you in selling your membership, renting your membership, or transferring your membership. You are responsible for independently finding a licensed real estate broker or private buyer.
Finance Your Dvc Purchase
Some families dont think its worth it to spend so much all at once, which is why our friends at Vacation Club Loans offer financing for DVC, regardless of whether you are purchasing directly from Disney or resale. Vacation Club Loans offers fast loan approval with rates as low as 9.9%. No prepayment penalties and no loan origination fees. All you need to get started is a 10% downpayment and at least a 600 FICO credit score.
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Dvc: Timeshares With More Time And Less Sharing
Not all Disney Vacation Club memberships are purchased straight from Disney. Many members choose to save money while still enjoying the perks of being in the club by buying one of the many DVC resales on the market.
The flexibility of DVCs point system means that as a member, instead of sharing the same timeshare, youve got the keys to unlocking magical vacations coast to coast and beyond.
Resale Or Direct From Disney
Generally only the newest resorts are available for immediate purchase directly through Disney. You can ask Disney to put you on a waiting list to purchase the other resorts, though they are supposedly sold out. If Disney exercises its right of first refusal on a resale, or it gets back points through foreclosure, it will turn around and sell those points at current full market rates to the next person on the waiting list. For popular, small resorts like Beach Club or Grand Californian, the waiting lists can stretch for several years. For bigger resorts like Saratoga Springs, you may be able to get points immediately or within a few weeks or months.
If you just want to buy into DVC as quickly as possible so you can start using it right away, buying direct from Disney is usually the best bet. You can usually complete the transaction instantly if youre already at Walt Disney World, and even over the phone it usually only takes a day or two to purchase a contract. Disney expedites the deed recording process and you can usually get a reservation as soon as you sign the paperwork, even before the deed is officially recorded with the state.
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Does Dvc Value Change Throughout The Year
In short, yes!
Disney point values change throughout the year based off of the seasons at Disney World. Disney World currently has 5 seasons:
- Adventure Season: January 1-31, September 1-30, December 1-14
- Choice Season: October 1-November 24, November 28-30, December 15-23
- Dream Season: February 1-15, May 1-June 10, August 16-31
- Magic Season: February 16-April 4, April 19-30, June 11-August 15, November 25-27
- Premier Season: April 5-18, December 24-31
These seasons are based off of crowd levels and holidays, and of course, when the kids are out of school. The cheapest season is Adventure Season, and the most expensive season is Premier Season.
How Do You Book A Resort Or Hotel As A Dvc Member
There are a few different ways to book your accommodations with the Disney Vacation Club. While it can get tricky, and you may have to call under less typical scenarios, it seems to be simpler than a lot of other timeshare programs.
If youre making a reservation for a Disney Vacation Club resort, you simply log in to your member portal and use Disneys online booking system. Its very straightforward. The only obstacle you may have is availability. Your home resort becomes available 11 months ahead of your check-in date, and all others open seven months in advance.
You can also make Disney Collection reservations online through your membership homepage. These are a bit trickier, and for many members, its easier to call and speak to a representative. Also, be aware that you cannot book Disney Collection vacations during the last four months of your use year.
To book the Concierge Collection hotels and resorts, you have to call DVC directly. There are many limitations on what season or how far in advance you can book, which vary by destination. If you hope to use the concierge collection, we recommend that you start planning at least a year in advance.
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Disney Vacation Club Review
Its true that at times it can be hard to get what you want but the trick is to plan what you want in advance and then go for it.
The biggest perk for most is the cost. Sure, its expensive and guests need to visit at least every other year to make it all worth it in the end but those that choose to buy into the Time-share system are guests that plan on coming back year after year. And when you look at the size of your resort room vs paying out of pocket, a DVC room is always the better deal.
Tips To Make Disney Vacation Club More Affordable
Posted on DVC OwnershipDVC RentalsDVC Resale
Disney Vacation Club provides a wonderful opportunity for Disney guests to book stays at deluxe Disney Resorts. DVC functions as a vacation ownership program by allowing members to commit to the purchase of points every year. Non-members can also utilize DVC by either renting points or renting already booked reservations from members for their Disney Vacations. To renters or members alike, the idea of Disney Vacation Club can at times seem financially overwhelming. Despite this belief, DVC actually makes Disney Vacations more affordable and a viable option for guests who are hoping to save on their magical vacations.
But there are even more ways to save if buying or renting Disney Vacation Club. Here are a few tips to make Disney Vacation Club even more affordable.
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Do You Always Have To Stay At Your Dvc Home Resort
You do not have to stay at your home resort every time. In fact, Disney encourages DVC members to stay at all of its Disney Vacation Club resorts to get a feel for each of them. Those who are more flexible with their dates will find that even the most popular properties like Disneys Polynesian Village Resort or Disneys Wilderness Lodge often have rooms available with short notice during the off-season.
DISNEY 101:First Time? Heres How to Plan a Disney Vacation
Not staying at your home resort is also a great way to save points so you can go to the parks more often. For instance, if your home resort is Disneys Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, where studio rooms start at 16 points for a standard view, you may want to look at booking Disneys Animal Kingdom Villas Jambo House, where value accommodations start at 9 points for a studio.