Disneyland: the happiest place on earth and one of the most expensive. The cost of a week’s holiday at Disneyland for a family of four can end up verging on the extortionate.
Factoring in flights, accommodation, food, and activities, you could end up paying almost $10,000 for a seven-day vacation.
Of course, the kids will love it. The parks are great, and there’s always so much to do and see. But, if you can put a price on the shine in their eyes when they get to meet their favorite Disney characters, three zeroes does seem a little steep!
But what if we said you could stay in style at even the most exclusive of Disney’s resorts? While also saving up to 80% on the cost of your accommodation? Sounds too good to be true, right?
Cue the DVC.
Continue reading to find out more about DVC availability, what it is, and how it could save you a ton of money on your next Disney holiday.
What Does DVC Stand For?
For those not in the know, DVC stands for “Disney Vacation Club,” which is sort of like a timeshare that helps families stay at some of Disney’s most sought after resorts.
You can enjoy this kind of access year after year with very little outside competition. Their access to advanced booking helps them secure the top spots on-site...well before non-members can reserve rooms for themselves.
The word timeshare, we know, is unappealing to many. It conjures up ideas of investment scams and substantial outgoings with very little return. Disney’s scheme, though, is a bit different and well worth considering.
Like with a traditional timeshare property, when you join the Disney Vacation Club, you purchase a deeded share in one of their resorts. On top of that, you also pay annual dues to help maintain the park.
However, unlike a regular timeshare, DVC members can also buy a set amount of “points” that are added to their account each year. You can cash in these points to stay in any DVC property at any point during any season.
Plus, if you find you're unable to use all of your points, it isn’t a problem; you can rent them out to others and recoup some of your money in the process!
So, What's DVC Rental?
DVC rental is the rental of a Disney Vacation Club Room. These rooms are among the best on offer across all of Disney's Resorts at Disney World, Disneyland, and Aulani.
Disney’s rules allow DVC owners to make reservations in anyone’s name, even if the person(s) listed on the booking forms aren't DVC members themselves.
This means members can (legitimately!) use up their points by renting them out, and you can enjoy all the perks of a DVC membership without having to sign up for one yourself. Simple, right?
How Much do DVC Points Cost to Rent?
Exact prices depend on the specific resort you would like to book and the size of the villa you require for your party. They will also fluctuate at different points throughout the year.
Some seasons will always be cheaper than others, but—no matter what time of year you book your trip for—you stand to save hundreds, potentially even thousands of dollars on your accommodation.
The average price per point is around $15, plus you won’t pay any taxes, parking, or resort fees (unless you go to Aulani, where a small resort charge is applicable).
If you’re wondering "how many DVC points should I buy to cover my vacation," you’re not the only one. Check out this great guide before booking; it contains all the information you will need to make your purchase.
Where Can I Rent DVC Points?
You can rent DVC points directly through the owners (if you know them personally, fab; if not, searching for them online is quick, easy, and pretty safe to do!), or through trusted sites like David’s Vacation Rentals.
DVC Availability
As you can imagine, premium rooms (especially at these rates) are in very high demand! To avoid disappointment, it’s best to book as early as possible—we recommend making your reservations at least seven months in advance.
Existing members, with priority booking, found that booking even earlier to secure any room is a good strategy. DVC owners can make reservations at their home resort up to 11 months before they wish to stay. This gives them a four-month head start over everyone else.
Once reservations open up, members can shop around and switch resorts if they want to—but, if nothing else is available, they already have a booking to fall back on.
This way, owners can guarantee themselves a vacation, and may even end up with a more luxurious trip than they had initially planned!
Want to Book for February 2021?
Do it now for maximum DVC availability. Many Disney Resorts have now reopened and are taking reservations after a period of closure necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For a full list of available locations, plus information on their phased reopening for COVID-19 security, you should consult the Disneyworld website.
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