Is the Disney Vacation Club Worth the Money?

disney vacation club worth it

The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is much different than the annual pass memberships. Each year, Disney fans sign up to become a member of the Disney Vacation Club. With this membership, you’ll be given plenty of benefits and accommodation options to choose from but with any membership, there are some cons as well.

It’s important to note, however, that the Disney Vacation Club is based on a point system. Because the system runs on points, the cost of membership might become confusing. How much does a membership cost, and is Disney Vacation Club worth it?

These are two important questions to ask yourself before deciding if you should sign up for your own DVC membership. The first step in making a decision is to understand what a DVC membership is, how much it cost, and all of the pros and cons.

Here’s what you need to know!

Understanding DVC Memberships

DVC is a timeshare program owned by Disney. You’ll purchase interest at one of the DVC properties, which will then become your go-to spot for future Disney vacations. You won’t, however, become tied down to the resort you invest in.

You’ll have the option of booking vacations with a DVC resort and with non-DVC resorts. There’s also no specific dates, no certain amount of days to commit to, and no specific type of accommodation that you have to book.

When you do sign up, it’ll be done with a point system. With the DVC, you purchase points that are good for 50 years. Throughout the 50 years, you can access your bank of points and plan your vacations as desired.

Purchasing Your Points

To become a member, you’ll pay a one-time purchase fee for your points. You decide how many points you want to purchase. There will also be a one-time closing cost fee.

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The cost of your points and your fees depend on how many points you purchase and the resort you choose. Each year, the price per point raises. The price per point last year was $188.

The closing cost prices last year started at $556. These numbers aren’t set in stone. They are subject to change each year so you’ll need to stay on top of the changes.

Making Down Payments

You do have the option of making a down payment of what you can afford at the moment, and then financing the rest of the cost through Disney. Do keep in mind that choosing this route will cause you to pay interest.

You should also consider the cost of annual dues, which were $66 a month last year.

Planning Annual Trips

The DVC membership is flexible and gives you a few options on how to spend your points. You can use your points each year and take a wonderful annual Disney vacation.

You can also decide to save your points for a few years and then spend them on a more extravagant and luxurious vacation with multiple guests! Keep an eye on your DVC use year to ensure you keep all of your points if not using them during the use year.

The Benefits of DVC Membership

As a DVC member, you’ll be given a few benefits to keep in mind. It’s up to you to evaluate all of the benefits you’ll receive and compare them with the cons of the membership and determine if it’s right for you. Here are some benefits you can expect to receive when becoming a member.

Locked-in Points

One benefit of the points system is that your points are locked in for 50 years. You’ll have 50 years to use your points, which means you’re paying for 50 years’ worth of Disney vacations at one time.

Those who purchased points through the DVC are now enjoying points purchased at a much lower cost. Imagine how much points will cost 50 years from now? This is why it’s a great investment.

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Membership Discounts

Of course, when you become a member of the DVC, you’ll be gifted with discounts on tickets, special meet-and-greets with Disney characters, behind the scenes tours, dining deals, and Disney cruise line deals as well.

You’ll be sent some pretty neat merchandise offers and exclusive gifts!

Luxury Rooms

Comfort is the number one concern when you stay at your DVC resort. You’re given the luxury of choosing from a variety of room options, including villas, studios, and luxury rooms. The villas come equipped with full kitchens and dining areas, plus a laundry room.

The Drawbacks of DVC Membership

As with any type of membership, there are a few drawbacks when signing up for the DVC. The drawbacks might not be significant enough to stop you from signing up, but they are important to take note of. Here’s what you need to know.

Planning in Advance

As a DVC member, you’ll need to plan your vacations in advance. This is due to the fact that many of the DVC resorts sell out quickly for extended periods of time. If you’re the type to decide on vacations last minute, then you might want to think about this drawback.

Annual Fee Increases

Each year, the cost of annual fees that you pay will increase. This price isn’t locked in, so there’s no set cost for the annual fees. This is something to keep in mind if you don’t want to see that increase in your monthly payments.

Extra Costs

Being a DVC member won’t cover all costs of your vacation. You’ll still need to pay for tickets to the theme parks, food costs, travel costs, and more. You will receive discounts on these expenses, but they’re not covered in full.

Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It? The Answer Depends on You!

If you were wondering, “is Disney Vacation Club worth it,” then we hope you now have your answer. There’s no one answer to this question. The answer depends on your own specific circumstances and situation.

Use this guide above to understand the DVC better and to help weigh the pros and cons of becoming a member.

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