DVC - "a Better Way to Vacation"

Disclaimer: I do not work for Disney, Disney Vacation Club, nor am I involved any real estate sales. I am simply a long time Disney Vacation Club member.

I put the disclaimer at the beginning of this post as when I talk about the Disney Vacation Club I often sound like a sales person. My children have repeatedly told me I should go to work for them. I have, while talking to the cast members manning the DVC booths scattered throughout Walt Disney World, talked to guests and encouraged them to visit and check out DVC. More than once they have visited and become members.

The Disney Vacation Club is a “vacation ownership” plan started in 1991 with the opening of the first DVC property at Walt Disney World, now called Disney’s Old Key West Resort (OKW). For a one time purchase price and annual membership fees, you can experience the “magic” that is Disney throughout the years. The real estate interest you purchase is represented by a number of “vacation points.” You use the vacation points to book your reservations when and where you want depending on your need on a particular vacation. We did an initial purchase of 190 points (the minimum in 1993) and have purchased two add-ons for a total of 300 points all at OKW. This gives us 300 points per year to make reservations. The point value for a stay varies with the accommodations (deluxe studio, one, two, or three bedroom villas) and with the resort. Points used for a stay can vary from 9 points per night at OKW during low season for a Deluxe Studio up to 71 points per night for a Grand Villa (Sunday- Thursday with Friday and Saturday slightly higher.) You may make reservations at your “Home Resort” (the resort where you purchased your DVC membership points) beginning 11 months out or at other DVC resorts 7 months out from your vacation. This gives you a four month priority to make reservations at your Home resort. If you are like us, I rarely make vacation plans 11 months out. We are usually flexible in our vacation dates and at which DVC property we will stay so we have always been able to get reservations without any difficulty.

Originally DVC only had one resort at Walt Disney World. Then came Vero Beach… more resorts at WDW…. Hilton Head Island… Disneyland California and next year on Oahu, Hawaii. Vacations are not limited to these DVC properties. You can vacation on the Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, or exchanges to almost unlimited places around the world.

How we use DVC. Flexible is the key word. While our vacations are usually at WDW, we have used points for 3 cruises on DCL and have stayed at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. Our daughter was married at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion at WDW. For her wedding we booked rooms for the bride’s family and the groom’s family as well as giving the couple a cruise on DCL as a wedding present. (I’m sure she will devote a post to her wedding at some point.) It has become a family tradition to go to the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival each year. Our children even vacationed together prior to our granddaughter coming along. DVC has given us the flexibility to do all of this.

The Disney Vacation Club web site ( http://www.disneyvacationclub.com ) explains all about membership and has examples of how you can use your membership with a minimum of 160 points. You can also order a DVD about the Vacation Club. -- I told you I sound like a salesman!!

If you have any questions or comments about DVC, take time to leave us a comment.