Millions of people visit a Disney theme park somewhere in the world every year. Among those visitors are some of Disney’s most loyal fans, many of which are annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, the latter of which is Disney’s flexible timeshare program.
While many visitors to the domestic Disney parks may have seen the kiosks in the parks or at a Disney hotel representing the timeshare arm of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, they likely have never stopped to see what exactly DVC is or why it may or may not be worth the investment.
Background On Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club debuted in 1991 and changed the timeshare industry by making their system a flexible points-based system compared to the more traditional fixed-week timeshare. Members hail from all 50 states and about 100 different countries, and there are over 250,000 current members.
Across the United States, there are currently 15 different DVC properties with resorts in Florida, California, South Carolina and Hawaii. Disney has also announced two more projects that will be opening soon. The first will be the new DVC tower at the Disneyland Hotel at the Disneyland Resort opening September 28, 2023. The second is a new tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village at Walt Disney World opening late 2024.
Cost Of Disney Vacation Club Membership
According to NerdWallet, “Upfront costs are at least $32,550 this year (2023).” The buy-in cost does not include a one-time closing fee or annual dues, which increase over time.
After buying in, you commit to a contract that typically lasts 50 years and contracts start with 150 points, but you can buy more. The amount of points that are suggested you add on is determined by how many people you normally travel with, where you want to stay, and when you want to visit.
Disney estimates a small family (three to four people) who wants a seven-day trip in the summer staying near one of the theme parks should purchase 275 points.
While the upfront cost may be steep, for avid Disney fans who plan to visit the parks and resorts often, DVC can be an asset. Not only have you committed to visiting Disney for decades to come with the assurance that a room will be available for you at one of the resorts throughout the year, but the overall cost of DVC can be cheaper than paying for a room each night depending on the time of year your family visits or where you plan to stay.
Even though Disney’s prices may seem steep, according to CBS News, Hilton timeshares average out to be $22,000 for a new buyer. The American Resort Development Association also claims that the average cost to buy into a timeshare for a set week every year is $24,140. These numbers do not include the annual fees, which can easily be hundreds or thousands of dollars.
For some people, the added cost of Disney’s flexible timeshare is beneficial since there isn’t a set date you have to visit or a predetermined resort you have to stay at every year. Every member has a “home resort” that they can book at an earlier time than other DVC resorts, but it’s not required that you always stay at your home resort.
Extra Perks of Becoming a Member
Like other loyalty programs at Disney, like being an annual pass holder or Magic Key holder, DVC offers its members discounts on various things around the parks and resorts like food and drinks, merchandise, after-hours parties and more.
At Walt Disney World, members can purchase an annual pass level known as the Sorcerer Pass, which is only for Florida residents or DVC members. This pass does have some black-out days where pass holders cannot visit the theme parks.
Other perks at the Orlando theme parks include complimentary access to two DVC lounges, one at EPCOT and one at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Additionally, there are special DVC parties known as Moonlight Magic events, that are just for members at a select Walt Disney World theme park throughout the year. These parties are also included in the cost of membership.
At Disneyland, DVC members can enjoy the recently opened lounge called the “Disney Vacation Club Star View Station,” which is located in the Tomorrowland area of Disneyland Park.
Cons Of Becoming A Member
Besides the upfront cost and dues, there are some other things to think about before diving into the Disney timeshare world.
Do you really want to be locked into going on a Disney vacation for the next 50 years? For some people, the answer is a resounding yes, but for others, the idea of seeing Mickey Mouse for decades is too much to handle.
The biggest con with the length of time is that if you decide you don’t want to be a member anymore, it’s hard to get out of a contract. You can “gift” your contract to a friend or family member, or sell it, but the latter can be pricey.
In a CBS News article, the FTC said, “The truth is, the timeshare market is overcrowded, and it can be hard, if not impossible, to sell a timeshare. And no one can guarantee a sale or big returns.”
Should You Become A DVC Member?
Whether you decide to become a DVC member or not is completely up to you, but for truly devoted Disney fans, the pros and perks may outweigh the cost and cons.
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