Staff Writer
With an average annual attendance of over 58 million visitors, Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world. However, while many may save up for one vacation to the park, others may choose to elevate their experience by choosing to become a member of the coveted Disney Vacation Club (DVC). Whether you’re considering options that will allow you to get the most out of your next Florida vacation with access to exclusive perks, or you’ve simply heard of the club and want to know more, here’s what you should know.
DVC explained
What many may not realize is that the Disney Vacation Club, or DVC, is essentially a timeshare, rather than a club in which members pay a simple membership fee. However, instead of purchasing and reserving a fixed week (like with a traditional timeshare), Disney’s Vacation Club uses a point system. By purchasing a real estate interest from DVC, you’ll be investing in a flexible timeshare that’s represented by Vacation Points.
Each year, you’ll be able to use the yearly allotment of points towards Disney vacations to book vacation accommodations at DVC resorts. In short, this unique approach allows members to use their points in a flexible manner, allowing you to vacation whenever, wherever, and however often rather than fixing their vacations around a particular time each year. Not only that, but becoming a member of the DVC also allows you to invest at a current price, meaning that you’ll be able to save money by locking in future Disney vacations at today’s prices.
Additional benefits involved
In addition to the benefits of flexible vacations, there are further benefits involved with a membership of the Disney Vacation Club that are unmatched, particularly for those looking to make the most out of their Disney vacations in regards to exclusive perks. With food and merchandise discounts at various park shops (such as 10% off at the 50s Prime Time Cafe, as well as at Alex and Ani), there’s no doubt that you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Discounts on events and experiences are also available for DVC members, with savings found on family portraits and Aerophile balloon flights. With a DVC membership, you’ll also gain access to exclusive park locations, such as the Top of the World lounge, which is located in Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s contemporary resort, in addition to the Imagination lounge, which can be found in Epcot.
Managing your Vacation Points
For those that choose to become a member of the Disney Vacation Club, managing your Vacation Points can seem like a challenge, especially if you’re still new to the concept. Because the total cost of membership includes the purchase price as well as the closing costs and annual dues, the cost involved is no small investment, so it’s important to manage things carefully. By visiting Disney’s Discovery Portal, you’ll be able to build your membership and estimate the optimal number of vacation points that will best fit your budget and vacation style. However, additional tools will further help you to estimate and manage your use of Vacation Points as well — such as via the use of a DVC point calculator. A point calculator will aid in calculating how many points you’ll need for things like a new DVC resale contract (should you ever choose to sell your membership), or how many points you may need for an upcoming rental reservation.
When it comes to making the most out of every Florida Disney vacation, joining the Disney Vacation Club is a great way to elevate the experience while adding an element of flexibility. With additional perks including discounts and exclusive lounges, there’s no doubt that the investment can certainly be worth it for some.
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