January 2019 marked two years since my husband and I became members of Disney’s Vacation Club. In those two year, our trips to Disney World have tripled and we still spend a lot of time trying to finagle just one more trip out of our allotted points. “Welcome Home” is a phrase that brings a smile to our faces, and occasionally tears to one of our eyes (but I won’t tell you which one of us). Our time as DVC members have also changed the way we vacation and given us some good insight to share with others who may be thinking about becoming members or curious what DVC is all about.
Before DVC, we mainly stayed in value resorts, or moderate resorts when possible. This was not because it was our preference, although value resorts are some of the best themed resorts on Disney property, but because we tried to stretch our dollar so we could stay longer, or attend more Disney events. Even at that time, I had a #goal to stay at Boardwalk someday. When the typical Boardwalk room goes for $500+/night, however, I didn’t think it could happen while still being able to vacation at Disney every year.
But little did I know…
The Vacation Club has allowed us to stay in these deluxe resorts for a price that the next 40 years of vacationing on cash reservations would not have. We have saved money with annual passes, since we have been able to increase our vacations. The best part though, in my opinion, is how our vacation habits have changed. We used to hit the parks at or near rope-drop and go all day, falling into bed exhausted. When you only get to see the parks once a year, you want to squeeze everything in and do it all. We now know there will be a next time, likely in the next 6 months or so, and the result has been the ability to slow down. We hit the things that we really want to do and allow more time for relaxation and enjoyment of the details. We also get to try new restaurants and events that those rushing to get everything in don’t stop to experience.
DVC wine tastings, Moonlight Magic events, evenings spent at the Top of the World lounge… all of these fantastic activities are made available with our membership.
A view from Top of the World
While I have two years worth of DVC experiences that I could share, and I may in future blogs, I will share now some of my takeaways and highlights of what I have discovered during my membership so far.
- The 11 month advantage is huge, and do not let anyone tell you different. I would absolutely love to have that booking advantage at Boardwalk. While I have been blessed to live that dream of staying there – three times! – I also know that I’m not guaranteed the availability.
- I might never have enough points to satisfy me. Addonitis is a real thing. When we bought into DVC, we purchased 150 points with the satisfaction of knowing that would get us a standard studio in our home resort for a week or so – and we could stretch out more trips if we stay Sundays – Thursdays. It wasn’t long before thoughts of 1-bedrooms and the higher points resorts started rolling around in our heads. Now I watch the contract sales and think about how I can get more points…
- Along those same lines, always purchase enough points so that you have a cushion above the length of time you want to stay. The points charts change yearly, and generally it isn’t a decrease for the most popular categories of rooms. Don’t purchase for today’s points allocation.
- Be familiar with what you signed into. I watch the conversations going on about DVC, and the questions people ask over and over. Some questions are very indicative to me that members sign that contract because Disney’s logo is on the paperwork, but do not actually understand how their timeshare is set up or where their $20,000+ is going. This is scary to me.
- Old Key West is one of my favorite resorts. There is a lot of hating on OKW in the DVC community, and to each their own, but I find that resort to be absolutely delightful in its laid back ambience and peacefulness. Even though it is not our home resort, it is the first resort we stayed at after becoming members and will remain one of the greatest in my mind. It also has one of the best hidden gems for Disney restaurants on property.
I hope to forever be a DVC member and enjoy many trips to Walt Disney World. Many people say their biggest regret is not buying into DVC sooner. I will agree with this statement. I wish it was something I knew about sooner in life, although I’m not sure I would have been at the same point to enjoy the benefits as I do now. At the price points went for even 10 years ago, however, I could have bought a lot more. Oh the dream…
