When we talk about Disney, for most of us, what comes to mind are our favourite cartoon characters and all the movies that make us smile, laugh and cry. Disney is a magical wonderland, so to be given a chance to relive and re-enact the experiences through vacations is something to make a run for. You can now enjoy fun-filled and affordable vacations at the various Disney locations through DVC. When you become a member, you enjoy exclusive offers and treatment at their resorts. But before we get into the magic and fun, let us start from the top:

What is DVC?

Founded in 1991, the Disney Vacation Club, commonly referred to as DVC, was introduced as a timeshare program allowing members to buy a part of an official Disney resort.

DVC started in the early 1990s with Vero Beach, Hilton Head Island, and Old Key West Resort but later expanded to add Boulder Ridge Villas, Beach Club Villas, Saratoga Springs Resort, the Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower, and so many others.

The newest DVC resort is the Riviera resort, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and it opened on Dec 19, 2019.

How does DVC work?

When you become a DVC member, you sign a contract with Disney giving you an allotment to resorts offered by them.

When you buy points, you can redeem them for a stay at any DVC villa, a Disney cruise experience, or a Disney adventure holiday every year until your contract expires. Most contracts last about 40 years from now.

When you enter a DVC, you are paying to keep the costs of your exclusive club hotels down.

DVC membership starts after a one-time cost is paid, or you can pay on loan by paying monthly instalments of up to 10 years

Points or Money- How do you pay for a DVC contract?

DVC members own “timeshare” points that they use for stays at DVC resorts.

This system allows members to use their points flexibly at any DVC resort.

While they are flexible and can be used out of Disney, the most effective use of your points is at DVC resorts.

These points are purchased with money. For example, if you buy directly through Disney, the minimum number of points sold is 100.

So let’s say each point at Aulani costs $201, and you are buying 300 points; your total will be $60,300.

That’s the amount you will pay to Disney for your contract.

It is important to note that different point values are based on the season and time of year.

You have to consider how many points you want or where you want your home vacation resort.

Your home resort is where your DVC  points are. You can use them at any other resort if you want to.

How do the points work?

Every set location has a specific number of points that are available for sale;

Once they are all sold, the resort is no longer available (i.e. sold out).

Disney sets a specific number of points to sell for any resort; it can’t deduct or add to them; once they are sold, that resort is gone.

An example is if Riviera resort has 10,000 points for sale, interested people will keep purchasing until those points are sold out.

Only then will the resort be put off the available DVC listings.; that resort is sold out, and you can’t buy points on it.

How much are DVC points?

Based on location and season of the year, DVC points vary in price. As of January 2021, the estimated average price for each point at:

• Aulani DVC Villa is $201 per point directly through Disney and $108 per point through resale.
• Baylake Tower is $245 per point through Disney and $150 through resale.
• Boulder Ridge Villas is $186 per point through Disney and $99 per point through resale.
• Copper Creek Villas are at $225 per point through Disney and $148 through resale.
• Disney Animal Villas are at $186 through Disney and $118 through retail.
• Beach Club Villas are at $245 per point through Disney and $146 through resale.
• Boardwalk Villas at $210 per point through Disney and $138 through resale.
• Hilton Head Island at $135 per point through Disney and $70 through resale.
• Old Key West resort at $165 per point through Disney and $112 through resale.
• Polynesian Villas at $250 per point through Disney and $159 through resale.
• Saratoga Resort at $165 per point through Disney and $109 through resale.
• Riviera Resort at $201 per point through Disney and $145 through resale
• Vero Beach at $120 per point through Disney and $68 through resale
• Grand Californian at $295 through Disney and $227 through resale.
• Grand Floridian at $255 through Disney and $174 through resale.

The costs you incur buying DVC points only cater for the accommodation aspect of the trip. Even then, members don’t get free entry into the parks for the prices that they are paying. However, they are given discounts and sometimes annual passes into the parks; these prices are subject to change when you consider the size, the number of rooms or other amenities.

DVC RESALE – WHAT IS IT, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Non-members can benefit from DVC programs through third-party sites and agents that resell.

When members are unable to use the points before they expire, they rent them to other people.

In short, DVC resale is where you can buy a DVC contract second-hand.

What happens is that the rentee will organize with a DVC member to rent their points at a special bargain price.

The DVC member will then book the resort of the renter’s choice and then charge them based on how many points they spend.

Let’s say each point is considered $17, and the rentee spends $80 points towards their seven nights stay in a villa; they will have to pay the member $1360.

How DVC resale works

Assuming a point at Cooper Creek Resort costs $225, the total cost for 100 points will be $22,500. On the resale market, that same point can go for $150, putting your total cost at $1500. That’s a lot more money saved than when you buy directly through Disney. There are various websites offered which will act as the middleman to ensure the security of the transaction.

Still, if you’re interested in this, I highly recommend researching the price for DVC points before making any decisions. Buying a resale contract saves you a lot of dollars vs when you buy directly through Disney. The process of getting a resale contract is pretty much the same as when buying direct.

• First, you find a contract listing of your choice.
• Make an offer on the contract.
• If the seller agrees, all necessary information will be sent to DVC Disney to begin the right of first refusal process. Right of first refusal is a period up to 30days where Disney has the right to buy back the contract at the current agreed-upon terms.
• If Disney waives their right to the first refusal, the contract will get closed, a cash transaction will follow, and you will become a DVC member.

Advantages of DVC resale

The first and most remarkable advantage is that you can buy points at ridiculously low prices, DVC resale contracts are sold at a huge discount.

When buying a resale through Disney, you retain most of the advantages that come with the contract.

You will be able to stay at all, but one Disney vacation resort property, the Riviera resort, and we will get into why later in the article.

Resale members can take advantage of the home resorts, advanced booking window, and transfer the points over to other hotels worldwide.

Downsides to DVC resale

Members can not get shopping or dining discounts at shops and restaurants.

Resale members are White cardholders and so can not attend exclusive member events or enjoy exclusive member cruises.

The major disadvantage to buying resale and not directly through Disney is an additional restriction embedded directly into the Disney vacation newest property, the Riviera resort.

If you buy a Riviera contract on the resale market, you would only use your points to stay at the Riviera resort and not any other 14 Disney location resorts. This restriction has been in effect since January 2019.

DVC is not for everybody; they are a luxury.

Luxuries come at a cost, and that cost is usually high.

Where to start

If you feel that DVC is for you, let me recommend you DVC Resale Experts.

DVC Resale Experts have been in business with over 120 years of combined Disney experience.

Built on providing professional Disney service, they have made over $360 million in sales. Better yet, they provide up to 10 years of a loan with no credit financing.

DVC Resale Experts feature listings from all 15 DVC resorts.

If you want to learn more about buying and selling DVC from experienced professionals, visit their website or email at [email protected].

Conclusion

For many people, traveling to Walt Disney World or Disneyland is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whether you have been there a thousand times or for your first time, the Disney resort experience will be magical for everybody.

If you are still wondering if DVC resale is worth it, the answer is yes. The large upfront front cost you make should be considered as an investment for many future vacations.

Lastly, only go for a DVC membership if you plan to stay at a DVC resort at least once a year.

AUTHOR BIO

Nanyanzi Prudence Joan is a content writer, creator, and musician. Well, she has her head in almost everything. She considers herself a multi-potential.