Ever dreamed of making Disney feel a little more like home? That’s what Disney Vacation Club has done for us. And in this post, I’m breaking it all down in real talk: what it is, how it works, and whether it’s actually worth it for your family.

Before we dive into the details, here’s what made DVC click for us as a family of planners and dreamers. We found DVC after our first big family trip to Walt Disney World as a family. A brochure landed in our mailbox. Fast forward through a pandemic, a lot of YouTube research, and a resale market rabbit hole… we bought in. And it’s changed the way we travel as a family. This beginner’s guide breaks down how the Disney timeshare offering works, what makes it unique, and why many consider it a good deal for Disney vacations year after year.

So before we dive into the mechanics, let’s start with the big picture: Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is Disney’s flexible, points-based take on a timeshare program—making it one of the most popular ways to secure deluxe Disney vacations through a vacation ownership model. But what is it really, and is it a good idea for your family?

What is Disney Vacation Club?

Disney Vacation Club is a points-based ownership program that allows you to stay at deluxe Disney Vacation Club Resorts throughout Disney properties. Think of it as a modern take on a traditional timeshare: instead of locking into a single week every year, you buy vacation points you can use however and whenever you want across a range of room types and resorts.

When you buy into DVC, you purchase a real estate interest in a specific Disney Resort, known as your “home resort.” You’ll also choose a Use Year, which determines when your annual allotment of points is deposited into your account.

DVC offers more flexibility than traditional timeshares. Members can plan vacations to Disney cruises, Vero Beach, Aulani in Hawaii, or Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

Instead of specific room or week guarantees, DVC membership provides access to various resorts with flexible availability, allowing for diverse vacation options. The more you learn to work the system—booking early, knowing point values, and managing your Use Year—the more value you’ll get from it.

Wait – This Is A Timeshare Program!?

Hold tight—I know what you’re thinking: you are crAzY for purchasing a timeshare, even if it’s through Disney.

But back in 1990, Disney had a different idea. They weren’t jumping into the same rigid system of set weeks, high-pressure pitches, and confusing contracts. They wanted to create the “un-timeshare.”

By the following year, Disney had launched Disney Vacation Development, Inc. and broke ground on the first 190 villas at the “Disney Vacation Club” – now called Old Key West. From the start, they made it clear this wouldn’t follow the old playbook. A January 1991 Orlando Sentinel article explained:

“The club isn’t taking the usual timeshare approach, in which people purchase slices of a property, usually in weekly increments. The Disney project involves memberships.”

Then, on September 30, 1991, Disney began selling memberships in what is now known as the Disney Vacation Club. The offering was a clear departure from the industry norm:

• Memberships started at $11,730 for a 50-year deeded contract
• Annual dues ranged from $500 to $700
• Members received free theme park admission through the end of 1999 (?!)
• And—most importantly—they received a set number of vacation points each year, which could be used however they liked

Mark Pacala, then VP of Disney Vacation Development, put it this way:

“The Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare with a Disney twist. We have taken the timeshare concept and added unprecedented flexibility.”

Owners could reserve short weekend trips, more extended off-season stays, or high-season vacations in larger units. They could bank points, borrow from future years, or even trade vacations for stays in Europe, Hawaii, and beyond through a partnership with RCI, a timeshare exchange program.

That “Disney twist” changed everything. But how does it actually play out for members? This is where the magic—and math—come together.

How Do Points Work?

Each year, Disney Vacation Club members receive a set number of vacation points
 based on their contract. These points are your currency for booking stays at DVC resorts.

Booking Windows

• Home resort bookings open 11 months in advance
• Other DVC resorts open 7 months in advance

How many points do you need?

The number of points you need depends on the resort, room type, and time of year. Disney publishes annual point charts to help you estimate how far your points will go. For example:

• A studio at Old Key West in September might cost 10 points per night
• A two-bedroom villa at the Grand Floridian during Christmas week could run 60+ points per night

What is a Use Year?

You’ll receive your points during your assigned Use Year (the month your annual points renew). You can bank unused points into the following year or borrow from the following year, giving you flexibility for longer or more luxurious trips.

Traveling during off-peak seasons or staying at a specific resort, such as Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, can help stretch your points further compared to higher-demand options like the Grand Floridian or Polynesian.

Once you understand how the points work, the next big question is usually cost—and that’s where things can feel a little overwhelming at first. Let me break it down simply.

Real Example: Booking at Old Key West

For example, I own at Disney’s Old Key West
 Resort and typically travel in late February. For a trip starting February 22, I can book at Old Key West
 beginning March 22 of the year before—exactly 11 months out. From that date through July 22, I can book only at my home resort. During this window, I can’t use my points elsewhere—and other non-home resort
 members can’t book Old Key West.

How much does Disney Vacation Club cost?

Costs include:

1. Initial purchase (buying the points)
2. Annual dues (aka maintenance fees)

Let’s break that down:

• Initial buy-in cost: Prices typically range from $150 to $250+ per point when buying directly from Disney. Minimum contracts start at around 100 points but can go much higher depending on your vacation style.
• Annual dues: These vary by resort and cover upkeep, housekeeping, landscaping, and resort staff. In 2025, annual dues ranged from $7 to $10 per point. For a 150-point contract, you might pay around $1,200 per year.

While the initial cost is significant, many members say it pays off long-term—especially when you factor in inflation and the rising costs of staying at Disney deluxe resorts.

Keep in mind: Annual dues can increase slightly year over year. DVC manages them, and Disney Vacation Club Owners vote on budgets. Resorts with more amenities or beachfront access (like Vero Beach) sometimes have higher dues than inland resorts like Saratoga Springs. So what are your options, really? The magic of DVC is in the variety. Let’s take a quick tour through the resorts available to members.

Where Are The Disney Vacation Club Resorts?

In the beginning, DVC members just had one choice – the Disney Vacation Club! Now, DVC members have access to many different resorts! Here’s a look at every DVC property, listed by the year it opened:

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort – Opened: December 1991
  • The original Disney Vacation Club property (originally named “Disney Vacation Club Resort”)
• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort – Opened: October 1995
  • First DVC resort built outside of a Disney theme park, located on Florida’s Atlantic coast
• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort – Opened: March 1996
  • A charming, beachside resort in South Carolina offering a low-country getaway
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas – Opened: July 1996
  • Part of the lively BoardWalk Inn complex, walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas – Opened: July 2002
  • Attached to the Beach Club Resort, with easy access to EPCOT and a renowned pool area
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Opened: May 2004
  • Inspired by upstate New York horse country, built on the former site of Disney Institute
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Opened: July 2007 (Jambo House), May 2009 (Kidani Village)
  • Two distinct buildings connected to Animal Kingdom Lodge featuring savanna views
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Opened: August 2009
  • Modern and sleek, with walking access to Magic Kingdom and monorail convenience
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Opened: September 2009
  • First DVC property at Disneyland Resort; craftsman-style elegance with direct park access
• Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa (Hawaii) – Opened: August 2011 (phased through 2013)
  • First DVC resort in Hawaii, blending Disney storytelling with Hawaiian culture
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Opened: October 2013
  • Victorian elegance on the monorail loop; expanded with new tower rooms in 2022
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Opened: July 2017
  • Pacific Northwest charm with modern rustic design; includes waterfront cabins
• Disney’s Riviera Resort – Opened: December 2019
  • European-inspired; first stand-alone DVC resort built since Saratoga Springs
• The Villas at Disneyland Hotel – Opened: September 2023
  • Mid-century modern design meets Disney animation; newest addition at Disneyland Resort
• The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort – Opened: July 2024
  • A reimagining of the Fort Wilderness cabins with cozy, family-friendly vacation ownership

Room types vary widely: from value-friendly studio units to 1-bedroom villas and up to three-bedroom villas and multi-room cabins for larger groups. Most DVC villas come with hotel-style amenities and vacation-friendly upgrades, including a full kitchen, laundry machines, and multiple sleeping areas—perfect for families, multigenerational trips, or even two families traveling together.

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, let’s talk about how to actually become a member.

How can I buy DVC?

Buying Direct from Disney

Buying direct from Disney may come with perks like discounts, exclusive events, and access to things like Disney Cruise Line bookings or Disneyland Resort extras. It’s important to note these perks can change, so it’s best to confirm current benefits with DVC directly. There is a minimum number of points
 that has increased over time (at the time of this writing, the minimum number of points
 you can initially purchase directly from Disney is 150).

Buying Resale

However, there is a second way to purchase a Disney Vacation Club membership, and that is through resale on the secondary market. These DVC contracts
 can offer a great deal, often at a significantly lower price per point. The trade-off? You lose access to specific extras. However, you still get full access to booking DVC villas at a majority of the resorts – which is the primary reason someone should purchase DVC.

If you’re focused on long-term value and don’t care much about perks, the resale route is often the best way to get in affordably. Sites like the DVC Resale Market specialize in matching buyers and sellers with licensed brokers – and this is where we purchased both of our contracts. We’ve bought resale twice and genuinely love the experience. But it’s not for everyone. Buying in is a big decision—so let’s zoom out. Here’s what I love about being a member… and what still makes me pause.

Pros and Cons of DVC Membership

Pros

• Lock in today’s vacation prices
• Access to spacious, deluxe resorts
• Excellent for families and large groups
• Flexibility with Use Year, point banking/borrowing
• Potential for strong resale value

Cons

• High upfront cost
• Annual dues continue even if you skip a trip
• Hard-to-book resorts during high season
• Not ideal for spontaneous, last-minute travel
• Booking availability can be competitive, especially at smaller resorts.

How to Choose the Right DVC Home Resort

When picking a home resort, consider:

• Location: Want to walk to Magic Kingdom? Choose Bay Lake Tower or Grand Floridian.
• Theming: Love rustic vibes? Copper Creek might be for you.
• Annual dues: Old Key West and Saratoga Springs tend to have lower dues.
• Booking advantage: Pick where you’ll most likely want to stay year after year.

Also, consider your vacation patterns. Do you plan to visit during the high seasons? If so, a home resort advantage at a high-demand property may be worth the higher cost. If you’re more flexible, consider resorts that cost fewer points and have better resale value.

Mini FAQ

Still Got Questions?  I did too! Here are the ones I kept Googling before we finally joined:

Can I stay at a different resort than my home resort?

Yes, you can book other resorts starting 7 months in advance.

What happens if I don’t use my points?

You can bank them from your current year to use in the future.

Can I use points for non-Disney hotels or cruises?

You can—but it usually isn’t the best value. Disney Vacation Club points are best used for DVC villas. For example, A 7-night cruise might cost hundreds of points, while a DVC villa stay might only cost 100–150 for the same week.

What’s a Use Year again?

It’s the month of the year your annual points refresh. It doesn’t restrict when you can travel—just when you get your points.

Is DVC a real estate purchase?

Yes! You are buying a real estate interest in a Disney property. It’s deeded and can be sold, willed, or transferred.

What’s the catch?

There isn’t one, exactly—but you do need to use your membership consistently to make it worth it. If your travel style changes or if you don’t plan to visit Disney frequently, it might not be the right fit in the long term.

​

You’ve made it this far—which tells me you’re seriously considering DVC. So let me leave you with this:

Final Thoughts: Is it worth being a Disney Vacation Club member?

Now that you know how the Disney Vacation Club works, here’s why it can transform your vacation. An annual vacation with your DVC points doesn’t have to mean a full-blown trip to the theme parks every year. Our DVC ownership is an opportunity to take a prepaid vacation every year. Even if we don’t have the budget to go somewhere, our points are waiting to be used at any of the locations I mentioned above. Whether you’re drawn to the beaches of Vero Beach, the serenity of Hilton Head Island, or the thrill of Disney theme parks, DVC membership opens up a world of possibilities. It’s one of the best ways to blend flexibility, luxury, and long-term savings into your travel planning – and that is exactly why we purchased it.

Want to test the waters? Renting points is a great way to try the experience before making a big commitment. You’ll get to stay in a DVC villa at a fraction of the cash price and experience firsthand what makes the program special. While we did not rent points before purchasing DVC, I knew from my research that just the ability to stay in any of the Disney Vacation Club Villas would be head and shoulders above our experience in a single hotel room – even if it were at a nice resort.

Wherever you are in the journey—curious, skeptical, or halfway down the resale rabbit hole—I hope this helped you feel a little more confident.

If you’re still unsure, I’d love to hear your questions or thoughts. Leave a comment, send me a DM, or just keep exploring. There’s no one right way to do this—and that’s the magic of DVC.

✨ As always,
Alicia