Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It? The Pros and Cons

Do you dream of living in the Disney theme parks? How about staying in luxurious resorts? If you answered yes to either of these questions, Disney Vacation Club is for you! This vacation ownership club offers its members many magical perks, from exclusive benefits at Walt Disney World and Disneyland to unique experiences onsite at the resorts. Moreover, while you can’t technically live in the parks, Disney timeshare properties put you as close to the magic as possible. So, is Disney Vacation Club worth it? Well, vacation ownership isn’t for everyone. However, if you want to determine if DVC membership is right for you, you’ve come to the right place. Join us as we reveal the pros, cons, and everything else you need to know to determine, “Is DVC worth it?”

About Disney Vacation Club

Disney Vacation Club, also known as “DVC,” is undoubtedly one of the best vacation clubs in the hospitality industry. Families traveling to Florida, California, and Hawaii often stay in their favorite Disney resorts to level up their vacation. Disney began the Disney Vacation Club with their first resort, which is known today as Old Key West, in 1991. Since then, this resort developer has proven it’s worth it to thousands of families that own a Disney timeshare across the 18 DVC resorts.

Disney Vacation Club is Growing!

One of the most exciting things about Disney Vacation Club is that the brand is growing! As of 2024, DVC has added two new resorts to its directory, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, and split the existing Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas into two resorts, Jambo House and Kidani Village, bringing the total number of DVC resorts from 15 to 18. Thus, Disney Vacation Club will continue to be worth it well into the future. Keep in mind, however, that resale restrictions mean that new resorts may not be accessible to owners who buy their DVC timeshare on the resale market. We will discuss this issue more later in the blog.

What Resorts Are Part of Disney Vacation Club?

How Do DVC Points Work?

With so many owners raving about DVC, one thing that makes it worth it to all of them stands out. DVC points allow owners to have the ultimate freedom and flexibility. Disney Vacation Club works by giving Disney timeshare owners an annual allotment of points to their Home resort. You can determine how many DVC points you need when you purchase a DVC contract. How often you travel and the typical size of party will play into how many DVC points you should buy.

Once you purchase your membership points, you can use them to book your vacations. Many vacationers wonder if DVC is worth it due to the expense of purchasing Disney Vacation Club points. Therefore, we recommend listing the pros and cons for your family first. Then, you can weigh your options wisely.

What Factors Should You Consider Before Committing to the Long-Term Costs of DVC?

Before jumping in, it’s important to take a step back and look at the big picture. Disney Vacation Club can be a fantastic option for some families, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Here are a few key things to weigh before making the leap:

• Commitment to Vacationing Disney-Style for Years to Come: The most significant benefits often appear years down the road, meaning you’ll want to be sure your family will still love Disney vacations well into the future. Ensuring your family plans to return to Disney year after year is essential when deciding to join the Disney Vacation Club.
• Hunting for Savings: You can also browse the DVC resale market for great deals on membership.
• Maximizing Your Membership: The savings with DVC shine when you consistently use your allotted points at DVC resorts. If you skip years or use points outside the network, you might not get the best value. Make it a priority to plan ahead so no points go unused.
• Planning and Points Management: Keep things realistic when it comes to how many points you’ll use! Remember, DVC points can expire if you don’t use them or bank them on time, so it’s essential to keep track of them.

Taking time to evaluate these factors can help you decide whether joining DVC is a magical fit for your family or if you’re better off sticking with traditional hotel bookings.

How Can You Calculate the Value of a Single DVC Vacation Point?

If you’re wondering how to put a price tag on a single Disney Vacation Club point, you’re not alone! It’s one of the trickier aspects of ownership, with plenty of moving parts. Disney doesn’t provide a public formula, but with a little creative math, you can still estimate it for yourself by considering both short- and long-term costs.

Why Is It So Tricky to Pin Down the Value of a DVC Vacation Point?

Figuring out exactly what a DVC Vacation Point is “worth” can be challenging since there’s no single, official answer. The value of a point depends on a handful of moving parts. These can change based on when you buy, where you buy, and how you use your membership.

Let’s break down the main reasons this calculation can get complicated:

• Annual, Not One-Time Value: When you purchase DVC, you’re buying a specific number of points, but those points are awarded to you every year for the life of your contract, not just once. How long you’ll receive those annual points all depends on your home resort and when you sign your contract. For instance, a contract at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa signed in 2025 runs through 2064. Buying in a few years later means a shorter membership and fewer total points.
• Changing Costs Over Time: The initial price of Vacation Points has crept up over the years. In 1991, points cost just $51 each, while by 2023, that price had soared to $217. But that price tag isn’t the “value” of a single point. It is the key to accessing a stream of points every year for decades.
• Different Home Resorts, Different Expirations: Each resort has its own contract expiration date. This means the value per point varies depending on how many years remain. Two people purchasing the same number of points at different times may end up with significantly different total benefits over the life of their contracts.
• Long-Term Value vs. Upfront Cost: The upfront cost for DVC points can look steep (imagine a price tag of $32,550 for 150 points at $217 each). But you’re effectively pre-paying for decades of future vacations, which muddles any direct, apples-to-apples comparison you might want to make. Buying on the resale market can help you save thousands upfront.
• Annual Fees and Rising Point Requirements: Don’t forget that annual dues and the steadily increasing number of points required for the most popular stays can affect the “real world” value of each point over time.

So, while you can try to estimate a value per point by dividing your costs by the number of vacation nights you’ll enjoy, the result still relies on many shifting factors. Ultimately, pinning down an exact worth for a DVC Vacation Point requires a bit of number-crunching.

What Happens If You Don’t Use All Your DVC Points?

Unused DVC points don’t just sit there waiting for your next magical getaway; they come with an expiration date! If you have leftover points at the end of your Use Year and haven’t banked them for future vacations, those points disappear.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Banking Your Points: Each year, you have a window when you can “bank” unused points to use next year. If you miss this deadline, those points are gone once your Use Year ends.
• Borrowing Points: You can also borrow points from the next Use Year, giving your vacation plans some extra pixie dust—but keep in mind this reduces next year’s amount.
• Lost Value: If you let your points expire without using or banking them, it’s money left on the table. That’s why DVC works best for planners and strategists, ensuring you squeeze every bit of value from your membership.

Thinking ahead is the key to making DVC points work their magic and ensuring no points go to waste!

Pros and Cons of Disney Vacation Club – Is DVC Worth It?

You may think of a timeshare as a vacation you take once a year at the same resort every year. However, times have changed. Undoubtedly, DVC offers one of the most flexible vacation ownership programs out there with its points system.

DVC Pros	DVC Cons
Flexibility with points: spend, bank, and borrow points how you wish!	Must plan ahead: popular dates and resorts sell out fast!
Proximity to the theme parks: if you’re visiting a DVC resort at Disney World or Disneyland, you can take a monorail, shuttle, boat, or gondola to the theme parks.	Lacking diverse options: only three DVC resorts are away from the hustle and bustle of Disney theme parks.
Can be purchased for less on the resale market to save some money!	DVC resale restrictions are ever-changing and may not work for you
DVC points hold their value relatively well and sell fast on the resale market.	It costs more to join DVC than most other vacation clubs.
Exchange on Interval International for thousands of other destinations, hotels, and resorts worldwide.
Receive member discounts, exclusive event access, or early access to purchase event tickets, etc.

How Real-World Redemption Values Impact DVC Value

At the end of the day, whether DVC membership is a smart choice for your family comes down to how you use your points and what they’re worth to you. Before deciding, it’s essential to factor in the actual value you’ll get from each point redeemed during your stays.

For example, some owners get incredible value by booking high-demand weeks (think: holiday seasons at the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian). Others might stretch their points by choosing quieter times or smaller villas. This makes the actual “value” of DVC points a bit of a moving target.

• If you consistently book popular dates and maximize your points, your cost-per-night can be lower than booking similar hotel rooms directly through Disney.
• On the other hand, if you prefer visiting during off-peak times or don’t use all your points each year, your per-point savings might not stack up as dramatically.

The bottom line? Carefully weighing your typical travel style, desired resorts, and vacation timing is very important.

DVC is a Points-Based Vacation Club

Since DVC is a points-based vacation club, owners can divide their points for multiple stays throughout the year. How many stays you can book depends on the number of points you buy. Not to mention, price-per-point changes depending on the resort you buy with and stay at. However, you can add more points anytime for less on the DVC resale market. As a result, the number of times you stay at your Disney timeshare is entirely up to you.

That said, maximizing the value of your DVC membership means making the most of every Vacation Point you’re allotted each year. If you consistently use all your points, ideally at DVC resorts, which often provide the best value per point, your savings compared to paying cash rates can be significant. For example, resorts like Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are known for offering excellent redemption rates. This can help you stretch your points even further.

My Disney Experience App Replacing Magic Bands

This point really depends on your preferences. Since Disney began incorporating Magic Bands into their theme park experience, more and more fans have become accustomed to wearable tech. Not to mention, Magic Bands have taken off for being so customizable to the wearer. Annual pass holders often have multiple bands to coordinate with their outfits of the day! In addition, the magic at Disney has expanded with their new Magic Band+, which is available for purchase now! Guests will enjoy a more immersive theme park experience with this upgraded Magic Band. At the parks, guests can interact with different points and participate in new activities.

In recent years, Disney Vacation Club announced that Magic Bands for DVC members will no longer be complimentary during your stay. Instead of Magic Bands for DVC members, owners, and visitors can download the free My Disney Experience app to access theme park tickets, room keys, and more. Of course, you can still use a Magic Band if you own one or if you choose to buy one.

Priority Booking At Your Home Resort

Deciding if DVC is worth it depends on the way you like to vacation. If you love your Disney home resort, you’ll have priority booking there, and you should have no trouble returning. With that said, it’s not as easy to book stays at other resorts in the brand, even though you’ll have access to them.

Additionally, there are no international resorts in the Disney brand as of yet, so if international travel is important to you, you won’t necessarily be able to do this with just your DVC membership. However, you can add an Interval International membership to your vacation ownership, allowing you to travel abroad. As a result, your Disney timeshare opens up a world of opportunities, literally!

Interval International Exchange

If you’re looking to travel worldwide with your DVC membership—beyond just Epcot—you’ll need to sign up for an Interval International membership. This added hoop can feel like a lot (perhaps a con) for some families, especially considering the list of II fees that come with exchanging.

However, the variety of brands and resorts offered on II’s network can compensate for the fees. Well-known brands like Marriott are offered in the Interval International network, so you can add Marriott Vacation Club resorts to your travel plans, too. World travelers may love purchasing a timeshare resale and then joining an exchange network to get the most out of traveling internationally. The cost of a timeshare on the resale market can oftentimes be less than buying hotel stays each year!

Disney Signature Dining Experiences

One thing you won’t find at any other resort in the timeshare world is the incredible “Signature Dining Experiences” DVC Resorts offers. Enjoy rooftop dining bliss at Riviera Resort’s Topolino’s delightfully fast service at Primo Piatto, or the magic atmosphere of Cinderella’s Royal Table at Walt Disney World. These dining experiences offer unforgettable moments for adults and children in addition to delicious Disney-style food only Disney can offer. You’ll enjoy memorable meals, all thanks to your Disney timeshare.

Other Worthy DVC Benefits

Character meet-and-greets and Moonlight Magic are perks you can’t get with any other brand because they are so Disney-specific! Disney Vacation Club Member benefits extend beyond just vacation ownership, with additional discounts and members-only access to special events. One of the best is watching Disney movies under the stars, but there are so many more to enjoy when you visit Disney. Plus, if you plan to visit Disney parks year after year, buying vacation points will help you save money over time compared to staying at a hotel. As a result, while Disney timeshares cost more than other resorts, there are plenty of benefits to help outweigh the price.

The true value of your membership depends on how you’d travel otherwise and whether you’d spring for Disney’s top-tier rooms at their full cash price. If you’re the type who loves Disney’s deluxe resorts and plans to return again and again, the savings can add up quickly and make those vacation points feel like a smart choice for you.

Top DVC Resorts

Of course, while all these benefits are great, knowing where you might be staying is just as important. Fortunately, these locations offer more than a deluxe studio or spacious suite. All of the Disney Resort Hotels offer a true home away from home! The Disney Vacation Club Villas have everything you need for a luxurious vacation. Here are a few of the best Disney timeshare resorts you can stay at with a DVC membership.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Anyone looking for a more contemporary theme is sure to love the DVC resort: Disney’s Riviera Resort. Located near EPCOT, this Disney Vacation Club Property features stunning Mediterranean-style aesthetics that give it a sense of class and luxury. The activity lawn is a great space for family fun, with a life-sized chessboard, bocce ball court, and fire pit to gather around. Taking a beautiful stroll along the waterfront to get some outdoor exercise makes for a perfect, blood-pumping activity. You’ll also dine at several delicious restaurants, unwind at the pool, and have easy access to EPCOT via the Disney Skyliner.

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

If you’d like your home resort to be a piece of Disney history, it doesn’t get better than Disney’s Old Key West Resort. This was the first Disney Vacation Club resort and provided guests with spacious accommodations and top-notch amenities they’d wanted for years. Sandcastle Pool provides an excellent place for families to come and enjoy the sunshine and have a blast. Not only does it have a pool slide, but also a whirlpool spa and a dry sauna. Additional amenities include shuffleboard, DVD rentals, a Community Hall game room, three delightful playgrounds, and two arcade rooms.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

If you’re planning to visit Disney World, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is an obvious go-to. That’s because this Walt Disney World resort is the crown jewel of Disney’s Florida properties. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is elaborately furnished with Victorian-style aesthetics that give it a refined, luxurious feel. Additionally, you can take advantage of the state-of-the-art fitness center to keep up with your routines, even while you’re on vacation. While a day at Disney is a lot of fun, it can also be pretty tiring. That’s where the Grand Floridian Spa comes in. This spa features a variety of soothing services, like facials, massages, body wraps, and aromatherapy.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

If you’re a DVC member looking for a tropical retreat near the beach, this last resort is perfect for you. Located on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is one of the most popular Disney properties, and it’s easy to see why! Disney Vacation Club members enjoy the golden sands and gentle waves of the on-site beach, Ko Olina Lagoon. You can paddleboard, snorkel, and more at this private lagoon. Not to mention, Disney Vacation Club Members can also enjoy character experiences with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and more. Perfect for younger guests! Last but not least, end your day by watching a festive luau celebrating Hawaii’s rich history and culture. With so much to offer, it should be no surprise that this is one of the must-see Disney properties.

Is DVC Worth It?

Now that you know more about the pros and cons of DVC, you may be able to decide if Disney Vacation Club is worth it. This is a question no blog can honestly answer since vacations are so special for each person. If you’re worried about the cost, we recommend looking into DVC financing options to help you make your dreams a reality.

Disney Vacation Club may be worth it if a membership is in your budget and if you absolutely LOVE Disney. If you’re looking for luxurious vacations that aren’t Disney-owned, plenty of other amazing vacation ownership brands are out there. We recommend browsing the timeshare resale market first for your timeshare, whether it’s DVC or otherwise. You can save thousands of dollars while still maintaining most of the incredible perks that make timeshare so amazing, which may make Disney Vacation Club worth the money.

It’s important to remember, though, that DVC is good if you want a prepaid vacation, but it’s not an investment. The true value comes from years of memorable vacations and the flexibility of using your points at Disney resorts, not from expecting a financial return.

However, DVC points do hold their value relatively well. While it is not wise to look at DVC as an investment opportunity, it does help some buyers feel better knowing that if they need to sell their points in the future, it’s a legitimate option. Disney Vacation Club is one of the few brands that hold their value resale. Moreover, it’s common for many of our DVC listings to sell quickly. For more on the value of DVC points, how much they cost, and what they go for on the resale market, check out our blog: DVC Cost Per Point and the Long-Term Value of Disney Vacation Club Ownership.

How Long Does It Take to Break Even on DVC Costs?

If you’re crunching the numbers and wondering when you’ll start seeing savings from your Disney Vacation Club membership, you’re not alone. The reality is, breaking even on your upfront DVC purchase doesn’t usually happen overnight. For most owners, it takes somewhere between 6 to 14 years of vacations before the cost is truly outweighed by the money you save compared to booking standard Disney accommodations every trip. If you buy on the resale market, you see those savings even quicker because you are getting points for thousands of dollars less than buying direct.

Much of the value builds gradually over years of magical stays, so DVC works best for families who know they’ll make Disney a repeat destination for quite some time. Think of it as a long-term investment in creating future memories—just with much more pixie dust!

Understanding Annual Membership Dues

Like any vacation ownership program, Disney Vacation Club comes with ongoing annual dues. These dues help cover the maintenance, operating costs, and property taxes of your home resort. The amount you’ll pay depends on two key factors: the number of points you own and which DVC resort you call “home.”

It’s important to know that annual dues aren’t a fixed expense—they tend to rise over time. Although some years the increase is modest (less than 2%), other years can see jumps of 5%.

Is Disney Vacation Club Worth the Money?

If you are trying to decide if Disney Vacation Club is worth the money, consider looking into DVC resale. Some owners on forums or elsewhere might recommend buying DVC points on the resale market before purchasing directly from Disney. You can save thousands of dollars when you buy resale and maintain many of the same benefits. One of the main reasons why a DVC resale might not be worth it is the reservation restrictions. As of 2019, if you purchase new DVC resorts’ points on the resale market, such as the Riviera, you can only use your points to make reservations at the Riviera moving forward. Alternatively, if you purchase points at a resort built before the Riviera, like Bay Lake Tower, you cannot spend those points at any new Disney timeshares in the future.

Blue Membership

Another point to consider when asking if a DVC resale is worth it is the member benefits. Currently, owners must have purchased at least 150 points directly from DVC to be eligible for the Blue Membership card. The Blue Membership card grants owners discounts on dining and shopping within the Walt Disney World company.

Combining DVC Retail and Resale Points

Many owners will purchase a mix of direct points from DVC and DVC resale points. That way, you can have all of the same benefits of Disney Vacation Club and still add additional points to your contract at a discount. If you find that you don’t have enough points to enjoy the vacations you truly want to, it’s probably more worth it to buy a Disney timeshare resale at that point.

Disney Vacation Club Points for Sale

If you’re an avid Disney fan who loves visiting the parks, it’s safe to say that DVC is likely worth it for you. If you’re ready to own a Disney timeshare and take a lifetime of Disney vacations, take a look at our Disney Vacation Club points for sale now. Many travelers who already have a DVC membership shop the DVC resale market when expanding their ownership because they know the prices are great! Get up to date on DVC’s new resale restrictions and start shopping for DVC properties for resale from the comfort of your home right now. If you have any questions about Disney Vacations, resort fees, or a DVC membership, our licensed agents are happy to assist you! Please give us a call at 1-800-410-8326 or email us at [email protected]. For more information on all things DVC, download the Family Guide to Disney Vacation Club.

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